This one is going to be short! Sorry we are super busy!
hmm... We had miracles happen this week. Elder Golden took time this week to shake each of our hands, and with the amount of discernment he has, he knew the quality of our mission. He then looked at our numbers, as far as baptisms, and said that he was puzzled. He noticed our obedience, and character, and said that our baptisms should be double or triple where they are at now. He talked to us about exercising our faith more in this work, and relying on the Lord for the things that will help the work press on. We applied the principles that he taught us and saw the hand of the Lord work. We had 1 new investigator so far this last week. We had a goal to have 4 by Sunday, and Saturday night at the end of our day we were at 1.... Sunday afternoon we had an appointment set so we were confident that we would get 1 more. We were so blessed to show up to church and have a lot of new faces. We have a lot of new members showing up, for different programs here at Purdue. School starts in a week so there are tons of people moving in. We had a member approach us, introduce himself, and inform us that he had a friend coming and he'd like to introduce us to him. 1st miracle! We now have another person provided by the hand of the Lord and we will be teaching him soon. 2nd miracle: one of our investigators shows up at church with another friend! Same story, we will be meeting with them later this week and hopefully helping them discover for themselves the truthfulness of this Gospel. Preach my Gospel says we have to have 1 lesson and set a return appointment in order to make some one a "new investigator" we weren't able to do that on Sunday, but nevertheless we were able to have 2 more people that are ready and willing to listen to us. The Lord does provide and helps us in every way. It makes me think that we all need to be more active in the gospel. How often do we exercise our faith? Do we allow God to show us His power? He is all powerful, and we need to rely more on this power in our lives. Put yourself out there.... show God your faith by your personal righteousness, and allow him to perform a miracle in your life... Be active in the Gospel!
Monday, August 13, 2012
August 6, 2012
This week has been a wonderful week.
I have been truly blessed to see a baptism in every area in which I've served, and this one is no exception. I was so happy to be around for Sui's baptism. He's an amazing young kid from China/Taiwan. His family is Christian, and he is so in tune with the spirit. He has such worthy goals, and desires. He wants to honor his family, and keep the commandments of God. He strives to be a good man, and wants to be a good father and husband one day. His family name is riding on him, and he's very anxious to do what is right. He noticed a few differences in the culture of being a member and from china. The Chinese drink Tea often, but we had a long talk about following the higher laws of God, and still being a good citizen of the land in which he lives. He's going to do wonders, and be such a help for the Gospel in that part of the world.
As for me, I've been a little under the weather this weekend. Zone leader council was great! I truly gained a lot from looking at the survey that was taken and the results of the mission. I could easily see that my perception, as well as the perception of other missionaries of themselves is often incorrect. We seem to be our worst critics. It was very good to council with each other during the ride home and talk about the specific needs of our zone. Very revelatory. Upon arriving home I felt a fever coming on, and sure enough after we ended our appointments I checked and had a temperature of 100.3, which it was good to be able to go to bed and sleep it off. I awoke the next morning feeling fine, and we attended our baptism. The spirit was great there, and we had 2 other investigators come. They too felt the spirit, and were excited and are looking forward to their dates in September. That afternoon my headache, and fever returned, and I spent that afternoon resting, after consulting with Elder Beach and Sister Collins. Sunday was no different, the fever was back, and I ended up resting a lot of that day too, after church. I was glad that we still were able to work on our upcoming trainings and complete out weekly planning during our down time, it was hard as a missionary to not be able to go go go! Our bodies do need to be taken care of though.
Well not much else on my end. Things are still going great! I'm very excited for school to start back up here, and we have a huge influx of students to contact. There are several that left last semester with a baptismal date and we are already beginning to contact them, and to be prepared for their arrival.
I guess, upcoming this week we have Zone conference, and it's going to be cool, we have Elder Golden of the 70 in town. He's been in our mission about 2 years ago, and we are excited to hear from him. The church has also started a new meeting for us Zone leaders. We now get to conduct a monthly meeting where we get to train on our last Zone Leader Council, and the trainings that we received there. It's a new thing that the whole church is doing. Before this we would only be able to train while on exchanges with other areas, and it took us too long to get information and training to each area. So the church has listened as the mission presidents press this issue. I'm very excited to be able to participate in these. It's cool to see that when people ask questions revelation occurs, or in this case, more meetings.
Love you all! I hop all is well,
I have been truly blessed to see a baptism in every area in which I've served, and this one is no exception. I was so happy to be around for Sui's baptism. He's an amazing young kid from China/Taiwan. His family is Christian, and he is so in tune with the spirit. He has such worthy goals, and desires. He wants to honor his family, and keep the commandments of God. He strives to be a good man, and wants to be a good father and husband one day. His family name is riding on him, and he's very anxious to do what is right. He noticed a few differences in the culture of being a member and from china. The Chinese drink Tea often, but we had a long talk about following the higher laws of God, and still being a good citizen of the land in which he lives. He's going to do wonders, and be such a help for the Gospel in that part of the world.
As for me, I've been a little under the weather this weekend. Zone leader council was great! I truly gained a lot from looking at the survey that was taken and the results of the mission. I could easily see that my perception, as well as the perception of other missionaries of themselves is often incorrect. We seem to be our worst critics. It was very good to council with each other during the ride home and talk about the specific needs of our zone. Very revelatory. Upon arriving home I felt a fever coming on, and sure enough after we ended our appointments I checked and had a temperature of 100.3, which it was good to be able to go to bed and sleep it off. I awoke the next morning feeling fine, and we attended our baptism. The spirit was great there, and we had 2 other investigators come. They too felt the spirit, and were excited and are looking forward to their dates in September. That afternoon my headache, and fever returned, and I spent that afternoon resting, after consulting with Elder Beach and Sister Collins. Sunday was no different, the fever was back, and I ended up resting a lot of that day too, after church. I was glad that we still were able to work on our upcoming trainings and complete out weekly planning during our down time, it was hard as a missionary to not be able to go go go! Our bodies do need to be taken care of though.
Well not much else on my end. Things are still going great! I'm very excited for school to start back up here, and we have a huge influx of students to contact. There are several that left last semester with a baptismal date and we are already beginning to contact them, and to be prepared for their arrival.
I guess, upcoming this week we have Zone conference, and it's going to be cool, we have Elder Golden of the 70 in town. He's been in our mission about 2 years ago, and we are excited to hear from him. The church has also started a new meeting for us Zone leaders. We now get to conduct a monthly meeting where we get to train on our last Zone Leader Council, and the trainings that we received there. It's a new thing that the whole church is doing. Before this we would only be able to train while on exchanges with other areas, and it took us too long to get information and training to each area. So the church has listened as the mission presidents press this issue. I'm very excited to be able to participate in these. It's cool to see that when people ask questions revelation occurs, or in this case, more meetings.
Love you all! I hop all is well,
August 1, 2012
CHINESE FOOD!
Not the lame Americanized Chinese food that I love to eat at buffets, and members never seem to stop taking us out to them... but anyway. REAL Chinese food, made by a Japanese woman.... HA! oh this is getting complicated...
OK, we have a Chinese couple living in our stake boundaries, they are married, but are attending our singles ward... It's so perfect because they are able to help all the Chinese investigators that we have learn the message in their own language. Most of our investigators speak very good English, but there are some cultural limits, that Jack and Miki are helping with.
So we have some pictures for you!
The first one is of our WONDERFUL dinner that they made for us! Chicken, Chinese Bread, Fried wonton things... and a bean and Zucchini mixture... and sliced tomatoes. All of it was super good, and eating it with chop sticks was no big deal. They all seemed to laugh when we first started, but we both got pretty good by the end of our meal. One bean at a time... those were the hardest to get.
Here we have to Americans! Ha! It's pretty funny because we had this conversation that all you ever see Asian people doing in pictures is giving the peace sign, so we've decided that from now on we are going to embrace our inner Chinese person, and flash the peace sign too! We think we are pretty funny, and culturally accepted this way.
And finally there are some of the people that we ate with.... From Left to Right... Miki, she's Japanese, but was a Chinese major in college and speaks if fluently, and is married to Jack, who isn't in this picture, and he's chinese. Next is Linyuan... He's an investigator, and is getting baptized the 22nd of Sept! He's awesome! Super prepared and feels the spirit anytime he enters the church or members homes... All we had to do was mention that it was God answering him, and those good feelings are things to seek after. Next is Sui, we call him Dylan, and he's getting baptized on Saturday! I love this kid! he's so solid, and wants to be a good man! This is helping him a ton. Last is Like, (Lee KAH) She's a convert of a year or so, and is teaching our Chinese Gospel Principles class. She had her parents here from China, and they were at dinner too, but not in the picture... Very nice wonderful people. I wish the church was allowed in mainland china because the people there are very nice, well, at least the ones we are meeting here are, but they are very hungry for the gospel, like I'm hungry for their food!
Well, All is well at Purdue... We soon will have more students here than we know what to do with! It's going to be great! Not much else... thanks for all the letters, and love you send this way! Love you all!
Not the lame Americanized Chinese food that I love to eat at buffets, and members never seem to stop taking us out to them... but anyway. REAL Chinese food, made by a Japanese woman.... HA! oh this is getting complicated...
OK, we have a Chinese couple living in our stake boundaries, they are married, but are attending our singles ward... It's so perfect because they are able to help all the Chinese investigators that we have learn the message in their own language. Most of our investigators speak very good English, but there are some cultural limits, that Jack and Miki are helping with.
So we have some pictures for you!
The first one is of our WONDERFUL dinner that they made for us! Chicken, Chinese Bread, Fried wonton things... and a bean and Zucchini mixture... and sliced tomatoes. All of it was super good, and eating it with chop sticks was no big deal. They all seemed to laugh when we first started, but we both got pretty good by the end of our meal. One bean at a time... those were the hardest to get.
Here we have to Americans! Ha! It's pretty funny because we had this conversation that all you ever see Asian people doing in pictures is giving the peace sign, so we've decided that from now on we are going to embrace our inner Chinese person, and flash the peace sign too! We think we are pretty funny, and culturally accepted this way.
And finally there are some of the people that we ate with.... From Left to Right... Miki, she's Japanese, but was a Chinese major in college and speaks if fluently, and is married to Jack, who isn't in this picture, and he's chinese. Next is Linyuan... He's an investigator, and is getting baptized the 22nd of Sept! He's awesome! Super prepared and feels the spirit anytime he enters the church or members homes... All we had to do was mention that it was God answering him, and those good feelings are things to seek after. Next is Sui, we call him Dylan, and he's getting baptized on Saturday! I love this kid! he's so solid, and wants to be a good man! This is helping him a ton. Last is Like, (Lee KAH) She's a convert of a year or so, and is teaching our Chinese Gospel Principles class. She had her parents here from China, and they were at dinner too, but not in the picture... Very nice wonderful people. I wish the church was allowed in mainland china because the people there are very nice, well, at least the ones we are meeting here are, but they are very hungry for the gospel, like I'm hungry for their food!
Well, All is well at Purdue... We soon will have more students here than we know what to do with! It's going to be great! Not much else... thanks for all the letters, and love you send this way! Love you all!
July 23, 2012
Well Friends and family,
It's official. I'll forever be a Purdue man! None of this "I U" stuff. Well this is a picture of my new companion and I, Elder Beach. He's from Florida, I think I've said that, but his family is now living in Oregon, in the mountains. Not kidding, they don't have an address... Or plumbing. We have discussed a possible trip to the woods after our return home, and living life a bit more per-historic. He's great, and is helping me get so much accomplished. OK, we have a baptism coming up! His name is Dylan, not really he has a Chinese name, but he goes by Dylan here. He's great! Super excited about the gospel, and is soaking it all up! I have no doubts that one day he'll help the church in china grow! That's happening on the 4th of Aug. Super excited.
We are still teaching tons of Chinese students. They are so hungry for the gospel. It's amazing to watch the gospel light up their life. Truth is eternal, and the soul can recognize it.
Hmmmm... We've been running almost every day since our transfer has started. It's been hard to watch myself over the last few transfers add a little weight back on. I started the mission at 240, and made it down to 227 in a few areas... and then over the last 3 transfers I went back to 240... But I'm happy to say that the scale today said 234... Running and eating right has been the help. We go across the street and run on the cart paths of the golf course in the morning. It's good, I am almost starting to look forward to it in the mornings. I have had a suit that is just too small, and it's going to be my coming home suit... I have to fit into it. I have just 6 more months left, and those 6 months I'm going to have to be dedicated.
Something else cool... We too, like out west, have been in one of the worst droughts since like 1985, and before that in the 40's, so it's a for real thing. Some farmers have even plowed under their crops calling them a total loss. You have to figure that the farmland out here is used for feed for other animals all over the country, and if feed goes up, the cost of all food is going to go up. We as a state/mission, all fasted this last week, and are glad to say that today's forecast calls for Rain! It's so cool to know that we have a loving heavenly Father that listens to our pleas. I can't help but see the similarity when prophets in the Book of Mormon pray, and plead that if it be His will, that they will smite the people with famine, or they become smitten because of iniquity, and the prayers of the righteous can call down blessings from heaven. I have loved seeing those similarities to today's world.
Well not much else. We have a busy week full of teaching, exchanges in Kokomo, and Logansport (i'm excited to see a few past converts!) and overall, just the busy busy work of the Lord.
It's official. I'll forever be a Purdue man! None of this "I U" stuff. Well this is a picture of my new companion and I, Elder Beach. He's from Florida, I think I've said that, but his family is now living in Oregon, in the mountains. Not kidding, they don't have an address... Or plumbing. We have discussed a possible trip to the woods after our return home, and living life a bit more per-historic. He's great, and is helping me get so much accomplished. OK, we have a baptism coming up! His name is Dylan, not really he has a Chinese name, but he goes by Dylan here. He's great! Super excited about the gospel, and is soaking it all up! I have no doubts that one day he'll help the church in china grow! That's happening on the 4th of Aug. Super excited.
We are still teaching tons of Chinese students. They are so hungry for the gospel. It's amazing to watch the gospel light up their life. Truth is eternal, and the soul can recognize it.
Hmmmm... We've been running almost every day since our transfer has started. It's been hard to watch myself over the last few transfers add a little weight back on. I started the mission at 240, and made it down to 227 in a few areas... and then over the last 3 transfers I went back to 240... But I'm happy to say that the scale today said 234... Running and eating right has been the help. We go across the street and run on the cart paths of the golf course in the morning. It's good, I am almost starting to look forward to it in the mornings. I have had a suit that is just too small, and it's going to be my coming home suit... I have to fit into it. I have just 6 more months left, and those 6 months I'm going to have to be dedicated.
Something else cool... We too, like out west, have been in one of the worst droughts since like 1985, and before that in the 40's, so it's a for real thing. Some farmers have even plowed under their crops calling them a total loss. You have to figure that the farmland out here is used for feed for other animals all over the country, and if feed goes up, the cost of all food is going to go up. We as a state/mission, all fasted this last week, and are glad to say that today's forecast calls for Rain! It's so cool to know that we have a loving heavenly Father that listens to our pleas. I can't help but see the similarity when prophets in the Book of Mormon pray, and plead that if it be His will, that they will smite the people with famine, or they become smitten because of iniquity, and the prayers of the righteous can call down blessings from heaven. I have loved seeing those similarities to today's world.
Well not much else. We have a busy week full of teaching, exchanges in Kokomo, and Logansport (i'm excited to see a few past converts!) and overall, just the busy busy work of the Lord.
July 16, 2012
Well I'm sure you are all wondering just where in the world Elder Rees ended up...
OH MAN! I'm so excited about this one! You have no IDEA! I pretty much flipped out, and held back tears!
OK, Enough suspense. I'm now serving as a senior zone leader, in........................ West Lafayette Indiana, at PURDUE UNIVERSITY! I am so stoked to be here! It has been such a busy blur since getting here on Wednesday. I have been blessed to have a new companion, his name is Elder Beach. He's from Florida, and Oregon. So Crazy though. Here is why this is so cool. I spent 6 weeks living in the apartment just below where i live now... Lafayette 2nd ward was where I started my mission, so I feel like i'm home. Then I went to Logansport, and spent 3 months there, and was blessed to spend another 5 months in Crawfordsville, all of which are in this zone. I know this zone so well, and am so looking forward to going on exchanges in these areas and visiting old faces, and helping to find new ones. It's like a real home coming, for sure!
Cool things happening: 1. we have 7 people with a date here! WOW! I have loved seeing how the people here are so prepared to accept this gospel, and are following Christ into the waters of baptism. It's pretty cool, we are teaching so many Chinese students here at Purdue, and they are so prepared to find out who God is, and how to follow Him. There is a little line in Preach my Gospel, that says that the Lord will send you to people or that He'll send people to you... We are not allowed in the main lands of china and so we are blessed to have so many people here that are accepting of His gospel, and are preparing that nation to one day receive the fullness of the truth. I feel in a way that I'm taking the gospel to china even though i'm not setting foot on its soil.
We also cover a little branch that doesn't have missionaries. It's the Williamsport branch. They are great. We have about 7 investigators there and most of them have baptismal dates too! We are planning in august to just spend 1 day baptizing... not kidding, we really are... at least 3 are on the books for one day. It was very special, but as we prayed with some new investigators there, I had the great feeling of the spirit once again come to my heart and testify that this is the truth. I have been overwhelmed to say the least with this new area, and the amount of work going on, and this was exactly what my spirit needed. As I enter the last 6 months of the mission in a few weeks, It's been interesting to review where I've come from, and what I still would like to accomplish... One thing I feel I'm getting closer to checking off, is the Language of the spirit. I have had such wonderful confirmations the last few days I'm really beginning to recognize it in the work.. It's been miraculous!
I hope all continues to go well there! We are super busy, but I'm loving being busy! It's getting my heart back into the work, and preparing me for a great last 6 months. My how time flies!
Sure do love you all, and think of you often, but not that often, ;)
New address:
2330 Northwestern Ave #6,
West Lafayette In 47906
OH MAN! I'm so excited about this one! You have no IDEA! I pretty much flipped out, and held back tears!
OK, Enough suspense. I'm now serving as a senior zone leader, in........................ West Lafayette Indiana, at PURDUE UNIVERSITY! I am so stoked to be here! It has been such a busy blur since getting here on Wednesday. I have been blessed to have a new companion, his name is Elder Beach. He's from Florida, and Oregon. So Crazy though. Here is why this is so cool. I spent 6 weeks living in the apartment just below where i live now... Lafayette 2nd ward was where I started my mission, so I feel like i'm home. Then I went to Logansport, and spent 3 months there, and was blessed to spend another 5 months in Crawfordsville, all of which are in this zone. I know this zone so well, and am so looking forward to going on exchanges in these areas and visiting old faces, and helping to find new ones. It's like a real home coming, for sure!
Cool things happening: 1. we have 7 people with a date here! WOW! I have loved seeing how the people here are so prepared to accept this gospel, and are following Christ into the waters of baptism. It's pretty cool, we are teaching so many Chinese students here at Purdue, and they are so prepared to find out who God is, and how to follow Him. There is a little line in Preach my Gospel, that says that the Lord will send you to people or that He'll send people to you... We are not allowed in the main lands of china and so we are blessed to have so many people here that are accepting of His gospel, and are preparing that nation to one day receive the fullness of the truth. I feel in a way that I'm taking the gospel to china even though i'm not setting foot on its soil.
We also cover a little branch that doesn't have missionaries. It's the Williamsport branch. They are great. We have about 7 investigators there and most of them have baptismal dates too! We are planning in august to just spend 1 day baptizing... not kidding, we really are... at least 3 are on the books for one day. It was very special, but as we prayed with some new investigators there, I had the great feeling of the spirit once again come to my heart and testify that this is the truth. I have been overwhelmed to say the least with this new area, and the amount of work going on, and this was exactly what my spirit needed. As I enter the last 6 months of the mission in a few weeks, It's been interesting to review where I've come from, and what I still would like to accomplish... One thing I feel I'm getting closer to checking off, is the Language of the spirit. I have had such wonderful confirmations the last few days I'm really beginning to recognize it in the work.. It's been miraculous!
I hope all continues to go well there! We are super busy, but I'm loving being busy! It's getting my heart back into the work, and preparing me for a great last 6 months. My how time flies!
Sure do love you all, and think of you often, but not that often, ;)
New address:
2330 Northwestern Ave #6,
West Lafayette In 47906
July 9, 2012
This week: A cool story: we met with a member family and their sons girlfriend. She had been around their family for a few months now, and came to church once, but only recently did she start expressing a little bit of interest in the Gospel. We were able to go and teach her a 1st lesson and then committed her to baptism! SO cool. It was neat to feel the spirit like that, and helping to point it out to the investigator was very cool too.
Well, I can't say much else. I'm including a few pictures of the death of Elder Horikami... He's doing a replication of Abinadi and King Noah, that's me.
The other Picture is our district Picture...... From Front to back: Zapata (DL), Minnick, Quirk, Trozera, Anderson, Smith (glasses), Rees, Horikami. I sure do love being around other missionaries, and it's a great joy to be able to go on exchanges with them, and help to train them how to be better! So much fun! \
Well We best be off, We have to take my companion to the mission home, and then off to play some sports with the remaining members of our zone!
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