Week 85

Well, its transfer time.

Great news, I am STAYING HERE! and so is Elder Davenport, so I will be his last companion, and I will most likely end my mission in Cottonwood, which means that I will have spent my entire mission in just TWO AREAS! I was in my first area for 14 months, and my second area for 10! most people don't stay even 10 months in one area, most people think 6 is a long time.  I love my mission, I love the places I have served, and am so excited to be here in Cottonwood still.  We have the best area in the mission, we have beautiful Sedona, and Mingus mountain, we have the Verde River... okay that's nothing to brag about, its called the Dirty Verde, its a gross river.  But we have the best missionaries in the mission, and an incredible Stake President.  All is well, but will be better.

So its been a crazy week, once again I forgot my planner, so I will have to try and remember everything.

I have had some incredible studies this past week, and have learned a lot! I love the gospel! I love the scriptures!!! God has hidden so many little treasures throughout the standard works, and you can't find them unless you search, I can't wait to find more.

Some missionaries in my district kept telling me about a guy named Bob.  They said "Elder Martin, you have to come with us! we can't answer his questions, you can convert him." Obviously not true, but he had questions that I had answers to, mostly regarding the apostasy, so I said I would love to go.  Well, it turns out Bob is a 19 year old Sophist who thinks he's the man, and also he's a Taoist.  Which was a recent change, he has been a lot of religions I guess.  So we go over there, and apparently the missionaries kept saying that I would answer all his questions, so he already had an expectation that was not going to be easy to meet.  He was an idiot! The discussion went over an hour, and I was getting fed up with it, cause it was just ridiculous, not once did he have a question regarding the scriptures, he was all about energy and how God is just energy, he was also big into reincarnation.  This may have actually been my first "Bash".  I've gotten in arguments before, but I straight out told him "Reincarnation is false." He didn't like that, to which I said "Truth is what it is, and it doesn't care if you like it or not." He talked about how he was confronted by a demon, and he said "Tao protect me" and he saw a big hand come out and snatch the demon away, and how tao is very powerful.  I told him that the power of God far outweighs the power of any other force or false god.  He also didn't much like that.  He didn't like that God wasn't a piece of energy, and that we say He has a body of flesh and bones, he says that is way beneath God.  We entertained him for the first 45 minutes, and we were tactful... after that the gloves came off, the last 15 minutes I think were absolutely brilliant... there were actually 4 missionaries there, and we all bore testimony of the truth of what WE were teaching, and told him there is no other way nor name given.  It was honestly fun, but frustrating. 

I am so glad there are normal people here too! We had a wonderful baptism of Deanna on Saturday.  It's been a lot of hard work here, and finally there was a pay off.  It was so wonderful to see her baptized, and then confirmed the next day.  Elder Davenport baptized her, and I confirmed.  When those things happen, it outweighs all the hardships and the long days! As always, the water was almost scalding when we filled the font, and almost freezing when she entered the font.  I find it amusing. 

I wish I had more time, but again I am running short on it.

Elder Martin

Week 84

Should I tell you of my week?

 

Okay, I can't remember everything.  I could just lay out our entire day for you! Nah, that would be boring.

 

Speaking to an investigator, she told us of an online college that I might look into when I get home, its called Western Governors University.  Anyone heard of it? It's stationed out of Utah I guess, and it sounds quite interesting, at least for Generals, take as many classes as possible in a 6 month period, and it costs $3000.  May look into that when I arrive at home.

 

Friday we had Zone Conference, it was awesome, we got to go to Prescott! It was a lot of fun.  After that, I got to go on an exchange with one of the Assistants to the President.  I taught him how to be a good missionary. Ha, Just kidding, but we had a really good time together, I enjoyed being with him.  Everything fell through the next day, but that's alright, it was still a great day.

 

What an exciting day yesterday was!! Our investigator Deanna was interviewed for Baptism! She will be baptized this Saturday, I am so very excited about it. 

 

I can't believe how fast everything is going! another transfer cycle is almost over, If I survive this transfer, I will most likely end my mission here in Cottonwood, which would mean I spent 14 months in my first area, and 10 months in my second! how awesome would that be?

 

Well, that is all I have to say at this time.

 

Elder Martin

Week 83

What a fantastic week this has been!

So the past many weeks have been very very slow! Satan really has been working hard on all the missionaries and their efforts here in the Verde Valley, but we just got an eviction notice for him, and have booted him OUTTA HERE! Well, we're still working on that, but it seems like it, cause things have really picked up! Last week was pretty rough, we had 3 people who had a date for baptism either move their date, or move to Oklahoma! the one who moved to Oklahoma did so without notice, and without telling the missionaries, and it happened THREE DAYS before he was supposed to be baptized! This week has been such a turnaround, and not only that, the one who moved, just moved BACK and is going to be baptized this Friday! barring any unexpected out of state moves.

On Tuesday we took one of the priests from the ward out with us and visited a bunch of our investigators.  Normally such a thing would be fruitless, and no one would be home, we expected that.  But alas, everyone was home! it was incredible, we went to the last house, and we said "Okay its your turn to choose the scripture." So he chooses Alma 37: 6 which reads  6" Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise." He told us the scripture beforehand, and we go in and talk to the guy, Steve, and he tells us about his life a little bit and how he is making the small things too big, and overcomplicating his life, and a few other things, and the scripture fit so perfectly! we talked about focusing on the small and simple things, such as scripture study and prayer and church, and how those things will make life so much easier.  It was a great night.

That's pretty much how the whole week went! We found 5 new people to teach this past week, and set up 3 or so appointments THIS week that should go through.  I can definitely testify that opposition does come before the blessings.  God is really watching over everything, and He knows what is going on, and he doesn't work by the same time standards we do.  We want immediate results and blessings.  God has a better way.

Elder Martin

Week 82

Dear People of the World, certainly I have many followers of the blog from all over the world right? Okay... well maybe instead of anyone reading this, I can use it as a type of Journal! that'll be good.

There were a few great events that happened this week... I know they happened, I sure hope I remember them.

Again, I left my planner (brain) at home, so I will try and recall the things that occurred this week.

Tuesday, I do believe that there was a tuesday that happened this week.  I also believe that we had a lesson with Deanna that day... nay, it was wednesday that we had such a lesson.  We taught the plan of salvation, and the Word of Wisdom, and the Law of Chastity.  How nice it was of Deanna to start LAUGHING during the Law of Chastity lesson.  ... things got awkward... But the lesson has been taught, and she has agreed to live the law!

One of the days this week we had a guy who wanted to be rude.  So he was.  He listed a bunch of things he believes in, and said "did I cover it all? thats all you have to believe right?" I said no.  And it began.  He didn't last long, we just simply said "You also have to do all things that God has asked us to do, which include; Baptism by the Priesthood Authority" He didn't much like that, he said "There is only ONE baptism that needs to happen, and its the catholic baptism." He later, speaking of baptism, said that sometimes for good measure, they do THREE baptisms.  So I said "Wait, but I thought there was only one baptism necessary" he then yelled at us and swore bitterly and slammed the door. 

Hmmm... anything else happen this week? We had a few more stories like the one above, I went on exchanges with an Elder, which was fun, Elder Fagersten who is the man! we had a good time.  There was a baptism this week! but it was an 8 year old baptism, so it had nothing to do with us. 

Sheesh, I can't remember all of what happened this week.  Well, Until next week!!!

Elder Martin

Week 81

Welp.

 

Hmmm...

 

Slow week.  Quite frustrating in many ways.  I have a trend on my mission... every single time that I have 4 solid appointments with investigators in a single day, not just one, but every single appointment will cancel.  We had such an exciting week planned, so many appointments, and so much potential.  Every appointment but 2 cancelled, some people rescheduled, and cancelled AGAIN! its not just us.  I think its the adversary, I had a missionary come up and say "What's up with Cottonwood? is it just me, or does every appointment seem to cancel?" and then talking to other missionaries, they have been struggling as well, and are getting frustrated.  HOW EXCITING!!! Why would it be exciting? well quite clearly because when opposition arises, that means we are on the right path, and that blessings are soon to follow! So bring on the opposition, and get it out of the way so we can have the blessings.  But if not, that's okay to.  One of my favorite scriptures is Shadrach Meshach and Abednego, when they tell the king that they will be spared, and then they use the phrase "But if not".  I also read about the unprofitable servant parable this past week.  I always thought that the unprofitable servant meant a worthless and lazy servant... but I now understand it to mean that as Servants of God, we should not expect profit, or reward for what we do, so I shouldn't be expecting blessings for hard work and obedience, I should just do it for the sake of the Lord and if the blessings come (which I do know they will) then so be it.  But if not... that's okay too.

 

We had one incredible lesson though this week, which was actually last night.  We taught a part member family that I have been teaching since I've been here.  Missionaries before me asked the non-member if they could teach him the lessons, he said "No, but you can still come by and have dinner, and share a message, just not the lessons." so that's what we've done... then we just decided to teach him without permission... not sure if that's bad, but if we don't tell him they are the "lessons" it should be fine.  We first taught lesson 2, which went well, which is the Plan of Salvation.  Then we taught The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith... before we got to the story of Joseph Smith, we set it up for the Spirit (Which is something we just started doing to segway from Apostasy to Restoration) and told him that he would be feeling the spirit as we taught, and explained what he would feel.  I taught about Jospeh Smith, and turned it over to Elder Davenport for the First Vision, he then bore testimony of it, and the Spirit really came into the room very strongly.  We asked everyone how they felt, the non-member said "Very peaceful" we testified it was the Holy Ghost, and the Spirit came even stronger! It was an incredible Spirit in that home, one of the best experiences of my mission.  I absolutely love teaching!

 

I am out of time, so I must go now, that will have to suffice for the week.

 

Elder Martin

Week 80

Let's have a look at the ol' planner and see what last week brought.

Tuesday night we went and visited an investigator Deanna, who we haven't seen in a while, because she kept cancelling appts.  We thought that she was being flaky, but in fact she was not! her reasons were legitimate, and she still wanted to meet with us.  We went without an appt to her house and found her there and more than happy to talk with us.  We set an appt for the following day.  It was a huge relief to know that she was still interested in our message. 

Wednesday was transfers.  As usual it was a good meeting! Got to see a lot of friends and former companions.  Many of my former companions are already home, in fact my first 4 are already home, that's half of them.  As usual, it was a long day, a trip down to phoenix and then back up and sitting all morning, but that is my absolute favorite meeting! I get to see all the new missionaries that come in, and all the companionship changes, its just a lot of fun.  That night we met with Deanna and set a date for her baptism and gave her a calendar that we made for her progress towards baptism. 

Thursday we met with a family we've been trying to teach, but they also cancel every appt.  We finally got in there and had a lesson with them.  They aren't understanding really what we are saying.  They say they agree wih it all.  Yet they wont do anything, or change their ways, and they wont be baptized.  They don't think they need to... which contradicts the statement that they agree with everything we say.  But that's okay, its normal, and the Spirit will work with them.

Friday was interviews.  It was really good, the meeting that went along with it was a really good meeting.  I gave a talk on sanctification, then we had a new missionary give a talk on Miracles, which was really good, and then Elder Davenport gave a talk on having a positive attitude.  Most of it all tied back into miracles.  It was enjoyable. 

Saturday I went on exchanges... sheesh, I can't think of any real good stories to tell! this is a really boring entry, I apologize.  On exchanges we met with a crazy couple! the guy was super hyper and wound up, and the girl was very subdued and laid back, very strange mix.  He told us a story about how an angel stopped a bullet from hitting him, and then how he shot at a guy and it ricocheted off the angel, so he reached around the shoulder of the angel and shot the guy anyway, and then the angel looked really mad.  He was selling drugs... it is highly possible that he may have been doing them as well... or maybe the angel just had slow reflexes... Either way, it was a good story, and the couple was really cool and knew the Book of Mormon was true.  We had a good discussion with them.

Hmmm, I really wish I had some good stories this week.  Kinda boring letter I know. 

Elder Martin

Week 79

"Well, I think we should tract ridgeview" I wisely suggested to my companion. "Okay." it was as simple as that.  The plan: Tract on Ridgeview from the hours of 2:30-3:30 where we would find 1 person who was ready to hear the gospel.  Didn't go as planned.
Knock Knock Knock Knock Knock Knock Knock. (I usually like to knock 7 times).  "GET OFF MY PORCH".  Okay lets try again.
Knock x 7 "You guys Mormons? Not interested." SLAM. Okay, no worries.
" " " " " "    "....." SLAM.  We'll try again.  2 more, just like it.  and again! Knock x 7 "Ooooh hey look at that, you guys are mormons huh?" "Yes sir, what gave it away?" "The goofy outfits.  Tell you what guys, you're wasting your time, I don't have any imaginary friends."  "Well that is very reassuring sir, we teach a message about the reality of God." "Oh I know, but I'm sane, I have my head on straight.  You should try my neighbor, he'll convert YOU!" "Oh you mean Paul?" "Yeah you know paul?" "Oh  yes, we know him... he tried to convert us." "Well, that's all I have to say, goodbye fellas" closes the door... I may have slipped in "Good luck in life." before he closed it and "Good luck in the next life" after he closed it.  His neighbor we knew to be a "Super-Basher!" so we skipped him, and continued to have EVERY SINGLE DOOR SLAMMED.  I was shock-ed.  On the other side of the street, we had pretty good success though.  Let me just say... the most un-elect street in all of cottonwood... next to hermits lane.

Ah, another good story.  This has been a good week by the way.  So, actually its not a good story, its a very sad story.  Baptism of a great man named Jerry.  1 o clock on Saturday.  He is not our investigator, but the investigator of some other missionaries in a different ward... so we get everything ready, and he shows up and is all excited to go! but his best friend can't make it cause she was really sick.  That's a bummer.  Oh well, certainly the ward will support him.  We call the man who is supposed to baptize him, who came from a very long distance.  He heard the wrong time! he heard 2 o clock, but we can't wait til then because there is another baptism at 2 o clock.  So its 12:45 and we go into scramble mode.  He didn't yet confirm that he would be late... but we call later around 12:55 and he says he cant' be there in time.  Ugh! So we say "Okay Elders its gonna be you.  Jerry who do you want to baptize you?" "Oh I don't care, it doesn't matter who does it, it just matters that it happens." What an AWESOME attitude! so its 12:55 and NO ONE is there.  Not a single person other than the Ward Mission Leader and his wife.  So I look at the Elders and say "Who's going to baptize him?" and they say "We don't have time to get a change of clothes." so how it ends up is I live right around the corner from the church.  I was elected/told that I would be the one to do it, I was on exchanges so it couldn't even be my companion.  So the first person I baptize is someone who isn't even my investigator! but I did teach him before and I really like the guy.  So I rush home and get my clothes and get there just in time for the baptism.  Total of 8 people in attendance, 4 of them missionaries.  It was really sad, but a good experience for me.

Yesterday we had an equally bad street that we tracted, but it was worse because I slammed my knee into a stupid door, it still hurts. The person was rude too, so I had to pretend it didn't hurt til I left the area.  Good things happened this week too.  We found someone who will be baptized named Cody.  That's always exciting.

Well I have to go...

Elder Martin