Dear Family,
So I have a new email. kevin.wagner@myldsmail.net
This is the last week of the transfer here in Longview. I'm almost positive I'm leaving, since President Smith said I'm a spanish missionary and I won't be here long. We had an amazing week here. Lots of miracles. We have 6 investigators at church between the two wards. It was neat. We recieved a referral (via text message on our cell phone) from a member from Amarillo. The member's sister lives in our area just outside Longview. Its sweet. Her sister has been a member for twenty years and finally she wants to learn about the church. Really cool.
We also got to teach Martin, the man who came to church for the first time last week. He is prepared and very sincere. He came to church yesterday in a white shirt and tie, even though we said nothing to him about it. He has a great desire to learn about the church.
Its been a crazy 5 weeks here and we've seen a lot happen finally and the Lord is really turning the work in the wards around. The members are starting to pick up their excitement about the work now that there are some Elders that they trust here.
Love,
Elder Wagner
Monday, February 22, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
SNOW!
This isn't snow from the recent snow storm... but I thought it was appropriate! Dear Family,
Its sounds like a lot of things are happening out there! I'm excited for Trevor to go to Canada! I'm pretty sure a guy from my BYU floor is in that mission. Thats really tough new for Uncle Paul and family. He'll be in my prayers. Its exciting to hear that Jacquie finds out this Friday about BYU.
The Lord has been blessing us. One really awesome miracle was that last week a member was at the church doing family history and the church phone starts ringing. Its a guy named Martin, he expressed interest in attending church and maybe even joining the church. We got the message from the member. Sunday comes and the church phone rings again. It was the lady who told him about the church. She is from Garland and they have been chatting online (online dating website). She told him to go to church. He did and stayed all three hours, mind you he didn't even know a thing about the church. It was a miracle. We'll be teaching him this week. It was a cool experience.
Yes, we had a very very snowy week here in Longview. Thursday it snowed all day but didn't stick too much, but friday night it kept snowing and stuck. It was about 3-4 inches I'd say. It was a lot like the day it snowed in Bakersfield. Elder Jensen made a snow angel. We made a snowman. And we have a snowball in our freezer!!! It was fun, fun fun!!!
Time is short but thanks for the emails.
On Sunday Elder Barney (well his real name is 'Brady') came to church in Longview. He was suprised to see me here but it was cool. He was out visiting (a girl... haha...). Anyways. God Bless Texas!!! And all y'all too!!!
Love,
Elder Wagner
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
A day late....
Dear Family,
Its sounds like it was an exciting week for everyone in the Wagner family. How exciting that you got to go to Finals in WTP and I'm proud of you JQ even if you didn't win (winning is really important, too. ) I'm super excited for Zach!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even if he is going to the 'dark side' or the arch rival of our mission. They are good people anyways and he'll get to enjoy TEXAS!!! I've met the mission president and he and President Smith actually served their missions at the same time in Italy. Who knows if he'll still be the president in July but I hope I'll get to see Zach in July.
So its strange that I'm emailing on Tuesday but yesterday we had zone conference. Elder Evans from the first quorum of the seventy came taught and trained us. He is doing a mission tour. I actually was chosen by President Smith to be interviewed by him. I was nervous but it was a good experience and he shared some things that are really helpful and insightful. Last Thursday we also had interviews with President Smith. He told me to keep studying Spanish and that I won't be here for very long. Even though I'm not going to be here for much longer I'm going to work my tail off to get this area rolling.
We're getting to know the wards better, especially after NINE hours of church. Basically Sunday is the un-day of rest. I love being a missionary. I'm shocked and surprised that this Saturday will be the mark of 18 months. It gives me a sick feeling in my stomach when I think about it, which motivates me to serve with all my heart might mind and strength.
Elder Jensen and I get along great and he is pretty fun. We're really busy and doing our best to find new people to teach and help them progress towards baptism. I'm so grateful for the time I've had to serve. Sure, I've helped a few other people but I'm seeing myself grow and learn many things that will change me and the course of my life. I wish that every young man would serve a mission. The blessings are great and the experience is powerful. Thanks for your support and all you've taught me.
Love,
Elder Wagner
P.S. This transfer ends Feb 28th so don't send anything the week before to the apt address. thanks!
Its sounds like it was an exciting week for everyone in the Wagner family. How exciting that you got to go to Finals in WTP and I'm proud of you JQ even if you didn't win (winning is really important, too. ) I'm super excited for Zach!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even if he is going to the 'dark side' or the arch rival of our mission. They are good people anyways and he'll get to enjoy TEXAS!!! I've met the mission president and he and President Smith actually served their missions at the same time in Italy. Who knows if he'll still be the president in July but I hope I'll get to see Zach in July.
So its strange that I'm emailing on Tuesday but yesterday we had zone conference. Elder Evans from the first quorum of the seventy came taught and trained us. He is doing a mission tour. I actually was chosen by President Smith to be interviewed by him. I was nervous but it was a good experience and he shared some things that are really helpful and insightful. Last Thursday we also had interviews with President Smith. He told me to keep studying Spanish and that I won't be here for very long. Even though I'm not going to be here for much longer I'm going to work my tail off to get this area rolling.
We're getting to know the wards better, especially after NINE hours of church. Basically Sunday is the un-day of rest. I love being a missionary. I'm shocked and surprised that this Saturday will be the mark of 18 months. It gives me a sick feeling in my stomach when I think about it, which motivates me to serve with all my heart might mind and strength.
Elder Jensen and I get along great and he is pretty fun. We're really busy and doing our best to find new people to teach and help them progress towards baptism. I'm so grateful for the time I've had to serve. Sure, I've helped a few other people but I'm seeing myself grow and learn many things that will change me and the course of my life. I wish that every young man would serve a mission. The blessings are great and the experience is powerful. Thanks for your support and all you've taught me.
Love,
Elder Wagner
P.S. This transfer ends Feb 28th so don't send anything the week before to the apt address. thanks!
Friday, February 5, 2010
Only in TEXAS!!
How excited we were when we got THIS picture of Elder Wagner!! Elder Wagner's cousin just got his mission call to the Texas, Fort Worth Mission- Spanish Speaking! I had to post this so that he could get super excited about going to TEXAS!!!Monday, February 1, 2010
February!
Dear Family,
Sorry I didn't get that letter sent, I wrote it and wanted to send it but I'm going to send it with the memory card since it is filled. So I'm in the Longview 1st and 2nd wards. Its the same stake as Nacogdoches.
My companion is Elder Jensen from Parowan, UT. We both entered the MTC the same day but haven't met each other until two weeks ago.
So Longview is bigger than Nacogdoches or Sherman. There are about 70,000 people in the city. Quite a few people here work in the oil industry, there is oil and lots of natural gas. Its strange to cover two wards but its cool. We got doubled in so its been a lot of learning new names and faces.
Last week we had a meeting with the whole zone in Nacogdoches. The Elders there said that the Ortigoza family is getting ready to go to the temple to get sealed in a few weeks hopefully. I'm super excited and hopefully I can go...
So I bought some zyrtec and claritin. I've been using to the zyrtec for two weeks now. Everything is dead right now so allergies haven't been too bad. It helps with the cats, smoke, etc. Everyone smokes out here! Its gross. They have drive-thru tobacco stores. Pretty sad.
Elder Jensen and I are here in this area to turn it around and get it rolling. Last year 1st ward had 1 baptism and 2nd ward had 2. We're working to change that. The missionaries before us didn't keep good records so its been hard and lots of planning and organizing. Not to mention the apartment was very dirty. We've been putting it all together though. Elder Jensen reminds me a lot of Jameson. He kinda looks like him but definitely has a very similar sense of humor. We've served in different circumstances in our missions which has helped us to have ideas of how to get things rolling.
Last week we had some cool experiences. For me a couple were when I received inspiration and guidance from the Holy Ghost to help me. We spoke yesterday in the first ward. I had prepared a talk and saturday night I was praying and basically going over my talk in my prayer. After I said one part the thought came into my mind that I didn't need that part in my talk, but that I should share a different experience. So I changed the talk and then went to bed. I don't really know why or what difference the change made, but it was cool. Another one was how I planned to go on an exchange as the district leader with one companionship. I had a distinct and clear impression to exchange with the other companion, not the one I had planned to exchange with. I hesitated but then I prayed and felt like I had to change the plans. The next day we did the exchange and I learned why I needed to do that exchange. The brand new missionary was having a hard time and still is. He is homesick and doesn't get along with his companion. We had a good talk and a good day because I followed the guidance of the spirit.
I'm glad to be a full-time missionary. its demanding but a rewarding experience. The Holy Ghost will be our constant companion as we stay worthy and seek to improve.
Love,
Elder Wagner
Sorry I didn't get that letter sent, I wrote it and wanted to send it but I'm going to send it with the memory card since it is filled. So I'm in the Longview 1st and 2nd wards. Its the same stake as Nacogdoches.
My companion is Elder Jensen from Parowan, UT. We both entered the MTC the same day but haven't met each other until two weeks ago.
So Longview is bigger than Nacogdoches or Sherman. There are about 70,000 people in the city. Quite a few people here work in the oil industry, there is oil and lots of natural gas. Its strange to cover two wards but its cool. We got doubled in so its been a lot of learning new names and faces.
Last week we had a meeting with the whole zone in Nacogdoches. The Elders there said that the Ortigoza family is getting ready to go to the temple to get sealed in a few weeks hopefully. I'm super excited and hopefully I can go...
So I bought some zyrtec and claritin. I've been using to the zyrtec for two weeks now. Everything is dead right now so allergies haven't been too bad. It helps with the cats, smoke, etc. Everyone smokes out here! Its gross. They have drive-thru tobacco stores. Pretty sad.
Elder Jensen and I are here in this area to turn it around and get it rolling. Last year 1st ward had 1 baptism and 2nd ward had 2. We're working to change that. The missionaries before us didn't keep good records so its been hard and lots of planning and organizing. Not to mention the apartment was very dirty. We've been putting it all together though. Elder Jensen reminds me a lot of Jameson. He kinda looks like him but definitely has a very similar sense of humor. We've served in different circumstances in our missions which has helped us to have ideas of how to get things rolling.
Last week we had some cool experiences. For me a couple were when I received inspiration and guidance from the Holy Ghost to help me. We spoke yesterday in the first ward. I had prepared a talk and saturday night I was praying and basically going over my talk in my prayer. After I said one part the thought came into my mind that I didn't need that part in my talk, but that I should share a different experience. So I changed the talk and then went to bed. I don't really know why or what difference the change made, but it was cool. Another one was how I planned to go on an exchange as the district leader with one companionship. I had a distinct and clear impression to exchange with the other companion, not the one I had planned to exchange with. I hesitated but then I prayed and felt like I had to change the plans. The next day we did the exchange and I learned why I needed to do that exchange. The brand new missionary was having a hard time and still is. He is homesick and doesn't get along with his companion. We had a good talk and a good day because I followed the guidance of the spirit.
I'm glad to be a full-time missionary. its demanding but a rewarding experience. The Holy Ghost will be our constant companion as we stay worthy and seek to improve.
Love,
Elder Wagner
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