April 9, 2012

Happy Late Easter....

OK, well we had so much fun this Easter.  Our ward decided to do our Fast and Testimony meeting on Easter Sunday... that made it kind of interesting.  There were so many people that testified or "thanked" about Joseph Smith.  I know that the Church just celebrated another anniversary of the Restoration, but Easter is Christs day!   He really only has 2 key days, let him have it.  Anyway.  We had a good time at church.  I sometimes struggle with our ward.  We have good people but no one seems to be connected with the other...  I've been in some wards that everyone knows and helps each other... the congregate with the congregation...  funny how when that happens the work flourishes.

Well since we were fasting our afternoon break was spent inside and all Black Baptist Church!  That's right, we went and scouted the competition.  I must say it was like going to a play.  The Pastor was great, he for sure practices in front of a mirror.  Anyway, this church was a Mega-Church.  It felt more like an auditorium, than a chapel, it was bigger than the auditorium in Lyman High.   There were anywhere from 2000-2500 people there, and Elder White and I were the only white people there, well there was 1 other white guy but...  HA!  It made for some awkward stares, but we made the best of it.  The service was started by a "worship"  which really just meant that their Choir sang, they were awesome!  They were backed up by a bass player, organ and piano, and drums.  My ears hurt the music was so loud.  Then the pastor gets up and starts a prayer..... It got really quiet, but the organ was still playing and he just kept repeating "thank you Jesus!"  Over and over!  then without and delay he was into his sermon, he taught 3 little stories, and they seemed more like good advice, and not doctrine, then it was time for another prayer but it just flowed into a prayer....  Everyone stood and held their hands open, some over their heads, and others just in front of  them, they started swaying and amens all over!  It was a really fun experience to try and figure out what was going on.    Very little doctrine was taught.  This I felt totally sets our church apart!  WE TEACH THE DOCTRINE.  He focused on the crucifixion and the Resurrection, but that was about it.  He took 8 verses from the scriptures and re-applied them to our lives today.  He would start in calm voice, and quiet, and by the end of one of his anecdotes, he would be yelling into the mic, and people would be on their feet clapping and yelling, hands in the air!  Oh Praise, Hallelujah!!!    Oh man!  I held back laughing till we were in the car, but it sure was fun.  I'm going to be sending home an MP3 of a few of the things, (These will come as soon as Jodi figures out how to post them!) that's right, Elder White recorded it with his voice recorder!  OH man we have been reliving the whole experience over again!  Kind of neat to see what some of our investigators are used to in church.... They teach a lot of "fluff" and don't really teach you how to be forgiven, or how to change.... they just keep repeating that Jesus can help you, and Pray to Jesus...  Good times! 

We had a very fun dinner with a lady from our ward.  Sister Silk, she is married to a Jewish man, and he's great too.  He celebrates the passover, and we, Easter, but both of us ate ham...  Is that Kosher?!  HA! (little rascals reference)   Well, we had so many good things!  Ham, Potatoes, Gravy, Peas with Mint, Jezebel sauce? it was awesome and we ate it on the ham, asparagus, sweet potatoes, humus, pita  bread, fruit cake stuff, coconut cake, there was this middle eastern stuff.... good but different.  Needless to say it was a great way to break a fast, and enjoy the company of so many different people.  They had friends there that were very artsy... They weren't religious and we were asked prior to coming over to keep the conversation light.  Fun times though.  They are great people, and we had a fun time getting to know them.  One of the ladies was from England and her accent made Elder White talk that way for a few hours....

We also have taught 18 lessons this week!  It was super busy!   It was good to have a few make up lessons from last week were we spent a ton of time doing more administering, instead of ministering.  We got to go on 2 exchanges with elders this week, which is always fun.  It was great to be with a very young elder this week and have a good effect on him.  He has only been out 5 weeks, and he was struggling with home sickness.  He seemed to dread the work everyday, but as we went out we had the right attitude, and had a blast.  By the end of the exchange he was jumping from visit to visit, and had all the confidence in his message and his testimony!  Super fun to see, and to have that kind of effect.  It was a much needed boost for me too.

Well not much else has happened lately.... 

Love you all

Love Elder Rees

April 2, 2012

Hey, Yes Conference was great! We got to go to our chapel and watch it. it's like our version of the religious SuperBowl! Well, conference was amazing. It was a much needed inoculation to a wounded heart. By that I mean that it's been an overwhelming few weeks. I have a very bad habit of comparing myself to others, and have made a few "mistakes" in conversations with other missionaries, and I always seem to be judged as we work or teach.... it's me that's judging myself, not from my companion. Anyway... I have been feeling really down lately, and it showed in the work here... I would just sit in lessons and listen, I didn't care too much to say anything and felt completely unaware of any prompting to contribute to the lessons. Obviously my companion noticed, and questioned what was the matter... As far as i could see, nothing. I have no reason to be sad, it's just happening. 

Deep down i still feel worried and compared to others in the ZL calling, They are wonderful, insightful, powerful missionaries, and I don't yet see myself in their league.... President and Sister Collins do, and are quick to remind me, but the internal switch hadn't really flipped for me yet. 

Conference was great... We were encouraging our investigators to write down some questions of things that they were struggling with, or things they wanted answers to. I love Elder Hollands talk, He look right at the camera, and said for any that were wondering if they should join this church, to JOIN! It was powerful as he invited them all to listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, right at that very moment, and follow those promptings. It was as if a miracle had happened, and he spoke, and the Heavens responded with the presence of the Holy Ghost being felt strongly!

There were a lot of talks on Families. I have truly felt the promptings of the spirit here on the mission that starting a family of my own is a great honor and responsibility that when my mission is completed that will be the next ordinance and goal to work towards.

It was very easy for me to take the council given to current families and apply them to the Zone, and work in leadership and truly helping others gain a testimony of this gospel, or strengthen the testimony of the one who is struggling or wayward. Needless to say that conference was for sure a revelatory and sacred experience that I hope repeats as long as I live on this earth. DON'T overlook the importance of ATTENDING conference, even if that is in your own home! It is a surprise to hear that you didn't take as much of an opportunity to listen to our prophet, one called by God, this weekend. Don't let the world (chores) keep you from learning what the Lord has inspired us to learn this next 6 months. Satan is sly, and works in simple ways to keep us from hearing or partaking of those words... Those words are words of God, and answers to prayers.

Well life here is good, we are working hard. This week was a busy week for meetings and planning, which meant that our numbers went down a bit, but that was ok, there are two sides to the work, and I'm seeing how they have to be unified. We have to be effective at ministering and Administering the gospel! 

Well Better run! We are off to have lunch with the Jensen Family from Crawfordsville! They are passing through on their way to a week of camping (spring break) and are stopping to have picnic at the church with us.

 Love you!

Love Elder Rees

April 8, 2012

HAPPY EASTER!!

This is a message from Dallin that was posted on http://mormon.org/easter and http://facebook.com/mormon. It was part of an Easter campaign to share messages about the Savior at this time of year. Enjoy!

My understanding of the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ has grown so much over the last few months.  I have been able to see the miraculous changes that happen in the lives of non-members as they investigate the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, found in His church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Those changes make my love for my Savior grow so much!  They are some of the most precious things that have ever happened in my life!  At times I too feel the overwhelming doubts about our own inadequacies, the despair of lost loved ones, the feelings that accompany a lack of faith in our Savior and His atonement, yet I also know that through his Atonement, we all can and will be cleansed of our sins, and lifted to new heights of success and joy.  I love the fact that I can express my deepest feelings to my Savior.  He’s felt our pains, our weaknesses, and our trials and temptations, and He can heal and I know He can truly run to our aide if we but ask.  He has been reaching out to me all my life, and now I get to be an extension of His arms and help bring others into his love.  My love for Him has grown as I serve others, and begin to see and love others as Christ views them.  I truly do love our Savior!   -   Love Elder Dallin Rees  Indianapolis Indiana 2011-2013

Hope you all are doing well!  Love Elder Rees