Here's the latest from Jake to Dad:
9/11
Dad,
This week has been a big improvement in several ways!
Hannah was happily and successfuly baptized this weekend! And I had the privilege of confirming her in Sacrament meeting on Sunday! My hands were shaking so much and I felt insecure that the things I said didnt seem to me to be particulalry inspired but Hannah later let me know how good she felt and how much she appreciated it and her Mom talked to me about it as well telling me she was in tears and so touched by it so Im glad it was at least good enough for them. Catherine is currently scheduled for the 22nd. Her date has moved around a lot but ultimately after talking with the Zone Leaders a bit we settled on the 22nd to be sure that whatever happens she can be baptized and on the records of the Church if she has to go back to China. So far she is happy and willing and we will be teaching her a LOT in the next two weeks to get her ready! We have also started teaching some new poeple finally with hope for more! I think I told you about Andrew, interesting guy who really likes the Book of Mormon. He came to Chuch this week and seemed to enjoy it and is now willing for us to come by and teach him some more! By going by tons and tons of old potential investigators in our area book we found Taneyha. Shes pretty opinionated and likes to ask questions just for the sake of argument but she has potential! I told her at one point in our lesson with her that my beliefs dont come from my own reasoning but from the things ive received from God and she had nothing to say and asked us where the Church was so she could come sometime this month. Ha! We also had a cool experience with a referral this week! His Name was Dragan, from Romania. We biked an hour and a half out to Faringdon (amazing views from the numerous hills on the way there!) and he wasnt home! He left us a not about how he tried to contact us to let us know he wouldnt be in and that hes going back to Romania so we wont get to teach him. We wrote our testimonies in a Book of Mormon and left it on his doorstep with some other materials. The next day he called us to thank us and let us know that our effort wasnt wasted and that he would definitely read the book and study further. I got to go on exchange with one of my Zone Leaders this week just for a few hours and that was a great experience as well. Elder Brewer is really really close frineds with Elder Hutchings from back home and it was awesome to work with him for a few hours. We GQ'd more than I ever have on my mission and managed to schedule two return appointments! We already had one of them (Debbie) and it went pretty well! Debbie is a recovering alcoholic and seems like shes ready for the Gospel in her life. Well see! We also met a cool Norwegian lady who already has a copy of the Book of Mormon! Were supposed to see her tomorrow.
Zone Meeting... interesting things are a foot. Weve talked a bit in the last few weeks about the new Vision for the Mission, which is, for us within our Zones to baptize every week. Or in other words for each Zone to have a Baptism every week (on average). Now, most of us are very supportive of this goal and were excited and ready to move forward with renewed focus and zeal for teaching and baptizing. But there are seeds of dissension! A few missionaries in our District felt a bit uneasy with the Zone Vision. Its a bit dramatic actually! We had a long discussion today in our Meeting about having the faith to find poeple. It was almost a bit heated at times but at the end of the day we just need to believe that its possible to baptize! Were actually doing really well as a mission right now but there are those who are discouraged about their areas.
Other than that, I love Zone Meetings and Zone Conferences because I really feel a strong brotherhood here. Its good to see other missionaries! I feel like Ive made a lot of friends and gotten to know a lot of poeple in the last 6 months. You just dont find such a high concentration of quality poeple anywhere else! For once I feel like I fit in here! And I felt like I learned things today! I shared the biggest thing in Moms email but something else I learned today was about persistence. Miracles come AFTER the trial of our faith and sometimes we just have to wait and wait and wait for the blessings. I related it to running and getting faster. When you exercise, you cant just work till you get tired then stop or you wont grow. Success and growth come after you persevere until you cant anymore and then take one more step forward. Such it is with missionary work and with life! The Lord wants to know that we trust him and that we will do our best. And when we reach our limit we have only to push ourselves a little bit further to see the hand of the Lord.
Coming up on the last full week of the transfer and on my 6 month mark!
I love you!
9/4
Hello!
This week has gone by quickly. Again probably because not much has happened. However, yesterday Hannah had her Baptism interview and passed! She was really nervous leading up to it but as expected it was a lot easier and less
formal than she thought it might be.
Church on Sunday was interesting. We had several poeple there but at the same time several poeple who committed to be there didnt show. Andrew Dixon was a no show so well probably go by sometime this week to see whats up. The other two we were expecting are less active members and at least one of them let us know before hand that he probably wouldnt be there. Hes been recovering from a serious accident for about 3 years and the damage to is more than physical. He has a wound on his head and at the base of his neck. We have a lesson scheduled with him today so well see how hes doing. But tonight is going to be pretty rushed as we have a DA and then their appointment and then we have to be at Ward Council to prepare for Hannahs Baptism.
Our evenings this week are pretty full.
Aside from that Hannah, her family, Catherine, and Tracey were at Church and all seemed to enjoy it. Catherine is an interesting case because she really doesnt have a solid fellowshipper yet but shes so nice and personable that
shes already met and made friends with many of the members. We had a kind of awkward FHE last night with us, Catherine, a recent convert named Paul, and 3 old single/widowed women. We got there late so it was just them for 30
minutes but Catherine and Paul seemed fine.
Elder Callen and I established in our Comanionship Inventory this week. [And] I have an exchange with Elder Rogers next week and the Zone Leaders are doing splits with us on Wednesday after District Meeting.
Aparrently theyre also going to talk about it in Zone Leader Council so something will probably change next transfer, if that means I have to leave Swindon so be it. Elder Callen absolutley loves Swindon so I would be happy to let him stay. Whatever happens I still dont want to split on bad terms or sore feelings. I just cant do another 6 weeks.
I sympathize with your difficulty making calls! Its always a little uncomfortable to call poeple you dont know well to figure out appointments and I often feel as if I dont know everything thats going on well enough to handle any obstacles that arise. Its was especially difficult when I first came out and difficult again when I got to Swindon. Practice! Especially for that mission! Youve never said you guys want to serve a mission! Supposedly Senior Couple Missions are waaaay different as well. The Pinkertons in our District work in Stroud with the Sister Missionaries and as far as I know they only really work with Less-Actives. Other Senior Couples in the mission all seem to have somewhat specialized roles working with Wards or in mission offices. Ive even heard that there are places where Senior Couples can hold callings in Branches! Very interesting!
I got my bike fixed (broken spoke) a few weeks ago and what do you know another one broke yesterday. The day before Elder Callen broke a spoke and bent up his wheel pretty badly. We have to run by a bike shop after this to see how soon we can get repairs done!
Talk to you next week! I love you!
This week has gone by quickly. Again probably because not much has happened. However, yesterday Hannah had her Baptism interview and passed! She was really nervous leading up to it but as expected it was a lot easier and less
formal than she thought it might be.
Church on Sunday was interesting. We had several poeple there but at the same time several poeple who committed to be there didnt show. Andrew Dixon was a no show so well probably go by sometime this week to see whats up. The other two we were expecting are less active members and at least one of them let us know before hand that he probably wouldnt be there. Hes been recovering from a serious accident for about 3 years and the damage to is more than physical. He has a wound on his head and at the base of his neck. We have a lesson scheduled with him today so well see how hes doing. But tonight is going to be pretty rushed as we have a DA and then their appointment and then we have to be at Ward Council to prepare for Hannahs Baptism.
Our evenings this week are pretty full.
Aside from that Hannah, her family, Catherine, and Tracey were at Church and all seemed to enjoy it. Catherine is an interesting case because she really doesnt have a solid fellowshipper yet but shes so nice and personable that
shes already met and made friends with many of the members. We had a kind of awkward FHE last night with us, Catherine, a recent convert named Paul, and 3 old single/widowed women. We got there late so it was just them for 30
minutes but Catherine and Paul seemed fine.
Elder Callen and I established in our Comanionship Inventory this week. [And] I have an exchange with Elder Rogers next week and the Zone Leaders are doing splits with us on Wednesday after District Meeting.
Aparrently theyre also going to talk about it in Zone Leader Council so something will probably change next transfer, if that means I have to leave Swindon so be it. Elder Callen absolutley loves Swindon so I would be happy to let him stay. Whatever happens I still dont want to split on bad terms or sore feelings. I just cant do another 6 weeks.
I sympathize with your difficulty making calls! Its always a little uncomfortable to call poeple you dont know well to figure out appointments and I often feel as if I dont know everything thats going on well enough to handle any obstacles that arise. Its was especially difficult when I first came out and difficult again when I got to Swindon. Practice! Especially for that mission! Youve never said you guys want to serve a mission! Supposedly Senior Couple Missions are waaaay different as well. The Pinkertons in our District work in Stroud with the Sister Missionaries and as far as I know they only really work with Less-Actives. Other Senior Couples in the mission all seem to have somewhat specialized roles working with Wards or in mission offices. Ive even heard that there are places where Senior Couples can hold callings in Branches! Very interesting!
I got my bike fixed (broken spoke) a few weeks ago and what do you know another one broke yesterday. The day before Elder Callen broke a spoke and bent up his wheel pretty badly. We have to run by a bike shop after this to see how soon we can get repairs done!
Talk to you next week! I love you!
8/29
Dad,
This week has been really tough. The things that have been bugging me have come to a bit of a head this week. Early in the week we got an invitation from some members to go go-karting and meet one members girlfriend who has started to read the book of mormon. I was a bit uncomfortable with the idea but we got permission from President Rasmussen and he told us it was a golden opportunity and we needed to be on our A-game. So on Friday we went and had a good time and we all got back to the members house at 9. I wanted to go home then but I was scared to really put my foot down, there were so many poeple and my companion and they were intent on hanging out and eating pizza for a while and socializing and I just gave in, I wanted to avoid a scene or an argument later (which has been my habit over the last several weeks; just go with it) I called my DL for the night and gave him a small idea of what was happening and as a result the Zone Leaders called and found out what was happening. We got in at 10:45 and had to call President. He was really disappointed in us. I felt pretty terrible, but I was the only one.
This week has been really tough. The things that have been bugging me have come to a bit of a head this week. Early in the week we got an invitation from some members to go go-karting and meet one members girlfriend who has started to read the book of mormon. I was a bit uncomfortable with the idea but we got permission from President Rasmussen and he told us it was a golden opportunity and we needed to be on our A-game. So on Friday we went and had a good time and we all got back to the members house at 9. I wanted to go home then but I was scared to really put my foot down, there were so many poeple and my companion and they were intent on hanging out and eating pizza for a while and socializing and I just gave in, I wanted to avoid a scene or an argument later (which has been my habit over the last several weeks; just go with it) I called my DL for the night and gave him a small idea of what was happening and as a result the Zone Leaders called and found out what was happening. We got in at 10:45 and had to call President. He was really disappointed in us. I felt pretty terrible, but I was the only one.
When we went to Zone Conference yesterday a bunch of poeple had found out we got in trouble and asked about it. The Zone Leaders pulled me aside to talk to me and let me know that they didnt blame me and I got my first chance to actually talk to someone about the things that Ive been struggling with. Im trying my best. But Ive been in a bit of a downward spiral and Friday night was a wake up call. Im trying to make sure Im doing everything I can but I feel close to a breaking point.
There have been some high points this week though. We followed up with a potential Elder Querubin and I found and discovered that not only had he read the Book of Mormon but he seems to believe it as well! His name is
Andrew Dixon, hes 41, and hes had an interesting past; He a little weird (definitely not crazy, but weird) and we dont quite know what to think as he seemed to turn down receiving lessons but hes committed to Church this
upcoming Sunday and well see where it goes from there. He said the Book of Mormon was a "book full of wisdom" and that it couldnt have been written by one man. Apparently the first thing he read in it answered a sincere question he had which he couldnt seem to answer with the Bible. I dont remember the exact verse he read to us but it was something about if you keep the commandments God will keep all his promises and maybe something about judging, not sure! Hes been out of work for a while because of a leg injury, but he plays classical guitar! Has been for 10 years! I really hope we get to teach him some more! The girl we met go-karting came to Church on Sunday with her Boyfriend and she agreed to let us come and talk to her as well. Shell only be here for two weeks but we can hopefully spark her interest for the missionaries back in Durham.
Zone Conference was pretty interesting! It was simultaneously inspiring and a little scary. This was President Rasmussens first real Zone Conference and was kind of his chance to set his vision for the mission. Basically they told us we need to baptize more and that if were obedient and hard working we can do it. He said weve been focusing too much on retention (not sure what he means by that; working with Less-Actives?) and need to do more effective finding everywhere we go. I agreed with a lot of it but there were a few moments that seemed a little cold. I just hope this doesnt become a Moffet-Mission again (the President before President Ogden; the stories are pretty scary, missionaries baptizing everyone in 3 weeks whether they understand it or not, leaving them completely in the hands of the ward after baptism, they baptized 720 poeple but only about 10% remained active) So well see what happens but i figure if I just keep working hard and trying to do whats best for poeple it will work out.
Im glad John is staying busy with righteous activities!
At Zone Conference I got to talk to the Cardiff Elders and about Hugh a little. Hes apparently in limbo a bit with doctors getting medication for Manic Depression but the Elders there are continuing to reach out to him and
the Bishop in Cardiff is extremely mindful of him. The work is moving forward there as well, last transfer they had another baptism and received 3 referals from it!
There have been some high points this week though. We followed up with a potential Elder Querubin and I found and discovered that not only had he read the Book of Mormon but he seems to believe it as well! His name is
Andrew Dixon, hes 41, and hes had an interesting past; He a little weird (definitely not crazy, but weird) and we dont quite know what to think as he seemed to turn down receiving lessons but hes committed to Church this
upcoming Sunday and well see where it goes from there. He said the Book of Mormon was a "book full of wisdom" and that it couldnt have been written by one man. Apparently the first thing he read in it answered a sincere question he had which he couldnt seem to answer with the Bible. I dont remember the exact verse he read to us but it was something about if you keep the commandments God will keep all his promises and maybe something about judging, not sure! Hes been out of work for a while because of a leg injury, but he plays classical guitar! Has been for 10 years! I really hope we get to teach him some more! The girl we met go-karting came to Church on Sunday with her Boyfriend and she agreed to let us come and talk to her as well. Shell only be here for two weeks but we can hopefully spark her interest for the missionaries back in Durham.
Zone Conference was pretty interesting! It was simultaneously inspiring and a little scary. This was President Rasmussens first real Zone Conference and was kind of his chance to set his vision for the mission. Basically they told us we need to baptize more and that if were obedient and hard working we can do it. He said weve been focusing too much on retention (not sure what he means by that; working with Less-Actives?) and need to do more effective finding everywhere we go. I agreed with a lot of it but there were a few moments that seemed a little cold. I just hope this doesnt become a Moffet-Mission again (the President before President Ogden; the stories are pretty scary, missionaries baptizing everyone in 3 weeks whether they understand it or not, leaving them completely in the hands of the ward after baptism, they baptized 720 poeple but only about 10% remained active) So well see what happens but i figure if I just keep working hard and trying to do whats best for poeple it will work out.
Im glad John is staying busy with righteous activities!
At Zone Conference I got to talk to the Cardiff Elders and about Hugh a little. Hes apparently in limbo a bit with doctors getting medication for Manic Depression but the Elders there are continuing to reach out to him and
the Bishop in Cardiff is extremely mindful of him. The work is moving forward there as well, last transfer they had another baptism and received 3 referals from it!
One last thing! I spoke on Sunday about "Testimony" Bishop stood up right before my talk and told the entire ward you guys served together and that Im better looking than you were :P Anyways, it was probably the first talk Ive ever given that was mostly improvised of of some incomplete notes I put together and I felt really good about it. There werent any really awkward breaks and I felt like I knew what I was talking about. I got a lot of
compliments afterwards so i figure it must have been alright!
I will be alright. Just have to get back to work and do my best. Pray like it all depends on the Lord and work like it all depends on me! I got my retainers and they hurt like crazy but they should work, well see! Thanks
for the gummy bears!
I love you!
compliments afterwards so i figure it must have been alright!
I will be alright. Just have to get back to work and do my best. Pray like it all depends on the Lord and work like it all depends on me! I got my retainers and they hurt like crazy but they should work, well see! Thanks
for the gummy bears!
I love you!
