Tuesday, June 19, 2012
June 4, 2012
Ok, Well Sorry this has been a long time coming, I didn't take the opportunity to send an email last week. We had Memorial day and then when we went and emailed on Tuesday, it was super busy, so we didn't have as much time as I'd like. But I'll try and make up for it this week.
New Events:
I killed my first companion! Sam Jones is now officially back home in the sunny weather of Arizona, and has already been out with the missionaries in AZ. That means that I'm now a proud owner of a new companion. His name is Elder Horikami... I'll have to take a picture and send it to you all. He's awesome. I will be his last companion on his mission. He only has 5 weeks left, and we will send him home to Idaho. He's very spiritual, and is a great example. He's officially 6'7'' he's HUGE! I walk the streets and feel so much safer. He's very quiet, in a way, he's a quiet giant. To better explain his name, he's been adopted by his step dad, who is half Hawaiian, and half Japanese, hence the Japanese name.
So I'm still serving in the Cumberland ward, and things are starting to progress a bit more. We have had some time to work with the ward leaders and have been trying to implement a program that will help them focus on the ward families that will begin to progress back into activity, and help us fellowship new members or investigators that will bring more strength to the ward. The ward has a reputation for not being very friendly, but this Sunday there was a very good spirit in the ward, and it felt very different. We had several visitors, and several new members that just moved in, and the ward in my opinion, made some great efforts in welcoming. As far as teaching, we are always trying to find more people to teach. We have encouraged members each time we are with them to ask more people that they know to investigate the church, and keep an open ear (spiritual too) to the promptings of the spirit that will direct them to those that are ready. It's been cool because we have had a few members this week say that they are working on a referral for us, or that they have someone that they want us to meet. Those are so cool, and we do our best to take the best care of them.
I'm excited to still be serving in Cumberland. Each missionary seems to have an idea of what he'd like to accomplish in a ward, and there is still work here for me. I have seen a change start to take place among the ward members. Some are really becoming aware of the role that the church and themselves have in the work of God. I have a wonderful vision about this work now. It's awesome to think of it on a large scale. God lives, and he directs this work, the work of bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. He's accomplished the immortality via our Savior, and the Eternal life is being accomplished from the work that we do in the temples, and the work we do with our friends and neighbors who have not yet made the necessary covenants for salvation or exaltation. We are his hands! We are his voice! We have to be the ones to open our mouths!
He's developed such a wonderful organization that works seamlessly! Moroni 6:4-6! Going to church is how we rely upon the merits of Christ! It's how we become cleansed, and eventually perfected! IT'S SO SIMPLE! Yet our imperfect human minds forget it so often.
The scriptures have become such a wonderful guide to our life, and are full of so much revelation and answers for our everyday questions of the soul. We should all be anxiously engaged in the study and sharing of the words of God and Christ!
Well family and friends, I love you all, and hope that you all have a wonderful week! I'll be sure to send another email next week! With a few pictures of my companion and our area... I'll do better at taking my camera with us so that you all can see what I see.
--
Love,
Elder Rees
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
May 7, 2012
Well I don't have much to write about today.
We have a General Authority coming to our mission this next week, the 19th. It should be fun, we are getting the whole mission together to listen to him.... He may be a Jr. Member of the 12, oh wait, in fact he is! Elder Anderson is coming and we are going to be able to listen to him for a few hours on Saturday morning. It's going to be really fun to have him in our mission.
We had Zone Conference this last week! It was very fun to be around President and Sister Collins. They are doing smaller zone conferences so it was our zone and the Muncie zone that met and were trained. They used to have 4 zones all together for them, but I like the smaller groups we get to be in. E. Jones and I prepared a training for the afternoon, and we were able to train our zone on helping people see the bigger picture of the gospel. All too often we meet people and they don't want to continue to meet with us, yet there isn't 1 spirit on this earth that didn't at one point choose this very plan, and we need to be able to remind that spirit inside of them that it's true. Sometimes we have to look at the box when we are putting a puzzle together!
We have seen a big jump in the progress and understanding of our own investigators over the last week as we have been able to apply the lesson we trained on. We have investigators that weren't really progressing decide that they want to share this message with other family and friends, and that means that their faith is growing and that they are gaining a testimony! It's fun to watch and be apart of.
Well last week I officially hit 15 months... kind of sad to think that there are only going to be 9 more of these.... It's hard to think back about how life was before the mission, and even more intimidating to think about how life could be after... Scary thoughts all around.
Well other than that, not much else is going on. We are prepping for a good week of teaching, and going on several exchanges with elders in our zone, and then mothers day is here, and call number 3 out of 4 will take place! Scary!? You have no idea what it's like to press send and call home.
I hope all is well and that life keeps going well for all of you!
Love Elder Rees
We have a General Authority coming to our mission this next week, the 19th. It should be fun, we are getting the whole mission together to listen to him.... He may be a Jr. Member of the 12, oh wait, in fact he is! Elder Anderson is coming and we are going to be able to listen to him for a few hours on Saturday morning. It's going to be really fun to have him in our mission.
We had Zone Conference this last week! It was very fun to be around President and Sister Collins. They are doing smaller zone conferences so it was our zone and the Muncie zone that met and were trained. They used to have 4 zones all together for them, but I like the smaller groups we get to be in. E. Jones and I prepared a training for the afternoon, and we were able to train our zone on helping people see the bigger picture of the gospel. All too often we meet people and they don't want to continue to meet with us, yet there isn't 1 spirit on this earth that didn't at one point choose this very plan, and we need to be able to remind that spirit inside of them that it's true. Sometimes we have to look at the box when we are putting a puzzle together!
We have seen a big jump in the progress and understanding of our own investigators over the last week as we have been able to apply the lesson we trained on. We have investigators that weren't really progressing decide that they want to share this message with other family and friends, and that means that their faith is growing and that they are gaining a testimony! It's fun to watch and be apart of.
Well last week I officially hit 15 months... kind of sad to think that there are only going to be 9 more of these.... It's hard to think back about how life was before the mission, and even more intimidating to think about how life could be after... Scary thoughts all around.
Well other than that, not much else is going on. We are prepping for a good week of teaching, and going on several exchanges with elders in our zone, and then mothers day is here, and call number 3 out of 4 will take place! Scary!? You have no idea what it's like to press send and call home.
I hope all is well and that life keeps going well for all of you!
Love Elder Rees
April 30, 2012
Hey Family!
Well, another beautiful day in the neighborhood. Really, the weather here has been great! One thing that I love here is the rain storms. There is great lightening, and thunder, and then you'll get absolute downpours! Days when it's raining I'm so glad to have a full time car!
Well we have been busy, and not so busy this week. I have emotionally and spiritually be doing so much better than a few weeks ago, and that has truly come because of the power of Prayer. I have for sure been lifted by prayers from family and friends back home, and here on the mission, and have realized more and more my lack of truly praying. I am very good at ordering food from a menu at a restaurant... I know how I like it, and will order food that will meet my needs and wants. I was approaching prayer in this way... Well those of you that have kids will know this principle, come dinner time, "I don't like this.... It's gross! I want Cereal" My prayers are/were much the same way. All i want is the sugary goodness of blessings, and not the crunchy vegetables that will help my body be stronger. Parents know what is going to be best for their kids, and God is no different. Trials are a way of growing! My prayers have been so much harder to do... They are now very hard work. I still struggle, and find myself placing orders some nights, but other times it's been amazing to feel the love of God come into my heart.
Here is an example of a neat thing that has happened because of prayer.
We are teaching a man that is on house arrest... His wife went back to work to support their 5 kids and him, but she was only working through a temp agency. The agency cancelled her job for at least a month. They were already behind on most bills, which is the first time this has ever happened in their lives together. He struggled to find a job because of his situation, and put it off and allowed their family to kind of squeak by, but now the situation became very real for them, they needed an income, or their electricity would be shut off, thereby turning off the home detention box, and he'd be in violation and would be sent to jail. He called us one night and expressed his frustration, and said it wouldn't be a good night for an appointment... I kindly said NO!, we are still coming over! To which he responded nicely, and welcomed us over. We discussed 1 Nephi 8, and reviewed the neat things contained in that chapter, and then came time for the closing prayer. He invited me to say it. So, I didn't hold back. It was a time when I truly felt that I was communicating with God, and from the moment I started I knew He was listening! A truly indescribable feeling. I opened up and called down blessings, that he'd find a job, and would be able to keep providing for his family, and that they could continue to see blessings and feel of the Holy Ghost more in their lives. We concluded the prayer, talked about the feelings of Joy, Peace, and Happiness we all felt.... obviously the spirit was there greatly! The next day we got a call in the evening from our investigator. He said he woke up, got online, made 1 phone call, and secured a job! He would be starting tomorrow, and that he was going to be able to pay his bills. Greater miracles worked out. In order for him to get to work he needed gas, but they also needed food... In some old clothes he found a gift card, and was able buy food with that for his family to make it through the week and was able to use the other money to pay for gas so he could travel to work. God is real. So are miracles, this is a great miracle! He hears and answers prayers. It's hard to describe the feelings of the spirit when praying, but we prayed according to the will of God. These are all righteous blessings that have resulted in an increased testimony of His existence. One of my most powerful experiences on the mission for sure.
I have to push myself every day to repeat the steps of actual communication with God, and not everyday is it this powerful, but I know it can be if needed.
Well best run!
Love you all!
Love Elder Rees
Well, another beautiful day in the neighborhood. Really, the weather here has been great! One thing that I love here is the rain storms. There is great lightening, and thunder, and then you'll get absolute downpours! Days when it's raining I'm so glad to have a full time car!
Well we have been busy, and not so busy this week. I have emotionally and spiritually be doing so much better than a few weeks ago, and that has truly come because of the power of Prayer. I have for sure been lifted by prayers from family and friends back home, and here on the mission, and have realized more and more my lack of truly praying. I am very good at ordering food from a menu at a restaurant... I know how I like it, and will order food that will meet my needs and wants. I was approaching prayer in this way... Well those of you that have kids will know this principle, come dinner time, "I don't like this.... It's gross! I want Cereal" My prayers are/were much the same way. All i want is the sugary goodness of blessings, and not the crunchy vegetables that will help my body be stronger. Parents know what is going to be best for their kids, and God is no different. Trials are a way of growing! My prayers have been so much harder to do... They are now very hard work. I still struggle, and find myself placing orders some nights, but other times it's been amazing to feel the love of God come into my heart.
Here is an example of a neat thing that has happened because of prayer.
We are teaching a man that is on house arrest... His wife went back to work to support their 5 kids and him, but she was only working through a temp agency. The agency cancelled her job for at least a month. They were already behind on most bills, which is the first time this has ever happened in their lives together. He struggled to find a job because of his situation, and put it off and allowed their family to kind of squeak by, but now the situation became very real for them, they needed an income, or their electricity would be shut off, thereby turning off the home detention box, and he'd be in violation and would be sent to jail. He called us one night and expressed his frustration, and said it wouldn't be a good night for an appointment... I kindly said NO!, we are still coming over! To which he responded nicely, and welcomed us over. We discussed 1 Nephi 8, and reviewed the neat things contained in that chapter, and then came time for the closing prayer. He invited me to say it. So, I didn't hold back. It was a time when I truly felt that I was communicating with God, and from the moment I started I knew He was listening! A truly indescribable feeling. I opened up and called down blessings, that he'd find a job, and would be able to keep providing for his family, and that they could continue to see blessings and feel of the Holy Ghost more in their lives. We concluded the prayer, talked about the feelings of Joy, Peace, and Happiness we all felt.... obviously the spirit was there greatly! The next day we got a call in the evening from our investigator. He said he woke up, got online, made 1 phone call, and secured a job! He would be starting tomorrow, and that he was going to be able to pay his bills. Greater miracles worked out. In order for him to get to work he needed gas, but they also needed food... In some old clothes he found a gift card, and was able buy food with that for his family to make it through the week and was able to use the other money to pay for gas so he could travel to work. God is real. So are miracles, this is a great miracle! He hears and answers prayers. It's hard to describe the feelings of the spirit when praying, but we prayed according to the will of God. These are all righteous blessings that have resulted in an increased testimony of His existence. One of my most powerful experiences on the mission for sure.
I have to push myself every day to repeat the steps of actual communication with God, and not everyday is it this powerful, but I know it can be if needed.
Well best run!
Love you all!
Love Elder Rees
April 23, 2012
Well Family and friends,
Here we are, another week has gone by and I'm still alive. Good news huh! hahah! Well I'm still serving in Cumberland ward, and now am serving with my "Brother" Elder S. Jones.
He was trained by Elder Eric Jones (jones and jones, i know right!?), and they were in Crawfordsville... so we have a few things to talk about. Elder Eric Jones then served as a Zone leader for a while, and then became My Trainer TOO, (hence he's my brother). Elder Jones is from the NW corner of Phoenix. He's got about 5 weeks left... he's a super missionary, and is my companion at this time for all the right reasons. I am so blessed to have him.
Well not much else has changed. Life is getting better, we have lost a bunch of our investigators due to their laziness, and them not making us a priority. It's kind of sad when people exercise their agency to make a choice that doesn't end in a covenant, but all we are allowed to do is invite. We are out to find those who are prepared right now to find the gospel. We are going to be stepping up our efforts with the members of the ward, and increase the spirit of missionary work in their lives.... It's starting to show that they are not too motivated. The bishop actually had us re-sing the rest hymn of "Put your shoulder to the wheel" because our first attempt was pitiful. Members and investigators alike have a hard time feeling welcomed in that ward, and i know that is something that we can help with.
My life the past 6 weeks was pretty hard. I didn't realize it but I was slacking in the work. I was allowing my companion to do everything and outshine me in every way, which then led to a hard few last weeks, and it made it very hard to function. As I talked with President Collins about a few things that were on my mind he helped me apply this tool, it can be applied to almost any trial, or temptation for that matter, and I can testify that having put it to work for the last week it is working:
I'm paraphrasing from memory....
We seem to approach our trials in a very head on way... As if there is a doorway to get through, and in that door way is a Giant, a man so large there is no way around him. So we gird up our loins, fresh courage take, arm ourselves with the armor of God, and get to the fight! We swing, jab, poke, slash, cut, thrust, stab, attack at full force, and eventually end up exhausted, and tired. Easily able to be knocked over by the smallest of temptations that Giant still has in his arsenal. The trick is to back up. We know that every step backwards is a success! Even if we only move a few inches or a few feet, we are moving away from that fight against the giant, and each step is a victory. We continue to step back until we manage to move ourselves out of range, but don't stop there, keep going backward until we see that giant as a small little speck on our horizon. The giant won't and can't follow us! We are now safe! The temptations of Satan are still there, but they are now so small and far away, we see them coming, and are able to push them aside very quickly. They no longer have effect.
As I once again reflect on his story, and parallel it with one Jodi sent me, it's easier to see that we aren't only stepping away from our giants, but we are stepping closer to the Lord. We look to him, turn your back to the giant and face the joy of the truly living the gospel.
I've had to do a lot of self reflecting these past few weeks, and it's been a joy to realize that I may not be as close to the Lord as I thought, and have a wonderful opportunity to put myself closer and closer to him by truly living his gospel... Faith, Repentance, Sacrament, and relying on the Holy Ghost!
I'm not out of reach from my giant yet, but I know I will be soon.
I love you all, and look forward to Mothers day when I can talk with some of you!
Love Elder Rees
Here we are, another week has gone by and I'm still alive. Good news huh! hahah! Well I'm still serving in Cumberland ward, and now am serving with my "Brother" Elder S. Jones.
He was trained by Elder Eric Jones (jones and jones, i know right!?), and they were in Crawfordsville... so we have a few things to talk about. Elder Eric Jones then served as a Zone leader for a while, and then became My Trainer TOO, (hence he's my brother). Elder Jones is from the NW corner of Phoenix. He's got about 5 weeks left... he's a super missionary, and is my companion at this time for all the right reasons. I am so blessed to have him.
Well not much else has changed. Life is getting better, we have lost a bunch of our investigators due to their laziness, and them not making us a priority. It's kind of sad when people exercise their agency to make a choice that doesn't end in a covenant, but all we are allowed to do is invite. We are out to find those who are prepared right now to find the gospel. We are going to be stepping up our efforts with the members of the ward, and increase the spirit of missionary work in their lives.... It's starting to show that they are not too motivated. The bishop actually had us re-sing the rest hymn of "Put your shoulder to the wheel" because our first attempt was pitiful. Members and investigators alike have a hard time feeling welcomed in that ward, and i know that is something that we can help with.
My life the past 6 weeks was pretty hard. I didn't realize it but I was slacking in the work. I was allowing my companion to do everything and outshine me in every way, which then led to a hard few last weeks, and it made it very hard to function. As I talked with President Collins about a few things that were on my mind he helped me apply this tool, it can be applied to almost any trial, or temptation for that matter, and I can testify that having put it to work for the last week it is working:
I'm paraphrasing from memory....
We seem to approach our trials in a very head on way... As if there is a doorway to get through, and in that door way is a Giant, a man so large there is no way around him. So we gird up our loins, fresh courage take, arm ourselves with the armor of God, and get to the fight! We swing, jab, poke, slash, cut, thrust, stab, attack at full force, and eventually end up exhausted, and tired. Easily able to be knocked over by the smallest of temptations that Giant still has in his arsenal. The trick is to back up. We know that every step backwards is a success! Even if we only move a few inches or a few feet, we are moving away from that fight against the giant, and each step is a victory. We continue to step back until we manage to move ourselves out of range, but don't stop there, keep going backward until we see that giant as a small little speck on our horizon. The giant won't and can't follow us! We are now safe! The temptations of Satan are still there, but they are now so small and far away, we see them coming, and are able to push them aside very quickly. They no longer have effect.
As I once again reflect on his story, and parallel it with one Jodi sent me, it's easier to see that we aren't only stepping away from our giants, but we are stepping closer to the Lord. We look to him, turn your back to the giant and face the joy of the truly living the gospel.
I've had to do a lot of self reflecting these past few weeks, and it's been a joy to realize that I may not be as close to the Lord as I thought, and have a wonderful opportunity to put myself closer and closer to him by truly living his gospel... Faith, Repentance, Sacrament, and relying on the Holy Ghost!
I'm not out of reach from my giant yet, but I know I will be soon.
I love you all, and look forward to Mothers day when I can talk with some of you!
Love Elder Rees
Monday, April 9, 2012
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
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!
Sunday, April 8, 2012
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
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
