Dear Family,
Sounds like everyone is doing great back home! Thats so cool about Riley being a Life already. Crazy lil boy. Lots of stuff seems to be happening back home. Thanks for the cookies (in advance). Thats awesome to hear about Elder Jensen being AP. I wish we could go on an exchange, it would be so cool. Congrats to Heather and Bruce and grandparents Russ and Suzanne.
Well, we had an interesting week. Actually just a really interesting Sunday. You asked about Juana's baptism. Everything went as planned. She was there. The baptismal clothes were there. The font held water. Even Elder Barney's pants still fit him. Lots of the sisters and members were there. The refreshments were great too. Now the twist. So Elder Barney was in the water. Being so focused on getting her name right (Juanita Reyes Camacho), Elder Barney confuddled himself and sayed the prayer as found in 3 Nephi 11:25 (not Doctrine and Covenants 20:73), due to having read it so many times. He immersed her in the water, but her sins remained. He didn't realize he had said it wrong immediately, I didn't either and I was one of the witnesses. And the member of the Bishopric didn't catch either as the other witness. So we didn't catch it until afterwards, until we were already driving away, being the last ones to leave. It didn't feel right either. I couldn't see the change in her face. We baptized her with water, but it didn't count. Just for switching two or three words, the Holy Spirit of Promise wasn't there. The ordinance was void. The bad thing was we didn't catch our goof-up until after the fact. We called President Smith to check to see if we had to do it again and he said yes.
So. Tonight we are going to baptize her for reals. Last night we went over to talk to her and tell her and she told us the she didn't feel anything either. Just through our feelings we could tell that the baptism wasn't done right. So just us, her and the member of the bishopric and his wife are coming tonight to redo it. Its pretty embrassing and really dumb we didn't catch it while we were all there. We learned a lot from it though. More than anything it has strengthened my testimony of the truthfulness of the this church and work. The Lords has revealed a set way to baptize and its must be done that way. His kingdom is built upon set laws. From just three or four words, the Holy Ghost wasn't there to testify to us that it was a real and valid ordinance that will count here on earth as well as in the heavens and for eternities. I could tell deep inside that something wasn't right afterwards. The spirit kept nudging and telling me that it wasn't done correctly. We finally figured it out and planned everything for today. I know tonight she will feel the remision of sins and the good feeling that accompanies an ordinance of God that is done with authority and correctly. Pretty crazy, huh?
We had a really good week though. Some investigators came to church for the first time and some of the ones we've been working with for a long time are showing real signs of progressing. On Sunday we also taught Relief Society about missionary work and how to invite your friends to family nights, dinners with the missionaries, or church activities. It went really well and I think it will help them to know how to do missionary work. All of the sisters know they need to do missionary work but aside from feeding us they don't know how to 'do' missionary work. Its exciting to help them learn and practice.
On Friday I was on an exchange with Elder Gifford, he's been out for like 3 weeks in the field. And we worked the English area and were on bikes. We were riding and these ladies stopped us and started talking to us asking what we were doing. They said we looked like Jehovah Witnesses on bikes. We told them who we were and they asked us who God was for us. They got out of the car and started asking us questions. We explained God the Father, his Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. They were in a hurry and we set up an appointment for the next day. It was so cool to see the Lord put us in the right place, right time to give someone the opportunity to find the truth.
Well I've written a lot. More than anything I want you to know that I know that the Church is true. It is the Kingdom of God on Earth. The Holy Ghost is the messenger that testifies to us of the Father and the Son. I hope and pray that all is well with all ya'll. I love you and miss you and hope you can do the things that will keep you close to our Heavenly Father.
Love,
Elder Wagner
PS. I heard the out in Eastern Texas you can buy grilled squirrel. I can't wait :)
Monday, January 26, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
MISSION REPORT 19 JAN 2009
TO: THE HOMEFRONT
FROM: ELDER WAGNER
DATE: 19 JAN 2009
SUBJECT: PREACHING
GOOD NEWS FROM THE BATTLEFRONT, WE'RE WINNING. THEM THERES TEXANS AIN'T GOT NUTTIN ON THIS HERE GOSPEL THATS WE GOTS. SUM LIL' CHILLINS WAS BEIN THROWIN' ROCKS AT US, BUTS THENS ELDER BARNEY UP AND WHUPPED OUT THAT THERE BOOK OF MORMON AND THEYS WAS DONE DOIN' DAT. MMMHMMMM... BUTS YALLS THIS HERE WORK IZ KICKIN' SUM TRASH. PEACE BROTHERS
How's my texan coming along? Yeah, don't believe anything that I just wrote. Buts really we are doing well here. Next week Juana will be getting baptized which way exciting. She is so prepared. She didn't even drink coffee! Which is pretty rare since most Hispanics do. But she is one of the elect.
The week wen't pretty well. We found some great new investigators and the others are progressing well. Rudy is finally showing real signs of desires, and he should still be getting baptized.
Oh on Friday Elder Barney had a root canal. It was pretty exciting for him. I just sat in the room and watched/read Jesus the Christ. I'm more than halfway through it. Its a really thorough description of Christ's life. Once you are done with WTP, Marissa, you should read it. It will be a challenging read even for you.
By the way, thats too bad yall couldn't keep the fish alive. As missionaries we can't have pets, kind of sad.
Wow, I can't believe I almost forgot this. So on Friday after the dentist appointment we took our car in and now we don't have a car. So I get to ride my bike!!! Its pretty exciting. Its like a war against the cars. We are winning so far. But my bum is really sore from sitting on it so much. To get to church on Sunday its a 8 mile round trip. And the after that we went around all day to appointments. You don't realize how many little hills there are until you aren't in a car. Its fun though.
Well it sounds like everything is going good for everyone in the outside world. Speaking of Babylon, Cardinals/Steelers... really? Who would've thought...
Marissa, good luck with WTP and remember, Opinion, Example... Oh and don't forget that its supposed to be fun!!! If you don't enjoy it and aren't real, the judges will feel it and you won't be able to do as well. Have fun and smile!!
Well Thanks for all the love and support.
Love,
Elder Wagner
FROM: ELDER WAGNER
DATE: 19 JAN 2009
SUBJECT: PREACHING
GOOD NEWS FROM THE BATTLEFRONT, WE'RE WINNING. THEM THERES TEXANS AIN'T GOT NUTTIN ON THIS HERE GOSPEL THATS WE GOTS. SUM LIL' CHILLINS WAS BEIN THROWIN' ROCKS AT US, BUTS THENS ELDER BARNEY UP AND WHUPPED OUT THAT THERE BOOK OF MORMON AND THEYS WAS DONE DOIN' DAT. MMMHMMMM... BUTS YALLS THIS HERE WORK IZ KICKIN' SUM TRASH. PEACE BROTHERS
How's my texan coming along? Yeah, don't believe anything that I just wrote. Buts really we are doing well here. Next week Juana will be getting baptized which way exciting. She is so prepared. She didn't even drink coffee! Which is pretty rare since most Hispanics do. But she is one of the elect.
The week wen't pretty well. We found some great new investigators and the others are progressing well. Rudy is finally showing real signs of desires, and he should still be getting baptized.
Oh on Friday Elder Barney had a root canal. It was pretty exciting for him. I just sat in the room and watched/read Jesus the Christ. I'm more than halfway through it. Its a really thorough description of Christ's life. Once you are done with WTP, Marissa, you should read it. It will be a challenging read even for you.
By the way, thats too bad yall couldn't keep the fish alive. As missionaries we can't have pets, kind of sad.
Wow, I can't believe I almost forgot this. So on Friday after the dentist appointment we took our car in and now we don't have a car. So I get to ride my bike!!! Its pretty exciting. Its like a war against the cars. We are winning so far. But my bum is really sore from sitting on it so much. To get to church on Sunday its a 8 mile round trip. And the after that we went around all day to appointments. You don't realize how many little hills there are until you aren't in a car. Its fun though.
Well it sounds like everything is going good for everyone in the outside world. Speaking of Babylon, Cardinals/Steelers... really? Who would've thought...
Marissa, good luck with WTP and remember, Opinion, Example... Oh and don't forget that its supposed to be fun!!! If you don't enjoy it and aren't real, the judges will feel it and you won't be able to do as well. Have fun and smile!!
Well Thanks for all the love and support.
Love,
Elder Wagner
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Elder Wags!
I was just missing Elder Wagner.... here are some pictures even though they are not new!
The love of a missionary for his iron! You can tell Elder Wagner LOVES this part of his week!
Elder Wagner & Elder Barney!Monday, January 12, 2009
Greetings from TEXAS!
Howdy!
Sometimes I feel like I still have like my entire mission but its already flying by. Well this week was pretty fun, Elder Barney and I get along good and we should have a great transfer. I'm writing a little later because we were at the dentist this morning because Elder Barney has to get a root canal, bummer for him. However, My teeth are just fine.
Yes I did get the memory card and the package, thanks! I love the primary songs, they're awesome!!! Oh I sent the address to the apartment last week and i forgot the apartment number (its #1605). If you send stuff there it will get there a day sooner, but if I get transfered it doesn't work.
Anyways. Random experience. On Saturday we went to lunch with a member, then an appointment for an hour and then we went to a house for a first appointment. They were having a lil' family party and they invited us in. We talked a little bit with some of the men there but they were kind of drunk so not really receptive, mostly because they can't think/listen. We were trying to leave and the lady brings out a few torillas and chicken and we couldn't say no (if you refuse it the get really offended). So we ate there and left with a prayer. It was mostly awkward because they just left us at the table to eat and no one was really talking to us, kind of goofy. (side note: their door mat was really clever, a flattened 24 Bud Light cardboard box... hahaha...its like perfect size...) After that we had an appointment and then we had dinner with a member. I was so full. And thats the life of a missionary.
So we had an interesting experience with Juana, the older lady. Wednesday we were teaching about baptism and she told us, "Estoy bien bautizada!" - 'i'm good and baptized' (more or less... doesn't translate real pretty...). So she thought she had been baptized as a baby in the Catholic church and that was good enough. We talked about authority a little bit and we left Moroni chapter 8. The chapter is really really clear that infant baptism is not necessary and that its a sin. Next day we go back and she says she read it. Then she pauses and says "I was thinking a lot about it... and baptizing little children just isn't right, its just a tradition set up by men." As she said I couldn't help but smiling! It was awesome to see the spirit and clarity of the Book of Mormon change someone's beliefs. She is so prepared! We talked about the gift of the Holy Ghost and we set a date for January 25th. She is really amazing.
Rudy is still doing good. We are kind of worried about him because he doesn't really seem to capture the need he has to be baptized. He is a pretty good guy, and since he thinks he has done anything really bad he doesn't need to repent since the little things aren't 'sins'. He could get baptized but if he doesn't really see the need it wouldn't be good to just baptize him, when he isn't repentant and of a humble heart. We are trying to help him understand that sins aren't only when we do something to hurt other people. Sins are when we break God's laws. Sins are just doing bad things, its not doing good things as well. Hopefully the spirit can work on him and help him see things a different way.
In church on Sunday we talked about the Parable of the Sower in Elders Quorum. Its one of my favorite parables. The seed is the gospel or any principle of the gospel. The seed is good. The only thing that varies is the soil, which is us. Individually when we are humble and willing we are 'the good soil.' When we crowd our life with lots of distractions we are like the 'thorny soil' and the seed gets choked by the weeds. When we don't want to change we are the 'rocky soil' and the seed can't root and it dies. When the 'seeds of the Gospel' fall in our soil, do they grow with strong roots? Or do we fail to nuture them? The seeds of the Gospel are the little things like daily prayer and scripture study. I love this parable because it applies to everything in the Gospel and it applies to ourselves.
Wow. I've written a lot. Thanks for all the letters and emails. I wish I could write emails back to everyone but its not really allowed. But thanks so much for all the email and letters.
I love ya'll and hope the best!
Love,
Elder Wagner
Sometimes I feel like I still have like my entire mission but its already flying by. Well this week was pretty fun, Elder Barney and I get along good and we should have a great transfer. I'm writing a little later because we were at the dentist this morning because Elder Barney has to get a root canal, bummer for him. However, My teeth are just fine.
Yes I did get the memory card and the package, thanks! I love the primary songs, they're awesome!!! Oh I sent the address to the apartment last week and i forgot the apartment number (its #1605). If you send stuff there it will get there a day sooner, but if I get transfered it doesn't work.
Anyways. Random experience. On Saturday we went to lunch with a member, then an appointment for an hour and then we went to a house for a first appointment. They were having a lil' family party and they invited us in. We talked a little bit with some of the men there but they were kind of drunk so not really receptive, mostly because they can't think/listen. We were trying to leave and the lady brings out a few torillas and chicken and we couldn't say no (if you refuse it the get really offended). So we ate there and left with a prayer. It was mostly awkward because they just left us at the table to eat and no one was really talking to us, kind of goofy. (side note: their door mat was really clever, a flattened 24 Bud Light cardboard box... hahaha...its like perfect size...) After that we had an appointment and then we had dinner with a member. I was so full. And thats the life of a missionary.
So we had an interesting experience with Juana, the older lady. Wednesday we were teaching about baptism and she told us, "Estoy bien bautizada!" - 'i'm good and baptized' (more or less... doesn't translate real pretty...). So she thought she had been baptized as a baby in the Catholic church and that was good enough. We talked about authority a little bit and we left Moroni chapter 8. The chapter is really really clear that infant baptism is not necessary and that its a sin. Next day we go back and she says she read it. Then she pauses and says "I was thinking a lot about it... and baptizing little children just isn't right, its just a tradition set up by men." As she said I couldn't help but smiling! It was awesome to see the spirit and clarity of the Book of Mormon change someone's beliefs. She is so prepared! We talked about the gift of the Holy Ghost and we set a date for January 25th. She is really amazing.
Rudy is still doing good. We are kind of worried about him because he doesn't really seem to capture the need he has to be baptized. He is a pretty good guy, and since he thinks he has done anything really bad he doesn't need to repent since the little things aren't 'sins'. He could get baptized but if he doesn't really see the need it wouldn't be good to just baptize him, when he isn't repentant and of a humble heart. We are trying to help him understand that sins aren't only when we do something to hurt other people. Sins are when we break God's laws. Sins are just doing bad things, its not doing good things as well. Hopefully the spirit can work on him and help him see things a different way.
In church on Sunday we talked about the Parable of the Sower in Elders Quorum. Its one of my favorite parables. The seed is the gospel or any principle of the gospel. The seed is good. The only thing that varies is the soil, which is us. Individually when we are humble and willing we are 'the good soil.' When we crowd our life with lots of distractions we are like the 'thorny soil' and the seed gets choked by the weeds. When we don't want to change we are the 'rocky soil' and the seed can't root and it dies. When the 'seeds of the Gospel' fall in our soil, do they grow with strong roots? Or do we fail to nuture them? The seeds of the Gospel are the little things like daily prayer and scripture study. I love this parable because it applies to everything in the Gospel and it applies to ourselves.
Wow. I've written a lot. Thanks for all the letters and emails. I wish I could write emails back to everyone but its not really allowed. But thanks so much for all the email and letters.
I love ya'll and hope the best!
Love,
Elder Wagner
Monday, January 5, 2009
The Golden Year
Dear Family,
So this year, 2009, is my golden year, since I'll be on the mission for the whole year. Pretty exciting, eh. Well a bunch of stuff is happening. But Elder Barney and I are staying here together for another transfer! Its pretty rare because usually Elders are together for like 1-2 transfers, but sometimes 3. Its really good though because we really starting to have some success and work together really well.
Well new years eve, I went to bed at 10:30, just like every other night. I'm usually pretty tired by then and fall asleep pretty fast. Well Tuesday I went on exchanges with the Zone Leaders. I was with Elder Ballard. It was really fun and I learned a lot. I learn so much from other Elders because everyone does something different and better, and there is always room to improve. He (Elder Ballard) told me that some elders like tracting and others don't, but he loves it because he likes awkward situations and rejection. It was a different way to look at it and it helped me a lot to look at it different. Like for everytime someone doesn't accept the invitation (rejects us...) we get blessings!!! Its pretty cool. But yeah, I like exchanges and learning from other Elders. Well.
The other companionships in the district are changing. Elder Luna is leaving (sad day). And Elder Inckley is too. But change is good. Elder Barnes is training, so I won't be the youngest one in the district!!! hahaha. Speaking of Elder Barnes. He goes home next transfer (he is really old). So when he started the mission his district leader in his first area was Michael Shafer!! He first exchange was with Elder Shafer. And he would really like his address. Good luck! The address of his parents would be good too, because I don't have it.
Anyways, if you want the package to get to me faster you could just send it straight to the apartment. But don't send me stuff after I leave, because I'll never get it. here it is: 4640 Saturn Rd. Garland, TX 75041
Oh, on Friday I had a real Texan Experience. An english member took us and Elders Luna and Barnes to Texas Roadhouse (a steakhouse). And he bought us all 24 ounce steaks! It was so good. I could have cut it with a butter knife it was so tender!!! Well I ate the whole steak and mashed potatoes(there weren't too much) and a salad. And to top it off he ordered us brownies the size of a little cake!!! I didn't finish the brownie. But it was so good. A 24 oz steak is really big, Riley. It is a 1-1/2 lb.steak!!!!!!
Anyways, we have some really great investigators. Juana, one we found about 3 weeks ago, came to church. She is a middle age lady who is so prepared and progressing really fast. She bore testimony of Joseph Smith in Gospel Principles! She does all her reading and is awesome! We should set a baptismal date with her this week.
I'm excited for this transfer!!! We should have lots of success and we're going to work really hard.
I love you all and hope you keep safe. Congratulations to Kimi! Thats exciting! All my cousins are going to be married when I get back.
Thanks for your prayers and yall are in mine too.
Love,
Elder Wagner
So this year, 2009, is my golden year, since I'll be on the mission for the whole year. Pretty exciting, eh. Well a bunch of stuff is happening. But Elder Barney and I are staying here together for another transfer! Its pretty rare because usually Elders are together for like 1-2 transfers, but sometimes 3. Its really good though because we really starting to have some success and work together really well.
Well new years eve, I went to bed at 10:30, just like every other night. I'm usually pretty tired by then and fall asleep pretty fast. Well Tuesday I went on exchanges with the Zone Leaders. I was with Elder Ballard. It was really fun and I learned a lot. I learn so much from other Elders because everyone does something different and better, and there is always room to improve. He (Elder Ballard) told me that some elders like tracting and others don't, but he loves it because he likes awkward situations and rejection. It was a different way to look at it and it helped me a lot to look at it different. Like for everytime someone doesn't accept the invitation (rejects us...) we get blessings!!! Its pretty cool. But yeah, I like exchanges and learning from other Elders. Well.
The other companionships in the district are changing. Elder Luna is leaving (sad day). And Elder Inckley is too. But change is good. Elder Barnes is training, so I won't be the youngest one in the district!!! hahaha. Speaking of Elder Barnes. He goes home next transfer (he is really old). So when he started the mission his district leader in his first area was Michael Shafer!! He first exchange was with Elder Shafer. And he would really like his address. Good luck! The address of his parents would be good too, because I don't have it.
Anyways, if you want the package to get to me faster you could just send it straight to the apartment. But don't send me stuff after I leave, because I'll never get it. here it is: 4640 Saturn Rd. Garland, TX 75041
Oh, on Friday I had a real Texan Experience. An english member took us and Elders Luna and Barnes to Texas Roadhouse (a steakhouse). And he bought us all 24 ounce steaks! It was so good. I could have cut it with a butter knife it was so tender!!! Well I ate the whole steak and mashed potatoes(there weren't too much) and a salad. And to top it off he ordered us brownies the size of a little cake!!! I didn't finish the brownie. But it was so good. A 24 oz steak is really big, Riley. It is a 1-1/2 lb.steak!!!!!!
Anyways, we have some really great investigators. Juana, one we found about 3 weeks ago, came to church. She is a middle age lady who is so prepared and progressing really fast. She bore testimony of Joseph Smith in Gospel Principles! She does all her reading and is awesome! We should set a baptismal date with her this week.
I'm excited for this transfer!!! We should have lots of success and we're going to work really hard.
I love you all and hope you keep safe. Congratulations to Kimi! Thats exciting! All my cousins are going to be married when I get back.
Thanks for your prayers and yall are in mine too.
Love,
Elder Wagner
Monday, December 29, 2008
Christmas doesn't exist in Texas!!
Just kidding!!!
I had a great christmas here. Different but it was still good. Something Elder Olsen (Doug) told me in a letter was that you only have 2 christmas's on your mission and you'll always remember them. That helped me to be grateful for what I'm doing here. It was fun to talk to Mom and the rest of the family, sounds like everyone is doing good. Oh i didn't know riley got braces back on!?! (I saw them in those pictures..)
So Elder Barney got beat by the flu stick again. He was out of commission for about a day. He had a temperature of like 102. We gave him a blessing and his fever went away. But he's better now, kind of. I'm healthy!!! But I think some Snickerdoodles will help keep me healthy. hehe.
On Saturday I went on an exchange with Elder Luna because Elder Barney was sick. We taught a man named Pablo about prophets and dispensations and since Elder Luna doesn't speak spanish (go figure... his parents do...) I taught the whole lesson. It was good and he was able to understand why prophets are so important. So spanish is coming along pretty well. Its coming along a little bit at a time.
Oh we got a flat tire the other day. Not really exciting or anything, but the lug nuts were on way too tight because it had been in the shop. But we got them off eventually. So. I just talked to ya'll and not much has changed since then.
This is the last week of the transfer so next week we'll find out if I'll stay here or get switched out. So I've been reading 3 Nephi 11 a lot lately. We usually give this chapter to people to read and I want a stronger testimony of the chapter and its message. I've read it like 7 times now and everytime I find something new or gain something different. Its really neat how the spirit can teach us what we need hear ever time we read the scriptures.
Well have a happy new year!!! Come up with some good resolutions! And write them down!!! and hang them up somewhere!!! Because... a goal not written is a floundering wish... (btw.. I was trying to say that in spanish the other day but i didn't know 'floundering')Anyways.
I'll talk to ya'll laters.
Love,
Elder Wagner
PS. I actually saw two squirrels playing the other day! They were chasing each other around!
I had a great christmas here. Different but it was still good. Something Elder Olsen (Doug) told me in a letter was that you only have 2 christmas's on your mission and you'll always remember them. That helped me to be grateful for what I'm doing here. It was fun to talk to Mom and the rest of the family, sounds like everyone is doing good. Oh i didn't know riley got braces back on!?! (I saw them in those pictures..)
So Elder Barney got beat by the flu stick again. He was out of commission for about a day. He had a temperature of like 102. We gave him a blessing and his fever went away. But he's better now, kind of. I'm healthy!!! But I think some Snickerdoodles will help keep me healthy. hehe.
On Saturday I went on an exchange with Elder Luna because Elder Barney was sick. We taught a man named Pablo about prophets and dispensations and since Elder Luna doesn't speak spanish (go figure... his parents do...) I taught the whole lesson. It was good and he was able to understand why prophets are so important. So spanish is coming along pretty well. Its coming along a little bit at a time.
Oh we got a flat tire the other day. Not really exciting or anything, but the lug nuts were on way too tight because it had been in the shop. But we got them off eventually. So. I just talked to ya'll and not much has changed since then.
This is the last week of the transfer so next week we'll find out if I'll stay here or get switched out. So I've been reading 3 Nephi 11 a lot lately. We usually give this chapter to people to read and I want a stronger testimony of the chapter and its message. I've read it like 7 times now and everytime I find something new or gain something different. Its really neat how the spirit can teach us what we need hear ever time we read the scriptures.
Well have a happy new year!!! Come up with some good resolutions! And write them down!!! and hang them up somewhere!!! Because... a goal not written is a floundering wish... (btw.. I was trying to say that in spanish the other day but i didn't know 'floundering')Anyways.
I'll talk to ya'll laters.
Love,
Elder Wagner
PS. I actually saw two squirrels playing the other day! They were chasing each other around!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Feliz Navidad!
Dear Family,
Thanks for all the mail everybody! I got the package last tuesday at zone conference, the cookies were good and thanks for the CDs!
So it sounds like a lot has been going on back home! Thats great you got to see everyone at Ellen's wedding. So in the 4 months I've been gone 2 cousins have gotten married. At this rate by the time I get back ten more will get married (I'm guessing more like 4...). Sí, Kreg, recibí su email, hace dos semanas, y tu español era buena.
I'd have to agree with Marissa that all the traditions are going to change because I'm gone. But thats alright. I guess. Okay.
Well last week at Zone Conference, we got cell phones!!! But we can't use them to call home and they cut our landline. So, we are going to use a members landline but he doesn't have long distance so I'll call you all and give you the number and you call back on a cell phone so it doesn't charge him. Oh and I'll be calling at 10am texas time which is 8am california time on Christmas Morning. How exciting!!!
Like I said, we had Zone Conference last week. it was shorter than usual because it was snowy/icy and it started later. It was in Oak Cliff, so we rode the light rail (DART) through downtown to get there. It was cool to ride through and see all the big buildings. But it was also freezing!!! That was tuesday. By friday it was 70 degrees again. And now today it is like 30 again. Crazy.
Zone Conference was mostly about helping members do missionary work. As members we're told again and again to do missionary work, but never taught how. You don't have to go on a mission to become a missionary. Some of the wards are having missionaries go in and teach auxillaries how to be effective finders and missionaries. The best thing to do to invite others to learn is to invite them into our houses so they can feel the spirit and how the gospel can benefit their families.
Thats too bad to hear about little Ian. The Van Dykes are in my prayers. This morning we actually went to a funeral for an older man in Elder Barney's old area. They had like a viewing first then a service. I played some prelude music during the viewing. It was a interesting funeral since I didn't know him. But it was neat to see how the Gospel and principles that it teaches us bring us comfort and knowledge of what happens after this life.
Last week we met a few people by just being in the right place at the right time. One lady had recieved a Finding Faith in Christ dvd in California and had just moved here. We've taught her once and she is really receptive. People are ready all around us, we just have to open our mouths and share what makes us happy.
We've been focusing on the Book of Mormon as a companionship and trying to help our investigators become converted to the book, not to us. If someone reads from the Book of Mormon daily and applies it to their lives, they'll become converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If they don't, the won't be 'converted'. Yeah they might get baptized and even come to church for a long time, but they won't become 'converted'.
Well I'm excited to talk to ya'll. Merry Christmas!
Love,
Elder Wagner
PS. The December Ensign is really good. A recommended read for everyone!
Thanks for all the mail everybody! I got the package last tuesday at zone conference, the cookies were good and thanks for the CDs!
So it sounds like a lot has been going on back home! Thats great you got to see everyone at Ellen's wedding. So in the 4 months I've been gone 2 cousins have gotten married. At this rate by the time I get back ten more will get married (I'm guessing more like 4...). Sí, Kreg, recibí su email, hace dos semanas, y tu español era buena.
I'd have to agree with Marissa that all the traditions are going to change because I'm gone. But thats alright. I guess. Okay.
Well last week at Zone Conference, we got cell phones!!! But we can't use them to call home and they cut our landline. So, we are going to use a members landline but he doesn't have long distance so I'll call you all and give you the number and you call back on a cell phone so it doesn't charge him. Oh and I'll be calling at 10am texas time which is 8am california time on Christmas Morning. How exciting!!!
Like I said, we had Zone Conference last week. it was shorter than usual because it was snowy/icy and it started later. It was in Oak Cliff, so we rode the light rail (DART) through downtown to get there. It was cool to ride through and see all the big buildings. But it was also freezing!!! That was tuesday. By friday it was 70 degrees again. And now today it is like 30 again. Crazy.
Zone Conference was mostly about helping members do missionary work. As members we're told again and again to do missionary work, but never taught how. You don't have to go on a mission to become a missionary. Some of the wards are having missionaries go in and teach auxillaries how to be effective finders and missionaries. The best thing to do to invite others to learn is to invite them into our houses so they can feel the spirit and how the gospel can benefit their families.
Thats too bad to hear about little Ian. The Van Dykes are in my prayers. This morning we actually went to a funeral for an older man in Elder Barney's old area. They had like a viewing first then a service. I played some prelude music during the viewing. It was a interesting funeral since I didn't know him. But it was neat to see how the Gospel and principles that it teaches us bring us comfort and knowledge of what happens after this life.
Last week we met a few people by just being in the right place at the right time. One lady had recieved a Finding Faith in Christ dvd in California and had just moved here. We've taught her once and she is really receptive. People are ready all around us, we just have to open our mouths and share what makes us happy.
We've been focusing on the Book of Mormon as a companionship and trying to help our investigators become converted to the book, not to us. If someone reads from the Book of Mormon daily and applies it to their lives, they'll become converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If they don't, the won't be 'converted'. Yeah they might get baptized and even come to church for a long time, but they won't become 'converted'.
Well I'm excited to talk to ya'll. Merry Christmas!
Love,
Elder Wagner
PS. The December Ensign is really good. A recommended read for everyone!
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