Serving the Lord Means Serving Others As He Would Do

October 29, 2013

Dear Parents, Mom and Dad/Dad and Mom,

People can definitely change. This work does need the help of the members. I have the notion in my head that the members need to refer people and the missionaries are to follow up and also do less-active and inactive work. Whether it is true or not, members do have a job of being an example and helping the missionary work. It is not about, "There are the missionaries and here are the members." This work definitely needs to be a united effort. I am glad that you are putting a lot of effort in making sure that missionary work is being pushed along. That is good to hear and I am sure the missionaries appreciate your efforts for doing so. It is good to hear about baptisms that are going on, not because of numbers, but due to the fact of what the gospel brings: happiness. 

I did get the socks. I also got the package, which both my companion and I enjoyed. Thank you so much for that. I do need Flonase, but my allergies do not really bother me as much, unless of course there is dust. But sneezing due to dust is not allergies, it is your nose just trying to expell forcefully the dust. 

I do plan on sending the memory card from my camera soon, so I will let you know when that is taking place. 

I wanted to apologize for my last email and music. I have probably annoyed you two about music. The problem with music is that I am highly attracted to music due to creativity as I have realized. I do recommend that you listen to Alex Boye. Look on the internet, particularly YouTube, for him and Israel, Israel, God is Calling or Reflections of Christ. Somebody out there is bound to have that or the full CD on the internet. Also, look up Lindsey Stirling, who is a Mormon, especially her music video, Shadows, which I believe, you, Dad, will like. Enough about that.

So, this week has been the most interesting week.  Nice two quotes you gave, because they both seem to fit my situation.

Sorry to get to you so late. On Sunday night, my companion and I had a prompting to go see this inactive part-member family. We did so and we ended up doing service most of our P-day. It was definitely worth it. We are now going back to do more service. I have been doing a lot of service these past days. Yeah, for leaves and the season of autumn! I know I will be doing a lot more service for others with the change of seasons. All the more tasks I get to learn besides mowing a lawn. I am grateful also for my companion who allows me to do certain tasks instead letting me get the easy way out. I am learning a lot, besides the spiritual learning that is taking place.

Investigators are doing fine for the most part. One couple are praying for date for baptism. Hopefully, they will also find out a marriage is necessary as well, but that is something that will eventually be brought to their attention. Another family feels like we are too pushy, so we are letting them simmer (the ones that the bishop was willing to help us out with). It is best to give them some room and they may eventually come to church. One step at a time. The mental health duplex sisters are doing quite well; we gave them to the sisters and they have a baptismal date. Soon, they will come to church. We also "stole" one of the sister's investigators; the person wanted to meet with us instead. It is really interesting situation. 

While the work may seem slow, the Lord is definitely taking charge. I feel directed in so many ways. I am directed in what ways I need to change as well as who to go see. There are a lot of things that I am really grateful for such as my companion. With everything going on, I feel motivated to keep on, even if my body feels a bit fatigued. My soul goes on. All is well. 

Have a wonderful week.

Love, 

Elder S. Todd

Serve, Give, Live, Know, Sweat, Plead, Come

Dear Parents, Mom and Dad/Dad and Mom,

We are still working with the people in the duplexes (mentally ill but capable), though we may end up giving these people, who are mainly single sisters, to the sister missionaries. Our appointments with the one couple whose wife is interested keep on cancelling, so we are trying to see them as soon as we can and hopefully, the bishop will come to talk with the husband.

That is so awesome that the lady that Mom has been working with is getting baptized. That is so cool! Congratulations to her! Dad keep up the missionary effort! That is great that you are using the technology of today for a force of good and helping move the work. And you are trying to find members from the ward I am in? I am sure they will say good things, but I do not know what they use. Have fun with Stake Conference! (Stake Conference is a combined gathering of several congregations in a geographical area. The guest speaker will be President Gelwix of the California Fresno Mission, an unpaid minister and former rugby coach) This week for us, I believe, is going to be the primary program (a program put on by the children ages 3 to 11 for the congregation), which is great.

My MTC companion has been emailing that he got in contact with our TRC that was the real investigator. No news on how much she has progressed, but, finally, I know something. I have been slow to write a letter to her. I am a bit frustrated with myself. I know that I am busy a lot. 

To answer your questions I did get the thermal skins, I think I got the socks, but nothing on the jacket. And yes, mail is fine coming to where I live. Our landlord is good at leaving our mail in the mailbox and thus far, since he and his wife are gone for a time, his mail is still in the mailbox. So, mail is good coming here. I do believe sending camera SD cards back and forth will work fine, unfortunately (cost of stamps, I realize could add up (only about three dollars)), but it is the only way that could work (it makes me nervous to do so, but it is best way to go anyway).

And about the hotel, cool! (We learned that the hotel we stayed in Salt Lake City is listed as haunted.)That is interesting! I would not want to go back in it, due to our experience, but what interesting information. I wonder how Bria found that out. Also, sounds like a good "Criminal Minds" that you watched; I do not miss watching the T.V. shows even though I still like hearing about them.

So, this week; slow, but good for the most part. Not a lot happened that was so awesomely amazing, but it was good. I was so happy when I saw a fox. It ran across the road, which I was really amazed at it. No picture, because (a) I was in a car and (b) it ran. I did see some deer, but that was when I was driving and riding a bike (and the deer ran across the road). In fact, when I was driving with my old companion (Meibos), I almost hit Bambi, who was standing in the middle of the road before it scampered off. Last Monday, there was traffic, oddly, going to our residence, because somebody who did not want to hit a deer swerved and flipped their car.

And speaking of time, time is starting to blend. My weeks are starting to snowball into some shape and blend. I am not too happy that September went by so quickly and now, October is nearly over. It feels like it is going to end; this mission is going by way too quickly and it has been what, three months, if not four? I am enjoying my time learning. There was this one person who told us that this is the time to be serious and after this, have fun. Hearing that, I think to myself that I find the most enjoyment out of writing, learning, serving, listening, and thinking. Most people do not think that is enjoyable. I will always find myself weird, but all is well. I am normal and to a degree unique.

I do not know if I told you, but we had a slight meal policy change. Still no meal calendar and it is still preferred that members invite non-members, but regardless, this change is to help members understand what is going on. So, we are no longer to have weekly invites by members, which I took to mean all members. I told this one part-member family that her weekly invites could no longer happen, which she was perfectly fine with, though she wants to make sure we are fed. I was doing this to be obedient and as it turns out, her weekly invites as a non-member are okay. As I soon as I found out, I told her, which she was quite happy to hear.

I learned how to stack wood, which was quite fun. I am learning a lot here both temporally and spiritually. We have a new investigator that the sisters were teaching, but the investigator secretly told a member that he wants us to come over. The sisters are still teaching him, though mainly to his wife. We do not think the wife knows that we are teaching him, but it may go well. When the sisters (missionaries) found out, they were understandably shocked and upset (to a degree). 

We also helped this recent convert (who is a single mother) tag clothes, which was so much fun. What ended happening was that Elder Longman and I started talking about the different cartoons we had watched when we were little and some of the better cartoons. (In fact, he has some permissible Disney movie music with him.) We talked about Avatar and such and we both agree that today's cartoons are horrible. The single mother piped up that she still watches cartoons, especially when her kids are at school to which her 19 year old asked her why she watches cartoons when the kids are not around. It was a fun day.

Like I said, there is not much to say. This week, not much excitement happened; that is okay. I have done plenty of personal reflection. I have found that my favorite scriptural heroes are Elijah, Enoch and Melchizedek. I read as much as we have on all of them and they are my favorite three. I love Elijah for how awesome he was. I love Enoch for his personal weakness that he told the Lord he had and the Lord basically still made him go out and teach. Enoch was a good man. I love Melchizedek for what we know and that he was an admirable priest. I have been thinking about Melchizedek a lot lately. In the most recent Ensign, I believe, there is a picture of him blessing Abram and I absolutely love it for some reason. Which brings up my next point, I am really loving gospel art right now. It is the best art and I wish there was more on the Book of Mormon. I seen some new pictures besides the ones you usually see (the ones where the men are usually muscular and such) due to the Ensigns. There are some good pictures, especially of Christ out there. And the Mormon Tabernacle Choir has excellent music. I love the albums "Love at Home," "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing," and "Showtime." I love the "Battle of Jericho" from "Come, Thou Fount" and I love "Homeward Bound" from "Love at Home." (You can probably guess as to why I love Showtime.) There is so much beauty around this world that we do not recognize and I am so happy to realize what is around me. I love the gospel art and I love gospel music. So, I guess, I have been reflecting on art and music. I am so glad that there is so much more time in my life to greatly appreciate this beauty.

So, short week, slow, but all good. Truly, all is well!

Love,

Elder S. Todd

Trusting the Lord

Dear Parents, Mom and Dad/Dad and Mom,

It is Columbus Day? Wow, I totally forgot! Then again, I spent four years in a high school that never took it off. And then, I did not think that the library might close here. So, it is okay, because obviously you are receiving word from me in this email with the library open. 

With the staff at the mental health duplexes, we have not been disturbed since that incident. We have been teaching without a problem. It is great, though I am just a bit wanting to avoid the staff. But, I am sure they know we are there (cameras). 

It sounds like Sean and kids are doing good. It sounds like Mom is really busy with missionary work and grandma work! Keep at it! And yes, you did tell me about the lady that is part of a part-member home. We do have Missionary Coordination Meeting, though hardly any ward missionaries come. I think we have few ward missionaries here. But with exchanges, we end up calling people that are voluntold (made up word from volunteer and told, it is sometimes a LDS mentality "tell me what you want done and I will do it.") to come on splits (The missionary pair splits up so each can work with a member of the same gender). It is up to us to contact those people. Plus, there are a few people home during the day that can come for day lessons. 

We will not get any electronic devices (tablets or notebooks) until next year. Only certain missions have received them. I am not riding a bike, so I am good in the car as long as my companion drives safely (I am no longer the designated driver!). And Bria is flying?(Yes) Isn't she afraid of flying? (Yes, she plans on taking a mild sedative) Well, I am quite glad to hear that she is taking an initiative to fly out. And I am so happy to hear about my dog! (His Boxer dog gets walked at least Mon. through Fri, On Thursday, his mother walks his dog five miles which the dog enjoys.)

Taking the lead (he is in charge until his companion gets used to his new area) is a bit nerve wracking, but I am fine. I can trust on the Lord to help me with this work. I really do feel that He has been directing me. First day with my new companion, we go see this recent convert who is slightly less active and we briefly talk to her. One of the kids' friends was there and he is about 19. We talked to him and the friend really opened up. We answered many questions that he had and he said that he was agnostic. He was so excited and he wants to meet back with us at the same house (because his parents would not be too approving). So, it is all good. I have been listening to the Spirit. 

My new companion is awesome. So, I no longer have Elder Meibos, but now, I have Elder Longman. I cannot help, but say this. He is a much better missionary than Meibos. I respect Meibos for training me, but Longman is taking a lot of initiative. As a district leader (a leader of a small group of missionaries in a geographical area usually 3-4 pairs.), Longman is trying to do the work even with bad cell phone reception while my previous companion did nothing. There are certain things that I see in Elder Longman that I like much more than Elder Meibos. We might get along a lot more than I did with Meibos. Elder Longman comes from Ogden, Utah. He is the oldest in his family and a genuine guy. He cares about the people he teaches. In fact, this past Saturday we attended two baptisms of people that he has taught. So, I went down to Manchester to see those baptisms. A commuter in the Manchester Ward took us down to and up back. It was great talking to the commuter, because he comes from Scotland and talked about the different accents in the different parts. He did not talk much about the culture, but it is all right; he did not seem that interested in the culture, anyhow.

A good portion of this week was booked, only because Meibos wanted to say goodbye to certain people. Thursday was planned around the transfers and a member dinner. Friday was booked with appointments and weekly planning. Saturday was going to Manchester, which took up time. Everything has been working out. With the engaged couple who were furloughed, the woman attended church and enjoyed it. I was seriously hoping the man would because he would be a lot more interested. They are hard to teach, because they are so quiet. Sometimes they will ask questions, but they are still quiet. The neighbors of a member, who my previous companion felt prompted to go see, are doing well. The husband is a bit skeptical, but the wife is a lot more interested. They did not go to church, but the bishop is willing to come with us one night to talk to the husband. I am so excited. The mental health people are doing well, though we need to get in contact with one of them soon. One can progress, but we are going to have to find rides to church for them.

This week kept me slightly busy, farewell-mix week. There is much to do and I will keep working hard. I am so glad I have a driven companion.

All is well! Thanks for all your support!

Love,

Elder S. Todd

P.S. Thanks for the quote. It is what I needed.

Government Shutdown, Mental Illness, Tornado Warning - October 7, 2013

Dear Parents of Mine, Mom and Dad/Dad and Mom,

Yes, I will make sure that I obtain gloves for the coming times. The mornings are definitely chilly, but it does warm up in the afternoon. Today, we might have a storm. The leaves are changing color and I am keeping my eye out for some good shots. It is yet to be that colorful, but soon it might. It is going to be a better fall than what it is like in California where the leaves just turn brown and fall. I did learn how to use macro on my camera, so whenever I will be able to attain the ability to give you my pictures, you will see different flowers, a spider and a caterpillar. My bike is good for being chainless; I do have to pump the tire, but it is all good.

I absolutely loved conference! (A semi-annual world-wide conference broadcast in several languages via satellite, cable and the internet to congregations in all parts of the world)There were not so many funny stories, but there were interesting moments. How did you like the fly that wanted to be on camera? In some moments of conference, I was a bit distracted for whatever reason, but I paid attention for most of it. I was actually surprised at how fast it went. I was really engaged and I find it so sad that I was never this engaged. But, conference was actually quite foreboding and there were a lot of calls to repentance and voices of warning. I loved David A. Bednar's talk on tithing. In fact, David A. Bednar is one of my favorite apostles. There is an MTC video called the Character of Christ where David A. Bednar is talking to the MTC about the character of Christ and how we should have it. It is not available to the public, but maybe the missionaries at home know about it and can tell you about it. I loved Uchtdorf's talk which was a plea to those that left the church to come back and told everyone why this is the Lord's church. It is an excellent talk. I did watch priesthood session, though I want to reread those talks. The reason why I say that the conference was a bit foreboding was in two separate talks there were some warnings for the future. Robert D. Hales, I believe Saturday Morning talk, essentially said that soon we will be persecuted as the early saints. What is even more, the talks of other sessions of conference talked about conversion to the gospel and having spiritual strength. And then, Dallin H. Oaks said that we would be discriminated against. There are talks I would love to reread, because I liked to look out for these things and look for guidance. I believe it was Holland that gave an excellent talk on mental illness. In short, conference was powerful.

My companion is being transferred. Yes, he does have his unusual quirks as do I. I always knew he was going to leave, because it was time. He had been here for nearly nine months, if not nine itself. I do not know where he is going or who I am going to be with. But, in short, I will have to maintain the area, lead it. Not so scared about it, though it is going to be a challenge. My companion is a good person. Even when he reminded me of the cartoon character Spongebob when he screamed when the light turned yellow and he was coming to the intersection, even when he annoyed me, even when I was completely disgusted at his unsanitary practices, Elder Meibos is a good person at heart. He cares for the people and he is attached to them. He has built this area up and now he has to leave what he was created. The work has been exploding. He wants to stay, but again, it is time. He does his best to support me and I do trust him. It was a good to have a companion that I had some interests that were similar. He did not mind my quirks, whatever they may be. All in all, he is a good person.

I am glad to hear that people are interested in this work. Hopefully, it will spark an interest or at least the seed will be planted. I may visit the lady again, but I will pray about it. I do want to say thank you for the support that you are doing to help move along missionary work. I love you for the work you are putting in. I am glad that you are fellowshipping and inviting investigators to come over. It really does help. Keep at it!

This week has been interesting to say the least. On Monday, I went to Chatham Manor and downtown Fredericksburg. My companion took me to several antique shops. There are some interesting things, especially old books. Chatham Manor is absolutely gorgeous and interesting. On Tuesdays, I go to the family history center (at least sometimes). There is work to be done. I love family history and I love to know more about them. So, I am doing what I can with that.

The government shutdown has affected a lot of members here in Virginia. I see the importance of food storage. It is not only for natural disaster, but also times when money is not coming in. A lot of people are furloughed, but there is a plus side to it all. That plus side is missionary work. A lot of people are home that normally would not be. So, we have two investigators thanks to the furlough days. Other than that, I am also grateful that I do not have to worry as much about the government shutdown.

Well, I have an interesting situation. So, two times that I have been on exchanges, my companion and whoever he is with, goes to these duplexes that look like apartments. He found at least one person. We lost contact with that person and then finally got back in contact. But, as it turns out, this is pretty much a health clinic for the mentally ill and these are supervised apartments. Now, before, you cry out as to think I am taking advantage of them, I am not. From my limited knowledge on psychology and as what I can tell, they are functioning as to think and function on their own. These apartments are just supervised and help give them structure. Of course, I, also, did not know this about the place and thought it was mix of office apartments until the people started talking about their problems. Either way, they want us back, they love what we teach, and they accept the Book of Mormon without hassle. On the unfortunate side, the staff is not too happy about our visits. They believe we are soliciting when we are not. I would honestly like to back out of it, because I am thinking rules that we might be hindering, and so on and so forth. But, like I said, the people want us back. In fact, when they told us that we were soliciting, in the middle of a lesson, I felt so uncomfortable until I was comforted by the investigator when she said that, "Oh, do not worry about them. I will leave a note to them to say that you people are fine and not a bother." So, the situation looks as if it might begin to be under control. (Sounds like Seth's Psychology degree may come in handy. He studied everything from abnormal psychology to personal psychology. Perhaps this is why he was sent to this area.)(See also Elder Holland's talk "Like A Broken Vessel" http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/like-a-broken-vessel?lang=eng )

I do not have much time left. In fact, I will finish this later. I am sorry for the abrupt ending, but there is a tornado warning and the staff are saying leave or go to another room for safety. I cannot finish at this time. I love you.

Love,

Elder S. Todd

P.S. First tornado warning in my life!

(Second letter sent a few hours later.)

Dear Parents,

Look! I'm alive! So, no tornado. Just a warning. The rain was really coming down. It was really hard to see. And because I needed to do laundry, every week, we drove eight miles back to our residence. At one point, another car accidentally splashed a ton of water that luckily did not kill our car's engine and cause an accident. I could not see, but I knew to go straight. And my companion screamed.

So, I left off with the duplexes. The people are quite functional. In fact, one of them walked all the way to library in the rain.

Not much else happened that was interesting of note. Conference was great. I still think there were a lot of warnings. My companion did mention the fact that they did not mention temples and if we are to be persecuted as the saints of old, then perhaps temple work would be on hold. I do not know; I can only guess. I am just noting what I heard and watching for the signs of the times. Speaking of the signs of the times, I want to know more. I know I have a book on it called 60 Signs of the Second Coming. Now, do not send it, but would it be possible, if it is not packed up, to send the scriptural references as well as what sign those scriptures reference? If it is packed up, then just leave it packed up.

I watched conference at two different members houses. It was fun and I got fed. Conference is really awesome.

So, I guess all I needed to say, was that I am alive even in these stormy weathers. I am wearing the boots that were sent and a jacket that I took from the old apartment. It is interesting to drive with boots.

All is well!

Love,

Elder S. Todd

P.S. No the jacket is not trenchcoat, but it fits and it is a bit long. It is a good long as it is trenchcoat-like and it keeps me for the most part dry. And because of our jackets and my companion's name, Meibos, the computer sign-up lady thought there was a Harry Potter festival or something like it going on.

It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad. -C.S. Lewis

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