I Know Thy Works: Behold, I Have Set Before Thee an Open Door- Rev.3:8

Revelations 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.


Monday, March 31, 2014

Dear Parents, Mom and Dad/Dad and Mom,

I should have seen it coming. I really should have. Not so much the area, but who my companion is. So, I am in the south for the first time. I am in Powhatan, a small country town. It certainly is not "Farmville," because that literally belongs to a name of a town (a bit close to Powhatan) and a game on Facebook. But, it is a farming area, sort of. Not much city here. I have come from a very compact area where houses are close together and is a suburb of D.C. to a place where the houses are spread out. To say that I am in a car is true. However, taking note of the houses, tracting has to be done on bike or else it could be several hours before we could finish a street; a single street. 

Anyway, I bet you are now waiting for me to tell you who I have as a companion. His name is Elder Clifford and he came out with me in July. We were never in the same district or zone in the MTC. We never knew each other in the MTC. But, really, I am detecting a pattern with my companions here. So, the only outlier to the pattern is my trainer, Elder Meibos, but that is a different ordeal altogether, so he does not count. Elder Longman had a certain companion who was his MTC companion and also had him out in the field. Elder Frank had that companion as well. Elder Clifford had that companion as well. I have yet to have him, but I would not be surprised if I ever did. Elder Clifford is a very kind person and is soft spoken, but likes to talk.

Update on bike. So, I watched the videos and as far as I can see, everything is good. What I do note is that it needs oil (grease, whatever), but I cannot obtain it. I looked at their website, but I do not see it. I could have sworn that they had oil specifically for the bike. I have no idea, but I do think it needs it. Other than that, washer and other parts are there.

So, it has been nearly a week in Powhatan. They have not had a baptism in about three years. Scared? Uh, no, because it will work out. I plan on getting on my bike and knocking on doors. Of course, there are some signs I have to obey (the POSTED: Trespassing for Any Reason is Forbidden), but still there are many houses that do not have those signs. "There can be miracles if only you believe. Though hope is frail, it is hard to kill. Who knows what miracles you can achieve if only you believe. Somehow you will." 

This is going to be a very service orientated stay. Some less active members need help and other members need help. I do believe that this will help build trust. We have been limited with miles due to a big area, meetings, doctor visits (the person I replaced had to go to the doctor many a time), etc. this past week, so it has been hard to do much. I have met the bishop and got acquainted with him. I have met the ward mission leader and helped his presentation of the ward mission plan yesterday. There are a few others that I have made acquaintance. Some, because we have to visit on a frequent basis. I thought it was wrong to be doing that or that our stays were too long. I feel as though we are doing the right thing and that it will help these people. Slowly, but surely, this area will improve. Like I said, very service orientated.

So, Monday, was a big frustrating day of packing. I had to unpack and repack everything once to fit everything. There are some stuff I accumulated, not bought, that hopefully will be sent home soon. I need to make plans on that now thatas I have a car, I can actually go to the post office. Do not expect anything for a while. I will let you know when that occurs. 

Tuesday, I got transferred. I met one of the members and got to see some of the area. I met a less active who has not been to church for a while, which in part will take time. I will also be frequenting that house a lot. He has been injured in a car accident about a year and a half ago wherein his femur was fractured (which according to Brian Regan is the most painful bone to break, but he's no doctor). So, after several surgeries, his femur is better and his knee just got replaced. His wife is working a lot, so she could not really take care of him. We help him out and try to read scriptures. They are both depressed. Recently, this weekend, he had to go to the hospital for fainting (which luckily somebody was there to save him) and then we came home to help him get into his house. Which, then he almost fainted again. Luckily, that provided much opportunity for us to open the doors with the wife. She is a member, but does not understand the Book of Mormon. Perfect, so while she is off for the week (due to the fainting episode), we can go over the Book of Mormon. That will take time, because she has a lot of questions and is easily distracted. She is sincere about learning and understanding. However, we are currently going back to the Bible to explain, in a nutshell, the background of the Book of Mormon. I am happy that I know the history of Israel. 

Rest of the week, I have met more members and helped them out as well. Before dinner one night, I helped tend some fires, because they were burning wood for a path to grow a garden. Now some service clothes I have smell like I have been sitting in a chimney. Great family. I had green eggs and ham with Santa yesterday. (We have a person who plays Santa at some shop year round). We biked tract on Saturday and it was raining. Pants, rain coat, bike, shirt, beanie, and helmet were covered in mud. I also had mud on my face, but luckily, I am not a big disgrace. 

But, there was definitely mud all over the place. And Sunday, briefly, a lot of people knew me before them. They thought I looked young. I do plan on getting a haircut soon. My hair needs to be cut and I have not been able to do so.

On Wednesdays, there are a couple of non-members who show up to play basketball. Previous missionaries played ball on Wednesdays and gained their trust. They are opening up more. Well, you have me, who has only played basketball for physical education. So, I do not know the rules or understand what to do. Now, before I further explain, like I have said previously, I have found who I am and found a purpose in life. Very confident in self. That was a major goal I had for the mission. I did not really realize until of recent, but, yeah, it was that. Now what? Woodbridge taught me my weaknesses and it was hard to overcome a huge mental block. Literally, I felt a mental block on certain aspects such as talking about certain things or talking in general. With basketball, I quickly felt that block coming on. But, I quickly realized what I need to do now: hone my skills and abilities. So, as far as I have listed: thinking, analytical, observance, learning, listening, memorization, and communication. 

Now, with the game, I did not do much, but I realized that. I walked the entire game, because well, I had no idea of what to do. So, walking allowed me to observe the game and rules of the game. As far as I understand, the black lines that form the rectangular shape are the boundaries. If the ball goes out, then it is out of bounds, in which case the ball goes to the team that did not have the player that touched the ball last before it went out. The point of the game is to get ball in hoop and to prevent the other team for scoring. To prevent, one player is assigned to another player to block and defend that player. To shoot a basket, one must use wrist power, much like a catapult. Jumping can also assist in this application. So, I think I somewhat understand basketball now. Now, the question is of applying.

Other things I learned this week. Last Monday, I was at the library in Woodbridge when I found a book that had English words and put them in Hebrew. I snuck a peek and wrote down an appropriate word: Jesus. I wish I had written more. But, from the Bible, in particular Psalms 119, I also learn the Hebrew Alphabet, which consists of: Aleph, Beth, Gimel, Daleth, He, Vau, Zain, Cheth, Teth, Jod, Caph, Lamed, Mem, Nun, Samech, Ain, Pe, Tzaddi, Koph, Resh, Schin, and Tau. 22 letters in all. Jesus consists of three: Vau, Schin, and Jod in that order. Now, how it all works I have no clue. But, Vau (Vav) has one dot (perhaps a jot or a tittle) to its left, Schin  (Shin) has a dot by its third arm and Jod (Yod) has two dots underneath it. Somehow, it makes a word and the dots remind me of valium (Vanadium) atoms (or some word that starts with a v and deals with chemistry). Is that fascinating? When you have time waiting for people, you get bored and find things.

Oh, thankfully my companion reminded me. I almost forgot to give you my address here. It is (address withheld), Powhatan, VA 23139. So, that is the essence of my week. There is going to be a lot of fun here. Oh, I must ask, because I am now in the south. Where is Edgar Allen Poe's house? I could have sworn it is in Virginia, somewhere. I hope I made you laugh, because I am feeling really good, besides having a small headache.

Sounds like everything is going good for you two. I know how strange things can be with the Church sometimes. My last companion complained about the boundaries and how sometimes they did not make sense. Congratulations to Denice. I need to email her and some other people when I have time.

All is well.

Love,

Elder S. Todd

Endure: Some Doors Need to Close, While Others Will Open

Monday, March 24, 2014

Dear Parents, Mom and Dad/Dad and Mom,

Well, I do plan on watching the videos today on fixing my bike after emailing. It is something that I plan on doing. So, until then, my bike is okay. The member did a temporary fix, but now I am going to try a permanent solution. Other than that, my bike is the middle of my worries.

So, the member ended up not getting things scheduled in time. Either way, I will not be going any time soon to the Washington, D.C. temple. Unfortunate, yes, but there will be a time when I can.

Yes, transfer calls did come. I am leaving, which I feel that it is time. I learned what I needed to here. I learned how to endure and what that means. Day in and day out, I had to endure. But, it is good. I enjoyed it here. While I did not get to know the members quite well, I feel I accomplished something here. Not sure if I will be able to rest, to regain strength, in the coming area, but we will see. This area could use some new energy. We have nearly tracted the north of our area, the middle of our area, and pretty soon, we would have started the south parts of our area. I am glad to give some ideas that I hope will provide fruit for this area. It will take time. And no, I have no idea where I am going.

This week was fair enough. We really worked hard. Tuesday, one of the missionaries that also cover the ward that I am in was called to Richmond for a meeting. So, I was in a trio for Tuesday night and most of Wednesday. We did more tracting Tuesday. There was this one street that we knocked pretty quickly. Not many people interested until this one door. He talked to us quite a bit. Nothing much to note about him, but rather what did happen. He asked us if we knocked on the lady across the street from him. We did, but we could not remember if any answered. He told us to be careful, because she will call the police. She even called the police on him for crawling into his own house through a window, because he locked himself out. And sure enough, a police car did pull into that neighborhood, but we avoided the police by talking to the man.

Wednesday was a pretty good day. We had some great lessons that day with two investigators. Another appointment fell through that day, but we were able to go ahead and talk to two less active members. It was good. A lot of things were able to move forward. Also, my companion locked ourselves into our bedroom that night. He was messing with the door mechanism until it broke and could not be pushed in (karma). What does he do then? Closes the door, thus taking 40 minutes of us trying to get us free. I had to climb out the window, onto the roof to get a screwdriver as well as brush my teeth and get ready for bed. (Our current apartment is a house with a second floor and a basement. It belongs to a member.)

We had zone meeting this past Friday. I was asked to give a spiritual thought on our purpose and its meaning to me and how it motivates me. What turned to be a thought turned into a testimony that went well. It was good to do that. I was surprised also on Sunday to give a talk, because I was leaving. I had a minute to prepare, because they announced it before I gave a talk. I bore testimony of enduring, which was good.

One less active person we have been working wanted me to thank you two for raising me well. I made her cry in a good way. She and her family have been going through a lot and we invited her to have family prayers at night. I bore testimony, which really helped her to be on board.

I love testimonies. I find them to be really powerful. What keeps me doing what I am doing? My testimony. I have learned a lot of things so far. I am exhausted, tired, but despite that, I am going to keep on working hard and keep on doing what needs to be done. I hate good-byes and I hate to leave, but it is time. There are others to be found and others to be rescued. 

Yes, I did get my package and no, I do not know those elders (his mother sent him names of some other missionaries whose mothers share a Facebook page). 

All is well.

Love,

Elder S. Todd

How Brisk Must a Brisk Wind Be to Be Brisk

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Dear Parents, Mom and Dad/Dad and Mom,

It snowed, yet again, so thus a late email. 

When I read about Carly (Seth's Boxer dog) escaping, my heart nearly stopped. I am quite grateful that she is still home. Thank you. Funny, how smart she is about escaping. Perhaps her plan for jumping on the fence is to slowly knock it down. I am telling you the dog is smart.  I was wondering about my dog and that new dog as well. Glad to know how she is doing. How does Coda handle the new dog? Isn't Coda, like, old?

It has been a week. And I mean that in the sense of, this has been a week where everything goes haywire. While yes, there are good things that do happen, there is a lot that has been going on. My bike is yet again in need of fixing. I am debating at this point to go to a bike shop or have the member take care of it, except this time refer to the videos (the site where his bike was purchase "Dynamic Bicycles" has two videos, one on the removal of the rear wheel and another on adjusting the gears. Someone removed the rear wheel when he was transfered last and messed up his bike.), seeing as I know of them. I called the mission office, who called the company, who said that I should try fixing it on my own first with the videos. 

There was a lot of wind one day. Our weather report said it was a brisk breeze. Yes, I can totally see how brisk the breeze was. Gutters falling down, signs and mailboxes blown over, and I have an inability to bike down hill. Yeah, totally brisk. 

My companion was not too happy with me as well, but that has been taken care of. Nothing that I did to him. Another investigator dropped us, in the excuse of needing to investigate their own church. At this point, I had a choice. Break down, which I honestly have done before, or be bold. So, at that point of the day, we went out after making our final plea via phone to the investigator. I was not too happy, but, hey, I worked. It taught me that I needed to be bold, to be upfront. I have realized that I want to share my testimony. And that day we went tracting, I bore my testimony of Jesus Christ once somebody opened the door. Did it work? Well, we got in and all we got was water. But, it was still a lesson that I learned. While, yes, there is a time for being nice and such, there is time to be bold. I am learning to balance the two. (I was saying that, "We are witnessing that Jesus is the Christ." My companion told me that I made us sound like Jehovah's Witnesses. I really do not see it.)

My companion has also been given a lot of responsibility lately, which I am working with him. It is no problem.  This week I also took a member tracting. Such an awkward experience, because I have never done it before. I hope I do not have to do it again, but who knows, the member was totally willing. One less active that we have been working with is planning to go to the temple for his own endowments on the 27th. That allows my companion and I to go to the temple. And we have permission to go, but that also means I have to sacrifice a preparation day. And there is no guarantee I will be able to go. For that week is transfers, so theoretically I could go. I would not expect an email next week, but do. (Which totally is awful, because you will not know where I will be or whether or not, I got transferred.) The date is not set in stone and the member has to be interviewed by the stake president. So close.

We had stake conference this past weekend. There is a big push for the hastening of the work. The adult session was focused on that, but it was not too good. It hopefully helped the members. The missionaries were asked to sing as a choir for that session. We sang Called to Serve and the EFY Medley. The first musical number, we did not do that well, because we did not know when to begin. The last number was a lot better. The Sunday morning session was a broadcast, much like our multi-stake conferences back at home (when we had them). There was a lot about hard times ahead and having self-discipline. I do not think our future is too sunny. With this upcoming General Conference, I think there is going to be a great mention of "hastening of the work" and "enduring to the end."

I do not have much else to add. I have been reading Jesus the Christ and also the New Testament. (I gain historical background from Jesus the Christ. And it is a great book.) I am glad that I am reading it now, because I am gaining a better understanding of Jesus. Already, I see so much. There are certain points that I feel as I though I missed out on. On my off hours, I started reading the Book of Mormon and breaking it down where I can understand much more. I feel as though I know a lot about the Old Testament, have a firm ground on the New Testament, have a soft ground on the Book of Mormon, and I do not know too much on the Doctrine and Covenants. I am working on it, so it makes me excited to continue to read and study. I am glad to have 16 months left (not 14). 

Oh! I had a fun experience with shopping at Wal-Mart. So, a member usually takes us and we got a member who is really hilarious. We get to Wal-Mart and there is a flock of seagulls near this car. My companion says, "Scatter them!" What does the member then do? Speeds up to scatter the seagulls and slows down as he drives to the entrance. As he and another missionary looks back, there are people in the car. The member, quickly exclaims, "Oh my goodness! There were people in the car, feeding the seagulls! Oh man, they probably crapped their pants, thinking I was going to hit them! Oh man, a seagull might have flown into their car. When you guys get out, do not let them see you!" It was hilarious. On the way back, we were talking about it and wondered what if there was a child in the car.

 It was such a hilarious moment in life.

All is well.

Love,

Elder S. Todd