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

9-16-13

Family,

This has been a pretty good week. Fortunately, I have more than 30 minutes to write today so I hope that I can use the time I DO have as effectively as I can. Sorry, Dad, for the part about the liquid gels. I siad they work like a charm because whenever I have a sore throat or muscle pain or something, I usually take one of those and the pain goes away pretty quick and all day. They do not work for migraines. Nothing seems to work for migraines, so I'm hoping those pills that I bought will do the trick. I'm glad that you were able to watch Elder Nelson's CES talk last week. I thought it would just perfect for you guys in how we need to work hard in life to get the things we need/want. Allright, now let me get to my week.

So Monday we had to be super super quick to shop and stuff because we had a lot to do including send in key indicators at the library. For our sports activity, I watched some of the elders wrestle/do jiu-jitsu (however you spell that). I didn't participate at all because I don't really know how to wrestle. I am sure Cody would've loved it though, because Elder Eliason is the Idaho state wrestling champion for his class. I don't know what class, but that's still impressive. We have a couple other wrestlers in our zone so they got to enjoy that. 

Tuesday for service, we primed behind some of the siding they installed in the houses. The backside hadn't been primed yet. We did that for 2 hours and got it all done with minimal paint on my clothes. I got it all over my hands, though, which is better than clothes. Later, we had interviews. Interviews were great! President Bell told me that next transfer (the first week in October), he will be collapsing the zone into one zone with me as one of the zone leaders. That means a lot more missionaries to go on exchanges with, haha! 

Wednesday was a blah day other than a lesson at a member's house. It was super good to be able to talk to these active members (a part of our bishopric) and re-ensure my testimony of the gospel of Christ. On Thursday we had a church tour with one of our investigators; the first church tour I've done since I was in Wamego over a year ago. The spirit definitely was there, but he kind of has a closed mind to church in general. We promised him that if he came, all of his concerns and doubts would be smothered. His main concern is that he sweats really easily (it's true, he does. It could be 70 degress just standing there, and he'd sweat). But we promised him that no one would judge him. So it's up to him to come and experience the true joy of the gospel. Later, we were given money for dinner so we chose to go to Applebee's. Yum-yum. I always get their Cowboy burger. It's so good. After that, we had our stake correlation meeting followed by a lesson with the girl that is on baptismal date for October 3rd. We talked about follow the prophet, keep the ten commandments, and baptism/confirmation with watching President Monson's general conference talk this past April. She loved it. All we're doing is teaching the lessons. She's is so ready and prepared that even anti-stuff that her Mom sends her doesn't phase her testimony. I was very impressed. 

That night, we began exchanges with the Rolling Hills Elders. The Elder I went with in his area is super opinionated but is a super hard worker. He has to do missionary work his way. It works, but we're just trying to get him to think outward and not inward. Don't get me wrong, he's a great missionary (not to mention hilarious), I'm just saying. I was with him all day on Friday and taught several individuals after a slow afternoon. 

The next day, we had stake conference. The priesthood leadership meeting was good. President Hansen as the Oklahoma City temple president was there along with President Bell. After some good addresses, I got to hear the Q&A session. It was a great meeting. I loved seeing all the members from Wellington that came up too. In the adult session, the second half of the meeting was super powerful. Our stake president invited all of the full time missionaries up to the stand where we sang the Kansas, Wichita mission song. The spirit was super powerful the whole time. I hope that pumped up the stake ot do their part in missionary work. 

The next day, we woke up at 5:30 because we had a correlation meeting with President Williams at 7 AM. It was tough to get up, and I think I am getting a little sick due to the lack of sleep. The investigator meeting before the general session was good, and the general session was okay. The stake youth choir sang, which was way good too. That night, it started raining a little. We haven't been getting too much rain, to answer your question. It's no way like what we had in July/early August. But that's pretty much my week! (Sorry, my time is winding down.)

The weather here is starting to cool down. This morning felt like an SD morning! It's supposed to get up to 90 this week then maybe go back down for a while. But anyways, I should probably go. I love y'all, and hope you're having a great week/day!

Love,

Elder Sutherland

9-9-13

Family,

 

Dang, Jayson's sick all the time. I guess that's a good thing because growing up later in life he'll get over sickness quicker than a normal child. Sorry, I have less than 30 minutes to write today, but I'll do my best to get everything in. FYI, I don't want you to send me toothpaste anymore. If I need some I'll just buy some at Wal-Mart or something. I'm trying to cut down on things that I need in my suitcase because I don't want to leave some things behind when I go home. No, the fire wasn't that big. It was only like a foot tall . So no worries, haha! The thing is when I had that migraine, I didn't have any advil with me. So I took 3 ibuprofen liquid gells (work like a charm). But that didn't help at all. I bought some excedrin migraine relief. So I hope that gets rid of it real quick. It has acetametaphin, and caffeine in it which I hear is good for migraines. Yes, Dad, I do live on the same street as the mission office. I have to drive through the spanish populated part of Wichita. So it's kind of cool.

 

Okay, on to a summarized version of my week this week. So, when reading the New Testament this past week, I read in Matthew 4 about when Christ casts Satan away: "Get thee hence Satan." I love that part. Last night was a great reassuring of my testimony when I watched the CES broadcast with our YSA ward. Elder Nelson spoke at BYU-Hawaii. His talk, I feel, was totally contoured for Cody and his needs. So if you have the time, have him watch that. It was speaking to me too. But anyways, that's all I have to say. I need to go. Y'all have a great week and I can't wait to hear from you! 

 

Love, Elder Sutherland