Received Monday, July 15, 2013

NOTE FROM MOM: Ok, I made a mistake....I forgot to write a letter to Zak! My letter day was on a different day; I was just off my game. Christopher called (from Virginia) at 6:00am with a "did you forget to write??" on Wednesday morning.  OH MY!! So, Zak checked his e-mail; saw my indiscretion and he wrote first. Just so you know, I did write to him that morning and he eventually (that night) got my letter. So, here is the letter he wrote to us:

looks like  no email yet, I came back too early. This is where it fit into our schedule. I'll email now and then I can check it/have it printed at our dinner appointment in a few hours so I can still read what you have to say

but I AM getting transferred. I was not expecting it. I'm going to greenfield MA, I've heard it's a branch (with big boundaries). it's in the northern part of the state, I think part of our area might even go into New Hampshire. We got a call from President saturday because I'm going to be DL up there. He remembered that you guys already got a letter about that, so I don't think they'll send another.

I'm not really excited about it, I like it here, but I think that's how it's always going to be when I get transferred. I talked to a few people who served there/around there. It sounds like a fine place. pretty rural. I think someone mentioned they know my companion, and they thought he might be one of the older ones left in the field (old as in been in the field close to 2 years), I'll find out for sure when I meet him.

I feel like we've done a lot since I last emailed, but no 1 thing that was especially eventful. We've been teaching people, inviting people to uplifting things and inviting people to invite other people to things

We found out the "Hartford" temple groundbreaking (that is actually in Farmington, about 10 mins from our apartment in Bristol) is going to be August 17th. you can only watch by broadcast in the chapels though, no room for everyone to be at the actual sight. Not positive if I'll be allowed to watch while up in MA.

Church on sunday was really good. We had 3 investigators at church, 1 who was totally unexpected (Cierra). It was funny because 1 person was getting a ride (Bob), so we went to his house to introduce him to the people who would pick him up, but the ride was late, so we were actually a little late from church and we got a text from the her saying "I'm here at church, where are you guys!" very Ironic.

The sunday school lesson was about the priesthood and line of authority, which is a very interesting topic for Bob because he is not only baptized into another church, but has personally baptized others as well. The teaching is coming along pretty well though. it was pretty neat, we had a lesson last week where when we called to confirm the appointment he said yes, we definitely need to come over to talk because he had "made a decision" about the Book of Mormon and was not comfortable with anything other than the bible. We had a good lesson, read a few verses from the BoM about why we have it along with the bible (luckily Nephi foresaw people would say they already had a bible and had no need for any more bible) and he really felt the spirit and by the end said something like "wow, I need to read this whole book!" he's been reading in it every day since.

I like the stories from Christopher! you should call church HQ and have them take a picture of your ward for a new pass along card: "you can be apart of a BEAUTIFUL people!" maybe that would earn some extra referrals

I am still highly impressed with the bouncy ball. I've mentioned it to a few people with cub scout/activity day related callings saying they should do it too.

my "Call the missionaries" shirt is now 3 for 3 on me wearing it and receiving compliments. On monday we did some service (digging a ditch, yesssss!) and afterwards we saw a member family in Subway and they took a picture, the mom is hoping they'll make some during mutual to send to their missionaries.

The mail this week was very fun. Very clever. Both the facebook thing and the bonus "Kylie Emphasis" edition afterwards. Good to see everyone. Mostly everyone looks a little different, especially Kylie. We went to lunch today at Arby's, (right next to our apartment) I even got a chocolate turnover.

Also I still have in my backpack letters you sent July 3rd which included (a very cold looking beach and) the mormon night at dodger stadium. I did not realize until I saw it on church news this week that Elder Holland threw the first pitch! did you guys see him? I think that is so cool!

Also I will try to forward president Packard's emails more as per mom's request

 I also got a letter with a program from Sister Hagan, which was very nice. I also was impressed by the program front (on fast Sunday, it highlighted the "principles of a true fast")

I think that's mostly everything. today I'm packing and then finishing the last of my "farewell tour" seeing some people here before I go.

Received Monday, July 8, 2013

 

QUESTIONS:

Have you seen any fireflies?

I think so. Apparently It wasn't a huge experience for me. I'll be on the lookout

 

What is the highest temperature you’ve had this week?

not sure, I don't often pay attention to what the actual temp is. Every day I just assume it'll be hot and humid. In the spring/fall months when I have to decide whether to wear a long or short sleeve or how many layers I pay more attention, I don't have that dilemma now.

I could maybe try to gauge the day to day weather by how many complaints I hear though. As you know, the heat doesn't bother me near as much as the cold. It's kind of gross to be sweating in a shirt and tie, there's nothing you can do about it. When I'm in charge of the universe I'll make a rule that you can only complain about the weather during 1 of the seasons. If you're going to be upset about the cold and snow all winter (which is fair) you don't also get to be upset when it's hot in the summer.

 

What do you do for lunch...go home, make food?

yea, mostly. Every Tuesday the old couple we do service for also makes us lunch. After our missionary meetings we all always go somewhere to eat

 

How was your 4^th of July?

pretty good. Was there any soccer or sports at the Arcadia ward breakfast? there was none here. That actually might have been our hottest day, which is too bad. we (elder stevens and I) invited a ton of people to the party, and some of the people we were really expecting didn't come, but one family (inactive grandma, her son and his non-member wife) who we were less hopeful about did come and enjoyed it. The son said he wanted to start coming to church soon! yessssss

 

How were the pies at that party?

I actually didn't pay much attention. kind of forgot too. I ate a few cookies though, and those were good! I'm not a huge pie person, especially without ice cream.

 

Did you see fireworks?

last Monday in our letter from El Presidante he wrote a nice bit about the importance of this country being set up so the restoration could take place, etc, and said we all could watch fireworks and even be out a little late if we had to as long as we went right home afterwards. We asked around a little bit in the ward asking people where they were going to watch. We got invited over to someone's house who were inviting a few families from the ward. It was fun there. They had a few of the big ones that shoot high into the sky and there house is on a hill where you can really see all the other people that have the big ones too.

 

Any big mission events coming up for you? Conferences, fancy speakers, temple?

On the 20th there is a musical fireside put on by the mission, they've been going around doing for all the stakes. I guess the have different people sing and bear testimony and it's supposed to be really good. There is one sister in our mission who is very good; she was a Gladys Knight backup singer and she is part of it. We'll be trying to get people to come and bring friends to that.

 

Canton ward is a little weird during the summer in that so many people go away on long vacations. they skip a lot of the usual meetings, like enrichment night, activity days, some mutual, etc.

 

We had a very good week. Found 3 new investigators. All are people we had meet previously, but we were able to actually sync up for lessons this week. 1 is a 16 year old daughter of an inactive guy in the ward. We had a really good 1st lesson with her

the other two originated from a Mormon.org referral (sometimes they ARE good!) it was actually a few weeks back when we got it then visited the family (the requested a BoM) we knocked on the door and on the porch we talked for about 15 mins with the mom of the family and 1 son. the son is the person who actually went on to Mormon.org to make the request, but the mother listened too. He said he was just curious to hear what we are all about. they said they didn't really want to hear more, but would call us if they had any other questions. This week we decided to go back and ask what they thought (my expectations were fairly low). We caught them (same 2 mom and son) while they were outside and talked for about an hour this time. The mom talked about who she was worried because she is a pretty religious (catholic) but her husband is not and it's really hard for her, especially with raising the kids and everything. There's a couple in the ward I really want her to meet because in some ways it reminds me of their story (wife converted from catholic to lds, and it took years for the husband to come on over. Later became a bishop)

 

another cool thing was with our investigator Bob. He is pretty knowledgeable of the Bible and right at the end of our lesson he talked about his concerns about prophets and having another book etc. We came back ready to talk about it but he said he did some studying in the bible about prophets and it shows that's what the Lord does! He can call a prophet when he wants, today as well as in biblical times. He figured it out on his own.

Yesssss, I love it when the church is true!

 

last Monday you wrote to be about Aaron Hernadez. That was the first I had heard of it. (quick note: the guy next too me in the library is logging onto Fantasy football. It's the first time I've seen that here. I can't believe how many people come to the library just to get on facebook or play silly internet games), anyway I was wearing my patriots shirt at the time (we played tennis afterwards). On the way out of the library I saw someone wearing a NY Giants hat and I said "Giants Fan?" (I usually say something like that to people showing sports logos) he retorted back "yup. Aaron Hernadez fan?" I thought it was pretty clever, glad I was updated enough to understand

 

that's everything. Try to resist the urge to use kindle's to smash spider's and stay cool. Congrats about the birthday and the anniversary! and congrats to little Lizzie Cole!

I love you all!

Received Monday, July 1, 2013

QUESTIONS:

What are your p-day plans today? 

Possibly tennis again, but it's raining! only lightly, so hopefully it stops.

How do you like grocery shopping...something you have to do, or do you kind of enjoy it?

almost always something I have to do. For about the past 6 months (with Elder Stevens/Holt) I've been with people are a bit of shoppers though. I enjoy being in the cereal aisle though; lots of fun options to pick from. Other than that I just make sure we get my small list of things we need and make sure we don't waste too much money on weird/random stuff. Elder Stevens is pretty thrifty though, which is great. I'm a bit surprised sometimes though when people are only somewhat converted to the idea that it's actually cheaper to shop by the pound.

What songs did you sing in church yesterday?? We sang ALL versus of America the Beautiful AND of the Star Spangled Banner!!! It was GREAT! Loved it.

this is what I remember: Jesus, Once of Humble Birth, and Battle Hymn of the Republic. We sang a patriotic hymn last week though, someone seems to have gotten a bit mixed up.

How has your weather been?

a bit warm, but not California hot. Very humid. Lots of rain too.

Do you take a bottle of water with you when you leave the house?

No. Elder Stevens has a camel pack he uses sometimes though. I never feel the need.

I guess it is true, no Cicada sightings for you....

:(

I would assume it is soon time for a haircut, will you have your companion do it for you again?

We just had a member do it about a week ago. He did a good job. good memory about when I last had one.

Any plans for Thurs, Independence Day??

Ward party from 12-2:00. Everyone is invited, bring your friends! we are! 2 investigators have already said they'd come and others + some less actives could as well. They do a pie baking contest here. No sports component, partially because its "too hot. Weak Sauce.

That's sad to here about [Aaron Hernandez, played football for the Patriots] Hernandez! I have not heard any sports news from anyone here. After a couple of days after the NBA finals ended I did ask someone and was sad to hear the result. The next week at church the sunday school teacher quoted a news article about how much money they spent on alcohol for their party afterwards, I don't remember exactly how it related to the lesson though.

Who on the Rams made the top 100? Chris Long? Bradford? that on CB from the Titans? do they have a good lineman?

The Garden looks good! {I sent pictures of our growing garden} is this the prime of the garden ever at the cole family house?

I'm glad bishop liked the story from the my mission presidency! it was actually president Haight, the other counselor who pulled over and shared the gospel with someone, who then met with the missionaries.

In your email after you went to the beach you had the line "Then we did my favorite thing and drove home by..." and my brain automatically thought you were going to the burned down house! not that time I guess.

we had another good. week. It seemed like we did a lot of service. One day we spent some hours digging in the front yard of a part-member family house. I enjoyed it. I've been a fan of ditch digging ever since the giant hole in our front yard.

We also found a new great investigator this week. His name is Bob ----, he's 65. Our paths just crossed when we were out and about one day and he said we could come on by. He's been a strong Christian for a long time, but doesn't think it makes sense that there are so many Christian churches, when Christ only made 1. We agree Bob! we met with him twice this week, and he came to church and the linger longer afterwards. all went quite well. He already agrees so much with most everything we've talked about. he just needs to be humble enough to really take Moroni's promise to heart. That's how he'll be truly converted, much more than just being happy he found a church that lines up with what he already believes. All very exciting for us. 

The members we've brought with us have done a great job being friends with him and people at church too. Also he likes basketball and some people in our ward play every Saturday so we'll probably go this weekend and play too with Bob, plus there's a couple non-members that come often we'd like to meet too.

So a week from yesterday we had a great meeting with the bishop's family and talked about their missionary endeavors and we're supposed to email them today to follow up on how it went, so I'm going to do that now.

Thank you for the great email! keep doing good things!