Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Pictures!
Applying for financial aid is as easy as.... (Great attention grabber!)
Man what a fast week! Elder Smith and I have been astounded at how fast the moon will be full and then in the blink of an eye there is no moon again. It's beginning to all just be a blur and hard to remember what happened when. For example...Elder Franz when I got here had nearly 8 months left on his mission...he now has one transfer. Elder Johnson who served in England for 15 months and then came to Iowa the same week as me goes home after another 6 weeks. It's crazy to me. I only have 6 transfers left and I've been in Iowa for 4 of them. How the time flies....
I guess I should first start out by talking about why my email is one day later than normal. Well...we have planned for months now to go with the Downey family to the hospital when Michael, the dad, had surgery on his heart. The wife and daughter, who is 12, wanted us to be there with them just in case of emergency and to help occupy their time during the 4-6 hour surgery. So yesterday, we woke up at 5 and went to Des Moines to the Iowa Methodist Hospital. He ended up being in surgery and recovery for nearly 8 hours but we didn’t leave til probably close to 5:30. It was kind of a long day but I loved it. I really want to work in a hospital. I just love the environment. We played with Raven, the daughter, for hours. We played Connect 4 and Uno and Speed. It was a lot of fun. We sacrificed a P-day to do it but I wouldn't have done it any other way. The surgery however was unsuccessful in taking him out of atrial fibrillation but they are gonna adjust his meds and hopefully see some regularity in his pulse from now on. All in all....super fun day.
Wednesday we helped scrape a garage so it could be repainted. That was decently fun actually. We did it with the young men and the elder's quorum so it went pretty fast. It was really nice to just do some work tho. That wasn’t the last of the work that we would do for the rest of the week tho...
On Saturday, for the first time in my life, I had blisters on my hands from all that we did. My pectorals still are sore! Saturday morning we went with the branch president and his wife to Attica, a small town south of Knoxville, and cleaned out a pioneer cemetery that someone discovered. We found 3 of 9 headstones. It was a lot of work. We cut down some trees and weed-wacked a half acre but it was really cool to sit on that grassy knoll and imagine those pioneers traveling right through my area. It made my work a lot more meaningful anyway.
Saturday afternoon we helped a guy we met on the street named Denny. Reminded me of omelets at first hearing his name but nonetheless...We helped him dig out a pit of 4 feet wide and 4 feet deep by 10-12 feet long of hard Iowa clay for a retaining wall. My shoulders could not lift to sustain people in Sacrament Meeting. It was well needed. I miss hard labor a lot! When I come home....put me to work Dad!!
I ate something interesting and totally against what I would ever have before. I had squash. Typically I hate squash. I had it once and that was one too many times. But on Saturday night we ate with Sister Edwards who is gluten free so we had spaghetti squash. It was awesome. I also ate eggplant and mushrooms. I love mushrooms. I used to hate them but now I love them. Can’t get enough. Funny how things like that change. All false premonitions are crushed with attempt and effort.
Things I learned this week--
-Iowa weather is similar to Idaho weather. Totally unpredictable.
-Honeycrisp apples still remain to be the best.
-People get happy when bad people die...I think that's dumb. Every person is a person and we should never cheer with their death! That's wrong.
I am so grateful for where I am. I think consistently about how hard I have worked to get here and it has been so hard. Every day is really hard here but I look at it in such a new light. It's all such a blessing to be here. To be tried is such a privilege. It's an opportunity to grow and I'm so thankful to be blessed with that opportunity. I love watching miracles and I have seen many, starting with myself, and in others. I know that this in the Lord's only true church. I have zero doubt that all churches do good things for billions of people. But I know that they are either all right or all wrong. God is a black and white kind of guy. It's either right or wrong. I know because of the restoration of God's authority on the earth to His church, there is now only one true and completely correct church with the permission to act in his name. I'm so honored to represent Him and His church.
I love ya'll!
Elder Excell
I guess I should first start out by talking about why my email is one day later than normal. Well...we have planned for months now to go with the Downey family to the hospital when Michael, the dad, had surgery on his heart. The wife and daughter, who is 12, wanted us to be there with them just in case of emergency and to help occupy their time during the 4-6 hour surgery. So yesterday, we woke up at 5 and went to Des Moines to the Iowa Methodist Hospital. He ended up being in surgery and recovery for nearly 8 hours but we didn’t leave til probably close to 5:30. It was kind of a long day but I loved it. I really want to work in a hospital. I just love the environment. We played with Raven, the daughter, for hours. We played Connect 4 and Uno and Speed. It was a lot of fun. We sacrificed a P-day to do it but I wouldn't have done it any other way. The surgery however was unsuccessful in taking him out of atrial fibrillation but they are gonna adjust his meds and hopefully see some regularity in his pulse from now on. All in all....super fun day.
Wednesday we helped scrape a garage so it could be repainted. That was decently fun actually. We did it with the young men and the elder's quorum so it went pretty fast. It was really nice to just do some work tho. That wasn’t the last of the work that we would do for the rest of the week tho...
On Saturday, for the first time in my life, I had blisters on my hands from all that we did. My pectorals still are sore! Saturday morning we went with the branch president and his wife to Attica, a small town south of Knoxville, and cleaned out a pioneer cemetery that someone discovered. We found 3 of 9 headstones. It was a lot of work. We cut down some trees and weed-wacked a half acre but it was really cool to sit on that grassy knoll and imagine those pioneers traveling right through my area. It made my work a lot more meaningful anyway.
Saturday afternoon we helped a guy we met on the street named Denny. Reminded me of omelets at first hearing his name but nonetheless...We helped him dig out a pit of 4 feet wide and 4 feet deep by 10-12 feet long of hard Iowa clay for a retaining wall. My shoulders could not lift to sustain people in Sacrament Meeting. It was well needed. I miss hard labor a lot! When I come home....put me to work Dad!!
I ate something interesting and totally against what I would ever have before. I had squash. Typically I hate squash. I had it once and that was one too many times. But on Saturday night we ate with Sister Edwards who is gluten free so we had spaghetti squash. It was awesome. I also ate eggplant and mushrooms. I love mushrooms. I used to hate them but now I love them. Can’t get enough. Funny how things like that change. All false premonitions are crushed with attempt and effort.
Things I learned this week--
-Iowa weather is similar to Idaho weather. Totally unpredictable.
-Honeycrisp apples still remain to be the best.
-People get happy when bad people die...I think that's dumb. Every person is a person and we should never cheer with their death! That's wrong.
I am so grateful for where I am. I think consistently about how hard I have worked to get here and it has been so hard. Every day is really hard here but I look at it in such a new light. It's all such a blessing to be here. To be tried is such a privilege. It's an opportunity to grow and I'm so thankful to be blessed with that opportunity. I love watching miracles and I have seen many, starting with myself, and in others. I know that this in the Lord's only true church. I have zero doubt that all churches do good things for billions of people. But I know that they are either all right or all wrong. God is a black and white kind of guy. It's either right or wrong. I know because of the restoration of God's authority on the earth to His church, there is now only one true and completely correct church with the permission to act in his name. I'm so honored to represent Him and His church.
I love ya'll!
Elder Excell
Q&A - October 25, 2011
1. Have you had any time to knit lately? If so, what is your latest project?
I have found zero time. I downloaded about 150 talks from BYU devotionals given by prophets and apostles so I have been listening through those and have been busy busy!
2. It looks like the weather has turned pretty cold there. Are you staying warm?
Weather here is almost as unpredictable as Idaho. Today is was 64 degrees when we went running at 6:30 AM. But it's supposed to get cold again. Who knows. The coat that you sent for my birthday is so perfect! I love it. Nice and toasty. I think I'll be buying some classic red one-piece long johns tho! :)
3. How many times per month do you eat at a restaurant?
Well, each week for district meeting lunch. So that's 4ish. Plus maybe 2 others with members...6 maybe. Not too much.
4. Do you take turns fixing meals or does one of you enjoy cooking more and spend more time in the kitchen?
Well we both love to cook but I spend a little more time in the kitchen. I buy more things to make from scratch and Elder Smith sticks to the oven or microwave.
5. What was your biggest accomplishment this week?
I am soda free for nearly 2 weeks now. I miss it. It looks so refreshing but so is my cran-apple and cran-grape juice! =)
I have found zero time. I downloaded about 150 talks from BYU devotionals given by prophets and apostles so I have been listening through those and have been busy busy!
2. It looks like the weather has turned pretty cold there. Are you staying warm?
Weather here is almost as unpredictable as Idaho. Today is was 64 degrees when we went running at 6:30 AM. But it's supposed to get cold again. Who knows. The coat that you sent for my birthday is so perfect! I love it. Nice and toasty. I think I'll be buying some classic red one-piece long johns tho! :)
3. How many times per month do you eat at a restaurant?
Well, each week for district meeting lunch. So that's 4ish. Plus maybe 2 others with members...6 maybe. Not too much.
4. Do you take turns fixing meals or does one of you enjoy cooking more and spend more time in the kitchen?
Well we both love to cook but I spend a little more time in the kitchen. I buy more things to make from scratch and Elder Smith sticks to the oven or microwave.
5. What was your biggest accomplishment this week?
I am soda free for nearly 2 weeks now. I miss it. It looks so refreshing but so is my cran-apple and cran-grape juice! =)
Monday, October 17, 2011
NOTICE TO HISPANIC AND/OR WOMEN FARMERS AND RANCHERS
I think I am going to title every email from here on out with a phrase from something posted on the board next to me. It makes for a good attention getter I think. And, I learned those attention grabbers are vital back in the 8th grade! Apparently if you fit into the specified category in the title and feel as if you have been jipped on some loans from the years 1981 to 2000 you could sue someone for millions. Oh ridiculous! Give me a break. But if you feel so inclined you may contact the USDA about this matter...now onto more important things!
This week was great and need I even say it anymore...ok I will...it flew. Never ceases to astound me.
Monday we had a great p-day and it was awesome to see Mr. Andy Newman. He’s a good kid. We went to a not so good Chinese buffet....I ‘ve felt sick up until last night. Not very pleasing while teaching lessons or sitting through church. But regardless, the company was nice and we had a good chance to catch up. It’s crazy to think where the time has gone. It has been more than 3 years since I was roommates in college with him. Man...I’m old. Life moves on tho. With or without you. We played some basketball. You would think my many hours of playing against myself in the driveway would pay off at some point, but alas, playing against a human is different and I stink.
Tuesday we had a decent day. We had quite a few people to go see but none were home and so we just moved on down the list. We ended up seeing and teaching a couple people but we wish we hadn't. Not that it would make a difference. Bonnie dropped us. Her exact words were "well I’m not quite sure why but I don't want to study with you boys anymore. I've been thinking of a reason all day and I just don’t have one." oh well.....it felt like getting broke up with for no reason. No closure just goodbyes. She’s a sweet lady tho. We’ll still stop by and rake her leaves and clean out her gutters when she needs.
Wednesday we had exchanges with the Oskaloosa Elders in Knoxville. It was a great time. I got to work with Elder Lewis...the one that looks like Dilbert. We had a good day. We walked about 1.5 miles in the pouring rain and just were drenched head to toe. As soon as we got into someone's house it quit and as soon as we went back outside it poured. Just our luck. We laughed our way through it tho. We had to break into our own house afterward to get dry clothes and supplies so that made for quite a sight I’m sure. It’d be a lot easier if we didn't live on the second floor. =/
I played travel agent for someone this week. She’s a member and she needed to go to Vegas for a narcolepsy conference. She's a hoot. I guess she loves me...I spent 300 bucks for her. I just laughed the whole time tho...I just kept thinking, "I am buying tickets for a woman who has narcolepsy (the disease that makes you fall asleep instantly like the guy on Rat Race) to go to a conference with other people who have narcolepsy"....I would pay money just to watch that conference. Conferences put normal people to sleep. Let alone those who are already apt to do so. I feel bad for the speaker. He's got no hope in that atmosphere.
I found a new old folks home friend. Her name is Francis. She’s a cutie. She’s from Texas and if there is one thing better than a cute girl with a southern drawl it is an old woman with Texas drawl. She’s awesome.
I just about cry every time even think about leaving this place. Part of me is so comfortable and ready to leave but the other part of me, the larger part of me, just wants to be the exception to all things logical and stay in one area my whole mission. I guess we'll see with time.
I gave up some things this week. I decided to start a 40 day fast and refine myself and better qualify myself for this work. I have put 10 things on a list to either fast from or do better and really focus on for 40 days. Here are a few...
-Music....motab and talks from apostles only.
-Letters....I’m not opening them til Sunday night at 10 p.m.....I can't do anything about them anyway til p-day so what's the point in distracting myself.
-Better workouts everyday...I’m getting fat.
-Patience with myself and others. (It’s just a must in life)
-Eating habits....I have sworn off soda for...get this...for life. No more carbonated caffeine for me. It’s just a luxury and good and all but I feel as if it is setting me back from who I want to be. I don’t want to be enslaved to it anymore. I am 4 days sober by the way.
It's been really good so far. I feel so much better as I set these small goals to be who I really want to be. More focused. More dedicated. More consecrated.
Things I learned this week---
-Window seals are dirty and will stain your white shirt when climbing through them.
-Missionaries shoes are dirty and will stain your white shirt when hoisting them into open windows.
-Spray and Wash is a modern miracle.
-Having a companion who snores and plugging his nose while he sleeps can be fun.
This week I have been thinking about marketing schemes again. I don't have too many ridiculous things this week but I've thought of them in a new way. A successful business uses advertising. They use it as much as they possibly can. Watching any TV show you can see all sorts of product placement that is promoting a certain company or a certain ideal. I have thought about what products I am placing. What advertisement am I providing to the people I associate myself with? I have come to learn and realize that I am a product of Christ. I wear his name everywhere. All Christendom does in reality. When we take His name upon us we wear it all the time. Others associate us with Him. It's caused me to step back and wonder if I am promoting that good name more positively of tearing it down by my actions. Now for me this is the conclusion... Christianity is defined by the very way I act. Missionaries or our faith are defined by the way I conduct myself. Idahoans are measured by the way others measure me. It's the same for all of us. Whoever it is that we may represent...I invite everyone, myself included, to measure yourself. Are you placing the product you have well? Are you a worthwhile advertisement for that which you represent? If not...readjust and try again. Improvement is always possible. Progress is always our goal. The atonement of Jesus Christ is how we accomplish both. Whoever you are...be a good one!
I love ya'll,
Elder Excell
This week was great and need I even say it anymore...ok I will...it flew. Never ceases to astound me.
Monday we had a great p-day and it was awesome to see Mr. Andy Newman. He’s a good kid. We went to a not so good Chinese buffet....I ‘ve felt sick up until last night. Not very pleasing while teaching lessons or sitting through church. But regardless, the company was nice and we had a good chance to catch up. It’s crazy to think where the time has gone. It has been more than 3 years since I was roommates in college with him. Man...I’m old. Life moves on tho. With or without you. We played some basketball. You would think my many hours of playing against myself in the driveway would pay off at some point, but alas, playing against a human is different and I stink.
Tuesday we had a decent day. We had quite a few people to go see but none were home and so we just moved on down the list. We ended up seeing and teaching a couple people but we wish we hadn't. Not that it would make a difference. Bonnie dropped us. Her exact words were "well I’m not quite sure why but I don't want to study with you boys anymore. I've been thinking of a reason all day and I just don’t have one." oh well.....it felt like getting broke up with for no reason. No closure just goodbyes. She’s a sweet lady tho. We’ll still stop by and rake her leaves and clean out her gutters when she needs.
Wednesday we had exchanges with the Oskaloosa Elders in Knoxville. It was a great time. I got to work with Elder Lewis...the one that looks like Dilbert. We had a good day. We walked about 1.5 miles in the pouring rain and just were drenched head to toe. As soon as we got into someone's house it quit and as soon as we went back outside it poured. Just our luck. We laughed our way through it tho. We had to break into our own house afterward to get dry clothes and supplies so that made for quite a sight I’m sure. It’d be a lot easier if we didn't live on the second floor. =/
I played travel agent for someone this week. She’s a member and she needed to go to Vegas for a narcolepsy conference. She's a hoot. I guess she loves me...I spent 300 bucks for her. I just laughed the whole time tho...I just kept thinking, "I am buying tickets for a woman who has narcolepsy (the disease that makes you fall asleep instantly like the guy on Rat Race) to go to a conference with other people who have narcolepsy"....I would pay money just to watch that conference. Conferences put normal people to sleep. Let alone those who are already apt to do so. I feel bad for the speaker. He's got no hope in that atmosphere.
I found a new old folks home friend. Her name is Francis. She’s a cutie. She’s from Texas and if there is one thing better than a cute girl with a southern drawl it is an old woman with Texas drawl. She’s awesome.
I just about cry every time even think about leaving this place. Part of me is so comfortable and ready to leave but the other part of me, the larger part of me, just wants to be the exception to all things logical and stay in one area my whole mission. I guess we'll see with time.
I gave up some things this week. I decided to start a 40 day fast and refine myself and better qualify myself for this work. I have put 10 things on a list to either fast from or do better and really focus on for 40 days. Here are a few...
-Music....motab and talks from apostles only.
-Letters....I’m not opening them til Sunday night at 10 p.m.....I can't do anything about them anyway til p-day so what's the point in distracting myself.
-Better workouts everyday...I’m getting fat.
-Patience with myself and others. (It’s just a must in life)
-Eating habits....I have sworn off soda for...get this...for life. No more carbonated caffeine for me. It’s just a luxury and good and all but I feel as if it is setting me back from who I want to be. I don’t want to be enslaved to it anymore. I am 4 days sober by the way.
It's been really good so far. I feel so much better as I set these small goals to be who I really want to be. More focused. More dedicated. More consecrated.
Things I learned this week---
-Window seals are dirty and will stain your white shirt when climbing through them.
-Missionaries shoes are dirty and will stain your white shirt when hoisting them into open windows.
-Spray and Wash is a modern miracle.
-Having a companion who snores and plugging his nose while he sleeps can be fun.
This week I have been thinking about marketing schemes again. I don't have too many ridiculous things this week but I've thought of them in a new way. A successful business uses advertising. They use it as much as they possibly can. Watching any TV show you can see all sorts of product placement that is promoting a certain company or a certain ideal. I have thought about what products I am placing. What advertisement am I providing to the people I associate myself with? I have come to learn and realize that I am a product of Christ. I wear his name everywhere. All Christendom does in reality. When we take His name upon us we wear it all the time. Others associate us with Him. It's caused me to step back and wonder if I am promoting that good name more positively of tearing it down by my actions. Now for me this is the conclusion... Christianity is defined by the very way I act. Missionaries or our faith are defined by the way I conduct myself. Idahoans are measured by the way others measure me. It's the same for all of us. Whoever it is that we may represent...I invite everyone, myself included, to measure yourself. Are you placing the product you have well? Are you a worthwhile advertisement for that which you represent? If not...readjust and try again. Improvement is always possible. Progress is always our goal. The atonement of Jesus Christ is how we accomplish both. Whoever you are...be a good one!
I love ya'll,
Elder Excell
Q&A - October 17, 2011
1. You've had several pictures with glasses on. Where did you get them and do you kind of like wearing them for fun or what?
So Elder Howard and I found them while tracting. We call those types fo things tracting treasures! They are the best! They don't have lenses so I like them. I feel more intellectual. People trust me more til I scratch my eye where the lens should be. Then they double-take. Pretty fun!
2. Did you enjoy your time with Andy this past week? What kinds of things did you do?
We went to lunch and then just kinda chilled and played basketball. It was awesome to see him. He even brought me and Elder Smith some ties!!
3. It was cool to see that you've heard from Justin lately. When does he come home? We were thinking that it might be pretty close to the same time as you.
Ya, he will come home almost 6 weeks after me. Same with Chad Davies. We are all pretty close in time and we all write each other too. Elder mail is always fun!
4. Are you staying healthy?
You'll have to wait and see what I gave up this week.
5. What was the hardest lesson you learned this week?
Patience with myself. It's a continual lesson I learn very frequently.
6. What was the best thing you learned this week?
Patience with myself. I am making progress. I've learned patience starts with yourself and when achieved there, can be used with others. :)
So Elder Howard and I found them while tracting. We call those types fo things tracting treasures! They are the best! They don't have lenses so I like them. I feel more intellectual. People trust me more til I scratch my eye where the lens should be. Then they double-take. Pretty fun!
2. Did you enjoy your time with Andy this past week? What kinds of things did you do?
We went to lunch and then just kinda chilled and played basketball. It was awesome to see him. He even brought me and Elder Smith some ties!!
3. It was cool to see that you've heard from Justin lately. When does he come home? We were thinking that it might be pretty close to the same time as you.
Ya, he will come home almost 6 weeks after me. Same with Chad Davies. We are all pretty close in time and we all write each other too. Elder mail is always fun!
4. Are you staying healthy?
You'll have to wait and see what I gave up this week.
5. What was the hardest lesson you learned this week?
Patience with myself. It's a continual lesson I learn very frequently.
6. What was the best thing you learned this week?
Patience with myself. I am making progress. I've learned patience starts with yourself and when achieved there, can be used with others. :)
Monday, October 10, 2011
Pictures
I Love the Midwest!
It is so pretty and gorgeous here right now. The weather could not be better. It’s been about 70 degrees and the colors of the trees are phenomenal. I love the way Heavenly Father shows us the beauty of his creations continually at the change of every season. The red, yellow, orange, and green leaves look so great on the rolling hills you can only find in the Midwest. Throw that in with the farmers cutting down the corn and harvesting all the crops. It's just beautiful here right now.
This week has been faster than most because of how busy we have been. I think I highlighted a bit as to what we had going on this week already but sufficeth me to say...it was packed.
Monday was p-day which is over at 5 and we go teach some lessons. We are still having family home evening with the branch bachelors. I love it. They're hilarious. My hope though is to make this a perpetual thing without me here. I find myself doing most of the load in the program and so tonight the assignments are coming out. Hopefully when I am gone from Knoxville they will continue the tradition without me. It's been such a great way to build those friendships and be "edified one with another."
Tuesday was our one somewhat normal work day and it was good. It was a bit frustrating because we set up quite a few appointments for the day and everyone ditched us, but oh well. You try your best and do what you can.
Wednesday was leadership meeting and it was awesome. I sat next to Elder Wilson, one of my zone leaders, and he's from Preston. Such a stud. We had a good time next to each other. I also got to train with Elder Howard and I loved that!! I always just like talking and speaking my mind, and training 50-75 missionaries on something I have studied pretty in depth is just really fun to me. I wish I could just be a gospel doctrine teacher for life. We started out our training with the video that is still on my blog from last year about the Indian kid pushing the tree. Elder Howard and I had decided transfers ago to do that if we ever trained together and alas...we were given the chance. So sweet! We trained on the new training program and I felt it went well. I could've done better but President's exact words, that nobody will let me live down, were, "That was the best training we have had in this mission since I have been here." Ugh! No it was really nice of him to say. I'm just not sure it was worthy of such a statement. Everyone tells me now because of that statement that I will be a zone leader next transfer and in about 3 transfers, go a.p. I sure hope not...
Thursday we went to a funeral. The gal that we visited in the nursing home twice a week finally got to see her husband in heaven again. So good for her. Before she died tho, she requested that I play the organ/piano at her funeral. That was so nice. It was a great service and I enjoyed it actually. I can't wait to see her again someday. After the services we had a luncheon for the family and friends at the church and we helped quite a bit with that. One of the relief society sisters told me that I was the first missionary to stay for the whole luncheon and help with cleaning up and doing dishes. Kinda shocked me.
Thursday we also had a little farewell dinner for Garret Visser. He leaves on a mission to California here this week so we had a good time with him and his family. Very awesome family! I love them!
Friday we were in Indianola for interviews and exchanges. Both went very well. It’s always nice to get some alone time with Pres. Jergensen. He's a good guy. I love him!
Saturday we had an incredible district meeting. I am really trying to focus on the Savior in all that I do and teach and say. I just feel like if we became as he is, then work would progress. We are all trying to do that in our district.
We taught seminary this week. I loved that too. We are pretty solid friends with the kids in the branch here. I love them. We all get along pretty great. We role played Abraham sacrificing Isaac and also Lot's wife turning to a pillar of salt. Pretty funny. Good kids tho! For sure.
Last night I got an awesome phone call!!! Andy Newman is back from his mission and guess who is having lunch with us today and hanging out with us....you guessed it. Andy Newman! I miss the kid! It will be so good to catch up with him and teach a lesson with him. We had some rough moments in college but the mission has refined us both a lot! Crazy to think that 3 weeks after I got my call, he left. That was not so long ago!!
I am so happy to be here! I love this mission. I am trying to live better every day and that's a habit that I want to develop for the rest of my life. I've made some big changes this week tho. I am only going to listen to Motab and EFY from here on out. My other approved music is really good and I love it but it’s time to live the higher law and be better. Time to stand a little taller. I love the way President Monson put it in priesthood meeting. My sister said these exact words about 3 months ago as well with President Monson, "Stand alone if you must but stand." I am working on that myself. Obviously all of us succumb to peer pressure and the social influences of life, but now is the time to be independent in your standards and to be united in your relationships. It’s the time to be a little better. Always.
I love you all so much!!
Elder Clark Zachary Kent Excell (as titled by Elder Justin DaBell this week.) :)
This week has been faster than most because of how busy we have been. I think I highlighted a bit as to what we had going on this week already but sufficeth me to say...it was packed.
Monday was p-day which is over at 5 and we go teach some lessons. We are still having family home evening with the branch bachelors. I love it. They're hilarious. My hope though is to make this a perpetual thing without me here. I find myself doing most of the load in the program and so tonight the assignments are coming out. Hopefully when I am gone from Knoxville they will continue the tradition without me. It's been such a great way to build those friendships and be "edified one with another."
Tuesday was our one somewhat normal work day and it was good. It was a bit frustrating because we set up quite a few appointments for the day and everyone ditched us, but oh well. You try your best and do what you can.
Wednesday was leadership meeting and it was awesome. I sat next to Elder Wilson, one of my zone leaders, and he's from Preston. Such a stud. We had a good time next to each other. I also got to train with Elder Howard and I loved that!! I always just like talking and speaking my mind, and training 50-75 missionaries on something I have studied pretty in depth is just really fun to me. I wish I could just be a gospel doctrine teacher for life. We started out our training with the video that is still on my blog from last year about the Indian kid pushing the tree. Elder Howard and I had decided transfers ago to do that if we ever trained together and alas...we were given the chance. So sweet! We trained on the new training program and I felt it went well. I could've done better but President's exact words, that nobody will let me live down, were, "That was the best training we have had in this mission since I have been here." Ugh! No it was really nice of him to say. I'm just not sure it was worthy of such a statement. Everyone tells me now because of that statement that I will be a zone leader next transfer and in about 3 transfers, go a.p. I sure hope not...
Thursday we went to a funeral. The gal that we visited in the nursing home twice a week finally got to see her husband in heaven again. So good for her. Before she died tho, she requested that I play the organ/piano at her funeral. That was so nice. It was a great service and I enjoyed it actually. I can't wait to see her again someday. After the services we had a luncheon for the family and friends at the church and we helped quite a bit with that. One of the relief society sisters told me that I was the first missionary to stay for the whole luncheon and help with cleaning up and doing dishes. Kinda shocked me.
Thursday we also had a little farewell dinner for Garret Visser. He leaves on a mission to California here this week so we had a good time with him and his family. Very awesome family! I love them!
Friday we were in Indianola for interviews and exchanges. Both went very well. It’s always nice to get some alone time with Pres. Jergensen. He's a good guy. I love him!
Saturday we had an incredible district meeting. I am really trying to focus on the Savior in all that I do and teach and say. I just feel like if we became as he is, then work would progress. We are all trying to do that in our district.
We taught seminary this week. I loved that too. We are pretty solid friends with the kids in the branch here. I love them. We all get along pretty great. We role played Abraham sacrificing Isaac and also Lot's wife turning to a pillar of salt. Pretty funny. Good kids tho! For sure.
Last night I got an awesome phone call!!! Andy Newman is back from his mission and guess who is having lunch with us today and hanging out with us....you guessed it. Andy Newman! I miss the kid! It will be so good to catch up with him and teach a lesson with him. We had some rough moments in college but the mission has refined us both a lot! Crazy to think that 3 weeks after I got my call, he left. That was not so long ago!!
I am so happy to be here! I love this mission. I am trying to live better every day and that's a habit that I want to develop for the rest of my life. I've made some big changes this week tho. I am only going to listen to Motab and EFY from here on out. My other approved music is really good and I love it but it’s time to live the higher law and be better. Time to stand a little taller. I love the way President Monson put it in priesthood meeting. My sister said these exact words about 3 months ago as well with President Monson, "Stand alone if you must but stand." I am working on that myself. Obviously all of us succumb to peer pressure and the social influences of life, but now is the time to be independent in your standards and to be united in your relationships. It’s the time to be a little better. Always.
I love you all so much!!
Elder Clark Zachary Kent Excell (as titled by Elder Justin DaBell this week.) :)
Q&A - October 10, 2011
1. How do you feel that your training sessions went?
Well.....I felt I could have done better but I will explain in the letter!
2. You got to see Elder Howard! How is he?
Oh man....I miss that kid! He is awesome! I love him to death! I'm praying to serve with him again.
3. Who was invited to attend the Leadership Conference? How many missionaries?
Probably 50 out of the 180 in the mission - district leaders, zone leaders, and a.p.'s. with the 1st transfer trainers.
4. Since you are comparing prices, are missionaries allowed to drink Coke or Pepsi?
We can drink anything here. Surprising as this may be....I have become a big fan of pepsi max. 0 calories.
5. How many "investigators" do you have right now that you are working with?
I would say probably 4-5 solid investigators.
6. What is the best thing you learned this week?
ooooo....switching up the final question eh...well I learned that Heavenly Father knows all of his children and their needs.
Well.....I felt I could have done better but I will explain in the letter!
2. You got to see Elder Howard! How is he?
Oh man....I miss that kid! He is awesome! I love him to death! I'm praying to serve with him again.
3. Who was invited to attend the Leadership Conference? How many missionaries?
Probably 50 out of the 180 in the mission - district leaders, zone leaders, and a.p.'s. with the 1st transfer trainers.
4. Since you are comparing prices, are missionaries allowed to drink Coke or Pepsi?
We can drink anything here. Surprising as this may be....I have become a big fan of pepsi max. 0 calories.
5. How many "investigators" do you have right now that you are working with?
I would say probably 4-5 solid investigators.
6. What is the best thing you learned this week?
ooooo....switching up the final question eh...well I learned that Heavenly Father knows all of his children and their needs.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Pictures!
Statements divide, questions unite.
Man oh man. What a week it has been in the old IDMM. It has been so busy this week. Seriously, life just went from one thing to the other to the other, and I loved it. And can I just ask, was General Conference not just amazing!? It was so great and I wish it lasted a lot longer than just two days.
Tuesday last week we had zone conference. It was phenomenal. I went with a lot of questions in my heart that I wanted answered for me. Needless to say, the Lord hears our prayers and answers our questions. It seemed as if everything that was spoken was what I needed to hear. Now I don't want to paint a dark picture, but I've been struggling lately. Not with the work, nor with companions or anything of that sort, but with myself. I just have felt as if I was not doing ALL that I should be for the Lord and for this work. I went to zone conference feeling that way and during zone conference I became very inspired to be better and to give more. When I left zone conference, I still felt as if I was on cloud 9 but while driving home I just got so frustrated with myself. I started to pick myself apart and realize how incapable and weak I was in this work. When we got home, it continued. I was so overwhelmed with who I needed to become because I thought it was me who had to do it all. I lay on my bed with what felt like battery acid rolling through my veins. I kept beating myself up all night until about 10 P.M. I started to go back over what I had taken notes on during zone conference and it hit me as pure as day. I relied on myself and no one else to help me. I had forgotten to apply what I was teaching to others and rely on the Lord. In the recent days, I have refocused all that I do, with a special interest in what it is the lord is helping me do, and things have been infinitely better. I am not perfect but I am progressing and the Lord is helping me do it.
This week we went to jail. Well ya - kinda. One of the families in our branch has a son who has gotten into some trouble. He stole a radiator from a semi and then sold it. Well, he got caught. One Class D felony and a 2 week stint in jail during his birthday is the county's cure. He seemed so miserable in there. Whoever it is that helped me avoid situations like that in my life, thank you so much. I am so glad that I never had to learn my lessons in that hard way.
This upcoming week is gonna be so busy. Today is p-day. Tomorrow is a normal work day. Wednesday I have leadership conference at which I have to train on the new training program since I was the first to do it. I get to train for 60 minutes and I get to partner it up with Elder Howard! I miss that eld so much! Love him. Anyway, then Thursday is normal. Friday is interviews with president and then exchanges in Indianola and Saturday is district meeting at which I will train for 2.5 hours on what we learned at leadership. Then, we will have district lunch and weekly planning for the upcoming week and try to work a little bit Saturday. Sunday is church and Monday I’m back here again. Nuts!!
We had a stupid car trade at zone conference. We had a 2011 Ford Fusion with 6,000 miles. We now have a 2008 Fusion that is a bad red color with 46,000 miles. When we got it, the CD player and audio system was shorted as well. Good thing I learned a bit about cars last year. Fixed her up and in all respects, she's a good car. Just not as nice as the last one. Haha. Oh, and I bought a gps last month. Scrimped and saved for that and I named it finally. Her name is Sadie.
We got lost Wednesday night regardless of the gps. It doesn't help when your dinner appointment doesn’t live on a real road. Class B highways that are unkept. Shoulda known that was gonna be a disaster. 30 minutes late but we found it tho. All is well that ends well. That’s what they say anyway.
Marie, my best friend from church, went back to Bountiful, Utah this week. She is such an amazing lady. She is about 75-80 years old and is the mom of one of the members in our area. She had been here for the summer just to live here because she's lonely in Utah. I sat by her every week in Sunday school and she helped teach me how to knit. When she said goodbye to me she said, "I love you Elder Excell" and started to weep. Ah man...I lost it. Love that woman! I will visit her soon!
We met with a woman who is a member but hasn't been to church in 2 years this week. She is amazing. Such a role model to me. Her husband is half paralyzed on his right side and cannot talk but they have the best relationship. She can’t leave him alone tho due to medical issues and so we are trying to accommodate her somehow. She misses church but just can't go. Really cool lady tho.
Conference was amazing! I had a very spiritual moment and witness during the Sunday morning session. It had nothing to do with the talks but all to do with those that were present. Saturday sessions, Elder Smith and I sat alone in the chapel, but on Sunday we had people there. We had a blind guy, a severely deaf guy, a mentally handicapped guy, a paraplegic woman and a little 6 year old girl belonging to the blind man. Being in charge of how things were set up, I wanted everyone to be accommodated. We got a projector so the practically blind guy could see - his screen was 120 inches. We got a small 12 inch TV with good sound for the nearly deaf guy and we had coloring books for the little girl. We made it work. And after much stress of getting it all together, after conference started, and the talks commenced, I looked around and realized what it was that I had missed. I started to cry. Why did I stress so much about everyone being accommodated?! Because-this-gospel-is-for-everyone. This gospel accommodates everyone because that is the very basis of its message. We leave no one behind. It was a very sacred special moment I will treasure forever.
Conference also was very special because I wrote down 5 questions that I have been wondering for some time now and expecting and praying for answers from conference. I was given the answers to all 5. Incredible how the Lord works. :)
Things I learned this week----
-Coke is cheaper than Pepsi. They won me over.
-Creme filled wafers make oatmeal so good when cooked with the oatmeal.
-People take oatmeal baths....weird.
-Statements divide, but optimistic questions unite.
I just want to reiterate what I previously said. This gospel is for everyone. It is for everyone because everyone is a child of God. There is no one person on this earth that doesn’t have that divine hereditary trait. I know that I am a spirit child of my Heavenly Father. I know he loves me. I know that I am where I need to be in his grand plan and that his plan brings happiness. It just makes sense and I am so grateful for that closure and for the peace and the answers the gospel brings to me. I know that it answers everyone's questions. I have zero doubt in that. Christ's atonement is for everyone and so is his gospel in which we may access that awesome power.
I love you all. Seriously.
Elder Excell
Tuesday last week we had zone conference. It was phenomenal. I went with a lot of questions in my heart that I wanted answered for me. Needless to say, the Lord hears our prayers and answers our questions. It seemed as if everything that was spoken was what I needed to hear. Now I don't want to paint a dark picture, but I've been struggling lately. Not with the work, nor with companions or anything of that sort, but with myself. I just have felt as if I was not doing ALL that I should be for the Lord and for this work. I went to zone conference feeling that way and during zone conference I became very inspired to be better and to give more. When I left zone conference, I still felt as if I was on cloud 9 but while driving home I just got so frustrated with myself. I started to pick myself apart and realize how incapable and weak I was in this work. When we got home, it continued. I was so overwhelmed with who I needed to become because I thought it was me who had to do it all. I lay on my bed with what felt like battery acid rolling through my veins. I kept beating myself up all night until about 10 P.M. I started to go back over what I had taken notes on during zone conference and it hit me as pure as day. I relied on myself and no one else to help me. I had forgotten to apply what I was teaching to others and rely on the Lord. In the recent days, I have refocused all that I do, with a special interest in what it is the lord is helping me do, and things have been infinitely better. I am not perfect but I am progressing and the Lord is helping me do it.
This week we went to jail. Well ya - kinda. One of the families in our branch has a son who has gotten into some trouble. He stole a radiator from a semi and then sold it. Well, he got caught. One Class D felony and a 2 week stint in jail during his birthday is the county's cure. He seemed so miserable in there. Whoever it is that helped me avoid situations like that in my life, thank you so much. I am so glad that I never had to learn my lessons in that hard way.
This upcoming week is gonna be so busy. Today is p-day. Tomorrow is a normal work day. Wednesday I have leadership conference at which I have to train on the new training program since I was the first to do it. I get to train for 60 minutes and I get to partner it up with Elder Howard! I miss that eld so much! Love him. Anyway, then Thursday is normal. Friday is interviews with president and then exchanges in Indianola and Saturday is district meeting at which I will train for 2.5 hours on what we learned at leadership. Then, we will have district lunch and weekly planning for the upcoming week and try to work a little bit Saturday. Sunday is church and Monday I’m back here again. Nuts!!
We had a stupid car trade at zone conference. We had a 2011 Ford Fusion with 6,000 miles. We now have a 2008 Fusion that is a bad red color with 46,000 miles. When we got it, the CD player and audio system was shorted as well. Good thing I learned a bit about cars last year. Fixed her up and in all respects, she's a good car. Just not as nice as the last one. Haha. Oh, and I bought a gps last month. Scrimped and saved for that and I named it finally. Her name is Sadie.
We got lost Wednesday night regardless of the gps. It doesn't help when your dinner appointment doesn’t live on a real road. Class B highways that are unkept. Shoulda known that was gonna be a disaster. 30 minutes late but we found it tho. All is well that ends well. That’s what they say anyway.
Marie, my best friend from church, went back to Bountiful, Utah this week. She is such an amazing lady. She is about 75-80 years old and is the mom of one of the members in our area. She had been here for the summer just to live here because she's lonely in Utah. I sat by her every week in Sunday school and she helped teach me how to knit. When she said goodbye to me she said, "I love you Elder Excell" and started to weep. Ah man...I lost it. Love that woman! I will visit her soon!
We met with a woman who is a member but hasn't been to church in 2 years this week. She is amazing. Such a role model to me. Her husband is half paralyzed on his right side and cannot talk but they have the best relationship. She can’t leave him alone tho due to medical issues and so we are trying to accommodate her somehow. She misses church but just can't go. Really cool lady tho.
Conference was amazing! I had a very spiritual moment and witness during the Sunday morning session. It had nothing to do with the talks but all to do with those that were present. Saturday sessions, Elder Smith and I sat alone in the chapel, but on Sunday we had people there. We had a blind guy, a severely deaf guy, a mentally handicapped guy, a paraplegic woman and a little 6 year old girl belonging to the blind man. Being in charge of how things were set up, I wanted everyone to be accommodated. We got a projector so the practically blind guy could see - his screen was 120 inches. We got a small 12 inch TV with good sound for the nearly deaf guy and we had coloring books for the little girl. We made it work. And after much stress of getting it all together, after conference started, and the talks commenced, I looked around and realized what it was that I had missed. I started to cry. Why did I stress so much about everyone being accommodated?! Because-this-gospel-is-for-everyone. This gospel accommodates everyone because that is the very basis of its message. We leave no one behind. It was a very sacred special moment I will treasure forever.
Conference also was very special because I wrote down 5 questions that I have been wondering for some time now and expecting and praying for answers from conference. I was given the answers to all 5. Incredible how the Lord works. :)
Things I learned this week----
-Coke is cheaper than Pepsi. They won me over.
-Creme filled wafers make oatmeal so good when cooked with the oatmeal.
-People take oatmeal baths....weird.
-Statements divide, but optimistic questions unite.
I just want to reiterate what I previously said. This gospel is for everyone. It is for everyone because everyone is a child of God. There is no one person on this earth that doesn’t have that divine hereditary trait. I know that I am a spirit child of my Heavenly Father. I know he loves me. I know that I am where I need to be in his grand plan and that his plan brings happiness. It just makes sense and I am so grateful for that closure and for the peace and the answers the gospel brings to me. I know that it answers everyone's questions. I have zero doubt in that. Christ's atonement is for everyone and so is his gospel in which we may access that awesome power.
I love you all. Seriously.
Elder Excell
Q&A - October 3, 2011
1. Are you going to have enough room in your suitcases to transport all these clothes that you are acquiring? :)
I'm not sure!! Then again...when I come home I won't be bringing 18 white shirts and 17 pairs of pants. :)
2. How are your shoes holding up?
I've got plenty of shoes. I think the ones you are referring to are doing fine tho. Iowa isn't near as hard on the shoes as Brazil was.
3. What was your favorite talk from conference?
Jeffrey R. Holland's from priesthood. I wanted to sign up for another mission after hearing that. I loved Sister Dalton's and I also really enjoyed Henry B Eyring's talk from Sunday morning. Loved Conference!!
4. What was the best part of your week?
It was all just so good. I can't honestly and rightly pick one favorite moment.
I'm not sure!! Then again...when I come home I won't be bringing 18 white shirts and 17 pairs of pants. :)
2. How are your shoes holding up?
I've got plenty of shoes. I think the ones you are referring to are doing fine tho. Iowa isn't near as hard on the shoes as Brazil was.
3. What was your favorite talk from conference?
Jeffrey R. Holland's from priesthood. I wanted to sign up for another mission after hearing that. I loved Sister Dalton's and I also really enjoyed Henry B Eyring's talk from Sunday morning. Loved Conference!!
4. What was the best part of your week?
It was all just so good. I can't honestly and rightly pick one favorite moment.
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