Monday, December 22, 2014

So...

December 22, 2014
SORRY!

Super quick e-mail. We have a TON of stuff to do to get ready fro Christmas and everything. But I'll give you one solid highlight!

So, on.... Friday at about 7ish, we were out knocking some doors. We were just about to go to a different area because we weren't having any luck in this particular trailer park. Then I looked down and saw a penny, heads UP! So, jokingly, I was like, "Dude, we have to stay here, there's good luck to be had!" So we decided to knock a few more, on the last one... it happened.

The door opened to a whirlwind of 3 young girls playing games and stuff, the mom on the couch clearly exhausted, and the dad running around trying to get dinner made. Well, the mom (Ashley) invited us in, and we started talking about the church! It went great, turns out they've been looking for a church, and they know that God loves them and wants something more for them, but they weren't sure what.

Enter. Missionaries.

Quick side note, I had previously opened up my Christmas package for want of food, and found it. I also found 2 copies of the Book of Mormon that my parents had written their testimonies inside, and a note that said, "Hand these out before you come home" Challenge accepted. (OK. Back to the story) So I reached into my backpack for a normal one, and then the Spirit told me, "No way, get the one with your Mom's testimony inside" So I did. After a brief explanation of everything, I handed them the Book. The Spirit was so strong, they know that they need to read it, and the testimony inside it created a deeper desire to know if it was true.

SO. In summation. The Book of Mormon carries power with it. The testimonies of further witnesses only adds to the Spirit, and allows even further light and knowledge to be had. Christmas packages should be opened early, just in case. I love my family with all my heart.

Doritos are the bomb. Love you all! Talk to you later!

Elder DeFreese

P.S. I hope this past Christmas Sunday was a good one for ya, it was awesome for me. If you didn't invite someone to Church this past Sunday, REPENT! (Which means change, i'm not trying to be mean) and invite someone for this Sunday! It'll be great! Love ya!


1. Elder Kempter, Elder Walton, and me :)

2. Reindeer poop, courtesy of Elder Kempters parents :) I love them!


Monday, December 15, 2014

Christmas Party!

December 15, 2014
Hey everyone!

This past week has been a pretty good week, lots of stuff happened and I'll try to make it a bit short but still real sweet. K?

K.

So, on Tuesday we had District Meeting, and it went really well, I talked about a few of the fundamentals of being a Missionary, the one that we focused on the most was "The Role of the Holy Ghost in Conversion" and I related that to how we need to be converted before we can help anyone else. The course of the training was great, everyone was very involved and we learned a TON! 

Then on Thursday we had a Zone Conference/Christmas Party!!! It was really good, we started off with the training and focused on The Questions of the Soul, and how we can use the Book of Mormon to answer such questions. It was so great, we did some practices and really felt the Spirit. 

On Friday, we met with one of our investigators named Chen, he's from mainland China and he's studying here in Emporia. He's a really cool guy and loves to learn. He knows the gospel is true for sure, and he's right on track to be Baptized this coming weekend! We're super stoked for him, and he's really excited too! 

To close up so that you can get on with your busy lives, I just want to say that I know Jesus Christ is real. He made the ultimate sacrifice for you specifically. What are you going to do now, because of the gift that He has given you? Please don't waste it. 

Love you all so much!

Elder DeFreese

Monday, December 8, 2014

He is the Gift

December 8, 2014
Hey everyone! This week is going to be a little short. Because this week was full of meetings!

On Thursday we had a meeting with President Bell and the Assistants, called District Leader Accountabilities. It was cool to be able to see them again, I had been seeing them fairly frequently in my last area. But it was a good meeting, and I learned a lot. After the meeting, President took us all out to eat at a place called Hu Hot, it's a super good all you can eat chinese place. The kind where you get the meat and veggies and everything you want, put it in a bowl, give it to the cook and they cook it right in front of you! It was great.

On Saturday we had our Zone Training up in Lawrence Kansas, and had a blast! The trainings that were given were inspired of God, and I believe that there were many things said that I definitely needed to hear. It was good to see everyone in the whole zone, I've served around a lot of them, and some of them were in my Zone while I was their Zone Leader! So that was fun.

Also, just really quickly... the He is the Gift initiative put on by the church is AWESOME! Please do everything you can to share it on Facebook, or Twitter, or whatever the heck you want to! We need to help the world remember what Christmas is all about. Please do your part, it'll change lives. I promise.

This past week I think the biggest thing that I've learned is just how weak and unprofitable I am. Even with my vast amount of experience when compared to other missionaries, even with the fact that I've been studying my face off... I still know nothing. And I'm still not a "great" missionary. What I'm trying to do here is not to give myself some sort of a public pity party or anything. Just hear me out.

When I recognize just how weak and simple and inefficient I am, when I am shown my weaknesses. I am able to humble myself in mighty prayer and supplication before the Lord, and when I actually take the opportunity to do that, I find much more success. Because it's not me that is doing anything really, It's me allowing the Lord to use me for His purposes.

For those of you who still care enough to read this (some of you may be a little tired of hearing from me for over 2 years now)... I want you to please consider what I have learned. And apply it in your own lives. Please recognize that you can't do anything without the Lord. Then, in mighty prayer, promise Him that you will act. Promise Him that you will do something about the situation that you're in. And then, when you have laid your plan before Him, hand it over. Let Him help you. Place your burdens at His feet and say, this is what I want to be able to accomplish, this is what I want to do to accomplish it. I cannot do it without your help, so please assist me how You see fit.

 

I know the Lord lives, I know that he watches out for us at all times. When we rely on Him, and keep His commandments, our lives are full to the brim. That's how it works.

OK, I think I've rambled enough. I love you all, please remember that.

Elder DeFreese

So, please forgive me. I didn't take any pictures this past week, so I'll give you a couple old ones that I don't think I sent. If I already have........ sorry!

1. Elder Nye and I, this was right before he went home :( Sad day.

2. Elder Stanford, a District Leader in my last Zone. Great missionary!

3. The STL's and I at the temple. (Sister Hartung on the left, and Sister Wheadon on the right).

 


Monday, December 1, 2014

Emporia Kansas!

December 1, 2014



Hey everyone! So now that I have just a little bit more time, I will try not to use the excuse that I don't have any time. However, with things being so crazy this week, I'm not quite sure how much I'll be able to write just because I'm a scatterbrained mess and I don't really remember everything. But I'll do my best!

So on Monday we went and picked up Elder Nields new companion, Elder Oakey. So we were in a trio all day, it was really fun, we all get along REALLY well. We're good friends. We went and did some shopping, got all packed up, and finally had dinner with the Schleigers and went home! It was a good day, a fun finish to my time in the Ridgepoint ward.

On Tuesday we had Transfers. I was definitely sad to leave Derby/Wichita again, I think in total I've spent a good 10 or 11 months total in that Zone. Love it there with all my heart.

Anyways, then I picked up Elder Christensen, and we drove up to Emporia! When we got there, we had a few minutes to unpack the essentials, and then we had an appointment at 5 with an investigator, Christopher. Unfortunately, he was drunk as a skunk, so we set a return appointment for later in the week. (He hasn't been home any time we've tried since then, so... maybe one day!) After that our dinner appointment cancelled on us, so we tried a few potential investigators, and then went in and finished unpacking for the most part.

On Wednesday we had an appointment with a girl named Ikbal (pronounced ick-bell) She's from somewhere in North Africa, and she's Muslim! Kind of interesting, we spent some time figuring out what they believed, and we talked about what we believe, and she said she would be more than willing to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. However she doesn't want to be Baptized, and she wants to try and convert us. Buuuuuuuuuuuut I don't think that'll happen.

We also met a dude named Craig, he's a Recent Convert, and he loves us missionaries! He's a great guy, fallen on hard times. Was homeless until just recently, and now he's got a job and just about to buy his own apartment! He's doing great.

On Thanksgiving, unfortunately I have a little bit of bad news first. We didn't have a Turkey Bowl, there weren't enough members to have a good game, so it didn't happen. Sad :( Next Thanksgiving for sure though! We had dinner with the Reeves family, they're an older retired couple, and they made some goooood food. Traditional Thanksgiving food, but it was delicious nonetheless.

 

I'm running out of time now.. but I hope that's a good enough amount of details!

The rest of the week went really great, we met a lot of new people, made some new friends, and ate some great food! Elder Christensen and I are getting along great, he's from Utah (up by Spanish Fork). Aaaaaaaand... yeah!

Love you all!!!!!!

Elder DeFreese

P.S. I hope and pray every day that you're inviting someone to church each week. The blessings of the gospel are for everyone, and you are expected to help your friends and family come and worship God. So..... do it! I promise you'll see good come from this.

 

1. My great-great-grandson Elder Thayne, My great-grandson Elder Hoak, and my Grandson Elder Walton, and then of course, myself. :)

2. Elder Christensen, Service! (We cut lots of wood)


Monday, November 24, 2014

Transfers!!!


November 24, 2014




Hi everyone!!!

According to the tradition I've made over the past 5 or 6 months, I don't really have time to e-mail! So I'm going to update you on a few of the most important things that happened this past week. K? K.

So the first thing to update you on would be the Temple trip we went on! It was the best!!! Our whole Zone, and the Andover Zone got to go! (Both zones make up the Derby Stake in Kansas). It was so great, we had an all day trip out there, and went through a session with everyone. After this, we got to have a 1 hour Question and Answer session with the Temple President! It was so great, I received SO much personal revelation, as well as revelation for those who are in the Zone. It was the BOMB! I would encourage you all to get to the temple as soon as you can, prepare yourselves spiritually, and go expecting to learn something. I promise that you will!

Second thing, our ward had a cool Thanksgiving activity on Sunday. Those who are in the Ward Council got together and gathered up some food for "Thanksgiving Baskets" and then we all dispersed and dropped them off at the homes of some families in a bit of need. It was awesome! We had a lot of fun, and we met a bunch of new people! Super great :)

Alright, last thing, and this is clearly related to my topic of the week. It's transfer week! And I'm being released as a Zone Leader, so that I can go to Emporia Kansas, and be a District Leader! It's kind of a bitter-sweet thing. I'm going to miss this ward, and the zone, but I'm super excited to go somewhere new.

So that's the news!

I hope all of you feel the spirit of Thanksgiving, as well as Christmas coming up real soon, make sure that your friends and family are feeling it as well, go share the love. Help bring them to church. K? K. Love you all!!!

Elder DeFreese

1. President Bell and I at the Temple

2. Elder Nield and I at the Temple as well!

3. We went on team-ups with a member here who just got home in October (Same day I would've gotten home)



4. Elder Nye and I! (He just went home) :(

5. The Raven family and myself

6. Christian Tafoya, a member who I helped bring back to activity and I was able to give him the Priesthood! Not sure if I ever mentioned that...







Monday, November 17, 2014

General Authority!

November 17, 2014
Hi everyone!

Really quickly, this week has been crazy! I'll only have time to update you on 2 things, and then I gotta run!

So the first thing is that this week we had a General Authority visit our mission. Elder Schwitzer from the 2nd quorum of 70. We had a special MLC (Mission Leadership Council) with him and his wife, and we learned a lot! Then we had a special Zone Conference in Emporia Kansas with him for a couple hours. Following that, each Zone Leader and Sister Training Leader had a personal interview with him. Mine was pretty quick, but I'll give you a bit of a sneak peak. We talked about my family back home, and he asked about siblings and such, and then figured out how many were married, and how many had kids and such. And he said, "Well Elder, Go and do thou likewise!" And he was totally serious! This guy committed me to go home and get married and have kids. I don't want to think about that stuff! That's ridiculous! I've still got a looooooooooong time to go!

Anyways, that's that update.

The next one is that tomorrow we get to attend the Temple in Oklahoma City! It's going to be a blast! The only downside (if it's even a downside) is that because we're going to the temple, that takes up our P-Day. So today we get all of the essentials done like e-mailing and stuff, and then we immediately get out to work! Lots of missionaries are already complaining about that, I'm just excited to go to the Temple! It's going to be the best! We also get to have a 1 hour Q&A session with the Temple President. So that's going to be awesome!

Anyways, that's about all I got for today. Love you all! Talk to you soon!

Elder DeFreese

P.S. Have you invited anyone to church in a while? If not, I would invite you to either repent and invite someone, or maybe you haven't been in a while, and you need to repent and go to church! Don't think I'm being hard on you, because if you think about it, you already promised God that you would. K? K. :)

Monday, November 10, 2014

Holy Moses!!!!

November 10, 2014



K. So....

This past week was ridiculously crazy busy all the stinkin' time! Haha!

Tuesday we had Zone Conference from 7:45 to 5. Received some mad revelation too, it was awesome! Great conference, we learned a lot about what an "All Purpose Missionary" is. Basically we are to "Find, Teach, Baptize, Retain, and Activate" All the time, no matter where we are or what we're doing, we're focused on all 5 of these opportunities.

Wednesday we had MLC's from 8:30 until 5. We talked about where the Mission is going, why we did or didn't hit certain goals, and set some new policies and such. It was a good meeting. For the most part, MLC's is a meeting to discuss actions we might take at some point. It's a bit frustrating when we don't decide anything. But that's OK! :)

Thursday we had a Stake Correlation meeting where The ZL's meet with the Stake President, and President Bell to talk about different struggles and solutions within the Stake. It's a great meeting every time, that was from 8:45 'til 11. Then we met with the STL's from 11 'til 12:30 to talk about Zone Training which would be the next day. Then we had lunch on the way home so we could weekly plan.

Following this, we found out that there was an emergency transfer going on, and the new companion wouldn't be available 'til the next day, and we needed to take the other Elder with us, so we had to drive to go get him, and then come all the way back to Ward Correlation right at 3:30. This went until about 5 or so.

Friday we had Zone Training, Elder Nield gave a training based upon the topic, "We already chose". The STL's trained on teaching skills. And I gave a training that was focused around Consecrating ourselves. It was a great meeting, and we felt the spirit really strongly. That meeting went from 9 'til 1.

I'm not quite sure what else to update you on, I'm real low on time, and I hope those details are sufficient for you readers. Sorry I'm not able to take more time!

Love you all, talk to you soon!

Elder DeFreese.

P.S. Please remember to invite someone to church this week, they need the blessings that come from obeying the Commandments of God!

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Gotta run!

November 3, 2014

This weeks e-mail is going to be really quick, we have a TON of things to prepare for this week and I'm basically out of time.


So I guess I'll just inform you of the things I have to prepare for! We have Zone Conference this week, and we have to be well versed on 3 different talks given by General Authorities, as well as trainings prepared, and organizing lunch and breakfast and rides for all the missionaries.

We also have MLC's this week, where we discuss where the Mission is going, why we didn't accomplish certain goals, and set new policies and such. Elder Nield and I have been asked to prepare a myriad of different solutions to a few problems, and a training as well.

We will also have Zone Training this week, where we do a bunch of different trainings and activities to prepare the missionaries and help them to become true disciples of Christ.

So with all that, you can safely assume that this coming week is going to be INSANE!

And awesome, yeah that too! :)

OK, no time left. Quick recounting of Halloween.

Our Halloween was kind of boring. The whole Mission had to be inside or in an appointment from 6 P.M. to the end of the night. If we didn't have any appointments, we had to go inside.

However, our Halloween was a little different, because we had to make sure that our missionaries were inside and doing what they should be, not trick or treating or anything. So we got to call all the missionaries, drive around and check up on them, as well as try and visit some members in the ward.

We had also stopped by earlier in the day to visit a Part Member Family and we had some cupcakes and stuff, that was nice!

And earlier in the week we did have a trunk or treat, it was cool. But it was kind of wasted because we got stuck on the grill cooking hot dogs and didn't get a chance to go and talk to anyone, so that kind of stunk.

But this past week was great, and this week will be even better!

Love you all! Talk to you soon

Elder DeFreese

Monday, October 20, 2014

THE BAPTISM!!!!!!!!!!!!



October 20, 2014

So I don't have much time at all, but I wanted to talk about the Baptism that we had! And also inform you on how we found them, teaching, etc. Because I don't think I've talked about them at all really...



So It's Jeremy, Alexia, Alexandria, and Achilles (Raven). And Jeremy was the only member, his kids were all non-members. Ages 10, 9, and 7 respectively. So the whole family hadn't been to church in just about a year or so, and the previous missionaries and even a lot of the members had given up on this family. But Elder Turner and I decided that we needed to try them.

Our first visit we just introduced ourselves and taught a short lesson. We could clearly see that they weren't really interested. But then Jeremy hit a really rough patch in his life, and he lost most everything. In the process he got very angry with God, and began cursing Him. Not too long afterwards we went and visited him with our Elders Quorum President, President Hansen. We had a very powerful discussion on how God loves him, and knows him and the family personally. And he would never leave him if he would just keep the commandments.

From that lesson sprang soooo many miracles! We began visiting the family twice a week, teaching the girls the lessons, and preparing them to be baptized! All the while, he's been working on finding a good job, quitting smoking, and getting back into church. They haven't missed a single meeting for 7 weeks now.

Anyways, the baptism itself was awesome!!!!!!!! Elder Turner was supposed to baptize Alexandria, and I was going to baptize Alexia. But apparently Elder Turner heard that the Baptism was going to be at 2, even though we had set it up together to be at 1. (He got transferred just a few days before.) So he ended up being late, and I got to baptize the both of them!

The Spirit was sooo strong, they had definitely prepared themselves, and they were ready! Both of them went under smoothly, first try! It was great, they were both very happy. Alexandria told me right after, "I don't feel anything! :(" I was a bit worried, but then I asked, "How do you feel right now?" And she thought for a second and said, "Really happy!" quick with the response I told her, "That's it right there!" So great. They're awesome!

Also on Sunday I was privileged to confirm both of them! It was also a very spiritual experience, and the Lord had some great promises and blessings in store for both of them. It was awesome!

Anyways, I sent some pictures... and I gotta run!

Love you all!!!

Elder DeFreese

1. Me, Elder Pack, and Elder Johnson

2. Alexandria - Me - Alexia Just before the Baptism!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3. G-Ma, Jeremy (Dad), Elder Nield and I, Elder Turner, Alexia, Achilles, Alexandria after the Baptismal Service!!!!!




Monday, October 13, 2014

Real quick!

October 13, 2014

Hey!

So... of course I don't have a whole lot of time to write but, this week is Transfers! I'm staying here in Ridgepoint ward (Derby, KS). And Elder Turner is going away. However, the good news is that Elder Nield is coming in to run around with me! Him and I have served around each other, he's awesome. I'm super stoked!

I'll try and send some pictures later today if I can.

Love you all!

Elder DeFreese

Oh... P.S. We're having a baptism this weekend. I'll definitely take some time to talk about that this coming week. So sorry to cut it short! Their names are Alexia and Alexandria, they're 9 and 10 year old girls from a part member family. So... yeah!

Monday, October 6, 2014

CONFERENCE!!!!!!!!!!

October 6, 2014
 



So, like most every single week for the past 4 or 5 months or however long it's been.. I don't have time for anything! But I wanted to write a quick note at least, letting you know how much I loved this conference.

This being my last General Conference, I wanted to reeeeaaaaaallly seek some personal revelation, and find out just how I could be better. What do I need to focus on??!

To answer that, at least in part, I have to tell you that this most recent Friday, I gave a training to the whole Zone, about Christlike Attributes. I took it a little bit deeper than, "Let's talk about charity today..." Or something like that. I talked about how when Christ called his Apostles, in Mark 1:17 we read "And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men." and what I focused on was how He called them (and now us) to become! So we talked a lot about the what - becoming like Christ. And the why - Because Christ was the perfect example in everything, and our end goal is to be with Him and God the Father in the afterlife. In short, the training I think went alright, but we weren't able to really cover the how fully. I definitely felt the spirit as I spoke though, I think it was more to prepare the missionaries for conference.

This conference, every single talk, to me, showed me exactly how I can become like Christ. I don't want to give you all the details because a lot of it was my own personal revelation, and you need to seek your own, like we learned. But I will say this, becoming like Christ is the single greatest thing that we can strive for in this life. And if we are not constantly seeking to improve and realize that goal, then we are falling short. We need to always seek for His guidance, and His direction. He can help us! This isn't some unimaginable task, this isn't impossible. He has already done it! So we can too.

Love you all, talk to you soon!

Elder DeFreese

Monday, September 29, 2014

Sorry!

September 29, 2014
Hello all! 

So I'm really sorry for not writing the past couple weeks, things have been ridiculously busy, and things continue to be just as busy. So I'm trying to repent and write you something real quick, even though I've got like 2 seconds or something.

I'll just tell you a quick story that occurred just a few days ago.

So we were heading back from a meeting and a set of Elders had asked us to take them something, but they had an appointment with an investigator reeeaaally soon. So, with Elder Turner occupying the Passenger seat, I take the wheel. Racing along trying to help the Elders get to their appointment, while also getting them their long awaited item, I got pulled over!!!!!!!!!!!! The cop asked me for my license and everything, which was in my backpack in the back seat. So I got out and got it. While I was getting it, he asked me why we weren't out on the bikes, so, like a boss, I recounted my story of going home for surgery! Long story short, the cop let me off with a warning!

So sorry for the quick message, I love you all, please remember to invite someone to come to church this week. I know the Lord will help you!

Love ya!

Elder DeFreese

Monday, September 15, 2014

And...we're off!

September 15, 2014

Hiya buddy!

There is indeed an intensity about P-Day, especially for us! SO much to do! But we get it done, no worries. Our families at home suffer just a little bit because we're not able to write quite as much as others. But that's OK! AP's barely have any time to write their families! So it's all good.

As far as trainings go, I do get nervous, but once it's my turn to speak, the nerves leave, and I feel super calm. It's really fun giving a training that you've prepared for a week, visuals and activities and stuff make them real good! I like it! 

Sounds like Stake Conference was the bomb!!!!!!!! I don't really know what to say about it, so I'll just leave it at that, that's awesome!!!!!

I'm super excited to hear all about your week away from everything! Make sure to take pictures and stuff, OK? K. Sweet. :) BE SAFE!!!!!

So the Stake wants me to come and talk at them about the Gospel, eh? Well too bad!!!!! I'll be back at some point, probably.

Thanks for building me up again, even now people all over the mission ask me what it was like to go back home in the middle, and then come back. It's really, really weird to be out here now though, just last year at this same time I was home because my knees were being stupid. It sort of creates an anxiety in me, knowing exactly how much time I have left. 

Anyways, thanks for everything Mom, love you!!!

Elder DeFreese

P.S. .... probly won't be sending a general e-mail today. No time. But that's OK, it'll give me a few more things to talk about next week I suppose.

Monday, September 8, 2014

Here we go!

September 8, 2014
Hey, howdy, hey!

It's been another week, and.... you've guessed it! 

OK, you probably didn't guess it. You probably didn't even set aside to guess what's happened this past week. But I'll tell you about it just the same.

This last week we saw some ridiculous miracles!!! As long as I have been in this zone we have been strugglin' to keep up with the other zones in the mission, it's been tough to try and keep motivated and keep working hard when there is so much resting on my shoulders. BUT, this week we've seen a bunch of fruit from all our labors! Our zone has the most investigators on date (proportionately, there are other zones with more, but they have a lot more missionaries). And each companionship except for 3 hit standard on everything! It was awesome!!!!!

So this past week being transfer week, it was already super busy, we have a lot of set up, and meetings to prepare for. But this week had the added stress of preparing a zone training as well! Elder Turner gave a training on Faith/Humility, it was great! 

I had 2 trainings, 1 was on finding through the rescue, and I actually used a sheep that I had been sent in a package from my 2nd mom, (P.S. THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!). And it went really, really well. The Zone completely got what I was trying to go for, and they're all committed to being better at working with the people in our wards and branches who may have gotten away from coming to church. They're not inherently bad people, just for one reason or another they've stopped coming. It's up to us (full time missionaries and members) to help them start to come back. They have no idea how valuable and needed they are. And that's what I talked about.

My other training was based on a few talks titled "the 4th missionary" and "The Challenging and Testifying Missionary" And I did yet another activity. I set up a shooting range (for a nerf gun) and had varying distances and obstacles. I tied it all in with being the 4th missionary (total surrender, changed from his/her mission, lots of success). It went great, I hope they felt the spirit and had/have a desire to change. I sure did/do.

Well, I think that about catches you up. I gotta run, love you all so much! 

Elder DeFreese

P.S. When was the last time you invited someone to come to church with you? I challenge each of you to invite someone either today or tomorrow, and then you can follow up with them on Friday and Saturday. K? K. Love you!

Monday, September 1, 2014

So...

September 1, 2014
Another week dangit!!!

Argh, no time to write things...

OK, big news time.

It's transfer week! As far as my companionship goes, nothing is changing, Elder Turner and I are sticking together here in Ridgepoint. As far as the zone goes, there are a lot of different companionship changes as well as district realignments! So that means a lot more work for us to get things rolling, but that's OK. No problem :)

Other big news...... well. I think that's really the only "Big" news.

Went on exchanges this past week with Elder Arend, he's one of the AP's, it's kind of weird because I was his District Leader last year when I was in Garden City, now he's my AP, so that's really weird/cool at the same time. He's a fantastic missionary, great friend. 

We're seeing tons of improvement in the zone, 2 of the companionships in the zone had been struggling a bunch 3 or 4 weeks ago, but the past 2 weeks have been outstanding! We're really seeing the zone grow in faith and work ethic, it's awesome to see. 

Not much else to say really, I'm just super excited to start this transfer. The zone is really seeing tons of improvement, and LOTS of miracles! It's amazing! Can't wait to get out to work with these great missionaries!

I think that about does it, thanks for all the love and support that you all send me, I love you right back!

Elder DeFreese

P.S. Don't forget, "Motivation is not a feeling, it's a decision". I think I've shared that quote with all of you before, I love it. DECIDE today to be on the Lords side. Go out and help someone in need, invite someone to read the Book of Mormon, or Pray, invite them to come to church with you. Do something! K? K. I promise you that the Lord will bless you. He's promised that He would. :)

Monday, August 25, 2014

You gotta be kidding me!!!!

August 25, 2014

Man, its been another week again. This is ridiculous!!!

Craaaaap, gotta get running real soon.

But to catch you up real quick, this Zone has seen some ridiculous miracles in the past week! One of our companionships has 6 people on date for baptism!!!! Super cool! As a zone we are really stepping it up and seeing tons of miracles, lots of improvement, it's great!

This past week I went on 2 exchanges, 1 with Elder Jones, a District Leader. And 1 with Elder Telford, a new missionary.

Elder Jones and I went to the Harrison Park ward and worked our butts off! We biked a ton, which hurt a lot, but I'm better now! Elder Jones is a stud muffin! Super hard worker, great person, great friend. Love him!

Elder Telford and I worked in my area, Ridgepoint, and had lots of success as well! It was a lot of fun because Elder Telford is from Springville, and knows Don (my older brother) so it was cool for sure!

Other than that, this past week has been a blast, I'm loving it out here, gotta go! Love ya!!!

Elder DeFreese

P.S. Don't forget to invite someone to come to church OK? Sweet! 

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Holy Moses!!!

August 18, 2014

It's been another dang week already?!?!??? What the heck!!?
OK, guess I gotta hit you up with another e-mail or somethin' eh? 

Here goes...

FIRST, I have to give a shout out to my little bother, Elder DeFreese, again. HAPPY STINKIN' BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!! He's just turned 19 today, and he's a missionary!!!!! I'm so dang proud of my little bro. I can't even really describe the type of relationship that him and I share, it's something real special. Whenever I think about heroes, I honestly think about Superman or Batman, but when I actually think about who my heroes are, I really think about my family. In particular, my little brother Braden is one of my biggest heroes. One reason why is because of the things that we share, and how we've overcome our problems. He is a great example of acknowledging fault, and fixing the problem. He's a hard working person, and I love the crap out of him. Happy Birthday, glad it landed on a P Day!

Alright, now I can get into my week. Running out of time like usual, but I'll try and catch you up to what's going on. 

On Tuesday we attended our own District Meeting, and it was great! We talked about inviting people for baptism, but more particularly, inviting everyone to baptism! It was great, the role plays really helped us to see what we can do to better teach these things, and now we're starting to see miracles in the district because of it!

On Wednesday we had a lot of people to visit, and lots of contact to try and make, most of the investigators we tried weren't home, but we found 2 new investigators! It was great, we're working hard at both the ZL things, and our own area. We're definitely seeing the Lord bless us! 

I want to add a quick disclaimer, unless it's something cool I'm going to try to not mention all the boring spreadsheet work and stuff that I do all day, and try to focus on the other things... unless the usual boring stuff was actually exciting...

On Thursday we had a great miracle!!! We went to try and visit a couple investigators with Bro. Webber (Secretary in the ward) and nobody was home, so at the last house we tried, I turned around and saw a grey house that looked reeeaaally busted up. I felt like we ought to knock it, so we did! We found Michelle, her husband Angel (pronounced ahn-hel) and their daughter (I don't know how to say/spell her name... it's cool though). And they want to learn more, they're looking for a church. Aaaand they're praying about Baptism!!!!! So stoked about them, they're great!!!

Basically this week has been pretty great! Lots of miracles, finding tons of new people, member presents, all that good stuff!!!

Uhmm...... yeah! I think that's all I got!

Love you all so much, don't forget to read the Book of Mormon, and invite someone to come to church!!

Elder DeFreese

P.S. Something cool that I learned yesterday in sacrament meeting when the Stake President spoke was this statement that he made... he talked about how "People will say, and it's true, that the Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." He went on to say that, "It is also true that, when the Spirit is strong, the flesh is willing" So... think about that. K? K. :) 
 
 
1. Elder Nicholes and I! (He's a DL in the Zone)

2. Richard Sharp (Guy I taught in Harrison Park who got baptized recently)

3. This is what ZL's do allllllll day!
 


 

Monday, August 11, 2014

Here we go!

August 11, 2014
So... it's been another stinkin' week! (I don't say that negatively, just like... holy crap it's been another week??!?!? That type of thing...)

First I gotta get a quick shout out to a few people, first to my little brother Braden (A. K. A. Elder DeFreese the younger) he's on his way to the mission field now!!! Super stoked for him, he's gonna be a bomb missionary, what a stud muffin! Love ya brotha!!! 
Next shout out goes to my best pal Hunter Nelson! He's home!!!!! This guy is just the coolest, so proud of him. Aaaand since this is a shout out.... I gotta tell ya to not get married for at least 6 months, K? I have to approve dangit!!!!!!!! 

Anyways................

This past week has been pretty crazy! Starting off with Monday, we went on exchanges right after P-Day with the Arkansas City Elders, Elder Nicholes and MacArthur. I went to Ark with Elder Nicholes, and Elder Turner stayed here. 
On this particular exchange I learned really only 1 big thing. And that is how to keep your dang mouth shut when you have some stuff to say. On Tuesday we had a District Meeting, and Elder Nicholes was setting goals. The sisters in his district started to disagree with the goals that he set and they started to tear him down hard core. I got really really upset. I wanted to rebuke the crap out of them, and tell them to go home. Luckily, the spirit constrained me and I didn't say anything. Finally Elder Nicholes turned to me and asked me if I had any input and I lovingly rebuked the sisters. They now understand that he has been called of God, and dangit what he says ought to be what goes. So that's good. :)

Then on Wednesday we had MLC's, where we talked for a good while about all sorts of stuff! It was great, we met up with all the ZL's and STL's (Sister Training Leaders.... dunno if I've mentioned them). And talked about a lot of policies and different things we can do as a mission to improve. 

On Friday we had a Zone Training, where I trained on the Fundamentals. It's basically got 8 basic things that everyone should be doing all the time, you learn these things in the MTC, and the first 12 weeks of your training in the Mission Field. 
My training was focused on actually studying and becoming the Fundamentals. I likened it to Tim Duncan, who is Mr. Fundamentals in Basketball. To do so effectively, I played a bit of one on one with one of the members in the zone. It was great, got the point across, and I think the Zone is about to do some really great things, I'm excited!

So the biggest news is what happened on Friday after Zone Training. Some missionaries were having some problems within their companionship, so we had determined to talk with them after Zone Training. We were going on exchanges that day with another companionship though, so we decided that I would stay and Elder Turner could just go ahead and start working with his exchangee. 
We had a great talk, talked about planning, charity/love, getting lost in the work, etc. And it went fantastically! They were completely changed! Elder Riddle and I got back to our place afterwards, and right when we knelt to pray to start our exchange, these Elders called. The Elder on the other end immediately started yelling at me saying that his companion had run away!!!!!!!!!!!! CRAAAP!!!!!!! So we bolted for the car, got in and started heading their way. On the way I called the AP's, got them involved, and we started looking. He had run away starting on a railroad track. We walked for miles on that thing, and never saw him. We had started searching at about 3:30, eventually we got the entire zone involved, and then even the Police. FINALLY we were told that we had to go inside and get to bed. But the Police kept looking, and they found him at about 10:45 or so. He's doing fine, he had sort of a.... mental breakdown. Super sad. He's alright though, so we're all happy again!

That about catches you up though, and I gotta run! Love you all!!!

Elder DeFreese

P.S. Don't forget to invite someone to church today! Also, I would challenge each of you to hand out a Book of Mormon with your testimony written inside. Who should you give it to? Let the Holy Spirit guide :)