Elder Izak Louw
NY Utica Mission
PO Box 149
Whitesboro, NY 13492-0149
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
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.
Friday, October 10, 2008
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.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
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.
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.
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