WOW long week! Crazy this life is... ha, ok, first, the money situation: I have recently been introduced to the amazing store Levens, owned by the nicest guy on the planet. They sell ties there. Over the last 17 months, I have been told I have extremely "lame ties." The man at Levens demands that we buy ties for only 5 dollars (usually $40) so I've indulged and bought like 4, so now I have "nice ties." Uh-huh. The $14.35 overdraft is explained by my new companion. Story follows:
SO like I said, I'm still in a trio with Mr. Trunky, who spends all his time talking about getting married to the girl in Venezuela who he's never met, and now I'm training a brand new Elder, Elder Sigal (basically pronounced seagull, heh). HE is from ARGENTINA, BUENOS AIRES, like the southern tip of South America. No joke, he's never been the the US before. I've had like 5 hispanic companions, but all had lived here before the mission. Its intense, he's as white as I am, but I cant understand the accent a lot! BUT the $14.35 is from MATE, which is the traditional drink of Argentina, they drink it like 5 times a day. It was the first thing we did on the way back from Ogden - it involves the Mate itself, a small gourd usually which serves as a cup, or it could be a ceramic one, but the gourd gives better flavor. $6.50. Then the Bombisha - a small metal straw like thingamajig, which has a filter on the bottom. Everyone shares the bombisha and passes it around. I'm not sick yet. $6.50. THEN the yerba mate, which means mate herbs. A pack that contains what appears to be lawn clippings, with small twigs and such. $2.50. Then the sugar, because yerba mate is pretty bitter tasting. We got mint flavored though, and orange. You put the yerba in the mate (gourd cup) with the sugar and fill it with boiling water. Then you sip in gingerly with the bombisha straw until its drained, then fill it with water again and pass it to the next person. Interesting. bitter, yet good. Expensive. Sorry.
Jeffrey the Lifegaurd. Is it fun to yell at people? Had to dive in yet? Declare when adult swim is on? I bet the obesity situation at the pool could be shocking... so glad I'm on a mission... and a ukelele!!! YES, PLEASE let me use it and take it to college, heh, good luck learning, I've heard its pretty easy. The coolest song thats mission approved has lyrics that go "I wanna be Samuel the Lamanite, I want to be Benjamin the Wise, I wanna be like Abinidi..." look it up, sounds awesome.
I'm good on shirts, its occured to me I'll be going home, so whatever. The card will be appreciated, tahnks! I've got a lot to show you all, its been since like November, right? Should be fun! Dont worry about the birthday, sounds like this package will be exciting enough to last months. Haha. I've also got birthday plans with the family getting baptized this Saturday, they all have Septemberr birthdays. funny, I spent my LAST birthday with their cousins...
I'm glad Grandma can write me now! Ha, of course I'll see them in less than 7 months, I havent doubted that once. So glad she's optimistic about it!
Cool happenings: Sunday, in Sacrament Meeting, Elder Cherrington of the Seventy came. He's cool, lives in Logan, I've seen him a few times. He testified of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. SO cool because he remembered the familia Lambaren had their baptism announced at the beginning of the meeting. He addressed them directly from the pulpit, and testified as a witness of Jesus Christ that this was right, that by being baptized they would be forgiven of their sins, and if they were faithful this baptism would open the doors of eternal happiness to their family. Norma (the mom) was captivated, she understands perfectly in English and Spanish. She was just beaming, just happy. She has been through hell with this divorce and her kids going crazy from all the extremely hard circumstances, but she had peace. And from the moment Elder Cherrington said "the Lambaren family" I felt one of the most intense and sacred outpourings of the Spirit just overwhelm me. I've only felt the Spirit so intensely that I've cried like 5 times, and this was one of them. I specifically felt the Savior's approval and gratitude for their conversion and for our efforts in helping them in what we could. It was incredible. My companions felt it too, and we told Norma yesterday, and she said she had felt the same thing, and could not ask for a greater confirmation from Heavenly Father that she was doing the right thing. Amazing. I've wondered sometimes if it was for the better, if we're doing it all right, etc. I'm glad for the direct assurance. Norma was so excited and stayed at church for sunday school and relief society/primary meetings, its the only place I think she could get her kids quiet for an hour ha) Very cool, in all aspects.
Well thats really all I've got for this week. I know the Church is true and we are cleansed by the Savior through his Atonement. It comes through true repentance and faithfully continuosly and humbly seeking His help and mercy and enabling power. That's the gospel. Easy.
Love you all, enjoy NC! be careful! Elder Thelin
PS thank you to ANYONE who has contributed to this mission in any way. The money is a sacrifice, and I am grateful for the generosity. I know its made possible a lot of changes in other people's lives, so thank you!
Psps I want to hear about Barbie and Lord Zerg.
Pspspspsps anyone know the addresses of Kimmy and Kayla yet? thanks
Chris had a few more minutes so he added some extra--this is the proposal part:
Hey other cool experience! So we were invited to participate in the Pioneer Day Parade here in Logan! (July 24, the day commemorating the arrival of the Mormon Pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley) Intense stuff, not as big as the Ogden parade one last year but the same cheering and everything for the missionaries (we're really mascots here). So funny, this guy (not a missionary) came up dressed in shirt and tie and everything and asked if he could walk with us. As we were marching and giving high fives to kids and singing "Called to Serve", he asked for a pass-along card about eternal families (a little card that missionaries pass out with information about the church) - and he then unfolded a brilliant plan to propose to his girlfriend. So, when we got to Center Street, he told the whole zone to start drifting to the side of the street (ha first we went to the wrong girl, held up the whole parade) and we surrounded this girl and then he came out from the middle of the group knelt down with a ring and handed her the pass-along card. "Eternal families are really important to me - do you want to be part of mine?" And of course she started crying and kissing and stuff so we ran back to the parade singing "Families Can Be Together Forever". Being a missionary has a lot of weird experiences...
Oh yeah also we shattered the record for Logan and maybe for the mission with 35 baptisms as a zone in July. Before the record in Logan was 21 in one month. Intense. I know numbers aren't the most important thing, but seeing some sweet ones is pretty awesome.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
DOUBLE SWEET--TWO LETTERS IN ONE BLOG!
Yalo, sup? Wow, sounds like you all should be dead tired. Michigan, YC, family, everything, thats quite a bit! Intense! You guys need to take a vacation now! Ha. I've been thinking a 3 day vacation to the location of my choice would be merited, I NEED to swim!! But alas, I shall continue on. Yup. You've GOT to let me come up to Michigan after the mission. Please.
We had quite a week here - where to start? Pretty sure my comp has proposed to the girl in Venezuela by now, sweet. Um, trying to un-trunky him. I'm staying here (its transfers technically, but I've changed companions once every 2 weeks for the past 2 months anyhow). I'm a district leader again over like 11 elders and sisters, and I'm training another new guy, this time he's going to stay in our mission and not go to Mexico. We'll see who it is tomorrow. This area is booming, its so cool! A family we've worked with for quite a long time, and who other Elders have known for like a year, have decided to get baptized. It took an ugly separation (this is the family with the cockroaches) - but the mom moved back with the kids, and they fixed it up. So cool, she used to teach Catechism (sp?) in the Catholic church, so she knows her stuff and her scriptures - and shes so firm in the gospel. They'll get baptized in 2 weeks. Amazing - they are struggling in a lot of material ways, but the Lord provides little tender mercies for them, and we've gotten to be really good friends with them. So cool!
ALSO the COOLEST news ever I got on Sunday - 1st you probably dont recall, but when I was in Hyrum we worked with a man named Moises (Moses) and he felt unworthy to even pray to God, haunted by past sins, etc. We were really close. Anyways, a week ago he finally decided to be baptized, and invited me down to confirm him! He actually remembered me. It was so sweet, after our like 9 hours of church meetings that day, we went down to Hyrum- most of the branch actually remembered me too, first time I'd been back! The baptism was super spiritual - Moises was the one that had an english neighbor and they talked about the gospel for hours using two spanish-english dictionaries - she told his whole conversion story, and the Spirit was there. Then all the 8 missionaries that had been invited sang as an octet. When I laid my hands on his head, and told him "receive the Holy Ghost", I felt the Spirit settle in, and the words came. I saw him wipe a tear away after. So sweet, I had prayed to not go home before seeing that baptism. So sweet.
AND THEN, Elder Baquedano was there from down in Ogden, and he told me the coolest news ever - that guy Jorge from Layton, the one that came to pick me up from Logan, he proposed to Karla Sandoval, the girl that had all that opposition from her family! She accepted! Though said that they should probably date a little first haha.... That is the single COOLEST thing ever, if they get married! Jorge had told me before that he had thought about marrying her and taking her to the temple - maybe next June, so I may be coming back here next summer, who knows! Amazing. Great weekend.
Hmm, only other news is that in this zone, our zone leaders did a fantastic job, helping us have faith and give our all to invite the Lord's miracles to the work - we set a baptismal goal of 30 for this month, which is higher than the record in this area. Well, there were a total of 14 baptisms this weekend alone, and we're at 28 already this month! SWEET!
Glad that YC was an adventure, Mom, pole vaulting sounds cool. Those stories from the testimony meeting sound amazing. Like I told Jeffrey, YC can be lame at times, but it can strengthen us too. Give and take.
That's sweet about Maddie's marriage. So glad it worked out! The Lord definitely was in it. Obviously He is, but especially so in this instance.
Amy, funny, my companion has been singing the Jungle Book song lately too. I'm going to try the paper rolling idea. That's genius Amy, can you be my psychiatrist?
[clarification here: Chris is responding to the following story I wrote him...Amy, while we were at Michigan came to me and said, “Mom I am having this terrible problem. I cannot get the Jungle Book song out of my head (Steven and Jeffrey had been singing the Gonna Walk Like You Talk Like You song). I have gone through a whole stack of paper and it is STILL there!” I asked “what are you talking about…what paper?” “Well, it’s like this. When I try to go to sleep at night, my brain is going like crazy. So I pretend I take a sheet of blank paper, white, and put it in a slot in my head. Then I roll it in. Then I concentrate on the blank part and I fall right to sleep!” I was amazed. She went on to explain, “So I tried doing that with the song, and I’ve gone through a whole entire stack of blank paper and it is doing no good at all.”]
Love you all family, be good, be strong and know that Jesus Christ lives and loves us, and that this is truth. Don't waiver.
Elder Thelin!
P.S. Jeffrey, keep up the positive attitude! Also get the motorcycles ready! Ha.
FROM JULY 12, 2010 (We were in Michigan and had a little trouble with the email. Chris got our letter a few minutes after he wrote this!)
Hey family - dont know if email was hungry and ate the emails this week or there was a lot of intense Thelin activity in VA, and things were a little hectic - so if there was a email sent and I'm not responding to it, next week I'll write to it. BUT anywhow, here is my week!
YESTERDAY: knocked on the Logan Islamic Center and got a free Quran - I've always respected the Muslims a lot, but you know, after reading a few passages - says Jesus Christ wasnt crucified, wasnt divine, and apparently taught Muslim theology, so as Christians we apparently just have apostate records and traditions - its a beautiful book and all, and is very true and correct, just some minor problems like that, haha... but sweet that they gave us a free one! Hey, it was worth a try.
Michael got BAPTIZED. It was great, he invited his non member dad and brother to the baptism. We did it in the Logan Tabernacle, beautiful font, and a lot of people came. The two college students that called us and asked us to teach them in their dorm room my first day in this area gave the talks, and the Spirit was there. Very cool. His dad said that he would like his son to baptize him in a few weeks! GOOD STUFF.
Haha, my companion is a little funny, he has 2 weeks left in his mission. Pretty trunky. He started writing a girl in Venezuela, who was a cousin of a member here. Well, he's convinced he's marrying her. Writing songs, he's called and just about organized the plane trip to Venezuela, he has the "proposal poem" written... its awesome, very fun to watch happen, being trunky is pretty entertaining... hahaha, I promise that I won't start writing a girl in South America before I come home...
Hmm, also.... we gave talks Sunday, this branch we're in is kinda gossipy, and its sad how many people go inactive because of it. We kinda rebuked the ward - with love! - but had 30 minutes at the pulpit, talking about how we've seen people's excitement in the gospel diminished by the actions of others, and how to have a functional ward family. Talked about how before this life we were all brothers and sisters, and how now, even though we dont remember, we need to acknowledge that, and treat all that way. Its like iniviting brothers and sisters who've been away for a while to a family reunion, but if the family doesnt really care that you're back, then its not worth going to them. We need to watch our thoughts, words, and actions concerning those we know, and make sure we really are inviting them to feel the savior's love. The Spirit was there as we spoke, so I think we did a good job. My companion did a little more of the reproving, and I softened it by the way to fix it... intense!
Then there was a man who spoke almost no Spanish was present and he asked someone to translate - he shared how in college he was an active member, went to all meetings and everything -appeared fine. But inside, his testimony was being destroyed. He broke into tears as he expressed gratitude for a persistent and loving home teacher and friend there who always stopped in, and shared his testimony and everything. "He saved me. He saved me from leaving the Savior." The Spirit was super strong. Being a home teacher isn't just a job, its a sacred care. Cooooool.
Well, I guess thats all I got. I know more than ever that this is all true. I love you all much, and hope all are well!
Love (elder) Chris tHelin
ps if people could tell me where they live now, itd be cool, namely Jamie,Kayla and Kimmy Nicholson, i can try to end the mail silence, I just dont know if they've moved or not, and kayla's gets forwarded back to me, so...
We had quite a week here - where to start? Pretty sure my comp has proposed to the girl in Venezuela by now, sweet. Um, trying to un-trunky him. I'm staying here (its transfers technically, but I've changed companions once every 2 weeks for the past 2 months anyhow). I'm a district leader again over like 11 elders and sisters, and I'm training another new guy, this time he's going to stay in our mission and not go to Mexico. We'll see who it is tomorrow. This area is booming, its so cool! A family we've worked with for quite a long time, and who other Elders have known for like a year, have decided to get baptized. It took an ugly separation (this is the family with the cockroaches) - but the mom moved back with the kids, and they fixed it up. So cool, she used to teach Catechism (sp?) in the Catholic church, so she knows her stuff and her scriptures - and shes so firm in the gospel. They'll get baptized in 2 weeks. Amazing - they are struggling in a lot of material ways, but the Lord provides little tender mercies for them, and we've gotten to be really good friends with them. So cool!
ALSO the COOLEST news ever I got on Sunday - 1st you probably dont recall, but when I was in Hyrum we worked with a man named Moises (Moses) and he felt unworthy to even pray to God, haunted by past sins, etc. We were really close. Anyways, a week ago he finally decided to be baptized, and invited me down to confirm him! He actually remembered me. It was so sweet, after our like 9 hours of church meetings that day, we went down to Hyrum- most of the branch actually remembered me too, first time I'd been back! The baptism was super spiritual - Moises was the one that had an english neighbor and they talked about the gospel for hours using two spanish-english dictionaries - she told his whole conversion story, and the Spirit was there. Then all the 8 missionaries that had been invited sang as an octet. When I laid my hands on his head, and told him "receive the Holy Ghost", I felt the Spirit settle in, and the words came. I saw him wipe a tear away after. So sweet, I had prayed to not go home before seeing that baptism. So sweet.
AND THEN, Elder Baquedano was there from down in Ogden, and he told me the coolest news ever - that guy Jorge from Layton, the one that came to pick me up from Logan, he proposed to Karla Sandoval, the girl that had all that opposition from her family! She accepted! Though said that they should probably date a little first haha.... That is the single COOLEST thing ever, if they get married! Jorge had told me before that he had thought about marrying her and taking her to the temple - maybe next June, so I may be coming back here next summer, who knows! Amazing. Great weekend.
Hmm, only other news is that in this zone, our zone leaders did a fantastic job, helping us have faith and give our all to invite the Lord's miracles to the work - we set a baptismal goal of 30 for this month, which is higher than the record in this area. Well, there were a total of 14 baptisms this weekend alone, and we're at 28 already this month! SWEET!
Glad that YC was an adventure, Mom, pole vaulting sounds cool. Those stories from the testimony meeting sound amazing. Like I told Jeffrey, YC can be lame at times, but it can strengthen us too. Give and take.
That's sweet about Maddie's marriage. So glad it worked out! The Lord definitely was in it. Obviously He is, but especially so in this instance.
Amy, funny, my companion has been singing the Jungle Book song lately too. I'm going to try the paper rolling idea. That's genius Amy, can you be my psychiatrist?
[clarification here: Chris is responding to the following story I wrote him...Amy, while we were at Michigan came to me and said, “Mom I am having this terrible problem. I cannot get the Jungle Book song out of my head (Steven and Jeffrey had been singing the Gonna Walk Like You Talk Like You song). I have gone through a whole stack of paper and it is STILL there!” I asked “what are you talking about…what paper?” “Well, it’s like this. When I try to go to sleep at night, my brain is going like crazy. So I pretend I take a sheet of blank paper, white, and put it in a slot in my head. Then I roll it in. Then I concentrate on the blank part and I fall right to sleep!” I was amazed. She went on to explain, “So I tried doing that with the song, and I’ve gone through a whole entire stack of blank paper and it is doing no good at all.”]
Love you all family, be good, be strong and know that Jesus Christ lives and loves us, and that this is truth. Don't waiver.
Elder Thelin!
P.S. Jeffrey, keep up the positive attitude! Also get the motorcycles ready! Ha.
FROM JULY 12, 2010 (We were in Michigan and had a little trouble with the email. Chris got our letter a few minutes after he wrote this!)
Hey family - dont know if email was hungry and ate the emails this week or there was a lot of intense Thelin activity in VA, and things were a little hectic - so if there was a email sent and I'm not responding to it, next week I'll write to it. BUT anywhow, here is my week!
YESTERDAY: knocked on the Logan Islamic Center and got a free Quran - I've always respected the Muslims a lot, but you know, after reading a few passages - says Jesus Christ wasnt crucified, wasnt divine, and apparently taught Muslim theology, so as Christians we apparently just have apostate records and traditions - its a beautiful book and all, and is very true and correct, just some minor problems like that, haha... but sweet that they gave us a free one! Hey, it was worth a try.
Michael got BAPTIZED. It was great, he invited his non member dad and brother to the baptism. We did it in the Logan Tabernacle, beautiful font, and a lot of people came. The two college students that called us and asked us to teach them in their dorm room my first day in this area gave the talks, and the Spirit was there. Very cool. His dad said that he would like his son to baptize him in a few weeks! GOOD STUFF.
Haha, my companion is a little funny, he has 2 weeks left in his mission. Pretty trunky. He started writing a girl in Venezuela, who was a cousin of a member here. Well, he's convinced he's marrying her. Writing songs, he's called and just about organized the plane trip to Venezuela, he has the "proposal poem" written... its awesome, very fun to watch happen, being trunky is pretty entertaining... hahaha, I promise that I won't start writing a girl in South America before I come home...
Hmm, also.... we gave talks Sunday, this branch we're in is kinda gossipy, and its sad how many people go inactive because of it. We kinda rebuked the ward - with love! - but had 30 minutes at the pulpit, talking about how we've seen people's excitement in the gospel diminished by the actions of others, and how to have a functional ward family. Talked about how before this life we were all brothers and sisters, and how now, even though we dont remember, we need to acknowledge that, and treat all that way. Its like iniviting brothers and sisters who've been away for a while to a family reunion, but if the family doesnt really care that you're back, then its not worth going to them. We need to watch our thoughts, words, and actions concerning those we know, and make sure we really are inviting them to feel the savior's love. The Spirit was there as we spoke, so I think we did a good job. My companion did a little more of the reproving, and I softened it by the way to fix it... intense!
Then there was a man who spoke almost no Spanish was present and he asked someone to translate - he shared how in college he was an active member, went to all meetings and everything -appeared fine. But inside, his testimony was being destroyed. He broke into tears as he expressed gratitude for a persistent and loving home teacher and friend there who always stopped in, and shared his testimony and everything. "He saved me. He saved me from leaving the Savior." The Spirit was super strong. Being a home teacher isn't just a job, its a sacred care. Cooooool.
Well, I guess thats all I got. I know more than ever that this is all true. I love you all much, and hope all are well!
Love (elder) Chris tHelin
ps if people could tell me where they live now, itd be cool, namely Jamie,Kayla and Kimmy Nicholson, i can try to end the mail silence, I just dont know if they've moved or not, and kayla's gets forwarded back to me, so...
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
INTENSE
Wow, good job living everyone! Sounds like that was an intense week you all had. A little more eventful than mine I think. My 4th of July consisted of going to Church in English and Spanish, from 9 to 4, teaching a class to a bunch of recent converts and investigators without any notice, then eating a pretty sweet El Salvadoranean dinner with some older people who actually celebrate 4th of July, then teaching a lesson to a man that was excommunicated and is coming back around. And then going to bed. Yep! Being Sunday, there were no fireworks here on the 4th, but there were some big shows up at the USU campus on Friday, a parade on Saturday night - the Cache Valley Cruise-in, like 200 old fancy cars parading down Main for 3 hours, making missionary work impossible, we should have just gone to the parade... but yeah, good stuff!
Man, I'm so dead right now. Let me take you through my P-day to this point. We got up at 6:30 after an intense night of me dreaming about a hurricane in Logan. Then we took our car, which has a flat, to Big O tires (so sweet, you walk in and "Elders! What happened and when do you need it back?" We say, "There's a screw in the front right tire, we'll be by at 6. Here's the keys." They say "Thanks Elders, see ya." Nothing else, no paperwork, no payment or anythng. Gotta love Utah for some things.) Then we got a ride up to Deep Canyon Gorge with the zone. Intense hike for 2 hours, looked steep, so we started moving with our little band of 8 elders, then realized it got steeper, and after an hour we were well above the valley, but still far from the top. Another hour of walking through dense foliage, well, really hiking is the word,(I like to pretend different parts of my mission are like other countries - today we were in like Brazil for a day), we FINALLY saw a patch of snow, and got to it, and collapsed in it, rolled in it, made snowballs, etc. At this point we could see Logan Utah, Preston Idaho, and well, a lot. Really high up there. My calves are still shaking from the climb, intense, with like only one water bottle. YEAH. Then we noticed some older guys further up, so we went to go contact them on top of a mountain, and noticed that it really was the top, and we were on the edge of the Cache Valley AND the SALT LAKE VALLEY, so we could look at both at once, and could see the Salt Lake (only that was ugly, all white and crusty looking, like you know, SALT), Brigham City, almost to Ogden.... and then hiked 10 MORE minutes to a HIGHER ridge that let us see all that AND Logan, really beautiful, the top of the world.... and THEN we had cell service, and our ride said he was going to leave us, so we RAN down the mountain, pretty intense. Our ride he was actually waiting for us halfway up and scared us on the way down, yeah, it was an intense hike. Then I took a power nap, a short cold shower, walked here to email my family, will now devise a way to get to a Walmart, pick up a car, then go preach the gospel of Jesus Christ for 3 hours, and end up by crashing in bed. P-days are not used for resting, EVER. Whoo.
That dream house of Uncle Steve's sounds pretty intense. A POOL COMPLEX sounds AWESOME right now. Ari-zion doesn't sound like the optimum location, but I'm up for anything.
You're painting the fort? No way, thats sweet. I cant wait to see that! Dont paint it pink!
Oh we got the packages today when we got back, pretty sweet stuff! Love the buzz ligtyear blasters, already have started a war with them. You can tell the Maguras that the Zuccini bread nourished me in my moments of weakness before my power nap. The two talks were EXCELLENT, good job Heidi and Holly! Heidi, thats a sweet idea about listening to that primary song before praying, it gets you in the mood! "a Childs Prayer" is one of my top 3 favorite primary songs, so sweet!
I am now in a threesome (still) with Elder Margolies and Elder Jessup. E. Jessup goes to Mexico City at any day now, and Elder M finishes the mission in 4 weeks, and is the most trunky companion i've had, haha, planning to marry a girl in Venezuela that he writes to and never had met. If you want to know anything else about Kelli I can tell you any detail you want. Suprisingly, we're still working full hours, so I'm good... Actually, cool stuff, we have Michael from Bolivia being baptized this Friday (HOPEFULLY), and a lot of miracle families falling in our way - man, yesterday we were walking in the morning, and I said hey lets go knock this door, I talked to him a few weeks back. We went, and I think we woke him up, but he said to wait, got his wife and a bunch of chairs, and invited us in. He explained that since he's been here (9 years) he's wanted the Elders to come by. He's asked them, been to friends houses when they were teaching, etc, and they never have come. Incredible. He said he had a lot of goals - this kid is like 22 maybe, and has GOALS, which is unheard of among the Hispanics here - and had the goals written on posterboard all over his living room. He said that one of the goals was putting God into his family, because if God is in your life, you will find success in everything else, right? YES. We started the lesson, and the wife ran back to bring up 3 books of mormon (book of mormons, copies of the book of mormon, however is correct to you). She said that her dad grew up in Mexico, the "Utah of the Catholic Church - one on every corner" and was devout Catholic, never went to any other church - BUT he had read this blue book, and told her when she was little that of all the religions, la religion Mormona was the mas bonita, or the most beautiful of them all. CRAZY. So we taught the first lesson. She was super excited about prophets - and when we talked about 12 apostles, she said "REALLY?" He husband asked if any other church had these things, and SHE told him that there definitely wasn't. She explained to US the apostasy, the need for a restoration, and loved the Book of Mormon. Amazing lesson. They will definitely get baptized soon. SO cool!
I love you all a lot, I know this is the truth, God works a lot in our lives and in the lives of us all. I am grateful for this country - we REALLY dont realize how awesome it is here, our police don't mug us or break in to our homes because they want our furniture for their own homes, or stuff like that. Its a country bought at a price, and we shouldnt forget that.
Love ya see ya and que gana la Copa Mundial Argentina! heheh. If not, Germany.
-Elder Chris thelin
Ps haha, no I havent gotten the SD card back...
Pspss 3000 lightyears away, a evil mastermind was hatching a plan. "We MUST stop the three female younglings from reaching the Elder!" he said to his servants. "Yes mi'Lord!" they all said. "You will tell our counterparts on the human planet to make way for the island of FIJI, and there you will stop them!" "Yes mi'Lord!" they all said. So, they started sending intergalactic messages to a small outpost in the United States of America, and from there the plans were laid forth. The small army was moved into voyage mode, and through some careful planning, made their way on a merchant ship to Fiji, where they cleverly put themselves in wide open view - as the Mautzs led the girls through the village, Amy noticed a store - "Hey, are they selling LORD ZERG toys from Toy Story over there????" Dun dun dunnnn
Man, I'm so dead right now. Let me take you through my P-day to this point. We got up at 6:30 after an intense night of me dreaming about a hurricane in Logan. Then we took our car, which has a flat, to Big O tires (so sweet, you walk in and "Elders! What happened and when do you need it back?" We say, "There's a screw in the front right tire, we'll be by at 6. Here's the keys." They say "Thanks Elders, see ya." Nothing else, no paperwork, no payment or anythng. Gotta love Utah for some things.) Then we got a ride up to Deep Canyon Gorge with the zone. Intense hike for 2 hours, looked steep, so we started moving with our little band of 8 elders, then realized it got steeper, and after an hour we were well above the valley, but still far from the top. Another hour of walking through dense foliage, well, really hiking is the word,(I like to pretend different parts of my mission are like other countries - today we were in like Brazil for a day), we FINALLY saw a patch of snow, and got to it, and collapsed in it, rolled in it, made snowballs, etc. At this point we could see Logan Utah, Preston Idaho, and well, a lot. Really high up there. My calves are still shaking from the climb, intense, with like only one water bottle. YEAH. Then we noticed some older guys further up, so we went to go contact them on top of a mountain, and noticed that it really was the top, and we were on the edge of the Cache Valley AND the SALT LAKE VALLEY, so we could look at both at once, and could see the Salt Lake (only that was ugly, all white and crusty looking, like you know, SALT), Brigham City, almost to Ogden.... and then hiked 10 MORE minutes to a HIGHER ridge that let us see all that AND Logan, really beautiful, the top of the world.... and THEN we had cell service, and our ride said he was going to leave us, so we RAN down the mountain, pretty intense. Our ride he was actually waiting for us halfway up and scared us on the way down, yeah, it was an intense hike. Then I took a power nap, a short cold shower, walked here to email my family, will now devise a way to get to a Walmart, pick up a car, then go preach the gospel of Jesus Christ for 3 hours, and end up by crashing in bed. P-days are not used for resting, EVER. Whoo.
That dream house of Uncle Steve's sounds pretty intense. A POOL COMPLEX sounds AWESOME right now. Ari-zion doesn't sound like the optimum location, but I'm up for anything.
You're painting the fort? No way, thats sweet. I cant wait to see that! Dont paint it pink!
Oh we got the packages today when we got back, pretty sweet stuff! Love the buzz ligtyear blasters, already have started a war with them. You can tell the Maguras that the Zuccini bread nourished me in my moments of weakness before my power nap. The two talks were EXCELLENT, good job Heidi and Holly! Heidi, thats a sweet idea about listening to that primary song before praying, it gets you in the mood! "a Childs Prayer" is one of my top 3 favorite primary songs, so sweet!
I am now in a threesome (still) with Elder Margolies and Elder Jessup. E. Jessup goes to Mexico City at any day now, and Elder M finishes the mission in 4 weeks, and is the most trunky companion i've had, haha, planning to marry a girl in Venezuela that he writes to and never had met. If you want to know anything else about Kelli I can tell you any detail you want. Suprisingly, we're still working full hours, so I'm good... Actually, cool stuff, we have Michael from Bolivia being baptized this Friday (HOPEFULLY), and a lot of miracle families falling in our way - man, yesterday we were walking in the morning, and I said hey lets go knock this door, I talked to him a few weeks back. We went, and I think we woke him up, but he said to wait, got his wife and a bunch of chairs, and invited us in. He explained that since he's been here (9 years) he's wanted the Elders to come by. He's asked them, been to friends houses when they were teaching, etc, and they never have come. Incredible. He said he had a lot of goals - this kid is like 22 maybe, and has GOALS, which is unheard of among the Hispanics here - and had the goals written on posterboard all over his living room. He said that one of the goals was putting God into his family, because if God is in your life, you will find success in everything else, right? YES. We started the lesson, and the wife ran back to bring up 3 books of mormon (book of mormons, copies of the book of mormon, however is correct to you). She said that her dad grew up in Mexico, the "Utah of the Catholic Church - one on every corner" and was devout Catholic, never went to any other church - BUT he had read this blue book, and told her when she was little that of all the religions, la religion Mormona was the mas bonita, or the most beautiful of them all. CRAZY. So we taught the first lesson. She was super excited about prophets - and when we talked about 12 apostles, she said "REALLY?" He husband asked if any other church had these things, and SHE told him that there definitely wasn't. She explained to US the apostasy, the need for a restoration, and loved the Book of Mormon. Amazing lesson. They will definitely get baptized soon. SO cool!
I love you all a lot, I know this is the truth, God works a lot in our lives and in the lives of us all. I am grateful for this country - we REALLY dont realize how awesome it is here, our police don't mug us or break in to our homes because they want our furniture for their own homes, or stuff like that. Its a country bought at a price, and we shouldnt forget that.
Love ya see ya and que gana la Copa Mundial Argentina! heheh. If not, Germany.
-Elder Chris thelin
Ps haha, no I havent gotten the SD card back...
Pspss 3000 lightyears away, a evil mastermind was hatching a plan. "We MUST stop the three female younglings from reaching the Elder!" he said to his servants. "Yes mi'Lord!" they all said. "You will tell our counterparts on the human planet to make way for the island of FIJI, and there you will stop them!" "Yes mi'Lord!" they all said. So, they started sending intergalactic messages to a small outpost in the United States of America, and from there the plans were laid forth. The small army was moved into voyage mode, and through some careful planning, made their way on a merchant ship to Fiji, where they cleverly put themselves in wide open view - as the Mautzs led the girls through the village, Amy noticed a store - "Hey, are they selling LORD ZERG toys from Toy Story over there????" Dun dun dunnnn
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
I'M ENJOYING MYSELF MORE AND MORE
Hey family,
?Que pasa? Me parece que estan completemnte locos alli, sheesh! (What's up, it seems like you're a little crazy??) Girls Camp and High Adventure can do that to you though, haha. Glad Girls Camp was fun, although a little trying. Everyone is learning how to interact with other people, and we're all at different stages of it... some a little farther along than others... I can't talk because I'm sure I offend a couple people a day. Ha.
And the high Adventure - I'll just have you know I'd die to go on a campout right now, I cant think of very many things that'd be more fun. Even to put my feet in some 6 inches of water'd be sweet. There are some Venice-like waterways that run through Logan, we've been thinking about rebeling and wading to our knees in them. Probably has junk in it, but whatever...
Elder Paustenbaugh left yesterday - well, today at 3 am - to Sonora Mexico, by Arizona (now called Ari-zion, there are a lot of church members there i guess, haha). Funny, I've been getting a new comp like every 3 weeks lately. Elder Paustenbaugh was one of my favorites by far. Hilarious. This kid was in the MTC for 4 months, and he was way pumped to be "outside". He gave me daily seminars "at half price" on how to be a better person, or on the subtle differences between "humility' and "being humble", or people in the mission that he has only ever heard about. It was a lot of fun, and we saw some miracles, like the baptism of Isabel, and praying for people and them showing up as we arrived, etc. It was sweet. BUT his visa came, he has to go tame Mexico and survive the drug war there (it sounds TERRIBLE there, like fullout war between drug cartels and the people.... he was psyched.) So now I'll be in a threesome for a bit. But all is going well.
Are you all watching the World Cup? it sounds intense, half the ward and about 0 investigators came Sunday because Mexico played Argentina. Kinda disappointing when the Ward Mission Leader shows the new converts by example that futbol is more important than teaching the 2nd hour - we had to do it... but I think I'll watch more soccer when I get home, its actually pretty intense - my playing isnt so great yet, but I enjoy it...
Cool miracles yesterday, was on an exchange, and we met a family of 11! The lady told us that she was fine in her church, and she wasnt looking to change at all. She was a little resistant, but offered us a drink of water, and we accepted - to buy some time in the door, and mostly because its 90 out now and we were on bikes - but I prayed the entire time that we'd be able to get in for a lesson that something might change in her heart and she'd feel it. She gave us the water, and then asked a question that led to a mini-1st lesson on the porch. My comp at the time told of his conversion, which is sweet - he was training to become a Catholic priest, just 2 years ago. A friend gave him a book of Mormon, and he didnt touch it for a while, but once missionaries stopped by, bore testimony and invited him to read and pray. He did that, just out of courtesy, but when he prayed the Spirit touched him. He is the only member in his family, he gave up the honor of being a PRIEST in the Catholic church, and is serving a mission now. As we spoke, this lady ended up saying, "well, we're good in our church, and have faith in God, but it doesnt hurt to learn more about Him." That's NOT what she said at the beginning! Prayer works, as well as persistence. Cool stuff.
Yup, good stuff, I'm enjoying myself more and more. I really miss everyone, but 8 more months seems too short. Yeah, I'm curious about the movies I see on the theaters, and swimming, and family and all that stuff seems pretty awesome... but I'm realizing this time is coming to a close and even though some days you just want to stay in bed, this is the coolest thing ever to do. I used to think I'd be perfect afterwards, like a mission is a refining process that'll make anyone into a super wise and perfect guy, but I'm realizing that's a life process and the real focus here is bringing people to Christ and His true Gospel. Boy do they need it, families getting shredded, people preaching AGAINST keeping the commandments, the Virgin Mary saving us with Christ as a supporting role, the Church of VIDEOGAMES (yes), etc etc. There are a lot of weird ideas out there. The Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ isn't new, it's restored, in all its simplicity and power from when He himself ourganized it. It is HOW we come unto Christ. FOLLOW IT.
Love you all, be good, be positive, enjoy the family (my 4th of July will consist of teaching, going to church, and going home at 9, so...), and keep on going!
elder Thelin
Ps cool Zone Conference: we talked about Mistakes - sometimes we may feel leaders have made a "mistake" - "why am I in this area?" "How is that decision right? He's not inspired..." "This calling should have been mine" BUT we talked about how not everything is a mistake, the Lord uses situations that seem wrong, or even genuine mistakes or poor choices, for our benefit. With ANY situation, even a mistake, the Lord expects us to learn from it. When we sin, a MISTAKE, He lets us learn the consequences, then allows us to turn our heart back to the right and repent and be forgiven. When we have a mistake in a leader, we can accept it, be patient, and grow, and see the Lord work through it. We had a testimony meeting about how we've seen that happen - I know I have, I wasnt "supposed" to be in Logan 5 weeks back, but I know now WHY that "mistake" happened. Cool concept.
pss Uh, yeah, just tell Madeleine and Lehi: Felicitaciones, best wishes for them both! Hope they are both super happy and that Lehi can take care of Madeleine - and the siblings-in-law, more worried actually about him having Ryan as a brother-in-law, good luck! haha
pSPpsp the whale was about to sneeze.... AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAchoo!
Everything got a bit crazy and the gang flew out of the whale. Its kinda gross, flying out of someone's sneeze, Heidi thought, as they sailed through the air. Jiminy cricket was trying to sing a song about flying, and Holly was screaming about how they were starting to STOP flying, and were goin to hit the ground that was coming up.... rather quickly....
?Que pasa? Me parece que estan completemnte locos alli, sheesh! (What's up, it seems like you're a little crazy??) Girls Camp and High Adventure can do that to you though, haha. Glad Girls Camp was fun, although a little trying. Everyone is learning how to interact with other people, and we're all at different stages of it... some a little farther along than others... I can't talk because I'm sure I offend a couple people a day. Ha.
And the high Adventure - I'll just have you know I'd die to go on a campout right now, I cant think of very many things that'd be more fun. Even to put my feet in some 6 inches of water'd be sweet. There are some Venice-like waterways that run through Logan, we've been thinking about rebeling and wading to our knees in them. Probably has junk in it, but whatever...
Elder Paustenbaugh left yesterday - well, today at 3 am - to Sonora Mexico, by Arizona (now called Ari-zion, there are a lot of church members there i guess, haha). Funny, I've been getting a new comp like every 3 weeks lately. Elder Paustenbaugh was one of my favorites by far. Hilarious. This kid was in the MTC for 4 months, and he was way pumped to be "outside". He gave me daily seminars "at half price" on how to be a better person, or on the subtle differences between "humility' and "being humble", or people in the mission that he has only ever heard about. It was a lot of fun, and we saw some miracles, like the baptism of Isabel, and praying for people and them showing up as we arrived, etc. It was sweet. BUT his visa came, he has to go tame Mexico and survive the drug war there (it sounds TERRIBLE there, like fullout war between drug cartels and the people.... he was psyched.) So now I'll be in a threesome for a bit. But all is going well.
Are you all watching the World Cup? it sounds intense, half the ward and about 0 investigators came Sunday because Mexico played Argentina. Kinda disappointing when the Ward Mission Leader shows the new converts by example that futbol is more important than teaching the 2nd hour - we had to do it... but I think I'll watch more soccer when I get home, its actually pretty intense - my playing isnt so great yet, but I enjoy it...
Cool miracles yesterday, was on an exchange, and we met a family of 11! The lady told us that she was fine in her church, and she wasnt looking to change at all. She was a little resistant, but offered us a drink of water, and we accepted - to buy some time in the door, and mostly because its 90 out now and we were on bikes - but I prayed the entire time that we'd be able to get in for a lesson that something might change in her heart and she'd feel it. She gave us the water, and then asked a question that led to a mini-1st lesson on the porch. My comp at the time told of his conversion, which is sweet - he was training to become a Catholic priest, just 2 years ago. A friend gave him a book of Mormon, and he didnt touch it for a while, but once missionaries stopped by, bore testimony and invited him to read and pray. He did that, just out of courtesy, but when he prayed the Spirit touched him. He is the only member in his family, he gave up the honor of being a PRIEST in the Catholic church, and is serving a mission now. As we spoke, this lady ended up saying, "well, we're good in our church, and have faith in God, but it doesnt hurt to learn more about Him." That's NOT what she said at the beginning! Prayer works, as well as persistence. Cool stuff.
Yup, good stuff, I'm enjoying myself more and more. I really miss everyone, but 8 more months seems too short. Yeah, I'm curious about the movies I see on the theaters, and swimming, and family and all that stuff seems pretty awesome... but I'm realizing this time is coming to a close and even though some days you just want to stay in bed, this is the coolest thing ever to do. I used to think I'd be perfect afterwards, like a mission is a refining process that'll make anyone into a super wise and perfect guy, but I'm realizing that's a life process and the real focus here is bringing people to Christ and His true Gospel. Boy do they need it, families getting shredded, people preaching AGAINST keeping the commandments, the Virgin Mary saving us with Christ as a supporting role, the Church of VIDEOGAMES (yes), etc etc. There are a lot of weird ideas out there. The Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ isn't new, it's restored, in all its simplicity and power from when He himself ourganized it. It is HOW we come unto Christ. FOLLOW IT.
Love you all, be good, be positive, enjoy the family (my 4th of July will consist of teaching, going to church, and going home at 9, so...), and keep on going!
elder Thelin
Ps cool Zone Conference: we talked about Mistakes - sometimes we may feel leaders have made a "mistake" - "why am I in this area?" "How is that decision right? He's not inspired..." "This calling should have been mine" BUT we talked about how not everything is a mistake, the Lord uses situations that seem wrong, or even genuine mistakes or poor choices, for our benefit. With ANY situation, even a mistake, the Lord expects us to learn from it. When we sin, a MISTAKE, He lets us learn the consequences, then allows us to turn our heart back to the right and repent and be forgiven. When we have a mistake in a leader, we can accept it, be patient, and grow, and see the Lord work through it. We had a testimony meeting about how we've seen that happen - I know I have, I wasnt "supposed" to be in Logan 5 weeks back, but I know now WHY that "mistake" happened. Cool concept.
pss Uh, yeah, just tell Madeleine and Lehi: Felicitaciones, best wishes for them both! Hope they are both super happy and that Lehi can take care of Madeleine - and the siblings-in-law, more worried actually about him having Ryan as a brother-in-law, good luck! haha
pSPpsp the whale was about to sneeze.... AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAchoo!
Everything got a bit crazy and the gang flew out of the whale. Its kinda gross, flying out of someone's sneeze, Heidi thought, as they sailed through the air. Jiminy cricket was trying to sing a song about flying, and Holly was screaming about how they were starting to STOP flying, and were goin to hit the ground that was coming up.... rather quickly....
Saturday, June 26, 2010
IT"S POSSIBLE
Helloo Thelin Clan! Kings Dominion? Ah, temptations, temptations. I've had quite the urge to be on a roller coaster lately, funny.
SO no I didn't forget Father's Day, nor your birthday, Dad, I just forgot to write about it before the event, oops. How old ARE you now? like 43? I lost track. I know I feel old, but then I don't - I frequently am asked if I'm 13. Yeah. There's always someone much older than you, seems like. You think 20 will make you a full fledged adult but everyone still thinks you're a kid. Good grief. Sounds like you had fun for the birthday then, good stuff. And I'm sure everyone had some scrumptious meal for father's day - its kinda weird just hearing about everyone celebrating things like that, we kinda just work all the time so...
Yeah, so is this Sarah girl REALLY a girlfriend, or a friend girl, cause I've heard this name mentioned off and on for the past couple o months, in various relationships toward my brother, so... I don't even know who she is! Jeffrey shouldst write his brother, methinks. hint.
And good job on the talk in sacrament meeting Heidi! That can be a little scary. But I'm sure you did awesome. What was it about? I expect a full report, of course. Also about girl's camp. That sounds like good story potential, rat poop and junk. Exciting, isn't it?
Ugh, speaking of dirty living, man, we have a guy we're teaching, speaks Espanglish, in a bad time in his life. Anyways, he's been trying to keep up the house and kids by himself for a few weeks, and its a wreck. We came over to help him change what we thought were some kitchen tiles in his trailer, but it got really bad. This guy knows nothing about house work. His kitchen floor is bowed up from water damage, and he wanted to see why, so he took a hammer and beat a few holes in the floor and found a pipe pouring out water, the insulation is ruined with mold, and he needs to replace the whole floor. The mess in the house is too bad though to really do anything, so we took out a lot of stuff. We lifted off the kitchen table top.... and saw more cockroaches than I've ever seen. UGH. 1000's living in his kitchen table!!!!! He just dumped some poison on them and his kids were playing with them and stuff, ugh, not good. He had dirty dishes with bugs in them EVERYWHERE. Nasty.
Oh yeah, better subject. Sweet baptism on Saturday. Isabel. I was present at the first lesson almost nine months ago! I've heard about her progress and then her falls since and finally two weeks ago an inspired lesson plan brought the spirit WAY strong, and she decided that she could act in faith on that spirit and put all the doubts behind. It was so cool. The Lord has given me so many opportunities to see people come 180, also like second chances - people I felt I messed up on or something, he's allowed me to see much later. Its really cool. Isabel showed up 20 minutes late to her baptism, but her son - who has been against it - decided to come and support her. The branch President came and baptized her, and the Spirit was very stong. Funny, she had like 6 missionaries there, she'd gone through a lot. She shook all our hands and thanked us for the parts we played and encouraged us to do more. She cried when she got confirmed a member of the Church. 3 weeks ago she had been put aside as a dropped investigator, and now she is a member. The Lord does miracles.
I wish I felt as confident with some of the other people we're working with, very tough problems with each, and not much window of opportunity. President Olson emailed me a sweet bit of encouragement, maybe I'll share it:
"I suspect that each of these people with disasters in their lives were sent by the Lord to you to help them. It was the Lord that brought them to you. He knew of the disasters that were pending. He wanted you to help them. They may or may not join the church; but the principles of the gospel can help them make it through these trying times."
It's possible. I understand more why the Lord brought me here 3 weeks ago in the middle of a transfer. I got to know these people before their super trials attacked. Pressure, so I'm here, and I'm just as clueless as the next Elder on how to fix a broken family, or save a guy from being deported. We're praying a lot, obviously.
Through it all, I know the Lord loves us. I guess I haven't always been sure of that. My mission has seen some of my best and worst moments, but I know now He is guiding these things. Sometimes we're just stupid 20 year old guys, but I'm grateful that Heavenly Father chooses to let us experience this, and see miracles and be instruments in His hands. Thanks Dad for all you've done to help me get this head start on life. You've done a great job - ha, I was going to say "training me"- I feel like the mission is the perfect analogy of life-- so thanks for being my "trainer". Happy Birthday, and Happy Father's day, and just happy Tuesday, have a good one! I love you and our family, and am so thankful I've been allowed to be part of it. Keep it up, don't feel too old, we ate dinner with some people from El Salvador yesterday they're like 85. Thanks for the prayers and the efforts, for patiently paying my mission - when I could have worked a lot harder and earned this privilege a little more - and for well, you get it, everything. Your efforts aren't ever wasted, even when we don't pay much attention as kids. Thanks Dad, love you family, and see everyone in a while (like 8 months!)
Love, Elder Thelin
SO no I didn't forget Father's Day, nor your birthday, Dad, I just forgot to write about it before the event, oops. How old ARE you now? like 43? I lost track. I know I feel old, but then I don't - I frequently am asked if I'm 13. Yeah. There's always someone much older than you, seems like. You think 20 will make you a full fledged adult but everyone still thinks you're a kid. Good grief. Sounds like you had fun for the birthday then, good stuff. And I'm sure everyone had some scrumptious meal for father's day - its kinda weird just hearing about everyone celebrating things like that, we kinda just work all the time so...
Yeah, so is this Sarah girl REALLY a girlfriend, or a friend girl, cause I've heard this name mentioned off and on for the past couple o months, in various relationships toward my brother, so... I don't even know who she is! Jeffrey shouldst write his brother, methinks. hint.
And good job on the talk in sacrament meeting Heidi! That can be a little scary. But I'm sure you did awesome. What was it about? I expect a full report, of course. Also about girl's camp. That sounds like good story potential, rat poop and junk. Exciting, isn't it?
Ugh, speaking of dirty living, man, we have a guy we're teaching, speaks Espanglish, in a bad time in his life. Anyways, he's been trying to keep up the house and kids by himself for a few weeks, and its a wreck. We came over to help him change what we thought were some kitchen tiles in his trailer, but it got really bad. This guy knows nothing about house work. His kitchen floor is bowed up from water damage, and he wanted to see why, so he took a hammer and beat a few holes in the floor and found a pipe pouring out water, the insulation is ruined with mold, and he needs to replace the whole floor. The mess in the house is too bad though to really do anything, so we took out a lot of stuff. We lifted off the kitchen table top.... and saw more cockroaches than I've ever seen. UGH. 1000's living in his kitchen table!!!!! He just dumped some poison on them and his kids were playing with them and stuff, ugh, not good. He had dirty dishes with bugs in them EVERYWHERE. Nasty.
Oh yeah, better subject. Sweet baptism on Saturday. Isabel. I was present at the first lesson almost nine months ago! I've heard about her progress and then her falls since and finally two weeks ago an inspired lesson plan brought the spirit WAY strong, and she decided that she could act in faith on that spirit and put all the doubts behind. It was so cool. The Lord has given me so many opportunities to see people come 180, also like second chances - people I felt I messed up on or something, he's allowed me to see much later. Its really cool. Isabel showed up 20 minutes late to her baptism, but her son - who has been against it - decided to come and support her. The branch President came and baptized her, and the Spirit was very stong. Funny, she had like 6 missionaries there, she'd gone through a lot. She shook all our hands and thanked us for the parts we played and encouraged us to do more. She cried when she got confirmed a member of the Church. 3 weeks ago she had been put aside as a dropped investigator, and now she is a member. The Lord does miracles.
I wish I felt as confident with some of the other people we're working with, very tough problems with each, and not much window of opportunity. President Olson emailed me a sweet bit of encouragement, maybe I'll share it:
"I suspect that each of these people with disasters in their lives were sent by the Lord to you to help them. It was the Lord that brought them to you. He knew of the disasters that were pending. He wanted you to help them. They may or may not join the church; but the principles of the gospel can help them make it through these trying times."
It's possible. I understand more why the Lord brought me here 3 weeks ago in the middle of a transfer. I got to know these people before their super trials attacked. Pressure, so I'm here, and I'm just as clueless as the next Elder on how to fix a broken family, or save a guy from being deported. We're praying a lot, obviously.
Through it all, I know the Lord loves us. I guess I haven't always been sure of that. My mission has seen some of my best and worst moments, but I know now He is guiding these things. Sometimes we're just stupid 20 year old guys, but I'm grateful that Heavenly Father chooses to let us experience this, and see miracles and be instruments in His hands. Thanks Dad for all you've done to help me get this head start on life. You've done a great job - ha, I was going to say "training me"- I feel like the mission is the perfect analogy of life-- so thanks for being my "trainer". Happy Birthday, and Happy Father's day, and just happy Tuesday, have a good one! I love you and our family, and am so thankful I've been allowed to be part of it. Keep it up, don't feel too old, we ate dinner with some people from El Salvador yesterday they're like 85. Thanks for the prayers and the efforts, for patiently paying my mission - when I could have worked a lot harder and earned this privilege a little more - and for well, you get it, everything. Your efforts aren't ever wasted, even when we don't pay much attention as kids. Thanks Dad, love you family, and see everyone in a while (like 8 months!)
Love, Elder Thelin
Saturday, June 19, 2010
MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE
Wow, most confusing week of all time, its been intense! Glad that home is the same, at least we know that craziness is a constant there. Ha, yeah, they called me 2 hours after I wrote last week's email and told me that ACTUALLY 10 elders who were "visa-waiters" headed to Mexico had arrived, and we needed to create 10 more areas with 10 trainers for them - SO I'm training Elder Paustenbaugh from Oklahoma until he goes on to Sonora Mexico(by Arizona). We had a few confusing days in which 3 of us in Logan were without companions, so we made a threesome and just taught people in a big combined area... but by Thursday we had things settled out, and the AP's decided to call us finally and tell us what to do. Confusing!
Last day of school, eh? Wow, took a while, here they finished like 2 weeks ago! Not fair eh? Enjoy the summer, it finally got above 59 here yesterday...
Hope the hamster funeral goes well. Cookie is in a better place for sure. Everything you learn in primary IS true, Holly, so don't worry. We actually taught a lady once that was very concerned if she'd see her dog in heaven. My companion at the time actually found some scriptures that seem like we will be with the animals that were here on earth with us, and that they will be happy and perfect. So, don't worry.
Can you believe I only have 1/3rd left of my mission? It's crazy! June just started! I'm kind of envious of Elder Paustenbaugh, he's just starting - but stinks that he waited in the MTC for 4 MONTHS for his visa and it hasnt come yet (surprised he survived that...) I remember talking Spanish at the beginning, yikes, painful experience. So weird that I can actually understand it, and I promise I have not put forth the necessary study and effort to speak it as well as I do now, I've been pretty blessed. Missions are pretty crazy stuff.
I don't like how some things are out of our control though - Satan has taken a huge hit on a lot of people this week. If there is one theme I've seen, Satan attacks families. I have seen SO many divorces and spouses just walking out and leaving the other with nothing. Its sick. We know a family here, 5 kids, and the wife wanted to feel "young again" or something, and now is living in another town, probably dating some people, and her husband is distraught with 5 kids every other week and not knowing what to do, after 15 years of marriage! and Satan keeps dragging them down and away from what we're teaching him. Another guy, nicest guy EVER punched his wife saturday, someone called the police, and he's probably getting deported. Ugly, she doesnt know what to do either, probably won't ever see him again. They were doing so well, thinking about all getting baptized and finding faith in Christ... Its crazy, like someone just flips a switch and the family that looked so nice now... isnt... just everyone try to invite love into the home and read the scriptures and go to church and pray and all that, it works. And pray for these families...yikes.
Anyways, sorry, less serious - so last week we hiked a mountain again - Sergio took us. Sergio is like the missionaries' best friend, baptized like 7 years ago, he wants to do stuff with us all the time, funny and kinda different guy, but anyways, we went, hiked a mile across a valley, then started climbing up, and halfway he announced that he was going back, and if we wanted a ride back, we had like 40 minutes and he was gonna leave. So we continued, got to the top (coool) - neat because we went to the back side of the mountain and saw there was a valley way up in the mountains, and an even higher mountain on the other side, its impressive) and realized we had 20 minutes left. And 3 miles to go down the face of a mountain and a whole valley to his car. We took some pictures, then began to sprint. Down a mountain. (The Elder with the Air Jordan shoes only fell twice). It was sweet. We got down the ENTIRE mountain in 8 minutes, with 2 30 second water breaks, and then we sprinted the remaining 1 1/2 miles across the plain in the valley in 12 minutes. I've never ben quite so close to death, ha. Oh man. Beautiful, but intense. we made it though, at 2:00 we got there and Sergio made us eat cake and some questionable turkey sandwiches. Good stuff. The mission is crazy. Thought we needed a story to match the boating and storm adventure.
Oh man, well, 2 baptisms here in Logan Saturday, Michael and that lady Isabel, and a girl that didnt get baptized in Layton invited me down Saturday afternoon, so 3 baptisms Saturday, good week! Good job surviving another year of school, luck with the song mom, that sounds pretty classic, I'll see it all on Youtube in a few months, I'm sure.
Gospel is true. Pray, read, and let the Spirit in. Love you all a lot, hope life is good, and we'll hear from you later!
-elder christopher tHelin
Ps way to go Henry!
pPs good luck with girls camp, heheheheheh
Last day of school, eh? Wow, took a while, here they finished like 2 weeks ago! Not fair eh? Enjoy the summer, it finally got above 59 here yesterday...
Hope the hamster funeral goes well. Cookie is in a better place for sure. Everything you learn in primary IS true, Holly, so don't worry. We actually taught a lady once that was very concerned if she'd see her dog in heaven. My companion at the time actually found some scriptures that seem like we will be with the animals that were here on earth with us, and that they will be happy and perfect. So, don't worry.
Can you believe I only have 1/3rd left of my mission? It's crazy! June just started! I'm kind of envious of Elder Paustenbaugh, he's just starting - but stinks that he waited in the MTC for 4 MONTHS for his visa and it hasnt come yet (surprised he survived that...) I remember talking Spanish at the beginning, yikes, painful experience. So weird that I can actually understand it, and I promise I have not put forth the necessary study and effort to speak it as well as I do now, I've been pretty blessed. Missions are pretty crazy stuff.
I don't like how some things are out of our control though - Satan has taken a huge hit on a lot of people this week. If there is one theme I've seen, Satan attacks families. I have seen SO many divorces and spouses just walking out and leaving the other with nothing. Its sick. We know a family here, 5 kids, and the wife wanted to feel "young again" or something, and now is living in another town, probably dating some people, and her husband is distraught with 5 kids every other week and not knowing what to do, after 15 years of marriage! and Satan keeps dragging them down and away from what we're teaching him. Another guy, nicest guy EVER punched his wife saturday, someone called the police, and he's probably getting deported. Ugly, she doesnt know what to do either, probably won't ever see him again. They were doing so well, thinking about all getting baptized and finding faith in Christ... Its crazy, like someone just flips a switch and the family that looked so nice now... isnt... just everyone try to invite love into the home and read the scriptures and go to church and pray and all that, it works. And pray for these families...yikes.
Anyways, sorry, less serious - so last week we hiked a mountain again - Sergio took us. Sergio is like the missionaries' best friend, baptized like 7 years ago, he wants to do stuff with us all the time, funny and kinda different guy, but anyways, we went, hiked a mile across a valley, then started climbing up, and halfway he announced that he was going back, and if we wanted a ride back, we had like 40 minutes and he was gonna leave. So we continued, got to the top (coool) - neat because we went to the back side of the mountain and saw there was a valley way up in the mountains, and an even higher mountain on the other side, its impressive) and realized we had 20 minutes left. And 3 miles to go down the face of a mountain and a whole valley to his car. We took some pictures, then began to sprint. Down a mountain. (The Elder with the Air Jordan shoes only fell twice). It was sweet. We got down the ENTIRE mountain in 8 minutes, with 2 30 second water breaks, and then we sprinted the remaining 1 1/2 miles across the plain in the valley in 12 minutes. I've never ben quite so close to death, ha. Oh man. Beautiful, but intense. we made it though, at 2:00 we got there and Sergio made us eat cake and some questionable turkey sandwiches. Good stuff. The mission is crazy. Thought we needed a story to match the boating and storm adventure.
Oh man, well, 2 baptisms here in Logan Saturday, Michael and that lady Isabel, and a girl that didnt get baptized in Layton invited me down Saturday afternoon, so 3 baptisms Saturday, good week! Good job surviving another year of school, luck with the song mom, that sounds pretty classic, I'll see it all on Youtube in a few months, I'm sure.
Gospel is true. Pray, read, and let the Spirit in. Love you all a lot, hope life is good, and we'll hear from you later!
-elder christopher tHelin
Ps way to go Henry!
pPs good luck with girls camp, heheheheheh
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
AN AMAZING WEEK!
WOW, big week, last week of transfers! Pretty intense, a lot happened. Despite all that President said about me staying here with Elder Johnson, one of the coolest companions I've had, I got a call and will be serving with Elder Margolies, his last transfer and he's a little trunky. Pray for me to be patient and get work done. Please.
Man, ok, I have no time at all, but here it goes:
The 19 year old that I started teaching from Bolivia in my first 20 minutes of this area is getting baptized on Saturday! Cool guy, told us that he felt the Spirit and knows its right. Sweet!
Also! Last week Layton called me, and Jorge Pineda, the 20 year whose wife left him and he had started progressing, well, he decided to get baptized! I was scrambling for a ride over there, I've never been invited to come back to a baptism, but I couldn't find one for Satruday. The elders told Jorge, and he said he would rather pick me up than not have me there. So he drove up through extreme traffic for like 3 hours to pick me up and take me to his own baptism. Hands down the best experience in the mission and the coolest couple hours, just talking to him in the car (we went on exchanges, my comp stayed up here.) He just started thanking me for sticking with him and teaching and being a little stubborn in my teaching and inviting him. He said that he didn't believe us much at first, but then he saw when he stopped going to church, blessings dropped completely. When he DID again, and read and prayed every night, he FELT it, his life changed 180, and he mostly, like EVERY 5 minutes as we drove, told me for the first time in his life he felt so, so happy, so at peace, and never felt surer of anything. It was so amazing. Sometimes I wonder if people do what we say 100% or what they think, but this ride was amazing, I got to see him testify of his own conversion, and see what happened with him the whole time personally. He told me of prayers answered, etc. MAN, so he prayed to meet someone that would help him keep in this new path, and then came to church... and entered gospel principles class and said he stopped dead when he saw KARLA SANDOVAL, (remember her? the girl that her family didnt support her getting baptized and I asked you to pray for her). Well, they are basically head over heels for each other, came to a fun singles activity, made marshmallow temples together, and Jorge said if things work out, hes taking her to the temple in a year. SO COOL. We got stuck in traffic, but we stopped and prayed - had a 35 minute drive left and only 20 minutes to get there to the baptism - prayed, and traffic dispersed, and we made it in time. He was so happy. His dad - who has had a huge turnaround in his relationship with his son, baptized him (ha, 3 times, didn't get him all the way underwater!) Jorge came out and told me that either he had heartburn or felt his chest on fire with something. It was the most spiritual baptism I've been at. He told me later on the way back that he had few best friends, but he considered me to be one of them. I dont know, it just was amazing, and made me feel like, if I hadn't have done anything else in Utah, that this one person would have made these 2 years worth it.
So, yeah, it was awesome. Good week, good stuff. I love you all, it sounds like life is good at home, Jeffrey, good job mooning everyone. Be good everyone, and know that the Savior lives, and literally guides this work. A lady that has listened for 9 months decided to get baptized (I was present at the first lesson in September!!) We prayed 2 weeks ago to know what to teach her, felt inspiration, and made a lesson plan, and this past week we followed those inpsired plans, and she felt the Spirit - we all did - so intensely. She had seen some anti-Mormon dvds and had so many doubts about the book of mormon and such in the past, but she felt the spirit and cried for a few minutes, then she told us, by herself that this was true and she knew it, and asked for us to schedule her interview and baptism!
I know the Lord lives, loves us, and this is the truth. If we follow the Spirit, and really open our hearts to do His will, we will know this is true always.
Love you all, Elder Thelin
Ps size 16 I think.
Ppps Jeffrey, congrats on the Eagle, DO IT, because it will be a blessing for your life to be an Eagle. Sweet!
Man, ok, I have no time at all, but here it goes:
The 19 year old that I started teaching from Bolivia in my first 20 minutes of this area is getting baptized on Saturday! Cool guy, told us that he felt the Spirit and knows its right. Sweet!
Also! Last week Layton called me, and Jorge Pineda, the 20 year whose wife left him and he had started progressing, well, he decided to get baptized! I was scrambling for a ride over there, I've never been invited to come back to a baptism, but I couldn't find one for Satruday. The elders told Jorge, and he said he would rather pick me up than not have me there. So he drove up through extreme traffic for like 3 hours to pick me up and take me to his own baptism. Hands down the best experience in the mission and the coolest couple hours, just talking to him in the car (we went on exchanges, my comp stayed up here.) He just started thanking me for sticking with him and teaching and being a little stubborn in my teaching and inviting him. He said that he didn't believe us much at first, but then he saw when he stopped going to church, blessings dropped completely. When he DID again, and read and prayed every night, he FELT it, his life changed 180, and he mostly, like EVERY 5 minutes as we drove, told me for the first time in his life he felt so, so happy, so at peace, and never felt surer of anything. It was so amazing. Sometimes I wonder if people do what we say 100% or what they think, but this ride was amazing, I got to see him testify of his own conversion, and see what happened with him the whole time personally. He told me of prayers answered, etc. MAN, so he prayed to meet someone that would help him keep in this new path, and then came to church... and entered gospel principles class and said he stopped dead when he saw KARLA SANDOVAL, (remember her? the girl that her family didnt support her getting baptized and I asked you to pray for her). Well, they are basically head over heels for each other, came to a fun singles activity, made marshmallow temples together, and Jorge said if things work out, hes taking her to the temple in a year. SO COOL. We got stuck in traffic, but we stopped and prayed - had a 35 minute drive left and only 20 minutes to get there to the baptism - prayed, and traffic dispersed, and we made it in time. He was so happy. His dad - who has had a huge turnaround in his relationship with his son, baptized him (ha, 3 times, didn't get him all the way underwater!) Jorge came out and told me that either he had heartburn or felt his chest on fire with something. It was the most spiritual baptism I've been at. He told me later on the way back that he had few best friends, but he considered me to be one of them. I dont know, it just was amazing, and made me feel like, if I hadn't have done anything else in Utah, that this one person would have made these 2 years worth it.
So, yeah, it was awesome. Good week, good stuff. I love you all, it sounds like life is good at home, Jeffrey, good job mooning everyone. Be good everyone, and know that the Savior lives, and literally guides this work. A lady that has listened for 9 months decided to get baptized (I was present at the first lesson in September!!) We prayed 2 weeks ago to know what to teach her, felt inspiration, and made a lesson plan, and this past week we followed those inpsired plans, and she felt the Spirit - we all did - so intensely. She had seen some anti-Mormon dvds and had so many doubts about the book of mormon and such in the past, but she felt the spirit and cried for a few minutes, then she told us, by herself that this was true and she knew it, and asked for us to schedule her interview and baptism!
I know the Lord lives, loves us, and this is the truth. If we follow the Spirit, and really open our hearts to do His will, we will know this is true always.
Love you all, Elder Thelin
Ps size 16 I think.
Ppps Jeffrey, congrats on the Eagle, DO IT, because it will be a blessing for your life to be an Eagle. Sweet!
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