Happy New Years

Happy New Years everybody! It's been a crazy week with christmas and everying thing thats been happening. I've loved hearing how your guys' christmas was. I myself had a great christmas and my call home was amazing. I loved being able to see my family again, but it's weird because I've only been gone for 3 months so I can't say much has changed. so what's been happening this week. If you listened to my letter last week you've probably heard that I had an experience with someone trying to bash the Church. I'm glad to say that nothing like that happened this week. The only thing this week that was making me feel down was the fact that I'm leading out, which is giving me great experience on how to be an effective missionary, but since it's the hollidays no one is around. so it's been really hard to find people and I guess for a time I felt like that was somehow my fault. It wasn't,  but a couple days I was really down.

       Ok So this P-days been fun... here's an audio recording to finish up this weekly

-Elder King

P.S. like Nephi says in 2 Nephi 33:1 "neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking." So to am I with writing mine emails. So from now on I'm going to give you guys a small paragraph and an audio recording in my weeklies. :)

Christmas Phone Call

It was great to talk to CJ.  He seemed happy and well!

Transfers...for everyone else

Hey everyone, sorry for the late email, but it's transfers this week so my P-day is on Tuesday. I'm still serving with Elder Ure in Woodville, TX so nothings really changed.

Monday was a sick day for me, but I think you guys already heard about that. Not much else really happened for us. 

Tuesday was another day of light work. I'm not going to lie the days are getting to be so fast that I'm hardly remembering what happens in them. Fortunatly I have my journal to go back to, and the only thing that really happened is we found this guy named Sam which is a crazy story. So we go in to teach him about the restorations, and I'm looking at all the pictures he has in his house to get a clue about who this guy is. He's got the typical family pictures and a couple of fishing pictures, and a framed picture of Jesus, but not any picture of Jesus, it's The picture of Jesus, you know the one with him in a white shirt and a red robe that every member has in their home or church building; he had that picture of Jesus. So we taught him about the restoration and invited him to read the book of Mormon and pray to know if it's true, and he's just like "I know it's true!" so me and Elder Ure just look at each other and are like "you wanna be baptized then?" So Sam's on Date to be baptized, but we haven't been able to meet with him since, so unless we run into him today we're going to have to take him off date. 

Wednesday was another great day, we spent a lot of time getting me ready for certification and so I've been getting my Bible versus down to help teach Docterine. After that we did some visiting with less active members, and after one of them I saw this guy hanging up Christmas lights In his tree. This was the first spiritual promping I felt and acted on for my mission, or at least the first one I can say for sure  because when I saw him I got this feeling to go and help, and then in my mind I was thinking "this guy probably has a particular way of setting things up and might be worried that these two strangers would break things" and all sorts of problems that could go wrong like these thoughts. And then I said to myself, "If I'm so worried about it, or rather all these concerns are comming to my head, then this must be someone the Adversary doesn't want me to talk to. So we went over and asked if we could help. He looked at us and said, "Heck yeah!" (his words exaclty I'm just quoting.) He complimented us about Sharing the Heart of Christ, and we told him about Light the World, and how that's exactly what we're trying to do. I hope we run into him again, becuase I have a feeling that we ran into him for a reason.

Thursday; a couple of fun things occured today. First while we were out tracking we ran into the home of a Baptist preacher who was really sick, so his wife invited us in to say a prayer for him. Then later in the day we went to teach a lesson to Callianne who's the daughter of the less active member we found, and helped her with her homework. After that we had the most amazing pork chops listen up Kate, because I think Preston would like this. So they where fried pork chops and for the breading they used a mixture of TexJoy and Wheaties. I never thought to use cerial as a breading, but it was really good.

Friday we had District council where we talked about putting off the Natural/Carnal Man, which was a great reminder to put away childish things  while I'm out here on my mission. The rest of the day was going to lessons which most fell through, but the ones we did teach were really good. After that we had the Christmas Party! So many great things about this party. First Callie showed up, who's a recent convert who seemed to have a good time, then I talked to a bunch of youth about the Legend of Zelda and various other video games. One of the kids said that he wasn't going to serve a mission becuase he was going to go into Game Design and couldn't miss out on two years. I was like "Me Too" and then shared my testimony of how even though I love video games, I love this Gospel more, and how I can easily give up two years of my life knowing that the Lord will bless me for it. Another fun part fo the party is when some people got stuck in the mud. We couldn't get them out without a Tow-Truck so we helped them out of the car and to the party instead. It was kind of like a first responder moment for me because I had to take charge and get these people out of their car to safety, now it wasn't that dramatic, but it was something like that.

Saturday we built a wheelchair ramp with the Methodist Church. it took about 6 hours to make but it was really cool. We then went to go teach Kathleen and her family, but she was feeling sick so we played basket ball with her family instead. After that we went to Saturday Game night. Calie showed up again, she wasn't going to make it to church this Sunday, but we think she's going to start showing up to church again. I feel like I've been successful in re-activating members so far. The game night was basically just 2-3 hours of the kids playing Smash, so me and Elder Ure just talked with President Bishop.

Sunday was just Basket ball and Church. So everyone we invited to church didnt show up, for one reason or another. But another less active family Michael and Misty Robers showed up. Micheal isn't actually a member, so we're going to try and teach him leasons. after church we went to the 3 different parks and played 3 different sets of Basketball games, now I say we but it was just Elder Ure this time. The last game we played were with some 30 year old dads who's family were at the park, I thought it was cool that they were spending time together as a family on Sunday, because most families out here don't really do anything together. The last part of the day was dinner with the Durrs, and after that Tim Durr tought us how to make Deer Jerky.

The other Monday. So Yesterday was Transfer Day, but since I'm still in Woodville It was just a regular day for me. We taught another lesson to Tom Carr, but we dropped him because he's not seeing the importance of Prophets. From his understaning all you have to do is good in this life to make it to heaven. Honestly the hardest part about serving here in Texas, is telling people that they don't have the full truth of Jesus Christs message. because it's so much easier to get yelled at for being "lead away" or having a door slamed in my face because just about everyone here believes in Christ and is trying to do good. But going up to people and telling them they need to do more is hard for me. The day wasn't all that bad though, we went and saw Britney Best and her husband Robert is back in town for now, so we're going to try and teach them both, but the Holidays are crazy and it's hard to schedule anything with them because they dont really have a schedule. We then dropped another group of people, because their preacher told them to stop taking lessons with us. After that we went over to the Drakes again and helped Calie with her homework (side note: I really love working with kids) Finally we had dinner with the Bishops, which is about time becuase I really love their family. We had Chinese take out, and talked about science, held farrets, played ping pong with a unicorn, and a ton of other crazy things. 

So that's been my week so far, I've loved all the emails you guys have sent me, I feel sorry I couldn't write back until today but it sounds like life at home is fun. so as always, have a Great Day!

-Elder King

Go to Church

This week has basically been finding less active members and non members an inviting them to church. 

So every Monday the interesting things from P-day happen after my emails so I have to wait all week to tell you about it. So remember how last week I said I skinned squirrels and a rattlesnake, well this week was rabbit and they were pretty fresh if you wanted a description. We also went and visited a members home and they were watching a movie while we worked on a puzzle they wanted us to finish. It was that day I realized how hard it is to not watch a movie. I'm proud to say I was able to bury myself in the work of the puzzle but I did listen and glance a couple of times. We should have left but my companion didn't want to go anywhere. 

Tuesday was new missionary training which was really great. That took up the whole day but it was worth it. President and Sister Hewlett are the best and they're going to make me a great man, in the MTC all the elders were wishing for a laid back mission president, and I was so worried that I'd get one. I'm a pretty lazy guy by nature so I knew that I needed a more strict mission president. First day I got here president Hewlett layed out how T.H.E mission is an obedient mission and the expectations there of. So I was pretty relieved to have the mission president I got. The training was really good and I've been getting so much better as a missionary these last few weeks, I know that the Lord is strengthening me and im grateful that I can see the results.

Wednesday was a great day, it was my first day driving in 2 months and it feels so good to be behind the wheel again. I was on splits with Elder D today and it went really well. I've been with Elder D since the MTC and I haven't really like him all that much, but having him for a companion made me see that what was bothering me with him was all on me. Later in the day we swapped companions back and then me and Elder Ure made the day even better. So we went ministering with a member of the branch and found a recent and less active family. They invited us, the girl that was a recent convert was playing Breath of the Wild on her switch and I just heard the sounds and asked how many shrines she had done. We then got to meet the family and invited them back to church, they didn't show up but we're going to keep trying with them. After that we came back to the church for seminary and then Elder Ure asked if we should go over to the Bests, and I asked the spirit of we should go over to the Bests, and the spirit was like "why are you still here?" So we went over to the Bests and had a great lesson... what else happened... oh yeah we put Brittney Best on date for baptism! 

Thursday we raked leaves at the church and had another lesson with Brittney and a couple of other people. We also found some more less active members and invited them to church, they didn't show up. 

Friday was a rainy day. Now I love the rain when its warm out, but today was cold and miserable. Ok it wasn't that bad, but the only thing that really happens today is that we had a great lesson with Tom Carr.

Saturday was also kind of a dreary day. I guess I've been feeling down lately because I haven't been writing much down in my journal. Today actually had some fun moments. We helped move a guys truck out of the mud and after we had a penacostal man tell us that the mormons (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints) are being led away and that we're misinformed. Then he started speaking in tongues saying that he was praying to God for us. I really wanted to ask him why it's just our church that's being led away. But he left before I could.

Sunday was great. Church was amazing even though no one we invited showed up. After church I set up a ceiling for some Christmas parties this week. I guess I cant get away from setting up events. After that I was feeling kind of sick so I took a power nap to try and get better and woke up worse. So Sunday was a sick day for me. I felt really bad like I was somehow making myself sick so I wouldn't have to go out, but I was pretty sick.

It's been a high and low week for me but my testimony in this church has been strengthened. I know that opposition is great towards this church because it is the true church of Jesus Christ and the adversary is going to work as hard as he can to destroy this church. Another really cool thing I found out about this week is that Joseph Smith and Karl Marx were born near the same time. Take that as you will. So until next time I wish you a Merry Christmas and have a great day!

-Elder King

Light the World

  This week has been a blast. For P-Day we skinned squirrels and a rattlesnake, it was actually kind of fun. I have pictures but I'll send them at request. 

       Tuesday we did service at the Degarmo's, we raked leaves and helped round up some pigs. If you want a good visual for Brother Degarmo, just look up Dr. Nefario from Dispicibal Me. One of the places we tracked called Dam B, has a lot of dogs, I actually like dogs now that I think if it, but some of the dogs I see out here are a bit too big. Then we went up to Jimbo and Wendie's where they fried up the rattlesnake that we killed, it was pretty good. Then we went and moved a fridge out of grannie's house, I think that was the first time I impressed my companion because I was the one who solved how to get it through the doors. (Open the doors and pivot) after that we went to out branche's devotional and talked about being submissive to the Lord. 

       Wednesday was pretty great. I was feeling kind of sick in the morning but I pushed through because I needed to be out. We visited an abandoned church, and then we talked to a veteran from Vietnam. That was a really cool experience, he didn't want to hear about our message but he needed to talk to someone and I guess that was us. The next door was a bunch of rednecks out working in cars, they said they couldn't be saved by us and I told them "Jesus saves, not us." We came back into town to teach a lesson and we taught the best lesson Ure and I have had together. We left with the spirit and we sat inthe car for a second and asked in prayer who we should go and visit next. The Best's came to mind and I thought that we should go talk to them, then Elder Ure said "I think we should go see the Best's right now." Can't argue with the spirit, so we went over to the Best's. We didn't teach them a lesson, but we did talk about what we do as missionaries. After the Best's we talked about scriptures with a member and then had dinner. We went to mutual after and they were having a "Lamanite" sword fight and I was really excited to end a few careers, but we left early so we could get to a bible study at a Baptist church. They talked about Joseph who was sold into Egypt, their doctrine was actually pretty solid, but they read from the American Standard Bible and a lot of the words were off. To wrap up the night we went over and helped Sister Durr with her puzzle (we tend to do this at night because no one is up after 8).

     Thursday was amazing, zone conferance alone would have made it great, but we had some more happen when we got back. At zone conference I got to see the Hewletts again, I think sister Hewlett texted mom a picture of my table, but I dont know if she sent it. Then we had a great meeting on the importance of the Book of Mormon and Preach My Gospel. I got to see Elder Furphy and Carraway again and socialize with how thier doing. A lot of miracles have been happening in our mission. And then at the end it was pouring rain, I posted a video about it on the drive. After zone conference we came back and I thought it was going to be an unproductive day in our area (boy was I wrong) I felt prompted to go over to the Best's and Elder Ure felt prompted to go over to Melissa's. We went to Melissa's first and she said that she was praying for someone to come by and talk to her (I guess that was us). And we just visited with her. Lately she's been having to make some tough choices and she just needed to talk to someone. After that we went and had dinner with a young couple, the Brownings, and talked with then about temples and weddings. Brother Browning has been busy with school so I promised him that if he made time for the temple that his schooling will go better. And then we talked about receptions for a little while. Cherry on the top, we went over to the Best's and talked with Britney (the mom) and she told us about her experience at church and asked us questions about the Book of Mormon. It was going great and then she's like "I think I want to get baptized again" and me and Ure are like "yeah just make sure it's done with priesthood authority" so were going to put her on date for baptism today. 

      Friday we had district council and talked about Light the World. We had the ZLs over and did exchanges with them. So we had Elder Robison with me and Elder Ure for the weekend which was super fun. Me and Elder Ure are still pretty new at being missionaries so it was great to have someone with experience show us the ropes. We taught a few lessons with him and that was great, then we went to the lighting of the square where we had a Light the World booth. That took up most of our day and it was super fun. We showed videos and handed out schedules for our branch activites. And then in the middle of it Santa showed up (there's a video on the drive). Some people that we're teaching showed up and said hi too which was great. Ultimately Friday got me excited for what I'm going to be as a missionary.

       Saturday was the international day of service, so we went over to the Degarmo's and set up Christmas lights. The relief society asked me if I could set up lights for their party later this month as well. I guess I can't get away from hanging up lights. After lunch we said goodbye to Elder Robison and then went to Odomsville to visit with some members. I swear all of the members in our branch are somehow related to the Odoms so that place is basicly all members. After that we taught a lesson over at Kathleen's (shes the wife of the guy who pushed us into his house the day before Thanksgiving) and shes really interested in learning about the gospel which is great. We then played basket ball with her kids and their friends who are some of the kids we've played ball with before so they recognized us. We're actually gaining a reputation for the guys who play ball and talk about Jesus.

       Sunday was a slow day. Elder Ure wasnt feeling good for most of it so that wasnt fun. We went to church and taught a primary class, we taught about the Plan of Salvation. I likened satan's plan to a video game where you couldn't play anything. One if this kids there reminds me a lot of Matthew, so I have fun with him. We actually spent a lot of time with kids today because we went by Melissa's to teach her daughter Calianne and we played ball with some kids after, most of the kids knew us or heard about us (like I said "reputaion"). After that we went to the Christmas devotional which was super great, I loved the talk by the Australian and the talk by President Nelson. During the devotional I helped entertain some of the kids and I showed them how to make origami penguins and foxes. Oh fun note; so I talked to Brother Browning today at church and it turns out he did go to the temple and he said "while they were talking about giving all your time to the lord, all I could think was 'grrr, you were right Elder King'" I thought that was hilarious and I'm glad he was able to make it to the temple.

      That's basically what my week has been, the last thing I want to share is something I've been noticing about faithful members. What I've noticed is when someone is faithful to the church they 1st get that "members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Glow" and they stand with a light, then 2nd that light shines brighter than their past. What I mean by this is people go through a lot of hardships, and they dont always come from the best places; but when they are faithful to the covenants they make with god, no one can tell what problems they have gone through in the past. I think that's why people see members as joyful people. I hope that I can always keep that light with me and I wish the same for y'all, #LightTheWorld. Now as always have a great day!

- Elder King