The baptism went well. Slowly I am learning my way around parts of the town. We stopped by a less active last night there was not much information for, and they welcomed us right in and fed us ice cream. They were really cool, they said we could stop by whenever we want, and the wife told us all about the movie Courageous, and how good it was. We are going to try to start meeting with them and hopefully start teaching the husband.
Hello, hello, hello!
>
> This has been a great week. R is officially a member of the
> Church! That was a lot of fun. Saturday morning we get a text from
> President Sorenson letting us know how much he is looking forward to
> coming to the baptism. We learned a lot from him after everyone else
> left. It was good though. They gave us a scare and showed up 10
> minutes late, I guess it's ok though because R was picking up one
> of her friends she has been talking about the Church with. By the
> grace of God M (her husband) was able to baptize her. He has been
> less active for about 20 years now, and the ward didn't have his
> records, so we were a little nervous when we realized Friday night he
> might not be a priest. The ward clerk is awesome though and we were
> able to get his records and the Bishop ok'd it. That was the first
> time ever baptizing somebody, so we got to walk him through it from
> above the font. After three tries it was official, and the two
> witnesses called it good. President took us out to dinner afterward
> along with the Assistants.
>
> B has also been doing great. We had an appointment with him and
> invited a member to come, but he had to one up us and invited the
> three of us over for dinner. They fed us well, B felt
> comfortable, and the member finished the lesson with a great
> testimony. B has now been taught everything and is ready to go.
> He's asked me to take care of the confirmation, so that will be cool.
> His dad's been giving him a hard time about the church, but B just
> stood up to him and said he wouldn't have him talk about the members
> like that. He shared his testimony yesterday. Earlier in the week he
> was asleep when all of a sudden he woke up and knew he needed to take
> out his tongue ring. The Book of Mormon works wonders.
>
> The weather here is doing about the same thing. There is about an
> inch of snow left, but it was 55 degrees earlier in the week. We have
> still been handing out quite a few copies of the Book of Mormon, it's
> not too hard when we tell them it is the word of God, and free.
>
> > Elder Tanner Newey
2/19/2012
2/6/12
I had a little miracle this week. We are teaching B, one of the
most humble people I know. He has soaked up everything we've taught
him, and reads from the Book of Mormon every chance he gets. One
night when things were a little crazy he read for three hours
straight, without even realizing it. His baptism is set for the Feb
18, and he is working hard so that he can recieve this ordinance and
more fully serve the Lord. But, as usually happens, once a baptismal
date is set, the adversary steps in. Last Saturday he spent the day
at the hospital because of some pains in his chest, which miraculously
turned out to be nothing, but it was enough to keep him up all night
and have to miss church. Shortly after he gets out his dad is checked
in. His dad has not been a big supporter at all of B's decision,
and has been pretty outspoken about how he feels. So B has been
running in and out all week trying to take care of him. Then things
got worse Saturday. At 2:00 in the morning B was sitting in the
hospital, and stayed there until about 7:30 that night when we called
him and he was finding something to eat. We talked to him a little
bit. He said he was planning on running home, straightening up his
house, taking care of a few things, and then would be headed back to
the hospital, which would make for a very late night. Trying to let
him use his agency, we asked if he was planning on church. He said
no. He was running so ragged he didn't think there would be any way,
he would just shoot for next week when hopefully things calm down. We
tried to hide the devastation from our voices, and told him that while
we understood, it's not going to get easier. There will always be a
reason to miss. Already we had to change his date once because of
missing church. After the call the two of us sat in silence, praying
our hearts out. In my mind I was pleading, "please Heavenly Father,
help B to know how much church will help him." After about a
minute we called up B's ride and told him B wouldn't be able
to make, so not to plan on picking him up. He understood and was
going to try to give B a call during the week to check up on him.
While we were talking, B called us back. He had been thinking
about it, and would just have to take a nap after church. He wanted
to be there. What's one day without sleep. We practically shouted.
Humbled, we said a quick prayer of thanks. Sunday morning, despite
every opportunity to bail, B walked in to church. He was a little
tired, but very glad to be there. In the Elder's Quorum lesson, we
talked about prayer, and how the adversary is trying to stop us from
praying, from finding the truth, from getting closer to our Heavenly
Father. The instructor asked B if he had seen any opposition
since he started investigating. Elder R and I laughed to
ourselves. I'm excited for him, he is a strong example of faith.
In other good news, R had her baptismal interview last night and
is good to go. Saturday night she will be baptized into the church.
She has come so far, it's exciting. The zone leaders have a baptism
for the same time, so the kingdom is slowly growing. This is a great
place to be.
The best way to stand up truly is the simple things,
prayer morning and night, feasting on the scriptures every day, and
using our talents to bless those around us. The Book of Mormon and
Preach My Gospel are the only ways I can keep going. They have helped
me understand more about my Savior and all that He has done for me.
That is the big difference, a knowledge of Christ. That is why Nephi
read from Isaiah, so that his people would not forget their Savior,
but would live as He would have them. (1 Nephi 19) Captain Moroni is
one of the greatest examples of diligence I have found in the Book of
Mormon. One of the key things I have noticed that drives him are his
desires. Those chapters (Alma 43-63) mention and make clear what
desires we can have to do good. There is a video on mormon.org of
coach Larry Gelwix, he explains this a little bit. The biggest thing
is to not get discouraged, but to continue to lift where he stands,
while bringing those who are weak with him (D&C 84:106, 108)
Developing the attributes of Christ, especially that of Charity and
love (PMG ch. 6) will set you apart.
Elder Tanner Newey
http://mormon.org/me/7H9W/
most humble people I know. He has soaked up everything we've taught
him, and reads from the Book of Mormon every chance he gets. One
night when things were a little crazy he read for three hours
straight, without even realizing it. His baptism is set for the Feb
18, and he is working hard so that he can recieve this ordinance and
more fully serve the Lord. But, as usually happens, once a baptismal
date is set, the adversary steps in. Last Saturday he spent the day
at the hospital because of some pains in his chest, which miraculously
turned out to be nothing, but it was enough to keep him up all night
and have to miss church. Shortly after he gets out his dad is checked
in. His dad has not been a big supporter at all of B's decision,
and has been pretty outspoken about how he feels. So B has been
running in and out all week trying to take care of him. Then things
got worse Saturday. At 2:00 in the morning B was sitting in the
hospital, and stayed there until about 7:30 that night when we called
him and he was finding something to eat. We talked to him a little
bit. He said he was planning on running home, straightening up his
house, taking care of a few things, and then would be headed back to
the hospital, which would make for a very late night. Trying to let
him use his agency, we asked if he was planning on church. He said
no. He was running so ragged he didn't think there would be any way,
he would just shoot for next week when hopefully things calm down. We
tried to hide the devastation from our voices, and told him that while
we understood, it's not going to get easier. There will always be a
reason to miss. Already we had to change his date once because of
missing church. After the call the two of us sat in silence, praying
our hearts out. In my mind I was pleading, "please Heavenly Father,
help B to know how much church will help him." After about a
minute we called up B's ride and told him B wouldn't be able
to make, so not to plan on picking him up. He understood and was
going to try to give B a call during the week to check up on him.
While we were talking, B called us back. He had been thinking
about it, and would just have to take a nap after church. He wanted
to be there. What's one day without sleep. We practically shouted.
Humbled, we said a quick prayer of thanks. Sunday morning, despite
every opportunity to bail, B walked in to church. He was a little
tired, but very glad to be there. In the Elder's Quorum lesson, we
talked about prayer, and how the adversary is trying to stop us from
praying, from finding the truth, from getting closer to our Heavenly
Father. The instructor asked B if he had seen any opposition
since he started investigating. Elder R and I laughed to
ourselves. I'm excited for him, he is a strong example of faith.
In other good news, R had her baptismal interview last night and
is good to go. Saturday night she will be baptized into the church.
She has come so far, it's exciting. The zone leaders have a baptism
for the same time, so the kingdom is slowly growing. This is a great
place to be.
The best way to stand up truly is the simple things,
prayer morning and night, feasting on the scriptures every day, and
using our talents to bless those around us. The Book of Mormon and
Preach My Gospel are the only ways I can keep going. They have helped
me understand more about my Savior and all that He has done for me.
That is the big difference, a knowledge of Christ. That is why Nephi
read from Isaiah, so that his people would not forget their Savior,
but would live as He would have them. (1 Nephi 19) Captain Moroni is
one of the greatest examples of diligence I have found in the Book of
Mormon. One of the key things I have noticed that drives him are his
desires. Those chapters (Alma 43-63) mention and make clear what
desires we can have to do good. There is a video on mormon.org of
coach Larry Gelwix, he explains this a little bit. The biggest thing
is to not get discouraged, but to continue to lift where he stands,
while bringing those who are weak with him (D&C 84:106, 108)
Developing the attributes of Christ, especially that of Charity and
love (PMG ch. 6) will set you apart.
Elder Tanner Newey
http://mormon.org/me/7H9W/
1/30/12
. We are all in the one ward, which is strange coming from a branch. There are a lot
> more people, and now there are actually active members who don't live
> too far away. We went in and talked with the Bishop for a bit
> yesterday. He is a lawyer and was telling us all about his case he
> had been working on for the last week. So he is warming up, which is
> good. Yes, another one from Utah. Elder R is good, this
> transfer is going to fly by. You were definitely looking at my
> apartment. It was a bit of a shock at first, especially coming from
> New Castle. We are trying to find some more investigators, the two we
> have now are going to be baptized here quick and we need people to
> teach. Although we have done a lot of clearing out the Ward Roster.
> It's going pretty well too, most of the Less Actives are setting up
> appointments, and already one is working towards the temple.
> Grandma's package made it just in time, those foot warmers are way
> nice, they work pretty well. I like that idea of the Armor of God, one of
the biggest things I've
> noticed out here that make a difference are those little things that I
> do every day. For now I am in a car, more than likely that will
> change once the weather turns, who knows if I will be here though. My
> area actually pushes in to Toledo. We live in the Zone Leaders area.
> There are two wards in Toledo, the four of us are serving in the first
> ward. So far there has been very little cleaning going on, and it
> sounds like there will be more zone activities, or at least district
> activities. The Book of Mormon is working hard out here. We probably
> handed out 20 copies last week. People always like it when you say
> free. >
> Elder Tanner Newey
> more people, and now there are actually active members who don't live
> too far away. We went in and talked with the Bishop for a bit
> yesterday. He is a lawyer and was telling us all about his case he
> had been working on for the last week. So he is warming up, which is
> good. Yes, another one from Utah. Elder R is good, this
> transfer is going to fly by. You were definitely looking at my
> apartment. It was a bit of a shock at first, especially coming from
> New Castle. We are trying to find some more investigators, the two we
> have now are going to be baptized here quick and we need people to
> teach. Although we have done a lot of clearing out the Ward Roster.
> It's going pretty well too, most of the Less Actives are setting up
> appointments, and already one is working towards the temple.
> Grandma's package made it just in time, those foot warmers are way
> nice, they work pretty well. I like that idea of the Armor of God, one of
the biggest things I've
> noticed out here that make a difference are those little things that I
> do every day. For now I am in a car, more than likely that will
> change once the weather turns, who knows if I will be here though. My
> area actually pushes in to Toledo. We live in the Zone Leaders area.
> There are two wards in Toledo, the four of us are serving in the first
> ward. So far there has been very little cleaning going on, and it
> sounds like there will be more zone activities, or at least district
> activities. The Book of Mormon is working hard out here. We probably
> handed out 20 copies last week. People always like it when you say
> free. >
> Elder Tanner Newey
1/30/12
Southland is awesome, although very flat and windy. I'm very grateful
for thermals. B and R are doing good, they will both be
baptized before the end of February. B had to give his couches
back Saturday, so we just stood in his living room and shared a
lesson, that was a little different. Living with 4 Elders is
completely different. Elder R and Elder K have lived in
that apartment now for three months together, so they know each other
pretty well. There rarely is a quiet moment. Dinners are a
little dry out here, the members don't seem to have too much
involvement with the missionaries. I'm working on getting some
though. We do have one less active who wants to feed us once a week.
The work is going good, so the
time is going fast. There are a lot of people to work with, I plan on
meeting the entire ward in my area before the end of the transfer,
we'll see how that goes.
Lots of craziness going on,
Love ya lots,
Elder Tanner Newey
for thermals. B and R are doing good, they will both be
baptized before the end of February. B had to give his couches
back Saturday, so we just stood in his living room and shared a
lesson, that was a little different. Living with 4 Elders is
completely different. Elder R and Elder K have lived in
that apartment now for three months together, so they know each other
pretty well. There rarely is a quiet moment. Dinners are a
little dry out here, the members don't seem to have too much
involvement with the missionaries. I'm working on getting some
though. We do have one less active who wants to feed us once a week.
The work is going good, so the
time is going fast. There are a lot of people to work with, I plan on
meeting the entire ward in my area before the end of the transfer,
we'll see how that goes.
Lots of craziness going on,
Love ya lots,
Elder Tanner Newey
1/23/12
I am in the Southland area of the Toledo zone, staying in an apartment
> with the zone leaders. This one is quite a bit nicer than the last
> one, we even have a dishwasher. Everything is going great out here,
> there are some great people. One of the investigators, B, is
> about as golden and genuine as they get. When he first started
> reading the Book of Mormon he decided he had better quit smoking,
> without even a word from us. He hasn't had one since. A member took
> him to church and was his buddy the whole time. He will be baptized
> on Feb 11. Another investigator, R, will be married to her less
> active boyfriend here soon and then she will be baptized the next
> week. They are both solid, already they have good testimonies and
> understand the gospel so well.
>
> It's definitely taking a little bit of adjusting, its way different to
> live with another companionship. I've had fun though, and we have
> kept pretty busy. My companion is Elder R, from Provo, Ut.
> He's only been out one transfer longer than I have, but hasn't left
> Southland yet, so he knows the members pretty well. He's a lot of
> fun, and really cares about these people.
>
> It was weird to leave New Castle, but Elder H will take
> good care of the area. I didn't tell anybody I was leaving, I was
> just planning on slipping out. Bro Gould did come over before I left,
> so I was able to say goodbye to him, that was it though.
>
> I'm excited though, there are a lot of good things going on, I love
> this ward. The Bishop seems a little wary of missionaries, but that
> won't last long.
>
> > Elder Tanner Newey
> with the zone leaders. This one is quite a bit nicer than the last
> one, we even have a dishwasher. Everything is going great out here,
> there are some great people. One of the investigators, B, is
> about as golden and genuine as they get. When he first started
> reading the Book of Mormon he decided he had better quit smoking,
> without even a word from us. He hasn't had one since. A member took
> him to church and was his buddy the whole time. He will be baptized
> on Feb 11. Another investigator, R, will be married to her less
> active boyfriend here soon and then she will be baptized the next
> week. They are both solid, already they have good testimonies and
> understand the gospel so well.
>
> It's definitely taking a little bit of adjusting, its way different to
> live with another companionship. I've had fun though, and we have
> kept pretty busy. My companion is Elder R, from Provo, Ut.
> He's only been out one transfer longer than I have, but hasn't left
> Southland yet, so he knows the members pretty well. He's a lot of
> fun, and really cares about these people.
>
> It was weird to leave New Castle, but Elder H will take
> good care of the area. I didn't tell anybody I was leaving, I was
> just planning on slipping out. Bro Gould did come over before I left,
> so I was able to say goodbye to him, that was it though.
>
> I'm excited though, there are a lot of good things going on, I love
> this ward. The Bishop seems a little wary of missionaries, but that
> won't last long.
>
> > Elder Tanner Newey
1/20/2012
1/17/12
Hello again!
So yes, transfers is tomorrow, and I am officially headed to another
zone. I'm excited to go out and meet more people, although Elder
H has been pretty good to me. Exciting times.
I got to spend a lot of time outside this week. There were actually
two days this last week where it snowed, and was staying around 10
degrees. Today it was raining and is back up to 50. Had a couple
interesting lessons with people who didn't want to listen, but we
tried. There was a part member family that fed us the other night.
The husband hasn't been baptized but loves to feed the missionaries.
I'm pretty sure there was half a cow on my plate. Those steaks were
huge. On top of that there was a heaping bowl of potatoes, corn,
salad, rolls, and all sorts of good stuff. It was a good meal. We
are still eating the leftovers they gave us.
That's about it, next week I'll have all sorts of new people to tell
you about. Thanks for all your prayers!
Love ya,
Elder Tanner Newey
So yes, transfers is tomorrow, and I am officially headed to another
zone. I'm excited to go out and meet more people, although Elder
H has been pretty good to me. Exciting times.
I got to spend a lot of time outside this week. There were actually
two days this last week where it snowed, and was staying around 10
degrees. Today it was raining and is back up to 50. Had a couple
interesting lessons with people who didn't want to listen, but we
tried. There was a part member family that fed us the other night.
The husband hasn't been baptized but loves to feed the missionaries.
I'm pretty sure there was half a cow on my plate. Those steaks were
huge. On top of that there was a heaping bowl of potatoes, corn,
salad, rolls, and all sorts of good stuff. It was a good meal. We
are still eating the leftovers they gave us.
That's about it, next week I'll have all sorts of new people to tell
you about. Thanks for all your prayers!
Love ya,
Elder Tanner Newey
1/9/12
Hey Mom!
Nope, its not morning here, but I am having a great day. We cleaned
the basement this morning, it was pretty nasty. There was a garbage
pile big enough to fill a dumpster. Most of the spider webs are gone
too. So no more deep cleaning, there isn't too much left anymore, the
apartment looks completely different. Exciting news, Elder
H got called to be a trainer this morning.
I've noticed my days go a lot smoother as well when started with that
morning work out. I have only gone
running once though, so when we had a zone p-day last week and played
basketball all day I was a little sore. President Sorenson has been stressing
lately the need to readevery day. He gave us a Book of Mormon to mark all
the names of Christ and write down His attributes. It really makes you think about
who is talking and who really is being referenced.
I really enjoyed your letter. That was a great article in the ensign.
We read that in priesthood last week, and then this week we read from
the teachings of George Albert Smith and what his creed for life was.
Those two are where my goals for the year are coming from. That whole
idea of attitude really makes a difference. The entire last issue of
the Ensign just had lots of good things for me to change.
Now that the holidays are over the work is picking up a bit more.
More of the members are coming out to teach with us. We went teaching
with one of the stake presidency last week and the stake president
asked us Sunday when he gets to go.
T, A and B are our three investigators with baptismal
dates. T is doing good, she missed church but felt terrible.
She has been real up and down about stuff but more and more is
realizing what she needs to do. A and B (mother and son)
came and watched the baptism of one of B's friends in the branch.
They really enjoyed it and had a couple questions. Each time we visit
B keeps saying "baptize me right now!" A is even explaining
quite a bit of the doctrine to him and is really starting to
understand it. Phil is still missing in action, not really sure what
is going on there but hopefully he gets back to us soon.
Other than that there is a family we are teaching, but just the
parents. The kids are mysteriously always upstairs. J is born
again and has been through just about every religion. B was
raised catholic but had some issues with doctrine. They are very nice
and have listened pretty well to what we have to say, and have a lot
of questions. They are mostly open, and each visit they open up a
little bit more. Last night J told us he really enjoys us coming
over. They pretty much told us that if they didn't have the Bible
they would completely believe everything we were saying, but because
they do have the Bible they are a little hesitant.
As far as my new companion, I still have Elder H, I won't
know who my new one will be until a week from Wednesday. Elder
H is great though, we are getting a lot of work done.
He's kinda goofy but I love the guy. Things are definitely going well
over here, I'm still loving every minute of it.
That is about it from me. Oh, let Jacob know his team didn't do too
bad. The boys team here lost 48-8. Not too bad considering most of
the boys had only ever touched a basketball once before the game, and
that was at the practice the Wednesday before.
Love ya lots, and I will write again next week! Although it will be
Tuesday because of transfers.
Elder Tanner Newey
Nope, its not morning here, but I am having a great day. We cleaned
the basement this morning, it was pretty nasty. There was a garbage
pile big enough to fill a dumpster. Most of the spider webs are gone
too. So no more deep cleaning, there isn't too much left anymore, the
apartment looks completely different. Exciting news, Elder
H got called to be a trainer this morning.
I've noticed my days go a lot smoother as well when started with that
morning work out. I have only gone
running once though, so when we had a zone p-day last week and played
basketball all day I was a little sore. President Sorenson has been stressing
lately the need to readevery day. He gave us a Book of Mormon to mark all
the names of Christ and write down His attributes. It really makes you think about
who is talking and who really is being referenced.
I really enjoyed your letter. That was a great article in the ensign.
We read that in priesthood last week, and then this week we read from
the teachings of George Albert Smith and what his creed for life was.
Those two are where my goals for the year are coming from. That whole
idea of attitude really makes a difference. The entire last issue of
the Ensign just had lots of good things for me to change.
Now that the holidays are over the work is picking up a bit more.
More of the members are coming out to teach with us. We went teaching
with one of the stake presidency last week and the stake president
asked us Sunday when he gets to go.
T, A and B are our three investigators with baptismal
dates. T is doing good, she missed church but felt terrible.
She has been real up and down about stuff but more and more is
realizing what she needs to do. A and B (mother and son)
came and watched the baptism of one of B's friends in the branch.
They really enjoyed it and had a couple questions. Each time we visit
B keeps saying "baptize me right now!" A is even explaining
quite a bit of the doctrine to him and is really starting to
understand it. Phil is still missing in action, not really sure what
is going on there but hopefully he gets back to us soon.
Other than that there is a family we are teaching, but just the
parents. The kids are mysteriously always upstairs. J is born
again and has been through just about every religion. B was
raised catholic but had some issues with doctrine. They are very nice
and have listened pretty well to what we have to say, and have a lot
of questions. They are mostly open, and each visit they open up a
little bit more. Last night J told us he really enjoys us coming
over. They pretty much told us that if they didn't have the Bible
they would completely believe everything we were saying, but because
they do have the Bible they are a little hesitant.
As far as my new companion, I still have Elder H, I won't
know who my new one will be until a week from Wednesday. Elder
H is great though, we are getting a lot of work done.
He's kinda goofy but I love the guy. Things are definitely going well
over here, I'm still loving every minute of it.
That is about it from me. Oh, let Jacob know his team didn't do too
bad. The boys team here lost 48-8. Not too bad considering most of
the boys had only ever touched a basketball once before the game, and
that was at the practice the Wednesday before.
Love ya lots, and I will write again next week! Although it will be
Tuesday because of transfers.
Elder Tanner Newey
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)