Spanish Skills Come in Handy Again

Well I'm now with elder Coakley and things are going pretty good. We cover quit a bit of area like Gloversville. We only have like 8 investigators but we do have one with a baptismal date. He is 13 and his mom is a member but she went inactive for a while so he never learned about the church. We have been teaching... I have not done any tracting here yet but Elder Coakley said the average of people they talked to in the summer was way more then Gloversville. Schenectady is pretty ghetto, everybody acts so gangster it funny. People in Gloversville were just poor but the people here are poor and gangster like but they all walk around with I pods and have plasmas in their houses. They all spend more then they have and waste their money on crap. These people need a lesson on finances. So last night was pretty cool. We went to this guy's house who requested a "Joy to the World" in Spanish. Well we got there and the guy didn't speak any English so I had to bust out my Spanish again. I can hold up a small conversation but it's so frustrating because I wish I could just talk and be completely fluent. Well anyways we went out and got him a Book of Mormon as well in Spanish and when we came back in there was a lady there too and she didn't speak any English but I found out that she was a member and had been baptized in Mexico by missionaries like ten years ago...she was a long way from home. Anyways we are going to go back with a guy that speaks Spanish so he can help us out. Before we left I asked the lady to say a prayer for us and she was like "No, no, we want to hear a prayer from you" so I had to say a prayer in Spanish. It was hard but I got through it.

THANKS FOR ALL THE GREAT CHRISTMAS PACKAGES, CARDS, AND LETTERS!!!!!!!!!

Snowed in and Waiting for Christmas

We got our transfer calls Saturday and I'm going to Glenville, which is about 40 mins. from Gloversville. I am excited to be in a ward again. The Glenville area has one of the biggest wards in the mission. My new comp is going to be Elder Coakley. He has been out for a little over a year and was my district leader. Wednesday was fun. We went to Utica for the half mission conference. I got a couple of packages from the you guys but I'm waiting for Christmas to open them. It's so hard not to open them. There is nothing harder then being a missionary and not opening your mail. I'm sad to be leaving the area but I'm glad at the same time. I love the Wilsons (senior couple) and I'm going to miss them so much. They have been one of the highlights of this area...that's for sure.

We have spent the last three days basically sitting in our house cuz our car got grounded and it would take too long to walk to the people we are teaching. We did a little tracting but tracking in this area is really ineffective. The temp last night got down to -15 or -20 with the wind chill.

Surviving the Storms

Ya, it stormed here but we didn't loose power like a lot of the missionaries around us did. We just got snow, the other missionaries got freezing rain. We drove down to Glenville for our district meeting and every tree was covered in ice and also the power lines. There was a lot of stuff broken. It looked kinda like a war zone. It was cool to see. I just found out that this really cool family all finally got baptized in Carthage {the last area}. I had been teaching them with Elder Vogelsang.

We have not done as much tracting lately cuz it's been so stinkin cold and nobody ever wants to talk to us anyways. Plus everyone thinks we are dang Jehovah's Witnesses. Man they are buggin. They tracked a lot around here.

Miss you all a million times a million. The mission is fun and I'm still learning so much.

BEAUTIFUL NEW YORK!

MISSING BEAUTIFUL UTAH!

I got to watch the Christmas devotional last night by the first presidency. It was so good to hear from them. I think I have decided that's one of the hardest things I have had to deal with from leaving Utah to be a missionary somewhere else in the world. In Utah you are constantly surrounded by strong testimonies that help and support yours. Out here we are talking to people everyday that either don't believe in JESUS CHRIST or GOD, have very little faith in him, or their faith has been weakened and want us to help them strengthen it..... which drains my spiritual strength. If I didn't read my scriptures, go to church and take the sacrament each week, and say like 20 prayers a day I would never make it out here. I'm not saying my testimony is gone I'm just saying I miss the strength of the people I was surrounded by back home. I hope I never take advantage of being in Utah again. It is such a beautiful place to live, physically and spiritually!!!

Church in Carthage

Thanksgiving

This really nice lady had us over for Thanksgiving dinner with her son and boyfriend and then gave us a bunch of left overs. 5 people [were there], not exactly what I'm used to but it was good food and nice conversation none the less. Later we went to this families house for some tasty pie and all was well. One of the girls in the family has a friend that we have been teaching for the past 2-3 weeks or so. She is awesome. She has stopped smoking and reads everything out of the Book of Mormon that we ask her too. She also likes coming to church a lot., probably cuz her friend goes but if she can survive this branch here then she will make a great latter-day saint. Not speaking bad about the branch but it needs a lot of help. A lot of the people have been in the branch for thirty years and just like to do things their way and don't take council to what they are supposed to do. It's frustrating cuz I don't always feel comfortable bringing investigators but that's where I just have to have faith that the Lord will bless the people who come for the first time. Oh boy am I learning patience out here. Church last week was so tough for me, you know I don't deal well with crying baby's in church and people rambling on about nothing spiritual, especially when there is a new investigator there for the first time.

check out ...mormon.org!

Let the Holy Spirit Guide

So this guy, G. P., that we are teaching has had a baptismal date before
and dropped it. He has a baptismal date again that he set him self
which is sweet but this is the cool story...
so he just loves reading the scriptures so the other night when we were
there reading he showed us a scripture he really likes out of the Book of Mormon.
He then just randomly started talking about the stock market and
how people today get way to caught up in the glamor and all the jazz and
forget what's really important.... as we kept reading in the scriptures we
came across like five that talked about not seeking after riches, etc...
my companion and I had nothing to do with it. Every chapter we opened
up to was because one of us had a completely different idea but it always
ended with something about money..... I share that story because that
strengthened my testimony so much of how the Spirit can really direct
our lives if we are willing to listen and if we are worthy.

Love from Elder Louw

MORE NY BEAUTY

NY Wildlife

Ninja Moves, Stinky House, & New Investigators

I really have learned to love so many people out here in NY but about 80% of all the houses we go in stink so bad like dogs and cats and smoke. My suits are still nice but are going to have a permanent stench to them when I return. My shoes are still doing good. We were tracting the other day and it has been really wet and cold lately and all the leaves on the ground make things slippery... so as I had just come off some steps, I took a step or two and almost fell on my back cuz of this mossy slick stuff (there is moss everywhere cuz it's so dang moist out here) but lucky I'm a Ninja and have good reflexes and caught my self before I ruined my suit. This last week was a really good week. We had 2 investigators at church, we found 3 new investigators, and taught 20 lessons which has been hard to do in this area because of the small teaching pool. But now that our teaching pool is growing we should be able to reach 20 much easier. The Lord really blesses you when you are diligent in trying to follow his commandments and the "mission rules." Some days I don't even want to get out of bed I'm so tired but I know that when I just do it and start putting one foot in front of the other it will work out. I have to read Matt 11:28-30 so often cuz if I don't I wouldn't make it out here some days.

Gloversville Apartment

HANDYMAN TO THE RESCUE! Nov. 10, 2008

Well, Saturday night was the final straw for our already broken pipes. I was trying to wash the dishes and I heard leaking under the sink (this was after I had fixed the leak about 3 times already) so I stopped washing the dishes and took the rest of the night to clean up the mess and organize things so we could fix it Monday. Bro. Ward (this really nice old guy in the branch) came over with some tools and me and Elder Lybbert ended up staying in our apartment this morning for a couple extra hours doing the work to fix the pipes. I enjoyed it. Missionary work is fun but I'm not going to lie, it was nice to take a break and to some handyman work and see immediate results. It was also nice that we stayed in for a little because the Palmyra temple president, President Siebach and his wife (the owners of the house we share with the Wilsons) showed up, helped out a little, gave us some fresh apples and took us to lunch (smiley face) so that was really nice.

DON'T QUIT

Feel the Love! Nov. 3, 2008

We started doing service at the Johnstown library. All we do for now is sort
these little cards. It's like a genealogy thing they do. They look at the
old news papers, type up the little entries and put them on cards.
Peter, who is one of our most progressing investigators, came to church Sat.
so we could give him a tour so he would feel more comfortable and after
he said that he would be coming the next morning!!! And he did, and he
really liked it. Oh, man, it was so cool. He is not ready to be baptized yet
but he will be there soon... I hope. We found a few new investigators
this week which was nice. The branch here has some really cool families
like the Sagareses. They are so loud and crazy all the time. They are all so
nice to the missionaries. Joe (one of the sons) gave us hair cuts the
other day, one of the girls made us brownies, and yesterday we stopped by
and Sis. Sagarese had leftover pasta so we broke our fast there and had a
good old feast.

Service Project at the Public Library

Goodreads! October 27, 2008

About serving a mission, ya it has helped me so much to learn from the scriptures. I just finished the Book of Mormon. I started it when I was in the MTC. Now I'm reading the New Testament! Man so much stuff to read, ha oh well, I have two years to read it all. Actually some days wish I could stay inside all day and just read.

Elder Louw is District Bowling Champion

New Location Same Address

Elder Izak Louw
NY Utica Mission
PO Box 149
Whitesboro, NY 13492-0149

Teaching in Spanish

I find it hard to stay really up beat all time when we have so little people to teach. We are constantly trying to find new people to teach but either people don't want to hear our message or they are too busy or they are nowhere to be found for our return visits. Its' kind of a bummer some times. There is a guy we have with a baptismal date and a few other people who are really cool that we teach. I just wish we had more. It would be easy to stay up beat but the mission president has the zone leaders and the AP's call us and reprimand us if we don't reach the standard numbers each week. So of course I want to meet the numbers but I feel like if we are doing our best to find people to teach and we come up short it shouldn't matter.... but whatever I guess that's just mission life. It's hard, fun, sometimes disappointing, awkward sometimes, and time goes by fast. I do have something I think is cool though, I taught a whole lesson in Spanish the other day to this guy who barely speaks English. His girlfriend who is a member would help translate if I just couldn't get the point across. But that was really fun to use my Spanish.

Homesick & The Abyss

General Conference was so much fun. I enjoyed it so much. This is the first time that I have ever taken notes during every single session. But I'm not going to lie, it made me homesick not being able to snuggle up in a blanket with the fam and watch it or go to priesthood with dad... I really missed that. But one thing I know and have learned more of while being out here is that life goes on and there is no time to sit around and mope about it. There are people to see and things to be done...especially clean my new apartment. The missionary here before me was a slob. Elder Lybbert told me he was just becoming lazy throughout his mission in regards to cleaning. My closet was so gross. I called it the abyss. I would not even put my clothes in it until I cleaned it. I just can't take it sometimes how some people out here, missionaries and people in general can live in such disgusting circumstances. Don't worry mom, I definitely do my part out here to keep things clean.

Transfered to Gloversville & 3 Great Experiences

Well, first off I'm getting transferred. I'm going to be serving in Gloversville, about and hour south of Utica. K so are you ready for this, your never going to believe this... my companion is going to be my friend, Elder Lybbert, from Orem who I told you guys about. The one who has family in Canada. Well, anyways it's just so crazy that we are going to be serving together. The odds are so slim.

1. Well last week Saturday was way awesome. Jeff Pettis, one of our investigators, was baptized at Lake Bonepart at a member's home. It was such a cool experience. There were three of us in the water helping him. We all had to be in because he has a very bad back and knees so he could not bend down very good.

2. Another really cool experience we had was the other night on Fort Drum we went to visit the single soldier who is a little less active. He was been dealing with some tough things that he has picked up in the army. Anyways we shared the talk with him, "It's true isn't it, then what else matters" by Niel L. Andersen, May 2007 Ensign, then just chit chatted for a bit, and right before we left Elder Vogelsang asked if we could do anything for him cuz we always offer our service and he was like, no, I'm OK. But then Elder Vogelsang asked him if he would like a priesthood blessing. (He said that the spirit had been pushing him to ask.) The soldier's face suddenly seemed brighter and he accepted with enthusiasm. We gave him a blessing. He cried for about five minutes after and thanked us before we left. The power of the Holy Ghost (if we are worthy of it) is real and so is the power of the priesthood.

3. Here is one other experience really quick. We were at a member's home teaching some investigators last night. Which is always the best way to teach so that the members can bear testimony. We taught the restoration and the husband member bore his testimony about the Book of Mormon, temples, prayer, and the priesthood. It helped so much. Member missionary work is so important because if you can be in a member's home were the spirit is residing the investigators will feel it so much more.

Sheet Rock Service

I got to do some service the other day where we helped this guy put up sheet rock in a house he is trying to finish before winter. He and his wife are new investigators. It was really fun because it felt like I was at home working with dad doing re-models. Elder Vogelsang, before he came out did a lot of sheet rock and mudding so he mudded.

Well everything is going pretty well here. I can't believe that this could be my last week in Carthage or I could stay here and be the person that has to "know" the area. That would be really scary cuz I still feel so new and unsure about a lot of stuff. I will let you know next week what happens. Well this week was really fun, we did a lot of service, taught a few less lessons (23 last week) but some of the lessons were really great. Craig Bukowski, the person I baptized a week ago has been so great. He always likes going with us to teach other people. He says that's the way he learns the most. Plus it's great to have his new member zeal and testimony because he can relate with people in ways we can't.

Craig Bukowski Gets Baptized at 3 Month Mark

Well, it is yet again another preparation day and only three days away from my 3 month mark, not that anyone is counting, ha. I'm not counting the days till I come home, I am counting the days that I have been out here in the humid, beautiful, green, up state Carthage Village!!! It really is pretty cool here. We taught 30 lessons last week so that was good. Found 3 new investigators. I hope they will stay solid. You could say the coolest thing of all was we had a baptism Saturday the 13th and it was my privilege to perform it. His name is Craig Bukowski. He is a single soldier from Fort Drum. He had been taught by a lot of missionaries during the past six years but I guess he was just ready now. All we basically had to do was show him he had a testimony. He didn't think he had one, but after we had talked about some of the stories he shared with us (like how he would sneak over to his friends house a long time ago so he could go to church and have family home evening because his mom would get mad if he ever associated with the church... sad but true; and how he quit smoking; etc.) he realized that he did. We reminded him that he did all that stuff because he knew it was the right thing to do and that the church was true. He got all excited that he finally realized he had a testimony and just wanted to get baptized.

Izak and His Sister "Moms"

Strong Families Build Stripling Warriors

No, I don't get to distracted out here. Me and my comp work really hard and have got a lot of good stuff accomplished lately. Mostly though we are just blessed with stuff falling into our laps at the end of the day when we have worked hard. Like yesterday, there is this kid who had a baptismal date but was gone doing stuff for the army for the past month and we couldn't talk to him the entire time but we thought we were going to be able to so we were getting worried. Then he just randomly showed up at church without telling us and we were like, wow! When did you get back and why didn't you tell us, ha ha. We talked with him after church and taught him a lesson. At first he was like "let's put off my date cuz I have not been here for a while." Then we busted him up with the Spirit by letting him know that he has a testimony (he didn't think he had one) and then he was all pumped about it and was like "let's do it this weekend." We were so happy! It was great! But ya just stuff like that and finding new investigators at the end of the week when we are below the standards of excellence. The Lord will bless you with so many blessings when you are obedient... it's crazy! He really is just waiting for us to chose the right so he can bless us.

This is something i wanted to relate to mom and to the whole family because all the rest of you sisters are basically my mom at one point or another. But it's in Alma 56 where it talks about the 2000 stripling warriors and how they had such great faith in the Lord because their mothers had taught them so well. I was reading my patriarchal blessing and was really enjoying like I always do but I was getting really nervous because of the things it told me would happen later in my life if I am righteous. Then I remembered that scripture Alma 56:47-48 and I know that the Lord with bless me. So all I have to do now is keep being good and everything will work out. Basically what I'm saying is thanks mom and sisters, and of course dad for always helping me to build my faith. You guys are great and I love you all so much.

Book of Mormon Wave Experience

I had a really cool experience the other day. I started out my day with like five prayers. That's usually normal. Anyways, I try and pray every morning that we will be able to find new solid investigators. Well... we were walking to an appointment when we passed this drug store on the corner and I saw this guy in his car and I just waved at him with the Book of Mormon, gave him a nod and kept going. After our appointment which was just down the street, as we were leaving this guy yelled at us and called us over. I was like "you look familiar, have I seen you before?" It was the guy I had waved at. He was like "yeah, you waved at me and God told me talk to you guys but I didn't so I felt bad and I came over here and waited till you were done talking to that lady." We ended up teaching him two lessons on the curb right there. He was really excited about the Book of Mormon and said he would read it. Sad part is he doesn't live in our area so we had to call the other elders in Watertown and give him to them. We will try and see what turns out with him.

Elder Louw's Address

Elder Izak Louw
NY Utica Mission
PO Box 149
Whitesboro, NY 13492-0149

thanks for all your letters, prayers, and support!

Love, Elder Louw

Favorite Hymns

My new favorite Hymns are page 264, 25, 27, 319, 333, 334, and especially 26! I have not spoken in church yet just said a prayer. After transfers, I am still with Vogelsang. The most unusual things I have seen are fireflies, trucks everywhere on the military base and filthy houses beyond my comprehension. The scariest thing that has happened was encountering dogs and nearly being bitten 3 times. Also a guy yelled and swore at us while tracting but that was mostly funny. The other day I said a prayer that we would find someone new to teach and at the last house we went to we found two kids who were really nice. We spend a lot of time on Fort Drum Military Base. So we have to use the car to get there. We are allowed 1050 miles a month in the car. It goes really fast so we try and get rides from the couple missionaries. For all the stuff in Carthage we ride bikes or walk.

First confirmation

Well we had a baptism last Saturday, Greg Smith, and this last Sunday I was able to confirm him a member of the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints and give him the Holy Ghost. It was really cool. I was super nervous because it was my first confirmation and blessing I did by myself. We are still teaching the Pettis family (Jeff and Michelle.) They are really cool. Jeff loves church and everything about it. Michelle is learning quickly. We were not able to teach her much in the beginning because she works so much, but she is starting to make time for us now that she is seeing the big picture. It's great! We are planning on setting them with a baptismal date soon so that will be cool. We have had to walk a lot and ride out bikes a lot lately because our miles for that month are pretty low. We did a 15-20 mile bike ride the other day. Now that might not sound like much to dad but on crappy mountain bikes going against the wind it's a lot! Let me tell ya! Everything else is pretty much going good. We teach about 25-30 lessons a week, talk to 50-60 new people a week. We had 3 investigators at church last Sunday which is pretty good. There is this new guy we found named Rajiv. He is sweet.

Oh ya, Jeff Pettis gave me a pair of winter boots that are really nice and he said he is going to give me a coat that is really nice that he does not want any more. He just wants to fix the coat pocket first. So my prayers about getting my winter stuff have been answered. Jeff is super nice. I told him I would buy my own but he insisted because he was going to give them away anyways. The days are starting to get cooler now and the leaves are just starting to change color. Hope everyone is doing good. You're in my prayers!

Pres. and Sister Eckersley and Elder Louw in NY