Midnight Baptism

Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2010 12:10:21 +0300
Subject: Midnight Baptism

Let me try starting this again, the internet club we are just had to restart every computer.  Hopefully we won't have any more problems.

Yep that is right we had a baptism Saturday night!  Okay it wasn't right at midnight but it was pretty late I think he got baptized at about 10 o'clock.  Needless to say Saturday was one of the craziest stressfull days of my life but with many prayers all things were overcome and one of my new greatest friends entered into the covenant of baptism.  Mom if you got the picture from the baptism from the Ewarts please forward it with this e-mail to those you send this e-mail too. 

Okay now I'll back up a little.  If you remember 2 weeks ago C---- got baptized and his friend S-- came to the Baptism and the very next day told us he wanted to be baptized as well.  So we had set the 9th of October as his goal.  Well we met with S-- pretty much everyday for the past two weeks preparing him for the day.  S-- got greater and greater and more and more excited for his baptism.  So on Friday he had his interview and as a result it was determined he would probably need to visit with President Steinagel.  We weren't able to get in touch with President until almost 10:30 Friday night.  We then found out he could meet with S-- tomorrow if we got him to Kyiv.  Sam was all in and didn't want to wait any longer than he needed to.  So we got up early Saturday morning to meet S-- at the Voksal (train station) to get him on a train to Kyiv.  Got everything sorted out and sent him on his way.  I then made all the arrangements with Elders in Kyiv to get him back after his interview.  So then we headed off to Church to watch Conference.  Had a lovely time watching the first session, at the end of which S-- should have been arriving.  However, the adversary was doing everything in his power to stop S--'s progress and his train was over an hour late.  So I spent much of the afternoon conference session on phone calls with S-- and President Steinagel working everything out.  Eventually they were able to met up and got him to President's office by the temple.  Everything went well with the two of them and then began the work in getting him back.  With the help of many different Elders we were finally able to get him on a Marshrutka (small bus) back to Vinnytsya.  We had no clue though when it would arrive back in Vinnytsya.  I had asked S-- if he wanted to get baptized when he got back or wait till Sunday to do it.  He told me this was the day he'd been waiting for and he wanted it as soon as possible.  He was however worried about us as missionaries not getting home on time, but with President's permission saying that a baptism is important enough to be out late we told him we'd have the service when ever he arrived.  So we scrambled to get things together for the baptism that would happen sometime just not sure exactly when.  The hardest thing was finding white underwear, which I won't go into too much detail in that story other than we eventually found some for S-- because he'd be coming straight there.  So then we just sat and waited at the church.  We had some members there and I felt way bad because they waited as long as they could but had to leave about 9 because otherwise there wouldn't be public transport to get home.  So it ended up just being the 4 elders, the Ewarts, S---- (who got his mission call this week to Yukaterinburg Russia), C---- and another Nigerian friend J---. 

S-- walked in just after 9:30 pm after the longest day of his life and having prettty much not eaten a thing all day.  He got changed and then we were able to hold a simple beautiful baptismal service.  I was hoping that it would work out for C---- to baptize S-- but S-- had been pretty persistent that I do it so at about 10 PM I had the wonderful privelege of baptizing Sam.  Then because Conference was this weekend for us and there wouldn't be a sacrament meeting we had special permission to also do the confirmation right there.  The spirit was so strong and it was a day and experience I will not forget for the rest of my life.  S-- was so happy and after going through trials that many of us have never faced was able to recieve the greatest gift on earth, the Holy Ghost.  Yesterday we were able to meet with S-- and watch Priesthood Session and he loved it and is so excited to live the Gospel!  He kept having us pause the priesthood session so he get written down something that really struck him.  He also had somethings work out in his life yesterday that have been problems for years.  The Lord is surely showing his love and giving his blessings to his son who has been so faithful in coming to his Gospel.  So that is my big story of the week!

A few other things.  Tuesday morning we wake up at 3:30 to catch our 4:30 train to Zone Meeting and it was the coldest most miserable train ride of my life but there is a price for everything and we had an amazing Zone Meeting that has truly blessed and enriched my life as the blessings of the Lord after trials.  We were able to do a role play and zone meeting that was so needed for a lesson the next day and helped us have the spirit in an extraordinary way in that lesson which has created a lot of progress with our investigator N------. 

Conference was so good by the way!  Loved all that I saw, going to have to go back.  Was able to watch all but the last session in English.  Had an investigator for the last one so I watched in Ukrainian and got the jist of everything.  It was fun to see people I know in all of the choirs.  (Including the mr. blanch look a like katie)  Cousin Elder Larsen in Moscow thanks for the note you had delievered somehow, was really funny how it eventually got to me.  Mom I was talking to a missionary who was standing next to A----- M---- so she found missionaries that know me.  Aunt C-------, Elder F---- from your ward has been in my district.  Um I'm running out of time.  Transfers are this week and we haven't been told yet but I think I'll be leaving Vinnytsya which makes me so sad but I know the Lord has a plan for me in his work.  I love you all!  Thanks for all your prayers.  Sister Ewart is really sick again, please pray for her.

Love

Elder Alexander Dean Larsen

Lost Sheep

On Mon, Aug 10, 2009 at 12:35 PM, Matthew Courtright wrote:

hey all. sorry if yall have missed me over the last weeks. its been crazy hectic. God has been having fun with my health. Dont worry, still no AIDS or anything serious, just a series of fun little things to try my patience. I started off by getting sick. I have never had a summer cold before so that wasnt fun. I took lots of Nyquil and about 2 days later was over it..for the most part. the next 3 days were spent with very little energy. The slightest amount of anything wore me out. Walking up stairs was hard becuase i had so little energy. I slept alot. I had never been so effected by the flu. Then about the middle of last week my tooth started to hurt. I ignored it (which is what every 18 - 24 year old does) and hoped it would go away. it did, but was replaced by massive headaches. So i called one of the 9 local dentists in the ward and asked him to check it out for free. He didnt even think twice, just said yes. He also wrote me a perscription for ammoxcicilan to kill anything. i went in this morning and he removed a filling i had to see what was up. He thought i was crazy at first but he said that i had been grinding my teeth which is a sign that something is up. When he removed the filling he said "uhhh, bad" then proceded to scrape away at my tooth with out telling me anything. i was lost. turns out i had a cavity under my tooth. He said that it wasnt anything i could do to prevent and that it was probably the dentist who put in the fillings fault. (By the way, i got that filling in Oklahoma...which is to say Canada.) Apparently the cavity was dangerously close to the root. So he fixed it and then refered me to a root canal specialist (who coincidentally is also in the ward. Freakin lots of dentists here). SO i might need a root canal and hopefully i can get it for free. a perk of being a missionary.

So it better news, a couple weeks ago i mentioned that we had had a miracle but never expounded on it. Now i will. So my companion and i were walking down the street to go and visit a family that had just moved into the ward. ON our way, we stopped and contacted to asian girls. They were very timid but their uncle said "come back. you need teach them. they go to church" (all asian like). we set up a time to come back but were very...hesitant because he wanted us to teach them, not him. we came back though with one of the youth and began to teach them and their 10 year old brother. We had to start at the basics. They had little to no concept of God or the spirit or anything. It was kinda sad. However, when we pulled out a Book of Mormon they said oh we have one. turns out the girls are members but tony was not old enough to be baptized. We were led to 3 of God's lost sheep. It was nothing short of a miracle. Since then, they have come to church and been fully welcomed into the ward. Tony has made some great friends already and the 2 girls, Kocky and Luly, are opening up. Tony is getting baptized on the 22nd of August and is super stoked about it.

Well, i am out of time and would write more if i could. Be good Yall. Love ya.

Elder Courtright

--
Penny Freeman
Gratitude is the essence of joy.

Feliz Navidad 2008.....Transferred

From: Elder Andrey Pearce Dated: December 22, 2008

Dear Family
Feliz Navidad
i am sorry i didnt wirte to last week i had changes. I have bin given a great apertunity that the lord has called me to serve in mateares. Its a place were the church is starting out this week we had atendance of 31. I am so exited to work here. I was a bit nervous to preside this meating and was greatful for the help of my comanion. Hes name is ELder Oscal and he has 5 months on his mission. I had the apertunity to give a talk this sunday i have it about my life and navidad that the lord has blessed us to have Jesus CHrist in our lives. Whos birth we selibrate in this great time. I then had a chance to give the class and not knowing that i was going to give. As missonary we are always prepared to teach something. So i taught about the 2 Great Problems that we have in our lives. The Sin and Death and that the lord was born that he was chosen and he humbly came to this wold to solve this two problems in our lives. I taught that the gospel of Jesus christ is that He Was Chosen before this world. That he Came here on earth Paid for our sins and that he resurected and that he lives and loves us. It was a great lesson. Then after church we had all the men meet together and we talked about presthood and what it means to have pristhood it went well. Then at 3:00 we had a meating with the sisters of our ward as we talked about unity and planed a activity in wich we are together going to give christmas to a family here in this part of the world. I am so tired but i love wokring here. I have bin working hard studying and given my all to help here. I have one week here and have a geat love for this poelpe here. I have come to know them. Well i love you all and wish you the greatest christmas and i am thankfull to the lord all that he has done for me. I am thankful for this time in wich we can give and feel the same love that the savior felt. I am thankfull for his example in my life.
Mom happy birthday i am sorry i am a little late. I love you and thankfull for the time that you have spent helping me understand my life and my perpose here on earth how greatly i love you. Mom and Dad thank you for the packedge and the mony will be pout to great use. Mom i still havent got the packedge in wich are the garments or the chip for the camera. Happy Christmas i looke forward to talking with you i have lost a little of english and i have an acent will see how it goes. If you could call me on 25 december you can choose the houre it would be best at 12:00 or at 5:00 nic houre 930-1628. Mom if you could do me a huge favor and envite willy to this call i feal that i need to talk to him a little bit. I love you all and looke forward to the call that i will be resiving. Loves

New Area

From Elder Andrushka Pearce Dated: Sept. 29, 2008

Dear Family

Noooo I changed area and now I am in Masay. I love this area but miss the old one. It’s called Nindiri. My companion has 6 months and his name is Elder Garza. He is a very good missionary. We went right down in planning what we are going to do for this branch. Yes, it’s my first branch and I hope and pray that I will have 6 months here.

We got to know the branch president. He is a returned missionary and knows what missionary work is like. We have to do a lot of work to win the confidence of all the members here. I think the missionaries have a not very good reputation.

It is a very beautiful department (area?). The weather is colder and drier. I am starting to get used to it.

I have got a feeling that in this area we are going to reach miracles. I have been thinking a lot how fast my mission has passed me by. This area I hope to arise to a new sense of urgency. Believe me when I say I do have it. One year more is not enough time. I want to bless as many lives as I can. I have become a little hard. Meaning I preach repentance but this week I have put a goal to teach with more love.

I think sometimes it’s hard to make all the difference with love but that is what makes all the difference. I have come to realize the work of Mom and Dad. That it was hard. I have been feeling lately how blessed I am to have such a wonderful family. I love you all. Thank you Dad and Mom for all that you do.

Oh, we also opened this area. It was closed. What a wonderful experience. This life is full of experiences. The only thing we do is choose what we do. Will we rise to the challenge or will we run and hide?

I love my Savior. I love this work. It is truly the Lords church.

To you all who can read these words, Love You!
Elder Pearce

Noche De Hermanamiento"

From Elder Andrushka Dated: August 8th, 08

Dear Mom, Dad and the family,

This week was an awesome week, with the ward, not so much with the investigators. The ward just seems to have come more together in the last 4 months that we were here. We started to do, “Noche De Hermanamiento”. It’s a gathering for everyone to learn the gospel Friday nights. We have come to form the ward together more. My comp and I have been switching off from area to area each week. It has energized the ward more. We are ever happy to be part of the work.

The other day I was driving back in a bus from on of these activities that we were in charge of. I thought to myself, “What an experience of my life to be in Nicaragua, to be speaking Spanish and to help this group of 24 feel the spirit, sing with them, and share their difficulties.” I thought, “How did I end up here?” and was ever excited to work harder in the Gospel to help more people.

It is very true out here there are many experiences to learn from Bishops. We have come to learn how each position in the church works. How truly inspired the organization of our Savior is. I know he leads this church. I have come to see the results each small part in the church has to do.


From the smallest assignment comes out the great life saving result. I have excitement to become better, to learn more. At times I get down thinking to myself how I wish I took life more seriously when I was younger, when I had all the time in the world. Instead of dibbling the ball outside for hours wishing being in the NBA. That I would have ready my scriptures, prayed more. Then I realize, I get up and do all that I can do.

I have come to realize how awesome my companion is. He supports me. All that I can’t do, he can. We have become a great team together and I have grown so much just this change. His name is Elder Flores. We have some activities coming up that we have planned out and are so excited.

The Munoz family have not yet made the choice. There are others that are just waiting for their answers to prayer.

I too can’t believe that I almost have a year on the mission. I did get the package. As I read Dan’s talk, tears streamed down my face and I had to walk outside so everyone wouldn’t see me crying.

I have come to be stronger on my mission. At times there is a lot of pressure to stand and talk to all. Through all the pressure I have come to know more who I am. What my Father in Heaven wants me to be. Stand up and be bold to this pressure.

As with my vitamins, I am great taking some almost every day now. Thank you mom for all the work you put into sending me this. Thanks Dad also for all that you do. Hope all is well at home. Seeing the photos of all the family together just missing me was sad. Don’t you worry. I love working in the Lord’s kingdom preparing for the second coming. Inviting all to partake of the atonement of Our Savior. I LOVE YOU ALL!

Great News! Family Baptism

From Elder Andrushka Sent: July 7th 2008

Well, great news!

The family that was watching TV got baptized this week. It was sad because my comp got transferred right as they decided to get baptized. It was one of the best learning experiences. I hope all my baptisms are like this. I have never felt such a strong spirit in the baptism. I knew they had the desire to be clean and a new formed family. They did everything we taught them.

Going into the baptism they were fasting. I have come to care for this family a lot. The mom got the call to be the first counselor in the Relief Society. They are an amazing family with great faith. What a great opportunity I have to be the instrument in my Father’s hands to bring them the great news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I have a new comp. He has been on his mission for 20 months. It is weird going from teaching all of the sudden to learning. I know my Heavenly Father loves me. I am so grateful to be on my mission. I love every single one of you and hope that you will have fun on the trip.

Love you Mom & Dad.

Joy & Blessings Through Living the Gospel

From Elder Paul Freeman, dated April 23, 2008

Dear Family,

This will be the 4th transfer and 6th month serving here in the Samoan wards. I hope to hold out until the end of my mission, another 7 months and 5 transfers, give or take. It all depends on which transfer I choose to go home. At least I think it's my choice. My call says I am anticipated to serve 25 October 06 to 25 October 08. I should be able to choose from the transfer that ends in early October or the transfer that ends in mid November. I'm leaning to November, but am not convinced yet, which is fine because they haven't asked me yet. The only reason I ask is because I want to be ready for when they do ask me. So, if there is any advice or events being planned, please let me know.

But as far as everything else goes, the work still goes on. We are in an exciting time in the history of the world. I can't think of any other time in the world when the gospel has been so wide-spread and so many people are enjoying the blessings it brings. Lately I've been studying the scattering and gathering of Israel and the promises the Lord made to them. Those promises are echoed in everything we do as missionaries, as members of the Church, and as children of our Heavenly Father. The Lord keeps those promises as a standard to live up to, and if we don't he can't follow through and we are no better than when we started.

So many people feel trapped in the lives they lead and can't seem to find their way out. Only the Gospel and its standards can give people the fresh start they need to improve lives. When we are obedient to its laws and ordinances, we have such a tremendous advantage. We can become new people every day, until the day we are called up to answer for they way we spent our time here on earth.

It may feel complicated and impossible, but if the Savior taught anything it was how simple it is. All we have to do is follow Him, and take his yoke upon us because his burden is light. The more people understand that and remember it the more happiness there is to be found in our daily life [and] more understanding for the things we have to suffer through, and a deeper appreciation for what he had to suffer through.

The gospel is great and Heavenly Fathers love is infinite. Thank all of you for your continued love and support.

love,

Elder Freeman

Ua Le Lava a'u

From Elder Paul Freeman, dated March 5, 2008

Dear Family,

We went on a pretty neat hike this morning for our pday, and I've got a bunch of neat pictures*.

It's been a pretty rough transfer. We haven't had a baptism so far this year and there aren't any great prospects. It makes me wonder what the hang up is. We're doing our best as missionaries to teach and commit investigators and some of them are making real progress. The ward also puts forth a great effort. But, I can't help but wonder what it will take for the tremendous potential of this area to bear fruit. I've got an idea that will enable members to become more involved with missionary work on all aspects. We'll bring it up in ward counsel on Sunday, but it's kinda like the same thing** Bishop Duke asked me to do when i was home for five weeks. Hopefully it will help things come around.

So, they moved us into a new appartment. This one is a little bit nicer and roomier but only 1 bathroom shared by 4 missionaries. It use to be occupied by the sisters like the last one.

Sorry my time run short, more to come next week.

Love,

Elder Freeman

* Editor's note: A sister in Elder Freeman's area taught him how to crochet, and he told me he found it a great stress-release. I believe the hat he is wearing is his own handiwork.

**Elder Freeman taught a member-missionary class while he was home on medical leave.

Overcoming Obstacles with the Scientific Method and Divine Inspiration

From Elder Paul Freeman, dated February 20, 2008

Dear Family,

Once again I spend half my email time thinking about what to write. There aren't a whole lot of new developments. Nothing amazing or life changing. It's all just the same old missionary type stuff. I've been in one area for about four months now and that's the longest I've ever been anywhere. It's cool because we're finding a lot of people to teach and some of them are just barely starting to take the right steps to gaining a testimony of the restored gospel.

There are plenty of distractions and things that get in the way, but that's why we are here. We are being tested to see how we overcome those distractions and obstacles. First, we have to recognize the obstacles and then resolve to do whatever it takes to get over it. Usually it doesn't take a whole lot to overcome obstacles; the only hard part is finding the right way. There are infinitely many ways we can't overcome obstacles. Thomas Edison knew that: he found several hundred ways not to make a light bulb. So, when we rely on ourselves, we have to sort through several hundred variations of the wrong way to go about it.

The most wonderful thing about the gospel is that we can go straight to the Lord for the only right answer we need. He will answer in His own way only after we do everything we can to figure out our own best solution. That's how we grow. It's the scientific method coupled with Divine inspiration. It's the same reason our math teachers always tell us to show our work, or the step we took to come up with the answer we have. So when our answer is wrong they can look back through and show us where we tripped up and we learn for next time.

Heavenly Father also wants us to show our work, then when our answer is wrong he can go back and show us where we tripped up. Check out that section in the Doctrine and Covenants [Section 9:8-10] where Oliver Cowdery found out about it. But, not only is it the way investigators come into the gospel, its the way we stay in the gospel.

Thanks for all the emails and pictures and everything, especially the support of your prayers.

Love,

Elder Freeman