Hey y'all! It has been an AWESOME week here in East Texas. We worked hard and had a lot of success this week. We taught most of our investigators and found EIGHT new people to teach this week!! The Lord has blessed us a ton and we were really happy to see it. Some of them may be a little flaky, but we are working hard to get them to progress as much as possible.
Sadly we were not able to meet with Juan at all this last week. He has been busy lately and we are not entirely sure what is going on with him. It's pretty scary actually because we don't know what is up with him entirely. Hopefully we will be able to meet with him tomorrow.
Tisha is about the same and we may have to drop her because she really isn't going anywhere. It's sad to see but it happens. She likes smoking too much and says she isn't ready to come to church and so she is not progressing. We are going to try again and see what happens.
We saw Barbara this week and had a powerful lesson with her, but at this point she really just wants to know for the sake of finding out what her daughters are into. Her daughter Audrey called us and told us she felt a bit pushed, but we will simply teach at this point and hopefully she will come along.
Carlton is trying to quit smoking and is praying to know if what we are teaching him is true. We got him some reading glasses (he couldn't see the print in the Book of Mormon) and so hopefully he will come to know sooner. He is planning on coming to church this upcoming Sunday (yay!) and hopefully after that he will really progress. We have seen a lot of changes in him already and will see him on Wednesday of this week and will start teaching him the plan of Happiness. We are really excited for him.
We had a miracle on Saturday night as well. We went and visited a less-active family named the Woody's and shared a scripture with them and asked them if they knew anyone that we could go by or pray for. They said they didn't have anyone for us and so we said a prayer and got ready to leave. As soon as "Amen" was said, Brother Woody popped his head up and said, "You know what there is someone that you need to go see" and proceeded to tell us how to get to a friend's house (well, RV). He couldn't remember his name at the time, and I was going to dismiss it and was thinking "We can see him next week. There are some others I want to go by." As we were walking out the door, Brother Woody said again, "He really needs you guys right now. He's waiting for you." As soon as he said that, I heard something in my head--whether it was the Spirit or my own thoughts, I am still not entirely sure--that said, "We need to go there NOW." I looked at Brother Woody and said, "We are going right now." To make an already long story short, we met Patrick, who has been struggling with health disorders and poverty for years and is way humble. HE is awesome and is really excited for us to come back. We had an amazing lesson and talked about, prayer, faith, the scriptures, and the Atonement. The spirit was really strong. It was a very sacred meeting, and I was happy and grateful I listened to the Spirit.
Well, that in a nutshell was my week. I hope y'all have a good'un!
Love,
Elder Grondel
Monday, May 17, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Pictures!
From left to right: Elder Hill (my companion), Elder Kelly (Zone Leader 1), Elder Clark (Zone Leader 2), me!, Elder T. Smith (Assistant to the President), and Elder Jardine (Assistant to the President)There are some BIG missionaries out here!
Week 45
Hey y’all!
It’s been another great week here in East Texas! This week was great in some respects and terrible in others. Overall, it was a good week, filled with the Spirit and with teachings from the leaders of the mission. We had Leadership an accountability, which is a meeting where the District and Zone leaders and the Assistants to the President get together for trainings and to set goals and plans for the missionaries in the District and Zone. It was really good, and that afternoon, I had an interview with President Smith (it was a regular one, don’t worry I’m not in trouble) and it was a really good conversation. Friday we had Zone conference, in which I was asked to sing (yikes!). IT was really good, though; I sang “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer” a Capella and man it was cool. The Spirit was way strong and right after that it was open to testimonies and it was a really good one. There were very few dry eyes, if any at all. We also had some good talks and it was a lot of fun and again, filled by the Spirit.
It’s been another great week here in East Texas! This week was great in some respects and terrible in others. Overall, it was a good week, filled with the Spirit and with teachings from the leaders of the mission. We had Leadership an accountability, which is a meeting where the District and Zone leaders and the Assistants to the President get together for trainings and to set goals and plans for the missionaries in the District and Zone. It was really good, and that afternoon, I had an interview with President Smith (it was a regular one, don’t worry I’m not in trouble) and it was a really good conversation. Friday we had Zone conference, in which I was asked to sing (yikes!). IT was really good, though; I sang “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer” a Capella and man it was cool. The Spirit was way strong and right after that it was open to testimonies and it was a really good one. There were very few dry eyes, if any at all. We also had some good talks and it was a lot of fun and again, filled by the Spirit.
So this week we didn’t find anyone new at all to teach. We talked to a bunch of people and put some good finding time in, but sadly it yielded no results. Elder Hill and I are definitely looking forward to this next week, though, and will hopefully be finding more people.
There really hasn’t been a change with any of our investigators except for Carlton. He won’t be getting baptized on May 22nd. He still likes having us come over, but he really isn’t willing to change. Or so we thought. We saw him on Saturday night and had an INCREDIBLE lesson with him about the Atonement and the Gospel and Faith, how true faith requires action. He said he knew he needed to change, we emphasized the need to be baptized by the proper authority, and he agreed to pray to know specifically if he needs to be baptized into our church. It was great.
There is only one other miracle this week and it’s a woman named Patsy. She has a stepdaughter named Micah (who lives in Arkansas) who recently joined the church and is planning on getting sealed to her husband in the temple in July. Micah called us and asked us to go by her, and we gave Patsy a call and went by this last week. Her stepson (Micah’s brother) also died of a heart attack last week at 28 years old, and she just found out she has colon cancer. She is going through a lot, and we were asked to go over to see her and to give her a priesthood blessing. We went there and Micah was there as well, as they are planning on having the funeral in Tyler. We gave her a powerful blessing and she loved it and wants us to come back soon. We haven’t seen her since then, but we are hoping to get over there sometime this week (like Wednesday or Thursday). That will be very good for her and for us. We are excited.
Well, that’s really all for this week. Hope y’all have a good one!
Love,
Elder Grondel
Week 44
Hey y'all! It's been another beautiful week here in East Texas! We are having a great time and are about to see an explosion of the work. In the church there is a program that is part of
"Preach my Gospel" that really helps the missionary work in a ward. Sadly, it has been struggling here, but we met with the Bishop and he asked us to present it to the ward council this upcoming Sunday to really get it going in the ward! We are really stoked and know that if everyone is on board with this program, we will see a huge increase in finding, teaching, and baptizing! It should be awesome.
This last week we saw Carlton and started to help him to quit smoking. He has been struggling with it, but we should be able to help him through it. He know he needs to quit smoking and according to the commandments he needs to quit smoking, so it' really a win-win situation here. He is still set on being baptized, so we will have to make sure when we see him tomorrow.
Tisha and her family are still meeting with us, and we are starting to make progress and should hopefully be able to get her to come to church soon. There are still some fears that she has, but we are now teaching her daughter Britney, who is 16. It will be exciting to see if we can get Britney to church, because she really likes the Book of Mormon and believes much the same things that we do (especially about the Plan of Salvation, which we are teaching the next time we go over there.)
We also found a kid named Juan who was searching the Internet and was curious. He went to Mormon.org and read somethings about Joseph Smith that really caught his attention. He requested a Book of Mormon and said "I want to learn about Mormonism". We were really excited when we got the message and went over on Tuesday to see him. He lives down in Jacksonville, but he is awesome. He grew up Christian (Catholic I believe) but his view of God is some one's there but he doesn't care. It was so great for Elder Hill and I to be able to bear our testimonies of how God and Jesus Christ love each of us and how we've seen the blessings in our lives. We then taught the Restoration and you could not have asked for a better lesson. He asked all the right questions and gave the perfect answers. It was truly incredible. He really liked the First Vision and said he felt "heat". We were almost jumping up and down when the member that was with us testified of it being the Spirit. We are so excited to teach him more. Sadly we will only be able to see him once a week, but we will meet with him at the church tomorrow to give him a tour and get him comfortable with it. We are stoked.
Other than that, not much has happened. We went bowling with the Zone in Athens on Monday, which was a lot of fun, and I totally Stunk. I forgot how bad I was at bowling. Like, really bad. I didn't even break 90. It was pathetic. Oh well, it really doesn't matter. Still, it'd be nice to be good ;)
I hope y'all have a great week!!
Love,
Elder Grondel
"Preach my Gospel" that really helps the missionary work in a ward. Sadly, it has been struggling here, but we met with the Bishop and he asked us to present it to the ward council this upcoming Sunday to really get it going in the ward! We are really stoked and know that if everyone is on board with this program, we will see a huge increase in finding, teaching, and baptizing! It should be awesome.
This last week we saw Carlton and started to help him to quit smoking. He has been struggling with it, but we should be able to help him through it. He know he needs to quit smoking and according to the commandments he needs to quit smoking, so it' really a win-win situation here. He is still set on being baptized, so we will have to make sure when we see him tomorrow.
Tisha and her family are still meeting with us, and we are starting to make progress and should hopefully be able to get her to come to church soon. There are still some fears that she has, but we are now teaching her daughter Britney, who is 16. It will be exciting to see if we can get Britney to church, because she really likes the Book of Mormon and believes much the same things that we do (especially about the Plan of Salvation, which we are teaching the next time we go over there.)
We also found a kid named Juan who was searching the Internet and was curious. He went to Mormon.org and read somethings about Joseph Smith that really caught his attention. He requested a Book of Mormon and said "I want to learn about Mormonism". We were really excited when we got the message and went over on Tuesday to see him. He lives down in Jacksonville, but he is awesome. He grew up Christian (Catholic I believe) but his view of God is some one's there but he doesn't care. It was so great for Elder Hill and I to be able to bear our testimonies of how God and Jesus Christ love each of us and how we've seen the blessings in our lives. We then taught the Restoration and you could not have asked for a better lesson. He asked all the right questions and gave the perfect answers. It was truly incredible. He really liked the First Vision and said he felt "heat". We were almost jumping up and down when the member that was with us testified of it being the Spirit. We are so excited to teach him more. Sadly we will only be able to see him once a week, but we will meet with him at the church tomorrow to give him a tour and get him comfortable with it. We are stoked.
Other than that, not much has happened. We went bowling with the Zone in Athens on Monday, which was a lot of fun, and I totally Stunk. I forgot how bad I was at bowling. Like, really bad. I didn't even break 90. It was pathetic. Oh well, it really doesn't matter. Still, it'd be nice to be good ;)
I hope y'all have a great week!!
Love,
Elder Grondel
Monday, April 19, 2010
Week 43
Hey Y'all!! It's been another week here in East Texas! So this week didn't go as well as I would have liked it to, but we still had some good moments that I am very happy about. So first things first, I got a new companion! His name is Elder Hill and we actually served together when I was a greenie in Frisco! I was pretty excited when I heard his name because we got along pretty well there. Of course, he has his challenges as all companions do, but he is excited to get to work and get things done.
Chance disappeared! We set the baptismal date with him on Sunday and went back Wednesday for our next appointment with him and he had MOVED. We have no idea where he went or why he moved so soon, but he did. All we can do is pray that he will find the missionaries wherever he is going. Carlton is still doing good, though. He was shaky for a bit but then we really talked to him about it and figured out his desires and recommitted him to the 22nd of May. He has some things to overcome (like smoking) but we are going to get him through it and on his way to baptism! We are excited to say the least.
Other than that not much really happened. We didn't find anyone new to teach and couldn't meet with any of our investigators. It was pretty rough but we are looking forward to this week and what it holds in store for us. The biggest news is that a new stake center is being built in Bullard and it's the biggest building in the community. It's awesome because EVERYONE is talking about it, which means good publicity for the church. Of course, it also means some of the Baptist preachers are having "Meet the Mormons" classes, so we will see what happens. There's also a rumor going around that we have purchased a 600 acre plot of land and that all the polygamists are moving in. It's pretty funny stuff. There are some interesting people out here. =)
So I forgot to mention last week: We went to the Zoo! There is a pretty cool zoo here in Tyler and we went as a zone and had a really good time. It was pretty awesome. I'll be sure to send a couple pictures. I hope y'all have a wonderful week!!
Love,
Elder Grondel
Chance disappeared! We set the baptismal date with him on Sunday and went back Wednesday for our next appointment with him and he had MOVED. We have no idea where he went or why he moved so soon, but he did. All we can do is pray that he will find the missionaries wherever he is going. Carlton is still doing good, though. He was shaky for a bit but then we really talked to him about it and figured out his desires and recommitted him to the 22nd of May. He has some things to overcome (like smoking) but we are going to get him through it and on his way to baptism! We are excited to say the least.
Other than that not much really happened. We didn't find anyone new to teach and couldn't meet with any of our investigators. It was pretty rough but we are looking forward to this week and what it holds in store for us. The biggest news is that a new stake center is being built in Bullard and it's the biggest building in the community. It's awesome because EVERYONE is talking about it, which means good publicity for the church. Of course, it also means some of the Baptist preachers are having "Meet the Mormons" classes, so we will see what happens. There's also a rumor going around that we have purchased a 600 acre plot of land and that all the polygamists are moving in. It's pretty funny stuff. There are some interesting people out here. =)
So I forgot to mention last week: We went to the Zoo! There is a pretty cool zoo here in Tyler and we went as a zone and had a really good time. It was pretty awesome. I'll be sure to send a couple pictures. I hope y'all have a wonderful week!!
Love,
Elder Grondel
Monday, April 12, 2010
Week 42
Hey y'all!! It's been another great week here in beautiful East Texas!! And it really is beautiful right now. The weather is mid-70's and everything is in full bloom. It's great! but because of that, I am suffering from the worst allergies ever! I never had allergies before Texas, and they tell everyone that if you didn't have them before you'll get them when you get here. But it's starting to get better so we'll see what happens.
So for the big news: Elder Davis is getting transferred! He'll be going back to Dallas tonight and then I get my new companion tomorrow!! It will be exciting to see what happens and who I get. I'm gonna miss Elder Davis, but I always love a change.
So in case y'all don't know already, we live with our stake president here, and his mother-in-law passed away on Thursday night, so the funeral was today. We were invited and went and it was a beautiful service. I was really uplifted by it, and couldn't help but be happy in the knowledge of the plan of salvation. I thought of Grandpa Behunin the entire time, which was hard, but at the same time, I had the Spirit whispering to me that he is in a better place, and there is nothing to worry about or to be sad about. We will see him again.
So this week, we found a couple new people to teach and they are getting baptized!! They are set to get baptized on May 15 and are really awesome. Chance is in his 20's or 30's and is really awesome and searching. He is planning on moving to Louisiana before he gets baptized, however, so we'll have to see what we can do. The other man is a guy named Carlton and he is in his 60's and smokes a lot, but he seems really sincere and we will be working hard with him.
Sorry this one is short but I have to do a bunch today to get my companion off and ready. Love you all and have a great week!!
Love,
Elder Grondel
So for the big news: Elder Davis is getting transferred! He'll be going back to Dallas tonight and then I get my new companion tomorrow!! It will be exciting to see what happens and who I get. I'm gonna miss Elder Davis, but I always love a change.
So in case y'all don't know already, we live with our stake president here, and his mother-in-law passed away on Thursday night, so the funeral was today. We were invited and went and it was a beautiful service. I was really uplifted by it, and couldn't help but be happy in the knowledge of the plan of salvation. I thought of Grandpa Behunin the entire time, which was hard, but at the same time, I had the Spirit whispering to me that he is in a better place, and there is nothing to worry about or to be sad about. We will see him again.
So this week, we found a couple new people to teach and they are getting baptized!! They are set to get baptized on May 15 and are really awesome. Chance is in his 20's or 30's and is really awesome and searching. He is planning on moving to Louisiana before he gets baptized, however, so we'll have to see what we can do. The other man is a guy named Carlton and he is in his 60's and smokes a lot, but he seems really sincere and we will be working hard with him.
Sorry this one is short but I have to do a bunch today to get my companion off and ready. Love you all and have a great week!!
Love,
Elder Grondel
Monday, April 5, 2010
Week 41
As I look back at this last week, I realize that I have hit my 10-month mark--yet another milestone in a missionary's life, I have hit double digits. Congratulations to me, I've been out a while. I can't believe it! Where did it all go?!? I just left the MTC! At least that's how it feels.
Anyways, I also look back at this Easter weekend and have thought a lot about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As many of you may or may not know, as missionaries we are given time each morning to study the scriptures and other church material to spiritually prepare ourselves for the day. I have recently started the Book of Mormon from the beginning again, and consequently I was in 1 Nephi and came across a passage of scripture that hit me very hard. in the 19th chapter, verses 7-9, it reads,
"For the things which some men esteem to be of great worth, both to the body and soul, others set at naught and trample under their feet. Yea, even the very God of Israel do men trample under their feet; I say, trample under their feet but I would speak in other words—they set him at naught, and hearken not to the voice of his counsels. And behold he cometh, according to the words of the angel, in six hundred years from the time my father left Jerusalem. And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men."
As I sat there thinking about the sufferings of Jesus Christ, I couldn't help but think of his innocence and love. It reminded me of a scripture in the 45th section in the Doctrine and Covenants, where Christ speaks and says to the Father "behold the sufferings and death of Him who did no sin." I love this scripture, as I know the Lord will be there to stand in my place as long as I have lived my life worthy of the mercy and grace of the Savior.
As I also thought about the cruel pain Christ went through for each of us, my sadness was swallowed up as I thought about the joy of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the occasion for which we celebrate Easter. I love having the knowledge that we will live again. As President Monson taught us this weekend, we have the answer to Job's question, "If a man die, shall he live again?" I testify in the name of Jesus Christ that I know that Christ lives and that we will all be able to live again because of the love that God the Father and Jesus Christ have for us. I know the reality of the Atonement and that the Savior's arms are outstretched in mercy all the day long for us if we will but come unto Him. "Draw near unto me, and I will draw near unto you."
This week was a good one that, as you may be able to tell, was filled with many spiritual experiences. We found some new people to teach, including JJ, an African-American man who used to be a Baptist preacher. He is really friendly and rather open right now, and may end up being baptized! Elder Davis and I are really starting to see success and should start baptizing soon. Please keep us in your prayers! We are so close with a lot of people but we need all the help we can get.
General conference was amazing. If you missed it, go to lds.org and watch it!! It was so incredible!!
I hope you all have an incredible week. Keep moving forward!
Love,
Elder Grondel
Anyways, I also look back at this Easter weekend and have thought a lot about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As many of you may or may not know, as missionaries we are given time each morning to study the scriptures and other church material to spiritually prepare ourselves for the day. I have recently started the Book of Mormon from the beginning again, and consequently I was in 1 Nephi and came across a passage of scripture that hit me very hard. in the 19th chapter, verses 7-9, it reads,
"For the things which some men esteem to be of great worth, both to the body and soul, others set at naught and trample under their feet. Yea, even the very God of Israel do men trample under their feet; I say, trample under their feet but I would speak in other words—they set him at naught, and hearken not to the voice of his counsels. And behold he cometh, according to the words of the angel, in six hundred years from the time my father left Jerusalem. And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men."
As I sat there thinking about the sufferings of Jesus Christ, I couldn't help but think of his innocence and love. It reminded me of a scripture in the 45th section in the Doctrine and Covenants, where Christ speaks and says to the Father "behold the sufferings and death of Him who did no sin." I love this scripture, as I know the Lord will be there to stand in my place as long as I have lived my life worthy of the mercy and grace of the Savior.
As I also thought about the cruel pain Christ went through for each of us, my sadness was swallowed up as I thought about the joy of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the occasion for which we celebrate Easter. I love having the knowledge that we will live again. As President Monson taught us this weekend, we have the answer to Job's question, "If a man die, shall he live again?" I testify in the name of Jesus Christ that I know that Christ lives and that we will all be able to live again because of the love that God the Father and Jesus Christ have for us. I know the reality of the Atonement and that the Savior's arms are outstretched in mercy all the day long for us if we will but come unto Him. "Draw near unto me, and I will draw near unto you."
This week was a good one that, as you may be able to tell, was filled with many spiritual experiences. We found some new people to teach, including JJ, an African-American man who used to be a Baptist preacher. He is really friendly and rather open right now, and may end up being baptized! Elder Davis and I are really starting to see success and should start baptizing soon. Please keep us in your prayers! We are so close with a lot of people but we need all the help we can get.
General conference was amazing. If you missed it, go to lds.org and watch it!! It was so incredible!!
I hope you all have an incredible week. Keep moving forward!
Love,
Elder Grondel
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