¡Hola Fonzfam!
There were a few changes here that happened this past week here in Tualatin. I got a call Monday evening from President Bullen asking if I would be willing to train a new missionary. Of course I said that I would up for it! That night we got the transfer specifics and found out that Elder Wadsworth, who's from Fallen Nevada, would be coming here with me. Elder Clements headed out to Mt. Hood to help clean up a struggling area. I'm going to miss him for sure, and our only transfer together had gone by so fast. Wednesday afternoon was the transfer itself, and that night we got to go pick up Elder Wilkes who's from Cedar Hills, Utah. He was originallly called to Madagascar, but is waiting in the OPM until his visa goes through. (Logan Mano was his MTC district leader and ended up in Texas waiting for his visa too). Right from the beginning we've all gotten straight to work. Elder Wadsworth lives, breathes, and sleeps missionary. Elder Wilkes is keeping up pretty good and has already learned so much. We're trying to find a good balance between all that we need to do as missionaries, trainers, and zone leaders. But each day brings more unity and more opportunitites to learn.
We had a couple people who were pretty committed to come to church but just never showed up. We're going to try to see what happened because they haven't responded to us at all yet. We had an awesome lesson with Adwoa and her husband Mustafa as we discussed and reviewed the Restoration. Adwoa is way more open and definitely has the desire to learn, but Mustafa is a less active Muslim so he has a set of beliefs that will make it more of a challenge. But we got a plan;) The member present was steller and is going to do some stuff for Adwoa and her one-year-old son outside of the lesson to set up playdates with other young mothers in the ward.
We were on our way to contact a referral and before we got there we talked to one of their neighbor's a couple houses away. She wasn't too interested, but we asked her if she knew anyone that we could reach out to and uplift with our message. She pointed to her next door neighbor's house and explained how a man was losing his wife to some pretty agressive cancer and that they could use some hope, but that they weren't the most open people in the neighborhood. Thanking her we went to the original referral's house. He turned out not being too interested either, so we asked him if he knew anyone else we could share our message with. He then directed us to that same guy's house with his sick wife. He described them as being very closed and it would take a miracle for them to even open the door, especially to someone like us. At that point we were ready for the challenge, and ready for a miracle. As we walked over onto the driveway of this guy's house we gathered in a circle and said a prayer. We prayed that this man would not only come to the door, but that he would allow us to share a brief message and that we would know what to say and do. With that we walked to the front door. To our surprise it was propped open with a shoe to probably let fresh air come in. We knocked on the side of the door and Gerry came to the door. Quietly he asked who we were and we responded that we were missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints and we were here to help serve him in any way we could. Looking at all three of us for a second, he motioned for us to step up on his doorstep and to offer a prayer for his wife. Stepping up into the entry way of his home, we saw his cancer riddled wife currled up on a bed in the living room, blinds opened so that she could feel the sun. Her name was Becky and she was terminally ill. Before we said the prayer I acted on a deep impression I had to express to Gerry and his wife that we held the priesthood authority of God, the same power as Jesus Christ had when he healed and ministered to the sick. I described how this could be done to Becky, but Gerry noted that since her immune system was not in good shape that it would be best to stay away from her. So we proceeded with a very powerful prayer offered by Elder Wilkes. Both of them thanked us for performing that service. We left them with Plan of Salvation pamphlet and we're planning on going back this next week. The Spirit was intense, the love was real, the memory will never fade away.
First off, I finished the Book of Mormon! I'm so pumped from reading that last chapter and for the Spirit of confirmation that I got after I prayed to know of its validity. Earlier though in Moroni I was reading in chapter 7 where in verses 44-48 he talks about charity. Up to this point in my life, I honestly didn't know or understand what charity was or how to really develop it. So I went a little deeper than just reading these few verses. From the bible dictionary it states that charity is "the highest, noblest, strongest kind of love, not merely affection; the pure love of Christ." In verse 45 of chapter 7 it lists what charity does and what it doesn't. As I've grown to understand it and recognize it, I have now committed myself to develop it. In doing so I know that it's going to help me become a more loving husband, father, and disciple of Christ. I invite you guys to do the same. Look for opportunities to develope your charity. This can be done through acts of service, studying the scriptures, and meaningful prayers. The goal is to love everyone as Christ loves everyone. Sometimes it may seem daunting, but the reality of it can change the world.
Well, it's off to the races. The Lord's work needs to get done and I've got the perfect team to do it. I'm excited for this transfer and all that the Lord has instore for all of us.
With love,
Elder Fonnesbeck
There were a few changes here that happened this past week here in Tualatin. I got a call Monday evening from President Bullen asking if I would be willing to train a new missionary. Of course I said that I would up for it! That night we got the transfer specifics and found out that Elder Wadsworth, who's from Fallen Nevada, would be coming here with me. Elder Clements headed out to Mt. Hood to help clean up a struggling area. I'm going to miss him for sure, and our only transfer together had gone by so fast. Wednesday afternoon was the transfer itself, and that night we got to go pick up Elder Wilkes who's from Cedar Hills, Utah. He was originallly called to Madagascar, but is waiting in the OPM until his visa goes through. (Logan Mano was his MTC district leader and ended up in Texas waiting for his visa too). Right from the beginning we've all gotten straight to work. Elder Wadsworth lives, breathes, and sleeps missionary. Elder Wilkes is keeping up pretty good and has already learned so much. We're trying to find a good balance between all that we need to do as missionaries, trainers, and zone leaders. But each day brings more unity and more opportunitites to learn.
We had a couple people who were pretty committed to come to church but just never showed up. We're going to try to see what happened because they haven't responded to us at all yet. We had an awesome lesson with Adwoa and her husband Mustafa as we discussed and reviewed the Restoration. Adwoa is way more open and definitely has the desire to learn, but Mustafa is a less active Muslim so he has a set of beliefs that will make it more of a challenge. But we got a plan;) The member present was steller and is going to do some stuff for Adwoa and her one-year-old son outside of the lesson to set up playdates with other young mothers in the ward.
We were on our way to contact a referral and before we got there we talked to one of their neighbor's a couple houses away. She wasn't too interested, but we asked her if she knew anyone that we could reach out to and uplift with our message. She pointed to her next door neighbor's house and explained how a man was losing his wife to some pretty agressive cancer and that they could use some hope, but that they weren't the most open people in the neighborhood. Thanking her we went to the original referral's house. He turned out not being too interested either, so we asked him if he knew anyone else we could share our message with. He then directed us to that same guy's house with his sick wife. He described them as being very closed and it would take a miracle for them to even open the door, especially to someone like us. At that point we were ready for the challenge, and ready for a miracle. As we walked over onto the driveway of this guy's house we gathered in a circle and said a prayer. We prayed that this man would not only come to the door, but that he would allow us to share a brief message and that we would know what to say and do. With that we walked to the front door. To our surprise it was propped open with a shoe to probably let fresh air come in. We knocked on the side of the door and Gerry came to the door. Quietly he asked who we were and we responded that we were missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints and we were here to help serve him in any way we could. Looking at all three of us for a second, he motioned for us to step up on his doorstep and to offer a prayer for his wife. Stepping up into the entry way of his home, we saw his cancer riddled wife currled up on a bed in the living room, blinds opened so that she could feel the sun. Her name was Becky and she was terminally ill. Before we said the prayer I acted on a deep impression I had to express to Gerry and his wife that we held the priesthood authority of God, the same power as Jesus Christ had when he healed and ministered to the sick. I described how this could be done to Becky, but Gerry noted that since her immune system was not in good shape that it would be best to stay away from her. So we proceeded with a very powerful prayer offered by Elder Wilkes. Both of them thanked us for performing that service. We left them with Plan of Salvation pamphlet and we're planning on going back this next week. The Spirit was intense, the love was real, the memory will never fade away.
First off, I finished the Book of Mormon! I'm so pumped from reading that last chapter and for the Spirit of confirmation that I got after I prayed to know of its validity. Earlier though in Moroni I was reading in chapter 7 where in verses 44-48 he talks about charity. Up to this point in my life, I honestly didn't know or understand what charity was or how to really develop it. So I went a little deeper than just reading these few verses. From the bible dictionary it states that charity is "the highest, noblest, strongest kind of love, not merely affection; the pure love of Christ." In verse 45 of chapter 7 it lists what charity does and what it doesn't. As I've grown to understand it and recognize it, I have now committed myself to develop it. In doing so I know that it's going to help me become a more loving husband, father, and disciple of Christ. I invite you guys to do the same. Look for opportunities to develope your charity. This can be done through acts of service, studying the scriptures, and meaningful prayers. The goal is to love everyone as Christ loves everyone. Sometimes it may seem daunting, but the reality of it can change the world.
Well, it's off to the races. The Lord's work needs to get done and I've got the perfect team to do it. I'm excited for this transfer and all that the Lord has instore for all of us.
With love,
Elder Fonnesbeck
Getting ready for a day full of leadership training and inspiration!
MLC breakfast with Elders Montague, Hoffart, and Marcum.
We're the new 3 Muskateers, 3 Amigos, 3 Nephites...whatever you want to call us...
preachin' the good word in Tualatin;D
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