PART 1 (written last week December 6,2010)
Hello Family!
Do you all just feel tired all the time? Sounds like you would be.... jaja, you all do an awful lot. Almost like being missionaries, just crazier.
While you all are planning birthdays and cultural events, this weekend we have somehow got ourselves into planning a wedding and a baptism at the same time on Saturday at 6 pm. We told a couple they could get married whenever they want, great couple, hilarious. The lady, Guadalupe, said "My birthday is on Saturday! Lets do it that day!" So with all our missionary authority and faith we said, sure, no problem. Then we started making phone calls. Well the branch president cant do it. Neither can the stake president. To get authorization for other bishops outside the stake to marry them, he called the 1st Presidency. (yes). The chapel is already being used like twice for Christmas parties that night. So we called the couple and asked to combine their wedding with the ward christmas party. They said yes, but then their friend called and said they were mad. So we went by and they said they already invited the whole Relief Society and friends from all over, they all got off work for that day, and if we failed them for Saturday they probably just wouldnt get married. Or baptized. Ever. SO we quickly called everyone again, moved it back to Saturday. All this from 9-11 last night. Yikes. SO we have a wedding planned, with NO chapel, NO bishop to do the service (did you know that missionaries have the authority to marry too? but need permission from the 1st presidency...), a BAPTISM at the SAME time but not sure what chapel, and still have to get the lady a form of ID to buy the marriage license... we're going to Sams Club today to get them a membership, because technically the card they give is a photo ID... we're a little crazy right now. heheheh. Pray.
Sad about Grandpa's car getting whomped by a tree. :(
Thanks Stefan for the gloating. But I ate turkey. With my grandma. Hahaha.
Heidi congrats on your voice recital, I want to go to some! And glad Feast went well for Jeffrey! Figures he'd eat the cake...
At the baptism on Saturday, it was beautiful. This girl has done a lot, and is super firm. The first talk was given by Sister Torres - my favorite member. Single mom, joined the church in 6 days a few years back. Super strong. We're going with her to take out her endowments this next week. She bore testimony of baptism and the Church, and just the love and support and testimony of Christ she gave filled that room with a tangible Spirit. Many investigators from all of Logan were crying, and are super close to being baptized because of it. Only problem with the baptism is the water was freezing...
Another baptism on Sunday - familia Galvan - we taught them in LAYTON last february, elder preciado and me. But they moved! We thought they'd never be found, BUT some Elders found them, they were ready, and got baptized on Sunday - remembered us and invited us to baptize a few people in the family too! As we sang a hymn about the first vision, the father's face shone, and he just closed his eyes and felt the Spirit. Amazing.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to everyone that just had a birthday! Aunt Jill needs to get an award. Aunt Jill has been the most faithful writer throughout my entire mission, equalled only by my own mother - every week there is a dear elder in my mailbox. I always know what is going on with my cousins, the spiritual insights from sacrament meetings or personal scripture studies, or funny stories from my own family. I sincerely appreciate you Aunt Jill, thank you, your letters have supported me many times when I need a lift. Love you aunt Jill, hope your birthday was really great!
And GRANDPA! HAPPY (late) BIRTHDAY grandpa! Love you a lot too! I've found myself really wanting to spend time with you and grandma. I love you and appreciate all you've done for me.You're a great grandfather, and an amazing example. Happy birthday!
And JEFFREY is turning 18? That's really weird. Happy Birthday Jeffrey! You're an awesome browski, I do miss you and wish you could be out here working with me too. Will write more.
I love you all! the week is crazy and I got to go, but I do know Jesus is the Christ. I feel His love when I am in the temple. I know that He loves us. He is the intercessor with the Father. I know that if we follow His gospel we can be with Him. The Book of Mormon is sure tangible evidence of the divinity and reality of this work, and is the most powerful testimony of Jesus Christ as our Savior and of the gospel path of faith, repentence, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and endurance to the end. If we set our eyes on the Savior, and are faithful to His Church and His annoited prophet, there is nothing that will stop us from coming unto Him and receiving all He has for us. I know He lives. He is merciful. This is His work.
Love you, Elder tHelin
Ps sorry Ames about the Spider woman play! Who knew Spider Woman was a Native American weaver, not a superhero... bummer
Pss SUPER cool about President Monson... he was seen in a restaurant up here, but I'm always in the wrong place.
Pspss ha, glad Thanksgiving worked out with all the chaos, yes, I got a good chuckle out of that...
PART 2 (written December 14, 2010)
Hello my dear family (I accidentally typed dead. We ARE in a family history center, but I would like to talk to my LIVE family right now... haha)
Mom. Stop stressing. Its a Christmas card. :) Testify of the meaning of Christmas, and send a picture. Its ok. It'll work out. "Things that matter most," President Uchtdorf's talk. :)
Presents: Its really ok, I dont need anything, and its true, I'll just have to pack it up again... Elder Ruvalcaba... I dont know if he'll have something or not, actually, cause his family really doesnt even know what he's doing, and he never really hears from his parents much. But he's pretty easy going about it. You guys are great, I'm just excited to call you all(!).
Stop enacting suicides in plays, my thespian siblings. Keep eating belgian waffles.
Holly sang in church too? sweet!
SO, THE WEDDING:
Wednesday. Spent like 2 hours calling building coordinators for a dozen chapels in east Logan. Many chapels=3x as many wards. December= Christmas parties. EVERY CHAPEL had a christmas party. for relief society, elders quorum, or just plain ward party. In addition the 1st Presidency responded and said we'd have to send a letter in order to marry the couple OUTside of the stake boundaries. so we got a hold of an English-speaking bishop, and just found a translator. FINALLY we convinced an EQ president to do their party in a different room (we couldnt use it because the lady said we couldt have food in there because of the new carpet. AGHH!!) We go to Sams club and buy a membership for them, so they have a card with their name and photo on it, to get the marriage lisence (photo ID required.) Thursday. Intense. Alejandro, the husband calls. "Bad news, we decided to call it all off.' "WHAT???" "Naw, we're just kidding. But we did decide to be baptized the same day." "WHAT???" They were saying they'd get baptized like in may, but his wife sat down that morning, started reading the Book of Mormon, and felt he Spirit, and called her husband and asked if they could on Saturday!!
MIRACLE - Fasting does work miracles.
SO we needed to find ANOTHER place to do the baptism - and it had to be AFTER the wedding, but in another building. We couldnt move the wedding, because remember we need 1st Presidency permission to have the wedding outside of the stake. And in the stake, the baptism rooms were all holding drinks and jello or being used as nurseries for Christmas parties. AGH.
But it all worked out beautifully. We had a simple ceremony. The wedding part took 3 minutes - the bishop didnt give any counsel because he doesnt speak Spanish. We realized we planned an hour long wedding ceremony and kinda figured it would take an hour, so after 3 minutes we had 2 newlyweds and 30 people looking at us like "whats next?" and the Elders improvised more events.... like cutting cakes and pictures....
Then we all drove - pretty much "fast walked" like you suggested, Amy - to the Tabernacle, for the baptism. Beautiful. They said they felt so good. Then back to the church for party. CRAZY. But they are really happy. And we're dead tired.
3 of our investigators are telling us that surprise, they want to be baptized Saturday!!!! Another crazy week! but its a good crazy.
All is well. We are enjoying things here. I love you all a lot. Merry Christmas. Focus on the Savior and family. Dont stress out. Hope Dad's work goes better. Be faithful, read the scriptures, pray, temple - the problems have solutions, and He can give them.
I know the Savior lives, I know good triumphs over evil, and that this is the Lord's true Church. I know that the Spirit testifies of this.
Love you all, Elder Thelin
Ps So sad I dont get to meet Harry the Christmas Tree.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
TURKEY DAY AWESOMENESS
Hello family!
How're you all doing? Sounds like all is going pretty good. I enjoyed hearing the voices on Thanksgiving - haha, I was totally expecting you to call, but decided it would be bad to talk since my comp can't talk to his parents - he's the only member in his family, he got baptized after 15 days of hearing the missionaries, he said he knew it was true without a doubt in his heart... and his parents are in Mexico and live in a little ranch that doesn't even know what missionaries are or any other church outside of the Catholic church. They have really no idea what their son is doing, pretty hard with such little support, but he doesn't care. Anyhow, but it was good to hear from you all! And going down to Bountiful was sweet - we thought it was going to be a bad ride. Tuesday there was a monster blizzard, total whiteout, like 10 inches in 5 hours. Intense. Thursday morning we went to the stake center to play soccer with the elders - -7 degrees. In case you missed that, that's 7 BELOW 0. COLD. But the ride went well. Went with Riley, a long distant cousin of mine living in Logan. It was sweet to see Grandma and Grandma Baer and Kayla all day, played a lot of games, yes hung up christmas lights for Grandma, ate a LOT. Good stuff.
Hopefully your Turkey day was good too! Sounds like the food as always was a hit. I love home food. But I will miss Hispanic food too...
Hmm, well, the week is going well. Elder Ruvalcaba is my new companion, super good missionary, loves the Lord and the people, its really good serving with him. He has a lot of faith. Like I said, he's had an interesting 3 years since he was baptized. His girlfriend and other friends and even his brother basically rejected him for life for joining the Church. But he felt the Spirit, he took leaps of faith, and the Lord showed him the way. He said that when all that happened,he decided instead of feeling rejected, he'd prepare to serve a mission. They sent him from Twin Falls Idaho where he was living at the time, to Ogden Utah! Great guy.
My last companion is now officially NOT a missionary! Pretty traumatic, the process, it seems like. Though 24 hours after he was released, he got a girlfriend and on Sunday was called as a ward mission leader. Funny.
We are really excited for the baptism this Saturday. Janet keeps saying that every time she reads or goes to church one more time, she likes it more and more and feels its right. A lot of faith. Through all the experiences and spiritual confirmations she has had, probably one of the most converted people we've seen.
This weekend is going to be amazing. The Lord has blessed a lot of people with the oppotunity to accept the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. There are 16 people that despite all types of challenges and backgrounds, have decided to be baptized into the Church and make covenants with Jesus Christ. 16! In this our zone! Its cool, some were people that my companion and I in Layton last February were teaching and had moved, and now are found again and have been preparing to act on what they had learned so long ago - for example, there was a man who was going to open a restaurant, we taught him about the Sabbath day, and he said he couldn't close his business on Sundays. But after he moved he decided to do it, has been blessed, and now is being baptized with his whole family. Lots of miracles. We're psyched. Other families are teaching their friends about finally finding the church, about the book of mormon, etc. Yup.
We're really enjoying the work here. There's a lot to do.
I hope all is as well at home. Holly, hope thanksgiving got better for ya! I miss the family a lot. Did everyone start school already again? Has it snowed yet there? Is it even COLD??? What kind of plays or high adventure, or musical performances are going on? Is mom still sick? If the meat pie had leftovers, leftovers can do that - our refrigerator is still pretty amazing at growing things. We dont really eat at home...
Well, we are going to get going here, but I love each of you! The gospel is true. Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and friend - and this is His church on the face of the earth. The priesthood, the gift of the Holy Ghost, the temple, the gospel in its fullness, knowledge about the pre-existence, eternal families, and the purpose of life - they are not found in any other church. Not one. This is the truth. And the Spirit is willing to testify of this over and oever and over again. We just have to invite it into our homes and lives. Sometimes you just want to grab people and say "LOOK, if you have a little faith and exercise it, just open your heart I know what we're feeling right now - you'll feel it too, and KNOW! If you just read the book, if you just pray and mean it, you wont have any doubt! Your problems will get better, your marriage wont fall apart, you will find a job, and you will be happy." When people are able to do that, its awesome. Thanks for all you've all done for me. Keep on being such a great family!
Love you all, Elder Thelin
PS HEIDI HAPPPPPPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!! Como estas? Heidi, you really cant be turning 14. Like thats old. Like stake dances and stuff. When did you get so old? Sheesh, last time I saw you you were 12. You're awesome Heidi, a good actress, a good singer, student, friend, and just a great sister. Hope your birthday is sweet and you have a really happy day! Love ya, Chris!
How're you all doing? Sounds like all is going pretty good. I enjoyed hearing the voices on Thanksgiving - haha, I was totally expecting you to call, but decided it would be bad to talk since my comp can't talk to his parents - he's the only member in his family, he got baptized after 15 days of hearing the missionaries, he said he knew it was true without a doubt in his heart... and his parents are in Mexico and live in a little ranch that doesn't even know what missionaries are or any other church outside of the Catholic church. They have really no idea what their son is doing, pretty hard with such little support, but he doesn't care. Anyhow, but it was good to hear from you all! And going down to Bountiful was sweet - we thought it was going to be a bad ride. Tuesday there was a monster blizzard, total whiteout, like 10 inches in 5 hours. Intense. Thursday morning we went to the stake center to play soccer with the elders - -7 degrees. In case you missed that, that's 7 BELOW 0. COLD. But the ride went well. Went with Riley, a long distant cousin of mine living in Logan. It was sweet to see Grandma and Grandma Baer and Kayla all day, played a lot of games, yes hung up christmas lights for Grandma, ate a LOT. Good stuff.
Hopefully your Turkey day was good too! Sounds like the food as always was a hit. I love home food. But I will miss Hispanic food too...
Hmm, well, the week is going well. Elder Ruvalcaba is my new companion, super good missionary, loves the Lord and the people, its really good serving with him. He has a lot of faith. Like I said, he's had an interesting 3 years since he was baptized. His girlfriend and other friends and even his brother basically rejected him for life for joining the Church. But he felt the Spirit, he took leaps of faith, and the Lord showed him the way. He said that when all that happened,he decided instead of feeling rejected, he'd prepare to serve a mission. They sent him from Twin Falls Idaho where he was living at the time, to Ogden Utah! Great guy.
My last companion is now officially NOT a missionary! Pretty traumatic, the process, it seems like. Though 24 hours after he was released, he got a girlfriend and on Sunday was called as a ward mission leader. Funny.
We are really excited for the baptism this Saturday. Janet keeps saying that every time she reads or goes to church one more time, she likes it more and more and feels its right. A lot of faith. Through all the experiences and spiritual confirmations she has had, probably one of the most converted people we've seen.
This weekend is going to be amazing. The Lord has blessed a lot of people with the oppotunity to accept the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. There are 16 people that despite all types of challenges and backgrounds, have decided to be baptized into the Church and make covenants with Jesus Christ. 16! In this our zone! Its cool, some were people that my companion and I in Layton last February were teaching and had moved, and now are found again and have been preparing to act on what they had learned so long ago - for example, there was a man who was going to open a restaurant, we taught him about the Sabbath day, and he said he couldn't close his business on Sundays. But after he moved he decided to do it, has been blessed, and now is being baptized with his whole family. Lots of miracles. We're psyched. Other families are teaching their friends about finally finding the church, about the book of mormon, etc. Yup.
We're really enjoying the work here. There's a lot to do.
I hope all is as well at home. Holly, hope thanksgiving got better for ya! I miss the family a lot. Did everyone start school already again? Has it snowed yet there? Is it even COLD??? What kind of plays or high adventure, or musical performances are going on? Is mom still sick? If the meat pie had leftovers, leftovers can do that - our refrigerator is still pretty amazing at growing things. We dont really eat at home...
Well, we are going to get going here, but I love each of you! The gospel is true. Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and friend - and this is His church on the face of the earth. The priesthood, the gift of the Holy Ghost, the temple, the gospel in its fullness, knowledge about the pre-existence, eternal families, and the purpose of life - they are not found in any other church. Not one. This is the truth. And the Spirit is willing to testify of this over and oever and over again. We just have to invite it into our homes and lives. Sometimes you just want to grab people and say "LOOK, if you have a little faith and exercise it, just open your heart I know what we're feeling right now - you'll feel it too, and KNOW! If you just read the book, if you just pray and mean it, you wont have any doubt! Your problems will get better, your marriage wont fall apart, you will find a job, and you will be happy." When people are able to do that, its awesome. Thanks for all you've all done for me. Keep on being such a great family!
Love you all, Elder Thelin
PS HEIDI HAPPPPPPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!! Como estas? Heidi, you really cant be turning 14. Like thats old. Like stake dances and stuff. When did you get so old? Sheesh, last time I saw you you were 12. You're awesome Heidi, a good actress, a good singer, student, friend, and just a great sister. Hope your birthday is sweet and you have a really happy day! Love ya, Chris!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
NEVER LEAVE HIM
Dear family,
Hello! Hm, too late on the Grandma thing, I called her last night! I debated and debated (as i tend to do) and decided ah heck its been a year since I've seen my Grandma, so we're going down for Thanksgiving! Not sure how, but we are. I'll be able to eat and talk with all the converts and such here for a few more months, and plus Thanksgiving isn't exactly a Hispanic holiday-- they make tacos and stuff not turkey. I still have to ask our President, but I think it'll be ok. Plus she said Kayla and some other cousins will be there, so it'll be fun. Now we just have to figure out how to get down there.... haha.
HA my companion is super trunky. He tries to convince himself that he isnt, its really funny. "I'm not trunky, am I? Ok, I kinda am. But thats ok, right?" That's ok, its his last week. Oh by the way dad, I think you'd like Elder Contreras a lot - he is completely in love with Rush, and explained to me why Rush is the sweetest band on the planet, and I have come to appreciate them. Yup. Hahaha.
So, Heidi! How was it? Was it scary being on stage, being the star of a play for the first time? HA, and having everything falling down around you? I'm sure that made it hard to concentrate. Wish I could have seen it. I will see the recording but I mean live. Just keep trying to be in plays and I'll make it to one when I'm back! I'm excited to see everryone - I got a packet of photos from aunt Jill this week and man, Heidi and Jeffrey look WAY older. Holly and Amy too. Heck, 14?? I thought Heidi was 12......... sorry!
Harry Potter 7? They made the 6th?
Amy, so glad you didnt have to retake the picture! I know what its like to have a bunch of adults make you do something and not listen (like the flu shot the mission forced on us a few weeks back, blegh....)
So mom, they may not have enough nativity stuff in the stores to make you happy, but Kohls is giving away 5$ cds of trans-siberian orchestra, pure songs about the Savior, really cool. A nice lady bought us one on our way out of the store, so we have proof that Christmas Spirit exists among the people and the stores. But then again, in Utah Wal-mart sells mormon tabernacle choir cds and in the jewrely sections there are glass things with the temple, Joseph Smith, and the Christus designed on em. Utah may be weird but there's something to say for that.
The work is going well. The area is being blessed - in a nearby ward that I have served in, 26 investigators showed up to sacrament meeting on Sunday! CRAZY! We are seeing a lot of good things happen.
HAHA we forgot to tell you, but we are moving to a new chapel with one of our branches. They announced it last week, redistricting of ward boundaries and such - going from a new stake center to a little old red chapel thats like 60 years old. SO funny, the hispanic branches are hilarious. The stake representative announced it kind of nervously, and then we saw why. It was testimony meeting. There is an elderly lady in the branch (literal translation of her last name is "Village of Wolves", hahhaa) who is infamous for disrupting everything - well, she watched the poor man giving the announcement, then up she went, hobbling up to the stand. Several people tried to get up first, but no, she was determined. She launched into a 15 minute "testimony" talking about how the gringos were discriminating against the latinos, and that for the last 20 years the hispanic branches have moved from chapel to chapel. "We are like the Jews of Ancicent Israel, wandering and wandering from place to place, never to rest!" (at this point the former branch president stood up, very composed, and then turned around to go out the door - when he looked at me he lost it and started cracking up) Then the woman turned to the stake representative and said "Take this message to the Stake presidency! We want them to build a chapel JUST for the hispanics, and we will never move, ever again!" Then she kept staring at him, and said "And dont look at me with that face!" It was sweet. Seriously, moving chapels? I guess its a big deal. It's not like it doesn't happen all the time to everyone. The church grows, new buildings are built, boundaries change..it's just the way things are. So it is funny to see people react this way. But I'm sure it will work out fine. Haha. Can't wait until Sunday.... :) I love it. (Don't judge them-- just love them.)
The adversary is sending out [spiritual] tsumanis, just like you talked about in your YW lesson Mom. We've seen it, among missionaries, among branches, members...all around in the world. He doesnt rest. He attacks at any little hole in our armor he can find, often several at once. He tries to pit us against parents, against spouses, against leaders, against our neighbors or friends, and even against the Savior and Our Father. Its getting rougher for everyone, but the gospel still brings joy and an iron rod. I wish more of those I've seen be baptized could understand that - at times they are weak.
I love you all a lot. I know the Church is Christ's. At a study we had on Saturday we learned about what should motivate us. All we do must come from a love of the Savior Jesus Christ. I know He knows us and loves us. Each of us is precious to Him, because we are sons and daughters of God. Even though we fall a lot, He came and died for us. We went to Salt Lake City to see a play with some investigators called Savior of the World (in Spanish) about the birth and ressurection of Christ. I pondered why everyone was so excited this baby had been born - because of Him, and His suffering and love, we can repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Ghost to santify us from sin. We can become like Him by making and keeping covenants, and Jesus Christ's grace will attend us and make it possible to have an eternal family if we give our all to Him. He lives. In the play, the Resurrected Lord asks Peter: "Do you love me?" "Yes Lord!" "Feed my sheep." Which he said 3 times. If we love Him, we must serve Him, and serve Him by feeding His sheep. That is the mission's motivation. If we love Him, and show it by keeping His commandments (John 14:15), that will be the biggest motivation we can have in life.
As we discussed this, and meditated it as a group of missionaries, tears fell down one Elder's face. He is new, and waiting to serve in Mexico. (which by the way is pretty brave). He was asked to speak, and he said he had just realized how much the Savior has done for him, how much he loves the Lord and wants to show his gratitude by serving His children. As this Elder spoke, the Spirit just was poured out. I felt it really strong. How ungrateful I've been, and how the Lord was accepting this Elder's offering and gratitude. I know He lives and knows us. Never leave Him. That's what I learned this week. I know I probably sound way too serious and preachy cause I write a lot of stuff like this in my emails, but I know these doctrines are what will keep us safe and heal whatever problem. The Lord's asked me and given me authority to teach these things right now, for a little more time, so I hope that as an authorized servant, something I write in my emails can lift someone else. Plus half the stuff I learn its too much to share to investigators in our short discussions. Yup.
Ok, pues, love you all, hope all is well, be good!
Elder Christopher Thelin
Ps haha, ok. if you want we can just start the story from a new place...
Pss: coming out of temple this morning, got pelted by huge pieces of hail relentlessly until we got to our cars. Ouch. Like, intense!
Hello! Hm, too late on the Grandma thing, I called her last night! I debated and debated (as i tend to do) and decided ah heck its been a year since I've seen my Grandma, so we're going down for Thanksgiving! Not sure how, but we are. I'll be able to eat and talk with all the converts and such here for a few more months, and plus Thanksgiving isn't exactly a Hispanic holiday-- they make tacos and stuff not turkey. I still have to ask our President, but I think it'll be ok. Plus she said Kayla and some other cousins will be there, so it'll be fun. Now we just have to figure out how to get down there.... haha.
HA my companion is super trunky. He tries to convince himself that he isnt, its really funny. "I'm not trunky, am I? Ok, I kinda am. But thats ok, right?" That's ok, its his last week. Oh by the way dad, I think you'd like Elder Contreras a lot - he is completely in love with Rush, and explained to me why Rush is the sweetest band on the planet, and I have come to appreciate them. Yup. Hahaha.
So, Heidi! How was it? Was it scary being on stage, being the star of a play for the first time? HA, and having everything falling down around you? I'm sure that made it hard to concentrate. Wish I could have seen it. I will see the recording but I mean live. Just keep trying to be in plays and I'll make it to one when I'm back! I'm excited to see everryone - I got a packet of photos from aunt Jill this week and man, Heidi and Jeffrey look WAY older. Holly and Amy too. Heck, 14?? I thought Heidi was 12......... sorry!
Harry Potter 7? They made the 6th?
Amy, so glad you didnt have to retake the picture! I know what its like to have a bunch of adults make you do something and not listen (like the flu shot the mission forced on us a few weeks back, blegh....)
So mom, they may not have enough nativity stuff in the stores to make you happy, but Kohls is giving away 5$ cds of trans-siberian orchestra, pure songs about the Savior, really cool. A nice lady bought us one on our way out of the store, so we have proof that Christmas Spirit exists among the people and the stores. But then again, in Utah Wal-mart sells mormon tabernacle choir cds and in the jewrely sections there are glass things with the temple, Joseph Smith, and the Christus designed on em. Utah may be weird but there's something to say for that.
The work is going well. The area is being blessed - in a nearby ward that I have served in, 26 investigators showed up to sacrament meeting on Sunday! CRAZY! We are seeing a lot of good things happen.
HAHA we forgot to tell you, but we are moving to a new chapel with one of our branches. They announced it last week, redistricting of ward boundaries and such - going from a new stake center to a little old red chapel thats like 60 years old. SO funny, the hispanic branches are hilarious. The stake representative announced it kind of nervously, and then we saw why. It was testimony meeting. There is an elderly lady in the branch (literal translation of her last name is "Village of Wolves", hahhaa) who is infamous for disrupting everything - well, she watched the poor man giving the announcement, then up she went, hobbling up to the stand. Several people tried to get up first, but no, she was determined. She launched into a 15 minute "testimony" talking about how the gringos were discriminating against the latinos, and that for the last 20 years the hispanic branches have moved from chapel to chapel. "We are like the Jews of Ancicent Israel, wandering and wandering from place to place, never to rest!" (at this point the former branch president stood up, very composed, and then turned around to go out the door - when he looked at me he lost it and started cracking up) Then the woman turned to the stake representative and said "Take this message to the Stake presidency! We want them to build a chapel JUST for the hispanics, and we will never move, ever again!" Then she kept staring at him, and said "And dont look at me with that face!" It was sweet. Seriously, moving chapels? I guess its a big deal. It's not like it doesn't happen all the time to everyone. The church grows, new buildings are built, boundaries change..it's just the way things are. So it is funny to see people react this way. But I'm sure it will work out fine. Haha. Can't wait until Sunday.... :) I love it. (Don't judge them-- just love them.)
The adversary is sending out [spiritual] tsumanis, just like you talked about in your YW lesson Mom. We've seen it, among missionaries, among branches, members...all around in the world. He doesnt rest. He attacks at any little hole in our armor he can find, often several at once. He tries to pit us against parents, against spouses, against leaders, against our neighbors or friends, and even against the Savior and Our Father. Its getting rougher for everyone, but the gospel still brings joy and an iron rod. I wish more of those I've seen be baptized could understand that - at times they are weak.
I love you all a lot. I know the Church is Christ's. At a study we had on Saturday we learned about what should motivate us. All we do must come from a love of the Savior Jesus Christ. I know He knows us and loves us. Each of us is precious to Him, because we are sons and daughters of God. Even though we fall a lot, He came and died for us. We went to Salt Lake City to see a play with some investigators called Savior of the World (in Spanish) about the birth and ressurection of Christ. I pondered why everyone was so excited this baby had been born - because of Him, and His suffering and love, we can repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Ghost to santify us from sin. We can become like Him by making and keeping covenants, and Jesus Christ's grace will attend us and make it possible to have an eternal family if we give our all to Him. He lives. In the play, the Resurrected Lord asks Peter: "Do you love me?" "Yes Lord!" "Feed my sheep." Which he said 3 times. If we love Him, we must serve Him, and serve Him by feeding His sheep. That is the mission's motivation. If we love Him, and show it by keeping His commandments (John 14:15), that will be the biggest motivation we can have in life.
As we discussed this, and meditated it as a group of missionaries, tears fell down one Elder's face. He is new, and waiting to serve in Mexico. (which by the way is pretty brave). He was asked to speak, and he said he had just realized how much the Savior has done for him, how much he loves the Lord and wants to show his gratitude by serving His children. As this Elder spoke, the Spirit just was poured out. I felt it really strong. How ungrateful I've been, and how the Lord was accepting this Elder's offering and gratitude. I know He lives and knows us. Never leave Him. That's what I learned this week. I know I probably sound way too serious and preachy cause I write a lot of stuff like this in my emails, but I know these doctrines are what will keep us safe and heal whatever problem. The Lord's asked me and given me authority to teach these things right now, for a little more time, so I hope that as an authorized servant, something I write in my emails can lift someone else. Plus half the stuff I learn its too much to share to investigators in our short discussions. Yup.
Ok, pues, love you all, hope all is well, be good!
Elder Christopher Thelin
Ps haha, ok. if you want we can just start the story from a new place...
Pss: coming out of temple this morning, got pelted by huge pieces of hail relentlessly until we got to our cars. Ouch. Like, intense!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
FOCUS ON CHRIST
Wooooooow, that's the trunkiest thing I've been told in a long time! I'm coming home February 17th! I think that's a sweet plan, lets do it! When Sister Langford called, that was fun listening to the 20 minutes of options, she really does a good job at that, huh? Funny lady. I hope its not too much trouble to send Dad Jeffrey and Heidi out, I just think that would be really sweet to show them around and not go home alone. Its totally cool that not the whole family can come, I understand, it'll probably be easier and that way I can ease into the family gradually, haha. Getting released in Virginia is cool too. I want to talk to at least a couple people on the plane as an authorized representative of Jesus Christ...
Hmm, I'm not sure if I'll eat dinner with Grandma on Thanksgiving. It WOULD be super fun, but I have the dilemma of a lot of people here inviting me to feasts of all sorts and I'll never be able to eat with them again like that, hm, I'll think it over, see if I cant do both, I imagine we will also be at her house in February. Tough decision, I do have her number and address, so we'll probably get in touch.
I agree with the plans of going to Logan and the Kaysville - hard because the majority of people will be home later in the day, I'm going to be trying to organize that all out so we can see them or I can visit other people in the evenings before. But these are all far distant things, so we'll not worry too much about them now... lol.
This week is going really well. The work is exploding around here. Lots of people are coming out of the woodwork, families searching for the truth, recognizing the servants of the Lord, answers to prayers, miracles, reading half the book of mormon, deciding to overcome fears and be baptized... its pretty sweet. We're really happy with the way things are working right now.
Cool little miracle of the week: after something at the church, turns out my companion lost the car keys. We looked EVERYWHERE, in the car, the church, the bathroom, the piano, the TRASH... and they were nowhere. Asked everyone, and no one knew. So my companion and I went to a room and knelt and prayed.We stood up and thought about it, and my companion just said "The trunk!" We went to the trunk of the car, and lo and behold the keys were sitting right there. It was super cool, just an instant answer to prayer. I know prayer works, the Lord does answer back!
To the fam and friends:
Regionals sounds amazing, good job on faceplanting it in the mud Jeff, that sounds epic. Don't die.
Holly, HAPPPPPPPPPY BIRTHDAY! We thought about you a lot yesterday! Sorry birthday presents havent happened this year from my end, I'll make it up at Christmas. :) Cant wait to see your new camera! Take lots of pictures so I can see what you're doing!
FREAK! Try to illegally film that play ifyou can... GOOD LUCK HEIDI YOU'LL DO AWESOME!!!!!
I've met a lot of people that know where Puno is, weird. They are excited for Steven! RIDE A LLAMA!!!
Stefan! Finishing! YIKES.
I'll write Jeff! Oh, and if we want to backpack to Argentina: San Carlos de Bariloche is the name of the place. Look it up. LESS than 2000 bucks and Elder Sigal's family in Buenos Aires would be down for being tour guides, they explore the Patagonia "(southern end) of Argentina every summer (actually their winter).
We're headed out to do ice skating right now. I'm convinced the ukelele is amazing, an elder here plays like a pro and probably with his voice will make a cd someday. look up a polynesian/tongan/hawaiian something song: "Lullaby" incredible.
Hmmmm, Sweet experiences with a lot of people lately. Gospel is really true. We prayed in the temple as an entire zone and the Lord let us know there is a lot to do and a lot of success coming up here this month. We're psyched.
Well, we gotta get headed out, but I love you all, just want to let you know I'm happy, and I have really felt the Lord closer in my life on the mission. He has let me know in no uncertain terms that this is His Gospel. Christ is the Savior, the only way back Home. God IS our Father, and we His children. He will pour His blessings into our lives, and I have seen that. Focus on Christ.
Love you all!
Elder Thelin
Hmm, I'm not sure if I'll eat dinner with Grandma on Thanksgiving. It WOULD be super fun, but I have the dilemma of a lot of people here inviting me to feasts of all sorts and I'll never be able to eat with them again like that, hm, I'll think it over, see if I cant do both, I imagine we will also be at her house in February. Tough decision, I do have her number and address, so we'll probably get in touch.
I agree with the plans of going to Logan and the Kaysville - hard because the majority of people will be home later in the day, I'm going to be trying to organize that all out so we can see them or I can visit other people in the evenings before. But these are all far distant things, so we'll not worry too much about them now... lol.
This week is going really well. The work is exploding around here. Lots of people are coming out of the woodwork, families searching for the truth, recognizing the servants of the Lord, answers to prayers, miracles, reading half the book of mormon, deciding to overcome fears and be baptized... its pretty sweet. We're really happy with the way things are working right now.
Cool little miracle of the week: after something at the church, turns out my companion lost the car keys. We looked EVERYWHERE, in the car, the church, the bathroom, the piano, the TRASH... and they were nowhere. Asked everyone, and no one knew. So my companion and I went to a room and knelt and prayed.We stood up and thought about it, and my companion just said "The trunk!" We went to the trunk of the car, and lo and behold the keys were sitting right there. It was super cool, just an instant answer to prayer. I know prayer works, the Lord does answer back!
To the fam and friends:
Regionals sounds amazing, good job on faceplanting it in the mud Jeff, that sounds epic. Don't die.
Holly, HAPPPPPPPPPY BIRTHDAY! We thought about you a lot yesterday! Sorry birthday presents havent happened this year from my end, I'll make it up at Christmas. :) Cant wait to see your new camera! Take lots of pictures so I can see what you're doing!
FREAK! Try to illegally film that play ifyou can... GOOD LUCK HEIDI YOU'LL DO AWESOME!!!!!
I've met a lot of people that know where Puno is, weird. They are excited for Steven! RIDE A LLAMA!!!
Stefan! Finishing! YIKES.
I'll write Jeff! Oh, and if we want to backpack to Argentina: San Carlos de Bariloche is the name of the place. Look it up. LESS than 2000 bucks and Elder Sigal's family in Buenos Aires would be down for being tour guides, they explore the Patagonia "(southern end) of Argentina every summer (actually their winter).
We're headed out to do ice skating right now. I'm convinced the ukelele is amazing, an elder here plays like a pro and probably with his voice will make a cd someday. look up a polynesian/tongan/hawaiian something song: "Lullaby" incredible.
Hmmmm, Sweet experiences with a lot of people lately. Gospel is really true. We prayed in the temple as an entire zone and the Lord let us know there is a lot to do and a lot of success coming up here this month. We're psyched.
Well, we gotta get headed out, but I love you all, just want to let you know I'm happy, and I have really felt the Lord closer in my life on the mission. He has let me know in no uncertain terms that this is His Gospel. Christ is the Savior, the only way back Home. God IS our Father, and we His children. He will pour His blessings into our lives, and I have seen that. Focus on Christ.
Love you all!
Elder Thelin
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
GROVER, WYOMING: POPULATION 100
HELLO FAMILY!
I'm writing from outer darkness! It’s our Pday, obviously, and we decided we needed a change of scenery, so we are in the top of the mission, Star Valley, Wyoming! It’s actually in our zone, just so far that no one bothers to go there. So we decided to spend Pday exploring. Kinda pitiful, I don't know if you remember before the mission we looked up some of the tiny little towns on the mission map - we went through them today, Grover Population 100..... yikes! SO beautiful, check out pictures of Bear Lake sometime, Bear Lake is breathtaking. If only it wasn’t so brown up here... super cold though...
So family, sounds like you had a successful weekend! Congrats Jeffrey on the race! That's pretty sweet! 15th place and injured is a miracle, I'd say. My comp and I were praying pretty hard for everything to work out, so I'm glad it did! And the drama auditions are exciting, hope that you could get into one of those schools. I have friends at all 3.
And Heidi, nice job on trying to go extreme camping and freeze in the cold. I would’ve gone for the hot chocolate too. That’s great that you're doing cool activities - I super miss camping, so enjoy it. Even if it’s like torture and super cold, it makes a better story that way.
JEFFREY: I think I may have found the sweetest place to take our trip, still money is the only problem, but check out pictures of ... crud, I forgot the name. Check out like "San Carlos de Bolinche, Argentina" or something like that. Apparently its where the General Authorities and Apostles go when they visit Argentina, but our ward mission leader showed us photos, it’s beautiful, lakes of crystal clear water, mountains on the border of Chile, super amazing, and pretty cheap flight plans and all that. Like 2000 bucks would get you there and for a super long satisfying vacation, so check it out. South Argentina...
I gotta see pics of Frank and Bob, switched...
Our Halloween was good, we had a super sweet training in the morning about "The Challenge to Become", and then in the night we got like 8 missionaries together in an apartment and played games and ate junk food until we all had to go home. Pretty good stuff, playing risk, or Catchphrase in Spanish, getting missionaries to eat whole pieces of cake whole or dancing like a gangster, etc. haha. yeah....
That’s funny that you guys gave talks about the temple in church, that was the subject here in our sacrament meeting too. Huh. That was a cool Ensign about the temples. We're excited for the general conference one. How far is the temple from Culpeper again? It's going to be really weird being so far away from a temple, here in every area I've been within sight of a different temple and within 20 minutes driving distance of one, and even two temples, and several are under construction. Crazy. Cool though, there is always a beacon of light in Utah. Sad that they go unnoticed sometimes. All the recent converts think Washington DC temple is the coolest.
I'm not sure if we'll eat down in Bountiful for Thanksgiving. Transfers are like the day before, so I'll have a new companion, but I'm sure he wouldn’t mind eating there. I think I know who it will be, and he speaks very little English, but it might be ok. The only thing is I don’t know if we could drive there since we're so far away. I'll see what I can organize...
Well I love you all a lot. I'm really thankful to grow up in our family. Just the problems and ways Satan is destroying families is sad. So many problems that people tell us about. I know that this Gospel is true, it is the path God would have us take, and the way to happiness. I know the Spirit testifies to our hearts. Our Father does live and is intensely aware and interested in us. His Son Jesus Christ, Our Brother, understands and can heal and walk with us. This is the truth, and I know it. Be good everyone!
AND Holly, I'm not sure I can get something mailed in time, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! You'll be 11 right? I hope it’s a sweet birthday, and that its lots of fun. Presents aren’t the most important thing (but I hope they're good!) but have fun being with our family and your friends! You're a really cool little sister, and I'm proud of you. I'm always telling people "Oh, my sister Holly would love that or she would say this..." Love ya Holly, have a great birthday!
And love you all too!
Elder Thelin
Ps: glad Donna is doing better!
Ps where are we in the story?
Pss: not trying to be super trunky but I've been told the office will give me my "trunky call" soon where they ask me about travel plans... I still don’t know, it’d be cool to have Dad and Jeffrey come out or something, but if not that’s fine too. I've got a lot of stuff but I can always leave some at family's houses here in Utah. Let me know what you've all been thinking, and we can figure it out. Yikes! I am excited. I do love being here, but I do miss family and my old life too at times. Unavoidable. Having a trunky companion doesn’t help. Haha. Love you all take care!
I'm writing from outer darkness! It’s our Pday, obviously, and we decided we needed a change of scenery, so we are in the top of the mission, Star Valley, Wyoming! It’s actually in our zone, just so far that no one bothers to go there. So we decided to spend Pday exploring. Kinda pitiful, I don't know if you remember before the mission we looked up some of the tiny little towns on the mission map - we went through them today, Grover Population 100..... yikes! SO beautiful, check out pictures of Bear Lake sometime, Bear Lake is breathtaking. If only it wasn’t so brown up here... super cold though...
So family, sounds like you had a successful weekend! Congrats Jeffrey on the race! That's pretty sweet! 15th place and injured is a miracle, I'd say. My comp and I were praying pretty hard for everything to work out, so I'm glad it did! And the drama auditions are exciting, hope that you could get into one of those schools. I have friends at all 3.
And Heidi, nice job on trying to go extreme camping and freeze in the cold. I would’ve gone for the hot chocolate too. That’s great that you're doing cool activities - I super miss camping, so enjoy it. Even if it’s like torture and super cold, it makes a better story that way.
JEFFREY: I think I may have found the sweetest place to take our trip, still money is the only problem, but check out pictures of ... crud, I forgot the name. Check out like "San Carlos de Bolinche, Argentina" or something like that. Apparently its where the General Authorities and Apostles go when they visit Argentina, but our ward mission leader showed us photos, it’s beautiful, lakes of crystal clear water, mountains on the border of Chile, super amazing, and pretty cheap flight plans and all that. Like 2000 bucks would get you there and for a super long satisfying vacation, so check it out. South Argentina...
I gotta see pics of Frank and Bob, switched...
Our Halloween was good, we had a super sweet training in the morning about "The Challenge to Become", and then in the night we got like 8 missionaries together in an apartment and played games and ate junk food until we all had to go home. Pretty good stuff, playing risk, or Catchphrase in Spanish, getting missionaries to eat whole pieces of cake whole or dancing like a gangster, etc. haha. yeah....
That’s funny that you guys gave talks about the temple in church, that was the subject here in our sacrament meeting too. Huh. That was a cool Ensign about the temples. We're excited for the general conference one. How far is the temple from Culpeper again? It's going to be really weird being so far away from a temple, here in every area I've been within sight of a different temple and within 20 minutes driving distance of one, and even two temples, and several are under construction. Crazy. Cool though, there is always a beacon of light in Utah. Sad that they go unnoticed sometimes. All the recent converts think Washington DC temple is the coolest.
I'm not sure if we'll eat down in Bountiful for Thanksgiving. Transfers are like the day before, so I'll have a new companion, but I'm sure he wouldn’t mind eating there. I think I know who it will be, and he speaks very little English, but it might be ok. The only thing is I don’t know if we could drive there since we're so far away. I'll see what I can organize...
Well I love you all a lot. I'm really thankful to grow up in our family. Just the problems and ways Satan is destroying families is sad. So many problems that people tell us about. I know that this Gospel is true, it is the path God would have us take, and the way to happiness. I know the Spirit testifies to our hearts. Our Father does live and is intensely aware and interested in us. His Son Jesus Christ, Our Brother, understands and can heal and walk with us. This is the truth, and I know it. Be good everyone!
AND Holly, I'm not sure I can get something mailed in time, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! You'll be 11 right? I hope it’s a sweet birthday, and that its lots of fun. Presents aren’t the most important thing (but I hope they're good!) but have fun being with our family and your friends! You're a really cool little sister, and I'm proud of you. I'm always telling people "Oh, my sister Holly would love that or she would say this..." Love ya Holly, have a great birthday!
And love you all too!
Elder Thelin
Ps: glad Donna is doing better!
Ps where are we in the story?
Pss: not trying to be super trunky but I've been told the office will give me my "trunky call" soon where they ask me about travel plans... I still don’t know, it’d be cool to have Dad and Jeffrey come out or something, but if not that’s fine too. I've got a lot of stuff but I can always leave some at family's houses here in Utah. Let me know what you've all been thinking, and we can figure it out. Yikes! I am excited. I do love being here, but I do miss family and my old life too at times. Unavoidable. Having a trunky companion doesn’t help. Haha. Love you all take care!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
IT IS TRUE OR IT IS NOT
Hello! Yeah, I got the "dearElder" letter from you last night! What the heck Jeffrey, don’t die! Hopefully your ankle does get better for the meet and all that, but don’t overdo it and then have it messed up for life and all. We put his name in the temple prayer roll, so the ankle is being prayed for. Long board? that sounds intense, I'm assuming Ivan got a long board as well...haha
We prayed for Tanny too. Name isn’t in the temple, but we do hope she pulls through... it’ll be ok Holly. She is a good dog.
That's awesome that Steven is now in the experience! Peru sounds pretty sweet, we ate dinner with Peruvians on Saturday. Good food - they were talking about visiting Machu Pichu, said it was NOT easy to get to, but once you do, its super fascinating. A LOT of history and artifacts and such down there. Lake Titicaca - funny that Steven goes to another hemisphere and speaks another language and his first investigators are named Elmer and Freddy... haha! I expect that here, but down there? nice. Teaching lessons in that situation must not be easy - we always pray for the kids to go to another room or fall asleep so we can get the full attention, but there's not much you can do with a bunch of turkeys I imagine...
Cool! A mystery package? We'll await it here, I have the suit ready today at the shop, it ended up being $170, because there were a few alterations, but it’s supposed to be a $300 suit, so... I'm excited. I also found a dry cleaning place that lets missionaries use it for free, and an investigator's wife is sewing all the holes that we have accumulated in our pants over 2 years. Pretty sweet, we're feeling quite proud of ourselves for taking care of things like that. Never mind that she's just laughing at OUR attempts to sew them up, I thought we had done pretty good...
Haha, good job cleaning the garage, if Heidi wants to come clean our apartment that would be sweet. Unlike Steven, we get enough food for 2 or 3 companionships, people seem to think that we stay up all night just eating food or something. We don’t get to eat it all, of course, so we've seen some prrrrrretty interesting things happen in our fridge.... Mold takes on many colors and textures. Don’t worry, it’s getting better....
Que mas? Um, this week we had a cool training for the zone about how missionary work brings joy, and had all the missionaries share experiences of the best baptisms they had seen. Really spiritual, I know that there really is joy in seeing that change happen.
Also during the week one of the APs left back to Monterry Mexico - maybe I said this already - but he was 27, amazing missionary, amazing teacher and leader, Elder Ramirez. We went to his farewell, and the members where he had served spoke about how he changed their lives. Then they said "When you are going to get married, don’t forget to invite us!" "Ok, you're invited. It’s on the 22nd." And everyone exploded - he already is engaged, his fiancee has been waiting for 2 years in Mexico, and on Friday he gets married. We found some old letters of his, that said "I can’t believe it will be 20 MORE MONTHS, but I think we should have the reception in such and such place..." No idea how he made it for 2 years and stayed so focused. We heard from him just now and he’s super happy. He just had life pretty well figured out, 2 years dedicated service, and then a week later get married. Good stuff. Haha.
Pues, I think I gots to go, but I know the gospel is true, and the Savior knows each of us, Heavenly Father knows His children, and loves each one. All happens for a divine reason, to teach us something or allow us to be stronger. I know this is His gospel, and it is the path home. Especially this week, I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, is a true book and is a solid, tangible, irrefutable second witness that Jesus is the Christ, that God lives, and that Joseph Smith really was called to be a prophet. The Holy Bible witnesses of Christ - many we meet say ok, well the Koran witnesses that Muhammad was a prophet, and this book says Buddha’s path is right, so how do we know...but, The Book of Mormon is evidence, a SECOND witness from another part of the world, that Jesus IS the Christ, the savior of all of us, and what He expects of us. The way it was brought about, was miraculous, and could in no way have been invented. Elder Holland said that because of this and the content, there are only two options: it is true, or it is not. We must decide, but there is no middle ground. I love the Book of Mormon for that, it is a do-or-die decision, and makes it so each one of us either rejects or completely accepts this Gospel. I know it to be true. I've received my witness over and over, and know that by living these principles it draws me nearer the Savior, it teaches me to follow the right, and guides me away from darkness. It is a solid, tangible witness of the truth that goes hand in hand with the Bible. I was just thinking about that this morning. Love you all!
-Elder Thelin
Ps: Whatcha'll doing for Halloween?
Psps:dont worry about Columbus day, I had no idea it had happened.
Ppppssps: but Mom, the cranky doors are the best ones! Don't worry!
We prayed for Tanny too. Name isn’t in the temple, but we do hope she pulls through... it’ll be ok Holly. She is a good dog.
That's awesome that Steven is now in the experience! Peru sounds pretty sweet, we ate dinner with Peruvians on Saturday. Good food - they were talking about visiting Machu Pichu, said it was NOT easy to get to, but once you do, its super fascinating. A LOT of history and artifacts and such down there. Lake Titicaca - funny that Steven goes to another hemisphere and speaks another language and his first investigators are named Elmer and Freddy... haha! I expect that here, but down there? nice. Teaching lessons in that situation must not be easy - we always pray for the kids to go to another room or fall asleep so we can get the full attention, but there's not much you can do with a bunch of turkeys I imagine...
Cool! A mystery package? We'll await it here, I have the suit ready today at the shop, it ended up being $170, because there were a few alterations, but it’s supposed to be a $300 suit, so... I'm excited. I also found a dry cleaning place that lets missionaries use it for free, and an investigator's wife is sewing all the holes that we have accumulated in our pants over 2 years. Pretty sweet, we're feeling quite proud of ourselves for taking care of things like that. Never mind that she's just laughing at OUR attempts to sew them up, I thought we had done pretty good...
Haha, good job cleaning the garage, if Heidi wants to come clean our apartment that would be sweet. Unlike Steven, we get enough food for 2 or 3 companionships, people seem to think that we stay up all night just eating food or something. We don’t get to eat it all, of course, so we've seen some prrrrrretty interesting things happen in our fridge.... Mold takes on many colors and textures. Don’t worry, it’s getting better....
Que mas? Um, this week we had a cool training for the zone about how missionary work brings joy, and had all the missionaries share experiences of the best baptisms they had seen. Really spiritual, I know that there really is joy in seeing that change happen.
Also during the week one of the APs left back to Monterry Mexico - maybe I said this already - but he was 27, amazing missionary, amazing teacher and leader, Elder Ramirez. We went to his farewell, and the members where he had served spoke about how he changed their lives. Then they said "When you are going to get married, don’t forget to invite us!" "Ok, you're invited. It’s on the 22nd." And everyone exploded - he already is engaged, his fiancee has been waiting for 2 years in Mexico, and on Friday he gets married. We found some old letters of his, that said "I can’t believe it will be 20 MORE MONTHS, but I think we should have the reception in such and such place..." No idea how he made it for 2 years and stayed so focused. We heard from him just now and he’s super happy. He just had life pretty well figured out, 2 years dedicated service, and then a week later get married. Good stuff. Haha.
Pues, I think I gots to go, but I know the gospel is true, and the Savior knows each of us, Heavenly Father knows His children, and loves each one. All happens for a divine reason, to teach us something or allow us to be stronger. I know this is His gospel, and it is the path home. Especially this week, I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, is a true book and is a solid, tangible, irrefutable second witness that Jesus is the Christ, that God lives, and that Joseph Smith really was called to be a prophet. The Holy Bible witnesses of Christ - many we meet say ok, well the Koran witnesses that Muhammad was a prophet, and this book says Buddha’s path is right, so how do we know...but, The Book of Mormon is evidence, a SECOND witness from another part of the world, that Jesus IS the Christ, the savior of all of us, and what He expects of us. The way it was brought about, was miraculous, and could in no way have been invented. Elder Holland said that because of this and the content, there are only two options: it is true, or it is not. We must decide, but there is no middle ground. I love the Book of Mormon for that, it is a do-or-die decision, and makes it so each one of us either rejects or completely accepts this Gospel. I know it to be true. I've received my witness over and over, and know that by living these principles it draws me nearer the Savior, it teaches me to follow the right, and guides me away from darkness. It is a solid, tangible witness of the truth that goes hand in hand with the Bible. I was just thinking about that this morning. Love you all!
-Elder Thelin
Ps: Whatcha'll doing for Halloween?
Psps:dont worry about Columbus day, I had no idea it had happened.
Ppppssps: but Mom, the cranky doors are the best ones! Don't worry!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
CULTURE SHOCK
Hey family, que pasa? Ha, dont worry about the email last week, its ok. Hopefully Heidi feels better by now. I saw Dad say he was going to write a letter, but we needed to leave so we figured I could read it this week. Seems like everyone is a bit sick right now. 103 is high, and bleeding tonsils arent cool. How long did it last? Hopefully her teachers scheduled the SUPER boring days for the ones she missed (they always seem like they make certain days ALL boring on purpose, you know?)
Wow, Grandpa sounds like he has some Mexican blood in his family - he really ate whole jalepenos? Thats pretty intense! A lot of people cant handle them. HA, the funniest thing in the world was when I had my Argentinian companion, he couldn't eat ANYthing, because in Argentina, they DONT eat ANYthing spicy. In Mexico, its 100% opposite. So, the first meal we ate he asked for a chicken torta, or like a sandwich. "Quiere jalepenos, or chipotle?" (you want jalepenos, or chioptle chiles?) He didnt know what they were, so he asked for jalepenos. He was all happy, took a sip of his horchata (a milk drink) and then pleased tried his torta. It had just a SMALL piece of jalepeno in it... His eyes bulged out, he started like hyperventilating and flapping his hands (I think he thought it would help), and making noises like "MMMGGGGG!! mmmMMMMMGMGMGgmggMMM!!" (sound that out, its pretty accurate) and then he drank his horchata drink, MY horchata drink, and ANOTHER one that they passed down the table to him. Needless to say, Jalepenos helped humble my prideful Argentinine friend quite a few times. Good job Grandpa for being a man and eating them straight.
Ok, I'll buy a suit. Thanks :)
Send the card here. I really could care less now if my address is secret - Elder Contreras is going home in 6 weeks, and he saw his parents for the first time after 23 months in General Conference. So of course they HAD to take us to eat lunch, and now they have our number, and just "happened" to pass through Logan on Sunday to do "something", so we took them up to see the temple, etc. Point is, if Brother and Sister Contreras can come see their son at his apartment in Logan, I'm pretty sure my parents can know where I live from across the country, haha.
"Live Like You Believe" is a good song, Heidi! Its on one of my efy cds. Good luck Heidi! Its so weird to think of all of them, Heidi and Virginia and all them, being like 13...
Jeffrey, good job being interesting. Good job for getting 6th, for going to a scary "school" dance, and for putting Alex in a dress. Wow. Good luck on the ACTs and junk.
Amy is incredible. Sticks are perfect combs. Film the Haunted Bathroom, please...
Hmm, what else have we been doing this week... teaching people? Trying, looking for more people to teach and obviously baptize. Did a lot of fun blitzes with like 15 missionaries in one area at a time, had to calm down the Tongan I was with because of a bad door contact. We knocked, the guy opened up the door and was looking pretty ticked. "Hello, sir, what's your name?" I said with my hand stretched out. He didn't take it, and just asked "You missionaries?" "Yes!" And the other hand flipped up with the finger... and a door slam (I moved my hand first). The Elder I was with said his family always thought beating a guy up worked a lot better than forgiving them, hahaha, had to work for a while to convince him not to go back and kill the guy! I love Tongans. Ha, there's another Tongan here, his first week his trainer said "hey, 6:30 wake up." Then 7:00, "Hey wake up" then 7:30, "Hey- " "HEY, I got an idea. We'll go outside and fight. If you win, I wake up. If I win, I sleep." The missionary let him sleep everyday. Then his 2nd comp was a tongan too. First day together they went thhrough the same routine. at 7:30, he said: "We'll go outside and fight. If you win, I wake up. If I win, I sleep." The new companion said "ok." So EVERY morning they went outside for 30 minutes at 7 and fought each other, like blood and everything, then finished hugging and crying and went in to go eat breakfast. I love how my culture just taught me to wake up and make some cereal.
Also we had transfers - I stay here again, prob will be here till February. Crazy, we had a visa waiter waiting to go to Mexico, they made him a senior and he was training ANOTHER visa waiter, and now presidetn prayed and decided to make him a district leader too! He has a whopping 2 months... hahahhahahahahaha.
WELL, family, love you all a lot. I know the Gospel is true. I know the Savior lives, and if we follow Him, we'll be blessed here and especially after. I love the line from President Uchtdorf's talk "We shouldnt think less OF ourselves, but less ABOUT ourselves." Do that! Hard stuff...
Love you all, Elder Thelin
Thanks for Kaylas address, I think she must be getting married because I havent heard from her in forever, lol. Any one else I know getting married?
Wow, Grandpa sounds like he has some Mexican blood in his family - he really ate whole jalepenos? Thats pretty intense! A lot of people cant handle them. HA, the funniest thing in the world was when I had my Argentinian companion, he couldn't eat ANYthing, because in Argentina, they DONT eat ANYthing spicy. In Mexico, its 100% opposite. So, the first meal we ate he asked for a chicken torta, or like a sandwich. "Quiere jalepenos, or chipotle?" (you want jalepenos, or chioptle chiles?) He didnt know what they were, so he asked for jalepenos. He was all happy, took a sip of his horchata (a milk drink) and then pleased tried his torta. It had just a SMALL piece of jalepeno in it... His eyes bulged out, he started like hyperventilating and flapping his hands (I think he thought it would help), and making noises like "MMMGGGGG!! mmmMMMMMGMGMGgmggMMM!!" (sound that out, its pretty accurate) and then he drank his horchata drink, MY horchata drink, and ANOTHER one that they passed down the table to him. Needless to say, Jalepenos helped humble my prideful Argentinine friend quite a few times. Good job Grandpa for being a man and eating them straight.
Ok, I'll buy a suit. Thanks :)
Send the card here. I really could care less now if my address is secret - Elder Contreras is going home in 6 weeks, and he saw his parents for the first time after 23 months in General Conference. So of course they HAD to take us to eat lunch, and now they have our number, and just "happened" to pass through Logan on Sunday to do "something", so we took them up to see the temple, etc. Point is, if Brother and Sister Contreras can come see their son at his apartment in Logan, I'm pretty sure my parents can know where I live from across the country, haha.
"Live Like You Believe" is a good song, Heidi! Its on one of my efy cds. Good luck Heidi! Its so weird to think of all of them, Heidi and Virginia and all them, being like 13...
Jeffrey, good job being interesting. Good job for getting 6th, for going to a scary "school" dance, and for putting Alex in a dress. Wow. Good luck on the ACTs and junk.
Amy is incredible. Sticks are perfect combs. Film the Haunted Bathroom, please...
Hmm, what else have we been doing this week... teaching people? Trying, looking for more people to teach and obviously baptize. Did a lot of fun blitzes with like 15 missionaries in one area at a time, had to calm down the Tongan I was with because of a bad door contact. We knocked, the guy opened up the door and was looking pretty ticked. "Hello, sir, what's your name?" I said with my hand stretched out. He didn't take it, and just asked "You missionaries?" "Yes!" And the other hand flipped up with the finger... and a door slam (I moved my hand first). The Elder I was with said his family always thought beating a guy up worked a lot better than forgiving them, hahaha, had to work for a while to convince him not to go back and kill the guy! I love Tongans. Ha, there's another Tongan here, his first week his trainer said "hey, 6:30 wake up." Then 7:00, "Hey wake up" then 7:30, "Hey- " "HEY, I got an idea. We'll go outside and fight. If you win, I wake up. If I win, I sleep." The missionary let him sleep everyday. Then his 2nd comp was a tongan too. First day together they went thhrough the same routine. at 7:30, he said: "We'll go outside and fight. If you win, I wake up. If I win, I sleep." The new companion said "ok." So EVERY morning they went outside for 30 minutes at 7 and fought each other, like blood and everything, then finished hugging and crying and went in to go eat breakfast. I love how my culture just taught me to wake up and make some cereal.
Also we had transfers - I stay here again, prob will be here till February. Crazy, we had a visa waiter waiting to go to Mexico, they made him a senior and he was training ANOTHER visa waiter, and now presidetn prayed and decided to make him a district leader too! He has a whopping 2 months... hahahhahahahahaha.
WELL, family, love you all a lot. I know the Gospel is true. I know the Savior lives, and if we follow Him, we'll be blessed here and especially after. I love the line from President Uchtdorf's talk "We shouldnt think less OF ourselves, but less ABOUT ourselves." Do that! Hard stuff...
Love you all, Elder Thelin
Thanks for Kaylas address, I think she must be getting married because I havent heard from her in forever, lol. Any one else I know getting married?
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