Happy P-day!

This week was pretty good. It went by pretty fast. Evidence of that is me asking the other missionaries here if Tune up was this week or last week. My days are getting quicker and quicker. We taught a few lessons this week and the one that probably went the best was with Linh.

 

She comes from a Buddhist/Catholic family where neither parent really practiced so she doesn't really even believe in God. One thing that is special about her is that she actually really wants to find out. It truly is incredible that if we really have the sincere desire to find out if God is there we can find Him. Most people have a skewed view of "religion" because they don't believe or know that there really is a way to truly know anything about God for yourself. We taught her about faith and read from Alma 32. She cooks right now on Sunday's for a restaurant  but she's going to try and change that. She is married to a member but he hasn't gone back to church in a while I guess.

 

Michael came to church yesterday and he's going to be baptized on March 10th! That'll be really good! Elder Komarek is doing pretty well and still working hard to improve. He says I'm helping so I hope he's right! He's getting more used to all the people and this week we are going to go out on bikes more and contact people on the street. He isn't used to just talking to people yet and that's a really hard thing to get used to so we're working on that!

 

I hope you all have a great week and I'll get to talk to you next week! Don't you just love technology?

 

Love,

 

Silas

President's Day

Hey family!

 

Alright so this week was pretty good! First something that is really crazy and shows what a small world we live in is that I had dinner at the Gallop's house. We were talking and Brother Gallop was like, my son-in-law and daughter lived in NY. And I was like where? And he said that he worked in White Plains and I was like my Dad worked in White Plains! He said Blue Sky and I said who is your son-in-law? Hans! It was really funny and cool. I told them that I think we helped move them in but I don't really remember. And that I played frisbee with him.

 

We are still working with Michael. I have a hard time remebering who I've talked about...Michael is 12 and his Mom is a member but hasn't gone to church in awhile. They are a nice family and I hope eventually his dad gets more interested. He wants to be baptized on the 3rd of March right now so pray that that will happen! He is a really good kid and I'm just really excited for him to be baptized and help so many people.

 

Elder Komarek and I are getting along well. He doesn't complain and he likes to work so there isn't much effort I have to put in to get to work! Seeing him go out and have faith in the work is a really great energy boost for me! We've been having a good time knocking on doors and getting him to muster up the courage to contact people on the street. It really is a hard thing to do. It's interesting being a person that wants to talk to everyone and no one wants to talk to you haha. But I think I've gotten pretty used to it and being personal and nice is the most important part.

 

Well, since it's President's day all the missionaries that usually email at libraries have to come here so I have less time. Sounds like Eden and Mom had a good time skiing and Vball looked fun too! Love you all.

 

Love,

 

Silas

Greenie!

I won't really have time to write a long email today because we're at a library. We went to the temple and it was good but I'm tired now! woke up at 345. I'm grateful to be able to go to the temple and feel peace. Sorry I couldn't warn you that I couldn't email yesterday I didn't even know

This week was kind of stressful. I got Elder Komarek and he is really good. He's from Fillmore, UT and he's 18! So it has been fun teaching him the lessons and everything. I get to drive the car since I'm the senior companion so I feel special and safe haha.

Rebeca's baptism had to be moved from one building to the other because of a scheduling mix up. It was really crazy and I had to let everyone know that it was somewhere else an hour before the baptism but it ended up working out. I gave a talk on the Holy Ghost and I was told that I did a good job! I think I have gotten a lot better at speaking in front of people on my mission. Rebeca's husband got to baptize her which was really awesome. A lot of missionaries taught her so I can't take as much credit for her as I do Tammy but I was really grateful for her decision.

The guy with the flannel and beard is Chris Bartchi a member of the ward that we're helping.

Well I have to go now.

Love you!

Six Months!

Hey Everyone!

This week was kind of interesting. I felt sick as I was emailing last week and I ended up being pretty sick. I stayed in Monday night and then on Tuesday as well. There was a bug going around and I caught it for sure. So on Tuesday night a senior missionary called us to help load a bunch of stuff on Wednesday. We actually got to go to the LA D.I and we loaded SO many bunk beds, dressers, bed boards etc. for all of the new missionaries. I guess they really are coming! We loaded the big 26' truck and then unloaded it at a storage facility. Even though I was still kind of sick and had to blow my nose very frequently it was fun. I used a whole roll of toilet paper on my nose...

So on Wednesday I got a call to be a trainer! One of 23 trainers which is a lot! I'm excited to train a new missionary and I'm going to try my best to be the best trainer I can be. I'm going to pick my "temporary companion" tomorrow which I didn't know until right now. Usually, I would go around 3 to pick up the missionary that I'd be training but since there are so many new missionaries it's going to take President Bubert a lot longer to interview them. So! I'll just be with a new missionary tomorrow but not necessarily my own. That'll be funny. Last week on Friday I got to go to the mission office (which I live very close to) and meet with all of the other trainers and President which was nice. The training schedule is different than the regular schedule so you have more time to study and actually less time to work. 2 extra hours of study. One extra of companion and one hour of Preach My Gospel. That'll be nice.

6 months is a bittersweet milestone to meet. It's sweet because I've been out for 6 months!  But a little bitter because I've only been out for 6 months! Haha I guess that kind of makes sense maybe? Time has gone by fast though and I know that's because I've been working hard. I'm really glad to be trying to help people every day. Mom just asked a good question so I'll answer it on here. I will be training for 2 transfers/3 months. I'm really proud of Dad for being able to baptize Brother Lambert! That's really great that I'm not the only one doing missionary work!

At church yesterday I taught the lesson on sacrifice. It was my first time teaching so I was a little nervous but it turned out really well! The members and Elder Edward said I did a really great job. It was probably divine that I had prepared for that lesson a long time ago for no real reason. Saturday Brother Damm (Dom) called and said he was sick so he couldn't teach and I was ready! He is the Ward Mission Leader.

We have Rebeca's baptism on the 9th and Michael's on the 10th! Rebeca is 100% going to happen and Michael's is dependent on him coming to church next week. He's a good kid! I am giving a talk on the Holy Ghost at the baptism so hopefully that goes well too! I think I'm getting better and better at public speaking. It helps to read my patriarchal blessing where is says I have the gift of teaching.

The pictures are at the Wright's house! They are great and always take care of us! And of Elder Edward and I!

I love you!

Silas