The Perfect Storm

I don't remember if I have communicated this in my emails home this past transfer or not, but September 2013 in the WATAC has been titled "The Perfect Storm"  (coined by President Weaver, popularized by the incessant exuberance of Elders Lonas and Anderson)  Because, among other factors, the last day of the transfers is the last day of the month, which means all of our monthly and transfer goals are perfectly aligned, whereas they are usually offset.  This has never before happened in the history of my mission, and who knows how long til it happens again?  It also means we have a 'bonus Sunday' to have people come to church who can still be baptized this transfer.

So all transfer long, in the Perfect Storm, we have been working SO hard, and being EXACTLY obedient. However, all of our plans were falling through, no one kept commitments, and just nothing panned out.  We are in Lakewood Lakewood, one of the most successful areas in the mission, and we had absolutely nothing to show for our work.  Week 6 comes and we have still have nothing, but we keep working, with hope for a miracle.  

Saturday comes, and we get Transfer Calls.  I would have bet all my MSF that I was staying in Lakewood Lakewood until the end of my mission- Nope.  Turns out I'm going to Olympia  (there has been some reorganizing, but that used to be a district in my 1st zone, Lacey) 

This is definitely, historically speaking, a less successful zone than Lakewood. I figured if I WERE to get transferred it would be to Tacoma or something...

But nope.  

I'm basically going to a sister zone, there are 8 sisters, 6 elders, and in one district there are 2 elders and 6 sisters...   So Pres. basically said he needed to send someone 'mature' there.  (Clearly he doesn't know me)  

He also told me he knew that I would initially be disappointed, but I would love my transfer there, and find great joy.  He was right about the first part.  It felt like I was being taken from a great area because of my own failure to succeed there, and being dumped in Olympia where I can pretty much just watch missionaries to make sure they don't do anything dumb.  

Pause and rewind, to when I left Bremerton.  Leaving Bremerton was hard for a lot of reasons, but one of the hardest parts was I felt like I left Bremerton without accomplishing what I felt I was sent there to do.  I felt very strongly impressed I was sent to Bremerton for Sydney- and when I left I was still unable to baptize her. 

So now this makes 2 great areas in a row, that I left without accomplishing my purpose there.  Sad Lonas.

Fast Forward.

Week 6, I get a call from the Bremerton Elders.  Sydney came out of her room when they were teaching her brother Lucas, and said she was ready to be baptized.  

On Sunday, I got permission to go up to Bremerton for her Baptism and Confirmation.  Bishop from Bremerton recognized me, and invited me to be a witness at her baptism, and also to stand in the confirmation circle.  One of the sweetest experiences of my life.

Just prior to leaving for Bremerton, we were in sacrament meeting, and we find out that our stake patriarch has a very special guest with him.  It would take me days to write his story, and I quite honestly don't know all of it.  But for the past 5 years, events have been in motion for this young man, Zhang.  In Fast and Testimony meeting, The Stake Patriarch, Brother Ely, tells a little about Zhang.  He is from China, and when Brother Ely was there teaching English to 500 students, he petitioned him to teach him as well.  He consented, and their relationship begun.  They had lessons every day.  Zhang had contact with him and a few other members, but the government has strict rules concerning religion, and forbids any form of proselyting. All Zhang new was there was a difference, and he wanted it.  On Thursday he came to America for a week. On the way to church, he expressed his desire to join this church.  Brother Ely told us missionaries from the pulpit that Zhang wanted to receive the missionary lessons today.  

His American Name is Chase.

I felt very strongly and deeply that Chase needed to be baptized that very night.  I approached our Bishop with Elder Anderson right after the meeting , and we told him what we felt.  He gave us his approval if we were able to teach him everything in the meantime, and everything was understood and accepted.

We began lessons immediately after sacrament meeting in an empty classroom, and taught him the first 3 discussions (With a break for Elder Lonas to go to Bremerton to see Sydney be baptized, during which time Elder A and Elder S continued teaching)  and met afterwards at Brother Ely's house for a traditional Chinese dinner, and we finished the lessons.  

I've never taught, or probably even met, a more humble, sincere man seeking for truth.

He described (with broken English) as we taught him, and invited him to pray about the Restoration, a powerful feeling within him, driving him to be baptized.  

We went to the stake center at 8:30 (Elder St..., my boy from Bremerton had just finished a somewhat miraculous baptism in and of itself, and we asked him to keep the font full, and stand by to interview Chase) took care of the interview, and had a beautiful and simple baptism service.  

I can't describe the tender, sweet feelings that were present as we baptized and confirmed Chase.  The attendance was small, but everyone present was on the verge of tears or somewhere past that.

I found the reason I came to Lakewood.

September 2013 WAS the Perfect Storm, and was more beautiful than I could have possibly imagined.  

I don't know exactly what our Father in Heaven needs me to do in Olympia, but I have faith that there IS a purpose, and I will find it if I trust in Him.  I'm excited to go find that purpose.  

I testify that our Heavenly Father is a God of Miracles.  I know that his plans for each of His children are more intricate and far reaching than we can possibly imagine.  I have a testimony that, while God is more concerned with our growth than he is with our comfort,  His tender mercies are over all of His children. The Gospel is pure, and precious, and sweet, and there is nothing which will bring greater joy into our lives.  The opportunity to share the gospel is a wonderful privilege, not an entitlement.  

Chase is going back to China on Wednesday.  He will have received the Priesthood, and will be able to teach and baptize his immediate family while in China, and will be a PIONEER.

Elder Lonas

It lasted for, like, 5 minutes.

We're beginning week 6 already! Fastest transfer of my life.  

Of all the people who had committed to coming to church this week, only 1 did, which was disappointing.

 

One of our investigators, Sam, is doing VERY well.  When we met him, he said he was open to talking to us because he felt a hole in his heart from the death of a family member, and it was eating him up inside.  We promised that the Gospel of Jesus Christ would fill that hole, and he could experience it through reading the Book of Mormon.  He opened the door 2 nights ago and told us that it happened- his hole had been filled.  He wants to be baptized, but unfortunately he was out of town this past Sunday.  We'll be following up.

About 7 weeks ago, Elder C and I invited a transient man by the name of John to come to church with us.  He came inside for a church tour, wanted to be baptized, but was unwilling to make/keep commitments to get him there.  Yesterday, Elder A and I were sitting in Gospel Principles class, and a lady opens the door, taps our shoulders, and motions for us to come into the hall.  We go, and John is there.  He goes through some bags he's holding, because he wants to show us something, and he pulls out a certificate of baptism from a non-denominational Christian church.  I guess they baptized him on the spot, and he wanted us to know he had been saved.  He told us that we need to be more bold with people.  And then, as mysteriously as he appeared, he vanished.

But anyway, Jose also came to church.  He's been twice now, and is kind of dating Mary, whom we baptized towards the end of last transfer.  He's pretty cool, we're excited to be working with him this week, he wants to be baptized on the 28th :)

Speaking of last transfer, Elder C and I made a goal to cut the word "like" out of our vocabulary.  It lasted  for, like, 5 minutes. 

Elder Anderson and I have recommitted ourselves to this goal, but this time we are much more accountable. This time there is a punishment affixed to the law.  The demands of justice in this case are 5 push ups for every transgression.  On the first day of this I did, like, 200 push ups. 

 

The second day of this was an exchange day, and we had my boy Elder S in our area with us.  He wanted to join us, but probably regrets it now.  He says "like" like nobody's business.  He had to do well over 500 push ups.  However, even though Steed is very strong, the punishment is more than his physical body could handle.  We determined that mediators would be allowed, and Elder A and myself did about 100-150 pushups each for him.  Thus, the demands of Justice could be satisfied through the Law of Mercy.  Also, our vocabulary is improving. 

So in my New Testament reading the other day, Jesus was chastising the Pharisees and Scribes again, and my mind was brought to 1 Ne 19:23, and I was reminded to liken all the scriptures unto myself.  

I often associate Pharisees and Sadducees with "others."  Perhaps those who are not teaching the True Gospel of Jesus Christ.  In some cases that may be accurate, but in many cases others are kept from the truth only because they know not where to find it.  Important to remember, however, is that the Pharisees and company HAD the truth at one point, they just weren't living it, and had removed themselves from it. Therefore the people who are most like them are us members of the Church of Jesus Christ, who are not living or acting the way we should.  

The Pharisees, Sadducees,  and Scribes (who were usually Pharisees, but could be Saducees as well) represent 3 types of Universal or Personal Apostasies.  

Pharisees believed in 1) the Law of Moses and 2) Oral Tradition.  

We can equate that to believing in the Truth, but also accepting adulterating doctrine when convenient.

Sadducees accepted ONLY the law of Moses, and rejected everything else- regardless of whether or not it was true.  (For example, they didn't believe in Resurrection- because it wasn't in the writings of Moses)

Scribes were those responsible for the Law, and were at fault for misinterpreting or misconstruing the law for their own ends.  No further need of explanation.  

I also think it's hilarious that the Pharisees and Sadducees HATED eachother, and only agreed when it came to hating Jesus Christ.  We see the same thing today by the enemies of Christianity.  They don't stand on a unified platform, and they don't even necessarily get along.  But they can come together for long enough to oppose Christ.  

Down to 45 seconds, sorry I don't explain things very well over email, but it's worth studying.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ can not be something we do, it has to be something we become.  We know it is true, but we must be true to it.

"I'm sure the answer is somewhere in the Book of Mormon..."

Monday, September 16, 2013

We're starting week 5 of the transfer! Everyone keeps saying how fast time is going, and I'd have to agree.

We have a LOT to do in a short amount of time, and in addition to that we keep getting dragged out of our area for meetings and things.  

So with the time that we DO have in our area, we'll be working double time all week again.  So that'll be fun at least.  

Elder S's highlight of the week was definitely a service project at our first counselor's house, wherein we were breaking down a shed.  We gave him a sledgehammer. I've never seen a child so happy.

Our new boy, Elder T, gave a talk in Sacrament meeting.  He loves talking, it's pretty funny haha.  He did a good job though, I think he's still trying to adjust to the mainland.  

I, along with a handful of other missionaries, collect quotes from our beloved President Weaver.  Here's a new one from this week (on the subject of car accidents in the past couple weeks) "Like 7 of them have been with Immovable Objects!  That don't move!"  

It's better if you see it with his facial expression and hand gestures.  He just can't for the life of him figure out why missionaries keep running into stationary objects haha.

Does anyone know what tarragon is?  I keep putting it in my spaghetti sauce, because I found it in the cupboards, and it makes me feel like a culinary genius.    Which I clearly am.  I also put basil in the pot when I'm boiling my noodles, and if nothing else, it definitely adds to the placebo effect of the whole ordeal.  

Having spaghetti in the mission field is a lot like having the spaghetti Dad makes- except I have to make it myself, and it doesn't taste as good.  But on the bright side it is definitely an adventure every day, I have no idea what 's going to happen next!  I also upgraded this past week, and invested in garlic bread.  This side-venture seems to be going quite well, except I haven't figured out how to make the outside crisp, but the inside not way too crunchy.  I'm sure the answer is somewhere in the Book of Mormon, but I haven't found it yet.  I'll be scouring the Isaiah chapters next.

well...... I guess I'll see you next week!

Life. This email will probably have nothing to do with that, but I think it's a good title.

Hi!  It's me! Your long lost son! 

This week was pretty stressful, with some long, long days.  But still, looking back at it as a whole, it seemed to fly by.  So funny.

Hey, so guess what? Last night we were tracting, right towards the end of the night.  We were short on our goals for the week, so we were sprinting up the staircases in the apartments we were knocking haha.  (We had a Papa Murphy's in our fridge we were gonna eat at night, which provides powerful motivation)  

So we're at this door, and a man opens the door with a rather disinterested facial expression.  (It's the one where they are gonna let you talk for a couple seconds, but at the first convenient break, they tell you they aren't interested)  

But wait- what is that on the screen in my peripheral vision? Could it be?

"Hey man, you playing Runescape?"

*A voice comes from behind the door, on the couch* 

"He doesn't, But I do!"

This guy's girlfriend proceeded to tell me about the game's new updates, and her character.  Apparently no missionaries in the past have asked about runescape- they're both new investigators now haha.  

Goodness I love being a missionary.

Hey so I added another personal study project, in case you want something different to read.  As of this morning I started the New Testament again, I'm going to read it cover to cover again before the end of my mission, Which I think is just over 4 pages a day or something.  I really enjoyed it this morning, and it answered a couple questions I had that I should probably have known a long time ago, but was too embarrassed to ask haha.  Who'd have thought, you can find answers in the scriptures!

Making my life doubly fun, one of my Book of Mormon readings is currently on 3 Nephi 14, which of course is very close to Matthew 7, So I'll be doing a whole lot of Sermon on the Mount Studying haha.  Good stuff.

Gosh darn Primary, always teaching me false doctrine.  It wasn't until I was in college that I discovered that the scriptures didn't say "Faith is like a seed", in Alma 32 it says the WORD is the seed.  

Over time, that wound healed- and no sooner do I let my guard down, then they drop THIS on me! Turns out, remember that foolish man who built his house upon the sand?  Yeah, well, apparently it didn't "wash away"  It fell! and great was the fall of it.  

Ok, well, now all of a sudden this is getting way better.  

compare to 1 Nephi 11:36

Goodness I love the scriptures.

Ok, I'm about done now.  

 

Love,

Lonas

Happy Happy :)

They can't all be great letters... :)

Haha oh my stars, My boy Elder T (who, by the way, had Sister G for an MTC teacher, my good friend from back in Bremerton :) :) )  is so funny.  He's so positive and optimistic it's ridiculous. Favorite quote from him, "I'm happy when you guys are happy! and when you guys are sad....., well I'm still happy, I just don't get why you are sad!"

hahahahahaha what a gem :) we'll keep him around.  

So, after staring at this email draft for a long time, I decided to look through the weeks events in my planner to see if there was anything I should talk about.  Unfortunately, you don't know any of the people who we're working with, and it seems very daunting to try to catch you up on their stories...

hmm. 10 minutes since the last sentence. this is terrible.

well...

This next week will be good too.  Except we have zone conference on Wednesday for a good chunk of the day.  Meetings and stuff are good, but sometimes I feel like it slows down the work.  I know it's good though.  

Hard to believe we're starting week 3 already.  and Elder A hits his year mark this Thursday :) pretty crazy. I remember when he came out haha :)   I really like Anderson.  He's a great missionary, and is just way fun. I have such  great companions   

hmmm.  ok, yeah.

So we started reading the Book of Mormon as a mission, 5 pages a day.  Which means I'm now in 3 places haha, this morning I read 3 Nephi 10 (approx 1 chapter a day) Mosiah 11 (3 pages a day) and pages 11-16 (5 pages a day) 

Feel free to jump in with me anywhere haha.  it's fun :)  

especially loved 3 Nephi 10.

3 ne 10:4-6,

3 ne 24:7 / Mal 3:7

Zch 1:3

Jdg 2:1

Ok.... well, much love! bye!