Week 82

Hello world!
Well I got your package! My comp was mad cause he was expecting a really big package and he was excited and thought that it was his go he grabs it at the front door and he turns around slowly and gets in that car and says its for you haha made him very excited for a little bit haha

So this week we have had allot of good things happen! We had a new investigator name Arden that is very prepared! Like we taught the restoration to her and it was like literally on of the most powerful lessons I have had in a while! But with every Good thing there is opposition in everything. So she has problems with faith, believing in something she can't see. And she lives in Alpine... And we had another lesson with her and felt like she needs to be taught there. Even though we got the OK from the Elders there. But we feel like she needs to be taught there haha So yeah!

But all in all its been a good week in the fact that we had more lessons this week than ever since I have been in this area. And we have a investigator that has been taught before the beginning of my mission. And he just accepted to be on date!! Its awesome!!!

We had a cool experience on Sunday. Remember the young girl I talked about in my last blog entry about how she wasn't sure about being baptized since she doesn't see that if she doesn't have a desire to repent of her mistakes she should have to repent especially if she is going to do them over and over again.  

Well we caught the tail end of a fireside with a former mission president and we go there and see her there! I was talking to someone and my companion actually ran into her after the fireside and they started with small talk then she just comes out and says I want to take the lessons again and I possibly want to be baptized... Elder Reher said he was playing it cool and he was being professional. But deep down inside it was like it was a new years party of excitement! haha It was a miracle! I was so happy!

Well everyone I am grateful to be in the service of my God. He is amazing and wonderful. I know he lives and loves all of us. He has been so good.  

Week 77-81 woops!

 

Well I guess I have been so busy in the missionary life that I feel like I just neglect everything on my blog haha So I will give a brief update on what has happen so far. This some of the things I sent to my mom and other people.
March 3, 2014

So we found out something the other day. So we knew that in a couple weeks we are going to have a stake conference. And That there is going to have a reorganization of the stake presidency. But then we find out a couple days ago thats not only that but they are splitting and reorganizing the stake into a new stake! So thats very unexpected... So the area will be changing! Its crazy!!! And I guess the stake just founbd out like a week or 2 ago! So this is all new!

SO I have some exciting news! I just got my transfer call! And guess what?!'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

I am Leaving! And not only that! I am now becoming a Zone Leader In the Orem windsor area! And I am a zone leader over my first area Lindon!!!!!! I am so excited! Its going to be awesome!!! This will be a great few transfers! :) This will be fun! :D

We have had a good week! Its been a great week where people are coming unto Christ and things are falling into place. The area is getting there and is getting allot better. We are seeing allot of miracles here its awesome!

I really don't have much to report Mom. O and Elder Lewandowski is now a district leader in my place. Its awesome!

We had a baptism for an 8 year old kid that we taught cause the young kid didn't know anything about God or Jesus Christ. But we taught him and he understands everything it was awesome! I got to confirm him at the baptism it was a great sight to see :) I love that kid!

March 10-17

So I am now in Orem Windsor area at this time

So the Zl life is good. I am liking it. But the thing is there is more responsibility now than before. So it can cause some stress but its good.

My Comp is cool too. His name is Elder Reher (Sounds like Rare). Hes from California Fresno area. He has been out for 21 months. So for once I am not the Senior Companion haha But hes cool!

The area I am in is the Orem Windsor area. It covers 3 stakes and its basically the north Eastern part of orem. The funny thing was that I actually served in this area when I was with the Zone Leaders when Elder Jarman left me. So I have an understanding of the area already. infact I have some investigators and LARCs that I remember teaching when I was in that area for 4 weeks. So this is pretty awesome. And my zone basically covers my 1st area lindon! so I get to see people who I have been around before so this is going to be awesome!

I had the opportunity to go back to a baptism for Kutler Frampton! Funny thing was I met this guy like back in November at a youth activity and back then he wasn't interested in the missionary discussions. But then a couple months later he comes up to us and says I want to be baptized! Pretty much a shocker to me! But it was awesome! He was willing to keep the commitments we left him and he really wants to come closer to Christ. He understood everything in the lessons and was baptized eventually on March 8th! It was a good baptism! 

The funny thing was the font wasn't filled up all the way so he had to really bend down and to get under the water haha it was a great and wonderful time! I enjoyed it!

Orem has been nice. We haven't taught as much in this area as Eagle Mountain But we can get this area up and running! Its a great area. And being close to Lindon allows me to get in contact with all recent converts and people there. Good things will happen soon!
We had a couple of cool experiences yesterday. First we were in church and this guy says in priesthood I have some clothing to give away. Shoes suits and pants that are brand name clothing. Well we talked to the guy and he said come over. So we did and this clothing is... legit brands! I got Levi skinny jeans, J. Crew ties and a really nice tan suit from J. Crew! And my comp also got a new suit as well that was from H&M. And this stuff is good quality and was well tailored. It was awesome! I don't know if I can wear the suit though on my mission. But we will see :)

This Tie looks like a quilt. #Tieuntradable

  I look like a talk show host haha

And also I actually met a family that was a really amazing family. Very smart but very open to hearing the gospel. And I don't know, I feel like I know them and I was suppose to meet them. its weird I haven't had that in a while. Its pretty cool the spirit was strong as we taught them.

Elder Reher and I are doing good! We have allot of the same goals as missionaries and desires for the area and our Zone. We have been doing random things for the missionaries in the zone and it just feels good. I love it. 

But Yeah I am still getting the hang of being a zone leader. It allot more challenging than I thought. But I am excited for it!

We are really starting to see how working with leadership and meeting with members before a lesson is amazing! It really helps gain trust in the members when you meet and discuss this plan. We had a lesson where we met with a member before a lesson. and she said some very confidential things about the investigator that was good to be aware of. And we had the lesson, but the investigator had some major problems with repentance. She said she doesn't see that if she doesn't have a desire to repent of her mistakes she should have to repent especially if she is going to do them over and over again. 
The crazy thing is that because we met with the member before hand we probably wouldn't have had her trust. But she went along with the things we had for her. And the things we were saying  really made the investigator think and we told her to call us when she decided if she wants to continue to meet with us or not. So we are taking a break from her. But We will stop by this week and see how she is doing. but it was a very intense lesson.

Week 76

Hello world!

I can say I am very Very happy that Seattle won their first Superbowl!!!! :) Haha Thats my team!!!! Thats the best!

So this week we had allot of good experiences. I had my first Skype lesson this week for a guy in Australia that I met in Europe It went great! He didn't accept the message but it was a good conversation. Plus we fulfilled our purpose as missionary which was to invite him to come unto Christ. So it was no failure at all :) It was a cool experience non the less!

We met a less active guy, Who was in his 60s, the other day. He has a daughter that lives with him thats not a member. But what was funny that she was the one who said her dad needs a blessing! Which was shocking cause she had more faith than him and she wasn't a member. Crazy. And not only that she went to church even though her dad didn't. Plus the Ward was very supportive and introduced themselves to her. it was awesome! :) She may be a golden investigator! 

We had an investigator say her first pray out loud! It was completely unexpected! I have been wanting her to say one for the past time I have been in this area! It was a miracle in of itself! I was happy! 

I am grateful to be here at this time. There is allot happening. The Lords hand is literally in this work. And its amazing!  I love it!

I am sad that I was not able to see grandmas funeral but I am happy that the funeral went well. I know this is where she wants me to be right now. There is no other place in the world I could be. I just want to post a poem that she wrote that I love so much.

(Untitled)

I'm grateful for the blessings the Lord has given me.

I'm thankful for the ones I feel, as well as those I see.

I know my Heavently Father has blessed me with his love,

I know he wants me someday to dwell with Him above.

He blessed me with a family and home beyond compare,

I know that he expects me to all my blessings share.

I'm thankful for the friends I have, I admire

I'm pleased to know their company, of which I never tire.

I'm glad I live in America the land of brave and free.

I know that it's the greatest land that will ever be.

The things for which I'm thankful are the common, well known few

And yet they're the most important that ever come to you.

Week 75- Grandma Overson, The most Christlike person I have met

Hello world!

I am going to say I love the Lord! I am grateful for His love that has been poured out on me. I am so grateful!

There have been a few miracles this week. I got sick on Tuesday. Like to the point where I couldn't move or I wanted to die! :P The worst part was that we had probably one of the busiest days of my life. But we had a little miracle where a few of our appointments canceled. And they stalled me enough to where I could finish the day with a couple lessons. So it was a miracle in that sense. So I guess thats the good thing to see in that.

We have alos had a couple of new investigators and we have a couple more that really are now progressing! Its amazing how The Lord is hastening the work. I am happy to be in it! :)

On Saturday I received a call from president while I was driving he asks if he could speak to me privately. So I pulled over the car and went out side on the road. He called to tell me some of the saddest news I have ever heard. He said that my dear sweet Grandma Overson has passed... I was heart broken, I was sad, crying, I couldn't believe it! President said I could talk to my family for a few mins. So I did just that.

I called my parents first and I could tell they were a little heart broken. But even through all the tears and all the sadness I was still at peace. I can say for sure that the Lord has been preparing me for this moment of my mission. I decided a long time ago that if this ever happen in my mission I would not get mad at God. And honestly President Monsons talk this past general Conference "I will not fail thee or forsake thee" has brought me so much peace. 

When I called my Grandpa the first thing he said was isn't the Gospel wonderful? We get to partake of the sacrament on sunday and renew our covenants and think of Christ...Grandpa you honestly are one of my greatest examples.

Even though I cried most of the time when I was on the phone with my family I can say this for sure that I felt the love of the Savior more powerfully than ever before. I love the Savior. I know for a fact that familys are together forever and that God is real. I know I will that she is watching over me right now and that I will see her again. Thank you Grandma for all that you have done. We have traveled the world together from California to Europe and other places. And your Christlike example is one of the greatest things I have looked up to. Especially Charity, the pure love of Christ. I love you Grandma! Rest well!

On Sunday I had the opportunity to give a talk in sacrament and I was able to share with them about what happened on saturday. And I have felt the spirit so strong as I shared that. I can feel how grandma is with me right now. I love this Church. I love this Gospel. I love my Heavenly Father fro all that he does! :) He is so good to me! :)

Week 73

Hello world! 

Its been a good week! We are seeing allot of miracles and things really happening in this area! 

The Leadership is really getting into the work of the Lord! Its amazing to see how things are coming!

Yesterday we had a Ward mission leader set up an appointment with a new investigator. What he did was he parked his car in front of the fellowshippers house and asked him what is the best approach to meet this guy and start teaching him? And we asked him then went to the investigator and approached him that way. Then we set up the appointment went back to the neighbor and got him to come to the lesson! All within 5 mins! This guy was amazing! And not only that we have 3 lessons on Wednesday in a row!... Crazy!

So we also visited a less active who has allot of instruments that are literally vintage! This is a picture of a banjo that is like from the 1920s! I don't even know how to play banjo! But it was allot of fun! I enjoyed it!

We have gotten allot of new people to teach this week! We are teaching 3 kids that age from 9 to 13. And we started teaching them and they committed to be baptized! Awesome! And On sunday we taught a guy that I met like a couple months ago and at the time he didn't seem interested in the church. Well we stopped by Bishop Dalton's house to see if he could come with us to a lesson and while we were there his son yelled "Hey Missionaries I need to talk to you!" He brought that same guy that I met a while ago and said "Want to set up a time cause he want to take the lessons and be baptized!" haha it was awesome to hear. 

We taught him for the first time yesterday. He was really nervous. You can tell. But we had a great lesson with him! He was a little concerned about Joseph Smith.  He said he believes that it is possible that Joseph Smith is a Prophet but has some concerns. But we managed to help him resolve that concern by asking him to pray about Joseph Smith. But he said everytimg he thinks of Baptism he feels at peace! And he loves the Feeling of it. SO that was nice to hear. He said he will be baptized! Its awesome!

It is awesome to be a missionary right now! I love the Lord! I love Him! I love Him! I love Him! He does live! He does love us! He wants us to have joy for our entire lives. I love you all and I am grateful to be here! I love you all! I will be getting transfer calls on Monday! I am excited to see what is going to happen next! Take care everyone! :)

Week 71-72

Well Hello everyone!

I am so sorry for not writing last week! It slipped my mind. But I will do better next time :)

During Christmas we had three meals! One at 1pm then 3pm then 5pm... I was stuffed! I could barely make the 3rd meal. It was crazy! But I got to talk to my familyfor a bit. That was cool :) We got to use facetime for 45 mins. It was awesome I had allot of fun seeing my house and seeing everyone on Christmas morning. It was  pretty cool. I can't believe how big my niece and nephew are getting! Cute to hear them say Hi Dallin! :) Life is good.

SO yeah that was our Christmas. got allot of candy and chocolate that I believe is giving me allot of breakouts... we still have allot that is from 2 weeks ago. So we just have allot! haha. But Everyone was so kind and generous this Christmas. I could defiantly feel the Spirit of Christ :) And we got allot of good gifts like ties! :) (And I hope you all like my ugly Sweater :) )

So on new years eve was a normal proselyting day. But new years day we got to sleep in till 7:30 and then organize a district activity for the morning. It was fun! We played volleyball and this other game that was like dodge ball with those exercise  balls that are huge! haha it was allot of fun.

Then after that we went on exchanges. I had allot of fun! Elder Lewandowski went into our area not knowing much and I went into Saratoga Springs with Elder Stephans. He was awesome I learn allot for being with him.

So this week we had a couple of good things happen.We are teaching a less active guy who really want to change his life. He has gotten involved in all the bad life like drugs, alcohol, all that bad stuff that makes people miserable. But he wants to change. He said I had a craving for a beer and I just knelt down and prayed and read the scriptures and I didn't have the craving anymore! He said that beer is in the fridge its the last one. Then I said at the beginning of the lesson if I could throw it away. He laughed and then said Its something I have to do for myself. Then We taught the lesson and after the closing prayer he said, so one of you want to throw away my beer? Haha I was so excited! It was awesome! And so we did! Awesome night!

We also are teaching a less active guy from south Africa who knows all the doctrine knows what he has to do to go to church and knows everything. But on Saturday night we basically asked him why are we here? And I don't know how it worked out but we made a goal for him to go to the temple in 3 months and he will go to Church in 2 weeks all 3 hours... How did that happen I don't remember. But it worked out. So now we are making progress! Awesome!

SO yeah I love life. I Love being a missionary. I hate how short it really is. Time is going faster and faster. I can't stand it! I am praying to be a successful missionary. I will continue to work hard and love The Lord. Its great to be out at this time.

I know God lives and he loves us! I know the Book Of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of the Restoration of the Fullness of truth. I love my Savior. I am grateful for this Christmas season. its my last on but its going to be a great on! I am loving the Lord and happy for His hand in my life. I love you all and I hope you have a great week! till next time! 

--Elder Gleed

Week 67

Hello world!

So its been a great week! We have had allot of food on thanksgiving. We 

SO I had  had about 3 or 4 meals... We had an appointment at 12 then 2 then 4 then 6... The one at 6 we just had some desert... But we learned this the hard way. Turkey makes us really really tired. At our 2nd dinner we had a turkey and I was just struggling to stay up. It was no fun. But I survived! I just had to eat a little bit at a time... we were tire and sore from all the food and football we played yesterday. It was crazy!

Now Christmas is around the corner. and you know what that means? Christmas!

We helped our landlord with their Christmas tree. It was allot of fun! Plus I love Christmas music.

I had a cool experience this weekend! I got a text friday night about an excommunicated lady I taught in my first area. And I was told that the baptism was at 12 pm. But the problem was I had some appointments at that time so we weren't able to go...Or so I thought! the appointments fell through! So I called Jeff Law and told him to meet me in American Fork and lets go to Pleasent Grove! So we did. And she wasn't expecting me at all. But her face when she saw me come in was priceless. She was so happy. At the end of her baptism and confirmation she beared a  very powerful testimony! She talked about how she see the Lord hand in her life and how she know that God And Jesus Christ live. It was so powerful! I was happy. I had to hold back the tears as I was giving the closing prayer. I realized that if I didn't make it her testimony may not have been strengthen on how Heavenly Father really loves her 

I am so proud of her! She is awesome!

I realized that the Lords had is really in everything. if those appointments canceled I wouldn't have seen how much she has changed and came unto Christ! It awsome! 

I know the Church is true and Christy Lives. i know his hand is in Everything I do! He loves all of us and he has a big plan for us. i love you all and I hope you all have a great week! :)

--Elder Gleed