Texas Thanksgiving

So I've been cleaning the apartment, like walls and baseboards clean, but we dont have a bucket for soapy water. So I've been using a water pitcher to clean up. The days have been kind of similar to each other. Get up study, procelyte, eat teach, procelyte, sleep. I love it, but the journal entries are becoming real similar. 

       Tuesday we went out to teach lessons to some people but they all canceled on us so the morning was depressing. But it started getting better. We found out that Melissa (a less active member) was being visited by our relief society members (relief society is the best) and she's starting to come to church. When we found melissa she was super shy, and she still is, but she's come to church and bringing her daughter kaliane who wants to be baptized so that's great! The last thing from Tuesday was running into Ricky and Jessica over by Dam B, they're a young family with two kids and they're real nice.

       On Wednesday so the first part of the day was a typical "oh that's nice, but I'm saved." People out here are very religious or strictly nonreligious. I got a haircut which felt really nice. The barbers in town know everyone, and I mean everyone. We went tracting once more "this is where the fun begins" and we knocked on couple of doors for the usual "no" and then we went to this one house. This guy was out smoking (a ribs not tobacco) and we talked with him for a second, and then told him we wanted to share a message about the restored church and the guy (tony) literally pushed us into his home and was like "teach my family." So that was a highlight of my week. Even if the family doesn't join the church, I'm still just happy about how welcoming they were.

       Thanksgiving time!....... cheese ball! I didn't get cheese ball! I had Turkey, rolls, potatoes, seafood stuffing, spicy carrots, and I just couldn't eat it all. But then you guys sent me a picture of cheese ball and I was like "i didn't get that." We ate with the Durrs and Kethans. brother Kethan made me a metal scorpian which was super cool. Sister Kethan is from Utah... bountiful utah. I talked with her a lot about home. She actually has some family in West Bountiful but I didn't recognize the name. It was real fun being with them. 

       I've mentioned the Durrs a lot, but I haven't really talked about them much. Brother Durr is a blend of Blain and Guy Zwahlen, Greg Argyle, and everyother scoutmaster you can think of. We call him the final boss of scoutmasters. He's a real fun guy, I think the picture with him in tights says it all. His wife Sister Durr (the one who texts you all the time mom) is really sweet, we call her grandma and that's who she is. She has some short term memory problems, so she's like Dory from Finding Nemo. They always have us over for dinner and help with a puzzle. 

       So friday we went over to interviews. President Hewlett wanted to say hi and tell you he's grateful that he has me out here. At interviews I got to talk with more of the elders and sisters in my zone. I mostly talked with Elder Carraway but I got to meet some other really great missionaries. It was mostly a driving day but when we got back we helped clean up granny's home. (So granny was a Baptist lady who's family are all members, she just thought she was too old to change) 

       Saturday was really nice. We went and talked to the Bests who I think I've mention before but thier just a great family we found and who came to church. I was a little unsure about them  because we hadn't seen them since sunday but they were just busy with family. They said that at Thanksgiving someone ask which church they went to and the husband said he went to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. So that was really amazing.

      Sunday I got to hear some really amazing testimonies from some sisters I  the branch, and I got to help with primary! They were crazy but I loved them. After that it was just more lessons with people and and the end of the day i was feeling sick so we had to go back early. Still feeling sick but I have all p-day to rest. I love hearing from you guys, be sure to send me pictures and videos are ok if you want to send them. Nate you look like president Hinckley with your new haircut and glasses. Anywho have a great day guys!

-elder king 

                                                                         

                                                                                                       Bro. Durr

Thanksgiving

Well it's time for another weekly update! The days have been getting so much better. I dont think I expressed how hard my first week was here. In the missionary pamphlet for adjusting to missionary life there are 4 levels that go from green to red. Green being best, red being worst. Well last week I was somewhere in between an orange and yellow, so I guess you could say I was pretty stressed. I wasn't getting along with my companion too well, I saw many miracles but also a lot of rejections, and all together it was just so overwhelming. This week I am very "whelmed."

       Tuesday we went to the temple, which was amazing! It was a 2 hour ride there, but our ride was bad with directions so it was more like 3 hours. I rode up with another companionship, Elder Furphy and Loinds. Furphy is a real fun guy, I was talking with him and Elder Ure the whole way up. I think that helped me and Ure open up and become better companions. Then the actual temple was really great too. I think it looks like the "Temple of Time" from Legend of Zelda: ocarina of time. I ran into Elder Carraway at the Temple to which was really great. I actually thought that Carraway went home because Ure and I couldn't find his name in the mission records, so I was really relieved to see that he was still out.

       Wednesday was also pretty good. We went to an early Thanksgiving lunch at a city event. They had pictures of red rock from Arizona, but it looked like something from Moab. It was nice to see something from home out here, because the last little bit I've been having that culture shock not really sure where I was. I think seeing things from home helped me realize I'm still I the U.S. and that the people here are American. Another great thing that happened today was finding this gal Melissa. She's a less active member from Vernal, Utah. When she opened the door she laughed and invited us in, I guess she didn't expect to see missionaries out here in Texas. 

       Thursday I hung out with the coolest people in town. The two old ladies in the family history center. Sister Odem and Teiter. Sister Odem is my hero in this ward, she always has a blanket on. After family history we went over to Granny's house to see if we could help the family with anything. (Granny just passed Tuesday... I never met her so, RIP) the rest of the day was a lot of rejection but we played basket ball with some kids in town. I knew I was comming to the bible belt, but I didn't fathom how many, "born and raised Baptist, and I'll be that way till I die," I'd meet. Some are actually really great to hear us out but their hearts are very hard. 2nd Nephi has been so much more meaningful to me because of the rejection I've been having.

       Friday I went on exchanges with Elder Lloyd. We went and visited a lot of people and then when we were tracting we found a family and invited them to church. Their name are the Best, and they are the best! The only other thing we did that day was was find this old lady and listen to her tell her story.

       Saturday Lloyd and I found 3 more people. Pam who works at the deli, and two rednecks. The two rednecks were fun to talk to, they talked a lot about crack heads and other druggies. It was awkward at first but they were real great people. Then exchanges ended and I welcomed back Elder Ure. We went to a dinner later that night but it turned out to be a surprise party for a members wife. It was really fun and the food was Devine (see picture of food) after dinner we headed over to the Youth Game night, where we played ping pong and pickle ball. They also had an SNES set up, but mission rules are a thing so, tear. If you haven't looked at the vlogs I've posted this week, there's some videos from game night. 

       Sunday the Bests showed up to church. A bit late, but they showed! They seem to be real prepared for the gospel and I hope they will accept it as we teach it to them. After lunch we went out and found some other kids in town to play basket ball with. I sat out because I didn't really want to play, but Ure had a great time with them. The last part of the day we went over to granny's viewing, I wanted to go up and shake her hand from the casket because it was my first time meeting her. But I didn't. 

       So now that Thanksgiving is right around the corner I wanted to share my experience with having daily Thanksgiving. It's great that every year we have a day to remember all that we have and are grateful for. But we really should be doing that every day. One thing I've been noticing from my mission is that miracles happen every day. So take some time today, and tomorrow, and the day after that, to look for the little things God has given you. I'm going to testify to you that God is always there. He hears your prayers and always has his hand outstretched to help.

       Take some time with daily Thanksgiving. It's going to help prepare you guys to light the world next month. Now have a great day!

-Elder King

It's Getting Real...

As usual business first.

I cannot write back and forth, so send me questions and updates throughout the week. I love hearing from you :)

My new address is 1501 s. Magnolia st. #203 Woodville, TX 75979

       Ok so first off, it's been a rough week. Not that it was bad, just rough.😩 I was falling asleep a lot the first few days. I was just so drained. My companion assured me that was normal, and I've been getting up a lot better. Wednesday was my first full day and all we did was service. Which was fun. We helped brother Degarmo collect sand and spread it around his yard. Then we went to brother McCabe's to lay a cement foundation for his boat shed. I took a nap somewhere in there because I was so exausted. (Note: I say a lot of we and us because I'm constantly with my companion. I not turning into golem/smeagul)

       The next day, Thursday, felt more like a missionary day. We got up and went to a family history event at the church, I found Richard l. Name, who I'm taking to the temple tomorrow. Then we went out and tracked. Elder Ure has been making me do everything to help me get the hang of it, which is terrifying but I've gotten a lot better because of it. We didn't really find anyone that day. Last part of the day we went and played Pickle Ball with Tim Durr (you will hear a lot about this man) at the Methodist church. That was really fun but it was weird not being able to talk about the gospel, but it's for the best not to preach in someone else's church.

       Friday we had district council, which only has 6 missionaries. (Which is fine because there's no one out here in the Boonies) we then visited a lot of people like brother Loveless who went into surgery Saturday and I gave him my first priesthood blessing, so that was awesome. We also taught two new people Tony and Eloise. And finally we went and visited Dennis who just got baptized but is struggling to quit smoking. He's great!

       Saturday... well "it was the best of times it was the worst of times." We went out tracking in the rain, which made me feel cold wet and miserable. No one wanted to talk, and it was just all around a terrible time😫. Elder Ure then took me back to the church were we watched Holland's talk "my words never cease" that made me feel a bit better but what made it great was after the talk we went to the Durrs home for dinner and I got to unwind and talk of home. This made me feel so much better!😄

       The Last day was Sunday. We had a primary program for church. Which is the only primary program that I've enjoyed. And I got to meet everyone in the branch which was like 75 people which was a lot of people to meet, but not that many in church. The miracle that happened that day was on Shivers Drive where we went tracking, we ran into 5 people who want to know more! So that was a great way to end the week!

       So if you want a good visual of the place I'm at right now, just watch Duck Dynasty. Not even joking.

       Also today is my birthday 19 whoot whoot! I'm making the spice cake you sent me mom, and I'm going to be at the Durrs today making arrow heads.

Just got to wrap up things with some pictures that describe how it's going 

Another Happy Landing

Business first:

P-day is Monday.

I'm serving in Woodville (the boonies)

My companion is Elder Ure.

I have a car. (Dont get to drive)

Hewletts are Amazing!

Church is true.

       "I'm out baby! out!" (This quote's from a video game) so yeah, I'm out into the world. A couple of titles I thought of were "it's getting real," "chapter 1: the beginning," and "how exciting!" But I went with a quote from obi-one in episode 3 "another happy landing" because my flight was great and I was received with open arms. Sister Hewlett came over to me and said "so, you're the Zwahlen?" I gave here a big grin and said "yes ma'am." We went to their beautiful home in Kingwood and had a a great dinner. It was so nice to have a real meal and shower. 

       So once you get out of the shower here, you have to use a towel because there is no steamy shower here. It's just steamy all over the place. Humidity right? I'll adjust though it feels pretty good.

       The last week at the MTC was rather tiring, they're some good pictures that will describe them. I dont have much else to say that wont be described in pictures. So have a great day

- Elder King 

 

Welcome to Houston Texas!

 Elder King with President and Sister Hewlett November 5, 2018

Sister Hewlett sent a text message home "We love him so much already!"

Elder King and Elder Ure

Week Two

The South will rise again.

       So you know how I joked that I was going to come back with a southern accent. Well it's already starting to come out. Two of the elders in my district Elder Carraway and Elder Barber are both from the south. And I've been starting to talk like them. (I'm not trying either) Anywho I'm heading out to Texas this Monday! It's so close! I cant wait to meet the Hewlets and my new mission companion.

       So one of the hardest thing I've been hav'n to deal with is morning sickness. I guess sometime before the sun rises I feel sick to my stomach and I cant really eat much. So breakfast has been hard to eat. Also the eggs are terrible. The chocolate milks great, but I dont drink it all that much. I've actually dropped 5 lbs since I've got hear, which is crazy because I still eat a lot. It's probably because I dont have granola bars to snack on all the time.

       I showed everyone my beard and they all say I look like a chemistry teacher with 2 kids. I thought that was kind of funny. I've been running into a lot of friends from high school like my friend Trevon and Bennitt. Also I hosted this week. someone came in with the Mystery Van, the car from Scooby-Doo, that was really funny. It was pretty fun ripping children away from their families. I felt like the kid catcher from Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang. The last guy I hosted was going to California teaching with ASL (American Sign Language), and his key didn't work for his room so we had to go to the front desk and get a replacement.

      So Tuesdays devotional we had Elder Matthew L. Carpenter of the 70 and his wife talk to us about companions. And it wasn't really about our mission companions, more on our eternal companions. Which was kind of weird hearing about all the things that are going to come after the mission when I'm so focused on the mission itself. I talked a lot about it after with Elder Carraway (he's the best guy here) and he started talking a lot about his girlfriend and he knows that his mission will help prepare him to be a better companion to her or who ever he ends up with which I thought was really sweet.

       So one big learning experience I had was just yesterday. So we where in our morning class and we were just having some fun speculation questions, but one of them really rubbed me the wrong way and at the end of the council Elder Strain (just another good elder in my district) stated how much he felt the spirit in the room. The problem was I didn't feel the spirit, something I was doing or thinking was driving the spirit away. So I said a prayer and asked for humility to get over whatever negative thoughts or feeling I was having. The next part of the lesson I felt the spirit so strongly and I was able to learn so much about baptism and the gift of the holy ghost. This experience made me realize that I never want to teach or learn of the gospel without having the spirit there with me.

       Now I dont think I've mentioned the people I've been teaching here so the last bit is going to be about them.  I've taught 4 people all together here at the MTC; Colton, Nathen, Aleska, and Amanda. Colton has been one of my favorites, he reminds a lot of Gibby (Zack). Maybe that's just because he's Asian and plays Overwatch. But he's one of my favorite people to teach because he always takes his time to ask questions and listen to the spirit. Nathen was very different, I love him but he is my least favorite of the bunch. Mostly because he talks more than me, but also because he gets really distracted. Aleska is a lot like Colton, she asks really good questions and is really nice, I still haven't finished teaching her, so I cant say much. She did have a Naruto key chain which I thought was cool. Amanda has also been really good. She likes stage tech, so I connected real easy with her. She asks really strange but good questions. Our lessons with her went really well. (My companion really liked her CTR ring ;)

       That's been my week so far. I'm emailing until 4 if you have any more questions. Tell me how the world series is going. And anything else really cool in your life. And Mom it's great how you spend your Halloween, hope the chili was really good.

-Elder King

At the MTC