Wow...last day of June. Crazy! Half of the year is almost over, but it seemed like not that long ago 2014 started.
Well, now to the important stuff:
Last week we had a Zone Activity where we played "glow-in-the-dark volleyball." So that was pretty fun. Unfortunately I couldn't get any good pictures of the activity so...sorry! But it was a good activity, and some of the missionaries got pretty creative with how they put glowsticks on (let's just say we wouldn't have looked out of place in a "Tron" world).
Also this past week we got to watch "Joseph Smith - Prophet of the Restoration" with a recent convert and his wife (a member already) that moved into our ward, which was really good. It is always an incredible feeling I get when I watch the story of Joseph Smith, and all the things he went through as he persevered and did the will of God.
We didn't have too many lessons with our investigators this week. But the lessons we did have were really good. Especially with a couple that we are teaching...who has a son on a mission! Yes, investigators with a son on a mission. The story behind that (in summary) is that their son was good friends with a boy who is a member, started meeting with the missionaries, and got baptized with his parents' consent. Then he felt as though he should go on a mission, and shortly after his parents started meeting with the missionaries. In the end they dropped them, but now they have become interested in learning again, and so Elder Solomon and I are teaching them now!
Well, that's about all for this week. Before I go though, I want to share a scripture and a "Mormon Message" that I really like. The video is called "Flecks of Gold" and it is about a prospector who is looking for gold nuggets in the California Gold rush, but in his search for large nuggets he misses collecting the millions of small "flecks of gold" that he sees, until he gets some counsel from a wise old prospector. This is a story Elder Ballard shared in Conference some time ago, and in it he quoted the scripture I want to share, "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. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls." (Alma 37:6-7). And what the verses say are so true! It is not through one large act that really anything is accomplished, but through many small acts working together! This applies to missionary work, normal life, studies, projects around the house, etc.
Thank you for all the support I receive!
Love,
Elder Wixom
To view the Flecks of Gold video click Here.
To view all of Elder Ballard's talk on service click Here.
Monday, June 30, 2014
Monday, June 23, 2014
Another Week Has Come and Gone
Well, this week had some really exciting moments, and some less exciting ones. So here we go:
First, the less exciting news, just to get it out of the way.
We didn't have a whole lot of lessons this week, because a lot of our scheduled appointments had to cancel for one reason or another. But we are really hoping that over this next week we can meet with all these people again and help the investigators we have progress towards baptism, and the less active members we are teaching return to church.
The other less exciting news is that one of our investigators who had been really progressing moved. It was the lady that a couple weeks ago I said had been able to come to church, even though when Elder Solomon started teaching her said she was never going to be able to go to church. She moved back to Oregon where she was originally from, but she told us that she wants the missionaries up there to come and keep teaching her! So that is one bright part of this.
Now for the excting stuff! Yay!
Elder Solomon and I had a really busy first couple of days this week. And over the course of the couple days we were able to pick up some new investigators! One is a teenage boy that some other missionaries referred to us, and the other was a former investigator of the area. How we picked her up as an investigator is a cool story! We have been teaching a lady who is less active, but really wants to come to church, and the only reason why she isn't is she runs a senior-care-home and so has to work on Sundays. But this week when we visited her she told us she had invited her neighbor to attend, who we knew was this former investigator. She goes over and knocks on her neighbors door, and brings her neighbor over! And then we started teaching her as well!
Also fun this week was we got to go to another baptism! Third week in a row! This time it was one of Elder Solomon's former investigators, and it was a really good service. Lots of family and friends there to support this person in her decision to get baptized. It was awesome!
Well, I actually can't think of a scripture to share this time. But a really cool video on mormonchannel.org is a video called "True Christianity" and I would suggest watching it!
Thats all for this week!
Love,
Elder Wixom
First, the less exciting news, just to get it out of the way.
We didn't have a whole lot of lessons this week, because a lot of our scheduled appointments had to cancel for one reason or another. But we are really hoping that over this next week we can meet with all these people again and help the investigators we have progress towards baptism, and the less active members we are teaching return to church.
The other less exciting news is that one of our investigators who had been really progressing moved. It was the lady that a couple weeks ago I said had been able to come to church, even though when Elder Solomon started teaching her said she was never going to be able to go to church. She moved back to Oregon where she was originally from, but she told us that she wants the missionaries up there to come and keep teaching her! So that is one bright part of this.
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| Dream Catcher Elder Wixom made. He was taught by a member. |
Now for the excting stuff! Yay!
Elder Solomon and I had a really busy first couple of days this week. And over the course of the couple days we were able to pick up some new investigators! One is a teenage boy that some other missionaries referred to us, and the other was a former investigator of the area. How we picked her up as an investigator is a cool story! We have been teaching a lady who is less active, but really wants to come to church, and the only reason why she isn't is she runs a senior-care-home and so has to work on Sundays. But this week when we visited her she told us she had invited her neighbor to attend, who we knew was this former investigator. She goes over and knocks on her neighbors door, and brings her neighbor over! And then we started teaching her as well!
Also fun this week was we got to go to another baptism! Third week in a row! This time it was one of Elder Solomon's former investigators, and it was a really good service. Lots of family and friends there to support this person in her decision to get baptized. It was awesome!
Well, I actually can't think of a scripture to share this time. But a really cool video on mormonchannel.org is a video called "True Christianity" and I would suggest watching it!
Thats all for this week!
Love,
Elder Wixom
Monday, June 16, 2014
Happy Father's Day!
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| (Finally, the Easter tie picture) |
Last Monday we had a District Activity, which was really fun! We played some games with glowsticks and glow-in-the-dark balloons, which was cool! We also made some shirts with clothes paint stuff (not tie-dye, actual paint that is meant for clothes), so those were cool.
Went on exchanges this week with the District Leader's companion. Unfortunately he injured his foot recently and was told to not walk on it, so a lot of our time was spent inside calling people and setting up appointments for him and his companion for later days. Though we did have dinner at a really cool family's house, and the view from their house was amazing! Because they live on a mountain. It was awesome.
Had a Zone Training Meeting this week as well which was really good. We were taught a lot of really good lessons by the leaders of the zone, as well as by President Kendrick, who was in attendance.
This last Saturday we were able to go and help some people move into the ward, which went really good...after everyone showed up. When we got there (a little bit late because no one was able to give us a ride so we walked as it was still pretty close), there was nobody there except for us and the people that were moving. So it was a pretty slow start. Eventually more people showed up and then everything was able to pick up a lot!
Later that day we were able to go to the baptism of an 8 year old that we had been teaching as his mother was less-active and asked us to come by and teach her son. It was really good be able to go to this important event in his life, and to see all of the family that was supporting him. And later someone said that when he was about to go under the water he had a really big smile on his face!
But, that was this week. For my message I want to encourage you to watch a video off of lds.org or mormonchannel.org that is called "Earthly Father, Heavenly Father." It is a great video that really shows the importance of ou fathers. And I know I am very grateful for Dad, and all that he does for me! And I am also really grateful for all that my Heavenly Father does for me.
Well, talk to you next week!
Love,
Elder Wixom
Monday, June 9, 2014
Down In San Marcos!
So, as my title says, I am now down serving in San Marcos! Specifically the Santa Fe Hills ward. I am with Elder Solomon, who I knew of but had never met before this, but he is really cool! He is from Tennessee, so now I've had companions from pretty much every region of the U.S.!
The biggest news of this week is Cheryl got baptized! My investigator that Elder Mickelsen and I had been teaching that we had on date for the 7th, it happened! The best part is that even though I had gotten transferred I was able to go up and see her get baptized. It was really awesome! I was so happy to see her finally make this covenant with our Heavenly Father, and I'm going to guess that she will never forget her experience.
So, as with all missionaries that get put in a new area, I'm trying to quickly learn about all the people here, and it is always as crazy as usual. But so far I have met a lot of really cool members and nonmembers here in San Marcos.
I actually got to see where some of the damage from the fire was, as some of the damage is in my area now, and it was really sad to see all the destruction that happened here. And this makes me so glad that I know that even though we may go through trials in this life, and even some trials that are incredibly huge, in the end we will be blessed beyond our wildest dreams if we follow the commandments of our Heavenly Father. And I'm also glad to know that He loves all of us, and will do all He can to bless us in our times of need. A verse from "How Firm a Foundation" really comes to mind when I think about this event, "When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply. The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine." (verse 5) and even though I know it isn't a perfect description, because there was hurt and heartache that came from this, I know that God's grace is all sufficient to help us overcome whatever trials we face.
One other cool thing that happened this week is Elder Solomon and I took one of our investigators on a church tour this week! And then she came to church last Sunday (which, by the way, the programs for the ward here are some of the coolest ever, and the member that makes them sent one of this last week to you [as there is a bit about an Elder you might know on it] so you should be getting that soon). And the reason why this is cool is when Elder Solomon and his last companion started teaching her she said that there would be no way she would ever be able to come to church, and then this last week she came! So it was a real testimony builder about how the Spirit is able to work in people!
So, yeah, that really is all I have to talk about this week. I'll tell you more in the future!
Love,
Elder Wixom
The biggest news of this week is Cheryl got baptized! My investigator that Elder Mickelsen and I had been teaching that we had on date for the 7th, it happened! The best part is that even though I had gotten transferred I was able to go up and see her get baptized. It was really awesome! I was so happy to see her finally make this covenant with our Heavenly Father, and I'm going to guess that she will never forget her experience.
So, as with all missionaries that get put in a new area, I'm trying to quickly learn about all the people here, and it is always as crazy as usual. But so far I have met a lot of really cool members and nonmembers here in San Marcos.
I actually got to see where some of the damage from the fire was, as some of the damage is in my area now, and it was really sad to see all the destruction that happened here. And this makes me so glad that I know that even though we may go through trials in this life, and even some trials that are incredibly huge, in the end we will be blessed beyond our wildest dreams if we follow the commandments of our Heavenly Father. And I'm also glad to know that He loves all of us, and will do all He can to bless us in our times of need. A verse from "How Firm a Foundation" really comes to mind when I think about this event, "When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply. The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine." (verse 5) and even though I know it isn't a perfect description, because there was hurt and heartache that came from this, I know that God's grace is all sufficient to help us overcome whatever trials we face.
One other cool thing that happened this week is Elder Solomon and I took one of our investigators on a church tour this week! And then she came to church last Sunday (which, by the way, the programs for the ward here are some of the coolest ever, and the member that makes them sent one of this last week to you [as there is a bit about an Elder you might know on it] so you should be getting that soon). And the reason why this is cool is when Elder Solomon and his last companion started teaching her she said that there would be no way she would ever be able to come to church, and then this last week she came! So it was a real testimony builder about how the Spirit is able to work in people!
So, yeah, that really is all I have to talk about this week. I'll tell you more in the future!
Love,
Elder Wixom
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| A last photo with Elder Mickelson |
Monday, June 2, 2014
Saying Goodbye to Meadowview Ward!
Well, this has been a really exciting week. But unfortunately it is my last week here as on Saturday night I got told I was leaving the area. So, now it's packing and moving time! Next week I'll tell you more about where I am and whom I am with!
First thing though, I forgot to talk about the new "classroom teaching" program District Meeting last week like I said I was going to. The reason why I know it is so awesome is because for the first District Meeting that we had I was asked to give one of the "classroom" lessons, and it was really awesome! Due to great comments from all the other missionaries, I was able to learn something new about the subject I was teaching on...while teaching it! It was so cool!
Ok, now for this week:
In all honesty, the week itself hasn't been all that extremely exciting. A lot of what we did was standard missionary stuff. We taught and visited some of our investigators and walked around talking to a lot of people! One thing that we got to do this last week was help the lady I told you about last week that came to church load some of her things into cars because she was moving. So that was good.
The really exciting thing that happened this last week is that one of our investigators passed her baptismal interview! So this next Saturday she will be getting baptized! Unfortunately due to the before mentioned transfer call I will probably not be able to attend (but I'll make sure Elder Mickelsen sends me some pictures that I can forward [hopefully]). Obviously this happening has been really exciting for us the past couple days, as it is always so good to see someone that you have worked with make that last step towards getting baptized.
For my scripture this week I want to share one that this investigator is planning on having on her program, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1-2). I liked it because of that is what needs to happen to all of us, we need to transform ourselves into what God wants us to be, not what the world wants us to be.
That's all for this week. I'll let you know where I am next week!
Love,
Elder Wixom
First thing though, I forgot to talk about the new "classroom teaching" program District Meeting last week like I said I was going to. The reason why I know it is so awesome is because for the first District Meeting that we had I was asked to give one of the "classroom" lessons, and it was really awesome! Due to great comments from all the other missionaries, I was able to learn something new about the subject I was teaching on...while teaching it! It was so cool!
Ok, now for this week:
In all honesty, the week itself hasn't been all that extremely exciting. A lot of what we did was standard missionary stuff. We taught and visited some of our investigators and walked around talking to a lot of people! One thing that we got to do this last week was help the lady I told you about last week that came to church load some of her things into cars because she was moving. So that was good.
The really exciting thing that happened this last week is that one of our investigators passed her baptismal interview! So this next Saturday she will be getting baptized! Unfortunately due to the before mentioned transfer call I will probably not be able to attend (but I'll make sure Elder Mickelsen sends me some pictures that I can forward [hopefully]). Obviously this happening has been really exciting for us the past couple days, as it is always so good to see someone that you have worked with make that last step towards getting baptized.
For my scripture this week I want to share one that this investigator is planning on having on her program, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1-2). I liked it because of that is what needs to happen to all of us, we need to transform ourselves into what God wants us to be, not what the world wants us to be.
That's all for this week. I'll let you know where I am next week!
Love,
Elder Wixom
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