Monday, November 28, 2011
Q&A - November 28, 2011
1. How was your Thanksgiving holiday?
It was so good! We kind of just relaxed a bit, if that's possible for us! We had the idea to make some cookies and take them to less active's. Super good dinner with the Nielsens. It was a great Thanksday!
2. Did you have anything different to eat than the normal traditional Thanksgiving meal? I like to hear about other peoples traditions.
We had this salad that was the best. It was pomegranate and other yummy stuff! Like a fruit salad but with pomegranates. It was awesome! We had homemade stuffing! Awesome!
3. What was best and worst about your week?
Best Part: Matt and Theresa came to church!!! I jumped when they pulled in the parking lot.
Worst Part: Wind. I felt as if I was back in Casper!
4. Do you have any pictures of you and Elder Johnson together? We still don't know what he looks like. :)
I'll try to sneak one while he's emailing! =)
5. How is your ankle??? Did you find out anything more from Dr. McKellar about a stress fracture?
It's looking like a negative on the stress fracture. I kinda just forget about it. It's still super swollen but oh well. Time heals all wounds right? I just refuse to let it slow me down. I guess I'm just stubborn!
6. What are you most looking forward to in the week ahead?
Baking a cake for the Ward Christmas party!!!
It was so good! We kind of just relaxed a bit, if that's possible for us! We had the idea to make some cookies and take them to less active's. Super good dinner with the Nielsens. It was a great Thanksday!
2. Did you have anything different to eat than the normal traditional Thanksgiving meal? I like to hear about other peoples traditions.
We had this salad that was the best. It was pomegranate and other yummy stuff! Like a fruit salad but with pomegranates. It was awesome! We had homemade stuffing! Awesome!
3. What was best and worst about your week?
Best Part: Matt and Theresa came to church!!! I jumped when they pulled in the parking lot.
Worst Part: Wind. I felt as if I was back in Casper!
4. Do you have any pictures of you and Elder Johnson together? We still don't know what he looks like. :)
I'll try to sneak one while he's emailing! =)
5. How is your ankle??? Did you find out anything more from Dr. McKellar about a stress fracture?
It's looking like a negative on the stress fracture. I kinda just forget about it. It's still super swollen but oh well. Time heals all wounds right? I just refuse to let it slow me down. I guess I'm just stubborn!
6. What are you most looking forward to in the week ahead?
Baking a cake for the Ward Christmas party!!!
"Nice Girls Just Don't Get It"
So, I’m looking all around me to see what I can use as my attention getting subject and there is literally a book next to me in the library entitled "Nice Girls Just Don't Get It". I want to read that! But the book next to it is entitled "Do Gentlemen Really Prefer Blondes?" What a good book selection in this library! Haha!
Man, so this week was good as always. I really have been here on a mission long enough that I am not sure what happened when and it has all smashed together. I guess the telltale sign of that is my first resource to go to for a weekly recap is my planner! Haha. That thing sustains me more than blood. If it wasn't for it, I would be so lost all the time! With so much to do and only so many hours to do it, you have to plan it out! I guess if you take that a step further and think of the eternal significance of that phrase, there is a lot to be learned! With only so much time here in our mortal state and so much to accomplish we better be planning frequently!
Anyway...I'm already on my soapbox. I guess it's habit.
Monday we had a good p-day. We played frolf (frisbee golf) again. It's a lot of fun! I just wonder how long it’s gonna last. I'm no die hard and I refuse to be playing in the snow but I guess we are gonna try for round 3 today. I am getting better! I was only 3 over after 18 holes last week! Shootin for an even par this week is my hope! After a good p-day we went to the Wadworth's home for dinner! They are huge Boise State fans. Kinda fun to talk about that! I have taken some good skills from debate into the mission life I've noticed. I seem to be able to at least pretend that I know what I'm talking about with nearly everything. I remember enough menial trivia that I can keep up on most everything and provide some input and act totally interested. I actually kind of enjoy doing it too!
Tuesday we gave some service at the library. It's actually really make me excited to go to the library when I get back! There is so much knowledge out there and I want it all. Call me greedy but I want to know a lot about several different things! I have also learned from the library, service is a bit dangerous. There are some pretty "weird, filthy" books in the world! We just close our eyes and find the number and put it where it’s supposed to go! Pretty fun service in all tho! I flipped through a book about baby names...I got some good ideas! =) We also started ward basketball so we can have something else to invite our investigators to. It was week one so not that great of a turnout but we had a good enough time that the word will spread and there will be people next week!
Wednesday was a super good day! Probably the most productive day of the transfer to date! We met with Matt and Theresa...two of our progressing investigators and they are doing so good. They actually even came to church on Sunday! We had an idea when we saw them Wednesday to take them on a church tour so they could feel the spirit that the Lord's house has. It was a great lesson and I think a super big contributor to them coming on Sunday! They really enjoyed church and plan on frequent attendance. Now we just need to get them married and baptized! So good! So excited! We had a district meeting that day as well on the east side of the zone. Super good meeting! I just have grown a great love for both districts and all the individual members of them! They are great missionaries. Are they prefect? No. But are they trying? Yes. I can't even come close to asking more than that! We had dinner with the Kohler's that night. He is the bishop of our ward. Great guy. He carries a gun to church every day because he's in the FBI. Super sweet family. They adopted two kids from China. Super cute!
We also met with the Ray family. They have been investigators forever and are now committed to baptism. They come from a polygamist colony actually in Mexico so they had an interview with D. Todd Christofferson and passed but Jerret, the father, went out of town for two months on business and just got back this week so hopefully before the week is over we will see some baptisms there! We also had dessert with the other Nielsen's (not the ones we live with). It was super good as well. I don't know if you remember me hanging out with Taylor Nielsen in college at all but he is in this ward. He comes home from a mission in March! Super sweet! I had already been to their house when I came to Iowa summer 2008 with Andy Newman. Funny coincidence! Hopefully I'll be around for his homecoming! I also see Andy's family weekly at church. I had been to the church building we attend before my mission. I am finding ties to my past everywhere!!
Thursday we had a super good thanksgiving. We were to be busy but not tract, so we tried to think of some out-of-the-box ideas to stay productively busy. We ended up borrowing the Nielsen’s kitchen and making some cookies to take to some less active members of the ward. It was really good, except for one of the houses we had the address to but neither of us knew the lady who lived there so we knocked and the lady who answered screamed in surprise. (Clue Number one) then we said we were the new missionaries in town and handed over the cookies and she said thanks, shut the door, and ran. (Clue number 2) Well because we were a bit taken aback, we described this particular woman to the ward to see if it was the right person and lo and behold...it was not. We gave cookies to a stranger. Haha! I hope she likes them! I baked them with love! Dinner was super good! I ate far too much but I did realize that thanks day this year was just a celebration of my 6 week sobriety from soda! Hooray! Still going strong!
Friday we spent some time in the library typing up reports for the stake coordination meeting we had Sunday! We have those meeting once every 3 months! It was a great meeting yesterday! Made me feel somewhat important and privileged to be in attendance! It was with President Jergensen (Mission President), President Pence (Stake President) and three of the high counselors from the stake, us, and the Oskaloosa zone leaders. We discussed how to better the work and had some great ideas. With a new stake president a lot can happen and I see a lot of good things from President Pence. He said yesterday, "Missionary work is the center of our church. If the missionary program is strong, so is the ward!" Very true!
Things I learned this week---
-The Bible is one of the dirtiest books I've ever read. I've never read the Old Testament all the way through before so i started and Genesis has some crazy stories!! I was astounded!!!
-About Child Brides in the Middle East! It makes me want to punch someone!
-Buddhism was started before Christ was on the Earth.
-Everyone can be sorted into a Hogwarts house.
-Elder Johnson and Hillary (member we live with) are pros at harry potter trivia from Scene-It. It's ridiculous. I shook my head in disgust as we played!
This week, I guess I have been thinking back a lot to who we are and who God expects us to be. It's been on my mind for quite some time and I hope you'll let me share some thoughts with you concerning the responsibility I feel we all have. I feel probably the most misunderstood concept in life and in our modern society is the answer to the question, "Who are you?" I wonder if we really knew who we were, would we be different. Would that be enough to change people? I just imagine walking across a basketball court and seeing Michael Jordan. I imagine when I see him I tell him, "hey you’re Michael Jordan" and he just looks back confused. And I say, "You're so incredible, you can turn anything into a basket, I just admire you." and he stares blankly back as if nothing I am saying is really hitting him. I wonder if that's how Heavenly Father feels sometimes. He tells us all the time who we are. Do we just not get it?
"For nearly six thousand years, God has held you in reserve to make your appearance in the final days before the Second Coming of the Lord. God has saved for the final inning some of his strongest children, who will help bear off the Kingdom triumphantly. Make no mistake about it--you are a marked generation." -Ezra Taft Benson
That's a prophet of God telling us who we really are, but so often we listen to who the world says we are and value those comments more than we value that of our Heavenly Father. I guess I just see it differently. I know that I am a son of a living God who knows me. With that knowledge, I often wonder how I will ever be able to live up to Him and his expectations. I have figured it out. WE TRY. That's all Heavenly Father asks but that does not mean it will be easy. This is a lifelong process and will require everything you have to give to it. The words from Winston Churchill that I read in my 10th grade English class come back to me I guess. "We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I will say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark and lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: victory; victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be..."
The more time that I spend on this Earth, the more I realize how inadequate I am, how much further I have to go, and how much I just really don’t know. But if I know anything at all, it is that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. It contains the transforming power to truly change. There is no other, nor better way to understand who I am, and who God expects me to be, than through that very gospel knowledge. I am so thankful for that gospel and the great opportunity I have to share it with others who desire to change and find true happiness. I only hope to be who He, who matters most, expects me to be.
I love ya'll! So very much! I would say God Bless...but I am already sure that He is. Notice those blessings.
Hugs and Kisses,
Elder Excell
Man, so this week was good as always. I really have been here on a mission long enough that I am not sure what happened when and it has all smashed together. I guess the telltale sign of that is my first resource to go to for a weekly recap is my planner! Haha. That thing sustains me more than blood. If it wasn't for it, I would be so lost all the time! With so much to do and only so many hours to do it, you have to plan it out! I guess if you take that a step further and think of the eternal significance of that phrase, there is a lot to be learned! With only so much time here in our mortal state and so much to accomplish we better be planning frequently!
Anyway...I'm already on my soapbox. I guess it's habit.
Monday we had a good p-day. We played frolf (frisbee golf) again. It's a lot of fun! I just wonder how long it’s gonna last. I'm no die hard and I refuse to be playing in the snow but I guess we are gonna try for round 3 today. I am getting better! I was only 3 over after 18 holes last week! Shootin for an even par this week is my hope! After a good p-day we went to the Wadworth's home for dinner! They are huge Boise State fans. Kinda fun to talk about that! I have taken some good skills from debate into the mission life I've noticed. I seem to be able to at least pretend that I know what I'm talking about with nearly everything. I remember enough menial trivia that I can keep up on most everything and provide some input and act totally interested. I actually kind of enjoy doing it too!
Tuesday we gave some service at the library. It's actually really make me excited to go to the library when I get back! There is so much knowledge out there and I want it all. Call me greedy but I want to know a lot about several different things! I have also learned from the library, service is a bit dangerous. There are some pretty "weird, filthy" books in the world! We just close our eyes and find the number and put it where it’s supposed to go! Pretty fun service in all tho! I flipped through a book about baby names...I got some good ideas! =) We also started ward basketball so we can have something else to invite our investigators to. It was week one so not that great of a turnout but we had a good enough time that the word will spread and there will be people next week!
Wednesday was a super good day! Probably the most productive day of the transfer to date! We met with Matt and Theresa...two of our progressing investigators and they are doing so good. They actually even came to church on Sunday! We had an idea when we saw them Wednesday to take them on a church tour so they could feel the spirit that the Lord's house has. It was a great lesson and I think a super big contributor to them coming on Sunday! They really enjoyed church and plan on frequent attendance. Now we just need to get them married and baptized! So good! So excited! We had a district meeting that day as well on the east side of the zone. Super good meeting! I just have grown a great love for both districts and all the individual members of them! They are great missionaries. Are they prefect? No. But are they trying? Yes. I can't even come close to asking more than that! We had dinner with the Kohler's that night. He is the bishop of our ward. Great guy. He carries a gun to church every day because he's in the FBI. Super sweet family. They adopted two kids from China. Super cute!
We also met with the Ray family. They have been investigators forever and are now committed to baptism. They come from a polygamist colony actually in Mexico so they had an interview with D. Todd Christofferson and passed but Jerret, the father, went out of town for two months on business and just got back this week so hopefully before the week is over we will see some baptisms there! We also had dessert with the other Nielsen's (not the ones we live with). It was super good as well. I don't know if you remember me hanging out with Taylor Nielsen in college at all but he is in this ward. He comes home from a mission in March! Super sweet! I had already been to their house when I came to Iowa summer 2008 with Andy Newman. Funny coincidence! Hopefully I'll be around for his homecoming! I also see Andy's family weekly at church. I had been to the church building we attend before my mission. I am finding ties to my past everywhere!!
Thursday we had a super good thanksgiving. We were to be busy but not tract, so we tried to think of some out-of-the-box ideas to stay productively busy. We ended up borrowing the Nielsen’s kitchen and making some cookies to take to some less active members of the ward. It was really good, except for one of the houses we had the address to but neither of us knew the lady who lived there so we knocked and the lady who answered screamed in surprise. (Clue Number one) then we said we were the new missionaries in town and handed over the cookies and she said thanks, shut the door, and ran. (Clue number 2) Well because we were a bit taken aback, we described this particular woman to the ward to see if it was the right person and lo and behold...it was not. We gave cookies to a stranger. Haha! I hope she likes them! I baked them with love! Dinner was super good! I ate far too much but I did realize that thanks day this year was just a celebration of my 6 week sobriety from soda! Hooray! Still going strong!
Friday we spent some time in the library typing up reports for the stake coordination meeting we had Sunday! We have those meeting once every 3 months! It was a great meeting yesterday! Made me feel somewhat important and privileged to be in attendance! It was with President Jergensen (Mission President), President Pence (Stake President) and three of the high counselors from the stake, us, and the Oskaloosa zone leaders. We discussed how to better the work and had some great ideas. With a new stake president a lot can happen and I see a lot of good things from President Pence. He said yesterday, "Missionary work is the center of our church. If the missionary program is strong, so is the ward!" Very true!
Things I learned this week---
-The Bible is one of the dirtiest books I've ever read. I've never read the Old Testament all the way through before so i started and Genesis has some crazy stories!! I was astounded!!!
-About Child Brides in the Middle East! It makes me want to punch someone!
-Buddhism was started before Christ was on the Earth.
-Everyone can be sorted into a Hogwarts house.
-Elder Johnson and Hillary (member we live with) are pros at harry potter trivia from Scene-It. It's ridiculous. I shook my head in disgust as we played!
This week, I guess I have been thinking back a lot to who we are and who God expects us to be. It's been on my mind for quite some time and I hope you'll let me share some thoughts with you concerning the responsibility I feel we all have. I feel probably the most misunderstood concept in life and in our modern society is the answer to the question, "Who are you?" I wonder if we really knew who we were, would we be different. Would that be enough to change people? I just imagine walking across a basketball court and seeing Michael Jordan. I imagine when I see him I tell him, "hey you’re Michael Jordan" and he just looks back confused. And I say, "You're so incredible, you can turn anything into a basket, I just admire you." and he stares blankly back as if nothing I am saying is really hitting him. I wonder if that's how Heavenly Father feels sometimes. He tells us all the time who we are. Do we just not get it?
"For nearly six thousand years, God has held you in reserve to make your appearance in the final days before the Second Coming of the Lord. God has saved for the final inning some of his strongest children, who will help bear off the Kingdom triumphantly. Make no mistake about it--you are a marked generation." -Ezra Taft Benson
That's a prophet of God telling us who we really are, but so often we listen to who the world says we are and value those comments more than we value that of our Heavenly Father. I guess I just see it differently. I know that I am a son of a living God who knows me. With that knowledge, I often wonder how I will ever be able to live up to Him and his expectations. I have figured it out. WE TRY. That's all Heavenly Father asks but that does not mean it will be easy. This is a lifelong process and will require everything you have to give to it. The words from Winston Churchill that I read in my 10th grade English class come back to me I guess. "We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I will say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark and lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: victory; victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be..."
The more time that I spend on this Earth, the more I realize how inadequate I am, how much further I have to go, and how much I just really don’t know. But if I know anything at all, it is that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. It contains the transforming power to truly change. There is no other, nor better way to understand who I am, and who God expects me to be, than through that very gospel knowledge. I am so thankful for that gospel and the great opportunity I have to share it with others who desire to change and find true happiness. I only hope to be who He, who matters most, expects me to be.
I love ya'll! So very much! I would say God Bless...but I am already sure that He is. Notice those blessings.
Hugs and Kisses,
Elder Excell
Monday, November 21, 2011
Pictures!
Q&A - November 21, 2011
1. Do you have a dinner appointment for Thanksgiving?
We have dinner with the members we live with, the Nielsen's. I'm super excited! It will be like my own family....almost. Not quite, really, but I love them. I'm getting really close with them!
2. Is Thursday a regular work day for you or do you get an extra little break?
Well...it's a regular day but we are kinda supposed to visit more members than knock doors if possible. We don't know the specifics on rules quite yet but we'll find out soon I guess.
3. When is the mission tour with Elder Bowen supposed to happen or did that happen already? If so, how was it?
I'll write all about it. It was friday and phenomenal!
4. How is your ankle? You said you were going to give me more details last week in your email but I think you kind of forgot. :)
Ya...about that...I forgot. It's alright. Still really tender and Dr. McKellar thinks I might have a stress fracture on my tibia or fibula....we're gonna try to see this week! I just keep moving tho. I can't stand the crutches and I can't stand to just stay home so normal routine it is!
5. Is your bed made and your room clean right now? :)
Bed...yes.....room.....mostly. I need to hang up my suit from yesterday. It's hanging on my chair right now. Thanks for the reminder! =)
6. What was your biggest accomplishment this week?
I guess I felt the spirit this week... I've just noticed how hard that sometimes can be but also how essential it is so I'm proud that I did it!
7. Since we will be sitting around the Hyde family Thanksgiving table this week, I'll ask the traditional question, what are you most thankful for?
haha...at the Nielsen's we fill out these thankful cards everyday and so I've been pondering for 21 days already...I'm thankful for my family and the gospel. I have zero ideas where I'd be without either of them!
We have dinner with the members we live with, the Nielsen's. I'm super excited! It will be like my own family....almost. Not quite, really, but I love them. I'm getting really close with them!
2. Is Thursday a regular work day for you or do you get an extra little break?
Well...it's a regular day but we are kinda supposed to visit more members than knock doors if possible. We don't know the specifics on rules quite yet but we'll find out soon I guess.
3. When is the mission tour with Elder Bowen supposed to happen or did that happen already? If so, how was it?
I'll write all about it. It was friday and phenomenal!
4. How is your ankle? You said you were going to give me more details last week in your email but I think you kind of forgot. :)
Ya...about that...I forgot. It's alright. Still really tender and Dr. McKellar thinks I might have a stress fracture on my tibia or fibula....we're gonna try to see this week! I just keep moving tho. I can't stand the crutches and I can't stand to just stay home so normal routine it is!
5. Is your bed made and your room clean right now? :)
Bed...yes.....room.....mostly. I need to hang up my suit from yesterday. It's hanging on my chair right now. Thanks for the reminder! =)
6. What was your biggest accomplishment this week?
I guess I felt the spirit this week... I've just noticed how hard that sometimes can be but also how essential it is so I'm proud that I did it!
7. Since we will be sitting around the Hyde family Thanksgiving table this week, I'll ask the traditional question, what are you most thankful for?
haha...at the Nielsen's we fill out these thankful cards everyday and so I've been pondering for 21 days already...I'm thankful for my family and the gospel. I have zero ideas where I'd be without either of them!
Thank you for your help!
Man, it has been just a crazy week! We only had like 2.2 days in our actual area here in Waukee, so when we were home we were super busy and obviously when we weren't home we had some reason to be super busy there too. It was busy but I think that's the way life should be. As long as we are busy being productive. There is simply no purpose in being busy just to be busy. I'm so thankful for the chance to be busily productive as a missionary. It's really helped to set a pattern for the rest of my life I feel.
Last Monday, we watched Elder Purcell attempt the Adam Emmeneker Challenge. It is literally 5 pounds of food. Two halves of Jethro’s BBQ huge tenderloin, an 8-ounce Angus steak burger topped with melted cheddar cheese, 8 ounces of Texas brisket, several slices of applewood-smoked bacon, two large buffalo chicken tenders, two squares of fried cheese and a ladleful of white cheddar sauce. Anybody remember Man vs. Food?? Ya, this sandwich was on it. It's not all that bad except they give you also a ton of waffle fries and 15 minutes to do it all. Needless to say there are only 7 people on the wall of fame, and the rest of the restaurant is the walls of shame. Purcell didn't quite make it. He had one tenderloin and a bun left. Close. This is his second time doing it. He's convinced after 3 it's in the bag! He's an awesome kid tho! He's huge. He reminds me of Hagrid and the best part is he's ticklish!!
We also played disk golf on p-day. It was a lot of fun! I'm much better at normal golf, but ya know...I’ve had a bit more practice with it. We will be playing again today in the merciless 34 degree weather. Winter has officially hit Des Moines. You can smell it in the air!
Tuesday we had to coordinate a lot for the mission conference we had with Elder Bowen on Friday. Since it was in Des Moines and we are the Des Moines zone leaders, we had to set it all up and make sure to dot the i's and cross the t's. It was actually really cool. I enjoy the feeling of setting up and coordinating events. Makes me feel professional. We also taught Matt and Theresa again on Tuesday. Good people. We have great lessons with them but they just won't come to church yet. It's a little heart breaking but it'll happen this week. I have a good feeling about it.
Wednesday we also got to spend in our area. It was a good day. We walked this popular bike path that we can contact people on usually. Bad news was it was freezing so no one likes to ride their bikes anymore. Oh well. We taught quite a few member lessons and we helped put up some Christmas lights for some people. It was a lot of fun. I'm always surprised at how much I just love helping others. It's just a natural high I think to help someone who needs it.
Thursday we went on exchanges with Elder Johnson and Elder Folsom. We call Elder Johnson either Elder Johnson the younger or Johnson of greater girth. He's a big boy. I went with Elder Folsom from Oregon and we didn’t have too much success but we had a good time. We did teach one lesson that was really super good! They are teaching a guy that loves the Book of Mormon and so we just answered all the questions of his soul he had. It was awesome. We read Moroni chapter 10 with him and as we were reading he was just like, "man this is just like reading my mind. It’s answering all my questions before I even ask them." What a great summary of the Book of Mormon. He's a very solid investigator and should be baptized soon!
Friday was the mission tour. It was great!!! I learned so much from Elder Bowen. He's just a great guy. I walked away from the whole experience just as I always do from zone conference with a desire to do better and inspired to do a little more. I guess the biggest thing I walked away with this time was how too often we just simply do not understand who we are. I have come to understand much better who I am but also who it is that Heavenly Father expects me to be. I have so much more to do. I am so far from where He would like to see me but I am getting there and that's all that really matters. I know He loves me still the same and is proud of my efforts. The whole world is in front of all of us. We have an infinite and eternal potential. We just need to look to it and strive for it. Amazingly enough, all of the coordinating efforts were a success. The wireless mic was where it needed to be and the song came together and the lunch was fantastic and it all went smoothly. Elder Bowen is actually uncle to Brother Nielsen who we live with so Sister Bowen came to our house on Saturday and checked our room. She said it passes. She was a mission president's wife once so she has some good experience in judging.
Saturday we got to run the score board for the Iowa’s games and volunteer there. We took 30 elders with us to Ames and watched and scored and assisted in a 3rd grade through 8th grade boys and girls basketball tournament. It was a lot of fun. Kinda just something out of the ordinary so it was nice. There are some pretty talented kids these days. It seems like younger generations just out-do everyone previous to them. We only messed up the score board a couple of times tho. I'm thankful the parents glared at us and yelled a bit so we knew when to fix it.
Sunday was stake conference. Very good meeting and President Nye has been released and President Pence is now the stake president in Des Moines.
Things I learned this week....
-The record time to eat a Adam Emmeneker stands at 7 minutes 30 seconds....gross.
-Arizona boys don't like cold or snow. =)
-Girls don't like boys, girls like cars and money.... jk, I already knew that....
-Japanese anime cartoons are extremely provocative....shelving library books teaches you a lot.
-My GPS, ”Katie Rae" needs to be updated. Roads change far too frequently.
This week I have just been trying to count my blessings. With Thanksgiving and all, I have realized how thankful I am and should be year round. I need to express my gratitude more. But I am particularly thankful this year for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have always known who I wanted to be but couldn’t ever seem to connect the dots of where I was and where I wanted to be. I have just grown such a large testimony that this gospel that I agree willingly to abide by is helping me and making me who I want to be. It is the line between now and all my future goals. I have even thought this week several times that even if this church was not true...which I know it is but if it was not....I would still follow it because it helps me have the lifestyle that I know is most spiritually healthy for me. It is the best path for me. Bonus is that I know the church is true and that just makes it all the better! I love it! I guess King Benjamin summarized it quite well....Mosiah 2:41....
"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."
I love all of you! I am so thankful for you and all that you do for me and how you support me however it is. I can’t say that I wouldn’t be here without your support because I believe I would be, but how much better it is for me knowing my cheering section is very full. How comforting it is to know that that same cheering section includes my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We are all on the same side!
Hugs and Kisses ya'll
Elder Excell
p.s. "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." -Helen Keller
Last Monday, we watched Elder Purcell attempt the Adam Emmeneker Challenge. It is literally 5 pounds of food. Two halves of Jethro’s BBQ huge tenderloin, an 8-ounce Angus steak burger topped with melted cheddar cheese, 8 ounces of Texas brisket, several slices of applewood-smoked bacon, two large buffalo chicken tenders, two squares of fried cheese and a ladleful of white cheddar sauce. Anybody remember Man vs. Food?? Ya, this sandwich was on it. It's not all that bad except they give you also a ton of waffle fries and 15 minutes to do it all. Needless to say there are only 7 people on the wall of fame, and the rest of the restaurant is the walls of shame. Purcell didn't quite make it. He had one tenderloin and a bun left. Close. This is his second time doing it. He's convinced after 3 it's in the bag! He's an awesome kid tho! He's huge. He reminds me of Hagrid and the best part is he's ticklish!!
We also played disk golf on p-day. It was a lot of fun! I'm much better at normal golf, but ya know...I’ve had a bit more practice with it. We will be playing again today in the merciless 34 degree weather. Winter has officially hit Des Moines. You can smell it in the air!
Tuesday we had to coordinate a lot for the mission conference we had with Elder Bowen on Friday. Since it was in Des Moines and we are the Des Moines zone leaders, we had to set it all up and make sure to dot the i's and cross the t's. It was actually really cool. I enjoy the feeling of setting up and coordinating events. Makes me feel professional. We also taught Matt and Theresa again on Tuesday. Good people. We have great lessons with them but they just won't come to church yet. It's a little heart breaking but it'll happen this week. I have a good feeling about it.
Wednesday we also got to spend in our area. It was a good day. We walked this popular bike path that we can contact people on usually. Bad news was it was freezing so no one likes to ride their bikes anymore. Oh well. We taught quite a few member lessons and we helped put up some Christmas lights for some people. It was a lot of fun. I'm always surprised at how much I just love helping others. It's just a natural high I think to help someone who needs it.
Thursday we went on exchanges with Elder Johnson and Elder Folsom. We call Elder Johnson either Elder Johnson the younger or Johnson of greater girth. He's a big boy. I went with Elder Folsom from Oregon and we didn’t have too much success but we had a good time. We did teach one lesson that was really super good! They are teaching a guy that loves the Book of Mormon and so we just answered all the questions of his soul he had. It was awesome. We read Moroni chapter 10 with him and as we were reading he was just like, "man this is just like reading my mind. It’s answering all my questions before I even ask them." What a great summary of the Book of Mormon. He's a very solid investigator and should be baptized soon!
Friday was the mission tour. It was great!!! I learned so much from Elder Bowen. He's just a great guy. I walked away from the whole experience just as I always do from zone conference with a desire to do better and inspired to do a little more. I guess the biggest thing I walked away with this time was how too often we just simply do not understand who we are. I have come to understand much better who I am but also who it is that Heavenly Father expects me to be. I have so much more to do. I am so far from where He would like to see me but I am getting there and that's all that really matters. I know He loves me still the same and is proud of my efforts. The whole world is in front of all of us. We have an infinite and eternal potential. We just need to look to it and strive for it. Amazingly enough, all of the coordinating efforts were a success. The wireless mic was where it needed to be and the song came together and the lunch was fantastic and it all went smoothly. Elder Bowen is actually uncle to Brother Nielsen who we live with so Sister Bowen came to our house on Saturday and checked our room. She said it passes. She was a mission president's wife once so she has some good experience in judging.
Saturday we got to run the score board for the Iowa’s games and volunteer there. We took 30 elders with us to Ames and watched and scored and assisted in a 3rd grade through 8th grade boys and girls basketball tournament. It was a lot of fun. Kinda just something out of the ordinary so it was nice. There are some pretty talented kids these days. It seems like younger generations just out-do everyone previous to them. We only messed up the score board a couple of times tho. I'm thankful the parents glared at us and yelled a bit so we knew when to fix it.
Sunday was stake conference. Very good meeting and President Nye has been released and President Pence is now the stake president in Des Moines.
Things I learned this week....
-The record time to eat a Adam Emmeneker stands at 7 minutes 30 seconds....gross.
-Arizona boys don't like cold or snow. =)
-Girls don't like boys, girls like cars and money.... jk, I already knew that....
-Japanese anime cartoons are extremely provocative....shelving library books teaches you a lot.
-My GPS, ”Katie Rae" needs to be updated. Roads change far too frequently.
This week I have just been trying to count my blessings. With Thanksgiving and all, I have realized how thankful I am and should be year round. I need to express my gratitude more. But I am particularly thankful this year for the gospel of Jesus Christ. I have always known who I wanted to be but couldn’t ever seem to connect the dots of where I was and where I wanted to be. I have just grown such a large testimony that this gospel that I agree willingly to abide by is helping me and making me who I want to be. It is the line between now and all my future goals. I have even thought this week several times that even if this church was not true...which I know it is but if it was not....I would still follow it because it helps me have the lifestyle that I know is most spiritually healthy for me. It is the best path for me. Bonus is that I know the church is true and that just makes it all the better! I love it! I guess King Benjamin summarized it quite well....Mosiah 2:41....
"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."
I love all of you! I am so thankful for you and all that you do for me and how you support me however it is. I can’t say that I wouldn’t be here without your support because I believe I would be, but how much better it is for me knowing my cheering section is very full. How comforting it is to know that that same cheering section includes my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We are all on the same side!
Hugs and Kisses ya'll
Elder Excell
p.s. "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." -Helen Keller
Monday, November 14, 2011
Q&A - November 14, 2011
1. How is your ankle?
It's still super tender. I'll explain the updates on it in the email.
2. Are you still on crutches?
Heck no! I couldnt stand the things! I just couldn't do them anymore. I don't care what a doctor says. I will not use crutches! And no one wants to let the cripple missionary in their home to teach them about Jesus!
3. I'm wondering if you've been able to keep up with your Portuguese at all? Do you have time?
I actually watch some approved movies in portuguese still and read my scriptures. I write some different people from Brazil still and all of them have commented on how well my Portuguese still sounds. I guess I'm doing alright.
4. How much of your week is spent fulfilling zone leader responsibilities and how much of of your time is spent tracting and doing normal missionary stuff?
Last week it was about half and half. I wish we had more time to be in our area but that's just not what the Lord needs. He blesses us tho for our diligence however it is that we serve tho!
5. What was the most difficult thing you accomplished this week?
Learning a new area and new companion is sometimes overwhelming but it's gettting much better. Just a lot to take in all at once.
It's still super tender. I'll explain the updates on it in the email.
2. Are you still on crutches?
Heck no! I couldnt stand the things! I just couldn't do them anymore. I don't care what a doctor says. I will not use crutches! And no one wants to let the cripple missionary in their home to teach them about Jesus!
3. I'm wondering if you've been able to keep up with your Portuguese at all? Do you have time?
I actually watch some approved movies in portuguese still and read my scriptures. I write some different people from Brazil still and all of them have commented on how well my Portuguese still sounds. I guess I'm doing alright.
4. How much of your week is spent fulfilling zone leader responsibilities and how much of of your time is spent tracting and doing normal missionary stuff?
Last week it was about half and half. I wish we had more time to be in our area but that's just not what the Lord needs. He blesses us tho for our diligence however it is that we serve tho!
5. What was the most difficult thing you accomplished this week?
Learning a new area and new companion is sometimes overwhelming but it's gettting much better. Just a lot to take in all at once.
Please Turn Off Cellular Phones
What a super fast week! I thought life got faster after being a district leader. As soon as you say good bye to that and hello to zone leader, you quickly realize your time is just very precious. I guess it's not really "my time" to begin with but I am learning I have less and less and less of it.
This week, on Tuesday, we had what is called Zone Leader Council. It is where all the zone leaders in the mission meet in Iowa City and have a day-long meeting about progress in the mission and plans for the future. We drove up with the A.P.'s and with Ames zone leaders and Boone zone leaders. Elder Franz is one of the Boone zone leaders so we sat together on the way up and back and just talked about people from high school. It was super fun to hear updates and reminisce. I also solved my first Rubik's Cube. I am still quite slow but I at least did it. Now, I can officially call myself intelligent. haha.
The Conference itself was perhaps the most spiritual meeting I have been in during my mission and perhaps my life. With the end of the year approaching we have to decide on a baptismal goal for 2012 and there has been a lot of debate about it. This year's goal was 500 to heaven in 2011. Well as of right now we are at 292 baptisms for the year. The goal of 500 was inspired though and we all felt that and knew that. So we went back and forth and back and forth for nearly 2 hours on what the new goal should be and why. A lot of very good ideas from everyone but we were still not coming to a complete consensus. Elder Phillips, serving in Oskaloosa now, suggested we get on our knees as a group and pray together asking for heaven's help in setting this goal. Elder Phillips offered said prayer and it was very powerful. President Jergensen then stood up and said with power and authority, "Elders, the goal is 400. The sacrifice is Music. From now on, this mission will listen to Mormon Tabernacle Choir only." After which he seated himself and the spirit engulfed the room. I get chills even now thinking back on it. It was an incredible moment. We knew the next topic was the music of the mission and all had very adamant opinions on those rules. What should be allowed and what should not. When president stood and said that, the spirit did the teaching. There was no more discussion. After he sat down, there was only testimony of the new inspired goal and how to accomplish it. As a zone leader, my responsibility was to pass on the new goal and the new rules to my districts. The spirit was present in both district meetings as we presented our new goals and rules and it was overpowering. It has truly been such a blessing to see in the mission. Every one has a very keen love for the music we listened to but we all have now a strong conviction for the new goal and can testify in unity that "sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven".
Wednesday, we had exchanges with the A.P.s. They are some great missionaries. We were in their area so we lost another day in ours but the work of the Lord was being done and nothing else really matters. They have been a great example to me in being diligent in whatever it is the Lord calls you to do.
Thursday and Friday we had district meetings with the east side of Des Moines and the west side. Running things back and forth for them keeps us pretty busy as well. I also helped some sisters practice for a musical number for our mission tour with Elder Bowen of the seventy. they needed a temporary accompanist so I filled in. It's been so nice living at the Nielsen's. Not only do i just love them but they have a baby grand piano that I love very much.
Elder Johnson and I have been on the subject of Harry Potter very much this week. He's a fanatic. We've been sorting everyone in the mission and people we meet into their respective houses. We, ourselves, actually took a test online to see where we should be. 122 questions with demographical information and you can know too! haha! I'm in gryffindor and he is from huffle puff. Very fitting. I think I have a lot of slytherin qualities tho. I think as I grow up I will become more slytherin. We walked into the Nielsen's and they were watching harry potter 7.2 and we just ran the opposite direction. Elder Johnson is excited to see it in a month. As for me....9 months will do. I can wait. :)
We had a 3 course meal last night. Super good. There is a member in our ward who just loves to cook. So we had a really good salad and then for the main course some roasted pork tenderloin with garlic mashed potatoes with some gourmet green beans. She had fancy names for them all but I don't remember. Dessert was some chocolate molten lave cake with homemade marshmallows and home made whip cream. It was all super good. She has 17 different kinds of salt...that's pretty nuts.
We had a super good lesson this week with Matt and Theresa, some investigators. They are progressing very well and super interested. More so than we expected. I am excited to see how things turn out there. Jared Fee in Knoxville got baptized! I love that kid! He got baptized on 11-11-2011. Awesome! And the Jone's family in Des Moines
Just for everyones information, I did make a wish at 11:11 a.m. I wished to have a date with Taylor Swift and Emma Watson in 9 months. I figure you can't have a much better opportunity to wish than that! :)
-Things I learned this week----
-The spirit does the teaching, we do the talking
-There exists a 5 lb. burger in Des Moines and Elder Purcell will be attempting it in 15 minutes. I'm a witness. :)
-I can wait to have kids for a while. My mission has been great birth control.
-When nurturing your baby under a blanket...please use a blanket that does not have a lot of holes in the stitching. Took me straight back to Brazil! It was pretty awkward for the other 4 missionaries sitting with me. haha!
Well y'all....I have to go witness Elder Purcell the boy become a man. I'll tell you all about it next week and send some pics too! Supposedly we're playing Frisbee golf today as well with the west side elders. Pretty excited!
Since I am in a Harry Potter sort of mood, let me end with some quotes from J.K. Rowling the genius....
Since I am in a Harry Potter sort of mood, let me end with some quotes from J.K. Rowling the genius....
-"Now is the time to do what is right, or what is easy."
-“If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.”
-“It is our choices, Harry, that show us what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
-“It takes much bravery to stand up to our enemies but we need as much bravery to stand up to our friends.”
-“Remember, if the time should come when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember what happened to a boy who was good, and kind, and brave, because he strayed across the path of Lord Voldemort. Remember Cedric Diggory.”
I love y'all!!
I love y'all!!
Elder Excell
House of Gryffindor
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Monday, November 7, 2011
Pictures!
Q&A - November 7, 2011
1. Where in the Iowa Des Moines Mission did you land?!?
I am in the Waukee area and Waukee ward. It is in the Des Moines Zone.
2. Who is your new companion? Where is he from?
Elder Michael Johnson....do you remember how I got that letter from the mission office for Elder Johnson that was going back out like me...yep it's him. He's from Mesa, AZ. Awesome guy. This is his last transfer tho so I am killing him off!
3. What is the best thing about him?
He looks like Jude Law mixed with Juaquin Phoenix.
4. What are some of your responsibilities as Zone Leader?
I don't even know. We collect all the numbers, do a lot of baptismal interviews...I did 4 last night...and we also are just the relayers of info from president and the ap's. It's a lot of fun tho!
5. Is there a ward or branch where you are now? How big is it?
It's gigantic compared to what I am used to. It's a ward and has about the same membership as the Highland 7th Ward. It's definitely a change. My first fully functioning without missionaries ward!
6. We had a crazy little snow storm on Friday. Do you have snow yet? Are you freezing?
No snow yet and it looks super warm today. We'll see. It's coming soon tho.
7. What is your new apartment like?
We actually live in the Taj Mahal of missionary living quarters. We live in the basement of some members that are about 35 years old with two boys. awesome family! We play games every night and just chat! So much fun! I'll spend thanksgiving and most likely christmas with a family. So sweet!
8. Where are you writing your email from today? Are you in the library like in Knoxville?
We are kinda having district p-day with the West Des Moines district. We are in the West Des Moines public library.
9. Do you still have the same car or did it stay in Knoxville?
New car and they just barely got it the day before I came. It has about 300 miles on it now but when they got it it only had 40. 2011 toyota corrola.
10. What was the best part of your week?
It was all a blur to be real honest. Transfer week with daylight savings threw me off.
I am in the Waukee area and Waukee ward. It is in the Des Moines Zone.
2. Who is your new companion? Where is he from?
Elder Michael Johnson....do you remember how I got that letter from the mission office for Elder Johnson that was going back out like me...yep it's him. He's from Mesa, AZ. Awesome guy. This is his last transfer tho so I am killing him off!
3. What is the best thing about him?
He looks like Jude Law mixed with Juaquin Phoenix.
4. What are some of your responsibilities as Zone Leader?
I don't even know. We collect all the numbers, do a lot of baptismal interviews...I did 4 last night...and we also are just the relayers of info from president and the ap's. It's a lot of fun tho!
5. Is there a ward or branch where you are now? How big is it?
It's gigantic compared to what I am used to. It's a ward and has about the same membership as the Highland 7th Ward. It's definitely a change. My first fully functioning without missionaries ward!
6. We had a crazy little snow storm on Friday. Do you have snow yet? Are you freezing?
No snow yet and it looks super warm today. We'll see. It's coming soon tho.
7. What is your new apartment like?
We actually live in the Taj Mahal of missionary living quarters. We live in the basement of some members that are about 35 years old with two boys. awesome family! We play games every night and just chat! So much fun! I'll spend thanksgiving and most likely christmas with a family. So sweet!
8. Where are you writing your email from today? Are you in the library like in Knoxville?
We are kinda having district p-day with the West Des Moines district. We are in the West Des Moines public library.
9. Do you still have the same car or did it stay in Knoxville?
New car and they just barely got it the day before I came. It has about 300 miles on it now but when they got it it only had 40. 2011 toyota corrola.
10. What was the best part of your week?
It was all a blur to be real honest. Transfer week with daylight savings threw me off.
Waukee!!!!
Man! So, for being a short week, this week has been packed with so much! I can't even really get it all straight and I’m sure that by the end of this letter, I will send it off and about 5 minutes later, either remember that I forgot to say something or something else entirely will happen that I’ll forget to write next week. I guess I’m understanding better why return missionaries talk so much about their missions...besides it being the best two years, it's the two years of memories that you forgot to tell this person or that person and so you just try to talk all the time about it to cover your bases. Haha.
On Wednesday, last week, I had my last p-day in Knoxville and it was really effective and good. We said goodbye to some people, played some soccer, broke my ankle...oh wait, I guess I should write about that. So, truth be told, I did not break my ankle but severely sprained it. Interesting side note...Dr. McKellar in my ward here in Waukee, who checked it out, knows Dave Adams, Rich Harper, and the rest of the crew in Rigby. I guess they all used to be in this ward once upon a time. His wife came up to me at church and asked if I knew the Adam’s and well ya, of course I do. Cool connections all over the place. Anyway, I sprained my ankle pretty good. I’ve been on crutches for about a week almost and I figure Heavenly Father just wanted to give me the opportunity to learn upper body strength and build up the calluses in my arm pits. It put a little damper on my last night in Knoxville but I didn’t let it slow me down. I got some crutches and we hobbled to see everyone else we needed to. I’m going to miss that place so much but I’ll see most of them soon at stake conference! :)
Thursday, we drove to Iowa City through 40 mph winds and that was a blast. We made it there and my dreams came true. Me and Elder Johnson are serving together in Waukee, Iowa and the zone leaders over the Des Moines zone. It’s a little spooky cause we will most likely go out with the visiting general authorities coming in two weeks. Elder Bowen, of the seventy, was born in Idaho tho so we should get along. I drove back from Iowa City with some members from Waukee in a Prius. If it wasn’t for my luggage, we probably would have blown off the road. Oh, and I set a record for heaviest packed bag. 103 pounds. That’s just one bag by the way. As a review on the Prius...decent car...not for me.
Waukee is going to be so different than all my other areas! I’ve never served in a ward before that doesn’t need the missionaries to teach primary, speak in sacrament meeting, and play the organ each week. It’ll be a bit of a change but I’m so looking forward to it. It is definitely the nicer end of town. For example, I saw a lady in the doctor’s office wearing a Louis Vuitton purse and Versace sunglasses. Not to mention the Louis Vuitton purse at the thrift store for $2.99. I almost bought it out of sheer amazement. Haha. I also saw a Ferrari the other day just parked in a driveway. Nuts!
We live in the Taj Mahal of missionary living quarters. We live with the Nielsen’s and I love them so much! They are a younger couple about 35 years old with 2 boys. Their boys are a hoot. Ages 10 and 7 I think. We play games at night or have Nerf wars. It’s just like being a part of a family. He is an ophthalmologist. I’ve thought lately that I could do that. I would love it actually.
Saturday, we had our ward's day of service. Elder Johnson and I were in a group with the bishop and one other young man and we went and raked leaves and trimmed bushes at two houses. Both were very appreciative. The first older man lived in a duplex and we were just assigned to do his but we were told by him to do the neighbors too. Come to find out that it was not part of the contract for the group we did our work for. He hustled us. Well played, my friend. Well played. In total we raked 60+ compost bags of leaves. I came to the conclusion that I have zero biceps. Scratch that....I had zero biceps. It was a fantastic workout.
Sunday at church, I felt like the guest of honor. I felt so welcome. This ward is fantastic. They all do such a great job with what they do. It is made up of quite a few younger couples and their kids. We don't go a single day without a dinner appointment. So great! They all sign up for the appointments online. Everyone has ipads and what not. It’s a fun ward. I’m really looking forward to serving here!! There are quite a few connections with people back home too. A lot of doctors and med school students...who knows...maybe I will be here for school sometime!?
Elder Johnson is a stud. We get along so well and understand each other very well. It’s going to be a great transfer and then it's for sure that I’ll be getting a new companion. Elder Johnson will be gone and done. I’m proud of him. Good kid!
Things I learned this week--
-Apparently, severely sprained ankles hurt worse than breaks.
-Louis Vuitton purses sell for $2.99 in the stores I shop at.
-BMW's are really nice cars. I will have one someday!
-Monopoly Deal---probably the funnest game ever. So much better than Monopoly!
This week, I have been focusing spiritually on the progression that we all need to make as humans and the progression we promised to make as members of the Lord's church. We promise at baptism, and in all other covenants with God, that we will do our best. That's all the Lord really requires of us. He just wants the best for us and knows it comes from doing the best we can! There is truly only one thing we can do for the Lord that has to come from us. Think on it. There is only one thing that the Lord does not already have. He is the creator of all and the owner of all, but there is one thing that we possess that we should strive to give to the Lord, and that is our will. Our whole goal here is to master ourselves to a sufficient state that we may be rulers over other things of our Heavenly Father’s. We do that by giving all of ourself to the lord. We will not be perfect and that's good because the Lord doesn’t demand immediate perfection but only immediate progress.
I love ya'll! A week will go by in no time! I can't wait to hear the updates of life!
Hugs and kisses ya'll,
Elder Excell
On Wednesday, last week, I had my last p-day in Knoxville and it was really effective and good. We said goodbye to some people, played some soccer, broke my ankle...oh wait, I guess I should write about that. So, truth be told, I did not break my ankle but severely sprained it. Interesting side note...Dr. McKellar in my ward here in Waukee, who checked it out, knows Dave Adams, Rich Harper, and the rest of the crew in Rigby. I guess they all used to be in this ward once upon a time. His wife came up to me at church and asked if I knew the Adam’s and well ya, of course I do. Cool connections all over the place. Anyway, I sprained my ankle pretty good. I’ve been on crutches for about a week almost and I figure Heavenly Father just wanted to give me the opportunity to learn upper body strength and build up the calluses in my arm pits. It put a little damper on my last night in Knoxville but I didn’t let it slow me down. I got some crutches and we hobbled to see everyone else we needed to. I’m going to miss that place so much but I’ll see most of them soon at stake conference! :)
Thursday, we drove to Iowa City through 40 mph winds and that was a blast. We made it there and my dreams came true. Me and Elder Johnson are serving together in Waukee, Iowa and the zone leaders over the Des Moines zone. It’s a little spooky cause we will most likely go out with the visiting general authorities coming in two weeks. Elder Bowen, of the seventy, was born in Idaho tho so we should get along. I drove back from Iowa City with some members from Waukee in a Prius. If it wasn’t for my luggage, we probably would have blown off the road. Oh, and I set a record for heaviest packed bag. 103 pounds. That’s just one bag by the way. As a review on the Prius...decent car...not for me.
Waukee is going to be so different than all my other areas! I’ve never served in a ward before that doesn’t need the missionaries to teach primary, speak in sacrament meeting, and play the organ each week. It’ll be a bit of a change but I’m so looking forward to it. It is definitely the nicer end of town. For example, I saw a lady in the doctor’s office wearing a Louis Vuitton purse and Versace sunglasses. Not to mention the Louis Vuitton purse at the thrift store for $2.99. I almost bought it out of sheer amazement. Haha. I also saw a Ferrari the other day just parked in a driveway. Nuts!
We live in the Taj Mahal of missionary living quarters. We live with the Nielsen’s and I love them so much! They are a younger couple about 35 years old with 2 boys. Their boys are a hoot. Ages 10 and 7 I think. We play games at night or have Nerf wars. It’s just like being a part of a family. He is an ophthalmologist. I’ve thought lately that I could do that. I would love it actually.
Saturday, we had our ward's day of service. Elder Johnson and I were in a group with the bishop and one other young man and we went and raked leaves and trimmed bushes at two houses. Both were very appreciative. The first older man lived in a duplex and we were just assigned to do his but we were told by him to do the neighbors too. Come to find out that it was not part of the contract for the group we did our work for. He hustled us. Well played, my friend. Well played. In total we raked 60+ compost bags of leaves. I came to the conclusion that I have zero biceps. Scratch that....I had zero biceps. It was a fantastic workout.
Sunday at church, I felt like the guest of honor. I felt so welcome. This ward is fantastic. They all do such a great job with what they do. It is made up of quite a few younger couples and their kids. We don't go a single day without a dinner appointment. So great! They all sign up for the appointments online. Everyone has ipads and what not. It’s a fun ward. I’m really looking forward to serving here!! There are quite a few connections with people back home too. A lot of doctors and med school students...who knows...maybe I will be here for school sometime!?
Elder Johnson is a stud. We get along so well and understand each other very well. It’s going to be a great transfer and then it's for sure that I’ll be getting a new companion. Elder Johnson will be gone and done. I’m proud of him. Good kid!
Things I learned this week--
-Apparently, severely sprained ankles hurt worse than breaks.
-Louis Vuitton purses sell for $2.99 in the stores I shop at.
-BMW's are really nice cars. I will have one someday!
-Monopoly Deal---probably the funnest game ever. So much better than Monopoly!
This week, I have been focusing spiritually on the progression that we all need to make as humans and the progression we promised to make as members of the Lord's church. We promise at baptism, and in all other covenants with God, that we will do our best. That's all the Lord really requires of us. He just wants the best for us and knows it comes from doing the best we can! There is truly only one thing we can do for the Lord that has to come from us. Think on it. There is only one thing that the Lord does not already have. He is the creator of all and the owner of all, but there is one thing that we possess that we should strive to give to the Lord, and that is our will. Our whole goal here is to master ourselves to a sufficient state that we may be rulers over other things of our Heavenly Father’s. We do that by giving all of ourself to the lord. We will not be perfect and that's good because the Lord doesn’t demand immediate perfection but only immediate progress.
I love ya'll! A week will go by in no time! I can't wait to hear the updates of life!
Hugs and kisses ya'll,
Elder Excell
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Pictures!
Rely and Apply
Well for all of you who have not yet been informed....I will no longer be able to call Knoxville home. They are finally giving me the boot. I guess I was called to the Iowa Des Moines mission tho and not just the Knoxville Iowa Mission. I have loved this area sooooo much! I will miss it a lot but I am determined to not let my absence from Knoxville take me away from my presence in wherever it is that I find myself tomorrow afternoon. All I know is that my last day in Knoxville will be packed. I have so much to do and so little time to do it....I guess that's just preparation for life tho! I have been called by the Lord to be a zone leader. I feel pretty inadequate for the job but I guess like it says in Doctrine and Covenants...that's kind of a prerequisite for the job. "And by the weak things of the earth the Lord shall thresh the nations by the power of his Spirit." (D&C 35:13) I guess I'm in the right spot!
Knoxville has given me so much! I've obviously been here for too long tho because I can't separate the days anymore and what happened. I have no idea what we did this week because I can't remember when the weeks started and when they ended. I feel a lot like Charles Dickens...
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only."
I have learned so much here in Knoxville. I decided tho that I would spend some time in this letter to convey what I most learned in this area. I have titled my letter "Rely and Apply" because that is what I have most learned here in Knoxville. I have learned through experiences beyond counting that you have to rely on the Lord. I have found in my tenure here that when you rely on yourself too much and the Lord too little...you are very off balance and eventually you will fall and hit the bottom where you learn the lesson I did. You must rely on the Lord. I have read countless times in this area Proverbs 3:5-6...."Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." I have learned the pattern for successful living is as this...we must pray as if all depended on the Lord and do all in our power as if it all depended on us.
The next most important thing I have learned is to apply what we learn. We have to do so. I would go as far as to say it is the biggest problem in the world. We fail to apply the lessons that we have personally, individually, and collectively learned. We cannot progress without application of what we learn. Nephi even said.... "for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning." (1 Nephi 19:23) I can also testify of the principle of application. James E Talmage I believe is the one who said, "Knowledge used constitutes wisdom." It is essential for us to do so.
This week we built a retaining wall. That was quite the chore. It will be cool to drive friends and family by someday and say, "hey, I did that." It took me back to my 6th grade days building the wall out in Casper. I remember that's where I got the Birds and the Bees talk! haha! It brought back some good memories! Time flies. That was a decade ago!
Kind of a bummer...we will have a baptism here in Knoxville on 11-11-11. (That was my idea for a date) :) Jared will be baptized and I couldn't be happier for him! I committed him to send me pictures tho!
Things I learned this week----
-You can never allow yourself to be too comfortable...when you do, change is certain.
-The definition of a missionary 10 for 10. "I give you 10 of my ugliest ties and you give me your ten ugliest ties."...I'm planning a ten for ten with Elder Wilson tomorrow!
-Space Bags are amazing. They take your suitcase space to a new level. I can fit so much by vacuuming out all the excess air!
-Hairspray will always outdo gel. Gel is nasty. Hairspray is awesome.
-I've been with Elder Smith too long....I choke on my own saliva way too often now! Thank heavens for transfers! =) Love ya Smith!
It's a week of change. I've learned to truly appreciate change. I used to not enjoy the feeling of vulnerability and I still don't think that I do completely, but I enjoy it because I know it is the precipice and preceding feeling before growth. Change is essential for growth. If our bodies did not go through some sort of physical change, we could never physically grow, and so it is spiritually. If we don't spiritually change, we will never spiritually grow. It's an eternal principle. I am grateful though for one thing that has never and will never change. That is the nature of my Heavenly Father. "For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing?" (Mormon 9:9)
I have learned another principle over the span of my short lifetime that regardless of our ever changing choices, worldly morals, and day to day actions, our Heavenly Father does not change. Regardless of the times we forget, or perhaps purposefully do not call upon his name in prayer, and how long apart the instances may be when we do pray, he is always there waiting for us. His arms are always extended towards us.
I am so thankful for all the opportunities that I have. I can only now hope to take all those opportunities and succeed in doing so. I love ya'll! See ya in a few! =)
Hugs and Kisses,
Elder Excell
Knoxville has given me so much! I've obviously been here for too long tho because I can't separate the days anymore and what happened. I have no idea what we did this week because I can't remember when the weeks started and when they ended. I feel a lot like Charles Dickens...
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only."
I have learned so much here in Knoxville. I decided tho that I would spend some time in this letter to convey what I most learned in this area. I have titled my letter "Rely and Apply" because that is what I have most learned here in Knoxville. I have learned through experiences beyond counting that you have to rely on the Lord. I have found in my tenure here that when you rely on yourself too much and the Lord too little...you are very off balance and eventually you will fall and hit the bottom where you learn the lesson I did. You must rely on the Lord. I have read countless times in this area Proverbs 3:5-6...."Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." I have learned the pattern for successful living is as this...we must pray as if all depended on the Lord and do all in our power as if it all depended on us.
The next most important thing I have learned is to apply what we learn. We have to do so. I would go as far as to say it is the biggest problem in the world. We fail to apply the lessons that we have personally, individually, and collectively learned. We cannot progress without application of what we learn. Nephi even said.... "for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning." (1 Nephi 19:23) I can also testify of the principle of application. James E Talmage I believe is the one who said, "Knowledge used constitutes wisdom." It is essential for us to do so.
This week we built a retaining wall. That was quite the chore. It will be cool to drive friends and family by someday and say, "hey, I did that." It took me back to my 6th grade days building the wall out in Casper. I remember that's where I got the Birds and the Bees talk! haha! It brought back some good memories! Time flies. That was a decade ago!
Kind of a bummer...we will have a baptism here in Knoxville on 11-11-11. (That was my idea for a date) :) Jared will be baptized and I couldn't be happier for him! I committed him to send me pictures tho!
Things I learned this week----
-You can never allow yourself to be too comfortable...when you do, change is certain.
-The definition of a missionary 10 for 10. "I give you 10 of my ugliest ties and you give me your ten ugliest ties."...I'm planning a ten for ten with Elder Wilson tomorrow!
-Space Bags are amazing. They take your suitcase space to a new level. I can fit so much by vacuuming out all the excess air!
-Hairspray will always outdo gel. Gel is nasty. Hairspray is awesome.
-I've been with Elder Smith too long....I choke on my own saliva way too often now! Thank heavens for transfers! =) Love ya Smith!
It's a week of change. I've learned to truly appreciate change. I used to not enjoy the feeling of vulnerability and I still don't think that I do completely, but I enjoy it because I know it is the precipice and preceding feeling before growth. Change is essential for growth. If our bodies did not go through some sort of physical change, we could never physically grow, and so it is spiritually. If we don't spiritually change, we will never spiritually grow. It's an eternal principle. I am grateful though for one thing that has never and will never change. That is the nature of my Heavenly Father. "For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing?" (Mormon 9:9)
I have learned another principle over the span of my short lifetime that regardless of our ever changing choices, worldly morals, and day to day actions, our Heavenly Father does not change. Regardless of the times we forget, or perhaps purposefully do not call upon his name in prayer, and how long apart the instances may be when we do pray, he is always there waiting for us. His arms are always extended towards us.
I am so thankful for all the opportunities that I have. I can only now hope to take all those opportunities and succeed in doing so. I love ya'll! See ya in a few! =)
Hugs and Kisses,
Elder Excell
Q&A - November 2, 2011
1. Transfers!! Where are you??
I have no idea where I will be tomorrow, but as for today, I am still in Knoxville next to Elder Smith. Today is the day before transfers so we'll see what happens!
2. Who is your companion and where is he from?
Elder Smith from Provo, UT. :)
3. Your forecast says snow today. Are you getting some?
Not yet. Some good rain tho. We are supposed to play some soccer today, rain or shine, with some people. I'm pretty stoked. I love rain games!
4. Was there one particular person or family in Knoxville that it was extra hard to say goodbye to?
All of them! I've loved the people here in Knoxville!
5. What was your biggest challenge this week?
Smiling with my teeth....I'm learning! :)
6. What was your biggest accomplishment?
Smiling with my teeth....I have a love/hate relationship with the idea of that. I'm learning to love it tho!
7. Do you know how much your family loves you?
I try to guess! :)
I have no idea where I will be tomorrow, but as for today, I am still in Knoxville next to Elder Smith. Today is the day before transfers so we'll see what happens!
2. Who is your companion and where is he from?
Elder Smith from Provo, UT. :)
3. Your forecast says snow today. Are you getting some?
Not yet. Some good rain tho. We are supposed to play some soccer today, rain or shine, with some people. I'm pretty stoked. I love rain games!
4. Was there one particular person or family in Knoxville that it was extra hard to say goodbye to?
All of them! I've loved the people here in Knoxville!
5. What was your biggest challenge this week?
Smiling with my teeth....I'm learning! :)
6. What was your biggest accomplishment?
Smiling with my teeth....I have a love/hate relationship with the idea of that. I'm learning to love it tho!
7. Do you know how much your family loves you?
I try to guess! :)
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