Conferences, Calls and Cleaning

Happy Mothers Day

So Yesterday was Mothers day, and was the first day on the mission when I got to call home and talk with the family.  I want to say just how nervous I was to call home...  I'm really not sure why because as soon as you answered the phone I was completely content, it was just that moment right before hitting "send" that all of these nerves come flooding into my body.  It was so great to be able to call home!  It truly was a needed blessing and has really helped me.  There are so many unseen challenges of being on a mission, and sometimes a little encouragement from home is all you need to realign your desires with those expectations from home.  One of my favorite quotes from the MTC, was "Be the Missionary your Mom thinks you are!"  I can't tell you just how many times I've realized my mother's words flooding into my mind and encouraging me on.   I've noticed a big change in myself over the last 3 months, and am very excited to see just how much more change there is in store for me over the remaining 21. 

I want to share a little miracle that happened to me. 

We as missionaries get called upon to go and do service projects all the time, and we love doing them, it's often a break from doing other things, and sometimes other teaching opportunities come from them.   Well we were asked to go and help a man from our ward move, and we had been warned that it could be a difficult move.  To make a very long and detailed story much shorter, let's just say that this man was a candidate for the TV show "Hoarders".  I'm not kidding when i say that we had a 1 foot wide path that led from his stairs, against the wall to the bedroom of his apartment.  We literally had to PEEL off old paper and magazines from the carpet, after we cleared off the 2 foot deep layer on top!  Everything was covered in Mouse poo, or Cockroach poo...  I've never seen so many cockroaches ever!  This man had been living here for over 2 years, and had not thrown anything away.  He has a collection of old magazines and news papers, TV guides and baseball cards.  We threw out 3/4ths of his stuff, and he still wanted to take more with him in his moving van.  This is one of those stories I'll gladly share with more detail on a later day when i get home, but in an effort to remember some details I'll log the story on here.  So you may be wondering what the little miracle that happened to me was...... Well for those of you that really know me, know that I've always had hard time with a weak Gag Reflex...  Sometimes just taking out the trash is bad, but throughout this whole experience, from 4:30 pm, to 9:00 pm, DIDN'T GAG ONCE!!!!  God truly does give us tender mercies when we need them! :)

(Not the actual house. Take from the "Hoarders" site)

On a lighter note We've got 4 progressing investigators, and 2 with a baptismal date.  We are now in need of spending more time 'finding' people to teach, and talking with everyone that we meet is going to be essential.  The only problem is that most of our investigators live about 30 miles away, and that really puts a damper on our mileage limitations.  But we are truly being blessed with success, and learning a lot from each other as companions. 

There are a few pictures that are going to be attached, a few of you may know a couple of people in these pictures.  2 are companion pictures, my Trainer (last companion) and my MTC companion, my trainer is the taller of the 2.  We have transfers coming up next week!  This transfer has flown by!   It's going to be interesting to see if either of us get transferred out or if we are together for another transfer.  Either way there is a lot of great work happening here in Logansport IN! 

My MTC companion Elder Jantzen Pahl (paul), I truly had a fun time with him, and really hope that we'll get to serve together again. 

My Trainer, he goes home next week, Lives in South Jordan, and his name is Elder Eric Jones! 

The group shot is of a few Zones in the northern half of Indiana,  So some of you may know Elder Ovard...  Sitting far left.  Some may know a Senior sister, Sister Lyon, she's on the left side with a red shirt and black blazer, Her son is renting Gpa, and Gma's old house with the swimming pool in Morgan,  Just above her are the Slades.  They are a senior couple from Star ID, so they may know Pat and Steve.  I'm right in the middle standing up, to my left is a kid from Duschene, Elder Roberts, he's my ZL, and is becoming a really good friend!  The picture is kind of blurry, but see if there are others that you know or that I should keep an eye out for.

Love you all, and will get to talk to you more in about 7 months!  WOW Christmas is only 7 months away, so you all better get planning, and start saving!  That's the banker in me.  Until then you'll have to keep up with my blog posts. 

Love Elder Rees!!

But Wait there's More!!

OK readers, here it is, can you believe it, 3 months!  Hasn't it flown by!!!  WOW, I sure think so!   There are so many things that have happened but I'm going to share a few big ones this week!   So, Sunday mornings we usually have church at 9, and we have a meeting with our Ward Mission leader at 8 (cool guy, former SP)  anyway, we are sitting in this meeting, and our Senior Couple informs us that they are being transferred!!!  It's going to add a ton of work to us, they took control of most of the less active work for the ward, and made it so we could focus more on finding and teaching, now we'll have to incorporate a bit more re-activation into our daily work.  We also got visited by all 3 members of our Stake Presidency...  Which totally meant that something big was happening.  So we got into sacrament meeting and were informed that our bishopric was being released...  WOW!  They have been in for about 5 years so it was time for it to happen, but instead of calling another bishop, they called a Branch President...  That's right we are now a branch...  Our ward has decreased in size and activity, and now falls under the numbers of a branch...  The ward took it pretty rough.  For most of the day they were pretty quiet, and were thinking about the huge changes that had just taken place, and more to come.  They are also looking at redoing our ward boundaries, and that means that 2 of our more active families will be going to a new ward...   So in Recap, Ward to a Branch, New Branch Presidency, Senior Couple is Leaving, and New Ward Boundary changes... 

 

But Wait there's More!!

 

We were truly blessed to be apart of a Baptism this week!!  There are pictures here, this is Kaelan, and his family.  Kaelan is 10, and is home schooled, (kinda weird kid socially) and is super smart!   I was asked to say a prayer at his baptism, and also to play the piano!  That's right I played the Electronic piano, so i picked the hymn/song, and hit a button to play the intro, and a 2nd button to start each verse of the song...  SO i didn't have to do too much, but it takes a good bit of timing to make it sound like I'm really playing.    I have actually been practicing in the "Hymns Made Easy"  Songbook, and have gotten pretty good at a few of them, and am getting more comfortable with playing with both hands...  Practice makes perfect!  :)  

 

So that brings my Total for Baptisms up to 2...  my first one was at the beginning of my first transfer.  The previous Elders had his baptism all set up, but we are the ones that get credit for it because we were the elders at the time of the ordinance. 

 

But Wait there's More!!

 

We have 3 other people that are getting really close to baptism as well, and have really grown a lot in the last few weeks that we have been here and have worked with them.  I'm so glad to realize that even though we are teaching them lessons, they are learning more in their personal studies, and prayers.  It just goes to show that we do little in the conversion process, but it's by the spirit that they really gain a testimony. 

 

Mothers Day is only a few days away, so get your mom a good Card, and even better Share with her your Testimony.  I've really come to understand better what the importance of the calling of a Parent really is, and their main purpose is to teach you the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  What better gift than to share with them your testimony, and to live the Gospel standards as best we can!  Thank you mom for your example, and your discipline in helping us learn the correct Gospel Principles, and teaching us how to apply them.

 

I'm very excited to be out here on a mission, and to learn a ton already in 3 short months about a lot of different aspects of the gospel, I'm very glad to say that there is more to learn, and things to practice in the next 21 months. 

 

I miss you all, and am so glad to be out here, and to have my testimony strengthened so much daily!   I hope you all are studying the Gospel Principles, and focusing on a relationship with your Father in Heaven, that is the most important relationship we can have, and will strengthen all other relationships we try! 

 

Keep the Faith, Read hard, Pray Harder! 

 

Love Elder Rees

 

Indiana Randomness

So a few observations about the people here in Indiana.  Not too many food differences that you see in other peoples missions, and not too many cultural differences either.   We have met only a handful of actual "Hoosiers"  where you really can't understand a word they say....  some people would call them Hillbillies, but Hoosier is a more common phrase around here. 

One of my favorite differences so far is the fact that no one out here has a Vacuum, everyone here has a Sweeper....  That is what they are called, Sweepers... ?!  Kinda random, but it rolls off their tounges without hesitation. 

People don't know what mountains are...  they think they do, but they don't.

Tons of people don't have teeth.  We see tons that don't.

Lawn Junk:  I think i've brought this up before, or have at least intended to, but Everyone has Lawn Decorations, including but not limited to, The Hoosier Goose, The Hoosier Ball, and the Hoosier Doorbell, (when we knock and 5 dogs start barking).  I'be been meaning to take a few pictures of Great Hoosier lawns, but haven't seen the right one just yet, that truly depicts how most yards are.  

Things are starting to get green here.  The weather is Wet, and Grey most days, but not too bad.  Not many people Ever have to water their lawn, it just sort of happens.  And i must say, most grass here looks great!  

Anyway, just a few more observations.  Here are a few more pictures to check out, from the collection of one of our investigators. 

Love and miss you all! 

Love Elder Rees

 These are thorns that grow on the trees!

This is some typical yard art!!

Address Change

There is a change to Elder Rees' address...there was a mistake in the zipcode. Here is the correct address.

New Address:  815 S. 17th St.  Logansport, IN 46947

The Snake Lady

So this week has been pretty slow, but busy too!  It's the life of a Missionary I guess.  Day's feel like weeks, and Weeks feel like days, and that is definately how it feels out here.  I can't believe we are already halfway through the month of April...  Crazy to me how fast this month has gone already, but each day sometimes feels like an eternity! 

We have several people that we are teaching at the moment, and it's amazing how they are progressing and gaining a testimony.  It's fun to watch it grow, because if I look back at myself and my testimony it's hard to see the progress i've made, but the people we are teaching it's very easy to see the progress they are making.   I'm going to be posting a few pictures of "the snake lady"  She is an investigator we have who has almost 75 pets... all in a 2 bedroom apartment.  Smells like a zoo.  We sit outside a lot, which i'm really grateful for.  I'll make sure that next week I won't forget my camera, and i'll send a few pictures via email so you all can see what she is living with.  Really sweet lady, we are helping her a ton, and the Lord is blessing her with so many things.  She's recognizing every day how this is helping her in her life, and we are so close to being able to set a baptismal date with her!  I'd love to be a part of that one!  She is a super fun lady, and has a wonderful sense of humor. 

We have a baptism next weekend, on the 30th, a 10 year old boy who loves learning about the gospel.  For instance we were watching the Testimants, with him, and he was sitting there, "wait, those people are the kingsman, they want to overthrow the government" "that guy has to be a lamanite" little things like that, he's super smart, and super willing to learn, and will be hopefully a life long member.  His nonmember dad sits in on the lessons too, and it will be great to have him baptised soon too, we haven't really taught him much, he simply gets to over hear, but he attends church, and is willing to do things too, so one day he'll simply have to get wet!   There really isn't much else to report.  I'll be sure to have a longer post next week. 

Keep the letters and emails coming.   Always good to have them! 

TRANSFER #2

OK, so as some of you may know, for the first 6 weeks I was serving in the Lafayette 2nd ward, which really felt like home.  Tons of members from SLC and surrounding areas, and it was a very active ward, and we had a blast there.   But sadly we all must move on, and learn and grow from other experiences!  So, I'm very happy to tell you all that I'm now serving in the Logansport Ward, in Logansport Indiana!   What a Drastic change!  I went from the 2nd largest area in the mission (geographically) to the largest!  Yet the ward is small, tons of less active work to do (we have help), and several people that are already set with baptismal dates!  So the ward is growing.  The problem is that the ward boundaries are so spread out that it makes coming to church a very difficult thing for a lot of people.  It's kinda fun though to see just how small a ward can be, and how loving they still are!  Really neat, and humbling!   I had to get up and give a talk this week, more of just a thought, and my testimony, but all the same it was good. 

New Address:  815 S. 17th St.  Logansport, IN 46949

New Companion:   Elder Chance Edwards!  OF  Phoenix AZ!   as i prayed for a new companion, i prayed it would be someone that I could get along with... and I was Blessed!   Elder Edwards is 25 TOO!!!  In Fact he was born just 2 days before me!  So at transfer meeting it was kinda funny because we are the 2 oldest in the mission and are now companions!   We've been able to see a ton of things that we have in common...  Nearly the same eye sight, both were lifeguards growing up, close birthdays, and both have had to sacrifice a bit more than those around us to make it onto a mission.   He is really nice, and very outgoing, I see that he truly is himself around people, and that makes him very likable.  I have told myself to stop worrying what people are thinking about me, and just be myself, and have more fun, but that's hard.  We have several people that are progressing in the gospel, and it's going to be fun to see them be baptised!  We are teaching a 10 year old, who understand the gospel SO WELL!!!  It's amazing how his spirit and mind grasp on to this, and crave it!   Neat to see that even a young person can grasp the concept of a covenant even better than most adults!  

We live in a house!  We have the basement, (old rock foundation, and dirt floors) and the bottom level.  We have a huge kitchen, washer and dryer, a dining room, (study room) and a front living room, a second study room, a bathroom, and then our bedroom!  So really a 2 bedroom apartment, but it's big!   A little about the Weather: If you don't like it, wait 15 minutes!  It's so TRUE!! the other day it was raining cats and dogs!  Literally went from dry to 2 inch puddles in about 15 min!  then just as quick as the thunder started, the rain was over, and the sun came out, and was warm the rest of the day!  Near 80!  and HUMID!!!  UGH!!!  and the locals say the humidity hasn't even started but I'm for sure feeling sticky most days already! 

So i said earlier that we have help with our less actives!  We have the blessing of having a senior couple in our area, they work mainly on activation of less actives!  They are Great!  They are the Slades, from  Star IDAHO!   We had a talk about if they knew Pat and Steve, but they seem to think they are in a different ward... but i still need some information on Pat and Steve, mainly their address, they are interested in finding out where they live and try and place them in which ward they might be in...   but kind of cool to have someone there that might know someone i might know...

There was a brother in the ward who asked me where I was from, and instantly asked if i knew an Elder Potter!  It was cool to know that he had remembered Seth Potter from Lyman, even since it's been 10 years or so since he was in the area, but they have kept in touch, and have really like the Potters!   anyway, that was kinda cool...   The brother in the wards name is: Brother Lonni King.  The potters may know him...  kinda strange family ;)  but most Hoosiers are....

A few observations: LAWN JUNK!  I don't really want to call them ornaments, because they are junk, but everyone has them.   They are named "hoosier_____"  so for instance, there are these ceramic geese, which people dress up, aptly named "Hoosier Goose", and these orbs, glass orbs, sometimes sold at Walmart, and they are called a "hoosier ball", people also have Deer, fake ones in their yard...  and in general JUNK!  

My companion has this really cool connector, so I'm going to attach some photos...  Things here are great, we are getting along really well, and are working hard.  There is still so much for me to learn, and this transfer is going to be a great on, full of success!  

I love you all, and wish you all the best, Stay Strong in the Church! 

Ok so here are a few pictures of the landscape of West Lafayette Indiana!    These were taken last transfer, and i hope you all like them...  See how flat it is?  and there are always trees around!   We also took a shortcut on these old railroad tracks, kinda of cliche, but it shows how thick the trees are in places, most places!

 

What if Apostles had Trading Cards?

I've been thinking a lot about our culture as Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and how we often are looked upon as outsiders to mainstream Christianity...  I sit and listen to the messages presented at General Conference, and wonder how anyone can not feel the Spirit of God, and Truth from the mouths of His servants?  I want you all to know I had Prayers answered from Conference.  I wasn't thinking about a question I needed answered till 2 days before the Conference commenced, but was amazed when Elder Bednar got up and shared so much truth about revelation.  I've been struggling to know if I'm receiving revelation, or just having thoughts, but most of my thoughts are random, and don't have anything to do with investigators or their needs, or to help me become a better and more effective missionary, and have wondered am I even capable of receiving revelation?  I know I've done it in the past, and it's been as he's described it, as if a light switch had been turned on, and i knew right away what I was to do.  It's the more difficult revelation, that comes upon our diligence to seek it, and willingness to look back at the past few weeks, months, years, and see just how much revelation we have truly received in our life.  Much as Elder Bednar described the rising of the sun, gradual, line upon line, here a little and there a little.  What a wonderful PROMISE!!!  I KNOW I can receive training from the Heavens!   As can we all!  It's what we commit our investigators to do, and I pray they may see it the way I've just begun to see it. 

We were also able to sit there and anticipate what each representative would speak on, and we all were excited about our 'favorite' Apostle.  It makes me laugh when we sit there as children with Trading Cards, and saying this one; has 10 Spirituality, and 8 miracles.  This one, has a level 20 testimony!!!   I think the Apostle Trading cards would be fun to have around each of us, starting when we were young, and having them redone every 6 months, with this conference's focus.   We could study the cards, with the names faces of the apostles, and messages they shared.  I'm glad we have their words so readily available to us today, and that we truly are being taught by Heaven, when they speak.  I truly loved conference, and have gained so much as I was taught by heaven.  It's another testimony to me that we Lived with our Heavenly Father before we came here, and he Truly knows us Perfectly.  Enough that he knows when we need a little uplift in a conference talk, visit from a friend, or from the words of His Prophets, either modern or ancient. 

So What if Apostles had trading cards?  Would you carry them around, Collect the  all?  Or allow their faces and words to fade, the spirit of their messages, and the revelation they give us slip away....?
        

Anyway, on a more fun note.  I'm being transferred.  It's a good thing.  I am looking forward to it.  I have really loved my trainer, and we were just starting to be able to teach in unity, but that is how the Lord works, keeps us at stages of uncomfortableness.  So I'll be posting a new address soon,  thanks for the birthday gifts again, Heather, and Mandy!  They were great to get a few days later! :)    Oh also, As of 2 days ago, 4/2/2011, I've been out for 2 months.  Cool huh?!  It's been flying by, and i really hope it continues to go fast!  

I want you all to know how grateful i am to have a testimony of this gospel, it truly is a rare thing in the world to have the truth, an investigator asked me why don't all the other churches accept the Book of Mormon?  and all i could say is that we are trying...

I love you all and wish you all the best, Keep the emails coming even if they are short, it's fun to have little notes from you all! 

Love Elder Rees