What a week! One week ago I sat in the Waverly Public Library thinking that I would be finishing my mission there but alas, nothing gold can stay. I have been transferred back to the Des Moines area in the 2nd ward and am now serving with Elder Larson and Elder Pope in a threesome. It's a little different but I like it.
I need to take a minute tho for an ode to Waverly. I love that town so much. There are so many people in Bremer County, of which Waverly is county seat, that I will miss and love forever. I had the opportunity and privilege to get to know so many great individuals and families. I made a lot of plans before leaving the area in hopes to see those people again. I hope they work out in due time. I promise I'll keep my end of the deal. I've wanted very much in all my areas to establish lasting relationships and Waverly was no exception. So to a few standout families if you ever read this, I want you to know how much I appreciate you and what you taught me. The Garner's: You probably didn't think you made that much of an impact on me but I hope I can have a family just like yours someday. The Larson's: You taught me to love what I do, and never quit singing. I think down the road, that will be a huge blessing to me. The Austin family: I don't even know where to start. All I can say is you will be a major part of my life forever. I just know it. There are so many others that could easily make that list but those three particularly have touched my life for good. I can't wait to see you all again either in Idaho soon or when I come back to visit someday.
That being said, let me tell you about where I am. I am right next to another favorite part of the world of mine; Waukee, Iowa. In fact I have emailed from the West Des Moines Public Library a handful of times already and am excited to be back. I love this area. I am excited to be with Elder Larson who has been out for 20 months. We've always wanted to serve together and thought the chance had passed but it would appear that that ship got held up in the harbor and never sailed. He's from Riverton, UT and a stud. I am also serving with Elder Pope from Arlington, VA. He's awesome. He's been out about 4 months now and has a lot of fire. He's a convert of about 18 months at this point and doing really good work.
I love the people that I've already met around her. I even convinced my companions that we needed to go running this morning so we ran the daily 5k and it was great. I beat my record time and ran it in 21 minutes this week.
With the sudden transfer this week has been a bit of a blur to be honest. But these are the things that I remember, not necessarily in order of occurrence.
I held a snake this week. It's name is Peaches and no, it did not end up on our kill list. It's actually a Python that a guy in Des Moines owns. I got some great pictures and am excited to pass those on. The guy's name is Jake and I love him. He and I get along really well. He's going through a pretty tough time in his life right now trying to make some decisions and good ones at that. He's come a long way already to be where he is now. He's huge by the way. Probably the most ripped man I have ever seen in person. He played football for the University of Utah a couple years ago. Great guy. Anyway, yesterday we had a really good discussion with him. I learned in that discussion that in life as much as we wish we could control everything, and at some times even restrict the agency of others to have our own way, we cannot. We should only worry about what we can control. For in reality, nothing else matters to us besides what we want control. Over the course of my mission I have learned and developed a blueprint for the life I want to have. I have some direction to take when arriving home. I know what kind of job I would like, how many kids I want to have, and what kind of wife I would like to marry. Those are all, for the most part, things I can control. I guess Joseph Smith said it best, "Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." I guess the bottom line is if you have in mind what you want, and you have confirmed by the spirit that it is good, then go for it and while doing so only focus on what you can control. Maybe to be a little less scriptural, I believe it was Michelangelo who said, "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." Go for your blueprint and do it. Don't let anything hold you back from what you want. If you have a plan, stick to it and go for what you want. It was pretty neat to meet Jake because coincidentally at the same time we were having frozen yogurt with a former girl's basketball player. I was sitting next to two collegiate athletes. Pretty awesome. I felt humbled in their presence.
We also met with a man named L.E. again in Waverly. As we chatted with him on his porch our conversation could not keep centered on the gospel. It was pretty apparent that he didn't want to talk about it because we would drift back into politics and what not. I almost felt as if when we were there that we were wasting our time. Well as we got up to leave L.E. said, "Boys, thanks for coming to see me. (Commence tear rolling down cheek.) You have no idea how much it means to me and helps me." I know I came on a mission to reap the seeds that others have sowed but with a comment like that I am perfectly content to plant some seeds like L.E.
Last night we had a great lesson with a girl named Alicia. She is awesome. I obviously haven't known her for too long but I can tell she has come a long way to be where she is now. To catch you all up like I had to be caught up, she's an investigator who at one point was having difficulties understanding the spirit and how it communicates with us. Last week she went to Nauvoo with her Boyfriend's family, who are members, and while looking at the original copy of the Book of Mormon in the visitor's center she said it hit her like a ton of bricks. She knew what the spirit was and has not had difficulty recognizing is since. She has a little ways to go yet, but she will be baptized soon. I just know it. She has such a desire.
In Waverly, our car was violently shaking we would get on the highway and go faster than 60 mph. So we called the vehicle coordinator and got permission to take it in and have it checked. What was quite possibly the funniest moments of Auto mechanics I have witnessed. We get out of the car and the man says, "What can we do ya fer?" My response, "Well, I'm no car expert so I couldn't ell ya but as we drive over 60 it starts to rattle real bad on us." His reply, "Oh i know just what you need." He then proceeds to walk to the back of the shop while another man lifts up the car on the jack. The original guy comes back with a sledgehammer and honestly I was a bit nervous at this point. Anyway, he spins the tire at hits it real hard about three times and a mound of dirt two feet in diameter and a foot high comes out from the tire well. He proceeds to do the same thing on the driver's side rear tire. Same result. They drop the car down, put the hammer away, and tell us thanks for stopping in and to not worry about paying. Within a matter two minutes we were in, out, and on the go with about two square feet of dirt less as luggage. It worked. I don't think I'll ever forget his face when he said, "I know just what ya need." Really funny.
As many of you know I haven't partaken of carbonation for a 11 months almost now. It's been great! I highly recommend it. But this week Elder Brown and I found a new beverage of choice. Rockstar Relax. It's a zero calorie, zero carbonation, zero carbohydrate, chamomile drink that tastes like Brazilian passion fruit and relaxes you so much. I felt like I did walking out a Brazilian lunch where they served Passion fruit Flan and just wanting to sleep. I would warn you to not drink it if you do not have plans to sleep within the coming hours.
Things I learned this week-
-The only constants in life are change and true emotions.
- Mother nature is really sick with a fever right now and we're on bikes next week!
The world we live in is a funny thing. It's real confusing at times. As I have been trying to get to know the people here in the area I've once again figured this out. There is so much out there for temporary happiness. The hard part is that at first glance it appears so lasting. We live in a world with rules and restrictions that are not followed. It's almost as if the world is saying, "Practice safe speeding". Safe speeding? Forget speeding, just do it safely? What have we come to? We live in world that tends to simplify the problems and complicate the solutions. I guess to be more scriptural Nephi says, "And there shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God." This is so false. To be honest our world is pretty skewed. It's pretty messed up. Until we accept responsibility for it and understand the problems as they really are we will get no where. And the solutions are really not that hard. I wish the world could see it as my 12 year old buddy said it a couple weeks ago. "It's all real simple, you just have to live the gospel." I am amazed continually, on a daily basis even, at how amazing and curing this gospel plan really is. It can solve everything. I have yet to encounter a situation or problem, even if complicated, that could have been either avoided or solved by the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is truly a perfect plan with zero holes. A perfect plan can only created by a perfect master. We need to quit looking at man's solutions to these worldly problems and look to the Lord and his solution for us all. I testify that it is the gospel of Christ. As Nephi, my boy, says, " this is the way; and there is none other way". I love the knowledge of the gospel. It truly gives me hope in all situations, even the unexpected ones.
I love you all almost as much as I love it.
Until next week my friends.
I love you.
Hugs and Kisses,
ElderExcell
Showing posts with label Waverly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Waverly. Show all posts
Monday, July 23, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
"I done handcuffed lightning and thrown thunder in jail." - Muhammad Ali
Alright, I'm going to use my fellow missionary David Archuleta's lyrics to commence this week's email. "There’s something crazy about this day, like I’m walking on a trampoline, I couldn’t get much higher." I just feel so on cloud nine right now. It's fantastic. It's mostly because I've chosen to be here, on cloud nine, you see. That's a secret that I've learned on my mission but I guess I'll share with you today. You get to choose how you act and react. That's the whole fantastic part of life is it is nothing more than what you choose to make of it.
My mom always asks me to be honest in these emails and I usually am. I will not say that I have included all the things that happen because I try not to dwell on the negative for more than I must. But here's to you mom. An honest email. Last night was a rough night for me. We had yet to do our studies because of the morning church schedule and having plans afterwards. So from 5 o'clock P.M. on we were studying. I made it about 45 minutes and I crashed hard. I fell asleep and Elder Brown did as well. We were both just so exhausted from the week and the month and the year. Anyway I woke up at about 7:30 and felt guilty beyond all reason and I started to get down on myself. I've maybe tried to hold myself to an almost unattainable standard of excellence the past couple months. Anyway I started to psyche myself out and feel a bit overwhelmed with how much we needed to get done and had a little minor breakdown. Well I took a step back and thought for a second. I was choosing to be stressed out. I was choosing to over-react. I was choosing to, in the moment, let go of all sense of reason. I mention this because I learned a very valuable lesson. One that I have learned before but forgot for a couple months. The thought is this; Don't change for the mission, let the mission change you. I was simply trying to fake being a perfect missionary til I got so used to faking it that it was real. It does not work that way. We must be ourselves and work towards our goals. If we simply try to change overnight and cling on to that change forever we have not successfully changed. Change is a process. One where you cannot skip steps. It takes time and you start at the bottom and reach for the top as you climb higher and higher on the ladder to your goals.
Wow I got preachy pretty quick in this epistle. Sorry for any emotional or psychological whiplash this may cause but I fear the rest of the email may follow this precedent. =)
Another thing I learned this week came from the mouth of a twelve year old boy. He does not appear to be the cool kid at his school. He looks like your average newly ordained deacon but when he spoke Sunday he spoke with the same power and authority that the sons of Mosiah, King Benjamin, Nephi, and every other great man spoke with. His talk could not have lasted more than a minute at the most but the content could have filled up hours. He inspired me. His topic was "How to honor the priesthood you carry". He got up and said the following: "Ya know, I haven't been in this priesthood business for too long. I don't know very much. But I have learned in preparing this talk how to honor my priesthood. It's simple. It's all real simple. You just have to live the gospel that Christ taught. If you do that you'll be a better priesthood holder, a perfect husband, and a better person." That was seriously his whole talk. Followed by a testimony he sat down on his bench again and looked into the congregation ahead. I think to some his talk may have seemed unprepared, too short, and unfulfilled. But there was not a greater truth taught in that building that day. It's all real simple as my 12 year old friend said. He spoke so simply and plainly that many probably didn't comprehend his words, just as those listening to the very Son of God did not. He was the picture of power on that stand. You want to be successful? You want to be better? Live the gospel that Christ taught and you will be all of those things. I know that is true as well.
Another monumental molecule of learning I absorbed this week: As I watched a video that I have now seen probably hundreds of times I learned something so simple but powerful. I watched "Together Forever" because I have been pondering some of the people with marital troubles I have encountered on my mission. It's so amazing what this gospel, that I have been so privileged to not only have personally but to now have the opportunity to share, can do. I am so thoroughly convinced at this point that there is not one soul living or dead who could not benefit immensely from the gospel of Jesus Christ. There isn't a man, woman, or child who can not be aided by it. It is remarkable. In a world that gets so stuck in societal norms and ruts of mediocrity this gospel can take what is ordinary and transform it into something extraordinary. I have seen many other people changed by it to say nothing of myself. It is the "light which darkness comprehendeth not". It is the piercing eternal truth. It will always be true. It has already always been true. It will never change for the very author and finisher himself is "the same yesterday, today, and forever." I wish that there was a way for me to cyber-tronically communicate the feelings I have of this gospel. That in and of itself is yet another lesson I have learned. There is a way to communicate positive feelings like love and testimony so that other can understand...it is only through the spirit that we can do this.
I'm sure that this is not the weekly travel log you were expecting this week and if I have disappointed I apologize. It's just that sometimes I cannot contain myself. The dam breaks a little and I just gush a little. It's just that this gospel and my mission have meant everything to me. Everything. My life would be a waste without it and without Him who has made it possible. I testify that Jesus is the Christ. He is the very Son of God. He condescended below everything to do what he did. He is the only light at the end of any dark tunnel. I testify with every fiber of my being that Joseph Smith was and is the prophet of the restoration. I cannot deny the witness I have received concerning that man. He did not fictitiously create a church, a book, and a means of salvation. It all came just as he said it did. That church, and that book, and that means to salvation are true and of divine authenticity. No man unless called by God, and having personal testimony would go through what he did to lie. I testify that the Book of Mormon, even after being dissected, ridiculed, and defaced is true. It is of God and contains as does the Bible the fullness of the everlasting gospel. I want it known very well and perfectly clear that I have a testimony of these things. This testimony is not something that just simply came to me either. I do not expect that any person can simply want a testimony and the next day have it without some sort of personal sacrifice. I know that God lives and is present in every life. Contrary to popular belief, He has not deserted us nor will he ever. If we do not feel his presence in our life then we are the only ones to blame. In every instance I can find it is us who must move first do feel his presence. We first ask and then we receive. We seek first and then he appears. We knock and he will assuredly open. This is a fraction of the testimony within me but I will not let it ever lie dormant. These things are true.
I love you all so much! I'm not even sure if I know who all of you are sometimes, but I can promise you that I do love you! I appreciate your support seen and unseen. I have the best fan section in all the world.
Hugs and Kisses ya'll,
ElderExcell
My mom always asks me to be honest in these emails and I usually am. I will not say that I have included all the things that happen because I try not to dwell on the negative for more than I must. But here's to you mom. An honest email. Last night was a rough night for me. We had yet to do our studies because of the morning church schedule and having plans afterwards. So from 5 o'clock P.M. on we were studying. I made it about 45 minutes and I crashed hard. I fell asleep and Elder Brown did as well. We were both just so exhausted from the week and the month and the year. Anyway I woke up at about 7:30 and felt guilty beyond all reason and I started to get down on myself. I've maybe tried to hold myself to an almost unattainable standard of excellence the past couple months. Anyway I started to psyche myself out and feel a bit overwhelmed with how much we needed to get done and had a little minor breakdown. Well I took a step back and thought for a second. I was choosing to be stressed out. I was choosing to over-react. I was choosing to, in the moment, let go of all sense of reason. I mention this because I learned a very valuable lesson. One that I have learned before but forgot for a couple months. The thought is this; Don't change for the mission, let the mission change you. I was simply trying to fake being a perfect missionary til I got so used to faking it that it was real. It does not work that way. We must be ourselves and work towards our goals. If we simply try to change overnight and cling on to that change forever we have not successfully changed. Change is a process. One where you cannot skip steps. It takes time and you start at the bottom and reach for the top as you climb higher and higher on the ladder to your goals.
Wow I got preachy pretty quick in this epistle. Sorry for any emotional or psychological whiplash this may cause but I fear the rest of the email may follow this precedent. =)
Another thing I learned this week came from the mouth of a twelve year old boy. He does not appear to be the cool kid at his school. He looks like your average newly ordained deacon but when he spoke Sunday he spoke with the same power and authority that the sons of Mosiah, King Benjamin, Nephi, and every other great man spoke with. His talk could not have lasted more than a minute at the most but the content could have filled up hours. He inspired me. His topic was "How to honor the priesthood you carry". He got up and said the following: "Ya know, I haven't been in this priesthood business for too long. I don't know very much. But I have learned in preparing this talk how to honor my priesthood. It's simple. It's all real simple. You just have to live the gospel that Christ taught. If you do that you'll be a better priesthood holder, a perfect husband, and a better person." That was seriously his whole talk. Followed by a testimony he sat down on his bench again and looked into the congregation ahead. I think to some his talk may have seemed unprepared, too short, and unfulfilled. But there was not a greater truth taught in that building that day. It's all real simple as my 12 year old friend said. He spoke so simply and plainly that many probably didn't comprehend his words, just as those listening to the very Son of God did not. He was the picture of power on that stand. You want to be successful? You want to be better? Live the gospel that Christ taught and you will be all of those things. I know that is true as well.
Another monumental molecule of learning I absorbed this week: As I watched a video that I have now seen probably hundreds of times I learned something so simple but powerful. I watched "Together Forever" because I have been pondering some of the people with marital troubles I have encountered on my mission. It's so amazing what this gospel, that I have been so privileged to not only have personally but to now have the opportunity to share, can do. I am so thoroughly convinced at this point that there is not one soul living or dead who could not benefit immensely from the gospel of Jesus Christ. There isn't a man, woman, or child who can not be aided by it. It is remarkable. In a world that gets so stuck in societal norms and ruts of mediocrity this gospel can take what is ordinary and transform it into something extraordinary. I have seen many other people changed by it to say nothing of myself. It is the "light which darkness comprehendeth not". It is the piercing eternal truth. It will always be true. It has already always been true. It will never change for the very author and finisher himself is "the same yesterday, today, and forever." I wish that there was a way for me to cyber-tronically communicate the feelings I have of this gospel. That in and of itself is yet another lesson I have learned. There is a way to communicate positive feelings like love and testimony so that other can understand...it is only through the spirit that we can do this.
I'm sure that this is not the weekly travel log you were expecting this week and if I have disappointed I apologize. It's just that sometimes I cannot contain myself. The dam breaks a little and I just gush a little. It's just that this gospel and my mission have meant everything to me. Everything. My life would be a waste without it and without Him who has made it possible. I testify that Jesus is the Christ. He is the very Son of God. He condescended below everything to do what he did. He is the only light at the end of any dark tunnel. I testify with every fiber of my being that Joseph Smith was and is the prophet of the restoration. I cannot deny the witness I have received concerning that man. He did not fictitiously create a church, a book, and a means of salvation. It all came just as he said it did. That church, and that book, and that means to salvation are true and of divine authenticity. No man unless called by God, and having personal testimony would go through what he did to lie. I testify that the Book of Mormon, even after being dissected, ridiculed, and defaced is true. It is of God and contains as does the Bible the fullness of the everlasting gospel. I want it known very well and perfectly clear that I have a testimony of these things. This testimony is not something that just simply came to me either. I do not expect that any person can simply want a testimony and the next day have it without some sort of personal sacrifice. I know that God lives and is present in every life. Contrary to popular belief, He has not deserted us nor will he ever. If we do not feel his presence in our life then we are the only ones to blame. In every instance I can find it is us who must move first do feel his presence. We first ask and then we receive. We seek first and then he appears. We knock and he will assuredly open. This is a fraction of the testimony within me but I will not let it ever lie dormant. These things are true.
I love you all so much! I'm not even sure if I know who all of you are sometimes, but I can promise you that I do love you! I appreciate your support seen and unseen. I have the best fan section in all the world.
Hugs and Kisses ya'll,
ElderExcell
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Q&A - July 11, 2012
1. Are you still in Waverly and are you still with Elder Brown?
2 for 2 Mombo! I still reside in Waverly with Elder Brown!
2. Last transfer means last companion. Tell me one thing you have learned from each of your companions.
Anderson: Patience in confrontation
Oakey: Big sports boys can be emotional
Palmer: You do what you can do and leave the Lord the rest
Clites: Patience in my own imperfections and inadequacies.
McGuire: Brotherly Love
Maia: Charity and love for those that may be difficult.
Howard: Optimism and a 24/7 smile.
Smith: Heavenly Father knows us all individually and what we need.
Johnson: Embrace your inner nerd.
Kimber: Success is not determined in comparison to others.
Fenn: You can have fun all the time no matter what you do.
Arbon: Humility.
Brown: How to handle confrontation and lead by example.
3. Is today your big Zone P-day and if so, what did you finally decide to do for the big event?
No, not yet! I'm not sure when it is or what we are doing.
4. Best of week past and week ahead?
4th of July was awesome! week ahead: it's a short week! That's relieving.
2. Last transfer means last companion. Tell me one thing you have learned from each of your companions.
Anderson: Patience in confrontation
Oakey: Big sports boys can be emotional
Palmer: You do what you can do and leave the Lord the rest
Clites: Patience in my own imperfections and inadequacies.
McGuire: Brotherly Love
Maia: Charity and love for those that may be difficult.
Howard: Optimism and a 24/7 smile.
Smith: Heavenly Father knows us all individually and what we need.
Johnson: Embrace your inner nerd.
Kimber: Success is not determined in comparison to others.
Fenn: You can have fun all the time no matter what you do.
Arbon: Humility.
Brown: How to handle confrontation and lead by example.
3. Is today your big Zone P-day and if so, what did you finally decide to do for the big event?
No, not yet! I'm not sure when it is or what we are doing.
4. Best of week past and week ahead?
4th of July was awesome! week ahead: it's a short week! That's relieving.
T.G.I.W.
Man, life is so good! Does anyone else just have those days when you feel on top of the world. It's funny because about 2 hours ago I wasn't looking forward to today but things changed, Elder Brown and I made the best of the situation and now I feel on cloud nine! I love it!
This week has been sooo good! It felt a little long since my body is programmed to have a mental break on Monday and when I don't get that I can tell a difference! It just pushes you a little bit more! It's real crazy to think that the next time I email home on Wednesday will be 2 days before I am in the arms of those I love! T.G.I.W.!
As far as transfers go this week I feel a bit like Katniss, I imagine, from the Hunger Games. I put my ticket into the transfer bowl and they pick who goes and who stays. Luckily I have survived the call once again! I will finish my mission in the great town of Waverly, Iowa! I can't imagine anywhere else I would like to end! I love this town!
This week was so great! I am so thankful for my freedoms that I enjoy because of the blessing I have living in this nation. On the fourth of July we visited a couple of people during the day in the blazing blistering heat. It was so hot here. But at night we had a branch party and it was the best 4th of July I have ever had! It started out with a good old fashioned American barbeque. I really enjoyed that and then while we were walking around the perimeter of the house I took about 3 buckets of water to the face and got absolutely soaked! From that point on there was no hope for the guilty Young Women of the Waverly branch! We retaliated after removing items of personal worth and they won't admit it but we were victorious. After the water fight, the great idea was offered to have a slip and slide with some dish soap. There was no way that we could not participate in that either. It was such a blast. I love this branch! They are just extended family to me now. I am going back home with tons more family than I left with! I am going to miss this a lot.
It's time for me to get personal for just a second. I just read an email from my mom that included flight plans for one Richard Zachary Excell. It just hit me like a ton of bricks. I am going to miss this so much! My mission has meant everything to me and it always will. It will be the Ebenezer in my life that I can look back to and see who I changed into. This two year struggle and blessing has been and will ever be the best thing that ever happened to me. My life will never be the same because of the decision I made to be here. I will forever miss my mission. A part of me just wants to end this email right here and go into the streets and tell everyone I know and can see about this gospel and how much I know it can bless their lives. It's all of the sudden become real. It does end. I think every missionary gets to the point where they understand how long two years is and just face forward, put the pads on and do it. They subconsciously forget that it will end someday. On the reverse side of these bittersweet emotions is the joy and satisfaction of finishing. I have proven to myself that I can do hard things. I don't want anyone to think that I am trunky or that I have thrown in the towel because I have not. I am working harder than I ever have because I know that it is ending. I almost resent the fact that people won't let you talk about home as a missionary or going home because for me it gives me more motivation than anything else. It may be a surprise to some but my motivating thought on my mission has been, "Am I being the kind of missionary my mom thinks I am?" My family and finishing my work before the buzzer motivate me to pick up the pace and work harder but I will miss it. These have been the best times of my life. =)
Alright I needed to get that out and off my chest! Thanks.
This week we saw some great success. We had some people come to church that we haven't seen in a long time that we have been trying to work with. It's so awesome to see the power of the Lord especially through your prayers help others.
I bought some new shoes this week. I've been running every day with elder brown and it's so good for us. I bought some 5 finger Vibrams. The shoes that have individual toes. I love them so much! I bought them for two reasons...I have been saving money and need to spend it before I leave or I lose it. Also, I want to continue the running habits I have created while being here. I broke my record time this week as well. I did three miles in 20 minutes. I'm pretty proud of that since ten minute miles used to impress me. I also keep losing weight. I am down to 176.5 this morning. I think at this point I'm just looking to maintain because I don't want to get too small. I'm going to start toning now. I did promise that six pack about six months ago and I have not forgot it.
Yesterday we met with Keith, my favorite beard man. I love his views and his interdependency! It was really cool yesterday tho because we have been struggling to make progress with him and yesterday as we were asking him what he wanted to learn about next week he gave us two topics. The first he mentioned was he wants to learn why church attendance is necessary because he has never been and for the second topic he said, "I want to learn about baptism. I don't know much about it and want to". Elder Brown and I, after hearing that, picked our jaws up off the ground and complied with his request to study up this week so we can discuss it next week!
No animal kills to report this week. I think Elder Brown chalked up a caterpillar but he just accidentally stepped on it while we were running. =(
We performed some secret service this week and I loved it. The Austin's left to go camping and asked if we would watch the puppies and give the dogs their medicine. We said we'd love to and they were off for three days adventure. Well we decided while they were gone and while we could get into their house we would clean it so hard they would feel like they were coming home from extreme home makeover. We did an excellent job if I do say so myself. You could see your reflection in the stove top again! They were so appreciative of our handiwork that they had us over for a steak dinner when they came home! =)
Things I learned this week-
-To be mentally strong you must be honest with yourself and others. Mental toughness is not hiding how you feel.
-Exacto knives are sharp
-Falling on my butt hurts a lot more as I get older. I bruised from my knee to my hip a yellow color from that slip and slide.
This week I read an article about a college athlete that really inspired me. I don't know much of the story nor do I wish to focus upon the politics of it but from what I know he was a part of a starvation strike for the minimum wage of the school employees. So after fasting for 8 days he and his group made a difference. If not immediately the effects therefrom will change people. Now the story itself was inspiring and thought provoking but reached me probably differently than most. I doubt that because of my athletic abilities I will ever be able to have a stadium of people watch me or receive global recognition for my athletic achievements. But when we are given great power or great opportunity to influence are we taking it. It mentioned in the article that Tiger Woods did an ad in his early career saying, "There are still courses in this world that I can't play on because of my ethnicity. You say I'm not ready for you, but are you ready for me?" The man was given an opportunity to change the world and he did. Now we may not be given in this lifetime the power or influence to change millions of people but we can always change someones. Helen Keller's quote has stuck with me for a long time. "I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble." It is that way with influence. I long to change the lives of millions and feel that, given the correct platform, I could, but until God grants me that privilege I will not shrink in the face of the seemingly small influences I can have now. I guess to put it more scriptural, I'll turn to Doctrine and Covenants 18. "And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father. And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!" Brick by brick we build, it is line upon line which we work, and it is soul by soul that we change the world. Let us never forget, "the worth of souls is great in the sight of God".Every single one is precious. Go out and influence somebody for the better and prepare for the time when you may influence thousands because certainly when prepared the time will come.
I love you so much!
Hugs and kisses ya'll,
your brother,
Elder Excell
This week has been sooo good! It felt a little long since my body is programmed to have a mental break on Monday and when I don't get that I can tell a difference! It just pushes you a little bit more! It's real crazy to think that the next time I email home on Wednesday will be 2 days before I am in the arms of those I love! T.G.I.W.!
As far as transfers go this week I feel a bit like Katniss, I imagine, from the Hunger Games. I put my ticket into the transfer bowl and they pick who goes and who stays. Luckily I have survived the call once again! I will finish my mission in the great town of Waverly, Iowa! I can't imagine anywhere else I would like to end! I love this town!
This week was so great! I am so thankful for my freedoms that I enjoy because of the blessing I have living in this nation. On the fourth of July we visited a couple of people during the day in the blazing blistering heat. It was so hot here. But at night we had a branch party and it was the best 4th of July I have ever had! It started out with a good old fashioned American barbeque. I really enjoyed that and then while we were walking around the perimeter of the house I took about 3 buckets of water to the face and got absolutely soaked! From that point on there was no hope for the guilty Young Women of the Waverly branch! We retaliated after removing items of personal worth and they won't admit it but we were victorious. After the water fight, the great idea was offered to have a slip and slide with some dish soap. There was no way that we could not participate in that either. It was such a blast. I love this branch! They are just extended family to me now. I am going back home with tons more family than I left with! I am going to miss this a lot.
It's time for me to get personal for just a second. I just read an email from my mom that included flight plans for one Richard Zachary Excell. It just hit me like a ton of bricks. I am going to miss this so much! My mission has meant everything to me and it always will. It will be the Ebenezer in my life that I can look back to and see who I changed into. This two year struggle and blessing has been and will ever be the best thing that ever happened to me. My life will never be the same because of the decision I made to be here. I will forever miss my mission. A part of me just wants to end this email right here and go into the streets and tell everyone I know and can see about this gospel and how much I know it can bless their lives. It's all of the sudden become real. It does end. I think every missionary gets to the point where they understand how long two years is and just face forward, put the pads on and do it. They subconsciously forget that it will end someday. On the reverse side of these bittersweet emotions is the joy and satisfaction of finishing. I have proven to myself that I can do hard things. I don't want anyone to think that I am trunky or that I have thrown in the towel because I have not. I am working harder than I ever have because I know that it is ending. I almost resent the fact that people won't let you talk about home as a missionary or going home because for me it gives me more motivation than anything else. It may be a surprise to some but my motivating thought on my mission has been, "Am I being the kind of missionary my mom thinks I am?" My family and finishing my work before the buzzer motivate me to pick up the pace and work harder but I will miss it. These have been the best times of my life. =)
Alright I needed to get that out and off my chest! Thanks.
This week we saw some great success. We had some people come to church that we haven't seen in a long time that we have been trying to work with. It's so awesome to see the power of the Lord especially through your prayers help others.
I bought some new shoes this week. I've been running every day with elder brown and it's so good for us. I bought some 5 finger Vibrams. The shoes that have individual toes. I love them so much! I bought them for two reasons...I have been saving money and need to spend it before I leave or I lose it. Also, I want to continue the running habits I have created while being here. I broke my record time this week as well. I did three miles in 20 minutes. I'm pretty proud of that since ten minute miles used to impress me. I also keep losing weight. I am down to 176.5 this morning. I think at this point I'm just looking to maintain because I don't want to get too small. I'm going to start toning now. I did promise that six pack about six months ago and I have not forgot it.
Yesterday we met with Keith, my favorite beard man. I love his views and his interdependency! It was really cool yesterday tho because we have been struggling to make progress with him and yesterday as we were asking him what he wanted to learn about next week he gave us two topics. The first he mentioned was he wants to learn why church attendance is necessary because he has never been and for the second topic he said, "I want to learn about baptism. I don't know much about it and want to". Elder Brown and I, after hearing that, picked our jaws up off the ground and complied with his request to study up this week so we can discuss it next week!
No animal kills to report this week. I think Elder Brown chalked up a caterpillar but he just accidentally stepped on it while we were running. =(
We performed some secret service this week and I loved it. The Austin's left to go camping and asked if we would watch the puppies and give the dogs their medicine. We said we'd love to and they were off for three days adventure. Well we decided while they were gone and while we could get into their house we would clean it so hard they would feel like they were coming home from extreme home makeover. We did an excellent job if I do say so myself. You could see your reflection in the stove top again! They were so appreciative of our handiwork that they had us over for a steak dinner when they came home! =)
Things I learned this week-
-To be mentally strong you must be honest with yourself and others. Mental toughness is not hiding how you feel.
-Exacto knives are sharp
-Falling on my butt hurts a lot more as I get older. I bruised from my knee to my hip a yellow color from that slip and slide.
This week I read an article about a college athlete that really inspired me. I don't know much of the story nor do I wish to focus upon the politics of it but from what I know he was a part of a starvation strike for the minimum wage of the school employees. So after fasting for 8 days he and his group made a difference. If not immediately the effects therefrom will change people. Now the story itself was inspiring and thought provoking but reached me probably differently than most. I doubt that because of my athletic abilities I will ever be able to have a stadium of people watch me or receive global recognition for my athletic achievements. But when we are given great power or great opportunity to influence are we taking it. It mentioned in the article that Tiger Woods did an ad in his early career saying, "There are still courses in this world that I can't play on because of my ethnicity. You say I'm not ready for you, but are you ready for me?" The man was given an opportunity to change the world and he did. Now we may not be given in this lifetime the power or influence to change millions of people but we can always change someones. Helen Keller's quote has stuck with me for a long time. "I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble." It is that way with influence. I long to change the lives of millions and feel that, given the correct platform, I could, but until God grants me that privilege I will not shrink in the face of the seemingly small influences I can have now. I guess to put it more scriptural, I'll turn to Doctrine and Covenants 18. "And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father. And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!" Brick by brick we build, it is line upon line which we work, and it is soul by soul that we change the world. Let us never forget, "the worth of souls is great in the sight of God".Every single one is precious. Go out and influence somebody for the better and prepare for the time when you may influence thousands because certainly when prepared the time will come.
I love you so much!
Hugs and kisses ya'll,
your brother,
Elder Excell
Monday, July 2, 2012
Pictures!
Q&A - July 2, 2012
1. How are you?
It's been an exhausting week but at the end of it I am doing extremely well.
2. Have you enjoyed your air conditioning this week? How is the heat and humidity?
I love walking into the freezer of an apartment. But it's also nice to leave and feel the warmth of the humidity. It reminds me of Brazil and vacations in Mexico and the Bahamas.
3. Any potential baptisms in the near future in Waverly?
We have probably 3 people that are close, we just need to seal the deal.
4. What are you most looking forward to in the week ahead?
A busy busy busy week that will go by faster than the last busy busy busy week.
It's been an exhausting week but at the end of it I am doing extremely well.
2. Have you enjoyed your air conditioning this week? How is the heat and humidity?
I love walking into the freezer of an apartment. But it's also nice to leave and feel the warmth of the humidity. It reminds me of Brazil and vacations in Mexico and the Bahamas.
3. Any potential baptisms in the near future in Waverly?
We have probably 3 people that are close, we just need to seal the deal.
4. What are you most looking forward to in the week ahead?
A busy busy busy week that will go by faster than the last busy busy busy week.
The odds are stacked in your favor.
This week has been such a great week! That does not mean that it was
necessarily easy but it was great! I'm really excited to tell you all
about it.
But first some epic news that I wish to convey because I am so proud of my accomplishment. I saw a number on the scale today, actually this morning that I have not seen in literally years now. I officially weighed in for the week of July 1st at 179 pounds even. Pretty awesome considering about 6 months ago, to the date, I weighed 201 pounds. I know, to all of you who read this, that probably doesn't mean much but to lose weight in this mission period is an accomplishment. The average weight gain of our mission is 40 pounds. Keep in mind that is the average. These corn-fed Iowans love to make the missionaries corn-fed young men and it shows. Anyway, I've been on cloud nine since I saw that number this morning. 22 pounds in 26 weeks. =)
We killed some more animals this week. And just as always we didn't mean to. We actually started a kill record in the apartment because it almost seems uncanny the amount of innocent lives that have perished in our behalf. For a bunch of young men trying to save souls, we're doing well at ending them. Elder Brown marked up a chipmunk on the list this week. Weapon used: the toe end of his shoe. As he was trying to catch it he accidentally kicked it while running and well it hit a rock and after some convulsions, he passed away. The other fatality this week came in the form of a frog. We caught him successfully, but in the process, the poor toad took some rough grass to the throat and was bleeding pretty good. I guess he was bleeding not like a stuck pig, but a stuck frog. Anyway, in an effort to save him, Elder Brown tried to throw him in the river so he could clean up and heal, he threw him and while flying through the air, he hit a tree with considerable force and he didn't move after. I feel bad about the deaths I've witnessed but they were all innocent and in all honesty some really good memories.
I've come to realize on my mission that if your apartment is not situated near a bar or someone who is heavily addicted to illegal substances you must not be a real missionary. Lucky for us we have both. The bar is fun to listen to on any given night. We also have a lady who lives next to us who we have nicknamed "Tweeker Lady" because she is always tweekin. Anyway, last night we had a particularly good conversation with her. Let me fill you in on the dialogue:
Tweeker Lady: Hey Mormons! Where are you walking? What are you carrying? How are you?
Dashing Missionary #1: Hey! We're good. How's it going?
Tweeker Lady: Good!
.....Awkward silence......
Dashing Missionary #1: Alright, well... see ya later.
(Exit stage right to the safe haven of an apartment.)
She's quite enjoyable to talk to. I once heard from somebody in town that she downed a half gallon of milk that she just purchased in the middle of a gas station, belched, and walked out to ride her bike home. Keep up the good work tweeker lady. You inspire me.
Our zone hit our baptismal goal for the last three months and the reward for doing so is a zone p-day. In district meeting as we tried to come up with ideas as to what we should do when the day arrives we had some great ideas. I will name a few for your entertainment. Keep in mind we are in Waverly Iowa. 1. Nickle and dime large corporations. 2. Fight off hoards of the undead and eliminate the zombie apocalypse. 3. Dress up as little kids and play in the sandbox while drinking juice boxes and eating graham crackers. Needless to see we are pretty creative. I'm not sure what the end decision will be but I would not be surprised if we end up in Live action Role Plays with foam swords and and foam shields in the public park. =)
After district meeting, I had the best idea of my life. We had blown up some balloons with helium to give to Elder Poulsen because he looks like the guy from "Up". After which we had sufficient balloons to each tie one to our belt and have a battle royal from mario kart. Of course hitting each other wasn't appropriate so we used our pens to pop the balloons. The video is hilarious. I can't wait to hear what you think about it.
Original Video - More videos at TinyPic
We had the awesome opportunity to give several blessings this week. I love giving blessings. I absolutely love it! We gave a blessing to man who has been having some serious health issues in his neck and can't feel the extremities of his right hand. We blessed him that if he was obedient to the gospel which he was being taught he would be healed. As I said the words, I almost felt nervous about what I had just uttered. But then I thought, why not? The spirit definitely put those words in my mouth and I cannot deny it. And I know that the faith of others can do miraculous things. I have seen them done. Then why could this man not be healed by the same authority Christ had? Especially after being instructed to follow the gospel plan and keep the commandments? I see no reason why God would not bless a man who does this! I also had the privilege to give a blessing to a very special lady. She is such a great lady but sometimes things just get hard. Sometimes the pressures of life amount to more than we think we can bare and we just want to quit. I usually do not solicit blessings but when the situation arose, I asked if she would like one. I think I probably have never felt the spirit stronger than in that moment. There were things in the blessing that were almost to sacred to say anywhere else. I will only mention one thing of which I remembered saying because a large part of me needed to hear this as well. I said, "Do not ever forget the sacred time that Christ himself spent on his knees pleading to the Father in your behalf." I never understood so powerfully how sacred that time in that sacred garden was until I said those words. I love blessings.
Things I learned this week--
-Running every day makes your week so much better.
-Soy protein wrecks manliness and scares me.
As I have been trying over the course of my mission to become the best missionary I can I have learned a lot of really good life long lessons but I think one stand our predominately this week. It is the simple fact that your life's greatest work is you. I don't mean what kind of job will you have, or what kind of house you will live in, or even what kind of car will define who you are. Rather it's deeper than that, when all of that is taken away, who will you be? Who are you when you remove everything and see yourself as God sees you. This is what is important when thinking and pondering the question common to people my age, "Who do I want to become?" We are always changing. It is the only constant in life; change. We are either progressing towards perfection or we are getting further from it. We are only a culmination of our choices. You can always change who you are. To deny the possibility of change is to deny the plan of salvation all together because that is why we are here. The plan of salvation is not a level playing field. It favors you! The odds are stacked in your favor! You can always, I repeat, always become who you would like to become. When life gets difficult, and things just get tough and you find yourself the object of Satan's playtime...You can escape and you have been given the dominant advantage to do so. The bottom line is all of us are here. All of us will live until we die. All of us will eat the same foods, visit the same locations, feel the effects of weather, live on the same planet, and for all intents and purpose go through life no differently than anyone else. With that in mind, the question I have to ask is why go through all of that struggle that is common to us all and not benefit from it? Why not take life by the horns and make out of it what we would like. I probably don't need to remind anyone that we are agents given the ability to act for ourselves and not to be acted upon. So many people get stuck in autopilot and let life make of them what it likes but those who truly understand the doctrine of the plan of salvation and of the atonement do not float on by being acted upon. It is up to you and me to choose where we end up. It will be determined only upon the small and simple choices we make that help us progress or digress. There is no third alternative. To make life what you would like it to be, rather than it making you what it would like you to be is really the only intelligent thing to do. It is our eternal goal. Let's go achieve it and choose to overcome anything in our way.
Hugs and kisses ya'll,
Elder Excell
But first some epic news that I wish to convey because I am so proud of my accomplishment. I saw a number on the scale today, actually this morning that I have not seen in literally years now. I officially weighed in for the week of July 1st at 179 pounds even. Pretty awesome considering about 6 months ago, to the date, I weighed 201 pounds. I know, to all of you who read this, that probably doesn't mean much but to lose weight in this mission period is an accomplishment. The average weight gain of our mission is 40 pounds. Keep in mind that is the average. These corn-fed Iowans love to make the missionaries corn-fed young men and it shows. Anyway, I've been on cloud nine since I saw that number this morning. 22 pounds in 26 weeks. =)
We killed some more animals this week. And just as always we didn't mean to. We actually started a kill record in the apartment because it almost seems uncanny the amount of innocent lives that have perished in our behalf. For a bunch of young men trying to save souls, we're doing well at ending them. Elder Brown marked up a chipmunk on the list this week. Weapon used: the toe end of his shoe. As he was trying to catch it he accidentally kicked it while running and well it hit a rock and after some convulsions, he passed away. The other fatality this week came in the form of a frog. We caught him successfully, but in the process, the poor toad took some rough grass to the throat and was bleeding pretty good. I guess he was bleeding not like a stuck pig, but a stuck frog. Anyway, in an effort to save him, Elder Brown tried to throw him in the river so he could clean up and heal, he threw him and while flying through the air, he hit a tree with considerable force and he didn't move after. I feel bad about the deaths I've witnessed but they were all innocent and in all honesty some really good memories.
I've come to realize on my mission that if your apartment is not situated near a bar or someone who is heavily addicted to illegal substances you must not be a real missionary. Lucky for us we have both. The bar is fun to listen to on any given night. We also have a lady who lives next to us who we have nicknamed "Tweeker Lady" because she is always tweekin. Anyway, last night we had a particularly good conversation with her. Let me fill you in on the dialogue:
Tweeker Lady: Hey Mormons! Where are you walking? What are you carrying? How are you?
Dashing Missionary #1: Hey! We're good. How's it going?
Tweeker Lady: Good!
.....Awkward silence......
Dashing Missionary #1: Alright, well... see ya later.
(Exit stage right to the safe haven of an apartment.)
She's quite enjoyable to talk to. I once heard from somebody in town that she downed a half gallon of milk that she just purchased in the middle of a gas station, belched, and walked out to ride her bike home. Keep up the good work tweeker lady. You inspire me.
Our zone hit our baptismal goal for the last three months and the reward for doing so is a zone p-day. In district meeting as we tried to come up with ideas as to what we should do when the day arrives we had some great ideas. I will name a few for your entertainment. Keep in mind we are in Waverly Iowa. 1. Nickle and dime large corporations. 2. Fight off hoards of the undead and eliminate the zombie apocalypse. 3. Dress up as little kids and play in the sandbox while drinking juice boxes and eating graham crackers. Needless to see we are pretty creative. I'm not sure what the end decision will be but I would not be surprised if we end up in Live action Role Plays with foam swords and and foam shields in the public park. =)
After district meeting, I had the best idea of my life. We had blown up some balloons with helium to give to Elder Poulsen because he looks like the guy from "Up". After which we had sufficient balloons to each tie one to our belt and have a battle royal from mario kart. Of course hitting each other wasn't appropriate so we used our pens to pop the balloons. The video is hilarious. I can't wait to hear what you think about it.
Original Video - More videos at TinyPic
We had the awesome opportunity to give several blessings this week. I love giving blessings. I absolutely love it! We gave a blessing to man who has been having some serious health issues in his neck and can't feel the extremities of his right hand. We blessed him that if he was obedient to the gospel which he was being taught he would be healed. As I said the words, I almost felt nervous about what I had just uttered. But then I thought, why not? The spirit definitely put those words in my mouth and I cannot deny it. And I know that the faith of others can do miraculous things. I have seen them done. Then why could this man not be healed by the same authority Christ had? Especially after being instructed to follow the gospel plan and keep the commandments? I see no reason why God would not bless a man who does this! I also had the privilege to give a blessing to a very special lady. She is such a great lady but sometimes things just get hard. Sometimes the pressures of life amount to more than we think we can bare and we just want to quit. I usually do not solicit blessings but when the situation arose, I asked if she would like one. I think I probably have never felt the spirit stronger than in that moment. There were things in the blessing that were almost to sacred to say anywhere else. I will only mention one thing of which I remembered saying because a large part of me needed to hear this as well. I said, "Do not ever forget the sacred time that Christ himself spent on his knees pleading to the Father in your behalf." I never understood so powerfully how sacred that time in that sacred garden was until I said those words. I love blessings.
Things I learned this week--
-Running every day makes your week so much better.
-Soy protein wrecks manliness and scares me.
As I have been trying over the course of my mission to become the best missionary I can I have learned a lot of really good life long lessons but I think one stand our predominately this week. It is the simple fact that your life's greatest work is you. I don't mean what kind of job will you have, or what kind of house you will live in, or even what kind of car will define who you are. Rather it's deeper than that, when all of that is taken away, who will you be? Who are you when you remove everything and see yourself as God sees you. This is what is important when thinking and pondering the question common to people my age, "Who do I want to become?" We are always changing. It is the only constant in life; change. We are either progressing towards perfection or we are getting further from it. We are only a culmination of our choices. You can always change who you are. To deny the possibility of change is to deny the plan of salvation all together because that is why we are here. The plan of salvation is not a level playing field. It favors you! The odds are stacked in your favor! You can always, I repeat, always become who you would like to become. When life gets difficult, and things just get tough and you find yourself the object of Satan's playtime...You can escape and you have been given the dominant advantage to do so. The bottom line is all of us are here. All of us will live until we die. All of us will eat the same foods, visit the same locations, feel the effects of weather, live on the same planet, and for all intents and purpose go through life no differently than anyone else. With that in mind, the question I have to ask is why go through all of that struggle that is common to us all and not benefit from it? Why not take life by the horns and make out of it what we would like. I probably don't need to remind anyone that we are agents given the ability to act for ourselves and not to be acted upon. So many people get stuck in autopilot and let life make of them what it likes but those who truly understand the doctrine of the plan of salvation and of the atonement do not float on by being acted upon. It is up to you and me to choose where we end up. It will be determined only upon the small and simple choices we make that help us progress or digress. There is no third alternative. To make life what you would like it to be, rather than it making you what it would like you to be is really the only intelligent thing to do. It is our eternal goal. Let's go achieve it and choose to overcome anything in our way.
Hugs and kisses ya'll,
Elder Excell
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Q&A - June 25, 2012
1. How did your p-day moccasins turn out?
They are the coolest things I have ever made and probably ever will make! I was so pleased with them! I will wear them everywhere! I'll try to get a pic this week to show off next week!
2. How often do you do splits with other missionaries? Do you stay in Waverly when you do splits or go elsewhere?
It depends. Usually just once per transfer with the district leader as well as the zone leaders so total of 2 times per transfer and we switch where we go every time.
3. What was the best part of your week?
It seems like this week there were just to many things to limit it down to one thing. This was the best week of my mission so far. I hope I can say that every week from here on out!
They are the coolest things I have ever made and probably ever will make! I was so pleased with them! I will wear them everywhere! I'll try to get a pic this week to show off next week!
2. How often do you do splits with other missionaries? Do you stay in Waverly when you do splits or go elsewhere?
It depends. Usually just once per transfer with the district leader as well as the zone leaders so total of 2 times per transfer and we switch where we go every time.
3. What was the best part of your week?
It seems like this week there were just to many things to limit it down to one thing. This was the best week of my mission so far. I hope I can say that every week from here on out!
Overcoming the marathoners wall
How can it even be plausible that every week of my life I am blessed with so many awesome experiences that each week appears and feels better than the one prior!? How does it seem to happen every single week!? I am so happy to be where I am. I think it is one of the biggest things I have learned while being in Iowa. I have learned how to appreciate now and not focus so much on the future or the past but live today. It has really helped me every week to feel like I am moving forward, and cheerfully might I add. It went by almost too fast!
This week was chuck full of awesome times so let's start last last p-day. After scurrying out of the library we went to Waterloo and made some moccasins. They are the most legit things I have ever owned or made. We used real buffalo hide for the soles and deer skin for the outside and top. We also used legit sinew to sew all the pieces of hide together. It was a lot of fun to make them and learn some Native American culture while doing it. I also learned from sad experience to not call a woman a squaw. I said it jokingly but there is apparently no way to say that jokingly. Take note so you don't make the same mistake.
After we came home from making the moccasins we finally got out air conditioning fixed. We've been living in a 90 degree apartment for the last couple weeks and quite honestly it has been miserable. We made some calls tho and got it going. It was kind of fun to get on the roof with the guy and help him out. I don't think he was probably use to someone helping him do his job but he enjoyed it. He's our good buddy now.
We watched Stacy and Heather play in their Varsity softball game that night and tried to cheer as loud as we could. It was a lot of fun.
Tuesday we woke up to a 70 degree apartment which was actually kind of cold but so much better than waking up and seeing a human sweat mark on your sheets. We did our normal study routine and then we did some service at the library! We are pretty good friends with all the library ladies here. We wrapped some books up in paper for their "Date a book" program. You pick a random book wrapped in paper and are supposed to read it. Sounds kind of fun. I know that I am for sure going to spend quite a bit more time in Libraries and senior centers when I get home. I've come to find those locations somewhat heavenly.
The rest of the week seems like a blur with some standout moments but I couldn't tell you what happened on what day so let me amass them together here in this paragraph.... I killed a cat this week. No I did not mean to. We were driving out in the country trying to find some former investigators and we saw this little kitten. I told Brown to go grab it so he did and brought it back in the car. That alone was really funny to watch. Well we drove it back into town and we couldn't keep it as a pet unfortunately so we decided to give it to the Austin's because they have a lot of animals. So we took it over to their house and after I opened the door to get it out of the back it bolted from the car and down a storm drain. Well we went and got Airyn and told her about the situation and she showed us where the storm drain let out in the field so we went out there to try to find him and rescue him again, even tho I'm pretty sure he was tired of being "rescued" at this point. Well we gave up on the pursuit and we started walking back to the house when Jake, the dog, ran past us into the field. Needless to say he saw the cat and well....attacked. He grabbed it and by the time we had turned around and saw what was happening the kitten was being thrown around like a rag doll. We ran to try to rescue it again and well...after some after some seizure action, he passed on. We did give him a nice burial in the field tho. PETA would be proud I'm sure.
We put the car in a ditch this week as well. I guess in all honesty I put the car in the ditch this week. I learned from it tho. I learned that ditches in Iowa appear to be even and flat almost as if there were no ditch at all. Well it's deceiving and it deceived me. We were luckily close to the member's house where we were trying to arrive for dinner. He got his jeep and pulled us out. Just in case anyone drives a 2010 Chevy Malibu, I will warn you that there is no where to attach any form of towing equipment. We eventually attached the hook end to the engine mount. I wouldn't recommend it but Heavenly Father blessed his missionaries and it sufficed. I will also warn all Chevy Malibu drivers to sell your car now. They are just no good. You know a car is good by it's turning radius and it's windshield wipers. Well we already had to replace the wipers after a mere 20,000 miles and I have gained quite a bit of experience in the 17 point turn due to turning difficulties. It's a seller's market for the Bu right now.
We taught Stacy the best lesson this week and she loved it. She left the lesson saying how she just felt so calm and relaxed and how she never feels that happy. It was clearly evident to her that she was witnessing the feelings and emotions of the spirit. Stacy is a master at the Rubik's cube so I made up a lesson relating to the Doctrine of Christ with the cube. We broke up solving the cube into 5 steps. Namely the bottom cross, bottom corners, middle layer, upper cross, and upper corners. We related each to the steps of Faith, Repentance, Baptism, the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End. It turned out to be phenomenal when we all understood together that the cube is annoying to look at while jumbled and much better when complete just like the gospel! It was genius. Only the spirit could relate a Rubik's cube to the gospel. =)
We also got a miracle phone call this week. I've been praying for a specific lady here named Margaret who the missionaries had taught previously and I felt really good about. We've only met her once and she's been dogging us lately. Well, we took a break with her for about a month and Saturday morning she called us asking questions about what she's been reading in the book or mormon and wanting to come to church this next week. Prayers really are answered. I know it.
Friday we helped Sister Bettis with her house renovation. I'm so glad that we lived in a house with an unfinished basement and built a new house. It's come in handy. We tore down a wall, built a wall, sheet rocked it and some ceiling, and laid some cement board so the tile work can begin. I decided to punch through the wall that we tore down in an effort to express my manliness I guess. After doing so I immediately remember the talk in karate of "Lose the thumbs or lose the thumbs." I forgot to tuck the thumb and about lost it on the opposite side of the wall than my hand. All in all, I am pretty impressed with the work that we did and it was fun to just do it for fun out of service and love for someone else. She's a neat lady.
We found some frogs this week as well. We should really open a zoo with the animals we've captured in this town. It was really funny when they peed on Elder Brown. Both frogs peed on him. It was really funny cause Ryan Austin is 5 and he loves animals. He says he wants to be a zoologist. Anyway we gave it to him and by Saturday morning it ended up in Airyn's bed when she woke up. It was, for those who are wondering, the work of a 5 year old little brother who did it. =)
We've started running a lot lately. We are running in the morning tho. It's funny that running when you least feel like it, right after your eyes open to the alarm ringing, is the most energizing thing you can do for your day. We decided to switch running times because at night there were too many bugs. There are some big flying bugs here that fly right next to the river and it's pretty fun to hit them as you go. We made a competition out of it. Haha. I would recommend to those who run next to a body of water to keep your mouth closed tho. Fireflies taste oddly similar to broken glow sticks in your mouth. I wonder if that's how they make them?
Things I learned this week--
-Lose the thumbs or lose the thumbs
-There is an eternal principle applicable to everything in existence.
-People are awesome.
-The scriptures have every tool that you could find in a self help book or self achievement book. No need to look any further.
Well I'm going to get a little personal here. I hope you don't mind. I don't wish to express the wrong idea in the following paragraph so let me make sure I explain adequately. I have been struggling the last couple weeks to stay motivated. It's tough with time winding down. It reminds me of the feeling when you put your two weeks notice in at the job you are leaving and there is the tempting thought in the back of your mind that says, "Who cares anymore?" Well I have been trying very diligently to push through those feelings the last couple of weeks but have struggled with it a lot. It always seems to be there in mind. I'm sure some of you can relate. I would keep myself up at night just trying to find the shut off switch for this brain. Well I come to you this week a different man than I was previously. (I refer to myself as a "man" only because my mom did recently...I still think I'm a snot nosed kid at heart.) I figured out something internally and I'm not even sure if I could tell you what it is that changed but it did. I guess in giving myself pep talks in the shower I came away wanting to live it out. To break down the mental wall in my head and overcome the block to personal progress it created. If I remember right, most marathoners hit something very similar. I don't want to paint the wrong picture of what a mission is because in no way is it agonizing as a marathon is reported to be but at times it feels like 26.2 miles of long road. I felt like an elephant had jumped out of a tree onto my shoulders and was making me carry it the rest of the way home a couple weeks ago. I came to learn that much like some of my favorite things in life, life is 90 percent mental and the rest physical. It almost seems at times that I am running that marathon of a mission with a lot of bystanders close by. It almost seems as well that some of them are holding a sign in their hands and love to remind you that you are hitting the wall, and that you are almost done! I have learned now tho that the "wall" is mental as well as most things that drag us down. We almost seem to throw out the anchor on ourselves at mile 23. I can offer a few tips for any who have maybe hit a wall in life whether it be spiritual or mental. Tip 1: Hydrate continually. Do not think that because you are so close to the end that you are too good for water. And remember that the words in the scriptures will lead you to the "well of living water." Tip 2: Prepare. Plan out what every step you will take before you even take your foot off the ground. No effort can be wasted. Tip 3: Eyes on the prize, and not on the distractions. You have to stay focused. You have to want to win your marathon more than anything else. When the crowd seems to tease, distract, or pull you down, look forward and run until you get there. "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain." (1 Corinthians 9:24)
I love you all so much! Go get em. Whoever "they" might be for you...go get em!
Hugs and Kisses,
Elder Excell
This week was chuck full of awesome times so let's start last last p-day. After scurrying out of the library we went to Waterloo and made some moccasins. They are the most legit things I have ever owned or made. We used real buffalo hide for the soles and deer skin for the outside and top. We also used legit sinew to sew all the pieces of hide together. It was a lot of fun to make them and learn some Native American culture while doing it. I also learned from sad experience to not call a woman a squaw. I said it jokingly but there is apparently no way to say that jokingly. Take note so you don't make the same mistake.
After we came home from making the moccasins we finally got out air conditioning fixed. We've been living in a 90 degree apartment for the last couple weeks and quite honestly it has been miserable. We made some calls tho and got it going. It was kind of fun to get on the roof with the guy and help him out. I don't think he was probably use to someone helping him do his job but he enjoyed it. He's our good buddy now.
We watched Stacy and Heather play in their Varsity softball game that night and tried to cheer as loud as we could. It was a lot of fun.
Tuesday we woke up to a 70 degree apartment which was actually kind of cold but so much better than waking up and seeing a human sweat mark on your sheets. We did our normal study routine and then we did some service at the library! We are pretty good friends with all the library ladies here. We wrapped some books up in paper for their "Date a book" program. You pick a random book wrapped in paper and are supposed to read it. Sounds kind of fun. I know that I am for sure going to spend quite a bit more time in Libraries and senior centers when I get home. I've come to find those locations somewhat heavenly.
The rest of the week seems like a blur with some standout moments but I couldn't tell you what happened on what day so let me amass them together here in this paragraph.... I killed a cat this week. No I did not mean to. We were driving out in the country trying to find some former investigators and we saw this little kitten. I told Brown to go grab it so he did and brought it back in the car. That alone was really funny to watch. Well we drove it back into town and we couldn't keep it as a pet unfortunately so we decided to give it to the Austin's because they have a lot of animals. So we took it over to their house and after I opened the door to get it out of the back it bolted from the car and down a storm drain. Well we went and got Airyn and told her about the situation and she showed us where the storm drain let out in the field so we went out there to try to find him and rescue him again, even tho I'm pretty sure he was tired of being "rescued" at this point. Well we gave up on the pursuit and we started walking back to the house when Jake, the dog, ran past us into the field. Needless to say he saw the cat and well....attacked. He grabbed it and by the time we had turned around and saw what was happening the kitten was being thrown around like a rag doll. We ran to try to rescue it again and well...after some after some seizure action, he passed on. We did give him a nice burial in the field tho. PETA would be proud I'm sure.
We put the car in a ditch this week as well. I guess in all honesty I put the car in the ditch this week. I learned from it tho. I learned that ditches in Iowa appear to be even and flat almost as if there were no ditch at all. Well it's deceiving and it deceived me. We were luckily close to the member's house where we were trying to arrive for dinner. He got his jeep and pulled us out. Just in case anyone drives a 2010 Chevy Malibu, I will warn you that there is no where to attach any form of towing equipment. We eventually attached the hook end to the engine mount. I wouldn't recommend it but Heavenly Father blessed his missionaries and it sufficed. I will also warn all Chevy Malibu drivers to sell your car now. They are just no good. You know a car is good by it's turning radius and it's windshield wipers. Well we already had to replace the wipers after a mere 20,000 miles and I have gained quite a bit of experience in the 17 point turn due to turning difficulties. It's a seller's market for the Bu right now.
We taught Stacy the best lesson this week and she loved it. She left the lesson saying how she just felt so calm and relaxed and how she never feels that happy. It was clearly evident to her that she was witnessing the feelings and emotions of the spirit. Stacy is a master at the Rubik's cube so I made up a lesson relating to the Doctrine of Christ with the cube. We broke up solving the cube into 5 steps. Namely the bottom cross, bottom corners, middle layer, upper cross, and upper corners. We related each to the steps of Faith, Repentance, Baptism, the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End. It turned out to be phenomenal when we all understood together that the cube is annoying to look at while jumbled and much better when complete just like the gospel! It was genius. Only the spirit could relate a Rubik's cube to the gospel. =)
We also got a miracle phone call this week. I've been praying for a specific lady here named Margaret who the missionaries had taught previously and I felt really good about. We've only met her once and she's been dogging us lately. Well, we took a break with her for about a month and Saturday morning she called us asking questions about what she's been reading in the book or mormon and wanting to come to church this next week. Prayers really are answered. I know it.
Friday we helped Sister Bettis with her house renovation. I'm so glad that we lived in a house with an unfinished basement and built a new house. It's come in handy. We tore down a wall, built a wall, sheet rocked it and some ceiling, and laid some cement board so the tile work can begin. I decided to punch through the wall that we tore down in an effort to express my manliness I guess. After doing so I immediately remember the talk in karate of "Lose the thumbs or lose the thumbs." I forgot to tuck the thumb and about lost it on the opposite side of the wall than my hand. All in all, I am pretty impressed with the work that we did and it was fun to just do it for fun out of service and love for someone else. She's a neat lady.
 |
| Ryan Austin with the frog! |
Things I learned this week--
-Lose the thumbs or lose the thumbs
-There is an eternal principle applicable to everything in existence.
-People are awesome.
-The scriptures have every tool that you could find in a self help book or self achievement book. No need to look any further.
Well I'm going to get a little personal here. I hope you don't mind. I don't wish to express the wrong idea in the following paragraph so let me make sure I explain adequately. I have been struggling the last couple weeks to stay motivated. It's tough with time winding down. It reminds me of the feeling when you put your two weeks notice in at the job you are leaving and there is the tempting thought in the back of your mind that says, "Who cares anymore?" Well I have been trying very diligently to push through those feelings the last couple of weeks but have struggled with it a lot. It always seems to be there in mind. I'm sure some of you can relate. I would keep myself up at night just trying to find the shut off switch for this brain. Well I come to you this week a different man than I was previously. (I refer to myself as a "man" only because my mom did recently...I still think I'm a snot nosed kid at heart.) I figured out something internally and I'm not even sure if I could tell you what it is that changed but it did. I guess in giving myself pep talks in the shower I came away wanting to live it out. To break down the mental wall in my head and overcome the block to personal progress it created. If I remember right, most marathoners hit something very similar. I don't want to paint the wrong picture of what a mission is because in no way is it agonizing as a marathon is reported to be but at times it feels like 26.2 miles of long road. I felt like an elephant had jumped out of a tree onto my shoulders and was making me carry it the rest of the way home a couple weeks ago. I came to learn that much like some of my favorite things in life, life is 90 percent mental and the rest physical. It almost seems at times that I am running that marathon of a mission with a lot of bystanders close by. It almost seems as well that some of them are holding a sign in their hands and love to remind you that you are hitting the wall, and that you are almost done! I have learned now tho that the "wall" is mental as well as most things that drag us down. We almost seem to throw out the anchor on ourselves at mile 23. I can offer a few tips for any who have maybe hit a wall in life whether it be spiritual or mental. Tip 1: Hydrate continually. Do not think that because you are so close to the end that you are too good for water. And remember that the words in the scriptures will lead you to the "well of living water." Tip 2: Prepare. Plan out what every step you will take before you even take your foot off the ground. No effort can be wasted. Tip 3: Eyes on the prize, and not on the distractions. You have to stay focused. You have to want to win your marathon more than anything else. When the crowd seems to tease, distract, or pull you down, look forward and run until you get there. "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain." (1 Corinthians 9:24)
I love you all so much! Go get em. Whoever "they" might be for you...go get em!
Hugs and Kisses,
Elder Excell
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Q&A - June 18, 2012
1. How are you??
I am doing fantastic! I feel like I'm progressing toward who I want to be and I feel like I am helping others to do the same! =)
2. What's the plan for P-Day today?
We are making authentic moccasins with a man who was baptized recently who is native american! It's going to be so awesome! I think it's probably the most anticipated p-day I've ever had!
3. Does Elder Brown come from a large family? Oldest, youngest, or somewhere in between?
Middle child of 4. I know that means there are two middle children but he is one of them!
4. What are you most looking forward to in the week ahead?
Teaching Stacy again and helping her. I'm also excited because we have planned appointments every day of the week this week!
I am doing fantastic! I feel like I'm progressing toward who I want to be and I feel like I am helping others to do the same! =)
2. What's the plan for P-Day today?
We are making authentic moccasins with a man who was baptized recently who is native american! It's going to be so awesome! I think it's probably the most anticipated p-day I've ever had!
3. Does Elder Brown come from a large family? Oldest, youngest, or somewhere in between?
Middle child of 4. I know that means there are two middle children but he is one of them!
4. What are you most looking forward to in the week ahead?
Teaching Stacy again and helping her. I'm also excited because we have planned appointments every day of the week this week!
Today
I have had such a great week this week! It's had it's ups and downs but at the end of it all I find myself thankful for the ups and doubly thankful for the downs. I feel so blessed to be where I am now and to be doing what I am doing! I also feel so blessed to know what I know and have that peace that that gospel knowledge brings! I can't help, when thinking for more than just a moment, how truly blessed I am. I have an infinite list of things to be grateful for simply because I have been given a seemingly infinite amount of blessings from God!
Last week we were able to accomplish a lot! It was a busy week with a zone conference and exchanges in Cedar Rapids with the zone leaders but it was great! We started the week with a good p-day. We played some ball with each other which ended up in a contest. We played to 11 and played for a DQ Blizzard. I felt almost like a dad when their son just can't play under the pressure of playing with dad. They crumble when dad plays with them because they're trying so hard to win. I did win a good blizzard out of it. Georgia Mud Fudge. My favorite flavor. After that we went and did our laundry at the Austin's and while it was washing, we went and watched a softball game with the family. It was a lot of fun! I really love that family! But I'm also happy the Larson's are back so we can play with them tonight as we do our laundry! I love the people here in Waverly!
Zone conference this week was great! It was bitter-sweet being my last zone conference! And with the way the schedule is right now I probably won't see president or really anyone outside of our district until I go home. That was a pretty sobering thought! But the meeting was great! I actually did a special musical number. I do apologize for not doing the black name tag song dad. I was tempted to try it, and especially for father's day, but I wimped out! Sister Brown and I sang a song together while Sister Minson played the piano and it went really well. I think it was kind of a shock to some people seeing me sing because I just haven't had those opportunities much out here. The meeting was great as well, and as always, made me want to do just a little bit better than I was doing before. We had a really good lunch. We had dutch oven pork sandwiches. Super good. I think my favorite part of the day tho was the trainer's meeting afterward. There was only three of us in the meeting. Two sisters, and myself. We met with President Jeppeson, who is a counselor to President Jergensen. He is a great guy and I've really come to love him! I love the way that he speaks because it is very refined and professional and I like that a lot. I want to speak like that! Anyway we had a great meeting with him. It was a quick hour and a half. I was asked to say the closing prayer and I was very touched by the spirit. I took a moment to pause before saying the prayer, something I wish people did more often. As I did I was completely overcome with the awesome responsibility that had been given to us as trainers and also the awesome blessings that come from that opportunity. It was very good for me!
We drove back to Cedar Rapids to have exchanges the next day but on the way we stopped with a couple other elders at a restaurant called Hu Hot which is a Mongolian grill! It's super good! My diet didn't do so well that day!
Exchanges went really well. We actually met a guy named Pita who spoke Portuguese. I about piddled in my pants because of the excitement! As we started talking back and forth I just had so many memories of being in Brazil! And he gave me the best compliment..."Which part of Brazil are you from?" He thought my Portuguese was so good that I was a native! That made my week! He wasn't interested in our message but it still made my day!
Elder Brown and I went running on Friday night which is the first time I've ran since I was with Elder Fenn. I love running so much now. It seems like everything that I used to dislike when I was younger are now becoming my favorite things. Like tomatoes, spinach, and mushrooms to name a few. I actually learned a lot from our little run. We ran around the river which is about 3 miles. I started out at a pretty decent pace and Elder Brown was following me. Well about a mile down the road he had fallen behind probably no more than 400 yards so I kept going. I got back to the starting point and looked back to find Elder Brown no where in sight. As I waited I got a little more nervous, because he wasn't coming. I eventually started running backward from the direction we ran previously and found him. He was walking because his shin splints started bothering him. I gave him a little motivation and we finished it out to the end. But I kept thinking about how sometimes we fall behind in life and we need someone to be selfless enough to come back and get us. Somebody usually who has made their goal and are now working to help others do the same. Sometimes in life we are the one in front and sometimes we are the one behind. Regardless, both are necessary to complete the race together. That being said, I am grateful for my dad who is the runner ahead of me. He has always come back to me to help me finish my race. I will never forget the mission advice my dad gave me when I left. "The mission is a marathon. Each day is a leg. As you run hard to win the leg of the day every day, you will eventually look back and realize that you will win the whole marathon."
I had the chance to exercise those singing talents again at a funeral yesterday as I played the guitar and Airyn and I sang "Nearer My God to Thee". It went really well and provoked some tears from the audience. We set our day to record our album for July 23rd. Hopefully that goes well!
Things I learned this week --
-Mother's Day="Good job moms. we love you." Father's Day-"Alright men we can do better"
-How awesome the circle of fifths is when writing music. Why did I ever quit piano lessons.
-My passions and likes and everything about me has changed dramatically in the last 12 months. I hope you all can recognize me. =)
So I've been trying this week to think of a pump up last paragraph. Usually my last paragraph gives me time to reflect and give myself a spiritual overhaul. So, to all of you who may need a little boost as well, here are my thoughts: Today is your defining moment. Expectations of you seem very high, but you knew that before you set foot in this life; before you signed up to follow the Savior; before you put on that jersey to be on the Master's team. That team has a tradition unlike any other. Those pioneers who have gone before us are the giants upon whose shoulders we now stand. There can be no sitting on the sidelines. We can't wait for somebody else to make it happen. Above all, there can be no compromises. What is being asked of us, is for our performance to come from a deeper place. You've come too far to surrender.I'm not saying that it's going to be easy. You're going to have to work harder than you have ever worked before. But no matter how hard, no matter how tough, you're expected to make a difference. Failure is not an option. There is no other way than greatness, and now it's your time and turn to perform. The question I ask myself and all of you is, are you ready? Today, are you ready? Are you at your personal best? Will you fight? Will you give it your best? Will you stare into the face of the adversary and never surrender who you want to be? Because once you leave this room, people are counting on you. They will know what you can do! They are counting on you to be great. I repeat, THEY ARE COUNTING ON YOU TO BE GREAT. There will never a day go by where you will regret doing what is right. They are counting on you to do all the things that you are supposed to do as a player on the Savior's team. This is your time. Seize the day! Please, never forget why you are here. Never surrender. Never forget who you are. Never forget how much is riding on your decisions. And NEVER forget, that so much...SO MUCH depends on what you do TODAY!!
I love you!
Hugs and Kisses!
Elder Excell
Last week we were able to accomplish a lot! It was a busy week with a zone conference and exchanges in Cedar Rapids with the zone leaders but it was great! We started the week with a good p-day. We played some ball with each other which ended up in a contest. We played to 11 and played for a DQ Blizzard. I felt almost like a dad when their son just can't play under the pressure of playing with dad. They crumble when dad plays with them because they're trying so hard to win. I did win a good blizzard out of it. Georgia Mud Fudge. My favorite flavor. After that we went and did our laundry at the Austin's and while it was washing, we went and watched a softball game with the family. It was a lot of fun! I really love that family! But I'm also happy the Larson's are back so we can play with them tonight as we do our laundry! I love the people here in Waverly!
Zone conference this week was great! It was bitter-sweet being my last zone conference! And with the way the schedule is right now I probably won't see president or really anyone outside of our district until I go home. That was a pretty sobering thought! But the meeting was great! I actually did a special musical number. I do apologize for not doing the black name tag song dad. I was tempted to try it, and especially for father's day, but I wimped out! Sister Brown and I sang a song together while Sister Minson played the piano and it went really well. I think it was kind of a shock to some people seeing me sing because I just haven't had those opportunities much out here. The meeting was great as well, and as always, made me want to do just a little bit better than I was doing before. We had a really good lunch. We had dutch oven pork sandwiches. Super good. I think my favorite part of the day tho was the trainer's meeting afterward. There was only three of us in the meeting. Two sisters, and myself. We met with President Jeppeson, who is a counselor to President Jergensen. He is a great guy and I've really come to love him! I love the way that he speaks because it is very refined and professional and I like that a lot. I want to speak like that! Anyway we had a great meeting with him. It was a quick hour and a half. I was asked to say the closing prayer and I was very touched by the spirit. I took a moment to pause before saying the prayer, something I wish people did more often. As I did I was completely overcome with the awesome responsibility that had been given to us as trainers and also the awesome blessings that come from that opportunity. It was very good for me!
We drove back to Cedar Rapids to have exchanges the next day but on the way we stopped with a couple other elders at a restaurant called Hu Hot which is a Mongolian grill! It's super good! My diet didn't do so well that day!
Exchanges went really well. We actually met a guy named Pita who spoke Portuguese. I about piddled in my pants because of the excitement! As we started talking back and forth I just had so many memories of being in Brazil! And he gave me the best compliment..."Which part of Brazil are you from?" He thought my Portuguese was so good that I was a native! That made my week! He wasn't interested in our message but it still made my day!
Elder Brown and I went running on Friday night which is the first time I've ran since I was with Elder Fenn. I love running so much now. It seems like everything that I used to dislike when I was younger are now becoming my favorite things. Like tomatoes, spinach, and mushrooms to name a few. I actually learned a lot from our little run. We ran around the river which is about 3 miles. I started out at a pretty decent pace and Elder Brown was following me. Well about a mile down the road he had fallen behind probably no more than 400 yards so I kept going. I got back to the starting point and looked back to find Elder Brown no where in sight. As I waited I got a little more nervous, because he wasn't coming. I eventually started running backward from the direction we ran previously and found him. He was walking because his shin splints started bothering him. I gave him a little motivation and we finished it out to the end. But I kept thinking about how sometimes we fall behind in life and we need someone to be selfless enough to come back and get us. Somebody usually who has made their goal and are now working to help others do the same. Sometimes in life we are the one in front and sometimes we are the one behind. Regardless, both are necessary to complete the race together. That being said, I am grateful for my dad who is the runner ahead of me. He has always come back to me to help me finish my race. I will never forget the mission advice my dad gave me when I left. "The mission is a marathon. Each day is a leg. As you run hard to win the leg of the day every day, you will eventually look back and realize that you will win the whole marathon."
I had the chance to exercise those singing talents again at a funeral yesterday as I played the guitar and Airyn and I sang "Nearer My God to Thee". It went really well and provoked some tears from the audience. We set our day to record our album for July 23rd. Hopefully that goes well!
Things I learned this week --
-Mother's Day="Good job moms. we love you." Father's Day-"Alright men we can do better"
-How awesome the circle of fifths is when writing music. Why did I ever quit piano lessons.
-My passions and likes and everything about me has changed dramatically in the last 12 months. I hope you all can recognize me. =)
So I've been trying this week to think of a pump up last paragraph. Usually my last paragraph gives me time to reflect and give myself a spiritual overhaul. So, to all of you who may need a little boost as well, here are my thoughts: Today is your defining moment. Expectations of you seem very high, but you knew that before you set foot in this life; before you signed up to follow the Savior; before you put on that jersey to be on the Master's team. That team has a tradition unlike any other. Those pioneers who have gone before us are the giants upon whose shoulders we now stand. There can be no sitting on the sidelines. We can't wait for somebody else to make it happen. Above all, there can be no compromises. What is being asked of us, is for our performance to come from a deeper place. You've come too far to surrender.I'm not saying that it's going to be easy. You're going to have to work harder than you have ever worked before. But no matter how hard, no matter how tough, you're expected to make a difference. Failure is not an option. There is no other way than greatness, and now it's your time and turn to perform. The question I ask myself and all of you is, are you ready? Today, are you ready? Are you at your personal best? Will you fight? Will you give it your best? Will you stare into the face of the adversary and never surrender who you want to be? Because once you leave this room, people are counting on you. They will know what you can do! They are counting on you to be great. I repeat, THEY ARE COUNTING ON YOU TO BE GREAT. There will never a day go by where you will regret doing what is right. They are counting on you to do all the things that you are supposed to do as a player on the Savior's team. This is your time. Seize the day! Please, never forget why you are here. Never surrender. Never forget who you are. Never forget how much is riding on your decisions. And NEVER forget, that so much...SO MUCH depends on what you do TODAY!!
I love you!
Hugs and Kisses!
Elder Excell
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Q&A - June 11, 2012
1. I've been wondering for awhile where your love of Superman comes from? :)
Because I was sick right when I got introduced to Smallville and watched 4 seasons in a week and ever since then I have had to try to convince myself that I am not Clark Kent waiting for my powers to come! I also really kind of enjoy the parallels to Christ.
2. What is your favorite Superman movie?
Smallville I think is the best depiction but I like the newest movie the best! Superman Returns.
3. What is your favorite Superman quote?
"You will be different, sometimes you'll feel like an outcast, but you'll never be alone." Superman says this to the boy whose name I believe is Jason, and in the movie you've just pieced together that it is his son with Lois. And then he says, "You will make my strength your own. You will see my life through your eyes, as your life will be seen through mine. The son becomes the father and the father becomes the son." Those are the last words Superman heard from his father on Krypton. Man I'm a nerd!
4. How are things going with Elder Brown?
Great! I love him!
5. What is the best thing about Elder Brown?
He doesn't sugar coat how he feels. I love that in people.
6. Do you know yet when you will get to go to Nauvoo? Uncle Bruce and Aunt Sue want us to give them a heads-up if we can so that they will know to be watching for you. :)
It will be mid August for sure if we don't go once before that!
7. How many wards are in Waverly? How big is the ward you serve in? Is it a strong ward?
It's a branch of about 80 people. pretty good size for a branch and it's growing a lot!
8. Did you get the Liahona I sent last week with the pictures from Wes & Kenzi's wedding? What did you think?
Oh man...I wish I could have been there! I hope I get to see all those people like the weekend I come home! I miss them all so much!
9. Has it been weird for you the last couple days thinking that Dad is so close to you? It sounds like he is having fun on his "Man Trip" and I've never gotten so many text messages that are pictures of meat in all my life! :)
Haha...it was a little weird the day he flew in but since then not really. I'm just glad I'm not in Des Moines right now!
10. The best thing about this week was...
Steak Dinner!!!
Because I was sick right when I got introduced to Smallville and watched 4 seasons in a week and ever since then I have had to try to convince myself that I am not Clark Kent waiting for my powers to come! I also really kind of enjoy the parallels to Christ.
2. What is your favorite Superman movie?
Smallville I think is the best depiction but I like the newest movie the best! Superman Returns.
3. What is your favorite Superman quote?
"You will be different, sometimes you'll feel like an outcast, but you'll never be alone." Superman says this to the boy whose name I believe is Jason, and in the movie you've just pieced together that it is his son with Lois. And then he says, "You will make my strength your own. You will see my life through your eyes, as your life will be seen through mine. The son becomes the father and the father becomes the son." Those are the last words Superman heard from his father on Krypton. Man I'm a nerd!
4. How are things going with Elder Brown?
Great! I love him!
5. What is the best thing about Elder Brown?
He doesn't sugar coat how he feels. I love that in people.
6. Do you know yet when you will get to go to Nauvoo? Uncle Bruce and Aunt Sue want us to give them a heads-up if we can so that they will know to be watching for you. :)
It will be mid August for sure if we don't go once before that!
7. How many wards are in Waverly? How big is the ward you serve in? Is it a strong ward?
It's a branch of about 80 people. pretty good size for a branch and it's growing a lot!
8. Did you get the Liahona I sent last week with the pictures from Wes & Kenzi's wedding? What did you think?
Oh man...I wish I could have been there! I hope I get to see all those people like the weekend I come home! I miss them all so much!
9. Has it been weird for you the last couple days thinking that Dad is so close to you? It sounds like he is having fun on his "Man Trip" and I've never gotten so many text messages that are pictures of meat in all my life! :)
Haha...it was a little weird the day he flew in but since then not really. I'm just glad I'm not in Des Moines right now!
10. The best thing about this week was...
Steak Dinner!!!
I Love The Lord
Every week I sit down at the same computer and have the same feelings but have yet to find a way to adequately describe them. I feel so much love when I sit in this chair. This chair in all intents and purposes has become a sacred place for me. I love the opportunity that I have every week to hear from my parents and then to write them about what I have been doing. I can't quite explain it but there is something very special about the relationship that I have built with them over the past years and where we now find that relationship today! It is more special to me than I ever thought possible! I love them!
I had a great week and it always continues to get better. I'm not quite sure how that works either but I hope that is a pattern that I can continue for the rest of my life! I'm learning very quickly that yes these have been the best two years of my life but if the next two that follow are not the best two yeas as well than I need to re-evaluate and make them the best two years.
Last week for p-day we had a great day. After our ritual emailing time we went to the church and played ball with just the two of us. Then Airyn came and we worked on some songs for our album which is going fantastic by the way. Afterwards we went to the Austin's to do our laundry because the Larson's are out of town. While our laundry was washing and drying we played some baseball with the boys. It's really tough to play baseball with a chocolate lab in the mix! If you are not on top of that ball as soon as it is either hit or thrown you will experience one of the following; 1) Being tackled by a dog. 2)A long run after the dog who stole the ball. And 3)A slobbery ball in your hand after all is said and done. It was still a lot of fun even tho I experienced all three of those sensations.
You will all be fascinated to know that my Rubik's Cube time is down to 2 minutes and 1 second. I'm just trying to break that 2 minute barrier and I think I have about got it. After reading about my knowledge of Superman and my new found passion of a Rubik's Cube I'm pretty sure I look like a huge nerd! =)
This week we had tons of meetings which just reminded me of the zone leader days. We had a leadership meeting where Elder Poulsen in Waterloo and I got to make the trek to Iowa City which was a lot of fun! It was the first time in a while where I just got to drive for like two hours straight! The meetings were great as well. I always leave those meetings with a renewed desire to be better. It's funny because President Jergensen even asked us at the end of the meeting what we learned from the spirit and I told him that I wasn't sure if I learned anything more than that I need to do better with what I already know. I really just walk away feeling like I have all the tools to be the best me and the best missionary but somehow I lose some vigor in between those meetings and so I recommit to stand a little taller and be a little better! It was kind of sad as well because I realized at the end of the meeting that that will be my last leadership meeting...ever. Some of the missionaries that I saw there I will not see again for a very long time and that kinda broke my heart. It really snuck up on me. This week will be my last zone conference...ever. And I will be bearing my "going home testimony". That's been really hard for me to choke down this week. It's starting to really set in. *Sigh*
I also had another last this week. I had my last interview before I go home with President Jergensen. I love him a lot. He's helped me more than he will know to become who I want to be.
I learned in a very real way this week that some things come to a close a lot more suddenly than you would like. I got a call from a number that I did not know while in Leadership Training. I didn't answer it and largely forgot about it until after the meeting. When I listened to it, the voice mail told me of a recent death in the branch. Brother Hinckle called about an hour after everything happened. I had dinner with this family less then a week ago. He took his wife who was about 60 years old to the gas station to get her work schedule and while there she fell over from lack of oxygen and upon arrival to the hospital she had brain damage and could not generate her own oxygen so they pulled the plug. They had just been married a little over a year before her death. They were waiting to be sealed in the temple. How grateful I am to know of life after death. What comfort I take for granted from the knowledge I have. So I guess it is always true, nothing gold can stay. Enjoy it while it lasts and just like another quote I heard recently...Make the best of the little things now because you never know, years from now they could be the big things."
It's been so hot here lately and muggy to top it all off. It's been in the 90's this past week. Now I don't mind the heat but we don't have air conditioning in our place so we get to sleep in a 82 degree oven this summer. It's been great! =)
We have a new investigator this week as well named Stacy. She is really cool and we really have only been able to work with her because of her member friends. Their example and knowledge of the gospel has been the biggest aid in her preparation. It's been a very big lesson to me of how much I can do when I go home and am not a missionary any longer. Just the example we are can literally convert many children of our Father's.
This week we went to see some less actives not knowing that it was their 10th anniversary. We talked for a while and they had been looking for people to go out to dinner with and no one could so we volunteered! =) It was the best dinner I have ever had! We went to this restaurant called Jack and Arnie's. Well it's a "cook your own" steak restaurant! I had never heard of such a thing. It was delicious. We made our own Texas toast and then they had some potatoes, not to mention the 24 oz. Sirloin! It was so good! The blessings of being a missionary! We also had a great discussion with them. They are a really fun couple.
Things I learned this week--
-The quickest Rubik's Cube time is less than 6 seconds. I'll get there someday.
-Some people can sleep almost anywhere anytime. (Elder Brown)
-Baked good are better from the freezer. Example: Cookies and Banana Bread! Especially when the apartment is 80 degrees.
This week I have started something that was a inspiration from Leadership Training. Like I said before, I heard the spirit tell me that I could be doing so much better. It was just a small voice saying, "come on up to higher ground Elder." So in order to try to do that I am bringing back the 40 Day Fast. I think I have spoken of it before on this blog but to inform those who do not know. It is a process of purification where you start with a fast and try to find those things that kind of poke at your spirit or detract from the spirit of the Lord. After which you proceed to fast from those things for 40 days and replace them with good habits. I have started once again. But I am noticing how much I love the feeling that the spirit brings. I am noticing as i constantly try to improve myself the increase of the spirit that I feel. Not that I believe tears or emotion are necessarily indicative of the spirit but I have noticed myself while trying to maintain more of the spirit through my obedience that I will get choked up more and more as I read a simple scripture or tell of a simple experience. I guess what I've learned from doing so is something I would suppose Joseph Smith himself learned in that temple of Liberty Jail. In those very sacred chapters that came through so much trial and adversity lies a lesson often overlooked. The last three verses have been of increasing importance to me. "Let no man count them as small things; for there is much which lieth in futurity, pertaining to the saints, which depends upon these things. You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves.Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." I can testify that the small things make the biggest difference. I can also testify that there is a power in recognizing what is really in our power and what it is not. I know of the happiness that comes and the stress that it left behind in cheerfully doing those things that lie in our power. I can testify that in doing so we will and can see the Lord's arm in all our doings and the salvation of God in our lives! If we will but do the little things or perhaps even just change those little things which are holding us back from doing great things.
I love you all so much! Life is a great refiner but no refiner is greater than that of one's own character.
Hugs and Kisses,
Elder Excell
I had a great week and it always continues to get better. I'm not quite sure how that works either but I hope that is a pattern that I can continue for the rest of my life! I'm learning very quickly that yes these have been the best two years of my life but if the next two that follow are not the best two yeas as well than I need to re-evaluate and make them the best two years.
Last week for p-day we had a great day. After our ritual emailing time we went to the church and played ball with just the two of us. Then Airyn came and we worked on some songs for our album which is going fantastic by the way. Afterwards we went to the Austin's to do our laundry because the Larson's are out of town. While our laundry was washing and drying we played some baseball with the boys. It's really tough to play baseball with a chocolate lab in the mix! If you are not on top of that ball as soon as it is either hit or thrown you will experience one of the following; 1) Being tackled by a dog. 2)A long run after the dog who stole the ball. And 3)A slobbery ball in your hand after all is said and done. It was still a lot of fun even tho I experienced all three of those sensations.
You will all be fascinated to know that my Rubik's Cube time is down to 2 minutes and 1 second. I'm just trying to break that 2 minute barrier and I think I have about got it. After reading about my knowledge of Superman and my new found passion of a Rubik's Cube I'm pretty sure I look like a huge nerd! =)
This week we had tons of meetings which just reminded me of the zone leader days. We had a leadership meeting where Elder Poulsen in Waterloo and I got to make the trek to Iowa City which was a lot of fun! It was the first time in a while where I just got to drive for like two hours straight! The meetings were great as well. I always leave those meetings with a renewed desire to be better. It's funny because President Jergensen even asked us at the end of the meeting what we learned from the spirit and I told him that I wasn't sure if I learned anything more than that I need to do better with what I already know. I really just walk away feeling like I have all the tools to be the best me and the best missionary but somehow I lose some vigor in between those meetings and so I recommit to stand a little taller and be a little better! It was kind of sad as well because I realized at the end of the meeting that that will be my last leadership meeting...ever. Some of the missionaries that I saw there I will not see again for a very long time and that kinda broke my heart. It really snuck up on me. This week will be my last zone conference...ever. And I will be bearing my "going home testimony". That's been really hard for me to choke down this week. It's starting to really set in. *Sigh*
I also had another last this week. I had my last interview before I go home with President Jergensen. I love him a lot. He's helped me more than he will know to become who I want to be.
I learned in a very real way this week that some things come to a close a lot more suddenly than you would like. I got a call from a number that I did not know while in Leadership Training. I didn't answer it and largely forgot about it until after the meeting. When I listened to it, the voice mail told me of a recent death in the branch. Brother Hinckle called about an hour after everything happened. I had dinner with this family less then a week ago. He took his wife who was about 60 years old to the gas station to get her work schedule and while there she fell over from lack of oxygen and upon arrival to the hospital she had brain damage and could not generate her own oxygen so they pulled the plug. They had just been married a little over a year before her death. They were waiting to be sealed in the temple. How grateful I am to know of life after death. What comfort I take for granted from the knowledge I have. So I guess it is always true, nothing gold can stay. Enjoy it while it lasts and just like another quote I heard recently...Make the best of the little things now because you never know, years from now they could be the big things."
It's been so hot here lately and muggy to top it all off. It's been in the 90's this past week. Now I don't mind the heat but we don't have air conditioning in our place so we get to sleep in a 82 degree oven this summer. It's been great! =)
We have a new investigator this week as well named Stacy. She is really cool and we really have only been able to work with her because of her member friends. Their example and knowledge of the gospel has been the biggest aid in her preparation. It's been a very big lesson to me of how much I can do when I go home and am not a missionary any longer. Just the example we are can literally convert many children of our Father's.
This week we went to see some less actives not knowing that it was their 10th anniversary. We talked for a while and they had been looking for people to go out to dinner with and no one could so we volunteered! =) It was the best dinner I have ever had! We went to this restaurant called Jack and Arnie's. Well it's a "cook your own" steak restaurant! I had never heard of such a thing. It was delicious. We made our own Texas toast and then they had some potatoes, not to mention the 24 oz. Sirloin! It was so good! The blessings of being a missionary! We also had a great discussion with them. They are a really fun couple.
Things I learned this week--
-The quickest Rubik's Cube time is less than 6 seconds. I'll get there someday.
-Some people can sleep almost anywhere anytime. (Elder Brown)
-Baked good are better from the freezer. Example: Cookies and Banana Bread! Especially when the apartment is 80 degrees.
This week I have started something that was a inspiration from Leadership Training. Like I said before, I heard the spirit tell me that I could be doing so much better. It was just a small voice saying, "come on up to higher ground Elder." So in order to try to do that I am bringing back the 40 Day Fast. I think I have spoken of it before on this blog but to inform those who do not know. It is a process of purification where you start with a fast and try to find those things that kind of poke at your spirit or detract from the spirit of the Lord. After which you proceed to fast from those things for 40 days and replace them with good habits. I have started once again. But I am noticing how much I love the feeling that the spirit brings. I am noticing as i constantly try to improve myself the increase of the spirit that I feel. Not that I believe tears or emotion are necessarily indicative of the spirit but I have noticed myself while trying to maintain more of the spirit through my obedience that I will get choked up more and more as I read a simple scripture or tell of a simple experience. I guess what I've learned from doing so is something I would suppose Joseph Smith himself learned in that temple of Liberty Jail. In those very sacred chapters that came through so much trial and adversity lies a lesson often overlooked. The last three verses have been of increasing importance to me. "Let no man count them as small things; for there is much which lieth in futurity, pertaining to the saints, which depends upon these things. You know, brethren, that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves.Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." I can testify that the small things make the biggest difference. I can also testify that there is a power in recognizing what is really in our power and what it is not. I know of the happiness that comes and the stress that it left behind in cheerfully doing those things that lie in our power. I can testify that in doing so we will and can see the Lord's arm in all our doings and the salvation of God in our lives! If we will but do the little things or perhaps even just change those little things which are holding us back from doing great things.
I love you all so much! Life is a great refiner but no refiner is greater than that of one's own character.
Hugs and Kisses,
Elder Excell
Monday, June 4, 2012
Q&A - June 4, 2012
1. Who is your new companion?
Elder Trevor Ronald Brown
2. Where is he from?
Logan, UT
3. Do you have anything in common with him? Tell us a little about him...
We have a lot in common actually. Athletic but played more with motorcycles and atv's. He's the companion that I've been dreaming of to end my mission with! I couldn't imagine better! He's got a lot of fire and will put some youth back in me!
4. Anxious to hear about the Lassen's baptism!
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD
5. How many nights per week do you have to cook for yourselves and how many do you have dinner appointments?
Probably 4 days per week we have dinner appointments and the rest are by ourselves. It's about the best ratio possible because time by yourself is nice and you don't get fat from too much food!
6. What was the most significant thing you accomplished this week?
I watched 4 children of our Heavenly Father come closer to him and be baptized!
Elder Trevor Ronald Brown
2. Where is he from?
Logan, UT
3. Do you have anything in common with him? Tell us a little about him...
We have a lot in common actually. Athletic but played more with motorcycles and atv's. He's the companion that I've been dreaming of to end my mission with! I couldn't imagine better! He's got a lot of fire and will put some youth back in me!
4. Anxious to hear about the Lassen's baptism!
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD
5. How many nights per week do you have to cook for yourselves and how many do you have dinner appointments?
Probably 4 days per week we have dinner appointments and the rest are by ourselves. It's about the best ratio possible because time by yourself is nice and you don't get fat from too much food!
6. What was the most significant thing you accomplished this week?
I watched 4 children of our Heavenly Father come closer to him and be baptized!
Red, White, Orange, Green, Blue, and Yellow!
Before I forget and before I come down from the emotional high I just felt from reading the baptismal update on the mission, I must inform you of some of the best news ever!! Kaytlin Meier, the older sister to Sammy, Maddie, and Riley; as well as daughter to Ben and Tina will be baptized this month!!! I love that family so much and had a chance to teach Kaytlin before I left! I'm so proud of her and happy! There is truly no better feeling than watching someone change for the better and come closer to Christ, whether you are there personally or from a distance! There is a feeling about watching someone make those decisions to follow Christ through baptism that just simply provokes the thought, "I am watching something very right and true right now." What a great calling I have!
I've had such a good 4 days since my last epistle! I had one of those very intricate and sacred experiences to watch an entire family come closer to their Savior and what a blessed experience it was! On Saturday I had the opportunity to watch the Lassen Family, whom I love very much, step down into the baptismal font and make sacred covenants with God that I know, and can testify, will be such a blessing to them in the years to come! I had the privilege to be a witness to those ordinances and as I watched every person be immersed in water and come out with a smile on their face I could not help but think of the purification that I was witnessing! It especially hit me as I watched Lauren, the 8 year old girl of the family, come out of the water. Tears swelled in my eyes and I knew then that what I was watching was divine and good! I am so happy for that family! On Sunday, they asked if I would confirm them all as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and I was more than honored. It was very spiritually powerful to all who were in attendance! Tony, the father, also got up because it was fast and testimony meeting and bore a very powerful testimony of his conversion! I was very inspired by his words.
In other news, Elder Brown is my new companion and I could not imagine anyone that I would have wanted to be with more! He is a great kid and he comes from Logan, Utah. He has a lot of "greenie fire" and is ready to get down and get to work! I'm really grateful for his enthusiasm for the work. It really inspires me and helps me to remember what I was like my first transfer! Looking at him and knowing that I was just as innocent in regards to missionary work baffles me at times. But I know as well that I wished was more prepared than I was coming to the field. I'm so grateful for the growth that I have been able to witness in myself! I owe many people in Brazil, Iowa, and everyone in-between for that!
This week since our last Wednesday P-day we have seen quite a few people. I've been trying to introduce Elder Brown to the members as quickly as possible because I know how lonesome you can feel in a new area even with someone attached to your hip 24/7! I think he feels very welcome and comfortable here in Waverly. He really loves the people and I know that that is so important to the work!
I guess my role model got married this weekend! I've always looked up to this kid named Weston Hyde. For those of you who don't know, he's my uncle that is only 2 years older than me. Growing up we did everything together! We ate dirt and worms on the front porch, we slid down his big slide, we made forts, and played tag, and never thought we'd grow up! Well somehow we did! Somehow he's been home from his mission 33 months now and is married. I'm so happy from him. From nearly every person in the family I've heard repeatedly, "He's happier than I've ever seen him!" Thank you for that Kenzi! I love you both! Excited to see you!
One of the funnier moments in the week was actually just this morning when we were doing our companionship study and there was a tap on the door! We opened it up and I'm not sure who was more surprised, the guest or us but the Jehovah's Witnesses thought that they would pay us a visit. I think everyone was a bit taken aback and the conversation that followed started out somewhat rocky and awkward. Anyway I've grown a great respect for other religions. I can very much appreciate those who try to help others by sacrificing some of their time and talents regardless of their religious affiliations. I really did appreciate their visit and the little discussion we had! I hope they have as much success as God will grant them!
Best moment and accomplishment of the week! On Wednesday I became the proud owner of a new Rubik's cube. No, I was not born in the 80's but I've got a lot of enjoyment from it. I had one when I was younger. I don't exactly recall it's location now but I would not be surprised if it ended up in pieces after being thrown at a wall! I was so frustrated by that silly little cube in my younger years up until this Saturday where I have finally completed the puzzle! I'm working on my time and I am now down to 3 minutes and 55 seconds. Not near or close to any records by any means but I'm getting there! I feel so accomplished! Bucket list item; checked off!
Things I learned this week--
- U R Ui Li U Ri Ui L......that's the missing clue to my Rubik's cube follies. (U=Upper R=Right L=Left i=inverse)
-You can tell how long a missionary is out by how many mega pixels his camera has.
-You can tell how long a missionary has been out by when they graduated...2011!!! What!?!?
I had another great opportunity this week to learn more about a very common Bible story that I have heard many times. It just never clicks for me until I'm studying for someone else. I think that's an eternal principle in itself. We get things as soon as we have the motive of doing it for others. But that was not the lesson learned this week. I was studying the story of the prodigal son for a girl here. It came to life for me as a related it to her life. To give a little background on the story, we have a man and his two sons. These are not just servants but his sons just in the same way we are the literal offspring of our Heavenly Father. Both are given in what may be scripturally termed, "All that the Father hath." And each receives his own equal portion. From the story we know that one was reckless with all that was given him and was spent wastefully in a foreign country. How many times do we all do that!? We have been given so much by Father in Heaven and often it ends up squandered. Well when the sum that was given to the son has been completely spent, he finds himself destitute enough to eat from the very troughs of the pigs where he works. Talk about desperation. But when starved from what is so vital to us all, we would fill ourselves with whatever we could. But, often our efforts are in vain, for the very thing we put in to our bodies with the intent to fill us leaves us more unsatisfied than before. But just as we would, the prodigal son "comes to himself". There is a moment of realization that I believe is given by the Spirit of God and we know where we can "eat and not be hungry and drink and not thirst". In the example at hand the prodigal son is reminded of home, where his father's servants are now even eating better than he, who had at one point all the father had. I find it very interesting that this son follows the pattern of the Lord that we learn about in the book of Moses and plans what he will do spiritually before he goes and does it. He plans to go to his father and ask to be hired among the servants, for in his heart he feels totally unworthy to even be called a son! What a trick of the adversary! From perhaps a slightly less spiritual source, even "The Goofy Movie" teaches us very true eternal words, "I'll always be your son!" There is nothing so separating that can separate us from our Father in Heaven. My favorite part, and what I realized stronger than ever tho, is found in the 20th verse of the 15th chapter of Luke. As the son is still a great way off the Father feels he is close and even sees him. In even noticing the attempt being made to come closer, the father runs out to meet his son who was once lost! I testify that this teaches repentance. All of us have distanced ourselves so far from God because of our choices that we have made but when we come to ourselves and plan to go back home, I testify that the Father sees us even from "a great way off" and He comes to our rescue and then in a supreme expression of His love helps us back home. I have felt in my life the Father carrying me back home and I can testify that it happens as we make plans and fulfill plans to go back home to our own "land flowing with milk and honey". To our "promised land". To our dining room table where "we may eat and not hunger and drink and not thirst!"
I love this gospel so much! I feel so privileged to have learned of it so early in my mortal life. I love my Father in Heaven for that grand opportunity. I love you all as well! I miss your stinking guts!
Hugs and Kisses,
Elder Excell
I've had such a good 4 days since my last epistle! I had one of those very intricate and sacred experiences to watch an entire family come closer to their Savior and what a blessed experience it was! On Saturday I had the opportunity to watch the Lassen Family, whom I love very much, step down into the baptismal font and make sacred covenants with God that I know, and can testify, will be such a blessing to them in the years to come! I had the privilege to be a witness to those ordinances and as I watched every person be immersed in water and come out with a smile on their face I could not help but think of the purification that I was witnessing! It especially hit me as I watched Lauren, the 8 year old girl of the family, come out of the water. Tears swelled in my eyes and I knew then that what I was watching was divine and good! I am so happy for that family! On Sunday, they asked if I would confirm them all as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and I was more than honored. It was very spiritually powerful to all who were in attendance! Tony, the father, also got up because it was fast and testimony meeting and bore a very powerful testimony of his conversion! I was very inspired by his words.
In other news, Elder Brown is my new companion and I could not imagine anyone that I would have wanted to be with more! He is a great kid and he comes from Logan, Utah. He has a lot of "greenie fire" and is ready to get down and get to work! I'm really grateful for his enthusiasm for the work. It really inspires me and helps me to remember what I was like my first transfer! Looking at him and knowing that I was just as innocent in regards to missionary work baffles me at times. But I know as well that I wished was more prepared than I was coming to the field. I'm so grateful for the growth that I have been able to witness in myself! I owe many people in Brazil, Iowa, and everyone in-between for that!
This week since our last Wednesday P-day we have seen quite a few people. I've been trying to introduce Elder Brown to the members as quickly as possible because I know how lonesome you can feel in a new area even with someone attached to your hip 24/7! I think he feels very welcome and comfortable here in Waverly. He really loves the people and I know that that is so important to the work!
I guess my role model got married this weekend! I've always looked up to this kid named Weston Hyde. For those of you who don't know, he's my uncle that is only 2 years older than me. Growing up we did everything together! We ate dirt and worms on the front porch, we slid down his big slide, we made forts, and played tag, and never thought we'd grow up! Well somehow we did! Somehow he's been home from his mission 33 months now and is married. I'm so happy from him. From nearly every person in the family I've heard repeatedly, "He's happier than I've ever seen him!" Thank you for that Kenzi! I love you both! Excited to see you!
One of the funnier moments in the week was actually just this morning when we were doing our companionship study and there was a tap on the door! We opened it up and I'm not sure who was more surprised, the guest or us but the Jehovah's Witnesses thought that they would pay us a visit. I think everyone was a bit taken aback and the conversation that followed started out somewhat rocky and awkward. Anyway I've grown a great respect for other religions. I can very much appreciate those who try to help others by sacrificing some of their time and talents regardless of their religious affiliations. I really did appreciate their visit and the little discussion we had! I hope they have as much success as God will grant them!
Best moment and accomplishment of the week! On Wednesday I became the proud owner of a new Rubik's cube. No, I was not born in the 80's but I've got a lot of enjoyment from it. I had one when I was younger. I don't exactly recall it's location now but I would not be surprised if it ended up in pieces after being thrown at a wall! I was so frustrated by that silly little cube in my younger years up until this Saturday where I have finally completed the puzzle! I'm working on my time and I am now down to 3 minutes and 55 seconds. Not near or close to any records by any means but I'm getting there! I feel so accomplished! Bucket list item; checked off!
Things I learned this week--
- U R Ui Li U Ri Ui L......that's the missing clue to my Rubik's cube follies. (U=Upper R=Right L=Left i=inverse)
-You can tell how long a missionary is out by how many mega pixels his camera has.
-You can tell how long a missionary has been out by when they graduated...2011!!! What!?!?
I had another great opportunity this week to learn more about a very common Bible story that I have heard many times. It just never clicks for me until I'm studying for someone else. I think that's an eternal principle in itself. We get things as soon as we have the motive of doing it for others. But that was not the lesson learned this week. I was studying the story of the prodigal son for a girl here. It came to life for me as a related it to her life. To give a little background on the story, we have a man and his two sons. These are not just servants but his sons just in the same way we are the literal offspring of our Heavenly Father. Both are given in what may be scripturally termed, "All that the Father hath." And each receives his own equal portion. From the story we know that one was reckless with all that was given him and was spent wastefully in a foreign country. How many times do we all do that!? We have been given so much by Father in Heaven and often it ends up squandered. Well when the sum that was given to the son has been completely spent, he finds himself destitute enough to eat from the very troughs of the pigs where he works. Talk about desperation. But when starved from what is so vital to us all, we would fill ourselves with whatever we could. But, often our efforts are in vain, for the very thing we put in to our bodies with the intent to fill us leaves us more unsatisfied than before. But just as we would, the prodigal son "comes to himself". There is a moment of realization that I believe is given by the Spirit of God and we know where we can "eat and not be hungry and drink and not thirst". In the example at hand the prodigal son is reminded of home, where his father's servants are now even eating better than he, who had at one point all the father had. I find it very interesting that this son follows the pattern of the Lord that we learn about in the book of Moses and plans what he will do spiritually before he goes and does it. He plans to go to his father and ask to be hired among the servants, for in his heart he feels totally unworthy to even be called a son! What a trick of the adversary! From perhaps a slightly less spiritual source, even "The Goofy Movie" teaches us very true eternal words, "I'll always be your son!" There is nothing so separating that can separate us from our Father in Heaven. My favorite part, and what I realized stronger than ever tho, is found in the 20th verse of the 15th chapter of Luke. As the son is still a great way off the Father feels he is close and even sees him. In even noticing the attempt being made to come closer, the father runs out to meet his son who was once lost! I testify that this teaches repentance. All of us have distanced ourselves so far from God because of our choices that we have made but when we come to ourselves and plan to go back home, I testify that the Father sees us even from "a great way off" and He comes to our rescue and then in a supreme expression of His love helps us back home. I have felt in my life the Father carrying me back home and I can testify that it happens as we make plans and fulfill plans to go back home to our own "land flowing with milk and honey". To our "promised land". To our dining room table where "we may eat and not hunger and drink and not thirst!"
I love this gospel so much! I feel so privileged to have learned of it so early in my mortal life. I love my Father in Heaven for that grand opportunity. I love you all as well! I miss your stinking guts!
Hugs and Kisses,
Elder Excell
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Pictures
Hey Mom! These are some pictures from the last few days. This is the Austin family! I love them!
Q&A - May 30, 2012
1. So, were your predictions right? Are you staying in Waverly?
I have secured my last 2 transfers in Waverly Iowa and Elder Arbon will be taking off!
2. Elder Arbon or a new companion from Tennessee? :)
Not sure on the greenie's hometown but I will be training a new missionary! I'm very excited!
3. How many lawns did you get to mow this week?
None! Huge bummer but we also gave more service than I ever have given before.
4. What are you most looking forward to in the week ahead?
Transfers...I'm growing on change. I'm starting to love it!
I have secured my last 2 transfers in Waverly Iowa and Elder Arbon will be taking off!
2. Elder Arbon or a new companion from Tennessee? :)
Not sure on the greenie's hometown but I will be training a new missionary! I'm very excited!
3. How many lawns did you get to mow this week?
None! Huge bummer but we also gave more service than I ever have given before.
4. What are you most looking forward to in the week ahead?
Transfers...I'm growing on change. I'm starting to love it!
Amazing Grace!
What a busy, fast, incredible week in my life! News first: I will be training a new missionary these next two transfers. I am very excited and Elder Arbon will be transferred. I'm grateful I got to be with him. It seems like so much has happened in the last 10 days that I'm not quite sure where to start! I would assume that there is no better place to commence than at the beginning!
Last Monday was a lot of fun! We actually just got together and we played some basketball, a little Frisbee, and we played "chubby bunny". For those that are maybe not familiar with this game let me explain; You start by purchasing a bag of medium s'more size marshmallows. You then proceed to put as many of them as possible into your mouth. After each mallow inserted into the mouth you repeat the words chubby bunny! The purpose of repeating such a phrase is because it makes you laugh and almost gag yourself on the mallows in your mouth. Anyway I was the big loser of the day with a maximum of 7 marshmallows inserted into my mouth. Elder White won with 17 I believe. I personally would consider my efforts a victory. Who really wants to be known as the gross kid who can stuff his face? While we were playing Frisbee sister brown stepped off the stage right as a Frisbee was thrown as hard as possible and she jumped right in the way to catch it with her clavicle/throat region. If I was to be real honest, I would admit that it was my throw. I felt so bad! Anyway I was assured that no bruising ever occurred and all is well.
The week went by so fast! We had literally a plethora of graduation parties to attend as well as help with. It was quite a bit of fun tho! There is really truly no better feeling than knowing that you have helped someone in such a way where it could not have been done without you! There were two particular parties that we really helped with a lot. The first was on Friday evening for Stefan Larson. His mom is a voice professor at Wartburg College here and so we had the party there. He is a fantastic opera singer and so he had a 30 minute recital. While that was going on, Elder Arbon and I and Lisa Austin volunteered to help out with the food outside. I guess it's pretty much expected that each graduation party have so much food that it will never be eaten. Anyway, they ordered some Domino's Pizza but the biggest part of the whole party was the infamous chocolate fountain! I was put in charge, or at least semi-accepted responsibility for that project! I was to melt the chocolate in the actual fondue fountain and then add the appropriate amount of oil to get the consistency correct! So...I did so. I started to melt the chocolate and added the oil and all was well. Until, that is, that the three tower station come unattached from the melting bowl and while the auger started to spin, so did the whole fountain. It became a rather sensational sprinkler rather than a fountain in no time at all. I was covered in chocolate as was the table and some of the rest of the food! The biggest problem of that whole experience was not that the table and food were now in chocolate but also that we had less time to melt chocolate and get the table ready for people exiting the recital. It was a miracle but we pulled it off and if I wouldn't have been there, then no one would have even known....except for the giant stain on the floor at the performing arts center. It was a great memory tho! Hope that chocolate comes out! =)
The other party that we helped with was Airyn's party. That party did not have near the amount of catastrophe but was a lot of work to put together. The plan was to have the part outside under a tent, until it started blowing 40 mph. That's pretty average around here I've decided. I'd say about 5 out of 7 days the flags sticks straight out from the pole around here. It's almost comparable to Casper Wyoming at times. So we had to change plans for the party and move everything inside and set up the house for this party now in a matter of a couple hours. I'm just glad we were there to help in both situations because I really don't think it could've been done without us. Both families have assured us that we were the answer to their prayers!
The Lassen family is going to be baptized this Saturday and I could not be more happy for them! They will have their interview tomorrow evening with whoever the district leader will be in Waterloo. After that, the program commences at 10 AM on Saturday morning! So, while most of you that read this email will be at a wedding on June 2nd, I will be at a baptism. Not much of a better place to be if I can't be there!
Speaking of the wedding, I hope someone will act for and in behalf of me as a proxy for hugs. I'm happy for my boy Weston and his girl Kenzi! Good luck!
I got to plant a garden this week and beautify what looked like an abandoned yard. It looks so nice now. Elder Arbon mowed while I weed-eated and trimmed trees. It looks great now. And bonus is that I don't have to weed the garden later. Benefits!!
The practice for the album with Airyn is going real well. We have just really polished off one song right now and we're still deciding what else we would like to do! I'm kinda excited to have my own CD. That's a pretty unique opportunity I think. I'm also nervous! It'll be alright!
Things I learned this week--
-Poison Ivy exists in Iowa. It's not fun.
-Chocolate is one of those things you don't want to stain your clothes with.
I've had a really good experience this week that I wanted to share. I have recently become quite close to someone here in Waverly and have had the opportunity to help her out a lot. It's been really neat. I've learned that no matter where you go there is opposition in all things and that many times it is not easy to stay away from the world. It's sometimes so appealing. Anyway I've got the chance to learn more about and explain grace this week through the whole experience while trying to help her repent and reach her goals. I have always been taught that grace is what makes up the difference in our shortcomings. That we do our part and Christ makes up the rest. Well, as scripturally accurate and true as that is, I did not quite get it until recently. Christ did not just suffer for what we couldn't do on our own but he suffered ALL. Most people in the world and other religions will use that as almost an excuse to leave out the works part of the equation, and it is my testimony that we must in fact do something for our salvation but it is not just doing something that is sufficient to save us. Whether our efforts are required by justice or required by grace they are still required. But they are required for a different purpose. Fulfilling Christ’s requirements is like paying a mortgage instead of rent or like making deposits in a savings account instead of paying off debt. You still have to fork over the money every month but it is for a totally different reason. I will now willingly admit to everyone that I have been saved by grace, and thankfully so. But more importantly in my eyes, I have been changed by grace. The scriptures say no unclean thing no enter the kingdom of god but no unchanged thing would ever even want to. Why would anyone want to be in heaven if they were not heavenly people. I don't imagine many people will be begging for grace at the last day as shocking as that may sound. We have become who we want to become here on earth almost subconsciously. When Christ comes again I imagine he will be begging others to use his grace rather than being bombarded with pleas himself. There are young women who know they are daughters of a Heavenly Father who loves them, and they love Him. Then they graduate from high school, and they are tested. Maybe they slip up. They let things go too far, and suddenly they think it is all over. These young women don’t understand grace. There are young men who grow up their whole lives singing, “I hope they call me on a mission,” and then they do actually grow a foot or two and flake out completely. They get their Eagles, graduate from high school, and go away to college. Then suddenly these young men find out how easy it is to not be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. They mess up. They say like I have many times, “I’ll never do it again,” and then they do it. They say like I have, “I’ll never do it again,” and then they do it. They say like I have, “This is stupid. I will never do it again.”... And then they do it. The guilt is almost unbearable. They don’t dare talk to a bishop because that would be way too embarrassing and everyone thinks "I am such a good role model." So they quit. These young men don’t understand grace. I'm sure there are many adults who can attest to similar feelings. In the face of these fearful feelings I submit there is but one option. Faith. Faith in yourself and faith in Him. That is simply the beginning to the cure-all remedy of grace. I enjoy teaching this girl so much because I know what it's like to be there. To tell yourself I won't mess up like that again and then you do it. I know somewhat of the hopeless feeling that an accumulation of sin can present to you. But I testify that His grace is sufficient for all men! ALL! Grace saves, but even better, it transforms the souls of men and women and children. It changes everything because it has the power to change why we do things.
I love this gospel! It just makes sense to me! I love all of you as well! Seriously!
Hugs and Kisses,
Elder Excell
 |
| -Chubby Bunny |
The week went by so fast! We had literally a plethora of graduation parties to attend as well as help with. It was quite a bit of fun tho! There is really truly no better feeling than knowing that you have helped someone in such a way where it could not have been done without you! There were two particular parties that we really helped with a lot. The first was on Friday evening for Stefan Larson. His mom is a voice professor at Wartburg College here and so we had the party there. He is a fantastic opera singer and so he had a 30 minute recital. While that was going on, Elder Arbon and I and Lisa Austin volunteered to help out with the food outside. I guess it's pretty much expected that each graduation party have so much food that it will never be eaten. Anyway, they ordered some Domino's Pizza but the biggest part of the whole party was the infamous chocolate fountain! I was put in charge, or at least semi-accepted responsibility for that project! I was to melt the chocolate in the actual fondue fountain and then add the appropriate amount of oil to get the consistency correct! So...I did so. I started to melt the chocolate and added the oil and all was well. Until, that is, that the three tower station come unattached from the melting bowl and while the auger started to spin, so did the whole fountain. It became a rather sensational sprinkler rather than a fountain in no time at all. I was covered in chocolate as was the table and some of the rest of the food! The biggest problem of that whole experience was not that the table and food were now in chocolate but also that we had less time to melt chocolate and get the table ready for people exiting the recital. It was a miracle but we pulled it off and if I wouldn't have been there, then no one would have even known....except for the giant stain on the floor at the performing arts center. It was a great memory tho! Hope that chocolate comes out! =)
 |
| -Chocolate Everywhere! |
The Lassen family is going to be baptized this Saturday and I could not be more happy for them! They will have their interview tomorrow evening with whoever the district leader will be in Waterloo. After that, the program commences at 10 AM on Saturday morning! So, while most of you that read this email will be at a wedding on June 2nd, I will be at a baptism. Not much of a better place to be if I can't be there!
Speaking of the wedding, I hope someone will act for and in behalf of me as a proxy for hugs. I'm happy for my boy Weston and his girl Kenzi! Good luck!
I got to plant a garden this week and beautify what looked like an abandoned yard. It looks so nice now. Elder Arbon mowed while I weed-eated and trimmed trees. It looks great now. And bonus is that I don't have to weed the garden later. Benefits!!
The practice for the album with Airyn is going real well. We have just really polished off one song right now and we're still deciding what else we would like to do! I'm kinda excited to have my own CD. That's a pretty unique opportunity I think. I'm also nervous! It'll be alright!
Things I learned this week--
-Poison Ivy exists in Iowa. It's not fun.
-Chocolate is one of those things you don't want to stain your clothes with.
I've had a really good experience this week that I wanted to share. I have recently become quite close to someone here in Waverly and have had the opportunity to help her out a lot. It's been really neat. I've learned that no matter where you go there is opposition in all things and that many times it is not easy to stay away from the world. It's sometimes so appealing. Anyway I've got the chance to learn more about and explain grace this week through the whole experience while trying to help her repent and reach her goals. I have always been taught that grace is what makes up the difference in our shortcomings. That we do our part and Christ makes up the rest. Well, as scripturally accurate and true as that is, I did not quite get it until recently. Christ did not just suffer for what we couldn't do on our own but he suffered ALL. Most people in the world and other religions will use that as almost an excuse to leave out the works part of the equation, and it is my testimony that we must in fact do something for our salvation but it is not just doing something that is sufficient to save us. Whether our efforts are required by justice or required by grace they are still required. But they are required for a different purpose. Fulfilling Christ’s requirements is like paying a mortgage instead of rent or like making deposits in a savings account instead of paying off debt. You still have to fork over the money every month but it is for a totally different reason. I will now willingly admit to everyone that I have been saved by grace, and thankfully so. But more importantly in my eyes, I have been changed by grace. The scriptures say no unclean thing no enter the kingdom of god but no unchanged thing would ever even want to. Why would anyone want to be in heaven if they were not heavenly people. I don't imagine many people will be begging for grace at the last day as shocking as that may sound. We have become who we want to become here on earth almost subconsciously. When Christ comes again I imagine he will be begging others to use his grace rather than being bombarded with pleas himself. There are young women who know they are daughters of a Heavenly Father who loves them, and they love Him. Then they graduate from high school, and they are tested. Maybe they slip up. They let things go too far, and suddenly they think it is all over. These young women don’t understand grace. There are young men who grow up their whole lives singing, “I hope they call me on a mission,” and then they do actually grow a foot or two and flake out completely. They get their Eagles, graduate from high school, and go away to college. Then suddenly these young men find out how easy it is to not be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. They mess up. They say like I have many times, “I’ll never do it again,” and then they do it. They say like I have, “I’ll never do it again,” and then they do it. They say like I have, “This is stupid. I will never do it again.”... And then they do it. The guilt is almost unbearable. They don’t dare talk to a bishop because that would be way too embarrassing and everyone thinks "I am such a good role model." So they quit. These young men don’t understand grace. I'm sure there are many adults who can attest to similar feelings. In the face of these fearful feelings I submit there is but one option. Faith. Faith in yourself and faith in Him. That is simply the beginning to the cure-all remedy of grace. I enjoy teaching this girl so much because I know what it's like to be there. To tell yourself I won't mess up like that again and then you do it. I know somewhat of the hopeless feeling that an accumulation of sin can present to you. But I testify that His grace is sufficient for all men! ALL! Grace saves, but even better, it transforms the souls of men and women and children. It changes everything because it has the power to change why we do things.
I love this gospel! It just makes sense to me! I love all of you as well! Seriously!
Hugs and Kisses,
Elder Excell
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