tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3568630736104490672023-11-16T06:25:12.929-08:00Elder Brock DeLucaoopsey.daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841702523612093858noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356863073610449067.post-12766562725336837862016-01-25T16:21:00.002-08:002016-01-25T16:21:26.607-08:00Farewell to Houston!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">I cannot believe this is my last email! My mission has gone by so fast for me, and I have learned much. I am grateful for the blessing and opportunity the Lord has given me to serve Him. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">As I look back over the course of my mission, I can't help but to think of verses15-16 in the 18th section of the Doctrine and Covenants. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">"And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!<br />And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!"</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I know that my mission has been for me. I know that my family, friends, and people here in Houston have been blessed because of my service, but I know that the Lord called me here for me. There is a big difference in having a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and being converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Over the course of my mission, I have become converted within. I know that the Lord could do His work all alone, but I am convinced that He allows us (His servants) to participate in His glorious work, so we can become converted in the process. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I now know what I want in my life and for my future, and my mission has helped my prepare to make it happen. It has been a blessing to be able to serve with many wonderful companions who have given their hearts so completely to the Lord. I have served here in the Texas Houston Mission with who I served with because that is exactly what the Lord knew I needed. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">It has been a neat experience to look back on the progress and changes I have made in my life over the past two years but honestly, my loved ones see it more than I do. It has been neat for me to hear them explain to me the changes they have seen in me. I have been so blessed throughout my mission with working with many people who have literally changed their lives because they come to know that the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I have felt most successful and fulfilled within, as I have served others. We find out who we really are when we put others before ourselves. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that it has brought me greater peace and happiness in my life, and I know that it has brought me closer to my Father in Heaven and to my Savior Jesus Christ more than any other book. I know that God lives and that we are His children. He loves us and wants us to be happy and successful in this life. He has a plan for each and every one of us. Central to His plan is His Son Jesus Christ. It is only in and through Jesus Christ that we can be saved. I am grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and for the strengthening and enabling power that comes because of His Atonement. I know that as we rely on His help, weak things can become strong. We can receive strength far beyond our natural capacity as we put off the natural man, and becometh a saint through the Atonement of Christ the Lord. May we all seek His help and guidance in our lives. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;">This was my last district meeting </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1480866071" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Friday</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;">! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;">We went over and made breakfast at the Lane's </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1480866072" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Saturday</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;">. I made Grandma Wilson's yogurt based pancakes and they were super yummy! </span></span></div>
<br />oopsey.daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841702523612093858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356863073610449067.post-37323098814900267102016-01-25T16:09:00.002-08:002016-01-25T16:09:31.150-08:00Mini-Mission and Miracle With LJay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">This past Monday, we had Avery Hersom come out with us on a mini-mission! He was with us until Wednesday evening. It was neat to have him with us. It made me think back to when I would drive down to Ogden to go on splits with Elder Costello. I learned a lot from him. Thanks Michael! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">We went tracting on Tuesday night after our dinner appointment and it seemed like a lot of people didn't want to talk to us. We wanted it to be a good experience for Avery so we kept on going with the hope of talking to someone who was prepared. WE DID! It was literally the LAST person that we talked to. His name was Roger and he was just walking down the street that we were tracting. We went up to him and explained who we were and then shared a little bit about what Jesus Christ did while He was here on earth. We set up a return appointment with him. It was neat for Avery to participate in the teaching and finding with us that night. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">We had a really busy week and we have done a lot finding but I just want to share one miracle that we had. Saturday night I went with Elder Craig to the Douglas' house to have dinner because she made me one of my favorite pesto pastas and then my all time favorite birthday cake! Lemon cake with cream cheese frosting. YES, PLEASE! Anyways, we had a great dinner and then we left for an appointment with Raj, but it fell through, so we went to our backup appointment and that fell through too. It was one of those nights. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Elder Craig and I had a heart-to-heart and we told each other why we decided to serve missions and we were just getting to know each other. He just came out so this is his first transfer. He is going to Jamaica when I go home. We were talking for a while and as I was explaining to him why I decided to serve a mission, we noticed that there was a bunch of people out front of one of the houses we parked by. They were all staring us down and I was looking back at them. Elder Craig said, "What are you thinking about?" And I replied, "I'm thinking about what I am going to say to all of these people in just a minute." We finished what we were talking about and then said a prayer and got out of the car only to find that all of the people had left! They scattered! We went up to the house and there was one guy in the garage. He was working on a car and we told him who we were and asked if we could share a message with him. He said, "I don't live here so let me ask the owner." He went and got her and she came out and did not want anything to do with us. I wasn't going to leave that easy though. I was very polite to her and then just started asking the guy LJay about the car he was working on. We started talking about the car and eventually the owner went back inside! He was working on his friend's car and that was his friends mom that came out. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">We were talking about cars for a while and then came to find out that he lives in Tomball and I just so happened to live there for 9 months so I knew exactly where he lived and it was really funny. We ended up transitioning to talking about the Bible and the Book of Mormon. We explained the Book of Mormon to him in such a way that when we asked him if he would be willing to read from it, he said, "Where do I get one?" We told him that we had one for him and then he pulled out his wallet and asked how much. We explained that it was our gift to him and that we did not want any money. He was so excited to read from it and he gave us his number and wants to meet with the missionaries in Tomball. Long story short, we were there with him for about an hour and his heart was literally softened before our eyes. He was an answer to our prayer and he said that we were to his as well. He said he wasn't having the best day and that was why he didn't leave with his buddies because he just wanted to work on the car alone. I felt prompted to tell him That the Lord was watching out for him and that it was not a coincidence that we came right when his friends left. I said, "If all of those guys would have been here when we came up, I bet someone would have told us to leave and it wasn't your house so you would've just sat back and not said anything." He said, "You are exactly right. I know that is exactly would have happened. My friends would have given you guys a hard time." WOW. It was so neat for all of us to see the Lord working in our lives. He invited us to come watch them drift and race cars at this old airport next Saturday. I don't think we can make it, but I really want to go....haha! He popped the hood on a Nissan 240 SX that had a built Supra motor in it with over 1200hp. Elder <span class="il">DeLuca</span> was drooling over this car. Zack, it was SICK! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Anyways, we had a great week. Things are going well here in Conroe! The Lord continues to bless us as we do things His way. I absolutely love being a missionary. I hope you all have a great week and I will see you soon! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">This is Elder Craig that I was with when we met LJay! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">This is Elder Whitlock. He is hilarious! </span></span></div>
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<br />oopsey.daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841702523612093858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356863073610449067.post-15368031020416909992016-01-25T16:01:00.002-08:002016-01-25T16:01:24.819-08:00When Your Milk Expires the Day You Go Home, You Know It Is Getting Real.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">My weeks are seriously going too fast! I feel like I don't have enough time in the week to accomplish all that we need to get done. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">We had MLC on Tuesday and we learned a lot from President Mortensen, as usual. We reevaluated each zone's commitment for baptisms per month and had a long discussion on that. Long story short, as a mission we have to be finding 3 new investigators each week in order to make sure we stay on track with our commitment for baptisms. After the age change, a lot of missions were seeing a huge increase in baptisms and then once those missionaries left and the missions had less missionaries, baptisms decreased. President shared with us that we are 1 of 2 missions in the United States that has continued to have an increase in baptisms even with decreased number of missionaries. Things are going well in the Texas Houston Mission and I am glad to be here! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">We role played a more effective way of teaching about prophets in order to set up an investigator to understand that one of the fruits of the Prophet Joseph Smith, is the Book of Mormon. Then we role played introducing the Book of Mormon more effectively as well. I was thinking to myself, "Why haven't we learned this sooner?" Haha! It's okay, because I got to use what I learned that night with the Upshaw family. It was a good lesson and we are going back sometime this week to finish the lesson. We took Avery Hersom with us and we are going to do a mini mission with him this evening. He is coming with us tonight and then he will stay with us until Wednesday. He is preparing to serve a mission right now. He just submitted his papers, I think! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Wednesday, we had dinner with the Ashton's and Rhett gave us a name of one of his friends, Isaiah, to go by on Thursday. After we got our new car on Thursday, we went by! It was a miracle that we even found him because Rhett just gave us the gate code and said it was the house on the left. We went in and went to what we thought was the first house on the left and it was not his house. It was some crazy lazy who told us that she believes in God but not Jesus Christ. I have never heard that before. We were about to just leave the neighborhood but I had the impression to just go down that street and go to the first house on the left on the opposite side of the road. We went there and sure enough it was the right house. We knocked and at first no one answered so we left. As we were leaving, I saw someone in my mirror so I turned that Corolla around and went back there as quickly as I could. It was his cousin but he said that Isaiah was there. He went and got him! We talked to him for just a couple minutes and told him that Rhett said to stop by if we were ever in the area. We set up a time to come back on Saturday but he was busy. We are hoping to see him this week. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Friday, I taught my last zone meeting on my birthday! That was pretty cool. By the way, thank you all for the birthday wishes! I had a great day and we went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. I got my usual. Grilled BBQ chicken with a sweet potatoe loaded (with brown sugar and marshmallows) and a side salad with honey mustard. YES, PLEASE. It is a lot of food so I always cut my chicken and sweet patatoe in half and then have it for lunch the next day. Brother Stewart took us out that night. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Saturday, the Princes from College Park (my first area) came and took us out to breakfast at the Toasted Yolk. That place is SO good. I thought about getting that cowboy scramble again, but I decided to be healthier, so I got an egg-white omelet. It was super yummy too! We had some Family History training from Brother Evans after that. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">We had dinner with the Douglas' last night. They are not in our ward anymore, but since I technically cover the stake, we went over. :) It was good to see them! He was our last Ward Mission Leader. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Things are going really well here for me, and my time is going way too fast! I love you all and I will see you soon. P.S. Bailley gets the first hug! I love you Buddah! :) </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">I am pretty tight with my money so I had to get creative. This is all leftovers from members so I just put it all together and made a salad. Spinach, kidney beans, grilled chicken, celery, cucumber, hard boiled egg (that was mine), and some bbq sauce and black pepper. :) </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">So, this is the milk that I bought today. It expires the day I go home. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5Aw86iLyUoN7VVWrY1qwrUz_x1NOb4KlYg39rvMs0p-ftmvCEWWyRXvI_rjUHoH5M6ygn54Mj6TUgoznCZzs6zhLXUoeM7wGmuTwMI_z2fHEDMxIj83KY86_4kcCYs7okS6WZDC-ZOXu/s1600/ElderDeLucaNewCorrolla11116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5Aw86iLyUoN7VVWrY1qwrUz_x1NOb4KlYg39rvMs0p-ftmvCEWWyRXvI_rjUHoH5M6ygn54Mj6TUgoznCZzs6zhLXUoeM7wGmuTwMI_z2fHEDMxIj83KY86_4kcCYs7okS6WZDC-ZOXu/s320/ElderDeLucaNewCorrolla11116.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">Here is our brand spankin' new corolla. It had 8 miles on it when we got her. :) </span></span></div>
<br />oopsey.daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841702523612093858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356863073610449067.post-9203329951534213462016-01-25T15:45:00.000-08:002016-01-25T15:45:58.062-08:00Happy New Year!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;">I hope everyone has had a great start to 2016! This past year flew by for me. I have learned a lot about myself as I have forgotten about me and focused on serving others, and more importantly, serving the Lord. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">This week flew by for us! We have been finding a lot of people and some of our investigators dropped us. We had a miracle one night this past week where it was getting really late but we still wanted to go visit someone so we searched our online area book. As I scrolled down the page, this name Chris really stood out to me, so we went to visit him. We got to the apartment and he had moved a few months ago, but we started talking to the person that lived there. Her name was Cheyenne and her son had passed away recently so we were talking about the Plan of Salvation with her. She wanted us to come back and share more, but then texted us saying that her husband told her that we can't. :/ Hopefully, we opened the door for some future missionaries. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I have learned that when people stick strictly to the "culture of things," they block the door for revelation. Some people are so stuck on what they have been brought up hearing that they are not even open to learning more, even if it is true and could bring them greater happiness and peace. For example, we were tracting last light and we knocked into this lady that was super nice to us and asked us what religion we were and I said, "Well, we are Christian and we are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." She responded, "Well you have to be Baptist, Catholic, or something so what are you?" I said exactly what I said the first time and then added, "Have you ever heard of Mormons?" She then said, "Oh don't talk to me. I don't like Mormons." She then started to walk back inside and I said, "Why don't you like Mormons?" And she said, "Because." I said, "Because why? Did you have a bad interaction with one?" She said, "No, I just don't like them. I heard you guys don't even believe in God." Elder Nielsen asked to share the Christmas video and, luckily, she let him. After it was over I said I think it is safe to say we certainly believe in God, and in our Savior Jesus Christ. I am sorry you have heard some bad things about us, but they are not true. I then said that is why there is 85,000 of us going around the world to share what we really believe. We asked if we could come back and she said that if we were ever in the area we could stop by. I was SO happy that we left on a good note! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">The miracle I want to share this week is that Greg, the Saenz son now has a baptismal date for <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1480866047" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">February 6th</span></span>! I went to a pass-off lesson with the Crighton Elders and we taught him the Restoration. He was sharing with us that he knew that Heavenly Father was already blessing him for his decision to start investigating the Lord's Church. He has already found a job and he has been out of work for over a month now! His life is starting to get back to where he wants it to be. I told him that his countenance has changed within just a week. I said, "I see it most in your eyes, but I can tell you are more peaceful, happy, and confident in yourself but more importantly, in God." He has a light in his eyes that was not there a week ago. The light of Jesus Christ is real, and I have learned a lot just by looking into peoples eyes. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I went up to share my testimony this past Sunday in fast and testimony meeting for the last time as a set-apart missionary. That was crazy to think. I shared a few things that I have learned over the course of my mission and thanked the members for all that they do for us. We could not do what we do without the help of members. I shared my testimony of the Book of Mormon and explained how the amount of the Book of Mormon an individual reads is directly proportionate to their conversion. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that is was written for our day and age. I love it, I love it, I love it. It has brought me closer to my Savior Jesus Christ and to my Father in Heaven than any other book of scripture. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I hope everyone had a great week and know that you are in my thoughts and prayers every day! I love you guys!! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">I roasted some veggies in the oven this past week. They were pretty good! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">My companions and I say hello! Shooting some love from Conroe! </span></span></div>
<br />oopsey.daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841702523612093858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356863073610449067.post-46730009170269135962016-01-25T15:38:00.000-08:002016-01-25T15:38:54.107-08:00Many Miracles!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px;"><span style="color: white;">I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! It was so nice for me to be able to Skype with my family. I love you all SO much and I thank you for your continued support! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Tuesday, we had our first lesson with Zeke. We taught him the first half of the restoration lesson and then came back to finish the rest of the lesson on Saturday. That night we went finding and we didn't have a ton of success but we kept on going. It was getting a little late and it was after <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1480866046" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">8 o'clock</span></span> but we decided to knock one more door. The last house we knocked let us in! It is the Upshaw family and we are going back over this Wednesday to see them. They have friends that are members of the church and they live in the first ward I served in with Elder Christensen. The family they know super well is the Huberts. We shared the Christmas video and talked about the Savior's earthly ministry. They were probably one of the nicest families I have ever met! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">We had our Christmas Conference on Wednesday and that was sweet! It is pretty cool to see a Sacrament room completely filled with missionaries. President and Sister Mortensen gave some training and then we had a huge lunch together and then sang Christmas songs and watched a slideshow that President's daughter Paige put together for the mission. All of the missionaries sent in two pictures about two weeks ago and she put together a sweet slideshow with them all. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">After we Skyped with our families, we went to the Saenz's house and something really cool happened. One of their sons, Greg, was there and we started to talk to him and he opened up to us. He explained that when his parents were baptized he saw a change in them over night. He said, "I noticed that they were more happy and that they had more peace in their lives. I desire to have that." He has since been reading from the Book of Mormon and he attended his first church service yesterday and LOVED it! I gave him our number and told him to call us if he had any questions. He called me last night and said, "Elder <span class="il">DeLuca</span>, I went to church today and it was literally everything that I needed. The speakers, what we talked about in class, and the fellowship from everyone was just outstanding." I replied, "Well I am so happy that you had such a good time. That just made my day!" He said, "No, Elder <span class="il">DeLuca</span>, I didn't have a good time. It was great!" It was so sick when he said that to me. Now he is wanting to meet with the missionaries to work towards getting baptized. He lives in Spring outside of our zone, but he may be moving up here to Conroe so we will see which missionaries would be best for him! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Saturday, we brought Chris Saenz out to some appointments with us and we had something cool happen. After seeing Brother Bailey, we went to Zeke's. We finished our lesson with Zeke and then at the end of the lesson went over the steps to pray. We asked him specifically to pray for the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and he said that he would. He didn't mention it in his prayer, so right when he finished I said, "Did you notice how you didn't pray about the Book of Mormon?" He said "Yes," and then I said, "Would you be willing to say another prayer and this time include to ask Heavenly Father to know of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon?" He said that he would and he didn't have a problem with that. It was a little awkward at first, but if we don't help prepare him to receive and answer, then we are setting him up to fail. I only have a month left of my mission so I don't mess around anymore! Haha. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">After that lesson, we had the thought to call Austin because he lives there in that complex, and right when we called him we saw him in the distance so I ran over to him and asked if he had just 20 or 30 minutes for a brief lesson. He said yes! This was a miracle because we had not planned to have that lesson with him, but we did plan on getting our mission standard of excellence with 5 member present lessons that week and the Lord knew that. Our district leader gave us a priesthood assignment to make sure that we got at least 5 member present lessons, and we did! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">That night, we had a lesson with Nori and it didn't go as well as we would have liked. We were going with the intent to answer some questions he had left us with the previous visit and he came loaded with more. He basically was looking into things that are not church doctrine and they were stupid questions that he was just trying to trick us and catch us in our words and I called him out on it. I said, "Nori, are you asking these questions because you are trying to show us what you think MIGHT be wrong with our beliefs, or are you wanting to join Christ's Church and you just want some questions answered first?" He was like, "Uhhhhh.....Well I never really thought of that but probably just trying to show you what I think is wrong." I said, "We can go back and forth all night and answer these questions but it really isn't going to do either of us much good. I think you owe it to yourself to check out a church service and see how you FEEL inside when you come." He said, "I think you are right and I want you guys to know I think you are great and I love you guys so I'll come check it out." Well, he never ended up coming because he was in Houston, he said, but he knows what time we start next week. We will have members reach out to him! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">That is the gist of our week! It was really good, and the temperature is finally starting to drop! I had my first 80 degree Christmas and hopefully the last! I hope you all have a great week and a Happy New Year! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px;"><span style="color: white;">Sorry for the light on this, but I thought it would be cool to get one with this plaque! :) </span></span></div>
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<br />oopsey.daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841702523612093858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356863073610449067.post-24856084386928649572015-12-21T16:42:00.001-08:002015-12-21T16:42:04.410-08:00New Companion, New Gators, and New Boundaries!<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="il" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;">Elder</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;"> Myers left us </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1744876224" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Tuesday</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;"> and he is now up in Huntsville about 30 miles north of us. We got a new companion </span><span class="il" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;">Elder</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;"> Young who is joining us. We are still in a trio! He is from Sandy, Utah. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">We have been using the "A Savior Is Born" pass-along cards and we have had a lot of success with finding new people to teach by using them in our finding efforts. This past week we found 6 new investigators and our mission standard is 2 each week. Not bad for a white guy. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">We had a lesson with Rebecca <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1744876225" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Wednesday</span></span> and we just read through a chapter of the Book of Mormon with her because she hadn't read. After reading through the chapter she was talking about how she has had a lot of people try to talk to her about religion but she was never really interested. Then she said this. "When you guys knocked on my door I knew there was a reason for it, and I have been so intrigued to learn more." How sick is that? She then said that it had been over 17 years that she has been to a church but she feels like she needs to make a promise to God to come. My response was, "Rebecca, the Lord would have you come to His church, will you come <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1744876226" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">this Sunday</span></span>?" She said I will be there and guess what? SHE CAME!! I have learned that being lovingly bold with people works when people are prepared. Truth is, the Lord really would have her come to His church, so why not say that if I represent Him? I would be silly to not say that. She came to church and she loved it. She said, "I'll be here <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1744876227" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">next Sunday.</span></span>" </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">We had a district meeting <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1744876228" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Friday</span></span> and it was <span class="il">Elder</span> Burch's first district meeting and President and Sister Mortensen came. He was a little nervous that President was coming, but I love it when the big dog comes around. I used to think he bites, but now I know he doesn't. :) It was really cool because it wasn't my district so I was in there without a companion so when we role played, President and I were companions and we taught together. SO SICK! I love him so much. We practiced role playing extending a baptismal invitation after the first lesson. <span class="il">Elder</span> Burch and <span class="il">Elder</span> Hanks taught us first and then we threw it down. We did something similar to our lesson with Rebecca. We said, "When you come to know that the Book of Mormon is true, the Lord would have you be baptized in His church. So when you come to know that it is true, will you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding the priesthood authority of God?" When you are that direct with people and the Spirit is there, they want to say YES! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">After district meeting, we went to lunch with one of my former companions <span class="il">Elder </span>Lythgoe. He and a couple of his buddies were up here for a wedding and so they took us out to lunch! It was good to see them, and Ill see them in Utah next month! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1744876229" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Saturday</span></span> morning, the Turners came up here from Katy and they took us all out to breakfast at this place called the Toasted Yolk. It is so good! I have been eating pretty clean lately but it was time to throw it down on some good food. I got this plate of biscuits and gravy with eggs, onions, ham, bacon, sausage, and hash browns. You guys, I cannot begin to tell you how good it was! It was huge too and I ate all of it! It was worth the calories. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1744876230" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday,</span></span> we learned of the boundary changes that everyone has been wondering about for months now. There were a couple new wards created in our Stake and they took part of our ward and the Conroe 1st Ward as well. We lost a few of my favorite members in the ward including the Saenz. Robert and Alice were there at the meeting and I went over to them after and Alice was crying because she thought she wasn't going to see me anymore. She almost made me start crying but I reassured her that I cover the entire stake so I will still be seeing them. :) She was happy about that. It will be a good change for them and they are going to meet a lot of new friends. I am excited for them! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Merry Christmas to everyone! I want to thank everyone in advance for all of the cards and packages I have been receiving! I am so blessed to have my wonderful family and friends. I love you all!! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsmcUtCdlDOOELiTBI840r0vMmsGg8vJee_A228st0miveGs1vtnZqCqtd0s4hpvuwDO7x2QvQka0Lxdy-3S4e9dVR_pgNOzf5VqCB2ohvJ2cJFSBseQxgliFhHzuTwxst3M0WWejEKlD/s1600/ElderDeLucaCmasTreeTexasOrnament122115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsmcUtCdlDOOELiTBI840r0vMmsGg8vJee_A228st0miveGs1vtnZqCqtd0s4hpvuwDO7x2QvQka0Lxdy-3S4e9dVR_pgNOzf5VqCB2ohvJ2cJFSBseQxgliFhHzuTwxst3M0WWejEKlD/s1600/ElderDeLucaCmasTreeTexasOrnament122115.JPG" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwr576gJhkERnaDvy_CNEw_7v2mnMU8R5QMxCWKz8LOYVFk54mqdTcmPyXhYyrUk_Zjvnfxzd_ZLpTWpng4seELXlHimJpxbQjDO8c1p_mviSxDVWuww8_HSrl1IzMA8-0-G0ryF05OZjz/s1600/ElderDeLucaElderYoungCmasTree122115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwr576gJhkERnaDvy_CNEw_7v2mnMU8R5QMxCWKz8LOYVFk54mqdTcmPyXhYyrUk_Zjvnfxzd_ZLpTWpng4seELXlHimJpxbQjDO8c1p_mviSxDVWuww8_HSrl1IzMA8-0-G0ryF05OZjz/s320/ElderDeLucaElderYoungCmasTree122115.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="text-align: start;">This is kinda blurry, but </span><span class="il" style="text-align: start;">Elder</span><span style="text-align: start;"> Young put up the lights and the stockings and then </span><span class="il" style="text-align: start;">Elder</span><span style="text-align: start;"> Nielsen says hello. :) </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgiiNU2CocaE6DZv4lSjn6B3f36e5F9U6Ut_vmc9AkTT2oZ1va4fdUoWkxGZHaEan-SLgMg7QdafBz3SXwzedoaJwYRyfCMb1s_xoYkY4KNqLESk438v0otbSYCtXAau6O-B2-q7lVkZ-/s1600/ElderDeLucaFreshlyVacuumedCarpet122115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwgiiNU2CocaE6DZv4lSjn6B3f36e5F9U6Ut_vmc9AkTT2oZ1va4fdUoWkxGZHaEan-SLgMg7QdafBz3SXwzedoaJwYRyfCMb1s_xoYkY4KNqLESk438v0otbSYCtXAau6O-B2-q7lVkZ-/s1600/ElderDeLucaFreshlyVacuumedCarpet122115.JPG" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsmcUtCdlDOOELiTBI840r0vMmsGg8vJee_A228st0miveGs1vtnZqCqtd0s4hpvuwDO7x2QvQka0Lxdy-3S4e9dVR_pgNOzf5VqCB2ohvJ2cJFSBseQxgliFhHzuTwxst3M0WWejEKlD/s1600/ElderDeLucaCmasTreeTexasOrnament122115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsmcUtCdlDOOELiTBI840r0vMmsGg8vJee_A228st0miveGs1vtnZqCqtd0s4hpvuwDO7x2QvQka0Lxdy-3S4e9dVR_pgNOzf5VqCB2ohvJ2cJFSBseQxgliFhHzuTwxst3M0WWejEKlD/s1600/ElderDeLucaCmasTreeTexasOrnament122115.JPG" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2E6qKXu2MYdMYMh6vuU9NmJry4cHYrIywn4fxzDXa0iGL7bTJ5tRaJ_CHbOWinfeGEk1jbSj66_Iy6SuWTuMuy9kS35Xf65PvfjgNs-13_ZkVd0dhWh7DNQo9iQCKGNQLmdWLiGtKWH2/s1600/ElderDeLucaFreshlyVacuumedCarpet122115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2E6qKXu2MYdMYMh6vuU9NmJry4cHYrIywn4fxzDXa0iGL7bTJ5tRaJ_CHbOWinfeGEk1jbSj66_Iy6SuWTuMuy9kS35Xf65PvfjgNs-13_ZkVd0dhWh7DNQo9iQCKGNQLmdWLiGtKWH2/s320/ElderDeLucaFreshlyVacuumedCarpet122115.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">This is our nice carpet after I vacuumed it. :) </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZecs8aKfKMQKAjnv_sLs27oklFoTTMMmHJfU9-pzsd3g3yRXItygXkW1kXskxlpdCGnVf3deW3E8QmA4qdtJCKnEM9H-t6w9dfxBGA2ZUdmZTyMPFZ6OKx4MkembU3-L1oAUpzZCUrLtZ/s1600/ElderDeLucaCmasTreeTexasOrnament122115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZecs8aKfKMQKAjnv_sLs27oklFoTTMMmHJfU9-pzsd3g3yRXItygXkW1kXskxlpdCGnVf3deW3E8QmA4qdtJCKnEM9H-t6w9dfxBGA2ZUdmZTyMPFZ6OKx4MkembU3-L1oAUpzZCUrLtZ/s320/ElderDeLucaCmasTreeTexasOrnament122115.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">Thanks for the ornament Mamma!! </span></span></div>
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oopsey.daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841702523612093858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356863073610449067.post-63820221561421040872015-12-21T16:24:00.000-08:002015-12-21T16:24:16.636-08:00MLC, Seminary, and the Temple<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px; text-align: start;">Well, this week flew by! </span><span class="il" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px; text-align: start;">Elder</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px; text-align: start;"> Myers is being transferred so we are really going to miss him, especially me. He is like my son! We have had a great three months together and I know why President felt inspired for us to be companions. We have learned a lot from each other. HE is going to do great things and touch the lives of many! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Tuesday, we had Mission Leadership Council and it went really well! President Mortensen never ceases to amaze me with his council he gives. It is pretty amazing. We talked a lot about working better with our ward councils and then President threw it down for a while. It was sick. We role played Matthew 14 where Peter walks on the water to Jesus and likened that unto someone who is not sure about their baptismal date. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">After MLC, we had dinner with the Russo's. On our way there, I saw a bumper sticker that said, "All gave some, and some gave all." That really was profound to me at that very moment. I was thinking about that in relation to missionaries. Every single one of us gave something up to be here. We have all left our family, friends, hobbies, and even education. We have all let our comfort zone. The question is are we giving it our all? That is a more and more sobering thought for those who are nearing the end of their missions. I do not want to regret not working hard after I come home, so my promise to you guys is that I am giving it my all! #NOREGRETS </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Thursday, we taught seminary and they are studying the Old Testament. We went through Numbers 20 and 21. I learned a lot from studying and preparing to teach them. I made cake pops and chocolate covered pretzels for them. They were all over that! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">After we finished teaching seminary, we went back to our apartment to get some breakfast and then we had the wonderful opportunity to go to the temple as a district. This past week was one of the best experiences for me because I paid close attention to the symbolism we learn about in the Lord's house. I learned more on Thursday than all of the other times combined. I know in the temple we can find peace and happiness and it is the only place where those feeling will last. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Friday, we taught zone meeting and I covered the stuff about working with ward council and then the Sister training leaders talked about all of the stuff that President threw down. One thing he said was this. He was talking to a physiologist once and he told President that, "Shy people are the most self-centered people in the world." That is a big pill to swallow for those who may be shy, but think about that. How true that really is. They are too concerned about what others may think of them so they don't speak up. They related that to missionaries who don't want to go tracting or talk to people. <span class="il">Elder</span> Nielsen and I modeled the role play with the Sister training leaders as our investigators. <span class="il">Elder</span> Elsberry discreetly filmed it and the airdropped it to me. Haha...it was cool to go back and see what it looks like when we teach. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">We went to Texas Roadhouse for <span class="il">Elder</span> Myers' birthday and it was so fun. I LOVE that place! Their food is seriously the best. Its cool because in Arizona and Utah they say, "Welcome to Texas Roadhouse." But here, they just say, "Welcome to Roadhouse." :) </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">We found a new investigator named Austin on Saturday. We were tracting out an apartment complex and then we found him towards the end of the night. He was really cool. We are going back later this week. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Well that is most of our crazy fast week. I hope you are all having a great holiday season and may we all remember our Savior and all that He has done for each of us as we celebrate this special time of the year. If you haven't already, check out "A Savior Is Born" at <a href="http://christmas.mormon.org/" target="_blank">christmas.mormon.org</a> and if you have seen it, share it with a friend! I love you guys and may the Lord's greatest blessing be upon you all. Have a great week! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">We helped Brother Stringer make a chicken coop for his rooster. :) </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsOrUSttIsEuoka2nsmhM1ATvyy-2VP26TYotzRnVrI-AzAa8N3Z5D1Ci2jkynR2BX91hKLploj6HhCp21LnXhTEWK4Qb37UYvP-O-isdku1egsGMZp0_wrUEub69iOeDgK0qfohmni1G/s1600/ElderDeLucaThreeMusketeersCmasTree121415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsOrUSttIsEuoka2nsmhM1ATvyy-2VP26TYotzRnVrI-AzAa8N3Z5D1Ci2jkynR2BX91hKLploj6HhCp21LnXhTEWK4Qb37UYvP-O-isdku1egsGMZp0_wrUEub69iOeDgK0qfohmni1G/s320/ElderDeLucaThreeMusketeersCmasTree121415.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">We got some ornaments for our tree thanks to Sister Falcon! </span></span></div>
<br />oopsey.daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841702523612093858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356863073610449067.post-54652433345284968452015-12-21T16:13:00.001-08:002015-12-21T16:24:38.999-08:00New Gators, Last Zone Conference, and the Temple<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;">This past Tuesday, we went tracting and we were sharing the new "A Savior Is Born" video and talked to a guy named Marshall and asked if we could come in and share it with he and his family and he was like, "Yeah come in!" SO sick. His wife's name is Jennifer and they have three daughters. We shared the video and then talked about the Savior's earthly ministry and then set up a return appointment with them for the next day. </span><br style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;" /><br style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;">Wednesday, my companions went with Brother Douglas back over to share the restoration lesson with them and Brother Douglas and Marshall hit it off. They were like two peas in a pod</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px; text-align: center;">. They both do Ironmans and they just clicked. Meanwhile Chris Saenz and I went over to the Kotak's house and we had a lesson with Raj. </span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;"><br /></span><br style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;">Thursday, I had my last zone conference and I gave my departing testimony. HOLY COW! It's getting real now. I asked the assistants if I could go last because I wanted to throw it down. I talked first about how I have had the privilege of training a new missionary and it has been the coolest experience for me. I said I told </span><span class="il" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;">Elder</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;"> Myers just a few weeks ago that the best advice I could give him would be to follow the rules, then I proceeded to talk about the importance of obedience. I then talked about the Book of Mormon and how that book has literally changed my life. I talked about how much I have changed throughout the course of my mission and then shared a couple paragraphs from Christy's email to me this past week. She said;</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"> "I remember a Sunday, not all that long ago, when a very annoyed young man sat next to me in sacrament meeting. He definitely did NOT want to be there; he was there because he had to be. As he sat there, unhappy and frustrated, the organ prelude to the opening song began. I opened up the hymn book and offered it to the young man. He said, "You can make me go to church, but you can't make me sing." Do you know who that young man was? It was you.....but it wasn't you. I mean, it was you sitting next to me, but your spirit hadn't yet learned some of the secrets to happiness. <br /><br />Now, more than 2 years and many spiritual miles later, here you sit, at the jumping-off place to what is certain to be your next great adventure.....the rest of your life! And, having served the Lord on your mission for almost 2 years now, you have learned so much and changed your heart so completely that you don't even RESEMBLE the young man who sat next to me in church back then and refused to sing. Now, you know that the secret to a truly happy life is turning our hearts, minds and wills over to Heavenly Father and letting him make of us what He wants us to be. The truth is that He can make us into far better people than we ever would have the ability to become by following our own desires and impulses. He loves us so much that He gave us His Only Begotten Son to make it possible for us to change and become the amazing creatures He wants us to be. Jesus Christ and His gospel are honestly the only ways to true and lasting happiness and joy in this life and the next. You have learned that for yourself and it's been quite a journey from where you were then to where you are now. Just think of where you'll be <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1744876205" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">10 years from now</span></span>! As you continue living "after the manner of happiness," your potential for true joy is limitless! The journey you've taken so far makes me so happy. I am honored beyond words to have witnessed it."<br /><br />My allergies were really picking up as I read this and it made it really tough to read when my eyes were watering. After that I talked about how I know there are many reasons why I was called to Houston, but I am certain that one of them is because of President Mortensen. I cannot express how much I love my Mission President and his dear family. He has helped me tremendously with becoming something of what I always wanted to become, but more importantly what the Lord would have me become. I have learned much from watching how he and Sister Mortensen treat each other. Obviously, they love each other, but you can tell that they really 'like' being around one another. I talked about the love they have for all of us and how we have much to learn from them. I closed with a verse in Jacob 5:72 and said that the only thing that is keeping us from the presence of the Savior is ourselves. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Saturday Morning, we went to the temple with the Saenz for their first time doing baptisms for the dead. The Evans came with us and they were the ones who helped the Saenz find family names on family search. It was the coolest experience ever. I can honestly say that being in the temple is my most favorite place in the entire world. That is where <i>lasting </i>peace, joy, and happiness lay. May we all strive to keep the commandments and the covenants that we have made, that we may be able to enter into the Lord's house. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">P.S. Happy Birthday to my little sister, and my biggest fan. I love you, Buddah, and I will be thinking of you this Friday! :) </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">Its Christmas time in the city! We are going to get ornaments soon so don't worry. :) </span></span></div>
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oopsey.daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841702523612093858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356863073610449067.post-40263363737094342762015-12-21T16:02:00.000-08:002015-12-21T16:02:05.858-08:00A Great Turkey Day!<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;"><span style="color: white;">I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! We went to four different members' homes for dinner so I just nibbled on some things at each place that way I didn't have to roll myself out the door. My companions went all out though! </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">After our last dinner, we went tracting. We talked to a really nice lady who said we can come back this Wednesday and her name is Teresa. We didn't feel super solid about her so we kept on knocking. After about 20 or so minutes we were starting to become a little frustrated because no one was answering and the ones that did didn't want to have anything to do with us. I suggested that we say a prayer, so I went ahead and offered that. I included in that prayer for Heavenly Father to lead us to someone who he has prepared. After the prayer, it started raining on us. It wasn't too bad at first, but none of us had rain jackets so when it started coming down harder we were all soaking wet. None of us wanted to say it, but we were just not feeling it. We kept on going and still nothing. We were just about to go back and then we decided to knock one more house. The lady ended up not wanting to talk to us and as we were leaving we noticed her neighbors garage was open with the light on. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">As we walked up to the garage a guys was like, "It's the Mormons! Come in here and get out of the rain!" We went in and he explained that he had an in-law that was a member of our church. We talked for a few minutes and then he asked if we wanted some food. My companions were stuffed, so I was like "Sure, I'll take some food!" I am willing to take one for the team. I'll gain a pound for a new investigator any day. Luckily, I just had a tiny bit. I wasn't hungry, but I wanted to get in that house! The chances of someone becoming an investigator and taking the lessons increases dramatically just by entering into their home. After we ate, his wife asked if we wanted to come sit down in the living room. Yes, please! We talked about the Restoration briefly and they both wanted us to come back this coming Saturday so we will see how it goes! :) I am telling you, the "Fourth Watch" is a real principle. The Lord does not come right away. He doesn't come right when it gets tough but, rather, He comes after the trial of our faith. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Saturday, we had a lesson with Kent and Brother Lane came with us. Kent is the one who used to be a professional boxer and Brother Lane teaches boxing so it was pretty sick. We went in and they talked for just a couple minutes then we had a prayer and talked about the Book of Mormon and explained it in depth. Once I understood this principle that "the amount of the Book of Mormon an investigator reads, is directly proportionate to their conversion," I started to teach it differently. That principle has changed my life forever. It changes my studies, it changes the way I discuss it with members and it changes the way I teach it to non-members. Most importantly, it changes the way I will teach it to my children someday. At the end of the lesson, we asked Kent to say the closing prayer and asked him to ask Heavenly Father to know that the Book of Mormon is true. It's not a matter of "if" it is true. We know it is true. They need to ask for that knowledge to come to them as they read, ponder, and pray about it. He stopped partway through and looked at the pamphlet to see what else he should say, so I whispered to him, "Pray about the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon." And he did. If they don't do it with us, the chances of them praying about it on their own are slim and if they don't say a specific prayer it is hard to get a specific answer. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">This Thursday is my last zone conference so I will be giving my departing testimony and I have literally been thinking about it for weeks now. I have put a lot of thought into it because I ask myself, "What do I wish I would have known when I first came out on my mission?" and "What could I say that would be of the most benefit for the missionaries to hear?" I think about that kind of stuff. I will report next Monday on the things I chose to talk about. My time is going so fast, and I can honestly say that I am learning the most in the last few months of my mission. I love it! Have a great week everyone! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">Sending some love from the three musketeers. :) </span></span></div>
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oopsey.daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841702523612093858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356863073610449067.post-51241567484166974922015-12-21T15:30:00.000-08:002015-12-21T15:30:43.205-08:00Happy Thanksgiving!<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;">We had a sweet week! On Sunday, we had a special MLC with </span><span class="il" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;">Elder</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;"> and Sister Packer and that was pretty awesome. </span><span class="il" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;">Elder</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;"> Packer said that after all of the studies that have been done with trying to baptize more of the people we find, there is a tool that will show us how to do that. He got us all fired up and then told us that the tool was Preach My Gospel. Mind blown! Preach My Gospel literally has everything we need to succeed as missionaries. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Tuesday, we had a zone conference with <span class="il">Elder</span> and Sister Packer as well with President and Sister Mortensen. There were a lot of things that we talked about. President talked about the Doctrine of Christ and it was really good. He talked about how our faith and repentance are essential to us as we progress in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Honestly the thing that sticks out to me most is how a General Authority treats his spouse and how she treated him. The way they talked about each other was moving. I pay attention to the details in everything. President and Sister Mortensen do the same things. You can learn so much about how to treat your spouse just by making observations with our Priesthood leaders. It is the coolest thing ever! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">On Wednesday, we had 8-week follow up for all of the new missionaries (<span class="il">Elder </span>Myers) and it was literally my favorite meeting I have had my entire mission! I have been called to train a few missionaries throughout the course of my mission but due to circumstances, this was the first meeting I made it to. We all started out together and President was doing some training and then all of the trainers got up and went into the Relief Society room while the trainees stayed in the chapel. We then went around and asked what is hard, what is good, and if we feel that our trainees could train if they were called to next transfer. It was really cool. Then we went into the gym and all of the trainees go to a different trainer and we look over their outlines for the first three lessons found in chapter three of Preach My Gospel. Then we rotated after each lesson. We had lunch after that and then it was time to role play! All of the trainees went around and start to teach the lessons. We are in a trio so president just had me go around and observe with he and the assistants while <span class="il">Elder</span> Nielsen was being taught. It was so cool for me to listen to all of the new missionaries teach. President had everyone close their eyes and asked the trainers, "If you felt moved, raise your hand." There were a lot who didn't raise their hands and so he told them to start over! Haha I love President Mortensen so much. He is a man of God, and he does not mess around. I love it. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">We have been finding a lot of people but there have been quite a few who end up not being interested. We are here to invite the world, and find the elect. We tracted into this lady named Rebecca and she was literally searching or thinking about finding a new church. She was going through a tough time with one of her sons, and we just talked to her about the pre-earth life. We told her that she can make it through these challenges as she relies on the strengthening power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We talked a lot about the Atonement, and she wanted us to come back to talk to her and her family when her boys would be there. We are going back tomorrow! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">We also found a new investigator who was meeting with the missionaries in the past but they just lost contact and then we were going through our area book and found him so we went by. We are planning on seeing him sometime this week. He used to be a professional boxer and Brother Lane teaches a boxing class so we are going to bring him with us. I hope you all have a great week and know that I love you! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">A couple of us having lunch with the 'Big Dog' at 8 week follow up! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Here is <span class="il">Elder</span> and Sister Packer. So neat to have them! </span></div>
oopsey.daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841702523612093858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356863073610449067.post-67577117657277984972015-12-21T15:06:00.000-08:002015-12-21T15:06:37.186-08:00Faith and Hope<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;">Alright, I have to be quick today! This past Tuesday, we went on exchanges with the assistants and we had a really good day. </span><span class="il" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;">Elder</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;"> Croft came with </span><span class="il" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;">Elder </span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;">Nielsen and I and then </span><span class="il" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;">Elder</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;"> Myers went with the other assistant </span><span class="il" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;">Elder</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;"> Visser. We went finding that night with a member Zach Eberhart and he and I went to a lesson while the other two </span><span class="il" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;">elders</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;"> went tracting. Our lesson fell through so we went back to a lady's house named Lindsey who we talked with a few nights prior. She told us to come back on Tuesday if we had time so we said, "Okay." When we got there a member from the Conroe 1st Ward was there with her husband! Lindsey had made us all dinner and then we shared a message when we finished. Good thing we went back!! She is a really nice lady and she works with Brother Fisher from the Conroe 1st Ward. He served here like 2 years ago and met Katie who is now Sister Fisher. They are sweet! We taught the Restoration and then we are going to go back this week. She has a daughter who 12 and she is interested in meeting with us as well!</span><br style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;" /><br style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;">Meanwhile, when we were at Lindsey's house </span><span class="il" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;">Elder</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;"> Croft and Nielsen found 5 other investigators!! There was one guy named Tommy which we have already met with again this past Thursday and then another lady and three of her children.</span><br style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;" /><br style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;" /><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;">As we have reflected on why we found 7 new investigators that day we have come to one conclusion. We had the hope to find. Obviously we had the faith to go out and act and say okay lets go tract, but we were actually planning and hoping to finding people. We told each other that we would do whatever we had to and then prayed and confirmed with the Lord. You can have faith and no hope. They are so similar, yet they are different. I love these words of wisdom from Moroni 10:20-23.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Wherefore, there must be faith; and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity.<br />And except ye have charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God; neither can ye be saved in the kingdom of God if ye have not faith; neither can ye if ye have no hope.<br />And if ye have no hope ye must needs be in despair; and despair cometh because of iniquity.<br />And Christ truly said unto our fathers: If ye have faith ye can do all things which are expedient unto me.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">It is also interesting to me that some missionaries think that being disobedience doesn't affect the work. The scriptures clearly tell us that iniquity leads us to despair. And if we are in despair we have no hope. And if we have no hope we have no faith. And if we have no faith we will see no miracles because miracles come on account of our faith. Moroni <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1744876196" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">7:37</span></span>. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;">"Keep the commandments; keep the commandments!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">In this there is safety; in this there is peace.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">He will send blessings; He will send blessings.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Words of a prophet: Keep the commandments.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">In this there is safety and peace."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: 13px;">I love this hymn. I know that as we keep the commandments our faith and hope will increase and our confidence shall wax strong in the presence of God. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.</span></div>
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oopsey.daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841702523612093858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356863073610449067.post-3842760285758228312015-11-09T19:42:00.000-08:002015-11-09T19:42:04.420-08:00Interviews and Stake Conference!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;">This past Tuesday, Elder Myers woke up at </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_848340445" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">5:12</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"> to go to the bathroom and he woke me up on accident when he came back into the room, so I was like, "Well, let's go workout!" I can never go back to sleep when I wake up and I had MLC that day so I had to leave at </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_848340446" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">7:30</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"> anyways, so it worked out well. Elder Myers was not thrilled about going to the gym that early, but he was willing. :) I love going to MLC though because I am always spiritually fed. We learned a lot and we practiced role playing how to respond to investigators that say, "I've already been baptized." If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, man, I would have some serious dough. We went to Acts 19:1-6 where Paul is in his ministry and comes across a group of disciples that were just baptized and he asks them if they received the Holy Ghost and they didn't know what he was talking about. So, he taught them and then they were re-baptized. I have used that before in my teaching, but the role play was super helpful for how to teach it with more power. It is the power that carries it unto the hearts of those we teach. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">We had interviews on Wednesday with President Mortensen and he saved the best for last. ;) Haha, just kidding. He wanted to interview the zone leaders last and Elder Mikesell went before me so I really was last, but certainly not the best. My interview was really short because I got to talk to him at MLC on Tuesday. I have never met a more spiritual individual than President Mortensen. I told him and I tell missionaries if they don't have anything but a great relationship with President, it is their fault. He loves us so much and he does so many things for us. If they only knew half of what he really does, they would change the way they speak of him. I don't want you to think that a bunch of missionaries talk badly of him, but there are always going to be "those missionaries" that have no idea why they are on a mission and they have a bad attitude about everything. I don't tolerate missionaries speaking evil of the Lord's anointed. It drives me cray cray! </span><div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Thursday evening, we went tracting and we were not having a lot of success. It just seemed like people didn't want to talk to us. We prayed before we left and poured our heart out to the Lord and told Him that we knew He could lead us to someone who He has been preparing. I was determined to find someone, you guys! We knocked a few doors and talked to some people and nothing. We finished up that street and it was getting pretty dark and people do not like it when we knock after dark. There was one more street like a block away so I was like lets go up there. We have to talk to at least 15 people a day and when we tract we try to keep track so Elder Myers asked me how many more until we talk to 15 and I simply said, "Till we find a new investigator." It was the second door that we knocked on the very next street that a guy named Wes let us in and we shared a message with him and set up a return appointment. Therefore, he became a new investigator. The Lord is a Fourth Watch God. We are going to teach Wes and hopefully his family the message of the Plan of Salvation tonight at 7 with our Bishop. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">On Sunday, we had our Stake Presidency reorganized and during stake conference I felt the Spirit really strong when President L. Whitney Clayton spoke. WOW!! He talked about when they interview the wives of the stake presidency. He said the women are terrific, and the men are good. Women make men terrific. SO true. I don't think enough women understand how important they really are to us, and more importantly, to Heavenly Father. Us men could not do it on our own. I love the first sentence of the Young Women's Theme: "We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him." That is beautiful. I love that! It establishes their identity as daughters of God. One thing the adversary tries to do to us is rob us of our identity. There is a perfect example of this in the book of Moses. Moses 1:4 God says thou art my son. Verse 12 satan says to him son of man. Immediately satan tried to blur Moses' vision of being a son of God. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">In 1 Nephi <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_848340447" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">12:17</span></span> we learn about the mists of darkness and it says "which blindeth the eyes, and hardeneth the hearts of the children of men". The adversary is well aware of our potential and satan and his followers will do all that they can to blur our vision of what we can become. Satan does not have a body so he will do all he can to try to tempt us to do anything contrary to the commandments of God with our physical bodies. May we all be aware of this and follow the commandments of our Heavenly Father where lasting peace, joy, and happiness awate. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;">Happy Halloween from Conroe! Elder Myers' mama </span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;">sent him a </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">really nice halloween package with some goodies for both of us. So sweet of her! </span></span></div>
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<br />oopsey.daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841702523612093858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356863073610449067.post-13855823747032524272015-11-09T19:29:00.002-08:002015-11-09T19:29:33.627-08:00New Companion and New Investigators!<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px;">This past </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_848340436" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Tuesday,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px;"> Elder Myers and I were happy to go down and pick up our new companion Elder Nielsen. He came out with me and he was just called to serve as a zone leader so it makes it a lot easier when zone leader companions are serving together. Elder Mikesell and I were both serving in different wards. He was called to serve in Tomball! I told him that was MY ward! :)</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_848340437" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">On Friday</span></span> after our district meeting, we went to help Brother Russo do some yard work and I got to mow his grass with a riding lawn mower! I was SO happy! I was cruising on that thing. It reminded me of my Papa's riding lawn mower that my brother Zack and I would drive around with the three-wheeler. Good times! Elder Nielsen was pulling weeds and he got bit by some fire ants! Turns out he was allergic to them and his hand was swollen about three times its original size <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_848340438" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Saturday</span></span>. It was crazy!! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_848340439" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday</span></span> evening after our dinner appointment, we went tracting and before we got out of the car I told my companions that I was committed to find a new investigator and that I was willing to do all that I had to in order to find one. I then said are you in? They both were pumped and were like, "YES!" Elder Nielsen offered a really nice prayer and we committed to the Lord that we were going to do whatever we had to do in order to find whoever He was preparing. It was the second house we knocked into that we talked one of the nicest people I have ever talked to in Texas. Her name is Taylor and she lives with her boyfriend and a roommate and she has a little 11 month old baby boy named Houston! We taught her about the restoration and she really liked it. We were going to go back <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_848340440" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Saturday</span></span> but Houston was sick so we are going to have to go back another day this week. It was neat for us to see the Lord answer our prayer so quickly that night. Usually the miracles happen towards then end of the night, but this one was a tender mercy. :) </span><div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_848340441" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday,</span></span> we had a Regional Conference and it was SO good. I want to see if there is a way to get access to those talks and reread them. One thing I have learned is that, sometimes, when we listen to talks, things slip past us, but when we read back through them we see things that we didn't the first time. It is a pretty cool experience. I love reading through General Conference talks! After church, we had to go an Urgent Care for Elder Nielsen. His hand was so swollen it looked like it was going to fall off. He got a prescription and it is helping. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">This morning in our companionship study, we went through the 3rd chapter of Mosiah. There is a lot of good stuff in there for such a short chapter. Verse 19 is very common talking about the natural man, but what hit me was in verse 21 where it says, "And behold, when that time cometh, none shall be found blameless before God, except it be little children, only through repentance and faith on the name of the Lord God Omnipotent." Now, this is talking about the judgement and I thought it was so neat how NONE shall stand blameless before God, EXCEPT it be LITTLE CHILDREN. That really hit me hard today. I absolutely love little children. They are the most perfect and precious people on the earth. What a blessing it is to know that all little children are saved in the Kingdom of God. Most of our world does not believe that. Would a loving Heavenly Father not let an infant or little child back into His arms if they did not have the opportunity to be baptized and accept the gospel? No, He would not do that. The scriptures teach us to become as a child, not that a child is to become as we are. The teachings of our church and the doctrine we believe makes too much sense. I love it. Have a great week! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Howdy, y'all! ;)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGIiCuNIPdRsPjBD1hzraytHjP09s_iHmFShQYnhf7nShVg9VWCRVDu58YlycC8gGf3WAJFC6K5qfJWJG2ACsx59k7NIJqrGyi36jdLzn2S6wfxoSVgG_z6tAQBQ4A_NwP8PmZFpU-7hG/s1600/ElderDeLucaMail11915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGIiCuNIPdRsPjBD1hzraytHjP09s_iHmFShQYnhf7nShVg9VWCRVDu58YlycC8gGf3WAJFC6K5qfJWJG2ACsx59k7NIJqrGyi36jdLzn2S6wfxoSVgG_z6tAQBQ4A_NwP8PmZFpU-7hG/s320/ElderDeLucaMail11915.JPG" width="239" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">It's always nice to get some extra love from my family! ;)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjII182uBab4OUWl0pw6Q47E3FOESbm-q4irTqookOA3C8DyxAvgBeAJnpXfWI__V2au6xp-Kgc4myGC2CbqkU-Gax8-NmGwVDrcp7poO5qVsLvuQjo5PZMBXv5Bmpt-FdDjm1ZzVFvO2/s1600/ElderDeLucaElderNielsen%2527sHand11915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjII182uBab4OUWl0pw6Q47E3FOESbm-q4irTqookOA3C8DyxAvgBeAJnpXfWI__V2au6xp-Kgc4myGC2CbqkU-Gax8-NmGwVDrcp7poO5qVsLvuQjo5PZMBXv5Bmpt-FdDjm1ZzVFvO2/s320/ElderDeLucaElderNielsen%2527sHand11915.JPG" width="239" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">This is Elder Nielsen's hand!!</span></div>
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oopsey.daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841702523612093858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356863073610449067.post-8192804162935644292015-10-20T08:06:00.002-07:002015-10-20T08:06:26.751-07:00The Fourth Watch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">Alright I am just going to be honest with you. I type really slow and we do not have that much time so I am going to share an incredible miracle that we had this weekend!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1586552072" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Saturday</span></span> night, we had a our <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1586552073" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">8-o'clock</span></span> appointment fall through and the Conroe 1st Elders called us right then. They asked us where we were because they wanted to come check our apartment for their mileage logbook for their car. We have to track our mileage in our cars everyday, and we all keep the credit card in there for fuel. They needed to get gas because they were on empty and they didn't want to get gas <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1586552074" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Sunday</span></span>. They thought it might be at our apartment because they come over a lot. We searched our entire apartment high and low and it was nowhere to be found. We then went out to their car to help them look. Their car was a mess; most missionaries cars are (except ours). So we took everything out and completely searched everywhere and it was nowhere to be found. I said, "Have you guys said a prayer?" They said they had. I felt like we needed to pray again, but I didn't want them to think I thought their prayer wasn't sufficient or something, so I didn't say anything. It was right then that Elder Elsberry was like, "Lets just say another prayer. It is not going to hurt anything!" I was thinking to myself, "YES!" </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">After the prayer we searched all of the boxes in the car and still nothing! They left to go look in their apartment and as they drove away I said to Elder Myers, "Should we just go help them look?" He was fine with it so we called them and they said, "Yes, come." We followed them over and took everything out of the car into their apartment. It was nowhere to be found. We stopped searching for a bit and were just talking and then I was like, "I am searching this apartment." I don't give up without putting up a fight. Never. In most cases that does more harm than good, but this time it had a good turn out. I searched their apartment like a German Shepherd searching for paraphernalia! I did not find it anywhere. Finally I was like, "Okay, I am going to the car to look again." Elder Myers came with me and I felt like checking the glove box again, so I did. I emptied it and nothing was in there. Right then I felt prompted to take the glove box out of the car. Most people don"t know this, but in most cars the glove box comes out really easily. You just disconnect it and pops it right out. I removed the glove box, and there was the logbook jammed into the dash. I grabbed it and showed Elder Myers and he was like, "Way to go Elder DeLuca!" </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Being the goof I am, I tucked the logbook in my belt behind my back like I was packin' some heat and then we walked back in and I was like, "Sorry guys. We couldn't find it, but we have to go." I asked them how much they loved me. Then I asked them to turn around and then I pulled it out and I was just smiling waiting for them to turn around and see the logbook. It was pretty cool. They were shocked! They were like, "What did you do!?!?!" They had been searching for this for days. </span><div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">There is a talk by S. Michael Wilcox titled "The Fourth Watch." I would encourage you all to watch or listen to it. This is a real principle. The Lord does not come right out when it gets tough. He comes after the trial of our faith. If we would had given up when we were searching at our apartment they would have never found it. If we would have given up at their apartment, they would have never found it. That prompting to remove the glove box wouldn't have come to me if I didn't listen to the first prompting to go back to the car even though we searched it thoroughly 2 or 3 times. It was neat for me to see the Lord working through all of us that night. The Lord is with His missionaries. I know that. May we all listen to the still small voice of the Spirit of God. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yB2yq6lHykbfysdREI5YrsCTRqRDnczmyArfNfKPXasMz5MvTXTgkdrY3I2SOa-OLrP0grGvTOH4V4x29tFT7RJaD3VPR0FlepNMIk6w7apyQzdEUhJe39Wf1heX9-Rh-qLa4dh1jJtd/s1600/ElderDeLucaChainsaw101915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yB2yq6lHykbfysdREI5YrsCTRqRDnczmyArfNfKPXasMz5MvTXTgkdrY3I2SOa-OLrP0grGvTOH4V4x29tFT7RJaD3VPR0FlepNMIk6w7apyQzdEUhJe39Wf1heX9-Rh-qLa4dh1jJtd/s320/ElderDeLucaChainsaw101915.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">I bought a couple of hats this week. These type of hats look good on bald guys, so I got a couple. Stihl is the best chainsaw ever made! </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0_dXEswcAIpzLhHUBxNRWMJ3Zt32zxHwjw3CC9tn7jmDZlVW7yU-_TXXZzVvwOL-i55CUhCLF3cWhmGyQ8SrxBUismmi-Ys9y-LYO6qma0TGJ9O54muOxPT4CVQY0AihD2oB5foO3r-c/s1600/ElderDeLucaElderMyersJohnDeere101915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0_dXEswcAIpzLhHUBxNRWMJ3Zt32zxHwjw3CC9tn7jmDZlVW7yU-_TXXZzVvwOL-i55CUhCLF3cWhmGyQ8SrxBUismmi-Ys9y-LYO6qma0TGJ9O54muOxPT4CVQY0AihD2oB5foO3r-c/s320/ElderDeLucaElderMyersJohnDeere101915.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px;"><span style="color: white;">Here is my companion when we were changing the oil in a silly John Deere. They shoulda bought a CAT! </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHreVqWVXGkPSMZqvwynYUeXTURzt2JEGS8rUEZLqbqhqdtv_h5Yxna79FIp8nwY3HPh_2WUxHPttjXk0wTiLG0H44dpbPYHE7x9-Yk6RV_vpFPpsyUpLVW1fcu-02FsLWVUsANiHXcP7h/s1600/ElderDeLucaJohnDeer101915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHreVqWVXGkPSMZqvwynYUeXTURzt2JEGS8rUEZLqbqhqdtv_h5Yxna79FIp8nwY3HPh_2WUxHPttjXk0wTiLG0H44dpbPYHE7x9-Yk6RV_vpFPpsyUpLVW1fcu-02FsLWVUsANiHXcP7h/s320/ElderDeLucaJohnDeer101915.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">"Well she ain't into cars or pickup trucks, but if it runs like a Deere, man her eyes light uuuupp..." I loved changing the oil in this tractor. I miss wrenching on my car and dirt bike! </span></span></div>
<br />oopsey.daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841702523612093858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356863073610449067.post-90816749010489646232015-10-15T15:03:00.001-07:002015-10-15T15:03:15.137-07:00Fasting and My Calling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;">Alright, well we had another great week. Last Sunday, we were both fasting to find a new family to teach and guess what? We found one this week. I cannot stress the power that comes from fasting. I know this is a true principle and, because of that, I fast very frequently. I like food, but I love the miracles that the Lord pours out upon us as we are faithful and pay a generous fast offering. Some people have forgotten the true order of a proper fast. 1. Always start with a prayer. If not, you are just starving yourself; 2. Skip two consecutive meals or go 24 hours without food or drink; and 3. Always pay a generous fast offering. If we do these things we are promised that the Lord will "Open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." Malachi </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2015536206" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">3:10</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;">. I am aware that this is applying to the law of the tithe, but if you look closely in verse 8 it is talking about tithes AND offerings. These are not just temporal blessings, but rather spiritual as well. In my opinion, the spiritual outweighs the temporal. If we understood this, we would be crazy not to fast.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">This past Tuesday, it was getting late but we still had like 10 minutes before it was 9 so we were like, "Let's go by someone." We scanned the new member list and went by the Smiths. For some reason, their name really stood out as I scanned down the list. This was odd because she was the head of the household on the paper, meaning there most likely was not a male there. We were just going by to introduce ourselves and say hi. We weren't planning on going in. Sister Smith answered the door and was like, "Hey Elders! Come in!" We asked if a male was there and she opened the door up a little more and there her husband Mark stood. We came in and talked for a few minutes and then asked if we could come back the next day. They said yes! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Wednesday, after dinner with the Beans, my boy Lofton and I went back over there and Elder Myers went to see the Saenz family with Brother Douglas. We went in and came to find out that Mark was a non-member and none of her children were baptized. She has three children and they are awesome. We taught about the Book of Mormon and the importance of this holy book of scripture. The lesson went well and we scheduled a return appointment for <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_2015536207" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday</span></span>. When we came back, they hadn't read and I literally wanted to cry. We were planning to teach the Restoration, but we didn't dare teach if they hadn't read. We told them what our plan was, "but that because you haven't read, we are not going to share that message and we will read with you today instead." Yes, I am that bold. I don't mess around anymore. People need to know how serious this really is. When we read, ponder and pray about the Book of Mormon we know that this really is the Lord's church and can then be baptized by proper priesthood authority and be liberated from our sins. Page 2 of Preach My Gospel states, "You are called to represent Jesus Christ in helping people become clean from their sins." I am just now realizing how sacred my calling is. I am just now becoming a good teacher. I am just now having the best studies of my entire life. I am just now starting to understand how the Spirit works. The Lord does something to us. Right when we are feeling like we got it down, it's almost time to go home. My Mamma was quick to let me know that she received a call from our mission office in regards to my return home and my flight information. Oh my gosh. Don't even talk to me about that! I still have so much to do. I made a commitment last night to have 5 more baptisms before I go home. I will achieve it or die trying! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Some people are just not prepared right now and that is okay. I am here to find the elect. For example, Horace from Tomball drove ALL the way out here to Conroe to take us to lunch this past week and I did literally everything in my power to set a baptismal date with him and he would not budge. I literally debunked all of his concerns and he just would not set a baptismal date. It is a real thing when Nephi said, "There are many that harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit, they cast many things away which are written and esteem them as things of naught." 2 Nephi 33:2. I didn't even eat my lunch because I was talking the entire time and going to different scriptures. I had to get a to-go box because everyone was done eating and I hadn't even touched my food. That's another thing. Food is good, but the gospel is the best. I was running a little late to one of my studies this past week, so I hurried and showered and got dressed and skipped breakfast because I didn't want to be late to my studies. Those of you that know me well, you know how I like my food. There is always a good, better, and a best. The gospel is always the best. Period! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Sundays are the best. That is where the rubber meets the road or in more spiritual terms, that is where everything that we do as missionaries comes together. Last Sunday, we had zero investigators in sacrament meeting and this week we had four. That is a huge improvement. Raj came and stayed all three hours. He is the 11 year old that only likes to stay for Sacrament. I may or may not have bought him a Reese's candy bar if he stayed the whole time. Let's focus on what matters more. HE STAYED!! :) The Smiths came as well and they too stayed for all of church and then we went to the temple ground tours that night with them. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">You guys, the Lord is blessing us so much and I always wonder why He does this to me. Why does He let me be a part in this? I stand all amazed as Elder Rasband would say. Just this morning I contacted a referral Brother Martinez gave us last night and I talked to her old landlord and he told me that he was thinking about joining your church. Are you kidding me!?! Investigators are popping up like a bunch of hermit crabs. The Lord is just dropping them into our hands. We are going over there tonight to at least meet him, but I'm gonna talk about the Book of Mormon too. :) My testimony of the Book of Mormon is so strong. I could literally go on and on about how this book has literally changed my life. I wish you could join our companionship studies and I could share the insight that comes to me each and every day. I have a mini composition book that I keep with me when I study. It is called Elder DeLuca's Book of Revelation. There is so much in the Book of Mormon. I absolutely love it! If anyone claims to have read, pondered and prayed about the Book of Mormon and says that it is not true, I'd love to talk to them. There is absolutely no way this book was made up by one who had an inferior 3rd grade level education. People have tried to prove that this book if false for over 180 years, and it still stands today. I know that this is a holy scripture just as the Bible is. I love the Bible and I know that it is the word of God. I know the Book of Mormon to be the word of God as well and they, together, open our minds and in lies the fullness of the gospel. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">There were two cameras, but I was looking at mine! This is the Smiths at the temple!! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">Here is Horace when we had lunch! I did my best! </span></span></div>
<br />oopsey.daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841702523612093858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356863073610449067.post-24552450889782814492015-10-06T19:38:00.003-07:002015-10-06T19:38:26.379-07:00Service and General Conference<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;">This past </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_990767153" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Tuesday,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"> we had mission leadership council (MLC) so I went with Elder Mikesell down to the TC Jester building. We were there from </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_990767154" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">8:30</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"> in the morning to </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_990767155" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">3:30</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"> in the afternoon and I still wonder why I lose so much hair. Keeping Elder DeLuca focused for 7 hours can be a challenge, but President Mortensen seems to do very well every time. He is called by God and I know that. I know that he is one of the reasons why I was called to the Texas Houston Mission. It was here at this meeting that we received the training that we were to take and teach to our zones </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_990767156" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Friday</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;">. When I dropped Elder Myers off to stay with Elder Mikesell's companion, Elder Elsberry, I felt like I was a daddy dropping off my child for their first day of school. It was sad for me to leave him for that long, but good that he was able to be with Elder Elsberry. Plus he probably wanted a break from me. ;) </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_990767157" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday,</span></span> we went to help Brother Stringer cut down some trees, but this time I was cutting. Back home, Jim would cut and then just yell at me to run when it started to fall! Haha!! I always wanted to run the chainsaw, but he never let me. Now I know why. It is so dangerous! Holy cow....I never realized how hard it was and how scary it can be! This leads me to my next topic, "Don't be so quick to judge the barrier, it is the only thing keeping you from being devoured by the sharks" or, in this case, the chainsaw. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Yesterday morning, in my prayer before my personal study I asked Heavenly Father to help prepare me for this last session of General Conference. Earlier in the week, we saw Brother Ure from Tomball. He was up here running errands for a member so we went and talked to him for a little. He told us about a talk called "The Challenge to Become" by Dallin H. Oaks in October of 2000. I had forgotten about this talk, but yesterday after I prayed, I had a strong impression to go back and read it. After a few minutes of searching for it, I found it and read it. I marked it all up and shared what I learned in our companion study as well as what I learned in the talk "Fatherhood - Our Eternal Destiny" by Larry M. Gibson from this past session in April of this year. I also shared some insight that came as I read the Book of Mormon. Read 1 Nephi <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_990767158" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">2:16</span></span> through 1 Nephi <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_990767159" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">4:31</span></span> with this question in mind: "What does it take to become a man?" Its awesome. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Anyways, this is the cool part about General Conference for me. Elder Von G. Keetch was the one who was talking about not being quick to judge the barrier. I'm just going to be honest, at first his voice kind of annoyed me and I was listening to him but I wasn't that engaged. Then I heard him make reference to the talk by Dallin H. Oaks in October of 2000 THAT I READ THAT MORNING! I went from sitting slouched back like a congressman who has been in the same seat for hours on end to a little boy on the edge of his seat with his hand raised as high as he can to answer a question in class. It changed everything! It was at this very moment that the Spirit told me, "This was what Heavenly Father was preparing you for this morning in your study." How cool is that!? There are few people, if any, that read that talk, "The Challenge to Become," yesterday morning and had the experience that I did. It amazes me how the Spirit works, and I am now just beginning to understand how it does. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Heavenly Father knows each of individually. He knows our potential and He sees things in us that we cannot always see. The adversary is well aware of this and he and his followers will do all that they can to blur the vision which is available to us as we communicate with our Heavenly Father daily and make and keep sacred covenants. Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, "The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become." How beautiful is that? I know that we are spiritual beings simply wrapped in a physical body and that our potential is endless as we seek to do what our Heavenly Father would have us do. May we all seek His will and keep His commandments, that we may see into the future and see the things that our Father in Heaven has prepared for us. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOwgtSzSLJ0Hc7wlRB9_uIZy39KronLXC3mx6-muRWEa8-AFJA0SQz2noQoSm90qH82XCT4zSoKlt2wufLRyn4zm5CSp_thk50aD3jtKb_GV4NdI8Q35eFZgx4_ZhZx5caAUdmbkF123K/s1600/ElderDeLucaDentist10515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDOwgtSzSLJ0Hc7wlRB9_uIZy39KronLXC3mx6-muRWEa8-AFJA0SQz2noQoSm90qH82XCT4zSoKlt2wufLRyn4zm5CSp_thk50aD3jtKb_GV4NdI8Q35eFZgx4_ZhZx5caAUdmbkF123K/s320/ElderDeLucaDentist10515.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px;">I had to get a couple cavities filled.. Aww! I was so upset!! I NEVER got cavities back home. That's what 20 months of no dentist will do to you. Oh well, they are fixed but my retainers didn't fit as well so the dentist made me new ones for free! He is a member and he did all of the work for free. What a blessing that is. Don't worry, I got him a salad from Chick-fil-a today because that is worth a couple grand! :) </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUq1moDrXdwncMHJCRO5fXYqBgwQKf_2BcvPBHxsLdUgb4rAuLpLUAfsc4cEAMfB2k5C-KdQoR2igPnRwFRhsBf_jLKjmZKH2FHygy61yMlTtwSMXj_FO7yB2cr0nIeWKM2ATL8zQiuEpj/s1600/ElderDeLucaElderMyers10515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUq1moDrXdwncMHJCRO5fXYqBgwQKf_2BcvPBHxsLdUgb4rAuLpLUAfsc4cEAMfB2k5C-KdQoR2igPnRwFRhsBf_jLKjmZKH2FHygy61yMlTtwSMXj_FO7yB2cr0nIeWKM2ATL8zQiuEpj/s320/ElderDeLucaElderMyers10515.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">We always forget to take pictures, so all we have are these awkward ones. Hope you enjoy! </span></span></div>
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<br />oopsey.daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841702523612093858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356863073610449067.post-40830492492083085972015-09-29T15:06:00.002-07:002015-09-29T15:06:52.455-07:00President Threw a Quick One on Me!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;">Well this week was crazy!! </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_512224760" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">On Tuesday,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"> we brought Elder French to his new area because that was transfer day and he left us. We were sad to see him go, but he will do great things in the Windrose area. Its actually in the Klein Stake, "my stake" as I would say after serving 10 and a half months there! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">After we dropped him off, we had to go get out brakes checked on our car. Okay, get this. Two weeks ago, we went to Pep Boys to get our oil changes and our alignment done, and I asked them to check the brakes because I knew they were bad. I knew it. When the car was finished the guy who gave me the papers said the brakes are fine. I said, "Are you sure because they are making a bad noise and I am pretty sure they are bad". He said, "If the brakes were bad, that is money in our pocket, so we would fix them." This statement is true. However, if it was just the pads that were bad, it would have only been like 40 bucks, but if they let the pads wear down to the rotors, it would be over 300 dollars. That was exactly what they were doing and I knew it. I was furious! I cannot stand being lied to. I should have told him to read 2 Nephi <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_512224761" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">9:34</span></span>. I told our vehicle coordinator and he told me us to take it to this other place which was owned by members. Sure enough, the pads were shot and we had to get new rotors as well. I know my cars, and I know when I am being lied to. Not cool. I must have had steam coming out my ears! I wanted to go bad to Pep Boys and talk to the guy (who was a manager) who told me they were fine, but that would not have gone anywhere good. I just had to bite my tongue, and I am getting very good at that being a missionary. Long story short, DO NOT go to Pep-Boys. EVER! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Here is where it gets a little crazy. <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_512224762" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Thursday</span></span> morning, we did our usual get up early and go hard in the gym. Then we came home. I was just about to take a shower but felt like I needed to go check the phone. There was one missed call and a new voice mail from President Mortensen. He said call me ASAP in the voice mail. Uh oh, what did I do now!? Haha, just kidding! I called back and he said, "Hey I need you to put the phone on speaker. " So I did. Elder Edwards and I were looking at each other thinking, "What in the world is he going to say!?" He said I felt like I need to make some changes last night, but I ignored them because of the inconvenience it would have been but I need to make them. He said Elder Edwards I need you to pack up and Elder DeLuca I need you to be at the training meeting at <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_512224763" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">9:30</span></span> because I need you to train. He said I was going to have another missionary train him, but that is not going to happen anymore. He packed up quick and we took showers and headed down to the meeting. There was a bad accident on the freeway so we texted President and told him that we were going to be there around <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_512224764" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">9:45</span></span>. He said no worries. Little did I know he was waiting to start the meeting until I got there! The prelude music was still playing and then, right when I walked in, the sister stopped playing the piano and the assistants started the meeting. I felt like a V.I.P. .... haha. We had a opening hymn and prayer then President came up and said something interesting. He said, "I want you all to know that the Lord is very involved in the selecting of trainers with the trainees. I was going to make some changes last night but I ignored them because of the inconvenience it would have been. I woke up in the middle of the night with the impression that I had to make the change, so I did this morning." No one in the audience except me knew what he was talking about and Sister Mortensen looked at me with the biggest smile when he said that. I felt the Spirit so strongly when he said that and I knew that I was supposed to be there. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I am now serving with Elder Myers in Conroe! He is from Springville Utah. It is interesting for me to train a new missionary because of how faithful they are. It is so neat. They have no limitations on the possibilities that could come because they haven't been brainwashed by other missionaries about how the work is, in some areas. When I introduced our area at the training meeting, I said I hope you like to get pneumonia because we are going to be soaking wet from being in the baptismal font all the time. :) I am staying really optimistic about our area with him because I want this to be the best 3 months of his mission. My goal is to be able to have him prepared enough to train a new missionary in 12 weeks if need be. This is such a sacred trust and responsibility from the Lord and from President Mortensen. I am so stoked! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I was hesitant to share this last week because I didn't want to put my Dad on the spot, but I am going to do it anyway. Some of you may know that my Dad is a devoted Catholic. If not, now you do. Last Sunday, I was fasting that he would be able to go to a sacrament meeting with my Mamma and my little sissy Bailley. I remember stating in my prayer when I opened my fast, "Heavenly Father, I have faith sufficient to know that he will go, but please make sure people reach out to him and are friendly to him when he goes." Last Monday, my little sister Bailley sent me a picture of my dad all dressed up driving her and my Mamma to church. Tears were flowing down my face out of pure happiness. Bailley said, "Miracles do happen." I just wanted to publicly thank you, Dad, for doing that. Despite your devotion to your church, you took the time to attend church with Bailley and Mom. I love you so much, Daddy, and I hope you have a great birthday <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_512224765" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">this Wednesday</span></span>! You should note that my Dad told me, "The people were really friendly there." I know that the power of fasting is real. I would invite you to read about the doctrine of the true fast found in Isaiah 58. It is wonderful, and it is real. I know that and because of this knowledge I fast pretty frequently. Once a month doesn't cut it for me, especially as a missionary. Remember why the sons of Mosiah were so effective? They had searched the scriptures diligently and they had given themselves to "MUCH prayer and fasting" and they taught with "power and authority from God." (Alma 17:2-3). </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">The Lord continues to bless me every day. I am learning so much from being a missionary! This was the best decision I could have ever made in order to prepare for my future. My life is forever changed and I am so grateful for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. May we all keep and open heart and an open mind as we listen to our beloved Prophet and the other General Authorities this coming weekend. I am so excited!! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Love, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Elder DeLuca </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">Sorry I only took one picture, but this is my new companion Elder Myers! Elder Mikesell in the back is my zone leader companion and he serves in the Conroe 1st Ward!</span></span></div>
<br />oopsey.daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841702523612093858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356863073610449067.post-22299814964652739032015-09-21T20:03:00.001-07:002015-09-21T20:07:36.759-07:00Lots of Lessons<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;">Editor's note - I was sick last week and didn't get this posted. This post is actually from Elder DeLuca's September 14, 2015 letter. My bad!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px;"><span style="color: white;">Alright, well this week went by really fast and I have to hurry because we are going to the mission office soon! </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">The Saenz are progressing really well. This past Monday, we taught them the Word of Wisdom lesson and Alice and Chris had been drinking coffee. It was interesting to see them change so quickly though because of the things that they know are true. It is not a matter if the commandment of the word of wisdom came from God, but rather if the Book of Mormon is true. If you know that the Book of Mormon is true, then you know that Joseph Smith was a prophet called by God and that this commandment came from Heavenly Father. Alice was like, "Well I am done drinking it." And Chris has been slowing down a lot. He drinks a lot of coffee and tea, but he has slowed down so much! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Tuesday, we did a lot of service! We were helping a Brother in the ward put sheet metal on top of some 2 x 4's for a little storage shed he was building. We also had a lesson with Luke and the Saenz again. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Wednesday, we helped a guy unload some hay. We were sweating pretty bad! Haha. After that we went to the mission office to pick up Elder French. He is going to be staying with us for the remainder of the transfer. We had a lesson with Justin and we planned on setting a baptismal date with him, but it didn't go as planned. He was not ready to make that commitment. He also had some questions about the coming forth of the Pearl of Great Price. He heard some common misconceptions that we addressed. Bishop and I came back on Friday, answered all of his questions and explained what really happened. If you are going to by a Ferrari, you don't go to the Honda dealer to learn about the specifications. Likewise, if you have questions about our beliefs and our doctrine, you don't just google it. There has been persecution on the church for over 150 years. There are plenty of sources online that are not true doctrine. If you have questions or concerns you need to go to LDS.org to find real answers. We also saw the Saenz after that. The lesson went really well!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Thursday, we saw Luke and Amber. We talked with both of them about why we have commandments and the blessings that come as we obey. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Friday, we had a good district meeting and then we went on exchanges. Elder Beck came to Conroe with Elder French and I and then Elder Edwards went to their area with his companion Elder Hansen. We had a really good exchange. When I was in the lesson with Bishop, they went finding together and found a new investigator named Haley. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Saturday, we went on splits and I went with Brother Morris to teach a family that we found earlier in the week. The father was studying to be some sort of a preacher so he thinks he knows the Bible really well.....yeah. We taught them the Restoration lesson and set up a return appointment for this evening. Then we saw the Saenz again that night and we taught them the Law of Chastity and then Elder Mikesell came over to have their baptismal interview with them. They passed with flying colors. :) </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">One thing I have learned from working with people is that investigators progress so much more when one. they read from the Book of Mormon daily and two, you meet with them frequently. It is so much more beneficial to have frequent 30-45 minute lessons as opposed to seeing them for an hour once a week. I love being a missionary so much. My time is going too fast!! I love you all and I hope you have a great week. Thanks for all you do! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Elder DeLuca </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">One day I'll be as big as Elder Edwards! </span></span></div>
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oopsey.daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841702523612093858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356863073610449067.post-26744976582779996392015-09-21T19:54:00.004-07:002015-09-21T19:54:56.738-07:00The Saenz and The Sabbath Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">I honestly do not understand how my weeks go by so fast!! We have been in a trio companionship so we goof around a lot more and maybe that's why! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">We had some lessons with the Saenz to make sure we covered everything before their baptism this week! I have never met a family so prepared as they were. The Lord knows each of us and our lives perfectly and He worked it all out in the perfect time, as He always does. It was a miracle that we even found them because we were not planning on going back to that street that particular day, but we prayed about where we should go and then ended up knocking into them. They have told us things like, "We have been searching for this our entire lives, and you guys brought it to us." and, "I have been looking for a church home that I can take my family to and I have finally found it." The Spirit is very real and, as the scriptures teach us, that is what does the conversion....The Holy Ghost, not the missionaries. We are simply an instrument in the Lord's hands. The Holy Ghost is what carries the message to their hearts. 2 Nephi 33:1. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Their baptism went really well. They know a lot of people from the ward and many people showed up to support them. The room where the baptismal font is didn't have enough room for everyone so we had to go to the Relief Society room and it was entirely full. I stay in contact with some members from Tomball and I told Dale Ure about this incredible family. He drove all the way out here to be at their baptism. It was awesome. He and I went to the grocery store after the service while a member took my companions out to dinner. I sacrificed not having dinner to spend some time with Brother Ure. He is like another grandpa to me, who I can literally talk about anything with. We all need people like that in our lives. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I have been studying more about the Sabbath Day and the principles that I have learned are important to me. To the world, the Sabbath is just another day but, to me, it is the Lord's Day. We are to rest from our labors and work, including making other people work. What is interesting to me is that the Bible is very clear about this in Exodus 20:8-11. Interestingly enough, that one commandment takes 4 verses to explain when all of the others 9 commandments are explained simply in 1 verse. Hence, this is important to the Lord. It is His day. Our modern-day prophets and apostles give us great council and caution on things pertaining to the Sabbath day. I have been pondering things I can do differently in order to truly do my best to keep it holy and sacred. I have made some changes in this process. There can even be conflict between me and companions at times, but when I explain things to them they tend to agree with me. For example, I have a companion who was going about to do his laundry last night and I said to him "Hey, do you mind just doing that <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_177191532" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">tomorrow</span></span>morning?" At first he was like, "What's the big deal? I am only putting clothes in the washer." I said, "Yeah, I know but there is no reason why you cannot just do it in the morning. I am trying to keep the Sabbath holy and I have made a lot of changes as well. I'll let you wash everything you need to first, and then I will do mine. He was like, "Yeah, you're right. Ill just do it in the morning." By small and simple things are great things come to pass. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I am grateful for my companions and their dedication to serving the Lord. Nowhere else in this world do you see 18-26 year old guys doing what we do. It is hard work, but it is so worth it. <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_177191533" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">On Sunday</span></span> morning, when all three of the Saenz were confirmed members of the church and received the Holy Ghost, I had an overwhelming amount peace fill my entire body. Everything that we do is for the salvation of others, and it is really tough at times, but when you find the elect, it makes it all worth it. We are not here to convert everyone. We are here to find the elect. The Lord is preparing people all across the world, it is just a matter of finding them! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">May we all do our best in loving and serving others that stand in need of love and service and may we all remember the Sabbath Day, and to keep it holy. These are some of my greatest desires. I couldn't do what I do without the help of all of you and I certainly couldn't do it without the help of the Lord. He sustains me physically, mentally, and spiritually. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Love, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Elder DeLuca </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is our district!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It snowed in Conroe this past Saturday! :) This is the Saenz Family!</span></div>
<br />oopsey.daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841702523612093858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356863073610449067.post-5663970571946794512015-09-07T16:17:00.000-07:002015-09-07T16:17:07.887-07:003-Year-Old Insults<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">Last Monday, we went to the Saenz's house for birthday cake with Chris and it was super yummy. After that we went to the Douglas' home for dinner. Brother Douglas is our Ward Mission Leader and he has a great family! All three of his girls are age 5 and under and they are so cute. Get this. As we were leaving, his 3-year-old daughter looked at me and said to her mom, "He has the same hair as daddy!" Brother Douglas is balding! hahaha!!!! It was SO funny. You know you are going bald when a 3 year old tells you. Little children don't lie. Its all good; it happens to the best of us. :) </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1148513887" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Tuesday,</span></span> we had MLC all day and a large portion of our discussion was on getting investigators to church. We had a couple of role plays that we practiced and I learned a lot! That evening, we practiced what we learned with Caleb. We taught him the first half of the restoration and then we left really fast after he said the closing prayer. We wanted to leave when the Spirit was strongest and take it with us. Caleb ended up telling us later during the week that he was not wanting to become a Mormon and he didn't want to waste our time. I personally think he just like bashing with us but when we came out on top with answer, he didn't like it. 2 Nephi <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1148513888" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">9:40. </span></span>The truth hurts the wicked. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1148513889" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday,</span></span> we had a good lesson with Luke and we taught him the Gospel of Jesus Christ lesson. After that, we went over to the Saenz's and has a nice lesson with them. Seriously, they are so prepared. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1148513890" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Thursday</span></span> was our weekly planning and then we went back to the Saenz's that evening to teach them about temples and family history. When we taught them about the spirit world and baptisms for the dead from the Bible, they were astonished. When Alice realized that she could do work for her mother in the temple she said "This is it. That is what was missing. It all just clicked for me." How cool is that? Robert felt very similar about his father and loved ones that have passed. Brother Brown who came with us told us after we left that he was so surprised on how well they received that lesson. I was not surprised, though. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1148513891" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday,</span></span> we had zone meeting and it went really well! I talked about our mission standards of excellence, having 3 gators at church, 5 member-present lessons, and 2 new gators each week. Then, Elder Edwards and I both taught about why it is so important to get our gators to church and how to do it. We felt like the training went well. We had a ten-minute break and I made cake pops for everyone so they were super excited about that. I didn't eat one, though, because I am having a weight-loss competition with Brother Douglas. Whoever loses the most weight in September gets a free ice cream from this place called Marble Slab. It is so good!! After zone meeting, we went on exchanges and Elder Harris came to Conroe with me. He is a stud! He goes home in two weeks. We went to lunch at Luby's with the Saenz and I thought of my Nana, then had a lesson with Luke, and then a lesson with the Saenz in the Pew's home. It was a great lesson! I posed the question "What it the importance of getting baptized at an age where you are making the decision, as opposed to having someone make that choice for you?" Chris had a lot to say to that, but then he said something profound. He said "When you are baptized you get a new heart, a new mind, a new soul, and new eyes." WOW! I saw Elder Harris write that down during the lesson. It was incredible. We had angel food cake with strawberries and whipped cream after and it was super yummy. Not as rich as a cake pops! haha. Plus, Sister Pew made it, so I was not going to pass. We left during the dessert portion to leave them there to build a friendship without us. We do not want them becoming attached to us, but it is already happening. We are so close with them! I love them so much. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1148513892" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Saturday</span></span> morning, after we worked out we came and got all cleaned up and we were getting dressed and then got a call for help with unloading a storage unit. We changed back into normal people clothes and hurried over. It was nice to help them out. Then we helped Brother Lane unload some plywood for a lady that he home teaches. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1148513893" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> was sweet! We had 5 investigators at church. Instead of going to ward council after our missionary correlation meeting, we went to make sure our gators were planning on coming to church. The ones that we weren't certain about. It helps to do that! We were asked to give a couple of blessings. What a blessing it is to have the priesthood restored to the earth today. Then we went finding and found a new investigator named Clifford. When he introduced himself I immediately thought of the "Big Red Dog." Haha :) He was super nice to us. We will go back next week when he is back from a business trip. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Things are going great here in Conroe! The Saenz family have their baptisms of the 19th and then Luke's is on the 26th of this month. Thank you for all of your prayers. They really do help us! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Love, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Elder DeLuca </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjKjdr-lKNFhgGqqaErri-Uf7fZHVASRZBA3bfrIdQl16_K5dRjM4aWrYnfCJJxXbee4RYqPuwTXFCe1Fm6HoQE2gx9ZRMKzNrSlY3V3aWeUuwJcr_CXqvzni87dQKCz9yzKPSeGCde5w/s1600/ElderDeLucaElderEdwards9715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjKjdr-lKNFhgGqqaErri-Uf7fZHVASRZBA3bfrIdQl16_K5dRjM4aWrYnfCJJxXbee4RYqPuwTXFCe1Fm6HoQE2gx9ZRMKzNrSlY3V3aWeUuwJcr_CXqvzni87dQKCz9yzKPSeGCde5w/s320/ElderDeLucaElderEdwards9715.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">My companion was lifting weights in here. He is funny! </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3BCpy-6NwopiLAVK2HKLmVvqyBmP2B07Oq7KErhCd8n7f7O0DGXvuGPPpY6miBV5_zKPp5bmBKxG2K6BxgzmecJyEXf0dytyH2tLYVMQvAhObcsP3PlJbyHs0xH45feMRbygf18Pp8D2/s1600/ElderDeLucaElderHarris9715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ3BCpy-6NwopiLAVK2HKLmVvqyBmP2B07Oq7KErhCd8n7f7O0DGXvuGPPpY6miBV5_zKPp5bmBKxG2K6BxgzmecJyEXf0dytyH2tLYVMQvAhObcsP3PlJbyHs0xH45feMRbygf18Pp8D2/s320/ElderDeLucaElderHarris9715.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">Here is Elder Harris. He is a stud! </span></span></div>
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oopsey.daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841702523612093858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356863073610449067.post-26850540759447795192015-08-31T19:04:00.002-07:002015-08-31T19:04:38.313-07:00Setting Dates and Finding New People!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_653722059" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Monday</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px; text-align: start;"> was the best day of my mission! It was a regular P-day and then I went to a lesson with the Saenz family and Lofton Bean. Lofton just returned from his mission like 4 weeks ago and he is a total stud. We went in to teach them the rest of the Plan of Salvation with the intent on setting a baptismal date for </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_653722060" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">September 19th</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px; text-align: start;">. At first, Chris had a couple of questions about the Restoration and Alice was teaching him! Then, after we finished The Plan, we went to John 3:5 and explain the metaphoric key that unlocks the gate to the pathway to the Celestial Kingdom being baptism. We explained that and then said we had been prayerful about a date for them and we had come to the conclusion that they would be ready by the </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_653722061" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">19th of September</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px; text-align: start;">. Then, I said what are your thoughts? Alice said, "My initial thought is that is very soon." And immediately, Chris said, "Mom, why would you want to deny yourself of the blessings, peace, comfort and happiness that will come into our lives as we get baptized?" Alice started crying and said "Wow. He continues to amaze me." Chris is special needs, but believe me, he is one of the most spiritual people I have ever met. He knows right from wrong and he knows that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. He thanked me for getting him out of his "mirage of faiths" and for finding the true church. He is truly intelligent. Robert started cry and said, "Well, that date is inspired by God because that is my mother's birthday and she passed away a few years ago. I am good for the 19th." Then, Alice looked at him and said, "You are right, the 19th it is." As we all know, Elder DeLuca is not a crier but, believe me, the tears started to build up in my eyes. It was so powerful, I couldn't help it. Lofton and I just looked at each other and smiled and then we both bore powerful testimony. What a great lesson! I had to write this experience down in my journal. I HAD to. The Spirit urged me to do so. It was the first time since I have written in my journal since February, but I have repented. I have been writing in it every day since then and I am committing to do it every night for the rest of my mission. Too much is lost in just a weeks' account. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">We met with Luke <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_653722062" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Tuesday</span></span> and set a baptismal date with him for the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_653722063" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">26th of September</span></span>. It was a good lesson, but the member we brought was just kind of messing around and not being that serious. Luke and him are too close for bringing him to lessons! That night, we went tracting and met a guy named Caleb and talked to him for like 30 minutes and he and I got to the point to where we were almost bashing, but not quite so I bit my tongue. I need a mouth guard! We went back and taught him <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_653722064" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Thursday</span></span>. It didn't go as well as I would have liked it to, but we have another appointment with him <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_653722065" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">tomorrow</span></span>. He was arguing a lot with Brother Lane as we talked to him. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_653722066" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> was sweet. We had four gators at church. It would have been five, but Alice was in the hospital. She is out now, so it's all good. We went tracting after our dinner appointment and we knocked an entire street and everyone was being so dumb! They were so rude and the ones that we talked with slammed the door when we started to ask them questions about the Bible. People are so lost, it is sad. I was ready to go after the first few houses, but we endured through the entire street and finished in an hour. We had an hour till another appointment, so we went to another street. This is where we found a super nice black lady who talked to us for like 30 minutes! We gave her a Book of Mormon and she committed to read the first 15 chapters. Yes, please! Then we kept going. We were at the second to last house but there was someone at the end of the street, so we went to talk to him. We walked up and he told his son to go inside. Ouch! He knew who we were and said he was Catholic. I told him that my dad was as well. Right then, his wife walked up and she was so nice! She said that she had friends that were Mormon in Tomball. I said, "Who are they?" "Doug Bateman," she replied. I said, "I know Doug!" His wife's name was Payton but I couldn't remember right then, so I told her not to say the name because I wanted to recall it. Payton came to mind so I said that and she was like "Nope!" I knew for certain that her name was Payton so I was thinking to myself what the heck!? Then the Spirit told me to say "PJ" and she was like, "That is her!" Her name really is Payton, but she goes by PJ. Her friend just didn't know her full name. We talked to them about how our families can be together forever and we would love to come back. They said yes! Miracles ever single day. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">"Anywhere you go in this church, you will have someone to help you, that is part of what it means to be a Latter-day Saint." Those are great words of the one and only Jeffrey R. Holland. This is so true. It is a small world in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I met a guy last night that lives in our complex and he knows John Ortiz who works with him. I know John well. He lives in the Copperfield area where I served for four in a half months. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Have a great week! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Love, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Elder DeLuca </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjIIxgHmTVkk6uX9c_O-z4Fg-A9RDZ-svRyqvNU4Xoa-3Ockr21awpRGCimx3_aOrfbiGHI-r-mU3rBktd6a_yb7p549yVi_vQcYYiqMDv17ukNZRusG_CU14jeKQ9wVrYR0IXrP5mJjlT/s1600/ElderDeLucaElderEdwardsHaircut83115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjIIxgHmTVkk6uX9c_O-z4Fg-A9RDZ-svRyqvNU4Xoa-3Ockr21awpRGCimx3_aOrfbiGHI-r-mU3rBktd6a_yb7p549yVi_vQcYYiqMDv17ukNZRusG_CU14jeKQ9wVrYR0IXrP5mJjlT/s320/ElderDeLucaElderEdwardsHaircut83115.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">Sorry I didn't take any pics this past week! We cut each others' hair a couple days ago! </span></span></div>
<br />oopsey.daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841702523612093858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356863073610449067.post-89159032070218815262015-08-24T16:52:00.003-07:002015-08-24T16:54:03.001-07:00Zone Conference and Meetings!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px; text-align: start;">This last week went by so fast! It seems like time goes even faster when you are in a trio companionship. </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1348535592" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Monday</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px; text-align: start;"> evening, we dropped by the Saenz family to check up on them and they were doing great. Their countenance was changed. You could literally see a light in their eyes and it was a beautiful thing. We gave them a Doctrine and Covenants because they had requested one </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1348535593" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Sunday</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px; text-align: start;">. They told us a lot about their family and it was good to get to know them a little better. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1348535594" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Tuesday,</span></span> we met with Luke and we taught him the Restoration lesson and it went really well. He is really interested in meeting with us and he has already been coming to church for like two months. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1348535595" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday,</span></span> we had a zone conference and I was asked to conduct. I was a little nervous but I didn't mess it all up so it's all good! That was the first one that I conducted. The training that President gave was incredible. He talked a lot about the Priesthood and the role of men and women and how they are both equally important and necessary for Heavenly Father's plan to work. The role that a mother has to bring children into this world and the role men have to baptize their children are equally important. If women held the priesthood, there would be no need for men. President said that he thinks that men have the priesthood to be relevant to women. It's an interesting thought and the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1348535596" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday,</span></span> we had district meeting and it went really good and then some lessons after that. We met with Luke again and he ate a ghost pepper during our lesson and almost died. It was really interesting and hard to keep the Spirit there. We taught the Plan of Salvation to the Saenz family and only taught about half of that lesson. We are going back <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1348535597" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">tonight</span></span> to finish the lesson. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1348535598" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Saturday,</span></span> was kind of a slower day. We had some appointments fall through, but we went to visit members that Elder Seamons and I haven't met yet. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1348535599" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday,</span></span> was the best day of he week! We had a stake coorelation meeting in the morning at 7 so we started out early. After that, we had our ward coorelation meeting and discussed how we can best work with the recent converts in the ward and help them get to the temple. Then we had ward council and then Sacrament. Meetings, meetings, meetings! I was asked to speak in Sacrament on the Plan of Salvation. I love how our Heavenly Father is the master planner. He has created the perfect plan for us, and we will receive a fullness of joy if we choose to follow it. It is only through our Savior Jesus Christ that the plan works. Without Him, there would be no hope for us. He literally has bridged the gap between us and our Father in Heaven and He has paid the price in full. All He has asked us to do is to follow him. The Saenz family was there as well as Luke. After church we had a mission president's fireside that was AWESOME!! We participated in the choir again. I love it. I am a terrible singer, but the Spirit is so strong when we are up there performing and that is why we do it. I know that we have help from angels as we do so. The power went out right before the fireside started and it didn't even phase us. We went through the program as planned and it was powerful. President did a great job in adapting to the circumstances. He is the best speaker that I have ever listened to in person. He will be a General Authority some day. The Saenz family came and they loved it. They talked to some of the senior missionaries there and told them how much they have loved meeting with us and how we have filled the holes that they have had in their lives. How cool is that? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Have a great week and know that I love you! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Love, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Elder DeLuca</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px; text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Here are Elder Bergman and Elder Darnell! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px; text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">My boy Elder Graves! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.731481552124023px; text-align: start;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">This is Elder Willis at the mission president's fireside. He met my Papa in the Snowflake Arizona Temple and worked with him!! I had food in my mouth. That is partially why I look goofy. :) </span></span></div>
<br />oopsey.daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841702523612093858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356863073610449067.post-17415034459108626022015-08-17T19:12:00.005-07:002015-08-17T19:12:53.321-07:00First Week in Conroe!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;">Alright, so I arrived here </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_508491825" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Tuesday</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"> morning and then I got all settled in and cleaned my bathroom. Yes, I have my own bathroom! We have a two bedroom/two bathroom. We all sleep in the same room and then we have a study room. I say we all because President threw a quick one on me and, when I got to Conroe </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_508491826" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Tuesday,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"> I found out that Elder Edwards and I were going to be training! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_508491827" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday,</span></span> we went around and visited members and I introduced myself to a lot of people and then we had a lesson with one of our investigators named Justin. He is so sweet! He grilled us up some steaks and we had dinner with him then we had a lesson. His wife is a member and they both live with her mother. We focused on praying to know that the Book of Mormon was true because we can read and ponder, but if we don't pray we will never receive an answer. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_508491828" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Thursday</span></span> morning, we had our training meeting and that was where we met Elder Seamons from Seattle Washington. He is a stud. He loves cars and dirt bikes so it is pretty much meant to be. He has restored a couple of older mustangs and he used to work as a mechanic for a Toyota dealership in Washington. After our training meeting we came back and started our weekly planning and then had another lesson with Justin and we went over some of the commandments. Keep the Sabbath Day Holy, Follow the Prophet and the Ten Commandments. The lesson went really well. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_508491829" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday,</span></span> we had district meeting in the morning and it was so good. I have noticed that I participate so much more in district meetings now, almost to the point to where I think I might be annoying.....haha! Just kidding....I hope not! We practiced teaching an investigator that has not prayed about the Book of Mormon, so we received some good insight on how to apply that to our investigators. Later that evening, we had a miracle! We prayed to see where we should go finding and we felt like we should go back to a street where Elder Edwards and I were <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_508491830" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Tuesday</span></span> so we went back. We knocked a few doors and no one was wanting to talk to us. A lady walked out of a house and she was saying, "like they are having a party so no one will want to talk to you." We kept on going and still nothing. The first door that Elder Seamons knocked, a guy answered. We started talking to him about the Book of Mormon and then I was like, "Do you have just 5 or 10 minutes for us to come in and explain more?" He said, "Sure. Come in!" It's go time! I whispered to my companions, "We gotta make this good." We went in and sat down and then asked if anyone else was home and if he would invite them to come and be a part of the lesson. His wife and son were there and they came in. Their names are Robert and Alice and their sons name is Chris. They are probably in their 60's and Chris is 30. We had a prayer and then we went straight to the introduction of the Book of Mormon after finding out what they had already known. We explained what it was and how they can come to know if it is true. We invited them to read the first 15 chapters before our visit with them the next evening at 8. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_508491831" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Saturday</span></span> morning was sweet. We helped some neighbors move in at our apartment complex and they were super nice. They offered to pay us after we were done and we explained that we didn't take money but then I said something. I was like, "We won't take your money. However, we are missionaries for our church and we would love to come over after you get settled in and share a message about Jesus Christ with you guys!" She said, "Of course." Yes please! Then we went over to the Falcon's and we helped cut down a tree that fell on their fence. They had a Stihl chainsaw and Brother Falcon said that he hadn't used it in over a year so it probably wouldn't start. I was like, "Well, those are the best chainsaws you can get so let me take a look at it." :) We went out to the shed and it was so dusty but I took it out and shook up the gas and started pulling it and sure enough it fired right up. Back home, Jimbo wouldn't let me use his Stihl chainsaws so I took ahold of this opportunity. I am a big boy now! When I had that thing running and as I was cutting that tree, it felt so good. I just love motors and I miss my dirt bikes, so I had a smile on my face. :) Later that evening, we had a lesson with the Saenz family and we taught them the restoration. It went so good. We had Brother Morris with us and we invited them to church with us and they said that they would come. For the first time in a long time, I actually felt the Spirit tell me that they would be there. I had no doubts that they would be there. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_508491832" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> comes and they came! Justin was there and also another investigator named Luke that we are teaching this week. Okay, here is the coolest part ever. In Elders Quorum, I asked Robert and Chris how they felt and how they liked church and Robert said that he really liked it and then here is the neatest part. Chris said, "I think I have found my new church." I wanted to cry because I was so happy. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I love Conroe so much. I would love to finish my mission here, but we will see what the Lord has in store for me. I hope you all have a great week! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Love, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Elder DeLuca</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;">I got one last picture with Paul on Monday</span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;">! </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxr2sIsY0iqRAM5CnRsJ4UGc1Fgyx-uRNxdoNLAvQXp9sfWLE1ppt4ZTKYGJtRYZHur06UTvX-gVIKYdRfV5Qs7TUzccoAVn-3ozBghOFwPiFbqvPea2QS-dJ5HnAbWwz0mB3NngMf4v-/s1600/ElderDeLucaElderEdwardsElderSeamons81715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxr2sIsY0iqRAM5CnRsJ4UGc1Fgyx-uRNxdoNLAvQXp9sfWLE1ppt4ZTKYGJtRYZHur06UTvX-gVIKYdRfV5Qs7TUzccoAVn-3ozBghOFwPiFbqvPea2QS-dJ5HnAbWwz0mB3NngMf4v-/s320/ElderDeLucaElderEdwardsElderSeamons81715.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">Here are my new companions! </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNXR0wZbYHdfN6ba-0nam3KKVm3Yz4oYadABRhYDtlCn3-GoYV7ZfJx0XcZoRADNe5TV5dzC2Ijqid7i_chyphenhyphensUtW7h4JoV2R92of5mvEytwwV0JwWk58Clvo3Dyqxzv8BGB6pyc389rBE/s1600/ElderDeLucaToiletSign81715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNXR0wZbYHdfN6ba-0nam3KKVm3Yz4oYadABRhYDtlCn3-GoYV7ZfJx0XcZoRADNe5TV5dzC2Ijqid7i_chyphenhyphensUtW7h4JoV2R92of5mvEytwwV0JwWk58Clvo3Dyqxzv8BGB6pyc389rBE/s320/ElderDeLucaToiletSign81715.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I have my own toilet now, but I still put this up. Sister Rittman made them for me because one of my biggest pet peeves is when my companions pee on the toilet and do not clean it up! Come on man. I am just trying to teach them a lesson for when they get married. </span></div>
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oopsey.daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841702523612093858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356863073610449067.post-65004422520348521772015-08-10T14:09:00.000-07:002015-08-10T14:09:11.780-07:00My Last Week in Tomball!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">I am a little sad to say that I will be leaving Tomball. I will be taking with me the friendships and memories that these past 9 months have created! I will be serving in Conroe with Elder Edwards. He actually served here in Tomball and then he and I switched places when I left Magnolia and came here. We know each other well, and I am excited to serve with him! </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">My last week here went by way too fast! I think it is partly because we are in a trio....haha! <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_385127069" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Tuesday,</span></span> we had MLC from <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_385127070" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">8:30-4:00</span></span>. We were there all day! It was really good though and then we practiced teaching for the last two hours. President wants to make sure the leaders have it down, so we can help the other missionaries in the zone. We had the opportunity to teach what we were role-playing that night. The Svedins invited their friends over to listen to a message from us. It went super good! The Elders have an appointment with them <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_385127071" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">tomorrow</span></span>. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_385127072" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday,</span></span> we were packed with lessons! We had a lunch with Sister Hughes and Sister Russel and then the lessons began. We met with Caitlin and taught her about temples and family history. Then we saw Trey and Xavier and taught Trey more about baptism. Then we met Julie, Cathy, and Madison at the library and had a lesson with them on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sister Bean came with us to that visit and then we had a dinner with them right after. We met Brother Williams at HEB again and went over to Horace's house. We were super bold with him and told him that the authority to make his baptism complete was only found in Jesus Christ's restored church. We told him to pray about it and seek an answer. We then saw Brother Mason and had a nice last visit with him. I am going to miss that man. After that, I went to say bye to Paul Kendrick. This was pretty hard for me to do. Paul and I got really close and he told me that he only had 6 months to live. His heart is a lot worse than what the doctors anticipated. He doesn't have health insurance so he cannot get on a waiting list for a heart transplant. It was tough. We gave him a priesthood blessing and Elder Hendrickson anointed and then I sealed it. He was very calm after the blessing and I know the Spirit was there. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_385127073" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Thursday,</span></span> we had our weekly planning and Sister Bickmore brought us dinner and it was super yummy. Then we went to the stake center to practice the role play for zone meeting <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_385127074" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Friday</span></span> with our Sister Training Leader. It went well! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_385127075" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday,</span></span> we had zone meeting and the time went too fast! Brother Siddoway from the stake high council was there and he did a great job. He talked a lot about what we need to do with working with the leaders in our wards and the stake in order to keep our investigators on track for baptism, and temple ordinances. Sister Peterson talked on master teaching and what it is and what it is not. She did a great job and then asked me to come up and talk about personal worthiness. I had everyone go to 2 Nephi 33:1-3. I talked about how when we are in lessons teaching true principles, the Holy Ghost will be there to testify of truth, for that is one of the roles of the Holy Ghost. However, we read in verse 1 that the <i>power</i> of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men. There is a difference between the Holy Ghost and the power of the Holy Ghost. The power is conditional upon our obedience. After zone meeting Elder Hendrickson and I went on an exchange with Elder McGinnis in the ASL South area and his companion Elder Dean came to Tomball with Elder Allen. We had a good exchange and it was interesting for me to watch them doing sign language to people. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_385127076" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Saturday</span></span> was saweet. We got up and after we got ready we went right to the chapel to prepare the room for Julie's baptismal service. It went so well. I'll send some pictures for you! Horace came out to the service and then took us to five guys for a burger afterwards. Yes, please! Then we had a nice lesson with Caitlin that afternoon.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_385127077" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> was great. We had the confirmation for Julie and Caitlin, Madison, and Trey all came to church. They all, with maybe the exception of Trey, really enjoyed church. I asked Sister McLane to introduce herself to Caitlin and she was like of course! And she ended up coming to gospel principles and talked with Caitlin there. Super sweet! The lesson was on fasting. I love fasting. After church we had a lesson with Brenda and Morgan Mertes one last time at the Smalls. They were doing a new member lesson, but I wanted to see them one last time so we came to the appointment. It was really good to see them one last time and I told them that when they go to the temple to be sealed in March, I would be there. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">This ward had been so good to me....maybe too good! I have loved these past 9 months here and I will always remember them. I look forward to see what Conroe has in store for me! I love you guys! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Love, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Elder DeLuca</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8E4CowTPJ8hkb9WcRBeYHiwzB92Vf_sPRRCdMlXJFsJlMi6rmn9V7MmbsZ-fD0aV7s9DvwYs5nrYDEy_vXh6mZk_izYdRNKLeI3rkXpFGvgcilhz7iluY21nk1gPZDvQEK4v9CsGoD00/s1600/ElderDeLucaElderAllenElderHendricksonJulieBaptism81015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-8E4CowTPJ8hkb9WcRBeYHiwzB92Vf_sPRRCdMlXJFsJlMi6rmn9V7MmbsZ-fD0aV7s9DvwYs5nrYDEy_vXh6mZk_izYdRNKLeI3rkXpFGvgcilhz7iluY21nk1gPZDvQEK4v9CsGoD00/s320/ElderDeLucaElderAllenElderHendricksonJulieBaptism81015.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">#straightandnarrowpath</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgW1anvLtqV8M8M8gzAqdsZ2ZRaF1TTsKDcwmmZj2pkfpXKT40N8hRfyh6J8ADNggWKe5-bobckfeecIsa0gtF6I073fh3yhQdk2V7sUmWzZI-tsC_iGzsBXf2jV0m_VJ1Xep2kdaIYwJ/s1600/ElderDeLucaJulieBaptism81015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgW1anvLtqV8M8M8gzAqdsZ2ZRaF1TTsKDcwmmZj2pkfpXKT40N8hRfyh6J8ADNggWKe5-bobckfeecIsa0gtF6I073fh3yhQdk2V7sUmWzZI-tsC_iGzsBXf2jV0m_VJ1Xep2kdaIYwJ/s320/ElderDeLucaJulieBaptism81015.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Here are Julie and I before we changed into our marshmallow suits! :)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDK8VRGHV8tCY6NTV77_msLdLgM0T7_hSmrp4tGECwsdQlzO-ReUFXSUXxJUvjctmypVrOn_maAzIAX6HrIc5FpuOKSKcCEanqomZz3-PJF7no90deri7LbE671o7QJidYAhtg89dT_26/s1600/ElderDeLucaKleinZoneTomball81015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuDK8VRGHV8tCY6NTV77_msLdLgM0T7_hSmrp4tGECwsdQlzO-ReUFXSUXxJUvjctmypVrOn_maAzIAX6HrIc5FpuOKSKcCEanqomZz3-PJF7no90deri7LbE671o7QJidYAhtg89dT_26/s320/ElderDeLucaKleinZoneTomball81015.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: white;">My last time with the Klein zone! </span></span></div>
<br />oopsey.daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841702523612093858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-356863073610449067.post-23567140503667742602015-08-04T15:12:00.002-07:002015-08-04T15:12:27.656-07:00We Got a New Companion!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;">Alright, another great week in Tomball. </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_412905707" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Tuesday,</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;"> we went to S.O.S and we did some service there at the food bank and they always let us take a bag of whatever we want from there, so that is always a treat. My wallet loves it! We had to leave a little bit early, though, because we had a lesson with Caitlin at Panera Bread again. Karloline Clark met us there for the lesson and it went so well! We taught her the Plan of Salvation lesson and we committed her to be baptized on the 29th of this month. Yes, please! She said yes and she was super excited about that. When we finished the lesson Elder Allen and I left but Karoline and her stayed after and had lunch together! That was really cool to hear back from each of them and they told us how nice it was to stay and get to know each other better. Everyone needs a good friend! Later that night, we went back to a lady named Anna's house and we taught her and her boyfriend Corey the restoration. It went well, and we left a Book of Mormon for them. I'll report on them when I talk about the return appointment we had with them </span><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_412905708" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; position: relative; text-align: start; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Friday</span></span><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px; text-align: start;">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_412905709" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Wednesday,</span></span> we went to the usual TEAM service that we do on a weekly basis. This week was different, though. There was a girl who was like 18-20 years old there volunteering with her grandma who was kinda staring at us, not in a creepy or weird way haha, but I could tell she was looking our direction. Elder Allen and I started to arrange some kitchen supplies in this little area, then "all of the sudden" this girl was stacking towels like 10 feet away from us. That's when I was like, "Okay, I'm gonna go talk to her." I don't even remember how I started the conversation but I led into us as missionaries and I started talking about the foundation of Christ's church. She was Christian so it was an easy-going conversation you could say. She had all of these super good questions and I was answering them, then all of the sudden, her grandma walked up and was like, "Are we working or talking?" This girl, Clare, was like "Grandma, we are having the best conversation ever!" and then her grandma was like, "Come with me to the back to sort clothes." Party pooper! Obviously, her grandma didn't like us. So, we continued doing our usual tasks and then one of the workers asked us if we would go help them in the back....haha, awkward! Oh well. So we did and it was fine. We made little conversation with her grandma to show her that we weren't crazy or anything and then I gave Clare a card with our number and told her if she has any more questions to call or text us and that was about it! That was the only time I have actually talked about the gospel while volunteering. After we left TEAM, we went to meet up with the Spanish Elders that gave us a referral. We taught them about the Book of Mormon and set up a return appointment. Their names were Cody and Jazmine. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_412905710" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Thursday,</span></span> we got a new companion! Elder Erickson went home two weeks early for school so Elder Hendrickson came with us. We were super pumped about it, but our apartment is tiny so it is a little crowded, haha. <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_412905711" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Thursday,</span></span> we did our weekly planning after we got back from the mission office. Our planning took the rest of the afternoon and then we had a super good dinner with the Kuhn family. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_412905712" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday,</span></span> I taught my first district meeting since Copperfield! Elder Erickson was the district leader for the Fallbrook district, so I covered for him because he went home. We talked about likening the first 15 chapters of the Book of Mormon to our investigator's journey to "the rod." It was good! Elder Allen went to the Inwood area with Elder Walker and Elder Perkins and then Elder Hendrickson and I came back to the promised land. We had lunch with Sister Rittman at Chick-Fil-A and it was great. We brought Brother Mason with us to Horace that evening but Horace wasn't feeling super well so we didn't stay too long. Right after Horace, we had Wesley Cannon come back to Anna and Corey's with us. They conveniently were not home. I say that for a number of reasons: 1. They didn't answer our call when we were just checking to see if it was okay to come; 2. They didn't reply to our text; and 3. They came home when we were talking to their neighbors and saw us AND TURNED AROUND....TWICE! They clearly didn't want to meet with us again. When they didn't answer, we saw their neighbors out front so I was like let's go talk to them! We walked over and he was working on his old truck and telling us all about his vehicles that he has had in the past. Normally, I would be all over talking about cars, but I wanted to get to the good stuff. I was like "Similar to the restoration of your truck, Christ's church was restored to the earth by the Prophet Joseph Smith." Then we taught he and his wife all about the restoration. We were there for a total of an hour or so (car part included) and Anna and her boyfriend were not planning on us still being in the hood that long. We were talking to Chris and Liz and then they pulled up and drove really slow past us and then turned around and left! Are you kidding me? Say it to my face, man! Haha, just kidding. But seriously, if you don't want to talk to us or meet with us, just tell us and we will respect your wishes. They'll hear about it sooner or later right? So, we continued talking to Chris and Liz and right as we were about to leave Anna and Corey came back and they stopped partway down the street so they didn't have to talk to us. Is my bald head really that scary?? Haha. I want to go back and see if they are at least interested in reading the Book of Mormon or not because if they say no, we will find someone who does and give it to them. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_412905713" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Saturday</span></span> was interesting. We had a lot of appointments fall through but we had a good lunch at Panera Bread and then we each bought a salad for the McLanes in our ward. He has been really sick and is now fighting pneumonia at the age of 90. That is tough and we wanted to go check on them and make sure that if they needed anything they knew to call us. Sister McLane was talling all about their conversion story and get this. They have added up roughly all of the people that they in some way introduced to the church and ended up joining and it is over 500 people. She told us this because she said you Elders have no idea of the impact that have on those you teach. That was super cool! After that, we went down to Inwood to pick up Elder Allen. We went to drop his belongings back off at our apartment and then headed to dinner with the Smalls. Great family. We went on splits after dinner. I went with Brother Small and my other companions went out together for the remainder of the evening. Brother Small and I went to an appointment with Cody and Jazmine and they didn't want to meet with us that night. BUT, it's okay because we had the sickest visit with Julie Stewart right after!! She is going to get baptized this weekend! She has been on and off about a date for a while now, but she explained that it's time now so we are going through with it. We contacted our stake president and let him know and he is all for it! He flew her daughter from Provo out here today actually so she can be a part of the baptismal service <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_412905714" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">this Saturday</span></span>. She was interviewed by our district leader Elder Roberts yesterday at church and she passed. We are good to go! Im going out with a bang! I am pretty sure I am being transferred this next week <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_412905715" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">on Tuesday</span></span> the 11th. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><span class="aBn" data-term="goog_412905716" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> was sweet. I knew I was going to bear my testimony because I was going to do it last month and I chickened out. I was not backing out this time. There was a less active member that came to church this past <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_412905717" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span>. This was the first time he has been here since last fast and testimony meeting back in February and he told me then that he was going to bear his testimony and then he chickened out. He said, "Next time I come, I'll do it." So yesterday, I nudged him and I was like "you said next time" and he smiled and said you go first and Ill follow you up. Now I really couldn't chicken out! I waited for a second after someone was done and then I was like, "Okay let's go.' We walked up and Sister Hiatt was up towards the front of the room and she got up as we were walking up and beat us to it. We sat down in the seats up front facing everyone and, for some reason, I was so nervous! My heart was racing. I could literally feel it beating inside me! I wasn't sweating though, so it's okay. I was trying to collect my thoughts and then before I knew I heard the word "Amen" from Sister Hiatt. Now it was go time. I just got up there and smiled . :) Haha, that was the first thing I thought to do. I thanked the ward from the bottom of my heart for all that they have done for me and my companions. I told them that we would not be as effective as we could without their help. I don't remeber all I said but I know I said something like this. Missions are tough. I couldn't do what I do if I didn't know with a certainty that the Book of Mormon was true. Even with that knowledge, I still seem to surprise myself with making mistakes I know I shouldn't make. Every time, the Savior is there to pick me back up and I ask myself "Why me? Why not someone much greater and much better than me." It's because he loves us each individually and unconditionally, more than our finite minds can comprehend. I have learned that it doesn't matter so much what step we are on on the stairway to heaven, but rather what way are we facing. We are going to slip up. We are going to fall sometimes, but what matters is that we pick ourselves back up and acknowledge our dependence on our Savior Jesus Christ. With the enabling power of the Atonement we will reach far beyond our own natural capacity. I know this. I know that God lives and that He is literally our Father in Heaven. He and our Savior Jesus Christ will always be there even when we feel that no one is. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that it brings me closer to my Savior. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in these, the last days and that the Priesthood Authority that seals our families together forever is here in our Church. In the Lord's church. Of these things I am certain of. And then I closed in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">I love you all so much. I am most likely going to be transferred this coming week. I will be really surprised if I stay. Tomball is the land of milk and honey. I might have to name one of my sons Tom. haha! Have a great week everyone! Thank you for your prayers! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Love, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Elder DeLuca </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.499999046325684px;"><span style="color: white;">Sorry I didn't take any pics this week. Much love from the Three Musketeers! :) </span></span></div>
oopsey.daisyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16841702523612093858noreply@blogger.com0