tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28630449210783826232024-03-05T04:09:44.630-08:00Elder Vincent Campbell - letters from the fieldElder Vincent Campbell reported to the Provo MTC on April 16th, 2014. He has been called to serve the people of the Illinois, Chicago West mission for the next 2 years. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07572503955096791461noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2863044921078382623.post-23600821297478605242015-07-13T12:20:00.002-07:002015-07-13T12:20:58.620-07:00It's been a long time...<div class="MsoNormal">
I apologize for not having written for a couple of weeks.
Once a<br />
slacker, always a slacker, am I right? J.k. the Atonement is real. So<br />
PLEASE accept my repentance.<br />
<br />
These last couple weeks have been filled with much introspection and<br />
growth. That always seems to happen when you are training a new<br />
missionary. Elder Wells is a great elder, and he's a quick learner, so<br />
its been a blast to be his companion for these last three weeks. I'll<br />
send some pictures of us together in another email today.<br />
<br />
We have two people to be baptized on the 25th of July, so we're pretty<br />
excited about that. The only problem is getting them to attend church<br />
regularly and helping them keep the Word of Wisdom. But we have faith<br />
that they'll be able to overcome these difficulties and be baptized<br />
and retained. Another experience I've gained on my mission is helping<br />
clean up after a tornado hits. Three weeks ago a tornado hit Coal<br />
City, Illinois, which is in our stake. It tore down and damaged the<br />
majority of the homes in this small town, and a couple of days<br />
following the hit, all of the missionaries in the stake were called in<br />
to help with the clean up. So we went for a few hours and helped clear<br />
A LOT of debris.<br />
This Saturday we went back, and the condition of the own is still<br />
pretty rough, and we spent a lot of time clearing sidewalks and<br />
streets of shingles and other debris, but the residents were very<br />
appreciative of our service, which always helps me feel the Holy<br />
Ghost.<br />
<br />
Other than that, not a lot is going on. We knock on A LOT of doors in<br />
this area. It's awesome. I used to loathe knocking on people's doors<br />
because for some reason I felt like we were bothering them. I now<br />
realize that that was just the fear of man. I now see it as an<br />
opportunity to bear testimony of the Restoration of the Gospel of<br />
Jesus Christ, of the divinity of the Book of Mormon, of the Plan of<br />
Salvation, and the prophetic legacy of the Prophet Joseph Smith.<br />
Bearing testimony of Joseph Smith is becoming more and more important<br />
to me because of President Fenn. I don't know if you're aware of this,<br />
but he and Sister Fenn finished their mission, and now we have<br />
President and Sister Griffin (pictures will be sent). In my final<br />
interview with President Fenn, he offered the prayer, which he never<br />
did, and he blessed my that I would be a fearless defender of the<br />
Prophet Joseph Smith. So I am trying to live up to the blessing which<br />
he gave me. Love you mom.<br />
<br />
<br />
-Elder Vincent Campbell</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhLpqpk97vaFEqkojhuSgbwyRIFbn_Ur6vONzZ0g0OtSErQrJuN0SdBo1hzPTIiDp9sHDkN4vkkav8bfXPNMeM2haimYrJLO7FcpCdv0TC5JuD5kO0K4UJZeycS9sejpMUpw877Xdjj4/s1600/Fenn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhLpqpk97vaFEqkojhuSgbwyRIFbn_Ur6vONzZ0g0OtSErQrJuN0SdBo1hzPTIiDp9sHDkN4vkkav8bfXPNMeM2haimYrJLO7FcpCdv0TC5JuD5kO0K4UJZeycS9sejpMUpw877Xdjj4/s320/Fenn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
President and Sister Fenn</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68RTasZB-SxpjiJTt2OxTzShAbBv6Mi_c8ZmsUiCR_vlp7mkJPsRikSiWZSyQr-OmSB5RIXAY8yqdpDOs9fG_eF2e-AQbdn2kCD3gdSgiyqUISTv-ZR6UGyrHQz5hZpCrYtlJu8gA9dc/s1600/Griffin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68RTasZB-SxpjiJTt2OxTzShAbBv6Mi_c8ZmsUiCR_vlp7mkJPsRikSiWZSyQr-OmSB5RIXAY8yqdpDOs9fG_eF2e-AQbdn2kCD3gdSgiyqUISTv-ZR6UGyrHQz5hZpCrYtlJu8gA9dc/s320/Griffin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
President and Sister Griffin</div>
<o:p></o:p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07572503955096791461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2863044921078382623.post-88134621018536364242014-12-15T13:05:00.001-08:002014-12-15T13:05:54.512-08:00<div class="MsoNormal">
Hi Mom! Elder Johnson and I are doing fantastic! Obviously
you saw the picture from the baptism, which must have been a surprise for you. Well, believe it or not, it was a surprise for us as well. For a long time, we'd been discussing with Lupita when her date for baptism would be. At first she resisted a firm date, but kept saying she really wanted to be baptized. Then when Elder Johnson first came to Bloomington, we set her on date for the 13th. She reluctantly accepted the date, but was still really nervous. We invited her to read from the Book of Mormon and to pray to know if the 13th was the right day for her to be baptized. She never got back to us about the date, so we assumed that she was not going to be baptized on the 13th. But, on Thursday she texted us during a missionary meeting in Peoria, and said that she wanted to be baptized on Saturday. That's officially when we entered nervous mode. Immediately we started planning it. Every day practically, leading up to her baptism, was spent either teaching her or planning the baptismal service. Then, Saturday night, I entered a personal purgatory. She was out with her family for dinner, celebrating her niece's graduation from ISU. Some members who are really close to her were invited. She accidentally ordered iced tea. A member noticed, and texted her dad, who happens to be the bishop of our Ward. He texted us about it. Oh crap, we went. Then he texted the zone leaders, who then promptly texted us, and pretty much made us call her up and talk to her about it. The conversation went fine, we talked about the word of wisdom and how iced tea is a part of it, and she took it pretty well, but asked where she could learn more about it. Right as we hung up the phone with her, we saw that both the bishop and her main fellowshipper President Clay, who happens to be the first counselor in the stake presidency, had called us and told us not to call her because it wasn't that big of a deal. Then we found out that she texted President Clay that she felt like she didn't know enough about the church, and didn't think she could be baptized. Enter panic mode. She didn't show up to church. She wouldn't answer her phone. Enter freak out mode. We had a private conversation with all who were involved, and tried to see what happened and how we could best approach the situation. We concluded with prayer, and the bishop had the great idea to bring baptismal clothes over to her so she could try them on. It turns out that she wasn't mad or offended or anything that we thought she was. She has really bad arthritis, and somehow her knees were so inflamed that she couldn't come to church. And she fell asleep, so that's why she didn't answer her phone. It was all a big misunderstanding and the baptism happened as planned. Lupita doesn't have great mobility because of her arthritis, so both of us were with her during the baptism. Elder Johnson said the words and <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">President Clay
confirmed her. </span>It was so awesome to see her get over her concerns and choose baptism into this true and living church. I'll let you know when I get the packages. I love you, Mom. Thank you for your righteous example to me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7l-87gUMrIql0jgLAryqIFh5D0NJqCiny5ov3pz3uwobJVr8kLQA_WkcML__64mpcQUqt5CxHN0gGf4QNBmljxa4vXRaJJNMZRTml-FgXwUYUCdk7STCz_q4b5xH0YQ43E4ptC_Xlu-I/s1600/baptism.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7l-87gUMrIql0jgLAryqIFh5D0NJqCiny5ov3pz3uwobJVr8kLQA_WkcML__64mpcQUqt5CxHN0gGf4QNBmljxa4vXRaJJNMZRTml-FgXwUYUCdk7STCz_q4b5xH0YQ43E4ptC_Xlu-I/s1600/baptism.jpg" height="191" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07572503955096791461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2863044921078382623.post-18193868815646417422014-12-04T17:55:00.001-08:002014-12-04T17:55:34.455-08:00Updates<span style="font-family: inherit;">This post is a combination of a couple of recent letters:<br /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Dear Mom, </span>Well, transfer calls came. Elder Olsen is leaving to finish training a missionary in Bourbonnais. I'm staying here, and I'm going to be co-senior companion with Elder Johnson. He's been serving in the Peoria stake as well, in a little town named Princeton. I really enjoyed serving with Elder Olsen. We learned a lot from each other. I had to step things up as a companion to him. When he was scared to talk to people, I talked to every person we saw until he finally chimed in. I had to lead out with planning at points because what was supposed to be accomplished was not materializing. Even though he was the "senior companion," I tried to help him rise to the occasion. I could have tried to do everything on my own, but I knew that if we weren't equally yoked, the Spirit could not accompany us. We finally resolved to be unity in the cause of truth, in declaring the gospel to all who we encounter, and in the faith that there are hundreds and even thousands of people in our area who are waiting to hear the message of the restored gospel. Once we made that decision, the miracles have come rushing forth. We're still helping one woman continue to progress toward baptism, but where we've found much of our success is in bus contacting. With the winter months beginning, we need ways to find new investigators different than tracting. The bus is one of our better options. And I did receive the package with the wool socks (Grandma/Grandpa). Thank you for watching out for me. It's a blessing I could never thank you enough for. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Turkey say was pretty enjoyable. Two families combined for Thanksgiving because both of their families live far away. One of the families was from Louisiana so we had a mix of Southern style and traditional American thanksgiving foods. Really spicy turkey. And then two others families combined and we went over there for dessert. All in all a pretty good Thanksgiving. Nothing like Thanksgiving at home, but good all the same. I can't wait to go to Wyoming when I come home. Hope everyone knows that I love them. <span style="background-color: white;">Tell Jack that we have at least five people who want to be baptized! Tell Isabelle that I haven't received a response from her! But, I still love her.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Well my new companion is Elder Johnson from Las Vegas. He's only been out five months, but we're got to see a lot of success together. We put someone on date to be baptized on the 13th, so we've got to make sure that she keeps progressing. But she's so ready. She just needs to take a leap of faith, and realize that she probably won't receive answers to all of her questions. Our Ward just split in September, so now there are three wards meeting in this building: Bloomington 1, Bloomington 2, and Normal. As you know, the bishop is awesome. He bought all of our groceries on Tuesday, again. </span>Other than that, same old amazing missionary work stuff. Just being continually converted to the gospel through prayer and the Book of Mormon and prayer. It's the only worthwhile way to live life! Love Ya!<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07572503955096791461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2863044921078382623.post-3734002870273518762014-11-10T12:26:00.000-08:002014-11-10T12:26:01.404-08:00Some updated picturesHere are some updated pictures, including Vince and his new companion, and from the Elders' trip to Nauvoo. The gentleman standing next to Vince is their bishop - he got up at 4:45 a.m. to take them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2mypBwNwrXUor6YvIVJmWu1Jfo8vBwFMM2oOiCievWhjA__PFKzXEFlZK2i7BZGjyxCnDuBel63u8c4MfdYqJFtjFgA2wQeqJK1q13S0N0K-DhE68GhyHUT2AqWqXl-IaX6OuIWnIts/s1600/companions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2mypBwNwrXUor6YvIVJmWu1Jfo8vBwFMM2oOiCievWhjA__PFKzXEFlZK2i7BZGjyxCnDuBel63u8c4MfdYqJFtjFgA2wQeqJK1q13S0N0K-DhE68GhyHUT2AqWqXl-IaX6OuIWnIts/s1600/companions.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigndDUd1bPlI-uCjtzX8-XHKTbBgjNb-kNlohVYvpWEHn1n7Wretg4QGbMVjoWF8YLVR264QIWIhxyo8QTH890QxXLAzMSt7M0_42lVh-WMtZO9hymj0qJVHu-Ht_QttA08cRfXkR2owk/s1600/Statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigndDUd1bPlI-uCjtzX8-XHKTbBgjNb-kNlohVYvpWEHn1n7Wretg4QGbMVjoWF8YLVR264QIWIhxyo8QTH890QxXLAzMSt7M0_42lVh-WMtZO9hymj0qJVHu-Ht_QttA08cRfXkR2owk/s1600/Statue.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7_JXnXzV6QwCq2qm-tyFSixNpkFgRvIluW-PYXtV3ptP-020-XdkQXzFpRwIJA0su50HKvUAIRiPlWIYnklxgAezJNQdq6oNKuc5Lh71ObjF19VvlJ3xoJYGsIifp_gXlF6fdGgBnc0/s1600/Temple.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7_JXnXzV6QwCq2qm-tyFSixNpkFgRvIluW-PYXtV3ptP-020-XdkQXzFpRwIJA0su50HKvUAIRiPlWIYnklxgAezJNQdq6oNKuc5Lh71ObjF19VvlJ3xoJYGsIifp_gXlF6fdGgBnc0/s1600/Temple.1.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qloUmDzHNmYZzL3KQsWuOitWcLTF8VzVGwTV5Dg6CoNK35_0fzYzPgJUHF4h0VwkMkTQvsNfZ0sySfCGD4sxljymUdME29jZ2jwyd99XYNm_C8gv46zWok9OGhUkrhx7CmQD-6GJFMM/s1600/Temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qloUmDzHNmYZzL3KQsWuOitWcLTF8VzVGwTV5Dg6CoNK35_0fzYzPgJUHF4h0VwkMkTQvsNfZ0sySfCGD4sxljymUdME29jZ2jwyd99XYNm_C8gv46zWok9OGhUkrhx7CmQD-6GJFMM/s1600/Temple.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhda5s3vxHKOwRo2jkYfv2_yKueGrFWwpGXJimNHxHfYb-g0bE3BEmWvQmwMiDoBNt0PKz6ePxMuu7rAGMpdyX8vXr226guDW5PmaR0cLrjf7by8D-UiwA_2SNx4Rn-91Vc2GsOIehNHgU/s1600/Vince_statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhda5s3vxHKOwRo2jkYfv2_yKueGrFWwpGXJimNHxHfYb-g0bE3BEmWvQmwMiDoBNt0PKz6ePxMuu7rAGMpdyX8vXr226guDW5PmaR0cLrjf7by8D-UiwA_2SNx4Rn-91Vc2GsOIehNHgU/s1600/Vince_statue.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUeE29Kh2N6rUEXiMR6jCegIW4LCtWkFMDIuoREuO9v3n9iUIsFnciGBdLOrLURdwehNT-msqSLpG0BdbTimOC0fYe5S57IeEjFx_7XmOWwgbEVoQKSZg3YNxCzb09tdxyTS1PHrKLFo/s1600/Wagon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUeE29Kh2N6rUEXiMR6jCegIW4LCtWkFMDIuoREuO9v3n9iUIsFnciGBdLOrLURdwehNT-msqSLpG0BdbTimOC0fYe5S57IeEjFx_7XmOWwgbEVoQKSZg3YNxCzb09tdxyTS1PHrKLFo/s1600/Wagon.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07572503955096791461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2863044921078382623.post-11862782541617145262014-11-10T12:16:00.001-08:002014-11-10T12:16:10.717-08:00HolaDear Mom,<br />
You're such a blessing in my life, and I'll always be eternally grateful to you for the righteous choices you have made in your life. You've always shown me love, concern for my well being, and comfort when I've needed it. You'd do anything for me, and to have that knowledge truly blesses my life. I do miss you, but this stage in my life is too short to feel deprived. We talk every week, and the blessing of serving the people here can only change my nature for the better. I have yet to reach the point I desire to reach, but I know that through the atonement, we can all become new creatures.<br />
<br />
Have you been reading the Book of Mormon? I just reached 3 Nephi today. I'm going to read from the Book of Mormon every day for the rest of my life. There's just no other alternative.<br />
<br />
This week we had the car (a Chevy Cruze), so we did not engage in as much walking or catching buses as we do when we are without a vehicle. Of course, Tuesday was the temple trip at Nauvoo, which was glorious. And there's another new temple video. I swear they've come out with three within the last year. But it was great, so I can't complain. Bishop took us by Carthage as well, but we didn't tour it. I definitely want to return to those places someday and spend more time touring, like the whole city of Nauvoo, and to actually go inside the jail at Carthage.<br />
<br />
Anyway, something exciting that has happened is...I finally had an investigator come to church! That's never happened before, but it was great. It was the primary program, and the investigator brought her nephews, and she kept talking about how they needed to be like these kids and come to church. So they stayed the whole three hours, the kids going to primary and she coming with her friends in the church. We really didn't have to do much for her. She sat with members, not us. She went to class with the members, and she mingled with members and not us. That's the way it should be, and there's no doubt that she'll be baptized.<br />
<br />
All is well here, mother, and I'm becoming continually converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is our Savior, and only wants us to come unto Him, and join with Him. He'll support through anything. Can I give you some scriptures to study? One that I was studying yesterday really hit me. It's D&C 19:16-19. I encourage you to read it and ponder its message.<br />
<br />
I sure love ya!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07572503955096791461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2863044921078382623.post-83630569149227649932014-10-13T06:52:00.001-07:002014-10-13T06:52:11.404-07:00Last update from Rockwell - on to Peoria!<div class="MsoNormal">
Greetings
from Rockford, IL! Well, I'm still alive. I've not only survived six months in
Illinois, but I've cherished those months. Naturally, at the beginning of the
mission, the typical feelings of homesickness and inadequacy can easily
prevail. You're scared of most things, particularly two things: the people
whose doors you knock, and their dogs. Everyone around here seems to own only a
select variety of dogs. They either have pit bulls, German shepherds,
Rottweilers, Dobermans, or chihuahuas. But, after a thousand plus doors, you
begin to acclimate to the barking and gnashing of teeth. You begin to
acclimate, and you begin to desire the eternal welfare of all whom you come
into contact with, but your effectiveness is solely dictated by the presence of
the Spirit, which you must be worthy of. We had a member of the first quorum of
the Seventy tour our mission recently. He spoke of many things, but what has
remained impressed upon my mind is one simple request he made: "Don't get
in the way." <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don't
let your shortcomings hinder the eternal welfare of anyone. Don't allow
disobedience to have a negative impact on the work of salvation. In a way, that
is the course we take as members of the restored church of God. We use the
atonement to put off the natural man, so that the blessings of God may be poured
out upon us and our families. We try to get out of God's way, in so many words.
The Lord will hasten his work. But we are his hands. So, please, support the
Lord by harvesting the field which has ripened. Go out with the missionaries.
Let's help each other light the way for our brothers and sisters. For we know
we cannot become perfect without them. God bless all of you. I know that
through Jesus Christ all things are possible. Walk as He walked, and serve
others for their happiness. Be true and faithful. Therein lies joy. Onward,
ever onward.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07572503955096791461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2863044921078382623.post-84596508842148313392014-10-06T11:49:00.002-07:002014-10-06T11:49:58.892-07:00No letter yet, but...Here are a bunch of awesome pictures I was just sent from the Elder. Without a letter of course.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDN-3QtCVQNxvGMPa683DwIIQi_skqUwVv_0E1wiC8CrgMesS5WG46FIhfsE9QhRPolpMBf7btWkboY7cPCrbS36h5qWtK92UwM9v6iqs7_t4z9RBGejIOdb2OIO1_w2LPh6SO7J9z2Cs/s1600/IMG_1734%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDN-3QtCVQNxvGMPa683DwIIQi_skqUwVv_0E1wiC8CrgMesS5WG46FIhfsE9QhRPolpMBf7btWkboY7cPCrbS36h5qWtK92UwM9v6iqs7_t4z9RBGejIOdb2OIO1_w2LPh6SO7J9z2Cs/s1600/IMG_1734%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBDT5y0H-OVK2ytcyhwq4b-U1TfUgZ8OyEGKYpDtrpKeXb6TKRHEHmHK59C-LrSvTAgvLNxErhGtHVRqQ6MuoaAAjl4hzMxkHlHu99OVmeWY2DND6lyp9Ka03bdOntO9V5bVDLSkbX0U/s1600/IMG_1735%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBDT5y0H-OVK2ytcyhwq4b-U1TfUgZ8OyEGKYpDtrpKeXb6TKRHEHmHK59C-LrSvTAgvLNxErhGtHVRqQ6MuoaAAjl4hzMxkHlHu99OVmeWY2DND6lyp9Ka03bdOntO9V5bVDLSkbX0U/s1600/IMG_1735%5B1%5D.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRcykG_czS6deEyW-QjXyAi24ywsllSLPzaWKDrsx3RafcWsS0nmpA4GpFjJPg0tto51J_awu34c5iaMLXEDuLilKnpmnR4OLHfdCmhyZh4pNGL86169G-FOJMHDm5B5nVo0Dl9oH9rk/s1600/IMG_1736%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRcykG_czS6deEyW-QjXyAi24ywsllSLPzaWKDrsx3RafcWsS0nmpA4GpFjJPg0tto51J_awu34c5iaMLXEDuLilKnpmnR4OLHfdCmhyZh4pNGL86169G-FOJMHDm5B5nVo0Dl9oH9rk/s1600/IMG_1736%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAUy0HfMXBuHKBNmL-IMsUcHGh37xzxaotXiEbdNPDA_9exlVyzYPWebOVAGgB39rI6-9gyAtOGTCbOwCcS5eLDDqZzWqU1K9ixrU5fzm4a_Id59HJICkqKKQsx7Gbh5L1FWtDJrZLxk/s1600/IMG_1737%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAUy0HfMXBuHKBNmL-IMsUcHGh37xzxaotXiEbdNPDA_9exlVyzYPWebOVAGgB39rI6-9gyAtOGTCbOwCcS5eLDDqZzWqU1K9ixrU5fzm4a_Id59HJICkqKKQsx7Gbh5L1FWtDJrZLxk/s1600/IMG_1737%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZnVEoLFONNcjSlulkOnY1oO47vt_nr_4GhIso5DNeXWhP-L8CzMns04xr1cGyBPXIxM5iDA0jXToZals1MD_jSswCfkWehB4LIVeFKlbZR3yrRFMTW47kIlqisHKAwTNaEyWdUzwUYo/s1600/IMG_1738%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZnVEoLFONNcjSlulkOnY1oO47vt_nr_4GhIso5DNeXWhP-L8CzMns04xr1cGyBPXIxM5iDA0jXToZals1MD_jSswCfkWehB4LIVeFKlbZR3yrRFMTW47kIlqisHKAwTNaEyWdUzwUYo/s1600/IMG_1738%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6RXjHMxmBZ4b2_o0jkyS8MWZWJE-oL0qkWd64lcUJSWyuZroJhRC1oq7BUn16lC06y3RhD0bTScdyjwuoY_kON3VwjLFagHlc_kn9tuycbwzV5GMCt5WHBjwpWKre3pu0wcDWsNHAnM/s1600/IMG_1739%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6RXjHMxmBZ4b2_o0jkyS8MWZWJE-oL0qkWd64lcUJSWyuZroJhRC1oq7BUn16lC06y3RhD0bTScdyjwuoY_kON3VwjLFagHlc_kn9tuycbwzV5GMCt5WHBjwpWKre3pu0wcDWsNHAnM/s1600/IMG_1739%5B1%5D.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07572503955096791461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2863044921078382623.post-61007792044942233352014-09-23T14:33:00.001-07:002014-09-23T14:33:57.440-07:00ok, I'm a slackerBad Mom! Not really. Some letters just aren't worthy of a post - or rather, the content doesn't warrant the rest of the world being informed. So there you have it. Anywho, news from Elder Campbell! Part of this is in response to my last email, describing Jack's thoughtful prayers: <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Your brother Jack is quite the spiritual little
fella. His dinner prayer last night went something like this: “…Please
bless Vince to have a good mission and to be safe, and that the Holy Spirit
will keep us safe.” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear
Mom,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It
might be more reasonable to buy my winter gear out here in the field. So that I
can try on the different items and not have to go through the hassle of
returning things to get the right size. I'd say four or five pairs of thermals
would be pretty substantial. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jack
sounds like he could be the prophet someday. Definitely has more potential than
I do. I miss him a lot. Let him know that I'll be sending him something for his
birthday, and for dad as well. Ran out of time last week to buy a card, so I'll
send something more worthwhile to make up for it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One
message for Isabelle: WRITE ME BACK.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good
luck with your school. You'll nail it. So should I be expecting anything, not
including the birthday package, this week? By the way, if you want things to
get to me sooner, send it to Sister Roby. The mission office is SO slow. I just
barely got a letter that Carly sent on the last day of August. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The
good news is that I am happy. We're not really working with any progressing
investigators, and we're not seeing a lot of success with door knocking, but I
know that the gospel has been restored and I'm eager to share those restored
truths with others. I'm now on my fourth time reading the Book of Mormon. My
testimony of its divinity grows and my love of its content expands each time I
read through it. On Aaron's birthday we had a mission conference where all 184
of the missionaries in the mission gather together and we hear President Fenn
and his wife talk. He talked about the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, both
from a historical and doctrinal standpoint. He's so much like his father
in-law, Bruce R. McConkie. So wise and powerful a speaker he is. I've recorded
almost all of the talks he's given since I've been on a mission, so I'll have
to send them so you can enjoy them as well. Just don't put them on the
Internet. That was the only warnings gave me when I asked if I could record
him. At the conference he gave us an assignment to mark every mention of covenants
and the house of Israel in blue, every mention of being born again or change in
people in red, and examples of good teaching in yellow. Before he had us mark
missionary work in blue, the doctrine of Christ in yellow, and the plan of
salvation/atonement/mercy in red. I invite you to do the latter challenge in
your personal scripture study. You'll come to a greater love and knowledge of
the magnitude of the Savior's love for us if you take up this challenge. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well,
sure love Ya! I'll include some photos as well. We went to a Japanese garden
today, so that'll explain a few of the pictures. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOw1Vg2vrJP2FDSEI1Nq_UNyg3CW_hp537yVDvB8O3W9X9oqdbnKGDQYay2CFyh5xkzTB6lkW7FYBVFgfqOVSZy_zHl5ZC2GHCjLU8RBUrIEhNpxxWLdQTMkLgOAyVwWv98GzYjmmNRDs/s1600/090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOw1Vg2vrJP2FDSEI1Nq_UNyg3CW_hp537yVDvB8O3W9X9oqdbnKGDQYay2CFyh5xkzTB6lkW7FYBVFgfqOVSZy_zHl5ZC2GHCjLU8RBUrIEhNpxxWLdQTMkLgOAyVwWv98GzYjmmNRDs/s1600/090.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1YK0fmhkqy62AUB5jMVdk-_cPPyqigk0TftSe6Y7-b2PnrHdmMpkGwJXuUlzyRNahTU62IRBP8X-Pjnxg3Ntl8ksdyagQ5bJg7OQEUGThHNXbVpqypxlK9hOJmwvk9KkR6fVcc_qZ7o/s1600/092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1YK0fmhkqy62AUB5jMVdk-_cPPyqigk0TftSe6Y7-b2PnrHdmMpkGwJXuUlzyRNahTU62IRBP8X-Pjnxg3Ntl8ksdyagQ5bJg7OQEUGThHNXbVpqypxlK9hOJmwvk9KkR6fVcc_qZ7o/s1600/092.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOp8OX5qgNoRvxzDxGysr4kPIcMu7MIJ70znzbWkIS7i6omLunyAJLGZYNWhM5gwwZPJ0nahKjp5AqvqrRcx28_LatTlnQ334Y53j77DCwt9d7fJ9Ht_aIiogtQ8voN4jDuwyg8REFhQ/s1600/094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOp8OX5qgNoRvxzDxGysr4kPIcMu7MIJ70znzbWkIS7i6omLunyAJLGZYNWhM5gwwZPJ0nahKjp5AqvqrRcx28_LatTlnQ334Y53j77DCwt9d7fJ9Ht_aIiogtQ8voN4jDuwyg8REFhQ/s1600/094.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2fZTVaNGu19uagDSjsdzaH0CGmzrSoWaJ9QISOHEewAiEHXy-hIKGIxLV_X3QjkI7B-sscR6vCHjuninOOmSEYg8pVIBZVUm9oH2mC6xFux4fk4EUcfHALEVGdGGAjNS3fN71o2FcMw/s1600/096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb2fZTVaNGu19uagDSjsdzaH0CGmzrSoWaJ9QISOHEewAiEHXy-hIKGIxLV_X3QjkI7B-sscR6vCHjuninOOmSEYg8pVIBZVUm9oH2mC6xFux4fk4EUcfHALEVGdGGAjNS3fN71o2FcMw/s1600/096.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4z7VY5S63AcGWGefNjbx_OCLXgcnpdhfRl9iQKg0p9Hl3qJgmKusQBMmUtMicsE4vP_coYVtnmdXEG_thiXLUPY7tWFEFWFWvwaRUSikOjw5stKP_g2viB-uLXCuTM2LXbWZW7hs9OJo/s1600/098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4z7VY5S63AcGWGefNjbx_OCLXgcnpdhfRl9iQKg0p9Hl3qJgmKusQBMmUtMicsE4vP_coYVtnmdXEG_thiXLUPY7tWFEFWFWvwaRUSikOjw5stKP_g2viB-uLXCuTM2LXbWZW7hs9OJo/s1600/098.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkLGwCRjxyVes6XGGQil9JirTgBmEr85h9_BDSadyxFYgrhmk6EiCNl1ZDupsOV9_JBNdfSRJE3hbgLYCWT0QVRWyizLH6Vi4SUAPjepdTCe8x6IaOI9DJX5ce_5TBrBjoCvor0OK1fs/s1600/100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkLGwCRjxyVes6XGGQil9JirTgBmEr85h9_BDSadyxFYgrhmk6EiCNl1ZDupsOV9_JBNdfSRJE3hbgLYCWT0QVRWyizLH6Vi4SUAPjepdTCe8x6IaOI9DJX5ce_5TBrBjoCvor0OK1fs/s1600/100.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsHBOoIH8exQNrtGf-qlgVpAGpAlDmSEi6IvLhyewXslTzZyMtsFtV9gDbZRnfV_hbxE58-QYUQFH_hTYJ23ULSEEIU2U3m5dYSBJS7PPgRMGnxZyRZPlM4MSXQnMC8gncns5RWrPhEw/s1600/102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsHBOoIH8exQNrtGf-qlgVpAGpAlDmSEi6IvLhyewXslTzZyMtsFtV9gDbZRnfV_hbxE58-QYUQFH_hTYJ23ULSEEIU2U3m5dYSBJS7PPgRMGnxZyRZPlM4MSXQnMC8gncns5RWrPhEw/s1600/102.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzenywuilukDQPpU6CMRq21AaZIkkCRK1v7yY7-t3U0SEyNTQzDwtHMp6GD9BkAsp9qy0AC0f2b13YmZaV6Pce-tDq81Rhqvd9rpQZzYngZ_NAJCLQdKqsWDZrnbRAfLH2BrqDCsjxCA/s1600/103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWzenywuilukDQPpU6CMRq21AaZIkkCRK1v7yY7-t3U0SEyNTQzDwtHMp6GD9BkAsp9qy0AC0f2b13YmZaV6Pce-tDq81Rhqvd9rpQZzYngZ_NAJCLQdKqsWDZrnbRAfLH2BrqDCsjxCA/s1600/103.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZoljN2x4_yU1kmn_9ylnrQplp5PdKbqZ7wkFbxaJN0rKm2WqeVapEWFpANt1xUO45H-o2Fpxf4xNp2kxwkErqTUfEMziLVwaJVNdUAWNj0oWhtMnaiCGAVUIzNP_OwuxWCcCfc9FbdQ/s1600/104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaZoljN2x4_yU1kmn_9ylnrQplp5PdKbqZ7wkFbxaJN0rKm2WqeVapEWFpANt1xUO45H-o2Fpxf4xNp2kxwkErqTUfEMziLVwaJVNdUAWNj0oWhtMnaiCGAVUIzNP_OwuxWCcCfc9FbdQ/s1600/104.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxZvBhCLxgKg9bnAsw_qrwyZOyE2Ob1s6wZLcJ2hbChkx0l-6UZENAZ0cXAyfbQ26BeCSphoXPPtRpIPRgvNtg9J2t75zCBs3RGytdcqNeVLf3satOXG71aPMmRHfZ_dI85cM1ogqMt0/s1600/105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxZvBhCLxgKg9bnAsw_qrwyZOyE2Ob1s6wZLcJ2hbChkx0l-6UZENAZ0cXAyfbQ26BeCSphoXPPtRpIPRgvNtg9J2t75zCBs3RGytdcqNeVLf3satOXG71aPMmRHfZ_dI85cM1ogqMt0/s1600/105.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Man, I love that kid!<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07572503955096791461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2863044921078382623.post-23206881747355354202014-08-19T12:19:00.001-07:002014-08-19T12:19:27.075-07:00Life back on the farm...Here are a couple of pictures of Elder Campbell, hard at work in a garden. Cabbages? He certainly didn't get that veggie served growing up! Not much actual news to report, but here it is:<br />
<br />
Hello. Ever since meeting with Brother Oliver, my week improved tremendously. I've been so impatient with myself that when I haven't met my unreasonable expectations, I give up. But he's helped me realize that I've had unrealistic standards, and that I need to be satisfied with the incremental improvements I make, and that I can take life one day at a time. I hope Grandpa doesn't think I'm a wimp. I don't know what he felt while he was on his mission, but looking at him now, I can see him being confident even then. I don't know. A lifetime of experience probably helps a lot.<br />
<br />
I'm glad all is well at home. I'm starting to forget about home more and more. I don't want things at home to have changed too much by the time I come home. Anyway, things are getting better. We don't have any progressing investigators at the moment, AND no one is on date to be baptized, but this Sunday we had two less active families finally come to church. One only stayed for sacrament, but one surprisingly stayed for gospel principles. I would call that a tender mercy of the Lord. We'll have to spend a lot of time tracting, since the members don't give us referrals. You can support me by giving the missionaries people to teach! That'd help a lot. Love you mom. A lot. I really miss ya. Enjoy some pictures.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqp1dXJ0kM5BSYcSqhStAMgAmU4UlB4rPEl-Ew437XSawf2zBKJLdUgcUuWoo6DkAB5cL-29hcjWPj6FZSxf-5emIktPzuAtD8E_W_gBmc7JkZPG5TcTS6_03GQB1DRVHBb15_anumJk/s1600/farmer_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqp1dXJ0kM5BSYcSqhStAMgAmU4UlB4rPEl-Ew437XSawf2zBKJLdUgcUuWoo6DkAB5cL-29hcjWPj6FZSxf-5emIktPzuAtD8E_W_gBmc7JkZPG5TcTS6_03GQB1DRVHBb15_anumJk/s1600/farmer_1.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-dn406rL3wFvoFl4CiR_joT_IJFXW1U3hrZS7Yn_QMDKMaI-dlqqst_4Ng9W_Qb19cmnKJB7DxSz0FvWDa8Jh4wK0IU-jiyO-Dez4AkjlnEhi963rcuFgSEEI3T5HP5v0EeskPkxTy0/s1600/farmer_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI-dn406rL3wFvoFl4CiR_joT_IJFXW1U3hrZS7Yn_QMDKMaI-dlqqst_4Ng9W_Qb19cmnKJB7DxSz0FvWDa8Jh4wK0IU-jiyO-Dez4AkjlnEhi963rcuFgSEEI3T5HP5v0EeskPkxTy0/s1600/farmer_2.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07572503955096791461noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2863044921078382623.post-50525226072043489122014-07-22T08:21:00.002-07:002014-07-22T08:21:34.059-07:00Transfers!Well, Elder Campbell made it through another transfer, however his companion did not. Elder Noho will be heading off to Peoria, but I am told that Elder Campbell is excited about getting a new companion. No letter this week, but he sent me a picture. Elder Davis (holding sign) is going home to Montana this month.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEUx9abqjc6efClgUkCxaXQmTUSd-R2Rxj_xN7mbqrhgtE_W347m7_befiSo0GNwimGFu4rQAar796ja4U5BRy12iZx8Tb5sB8-jI81_e2sP8S3tf8qG4abxVdrQVa-JioqGLzGnVvbc/s1600/The_district.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEUx9abqjc6efClgUkCxaXQmTUSd-R2Rxj_xN7mbqrhgtE_W347m7_befiSo0GNwimGFu4rQAar796ja4U5BRy12iZx8Tb5sB8-jI81_e2sP8S3tf8qG4abxVdrQVa-JioqGLzGnVvbc/s1600/The_district.jpg" height="297" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07572503955096791461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2863044921078382623.post-75485333969349489662014-07-14T12:02:00.000-07:002014-07-14T12:05:46.213-07:00July 14th, 2014<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dear Family,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These past weeks have grown brighter and brighter until it feels like </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">we live in perfect days. Even amid the sirens of ambulances and squad </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">cars, the world is not devoid of light and truth, for we live in a </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">world created by gods. One important update to make note of is that we </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">have someone on date to be baptized on August 16th! She's so great! We </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">found her in late June I believe. We were knocking doors on her </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">street, and at every house we met rejection and disinterest. We were </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">about to return to the truck and drive to our next destination when we </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">felt impressed to knock one more house. She lived in this last house! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She used to be married to a less active Mormon, so she has a couple </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">copies of the Book of Mormon. She later told us that in the days prior </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to our meeting, she'd seen the Book of Mormon everywhere in her house.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She'd knelt down to pray for someone to help her in her life and we </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">knocked on her door. What was amazing was when we showed her the Bible </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">video of Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist. She's never been </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">baptized or even seen one happen. After she watched it, the Spirit was </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">powerful beyond earthly happiness, it was the love of God. When we </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">invited her to be baptized, she was ready to accept. Those little </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">moments are what I live for now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">President Fenn says that a mission is a series of disappointments </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">occasionally interrupted by perfect moments of indescribable joy. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's about as true as one feels while on a mission, and our entire </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">lives. We just have to learn how we can invite the Holy Ghost to make </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">these interruptions. Charity, I feel, is at the core of it. There is a </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">section in Preach My Gospel where it talks about the teaching skill of </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">listening, and it also quotes some words I love from Elder Jeffrey R. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Holland. He says that “More important than speaking is listening.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These people are not lifeless objects disguised as a baptismal </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">statistic. They are children of God, our brothers and sisters, and </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">they need what we have. Be genuine. Reach out sincerely. Ask these </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">friends what matters most to them. What do they cherish, and what do </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">they hold dear? And then listen. If the setting is right, you might </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ask what their fears are, what they yearn for, or what they feel is </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">missing in their lives. I promise you that something in what they say </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">will always highlight a truth of the gospel about which you can bear</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">testimony and about which you can then offer more. . . . If we listen </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">with love, we won’t need to wonder what to say. It will be given to </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">us—by the Spirit and by our friends." I have a testimony of the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">principle of listening. As we sincerely love others, we'll ask them </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">inspired questions which will always highlight a truth of the gospel. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We then discern their needs, and teach the truth which will hopefully </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">meet their concern, and we promise them blessings. We end with </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">something essential: we testify. I testify that this gospel is true.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jesus Christ is our Savior. He died for every person who has lived or </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">will live, because He loves us with a love that we cannot understand. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we embrace His gospel, we will be able to make covenants which will </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">seal our family for time and all eternity. This is the destiny for our </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">family. I've felt the Holy Ghost testify to me that this will happen </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">while we are on earth. May we all follow Christ and make the changes </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">necessary to have the blessings of a sealed family! I love you all so </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">much and pray for you every day!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07572503955096791461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2863044921078382623.post-11267676969885567022014-06-30T12:09:00.001-07:002014-06-30T12:09:19.094-07:00Finally, an update!<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hey all!<br>This last week was successful yet worried me at the same time. I've<br>forgotten to mention in the last few emails about something which has<br>been pretty exciting. For the last several weeks we were planning a missionary fireside for the ward. Unlike our stake, which has firesides pretty regularly, the Rockford stake has not had one<br>apparently in years, if that. So at first the members weren't sure it would draw a crowd. The theme of the fireside was the blessings of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, which we thought would be perfect for those with little knowledge about the church. The next idea we had was to have a convert tell their conversion story and how the Restored<br>Gospel blessed their life. Then we asked our mission president if he could speak and he accepted. What was nice was that he spoke at stake conference a couple weeks ago and people were so impressed that they became excited to come to the fireside. Then we made flyers and just handed them out like crazy to members and non members. It was<br>scheduled for last night, and so this last week we were stressing out about people coming. But people came! Word spread and missionaries from the entire stake came and brought their members, and our members came and brought their friends. Something silly that happened was that as I was helping someone bring some vegetable trays inside I dropped one in front of President Fenn. It was a great night for everyone. The talks were awesome and we filled the chapel. We even had a translator<br>for a Spanish family who came. Afterward we had refreshments and President Fenn told me that he was impressed by the number of people who came, which was nice to hear from him.<br><br>Now onto to your questions. Three weeks from tomorrow will be transfers. Elder Noho has been in the Rockford 1st ward for six months, so he thinks he'll go and I'll stay. Which is kind of scary since I'm still new to the area, but I welcome the opportunity. I do have allergies here, but I've been taking some medication which has been helping a lot. And there are actually a lot of kids in the ward.<br>There's also a lot of dream couples like Jared and Brittney and Andrew and Jessica. It's nice to feel an extension of home.<br><br>We've been knocking on doors a lot in order to find people, but success is slowly coming. We've found a couple of women who seem I nterested but it's been hard to meet with them since they're gone on the day we schedule to see them a lot. A member did refer us to one of her friends who already took the lessons and was ready to be baptized,<br>but was not married to the man she was living with at the time. Now she is, so she might be able to be baptized this Saturday if she's worthy and has kept the faith. And we found a woman who lives two houses from us. So we hope for two baptisms in June!<br><br>Well I love all of you! P.S. Dad, respond to my last email, and you too Carly!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07572503955096791461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2863044921078382623.post-45310344801939853552014-06-19T15:37:00.000-07:002014-06-19T15:38:14.308-07:00Never give up.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Kids, never give up. Repeat that to yourself
whenever something seems too hard; whenever you lose an interest in finishing a task; whenever you feel hopeless; whenever you feel that you are not important, repeat this in your head (maybe even better out loud): NEVER GIVE UP. Heavenly Father did not allow us to be born just to fail. In fact, the odds are in our favor. We have been saved through Our Savior and Redeemer, The Lord Jesus Christ. We shall all receive immortality. There is no possible debate in regards to this. The deed was done. He suffered, bled, and died. Yet he rose on the third day. The same shall we inherit. But eternal life on the other hand, that requires a transformation. Eternal life means exaltation; it means that we shall live in the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and shall be united with our families everlastingly. This will be our reward, if we shall press forward with a steadfastness in Christ. NEVER GIVE UP. Pray for help, ask for blessings, live in order to bless others, have faith. Heavenly Father changes lives when we expect it from him. Pray every day, and get to know your Heavenly Father.<br />
<br />
We found a couple of people last week that we have return appointments with this week. Tracting has been our main resource as of late for finding new investigators. The members are stepping up though. We planned a missionary fireside for the ward, and it's happening on the 29th. A member will tell their conversion story, and President Fenn will speak on the blessings of the restored Gospel. We're really excited. Members will be coming, and hopefully they will bring their friends. There is no doubt that President Fenn will astound all who are present at the meeting. Well no duh. He was taught personally by his wife's father, Bruce R. McConkie, an all impressive apostle. President Fenn is an amazing example of integrity. Something I have somehow failed to mention is the state of his health. First of all, he's deathly allergic to peanuts, and second, he has a clogged artery. He discovered this following an allergic reaction, in which he also suffered a minor heart attack. This was just before my arrival to the field. Since learning of his heart problem, he resigned himself to intense physical exercise, so he began biking miles and miles during the day. He's an example of someone who, when they want to do something, they dedicate their whole self to the work. On Thursday he went in for surgery to correct the clogged artery, but the operation failed. He's a bit disappointed, but he knows that he much yet to accomplish in the field. He's met so many challenges during his service as a mission president. Along with his health issues, his father passed away the same week he suffered that heart attack. While he had the opportunity to the leave the mission and attend his father's funeral, he knew he could leave the call he had been given by The Lord. I greatly admire this man. I'm nowhere near his level, but neither was he at my age. Incremental consecration and conversion is what brought him to where he is now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Well, I love all of you! Do something as a family tonight. Please.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Have a wonderful day!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07572503955096791461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2863044921078382623.post-84912536352774916902014-06-02T14:03:00.001-07:002014-06-02T14:03:26.595-07:00Helping others feel the spiritThis letter talks about how we can, in our everyday lives, help others feel the spirit and open their hearts to understanding.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">First, a couple of references: </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Alma 37:35-37. Also </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">check out this talk by Richard G. Scott:</span></div>
<a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1989/10/learning-to-recognize-answers-to-prayer?lang=eng&cid=email-shared" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">https://www.lds.org/general-<wbr></wbr>conference/1989/10/learning-<wbr></wbr>to-recognize-answers-to-<wbr></wbr>prayer?lang=eng&cid=email-<wbr></wbr>shared</a><div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">As we ask our Father in faith, with real intent, we can be assured </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">that as we endeavor to exercise our complete efforts, He will </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">compensate for our infirmities and bring to pass miracles. Most often </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">it is our own definitions of miracles which cloud our minds with </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">sorrow and discontent. Though some people may seem to be impenetrable, each </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">opportunity they have to feel the Spirit, every friend from the church </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">who reaches out to them, and every mention of the blessings of the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Gospel, the efforts have been made valiantly. The Spirit can only come </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">unto their heart. It cannot force its way inside. But what I can </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">suggest, and what I exhort the family to do is to take ten minutes </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">this evening to bear testimony of the blessings of the Restoration of </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">the Gospel. As President Fenn continually reiterates, and as I have </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">sensed first hand, is that the Spirit is abundant as we testify of the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Restoration. I promise you that if each of you succeed to expose your </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">testimonies of Joseph Smith and priesthood power, they will not be able </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">to deny the Spirit which will approach them. Another measure I </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">recommend taking is, after bearing testimony, ask them how they feel. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Remember that the "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, [and] tem</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">perance” (Galatians </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_540574401" style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">5:22</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">–23). Explain that they do not need a dramatic </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">spiritual manifestation to recognize truth. The Spirit speaks most </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">often in impressions and feelings. As you take the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">care to help them recognize the Spirit, that they will know that what you </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">say is true, and that they will have inched their toes onto the narrow </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">path to the kingdom of God. Then get them to read the Book of Mormon.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Preach My Gospel talks about how members are usually afraid to invite </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">people to church/read the Book of Mormon/meet with the missionaries. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">But all you have to do is be sincere and assure the person that your </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">relationship won't change, but that you wanted to share something you </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">cherish to them. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Anyway, the cookies arrived intact, but are a touch on the stale side. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">They're still delicious, and I have two other witnesses to this. Being </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">in a trio, I'm learning double the amount and at double the rate, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">which is no bother to me. Missionary work is thankfully becoming </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">second nature, and the apprehension which originally ailed me has</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">dissolved considerably, allowing my desires to trump my fears to yield </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">my joy. I am happy now.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I'll leave you with this quote from Lorenzo Snow, which has truly </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">reformed my personal expectations: "Do not expect to be perfect all at </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">once. If you do, you will be disappointed."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I love you!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07572503955096791461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2863044921078382623.post-75645417325237810122014-05-28T11:51:00.001-07:002014-05-28T11:51:17.046-07:00Mama's boy<div class="MsoPlainText">
Mom,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I miss you! Happily, I have updates as to the conditions
and circumstances of my mission thus far. When I arrived in Rockford, the
Rockford 1st Ward had two sets of elders serving in the area. With my arrival,
another elder transferred into the area, and we joined the two elders
experienced in this area of the mission. Of course I joined Elder Noho, and the
other new elder, Elder Williams, joined with Elder Davis. They are both
incredible missionaries because they use each of their unique capacities to bring
all others into the fold of Christ.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Elder Williams is from South Carolina, and has been out
for four months now. Elder Davis will return to Montana in August, and will
have served honorably for two years. Elder Davis is our district leader, and
it's amazing how he is able to both control the weekly meetings and inspire all
of its members. I really look up to him because we have luckily much in common.
In the beginning of his mission he struggled with depression and allowing
himself to change, so his advice on those subjects has been incredibly
instructive.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Anyhow, what happened was that as Elder Williams entered
into the area, he found that he had suffered a tear in his esophagus, which
limited what he could eat, and how much of it he could eat. This began to
stress him out, and exacerbated anxiety attacks he'd always had to cope with.
Eventually these conditions couldn't allow him to be effective, so President
Fenn had to send him home. Now Elder Davis, Elder Noho and I are in a trio.
It's strange to have basically two trainers now, but with an extra person to
provide their own vision, I'm learning that much more.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Another update is that my happiness has increased
exponentially since we last spoke. It was uncomfortable and agonizing to allow
myself to be shackled by the adversary. I could not allow him to discontinue my
hope. So ultimately it was a decision to work together with my Savior so that
the changed me could change others. I made that decision, but the results did
not sprout over night. It's a process, and every day that I smile more and
speak my mind, the day is a success. Every day I feel the Spirit and understand
the miracle of introducing someone to the restored gospel, I'm happy, and I'm
changed for betterment of my future, and theirs if they make the right choices.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Anyway, I'm steadily improving, and wouldn't rather be
anywhere else.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Although I do miss all of you so much, and think about
you all of the time. I'll have to send you a picture of the three of us. Love
you all! Thank you for the package! (I think this is the "greenie" package I sent a few weeks ago!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXPsJkGuKSY3KrhGnjr0i8_fWSxXu1rZMNRDLP0PGi8OeH3qIFF7JPIj9Dx0aRyd5dBJohyphenhyphenWlW195A0D712TYvmbvMjpxQAUc0mT_x8jf5fmPOoKNV7eayXyrd46Wmpx_TaF4X0NJtjE/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXPsJkGuKSY3KrhGnjr0i8_fWSxXu1rZMNRDLP0PGi8OeH3qIFF7JPIj9Dx0aRyd5dBJohyphenhyphenWlW195A0D712TYvmbvMjpxQAUc0mT_x8jf5fmPOoKNV7eayXyrd46Wmpx_TaF4X0NJtjE/s1600/image.jpeg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07572503955096791461noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2863044921078382623.post-37185177637754204792014-05-19T13:45:00.000-07:002014-05-19T13:49:00.111-07:00Hello all! Well, I surmise that what will function as a sufficient description of these past weeks is the word brutal. Physically, spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and all the chaos in between. Naturally there's a beginner's apprehension toward the many facets of the work, but it's been exhaustingly aggravated with my ADD. It's frustrating. When I make a mistake or am reminded of something which should easily be remembered, the logic unveiled is not exactly foreign. It becomes more of a mutated memory than a factual remembrance. And that's been difficult for me as well as my companion. When I am struck with these ridiculous realizations, I'm honestly embarrassed. If circumstances were otherwise, my memory would serve me loyally. ADD weighs down not only attention span, but memory. It's a challenge not to forsake myself. What sparks my rejuvenation is my knowledge that I'm not an idiot. I just have a stumbling block. I know that as I fast and pray humbly, that The Lord will compensate for weakness, but I must do all that I can to assist the process.<br />
<br />
On a more positive note, we finally have a progressing investigator named George. He's been reading the Book of Mormon, has committed to be baptized, and will be attending church meetings this upcoming Sunday. Teaching has definitely lessened the aches and pains of the mind. People matter more and more to me as I abide in their homes and connect with their families. I'm thankful for the Spirit and it's ability to transcend man made chasms of prejudice and malcontent. Other prospective baptisms are two nine year-old girls from two part-member families. I have faith that The Lord will have three new children by the end of this transfer.<br />
<br />
Anyway, glad to hear that everyone is well and occupied. Congrats Dad (on going back to work full-time).<br />
Well I love all of you so very much. Have family home evening tonight and each of you share your favorite story from the Book of Mormon and how it adds to your testimony. I love you all!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07572503955096791461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2863044921078382623.post-36004387935501489172014-05-17T15:49:00.001-07:002014-05-17T15:49:02.704-07:00First lesson delivered!I got a text from Elder Campbell's surrogate mom today, letting me know that he taught his first lesson today and he did great! I mailed him a package containing a big jar of his favorite strawberry jam and some instant breakfast. Good news is that the jar of jam didn't break, but instant breakfast envelopes might not make the best packing material. You win some, you lose some!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1fcXdBX3mk3c6KFfsnwkMBuWfXi3j1r4pVeJnGAnEGAqyizv3l3eDpZAgR5wrzJvsvv7gKmxuT-rTWHviN80jcn4jhxwo7YrTV4e2b80qCh3xOkYRKNLGs3XG3tT1HDNf8Q7guAZb5k/s640/blogger-image--533400310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1fcXdBX3mk3c6KFfsnwkMBuWfXi3j1r4pVeJnGAnEGAqyizv3l3eDpZAgR5wrzJvsvv7gKmxuT-rTWHviN80jcn4jhxwo7YrTV4e2b80qCh3xOkYRKNLGs3XG3tT1HDNf8Q7guAZb5k/s640/blogger-image--533400310.jpg"></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07572503955096791461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2863044921078382623.post-28864542413997234482014-05-12T17:45:00.002-07:002014-05-12T17:45:49.840-07:00Um, ouch?<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">How has your day been? We were playing soccer this afternoon, and a</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">run for the ball resulted in the pulling back of my left foot's big</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">toenail. Wrapping it it up in band aids was all I could really manage</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">to prevent infection. Anyway, I'm fine other than that. Love you</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07572503955096791461noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2863044921078382623.post-10288334078053398692014-05-05T15:34:00.000-07:002014-05-05T15:40:25.394-07:00Best. Kid. Ever.<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Hiya family! I've been anticipating this moment the entire week since </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I first arrived in Rockford, IL. Before, even in the first few hours </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">with my new companion, I felt confident that the transition would pass </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">by as smoothly as my expectations permitted. But my commitment became </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">real when we arrived at the apartment.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The apartment is stark, simple, clean, and we have our own washer and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">dryer, but when I deposited my bags into the room, there were no </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">sheets and there was no pillow. Thankfully Elder Noho's previous </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">companion left behind a comforter. Consequently, I was forced to adapt to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">the state of my bedding. My robe functioned surprisingly well as a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">pillow.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Next we went to the store. I picked up a few items, under the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">impression that we'd be fed most evenings. Thankfully I bought some </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">spaghetti. But I don't mind having to cook for myself. I'll make the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">best of it and hopefully attain some mediocre cooking skills.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I could go into detail as to what has filled my days this week, but </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I'll summarize by saying that it's been hard to get through to anyone </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">this week. The area is interesting because quite literally on most </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">street corners, there's a church, some which cater to a very specific </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">demographic. So when we knock on doors, more often than not, the</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">person or family is already Methodist or Baptist or Catholic, just </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">name a few of the available denominations. What's more interesting is </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">that when we knock on a door, ready to share our message about Jesus </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Christ, the Christians don't seem to desire to hear about Him, which </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">is both illogical and frustrating. Much of our teaching has been to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">recent converts and less actives, which is noble in it's own regard, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">but when we reported our numbers last night, it was difficult to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">continue to report zero after zero. But I know who to rely on.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">It's been hard to be away from you all. It's not like I ever took you </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">for granted, but the reality of my situation became painfully </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">apparent. When I'm scared or would easily come to any of you for </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">guidance, I realize that you are no longer readily accessible. I've </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">never appreciated and loved my family as I do now. I'm grateful for </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">that. But I wish I could have reached this understanding some other </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">way.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I want you all to know that I love you with a magnitude which defies </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">description. You make the world worth living in, and I'll always love </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">you.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Anyway, I love you all, and want you to know that I'll be okay, that I </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">know that this isn't about me. It's about the people who need to hear </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">the truth. I'll assimilate eventually, I'll become excited to work, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">and I'll change for the better. I love you all. I love you.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07572503955096791461noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2863044921078382623.post-33039181053241780772014-04-30T19:28:00.001-07:002014-05-03T14:55:20.832-07:00First message!I was watching our youth practice for dance festival when I got a wonderful text message and pictures of Elder Campbell:<br />
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sister MacDonald my name is Sister Roby my husband and I will be keeping you informed on your wonderful Missionary. He is in Rockford IL, Rockford 1st ward. His Companion is Elder Noho and he is from Tahiti. He is a wonderful trainer and your Son will learn a lot. I send a picture of his shoes because they will be dirty soon. They do a lot of walking. We are grateful to Heavenly Father has blessed us with a new Missionary son. Talk to you soon. Catherine </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HdMA3YsdO5K8nERDsFs4M9Zyt18vvoA9vwpHNNG_UGHAnTlbPey5uBtUZE9DPMVUoPyvtskCK6_bhIqyUKpleMHZ4mTTeVj5TFxtDqSb_FiLwrl-bIOo5QpyLXktvNx9p73L7_-eb3Y/s640/blogger-image--67940453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HdMA3YsdO5K8nERDsFs4M9Zyt18vvoA9vwpHNNG_UGHAnTlbPey5uBtUZE9DPMVUoPyvtskCK6_bhIqyUKpleMHZ4mTTeVj5TFxtDqSb_FiLwrl-bIOo5QpyLXktvNx9p73L7_-eb3Y/s400/blogger-image--67940453.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNL1WV0Zt4TOQSOjSzy4nw6sO_kVYPh01HNDUHKi6q5LRUT6UCeAJmGUmQLXTpGj69d9Mg5zkG8Bii8tDaAHlMJFYqAvgT8CqcqoR1w4Is6o2yqSxLQK1HMGZMbOIn5OxtIo7QTiyDCqw/s640/blogger-image--774292827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNL1WV0Zt4TOQSOjSzy4nw6sO_kVYPh01HNDUHKi6q5LRUT6UCeAJmGUmQLXTpGj69d9Mg5zkG8Bii8tDaAHlMJFYqAvgT8CqcqoR1w4Is6o2yqSxLQK1HMGZMbOIn5OxtIo7QTiyDCqw/s400/blogger-image--774292827.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07572503955096791461noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2863044921078382623.post-28070103926204705922014-04-25T10:09:00.003-07:002014-04-28T13:15:17.231-07:00Where's my letter?!An email response to my query as to where my letter is!! Now I can stop haunting the mailbox this week.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<div>
<div>
Yeah about that. I wrote it and then didn't like it and then I just thought I might as well wait for preparation day to give you some updates. Monday's the big day! Though we must be at the MTC's shuttle pick-up at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_769846632" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">4:30 a.m.</span></span> I'm thrilled to be moving on. The experience you have at the MTC seems to directly correlate with the consistency of relying upon the Lord. To be honest, my stay at the MTC has not been overwhelmingly happy, but that was because of my lack of self confidence, and lack of proper perspective. Earlier in the week, I struggled to stay focused and teach with the power and conviction I wished to possess. My expectations were laughingly unrealistic. I wanted to come home, but my companion's faith in me elevated my heart and gave me the momentum to persist. What also helped was meeting with the counselor they have here. He ran a test and asked me several questions and it's very likely that I am ADHD, which I'm realizing more and more. Even though I am, he gave me some reassurance that it won't be crippling enough to affect my success as a missionary. I just have to be humble and admit when I'm lost or distracted so that my companion can get us back on track. When I do that, and have faith in the atonement, the blessings of strength I receive not only stabilize me, but they elevate me. Heavenly Father's plan is a plan of growth and progression, and as I depend upon that, I find that I receive blessings exactly when I need them. I find that I'm not struggling to meet his expectations, but that we're cooperating and working together in the same cause. I've never felt such love from Him before my trial of faith at the MTC. I know that He loves me and that we work together to bring me closer to perfection.</div>
...Not only did President Uchtdorf come to speak to us, but so did Elder Dallin H. Oaks and His wife. All three of them had similar messages, but what I want to employ in my own life is a fearless approach to missionary work. Being set apart, having the Lord and Our Father on my side, there's no reason to fear anyone or any situation. We just have to be prayerful and prepared. Also thank you for the package sent. The Elders in our residence will sip on the Martinelli's <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_769846633" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Sunday</span></span> night before we depart. Such obedient and powerful Elders in our district.</div>
What has been strange is that even though we teach fake investigators at the MTC, the Spirit still teaches us and touches their hearts. Amazing. We're improving every day. By the way, Elder Christenson from "The District 2" is a teacher at the MTC and he spoke to us yesterday about working with members. Quite interesting. He showed us a Bednar clip about how we need to act like missionaries before we enter a member's home that really affected me. I'll have to send you the link.</div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Anyway, gotta finish my laundry. I'll email later in the day. Love ya'll!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07572503955096791461noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2863044921078382623.post-60883595196067260882014-04-18T19:40:00.002-07:002014-04-18T19:40:40.937-07:00The day of departureWednesday, April 16th, 2014. Elder Campbell, his sister Carly and I (mom) had just finished what would be our last lunch together pre-mission. We knew that we would not be able to hug each other goodbye at the MTC, so before we got back in the car to head down to Provo we said our farewells. Elder Campbell gave Carly a nice brotherly hug, and then it was mom's turn. I don't think either one of us was ready or willing to let go, but it was an embrace I will always remember. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The drive down to Provo was uneventful, and before we knew it we had reached the MTC entrance. There were SO many cars and people - it was just amazing. We were met by our first "usher," who welcomed us and verified who we were dropping off and where his ultimate destination was - and we were sent on our way around the bend to the CURB. Car upon car were lined up along the curb, each with a departing missionary. We were signaled over to the curb by 3 smiling, waving Elders of Pacific Island descent, and as soon as Elder Campbell stepped out of the car each on of his "hosts" embraced him and welcomed him. With 3 strong young men, the luggage was quickly removed from the roof rack, and then it was time. I wasn't sure if I was ready for this, but I kept my composure, lowering the window and appropriately embarrassing my son with a, "I love you schmoopy poopy!" All the elders got a good laugh out of that and I got confirmation that, "He's going to do great." I already knew that though.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As Carly and I drove away from the curb we noticed all of the other families dropping off their missionaries. The new standard is that you don't get out of the car and say goodbyes at the curb, and there are several good reasons for this: 1. There are A LOT of missionaries checking in constantly, and there simply is not enough space for people to hang out at the curb. 2. Saying goodbye at the curb is harder on everyone! Get it done before you leave and it will hurt less - kind of like ripping off a band-aid. SO, of course as we drove away there had to be at least 1 family that did not heed by this new rule, with a father and his son embracing and the poor kid in tears. We made it around the bend, past the dreaded curb and out towards the exit. Cue tears. Both Carly and I kept our composure until that very moment, and then it was a free-for-all. Yes, there were some sad tears. Elder Campbell is such an important part of our lives it will be hard to not see his face or hear his voice for 2 whole years. But there were also tears of joy, knowing that he was where he was meant to be. I know without a shadow of a doubt that my son will be a tremendous missionary, and will be loved by the people of the Chicago West mission. But not as much as he is loved by his family.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07572503955096791461noreply@blogger.com1