11-3-13

Family,

Sounds like y'all had a good week. I feel super bad for Cody, though. I hope that you can work out a way in which he can get better before his mission. He will definitely need that knee before he goes and I think the fastest he can go out on his mission, the better. What was the plan again? Was he planning on going to one or two semesters at BYU-Idaho before his mission? My opinion is that he should do one, but that's just me. Let me get on to my week and then we'll see how much time I have to elaborate on yours.

So this was a week full of miracles. So on Monday, we had to play sports at the stake center. Ironically, the gym at the stake center was smaller than the Westlink building so it wasn't as fun. But we had a good old time. That night, we had a lesson with a new investigator that has shown interest in meeting with us for quite some time now. She is a friend and co-worker of a member of our ward and goes to the Assembly of God church. She had lots of questions and we did our best to answer them. I feel like if we just share the entire restoration with her, her questions will all be answered (other than those about the after life). She said all she wants to do in meeting with us is find out what the church is about. I feel like next time we should really lock down and invite her to make and keep commitments like baptism and coming to church. For our purpose isn't merely to teach people what our church believes, but to invite others to come unto Christ and partake of His salvation. So just some revelation for me before we had to go home and have our weekly conference call with all the zone leaders, AP's, and mission president.

Tuesday was a super busy day. We did service in the morning by doing more priming and painting the interior of a newer house. It was pretty boring but we got it mostly done. I enjoy scraping the cement floors, though. I just scrape off any dry paint spots. At 2, we had an appointment that fell through and another one that fell through at 3. So so far, our goals did not look like they were going to be fulfilled that easily. At 4:30, we went to the member home we USED to stay in and moved everything out of the room we were staying in. The accumulation of 2 years worth of missionary stuff was quite the project. But we got it done. The member later told us that it took her over an hour to clean the shower. Sorry, I didn't know how to clean it. I know that's sad to say but whatever. The housing coordinator guy that was helping us was ticked that we hadn't packed any of it. I hate packing and stuff because it takes time away from proselyting.

After the move and making the room look nice, we went to dinner and then the lesson I was looking forward to all day. This lesson I will remember forever. The spirit was stronger in that room than in any lesson I've had in a long, long time. She wanted to commit to baptism at the start of the new year but after much praying and guidance by the holy ghost, she knew what she had to do and accepted a date for November 16th. That is when my next baptism is. Elder Johnson and I were so pumped especially since this will be Elder Johnson's first baptism on his mission. She feels guilty because she doesn't feel like she's repented of her sins. We assured her that she can be. At the end of the lesson, she had a personal prayer for like 8 minutes straight. That is when she knew it was right to be baptized on that date. So that was an awesome experience that I will always remember.

Wednesday it rained like crazy. When I mean rain, I mean rain with hail. It was coming down hard. As we knocked at a house where we had an appointment, it was crazy to see the rain flowing down the street like it was. The appointment fell through and I'm glad none of my clothes got ruined  It was cold, too. We had an appointment fall through that night, too. The church had a trunk or treat that night that we caught the very end of. It was super cool to see some of the costumes that some people came with. The sister missionaries serving in our ward wore mustaches.

Thursday was Halloween. Also on this day, an Elder in the zone got emergency transferred out to Garden City. I am pretty sure I know why, I just don't want to tell anyone. So we were with another Elder all that night and for the next few days. I didn't mind that because he is super cool. Let me tell you how busy we were that night: at 5, The Maize 2nd ward Elder that we were with had an appointment that ended up actually being 5:30. We had dinner at 5:45 that we arrived at 6 and then we had a meeting with the stake president at 6:30 that we arrived to at 6:40. Then we had FHE at 7 back at the bishop's house: the same place where we ate dinner at. So it was a super busy night. There was a sister in our ward that got her mission call too. Our stake president showed us a picture of her holding her call. The anticipation was super high. We tried calling her twice without her answering her phone but she came to FHE and told everyone that she was going to (wait for it.......) Carlsbad, California!!! I was stoked! Yesterday, I told her all about her mission and what it's like. I also told her about the vista stake center that has 2 stories and 2 chapels with a full sized basketball court. I'll have to look at her mission map because I'm not sure how close that mission gets to ours. Do you know if the Poway or Del Mar stakes are in that mission? I'm pretty sure Escondido is. But anyways, I was super excited for her. I also told her about how there are lots of Samoans in Oceanside. She got a kick out of that and is super excited. She enters the MTC on January 15th. So look out for someone from Wichita, Kansas! She's coming! I know we live in the San Diego mission but our stake borders that mission.

There were lots of trick-or-treaters in the neighborhood where we were. That night, we had an appointment with a less active of ours and invited her back to church. She said she would but didn't show yesterday. Hopefully she's doing okay. It may have been because we forgot to text her some scriptures to read, I don't know. Hopefully she can come to church sometime.

On Friday, we did the zone mileage report before attending a district meeting. Then I went on exchanges with the Spanish Elders! I was super excited to speak some Spanish. The first appointment we went to, they were talking so fast so I didn't know what they were saying and then all of a sudden, my exchange companion looked at me as if it was my turn to speak. Let me tell you, that was tough. I didn't know what we were talking about and then it was my turn to speak. I just bore my testimony, pretty much and invited him to come to church. I don't think I made sense but was glad to get that experience. After another lesson with some Spanish people that I could understand a little better, we went to dinner with a family where the parents only spoke Spanish but the kids spoke English. So that was a little better for me. We then did some biking and by that time, I was worn out from speaking all the Spanish and biking everywhere in the cold weather. I'm not complaining because it was fun; I am saying that it would be tough to do another day of that. That was super fun to be able to be a part of that.

Saturday we helped move another member in the Spanish Branch before going to a correlation meeting with my regular companion in English. I was tired but it was good to be able to get some progress in the ward and dinner calendar. In fact, we had dinner with them that night and had a good time telling stories about sleep walking and stuff. I told about how Cody once peed down the stairs. Good times. Good times. We stayed super late, though. I regret that. We'll do a better job next time, I promise. Before we went home, we were quite limited on the mileage use for the day. But we went to see one of our investigators anyways because I knew that they needed what we have for them. When we got there, it was 3 teenage girls (18-20 years old) doing their nails before the male came home from getting something. We had a great conversation and invited them all to church. There was 4 of them and they all said yes. I was pumped about that. They all did come too! They may not have been too reverent during the service, but they came. I was in the other ward when they came. Elder Johnson said we have some teaching to do with them. The investigator that we taught on Tuesday bore her testimony, apparently. that was super exciting. I feel like she's more solid than the most recent baptism that we had last month. Speaking of her, she hasn't been to church for a very long time and I am very concerned for her and her RM boyfriend. I will be praying for them. Yes, I did bear my testimony too. It was about the work of salvation. Sorry, nothing about Cody's patriarchal blessing. After church, we had a linger longer then saw a little bit of the boy scout broadcast celebrating 100 years of scouting in the church while at dinner. I thought it was cool to watch. That night we watched the CES broadcast by Russel T. Osguthorpe: Sunday School General President. it was a good talk which talked about using our will to become our Father in Heaven's will. It was way good. After that we just concluded our day and week. So that was our week full of miracles!

Okay, I have time to elaborate on your e-mails. ACL surgery, huh? Have you set an appointment with the surgeon to get that fixed yet? Hopefully you can soon because there needs to be some way that Cody can heal quick enough for stuff. Dang, Jayson. Only 9 pounds of candy? Oh well. You can do better next year. Did Caitlin bear her testimony? If so, then we all did! Woo! Where in Ohio is Dallin moving to? Is it Akron? Do you know what mission that's in? I was just wondering because Whitney might be serving there. Oh I keep wanting to tell Caitlin about something. So apparently Billy has a cousin that lives in Queen Creek (I think it's a cousin) that you (Caitlin) hang out with a lot. So there's a member of the singles ward here where his last area on his mission to Tempe, Arizona that served in her ward. Named Elder Phillips. So you should ask her about him. There's one connection to family that you didn't expect, is it? haha. Anyways, I best be off. Y'all have a great week! Ours will be great! We have zone conferences this week with Elder Nash (1st quorum of the 70). It should be a great meeting. This will be my second general authority visit of my mission. The other was Elder Gavarret back in January. I love you all,

Elder Sutherland

PS: "Can I stay with you?"

"Huh?"

"Can I stay with you...please?"

"Of course!"

"Really?"

"No."

"Oh c'mon! You have no idea what it's like out there being a freak! Well, maybe you do. But that's why we gotta stick together. Just let me stay with you, please?!"

"Okay! but one night only."

"Ah! Yes."

"We'll stay up late, tell some manly stories and in the morning, I'm making waffles!"

10-28-13

Family,

The church of the NFL is in full effect. Everyone has taken hold of it including some people in the church. I say that because this morning, as Elder Johnson was working out, I was eavesdropping on a conversation of some people nearby talking about it. One guy said: "The NFL is all I do on Sundays." Or something like that. I also heard what's up in the world series right now ironically in a talk yesterday. Now, I don't want to know who wins, but I also eavesdropped this morning and heard someone say who's winning and who was losing. On the happy side, however, I am so so so so excited for Cody's blessing. Isn't it amazing to have such a priesthood holder in our family as Grandpa is? Sounds like he has some pretty great promises in store for him as he journeys on through life. Oh, Dad I have something to say to you. Jayce is right. It's 3 FLAGS up not flies. That's what we've called it our whole lives. I'm pretty sure that's what people and others have said growing up in school and stuff. Anyways, let me get on to my week.

Last Monday we were busy shopping and stuff until a little before 4. So we only had about an hour of P-Day sports. That is totally fine with me. I got really sweaty anyways. On Tuesday, we did service by installing some shelves in a shed that's attached to this house and also installed another mailbox. The same kind that Elder Eliason and I did. We did a better job last time. It wasn't quite 100% level but nobody wanted to dig sideways. If I didn't have a blister on my hand, I would've gotten in there and made it level. Digging the hole is the hardest part. But it was fun. I enjoyed having that blister as a reminder of hard work and dedication. We had to rush home and have some quick studies and lunch because we had an appointment with this investigator who recently has never been home. But he actually held his appointment today. The main thing that was lacking in that lesson was a team-up. I think the spirit would've been much more powerful and meaningful had we had a member there to fellowship him. We have another appointment with him tomorrow, so we'll see how that goes. 

I was a really clumsy driver too. After getting gas, I forgot there was a curb to the side of me and just drove straight over it, hitting the underside of the car on the curb making a loud bang noise. Later, after an appointment fell through, I was driving out of a parking lot and didn't bother to look straight ahead of me to even see if there was a median or not. I saw the median just in time and swerved left to avoid hitting that and oncoming traffic. Fortunately, the Lord has been watching over me all the times on my mission where I've been an awful driver. I've gotten in one small accident and like 10 close calls. That's a blessing right there. But getting 2 in one day really made me feel stupid. 

We had two appointments fall through that day too. But later that night after dinner, we had our team-up come and pick us up for a lesson with one of our newer investigators. We answered their questions most of the night and taught as much as we could. They were very impressed by what we sacrifice to serve missions and by the boldness of our testimonies. They tried to come to church yesterday but texted us and couldn't find it. That was a super big bummer. But that lesson on Tuesday went great. It didn't go along at all with what we planned, but that's what the spirit tells you to do sometimes. I really enjoy teaching through the spirit and knowing that it is there to guide me through the toughest of times. 

That night after the lesson, we were informed that the members that we live with need us to be out before Halloween because they are putting their house up for sale. In fact, we moved out on Saturday. More on that later. But Elder Johnson was super bummed out because he loves the members that we live with. They plan on moving to Manhattan and then eventually getting a super nice fifth wheel to live in for the rest of their lives. 

Wednesday we had an appointment with a guy who loves the missionaries but is a die hard Catholic. We didn't bring a team-up yet again. As a result, the lesson lacked in something that was obviously the spirit. Hopefully he can open up more and come to accept the gospel. Nothing else much happened that day. As always, we went to Friends University and walked around a bit. we try to talk to as many people as we can about the gospel. we go on campus. Nobody from the University staff has stopped us so far so hopefully we will be allowed to continue. (That reminds me, we forgot to call that one guy we contacted. I think I'll do that today sometime.) 

That night, after dinner, we were going to go out with a member who speaks mandarin to this Asian guy that speaks only mandarin and very little English. He was being taught by missionaries in New York for like 2 years over skype and stuff. But now they finally decided to hand him off to us. We don't speak a lick of mandarin so fortunately we had the member there who went to Sydney, Australia mandarin speaking for his mission not too long ago. It was so cool to hear them communicate one with another. This guy is an illegal immigrant and is looking to become a citizen but can't really do that if he doesn't know English. He loves the missionaries, I could tell, and is interested in the gospel. The only hindrance is his uncle who is Buddhist and doesn't want anything to do with us. So we'll be working with them. That was a super cool experience. Hopefully we can continue in fellowship so that he can get dunked. 

Thursday was a day in which we had a church tour with this one guy. His friend (who is a member) invited him to learn more about the church. (I have a terrible memory. I forgot to text him too to invite him to church). So we gave him a church tour and it went okay. The spirit was there but not as powerfully as it has been in the past. Then after the church tour, we did stake reports for the next several hours because we had our stake correlation meeting with President Williams and President Bell. It was a good, short meeting. 

After the meeting, we went to FHE and played musical chairs (with EFY music) and sardines. Sardines got pretty crazy at times. But it was super fun. It's where you play hide 'n' seek but one person hides while everyone else tries to find them. On Friday after district meeting, we went on exchanges. I went with Elder Kempter into the Rolling Hills area and Elder Heppler to our area. I first went and taught their investigator with a baptismal date. His huge hang up is tithing. He doesn't have the faith to commit to pay tithing. So I relayed to him every scripture I knew, every minute detail of a testimony of tithing that I had. I think that helped him to come closer to accepting it. He gets a retirement raise at the beginning of next year so he wants to set a date then. Now that I think about it, I don't think that would be a bad idea. Maybe I'll tell the Elders that. Oh, the revelation you receive as you e-mail home. That was a cool experience, haha! 

I enjoyed having the opportunity to talk to our district leader and help him out in regards to his leadership abilities and training opportunities. I wanted to make sure he and Elder Heppler are obedient and loving to each other and to the missionaries in his district. They are doing great! 

The next day, we had a huge meeting where all of the missionaries in the zone were to gather at the Westlink building where there would be a youth training meeting. Only 6 youth showed up. So all of the missionaries got to help prepare them for missions. I think it helped. We weren't there for the whole thing. We did a little training that I did not prepare for and then departed. I left one of the district leaders in charge because we had to go help with a service project up near maize. We were putting branches onto several trailers for this lady who is super old and an investigator of the sisters. I am used to pulling out branches thanks to the big storm that Argonia got hit with back in July. So this was a breeze. We then all unloaded it into a waste pile in Colwich, Kansas. 

The bulk of the rest of the day was spent moving all of our stuff to the apartment that I just moved out of last transfer. So now we are living there again. That took a long time too. Once we got all settled, it was already time to go to dinner. A member took us out to Subway. That night, we went on team-ups with the member that we just moved out of. He took us to see some of the less actives that I thought we should see and then one of our investigators. That took the rest of the night. We had nice visits with all who answered. 

Sunday I was fasting, of course. It was a tough Sunday for us. We didn't have any investigators come today because the one that usually comes stayed home with the kids. An even bigger bummer was that our recent convert didn't come because she had family in town. I think she could've made it for an hour of sacrament. But I was super bummed about that. Then, in priesthood, the wife of a member of our bishopric brought in these delicious-looking cupcakes. I really wanted one so asked if I could take them home with me. He accepted. I just have to give the container back to them. Then as we were proselyting after church, we were walking and saw these three people working in a ditch. They were trying to fix a leak in the foundation of their house. The guy that she hired bailed once he hit the water line. So it was up to her to get it done by hand before the freezing air came in to freeze the line. So we went home and changed and came back to help them. All they needed help with was lifting up buckets of dirt/mud so that she could get to the base of the foundation. She was super grateful for our help. I enjoyed doing service and gaining a stronger testimony of what the sabbath day is really all about. So I enjoyed doing this and still feeling the spirit of what Christ taught in the New Testament. That was pretty much the highlights of my week! Sorry, I don't have much time.

I got your package on Saturday and love what you went me, so thank you. Although, the autumn mix candy corn is not one of my favorites. I'll still eat it though. Yeah, I still want that USB. That would be super helpful as a zone leader. Dad, I always appreciate all that you say to me in your e-mails. I want to write more but am limited when it comes to time. I just want to let you know that I love you and am grateful for your diligence in writing me. Keep up the good work!

Love,

Elder Sutherland

10-21-13

We met this guy in the hood of downtown Wichita. He is traveling from Indianapolis, Indiana to San Diego, California by foot. He started out with no money and plans on going to Denver next followed by the Grand Canyon and the San Diego. He is also writing a book titled: "Kicking Rocks". I thought he was super cool. He said he'd put this picture in his book. So you know what that means right? I'm going to be famous! Just kidding. He was super cool though. I love talking to homeless people downtown. It reminds me of my brother. Just kidding, I like it because the people are just so down to Earth and so curious as to why we come down in a place where no religious people dare to enter. 

Family,

This was a good week. And it sounds like y'all had a good week too. I hope Cody's MRI results go okay this week. What does his knee feel like? I hope that it isn't too bad that he can't even work out at all. But I guess we'll see. About your question regarding Christmas stuff, if you want to send me something, go for it. But I don't really want anything else that I have to pack in my suitcase come transfer time. My suitcases are so packed whenever I get transferred, it's unbelievable. So I guess you can just save your money for me for when I get home because I will need to get some stuff for when I go up to college (running shoes, basketball shoes, etc.). That way you can get me stuff for my birthday next year AND Christmas. I don't want to be thinking ahead that much either but one more thing about school and stuff. Have you looked into housing at all at BYU-Idaho? I know Nauvoo house gets booked pretty quick. But whatever you want to do is fine with me. Okay now on to my week.

Monday was great! A little chilly but great. I won a game of chair soccer (which is very difficult to do with so many missionaries playing at the same time) and out of 3 games of dodgeball, my experience helped in a one on one showdown with me and another Elder. I beat him, hehe, and my team won 2 of the games. I loved those pictures from the pumpkin patch too. Hopefully Jayson doesn't turn into a pumpkin because he loves them so much. Those chickens remind me of a member who fed us dinner last week and has like 4 chickens in their backyard. We always made jokes about eating them but their daughter would have none of it. Those are her pet chickens. " 'Twas funny. 

Tuesday we painted for our service assignment this time. Later on Tuesday night, Elder Johnson felt inspired as to send a message out to the zone and encourage them to find one more person before the night ended. We had a boatload of miracles, including us. We talked to literally everyone we could that night and taught 5 lessons and got a new investigator. In fact we were driving along and Elder Johnson saw this lady outside smoking. So we decided to stop the car and talk to her. She turned out to be pretty interested in the gospel and accepted a return visit. She was working at this smoothie bar but was temporarily outside. We'll try to see her later this week. It was awesome to see the Lord blessing us as we went out of our comfort zones and talked to everyone that we possibly could. 

Wednesday was a kind of slow day just up until later at night time. We had a long weekly planning session in the morning and then had an awesome appointment with one of our most progressing investigators. She said she wants to be baptized and knows that she should but just doesn't know when. She's told us that she'll get baptized once she knows like us that the church is true. We promised her that that would come and that she would have to show her faith in the Lord by taking this step. Hopefully she can accept a date. So we don't have anyone on date to be baptized anymore but are soon to fix that. Elder Johnson has been out for a year and hasn't had a single baptism. So that will change immediately.

Thursday was another long morning of staying inside and doing paperwork and stuff. We had stake reports and then prepared for zone meeting that would come the next day. That was the day we went downtown and talked to as many people as we could. We ended up talking to quite a few people and even an inactive that wasn't on a ward roster! So that was an amazing find. We then talked to that one guy that was going to walk across the nation. He was funny and cool. That night we had a good correlation meeting with a member of our stake presidency (the guy we live with) and received several assignments to follow up on. Thank goodness Elder Johnson was there because I forgot them all even though I wrote them down, haha! That night we met with our singles ward mission leader for the first time in like 6 weeks. He works from midnight to 8 at the mall as a mall cop and sleeps most of the day including Sunday. So he just goes to his home ward and then leaves to go sleep in preparation for the next night of work. But we caught him just as he woke up before we went home. 

Friday was absolutely FREEZING!!!! It actually SNOWED a little bit! It stayed in the upper 30's most of the morning and into the early afternoon. None of the snow stuck. I'm just saying. We had our zone meeting today. It was a great meeting and I enjoyed training them all on chapter 9 of Preach My Gospel on finding. We had great involvement and great preparation for this meeting. I discussed our duty of missionary work and finding and showed President Monson's story about Rupert finding the green emerald, the King's jewel. I love that story. After the meeting, I went on exchanges with Elder Waite: an Elder who is currently serving up in Newton with Elder Nerdin. He came down with me and Elder Johnson went up to Newton with him. We had a good time together and found a new investigator. He's a good teacher. Something that I want to get rid of in the zone, however, is gossip. I feel that my companion and I gossip all the time and that should stop. I bet we're not alone too. We had a good day together. 

The next day was nice because we actually got to sleep in until 6:30. Normally Elder Johnson wakes up to go workout and drags me along. But Saturday was great. It was a hectic and regretful morning, however. After a meeting with our ward mission leader, he took us up to Newton to exchange back and witness one of their baptisms. The service was great and the candidate was happy. Both of our appointments today fell through and it was a rather slow day. But we had a great dinner delivered to us by our recent baptism! It was great! 

Sunday we had ward conference in the Maize 1st ward. Our stake president is so awesome! He just knows what he's talking about whenever he speaks. He is so wise and aware of everyone's needs. He is also centered on sharing the gospel. Actually, he is also a candidate to run for mayor of the city of Wichita. If he wasn't a stake president, I think he might take it. Anyways, we went downtown again yesterday and were amazed that people were actually coming up to us and asking us questions. That's what I spoke of earlier. We handed out a couple copies of the Book of Mormon and a few pamphlets. After dinner, Elder Johnson argued whether or not the non-member that came to dinner should count us as a member present. I said no, it shouldn't and he said yes it should. I need to lose myself because I feel like I need to be right every time. But that is not how successful companionships work. So that's what we'll be working on this week.

Mom, that's sad that that kid tried to commit suicide. That's exciting that Elder Mendoza is engaged! Tell him hi for me! I miss that guy a lot. I can't believe he's been home from his mission for 2 years now. Do you know when he's getting married, by chance? Well I think I should probably get going. We still have lots to do. Thanks for everything and I can't wait for that Halloween package! I'll probably be sending a package here soon too. But anyways, I love you and the whole family! Hope you have a great week!

Love,

Elder Sutherland

10-14-13

Family,

 

'Twas an okay week last week. We had lots of logistical work to do and meetings to attend. But we chugged along through it. Sounds like y'all had a good week too. Oh, I get it, Dad.  I'm glad that you were able to have a good week too. Let me tell you what happened.

 

So this whole week, we were staying with the Maize 2nd ward elders in my old apartment. So it was tough. As I was reading Mom's e-mail talking about the missionaries serving in your ward, it made me want to be better. I think of Elder Mendoza and Elder Taylor. I think of Elder Clare and Elder Casper. I think of missionaries such as Elder Fullmer or Elder Skidmore. What made them all super successful? Strict obedience to the rules of the gospel and especially the white handbook. Those can be hard to follow at times. I look at those who baptize a lot and those who don't. I know that the Lord will bless you with solid people to teach if you are working hard AND strictly obedient. So I know I have room for improvement. If I don't improve my obedience, then we won't be blessed with people to teach. Anyways, sorry for my melodrama. 

On to my week. Monday was a normal day. I got a nice haircut that feels awesome. P-day sports was fun with so many more missionaries there than before. I won a game of chair soccer. That night, we had an investigator and her RM boyfriend make dinner for us. It was super good. The lesson after was the best part. The spirit gradually increased throughout the lesson and reached it's peak at the closing prayer when we invited her to be baptized. She accepted! She will be baptized on November 9th: my half-birthday. It's not 100% quite yet, but we're getting there. It's at about a 90% chance that she'll be baptized. 

Tuesday we did service. It was chilly in the morning but warmed up later on. There were groups from Bank of America there along with Cessna and rotary. So it was the largest group that I've ever been a part of. But we got to find stuff to do inside out of the wind by hanging up sheet rock on the ceiling. 'Twas fun. They dedicated the wall raising of another house. It was strange to participate in that because they were saying prayers that we would never hear in an LDS chapel. And it wasn't by a Melchizedek priesthood holder either. Anyways, new experience. 

Wednesday, we went to Friend's University again to walk around trying to contact young single adults. We talked to this one guy named Luke that started out like a nice college kid that goes to church but doesn't really participate. But as we got into the conversation, I felt like the conversation was getting a little contentious. So as soon as I could, I split it, saying that we needed to go. That night, we had a good dinner with one of the members of the singles ward who has been afraid in doing her own personal missionary work. She has been preparing to serve a mission herself. So it was good to be able to help her out a bit by role playing and inviting her to act. That night, we went out with a member of the Maize 1st ward. He took us to see a less active who acts active but just doesn't go to church right now. He loves our visits. So we invited him to watch President Uchtdorf's talk from conference about people like him. 

[I'm looking out the window now and see not popcorn on the apricot tree, but a blustery day in the hundred-acre wood.] Thursday was a day of meetings. We drove up all the way to Newton to give a couple of baptismal interviews. They were both super prepared and ready to hear the gospel for themselves. After a lunch at Braum's, we headed to the 13th street building where we had MLC (mission leadership council) with all of the zone and sister leaders in the mission. We talked about the missionary training plan in the mission and also Elder Ballard's talk about how if we talk with (not to) 10 people a day, our mission will quadruple in baptisms. He told that to President Bell and all 5 stake Presidents in the mission. That night we had FHE at the church and ironically played chair soccer there as well. 

Friday was another day filled with meetings. We had leadership training for all of the zone, district, and sister leaders in the Wichita/Derby zones. I was tired so didn't get a whole lot from that meeting. Immediately following that meeting, we had lunch and went straight to district meetings. We were interrupted there by the relief society asking us to help set up the gym for an activity. After, we went to an appointment that fell through. Nothing too memorable happened the rest of the night. 

Saturday was a day of moving back in to our member's home. They had the floors redone and needed our help to bring in all of the furniture that was in storage in the garage. Some of it was quite heavy but other wasn't. I was glad to be done. We used a lot of miles this past week, let me tell you that. We were finally all settled and moved in. If you didn't know, we live with a member of our stake Presidency. They love having us there but sometimes they laugh at us because we forget to do the small tings such as take out the trash or clean the bathroom. They have a super nice house too. Don't worry, we like to help them out and do whatever we can to help them. So moving took up the bulk of our day. 

On Sunday, church was good. We participated in ward council for the Maize 1st ward. They are really focusing on getting people to attend activities such as the trunk or treat in a couple weeks or even the turkey bowl next month. I'm excited for that...if I'm here. It was our fast Sunday today. Since the YSA ward and Maize 1st ward meet near the same time, one of us goes to each of the wards. So I had the Bishop of the singles ward come pick me up right after taking the sacrament in the Maize 1st ward. Elder Johnson stayed. I bore my testimony and did a good job teaching the gospel principles lesson, unprepared. It was a good fast Sunday. I will be fasting with y'all in 2 weeks when Cody receives his patriarchal blessing. So hope all goes well. This morning, I got up early to go work out with Elder Johnson. We went to the YMCA where I wrote in my journal for the hour that he worked out. But yeah, that's pretty much my week. 

 

When does Cody get his MRI? I sure hope he doesn't even need surgery, unless it's pretty serious. That would stink if he had to forgo track his senior year. Love,

 

Elder Sutherland

10-7-13

This was one of the most spiritual baptisms of my mission!

Family,

 

Well I just love conference a ton! MACK!!!!! I was thinking of that, Dad. How could I not? Anyways, this was a super super stressful week and especially past few days. But this is to help me grow and will be for my good, that's for sure. Let me get into it.

 

So on Monday we found out the transfer roster (as I sent to you). Elder Johnson is cool as a cucumber. But there are a few things that made us not be able to work a lot last week. I know on Tuesday we had a super awesome lesson with one of our investigators. We didn't really teach a whole lot, but just had a good conversation. 

Wednesday was the super stressful day. So what was happening was that we were collapsing the zones again and making it just one big zone. The Maize 2nd ward Elders were moving into the apartment that we were to move out of. So we helped them move in while we moved out. Elder Johnson and I along with Elder Eliason and his new "son", Elder Hulse were staying for a couple of days for the baptism on Thursday. We then moved into a member of our stake presidency, President Cessna. Missionaries have been living there for a long time. In particular, zone leaders. So just as I got settled and moved in, President Cessna told us that we were to move out for a week because thye were re-doing their wood floors and couldn't have anyone coming in or out. So after only being there for a few days, we moved back into the old apartment I was in for the time being. I forgot a few things from home that would have been helpful for the use of missionary work. 

Thursday was the big day. We did miles, stake reports, and weekly planning for the majority of Wednesday/Thursday. So we haven't been able to do a whole lot of work (which really stinks). But we didn't have a terrible week, espeically with a baptism! So the night before her baptism, her old Catholic priest called her. Her parents are active Catholics and do not approve of her decision to be baptized a member of the Lord's church. So the priest told her all about this anti-stuff. Juts a bunch of bologna! The baptism was AWESOME! The spirit was so strong! It may have been one of the most memorable baptism for me on my mission. Mike's bapitsm, being my first, had to be first, but this was a great one too. I got to meet her boyfriend's parents, the Hassel's who was a stake President in San Antonio and mission President in Switzerland. They were also on "The District": missionary reality TV that we have to watch as a part of our 12 week training program. It was sweet to be able to meet them. I wanted to get a picture but never had the opportunity to. We also had the rare priviledge of getting her confirmed right after the baptism. We got it approved a few weeks prior. After, we all went to dinner at olive Garden. Yummy. The next day, they flew out to Salt Lake to go attend conference. How sweet would that be to be your first conference experience! To be there in person! 

Friday was another moving day where we moved into the apartment with the Maize 2nd elders. These past few days have really been a patience-trying experience for me. Elder Johnson likes to get up super early in the morning and work out. As I have said, he is a body builder. Forunately, other missionaries have wanted to go workout with him. 

Conference was awesome. I think my favorite was President Uchtdorf's talk on Saturday. It was just perfect for the investigator that we had there with us and of course all of those less actives that need to come back and experience the joy of the gospel yet again. I also loved Elder Oaks' talk yesterday.  So that's what I'll be trying to empahsize this week as we share messages with our members and others during dinner or similar setting. Let me also just say, I loved not having the distraction of football and other worldly things this past weekend. I feel the spirit more as I don't have those things in the back of my mind during a lesson. I can get distracted fairly easily during a lesson so that is another thing I can work on. Well this upcoming week should be another week filled with meetings (with MLC on Wednesday) and moving some more. So hopefully we can find some time to do missionary work. Isn't it awesome that I am a part of the revolution of missionary work around the world? I'm so grateful to be one of the 80,333 missionaries around the world, as President Monson addressed on Saturday.

 

No it hasn't turned cold yet. There were some storms this past week, but nothing too terribly bad. But, as usual, thank you for the family updates! I love hearing about how y'all are doing in improving your relationships one with another. I best be off, but y'all have a great week and I can't wait to hear how things are from the home frontier! Sorry I'm not writing too much about you and how your week went. Maybe next week will be better. We'll be back in the home we live with and just us 2. 4 missionaries living in the same apartment would be pretty crazy if it was full time, let me tell you that. But y'all have a great week and can't wait to hear from you next week! Love,

 

Elder Sutherland

9-30-2013

Family,

Well, the transfer roster is out. Not many changes but the ones that did happen will be dramatic. I will be a zone leader in the Wichita zone with Elder Johnson. There will be 4 districts in my zone. So that means lots of exchanges this next transfer. Elder Johnson is from somewhere in Arizona. I think it's St. John, Arizona if there's such a place. He's been out for just under a year and is a body builder. So he likes to get up at 5:30 every morning and work out. I'll change that real quick, hehe. As you know, I hate working out in the morning. Hence, I would train for cross country in the afternoon. But yeah! On to my week.

So Monday was a good P-Day. No migraine! Tonight we're watching the Joseph Smith movie to help encourage the ward to bear their testimonies. Hopefully they bring some non-members as well because that's what we've been focusing on for the last 3 weeks. 

Tuesday we did service again. We installed a mail box post. It was fun digging it out and using power tools. I felt like Dad while doing it. We also used wood putty to fill in any remaining holes from the nails or staple gun. We had lots of appointments today and most of them fell through. We meet a lot of people on the street who say that they would like a visit and give us their address. But when we go back, they never answer the door. We would try for a few days and weeks but feel like they'll never answer the door. It's especially frustrating when you know they're home because you can hear them and see them look out the peep hole. Whenever I see that I usually wave. But even then, people won't answer the door. 

Wednesday we had lots of appointments again. Most of those held. We had nice visits with everyone we could and invited them to come to know the gospel of Christ for themselves. We had dinner out in Norwich that day. Norwich is 15 minutes north-west of Argonia. So that is quite a distance. It took about a half hour to get there. But I enjoyed being out in farmland for the brief time that we were there. Later that night we had an appointment with one of our newer investigators. At the end, we invited her to be baptized. She agreed once she knew it was true. I don't think she understood the lesson because we taught the whole thing in 30 minutes when we should've taught only half of the first lesson in 30 minutes. 

Thursday was a unique day for us. We had lots of appointments again today and they all held. We invited members to do missionary work, taught a lesson to our investigator with a bpatismal date, and talked to a less active who wants to come back before we had dinner with the Bishop (the people that I took a picture with my first day in the area. During the lesson, we told them that we had set up an appointment with their inactive daughter. She went inactive at 14 or so for no particular reason but wanted to re-learn the doctrine. When we told them that, I could see the love that this family had for their daughter. Sister Jensen cried and Bishop was also in lots of joy (without tears). It reminded me of Dallin a lot and the love that y'all have for him. Oh how I wish I could go to Dallin and just talk to him and invite him to come back to church. This was a very touching experience for me that I hope to never forget. That night we had some meetings and went on a team-up with the Bishop with one of our investigators. The spirit was very strong in that lesson. I love the singles ward here. It warms my heart to see their love for missionary work. That whole day, however, I couldn't stop thinking about Dallin and how much we love him. That's where I focused most of my prayers this week. 

On Friday we had lots and lots of meetings. Elder Eliason is training his last 2 transfers so he had a meeting for that and we had district meeting later that day. We watched some of the hastening the work videos. They were super good. That night, we attended a baptism for the Rolling Hills ward. It was a god service and I could sense the joy that they had as she entered the waters of baptism. 

Saturday was a pretty fun day. We went with the ward to do service at a zoo in Goddard. We finished pretty quick so got to walk around the zoo with the whle ward. It is a very interactive zoo and super fun. We would've gone home to work but our ride was in charge of the whole thing. So we just enjoyed it. It was funner than the SD zoo, I think. I could've fed a rhino, but chose not to. We walked into a cage of birds and also saw a white tiger being fed. Thta was super fun. I could've pet a giraffe too, but didn't. 

Sunday was another good day. Not only was it the last day of the Padres season, but we had a good sacrament service. One of the ward members (a pre-missionary) gave a wonderful talk on the plan of salvation and Elder Eliason gave a good talk on missionary work. Our Bishop also gave a good 5th Sunday lesson. But that's pretty much my week! Sorry I don't have time to write more. I have 7 minutes left and still have to e-mail president.

Love you lots!!!!

Elder Sutherland

9-23-13

RAIN!

Family,

We have had a good week. Things are finally starting to come around when it comes to the work here. We were blessed with 5 new investigators this week when we have been averaging 1 every week up to this point. As a result to that, we have a total of ten appointments for Tuesday and Wednesday combined. Transfers are coming up next Wednesday so hopefully I don't go anywhere. We have a baptism the day after transfers so that would be super bad to get moved. This transfer should bring in some interesting things, but we'll just have to wait and see.

To answer your questions, I do not do zone leader stuff every day. In fact we do stuff about 3 days every week. To be honest, I don't see a difference in maturity with missionaires coming out. Just the same eagerness to serve and sense of humor that every missionary has. There are lots of missionaries that do get depressed and go home (I heard of one even as recent as this past week, in fact), unfortunately. I've known quite a few that have done that. On to my week.

Monday was an okay day. I played Rugby for the first time. It's kind of boring, to be honest. I'd rather play football. That night we went to FHE. I love the ward and the people in it, but sometimes there's a lull in the activities and it gets boring. Tuesday we did service by scraping dry paint off of a cement floor before the carpet company comes in and deep cleans it. We also swept up all of the dust in all the rooms. We didn't finish in 2 hours of work but almost did.  Later that day, we had a lesson with a former investigator (now new investigator) and invited him to church. He said: "Oh, I want to attend my church before I attend yours." That was pretty much our Tuesday.

Wednesday, we did a survey in preparation for a general authority visit the first week in November. His name is Elder Nash. I don't know who he is but I'm sure he's special. That night we had dinner and a lesson with the person we have on baptismal date. She is ready to go. Actually, she and her member boyfriend went back to her parents house this past weekend again in Pittsburgh, Kansas to talk to them about it. Apparently her Mom got really mad and there was a big fight. But they still made it to church. What a champ she is for standing up for her testimony in front of her active Catholic parents and be that example. I'm so proud of her and excited for her baptism in a couple of weeks (if I'm here).

Thursday we had a lesson with one of our dieing investigators (not literally). He belongs to the church of the NFL, as Dad puts it. It's so frustrating to see people do that. That night, we had a good correlation meeting with our stake President. Man, he is such a good leader for the stake and really knows what he is talking about. That night, we gave an MML (member motivational lesson) to an active member and a recent convert for the Derby singles ward. I've never met her before until that day, but her whole family is Muslim so once they found out she got baptized, they were disappointed. If she was in Iran or whatever, she probably would've been killed. But good thing she's in Kansas! She has one of the strongest testimonies on the planet. We can find people like that everywhere, even San Diego. It's just our job to find them.

On Friday after a great district meeting conducted by one of the most experienced missionaries in the mission, we began exchanges with the Auburn Hills Elders. Elder Chun came with me and has been out for a month and a half. He's from Thousand Oaks, California (or somewhere around there). I thought it was interesting that his Dad works at the LA temple as a security guy. The exchange went well as we also attended a baptism for the Rolling Hills ward. That night, we had an appontment with the neighbor of our relief society president. He is the son of active Cathlolic parents and is really knowledgeable about the gospel. he asks lots of profound questions; some I didn't know the answer to (for example: he mentioned the quote that says esentially this: "As man is, God once was. As God is, man may become." So he wanted to know who Heavenly Father's father was.). We also watched the 20 minutes restoration DVD. That really invited the spirit to the meeting. I think if he just slows down during our lessons and other spiritual settings, he'll be able to comprehend everything that he needs to know.

On Friday, we commited a member to bring her non-member cousin to church. She was successful yesterday as her cousin attended all 3 meetings. Haha, it was funny, because in gospel principles, everyone was introducing each other and after saying her name, said: "and I'm catholic." I thought that was pretty funny. Everything fell through on Saturday even though we were blessed with good numbers. That's the funny thing. You may have bad weeks but good numbers (or days) or you may have good weeks with bad numbers. It all depends on the work ethic.

Sunday was also a good day. The sister we had dinner with turned in her papers on Saturday. It's so exciting to see everybody getting ready to serve missions, especially the sisters. We just need the same enthusiasm in the males of the church too. Pretty soon, we may have more sisters than Elders. But at church yesterday, when sacrament meeting began, we had like 3 non-members and like 15 members. So it was a good meeting, but just not a lot of people there. But that was week!

Don't worry about telling me about football. I get to hear all about it during ward council/PEC every week. I heard that BYU lost, but oh well. Dad, my companion and I conduct zone meetings but I haven't been zone leader long enough to know what we do at zone conferences. I'm pretty sure zone leaders just conduct the conferences. They may give training's at times but not many. That's awesome to hear that your ward is doing okay. I hope that all those LA's will be able to see that the church is true and return to activity. But anyways, let me know if you have anymore questions. I got super excited this week when I got a letter from Whitney saying that she's going to Columbus, Ohio (high in the middle and round on both ends, yuk yuk yuk yuk!) and Sadie going to Independence. I can't wait to hear from them and how their preparation is going. Well, my time on the computer is running down. I need to get going.

Love y'all!

Elder Sutherland