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. :)