Dear Family and Friends,

This week has been bittersweet. Saying goodbye to great friends is
difficult. However, I am grateful to my Father in heaven for
everything he has given me here in Texas.

This week:

We sat down with Rufus and the first thing that came out of his mouth was, “Well guys, I’ve been doing some changing…” My gut wrenched as I expected the worst. After prayer he said, “Im just about quit smoking and I talked to a coworker for 3 hours about the gospel yesterday.” He is coming along just great!

I had my departing interview on Tuesday and it was really cool. An
hour with President. He gave me so much advice for here-after. He told me of a hypothetical story of a missionary who goes home and gets caught up in family and friends and forgets to do the basics so he suffers. Then he told me another story of a missionary who always makes time for the basics. He was happiest.

At Rufus’s lesson, a friend walked in and said, “Are you Mormons?”
“Yep” “You saved my life 10 years ago! I was an alcoholic and my
family was suffering. I prayed to God that Id give up my alcohol if he
showed me a sign. 2 missionaries showed up at my door 15 min later.
Freaked me out!! I wasnt interested in the message, but I changed my life around because of that moment!”

Conference was amazing! I loved how family focused it was. All about the plan of happiness, temples, and priesthood power!

On Friday we had 6 consecutive lessons! From 2pm to 9pm. It was the coolest thing ever!

Gabby (10 year old whos parents arent interested) really comprehends everything and said she wants to read the Book of Mormon to her friends! Solid!

Overall, Texas has been awesome. I have loved…..many minutes of it
haha. Words cannot express what I have learned and experienced. The gospel is true. Every single bit of it. I continue to learn more and
more and I hope to learn it all at some point of my existence.

I love every one of you with all my heart. Thank you for your great
support to me over the last 2 years.

I leave the conclusion to be spoken by Paul and John, who speak more eloquent than I:

“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at
hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have
kept the faith:” (2 Timothy 4:6-7).

“I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee: But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee.” (3 John 1:13-14)

Elder Nathan Householder

We have truly been blessed this week with great appointments – almost all of our open time was filled with them. When a cancelation or a reschedule happened, we have prayed for direction where to go. We have been blessed with people to teach as we have done so.

In one of these moments where we prayed where to go, someone came to mind and I could feel the gentle pressure on the heart telling us to go there. Frank is a lessactive member who is not on church records (we bumped into him one day and he let us in). Frank is not interested in having us come see him, but he said his 10 year old daughter might be interested. Huh?? So we sat down and started teaching 10 year old Gabby and she is so bright and receptive! Frank was even throwing in things he remembers of the church as a child. We are excited to go back!

Brandon (YSA buddy) took a temple trip Saturday and came back glowing and so happy. SO happy that after class he smiles, looks at me and said, “You want a hug, man?” “Heck yeah!” After he gave me a hug, he continued giving every person he saw a hug for the rest of the church block. Like, he even went and gave a hug to both of the visitors (that nobody knew), Branch Presidency, and even just people that he has recognized walking out in the hall. He is a great example to me of positivity!

Spencer, a member if the YSA, is someone that goes to all meetings,
activities, and does his own personal studies. However, he has been
working on his mission papers for the last 2 years. We felt recently
that we should sit down with him and find how to help him get those
papers going. Yesterday, we did. We found that his testimony is
stagnant and that he has always believed (and had no reason to assume otherwise) that the gospel was true, but never has gained a definite answer. He said he would love us to come by weekly and help him understand how to gain answers. THEN he pulled out his phone and said, “Awkward story for you, I got a mass text from my mom last night asking everyone in my extended family to fast for me today that I would gain a desire to go on a mission.” BOOM! The spirit totally guided us to meet with him the DAY OF his familys fast. So cool! Also Mom, if you are ever gonna talk about me in text to others, don’t put me in the recipient line… ;] hahah

Back to Brandon: He bore a great testimony in our fast and testimony meeting yesterday. After he went, a couple others had gone, including me and my companion Elder Fullmer. Soon enough, Brandon got back up there and said he forgot something and bore his testimony on something else. Others continued to go up, but then at one point it stopped, just silence for a couple minutes and Brandon leans over and says, “You wanna go up again? I’ll go with ya!” Hahaha it just about killed me! They closed it down before he got up for his 3rd time.

This weekend Rufus decided he wanted to get baptized!!! It has been a long time coming, but he is finally ready to make the changes he needs to for Baptism. I am SO excited for him!!

I know that this gospel is true. I know that testimony is a choice. I
know that heavenly Father will help us in our righteous desires as we pray sincerely and move to make it happen.

I do love you all.

Elder Householder

Dear Family and Friends,

This week I had a cool experience. In our DLC, we were talking about
giving correction. Elder Fullmer made a comment that rang true to me.
He said that It’s our job to invite others to repent, and it is their
job to repent. As soon as we make the solid invitation, its off of us
and onto them. I have felt the weight of helping others make changes
in their lives and it has burdened me. Whether it be investigators, or
missionaries in my stewardship. Then when I go into correct a
missionary, it never comes off well because i’m racking my brain
trying to figure out how to help them change that thing. What Elder
Fullmer said helped me feel like I can take a chill pill. Elder
Fullmer and I roleplayed giving correction this morning and I felt a
lot more at ease inviting to repent because it seemed like one friend
to another. I feel like I’ve starting to figure it out.

This week was difficult with cancelations and other things.

We met with Gabriel to give him his new member lessons and we talked
about preparing to go on a mission in the future.

Two young men in the ward were walking home from church one day when a
man stopped them and asked, “What church do y’all go to?” They talked
and he asked for the time it starts and so on. We went by and gave him
a Book of Mormon and he said he will read it! He seemed super psyched!

Sylvie dropped us this week. Coming from a Jewish background, she came
to the conclusion she has a problem with Jesus Christ. We went over
and talked to her about it and testified. She wanted to debate it, but
we told her that thats not why we are there. We told her that we want
to continue to be her friend and the Boyntons do too. Sylvie still
wants to feed us on Fridays and even come to church as she can. It
will take some time with her.

After our experience with Sylvie, it was time to head home. We were
beat and felt downtrodden. A little flicker came into my mind, “Go try
by Tito and Tania.” Tito and Tania have been out of town for about a
month now and had no signs of returning anytime soon. We tried anyway.
TITO WAS OUT IN HIS FRONT YARD. We have became great friends, so it
was very good to see him! He said he is back in town and was going to
give us a call. We set up a return appointment for the next evening
and went home healed from the experience that we had just had with
Sylvie. My Heavenly Father loves me and knows what I am going through.

Our lesson the next night with Tito and Tania started by them puling
out their Book of Mormons. Tania said she was going through a rough
time physically and she just needed to read from the Book of Mormon.
We decided to read 2 Nephi 4 where Nephi laments for a little, then
praises the Lord for his goodness. Tania was in tears as she read it.
She really needed that. It made her hold the Book of Mormon close and
delicately to herself. They are making progress :]

This week we went to do service near a river at a park and loaded up 2
trashbags full of random junk. We even found a mattress wrapped around
a pole and dragged it to the dumpster. A nice man flew a drone over to
see what we were doing (had a camera attached), so we went and talked
to him and gave him a Book of Mormon! Thats whats up.

We have been coordinating with an older couple in the ward who have
been talking it upon themselves to go out and try to find information
on everyone in the ward roster. We have shared information with each
other and talked it over so that we both dont try the same houses. We
are making great progress! They even cleaned our teeth at their
dentistry place this week too! After the cleaning and the mini X-rays,
Dr. H. Said, “Looks good! I dont really see a problem!” And I could
think nothing but, “My mom would be so proud! ?”

The Bruellisauer Family is coming out of a 20 year inactivity and we
are teaching them the missionary lessons. They are excited to go back
to the temple on their 30 year anniversary of being sealed together!

We have taught both Angel and Rosa new member lessons this week and
they are understanding things a lot more than the first time around!

Im excited to feel of the spirit that we will feel at Zone Conference this week!

Love you all!!

Elder Householder

Hey Hey!

This week has had some ups and downs with the work, but all in all, it
was great!

We met with Sylvie this last week and taught her about the Word of
Wisdom. She understands the health behind it and said she will give it
a try. She seemed excited to continue to learn and come to church. She
came to church late and saw her usual seat next to the Boyntons was
taken so she decided to sit out in the foyer. In class she was making
comments and seemed to agree with everything. She wouldnt go to Relief
Society. After, She told the Boyntons that she was done. Wasnt going
to take the lessons anymore. We dont understand what was the abrupt
change, but we are going to see her tomorrow to see whats up.

Bishop asked us to see a certain active family in the ward. They have
a child that has been 8 for a couple months and has not been baptized
yet. As we met with them, they said, “until recently, he hasnt wanted
to be baptized.” But now he did! We taught about Baptism and the Holy
Ghost and asked for input from the mother. She said she doesnt believe
she has ever felt the Holy Ghost. Hadnt ever gained confirmation that
these things were true. We asked if she wanted a testimony and she
said yes. We will meet weekly with her to help her out. Moral of the
story: You dont know who at church still needs a testimony or a boost.
Always bear your testimony. Take Visiting and Hometeaching seriously.
Ask questions. Dont assume everything is fine.

We met with Rufus this week again with President Pack (Stake
Presidency) and he was able to help Rufus want to repent. They click
very well. Rufus was concerned about the hypocritical nature of some
members and we were able to help him realize none of us are perfect.
“So what youre saying is that I should probably forgive them?” Man he
is just so awesome. He came up to us at church and said, “If Im gonna
be stuck with the Mormons, I better know their dating standards.” We
gave him a for the strength of youth pamphlet!

My Christmas Lights have slowly been loosing bulbs over the last
couple months, and they have officially have blown out today. I think
we’ll have a funeral underneath my charlie brown Christmas Tree.

Yaneck came to the first hour of YSA this week!! It was priesthood
(not Sacrament meeting) but he still liked it!

We met with an older couple in the ward this week. They choose
themselves to get to know everyone on the ward roster! They gave us
the information they had (if people moved, Less Active, etc) and we
were able to update them on a couple people as well. In fact, they own
their own dental practice so they are cleaning our teeth for free
tomorrow!! First time in 2 years for me!

I love you all! Dont forget the basics.

Elder Householder

What a week!

Monday we had to take our car in for a repair and they said we may be without it till Friday! Biking in a huge area for a week was going to
be insane. We were lucky enough to have the Boyntons drive us a couple places.

Brandon (YSA Branch Missionary) came out with us almost all day
Tuesday and Wednesday! It was great to have him with us. Contacted some referrals and went finding people to teach. Turns out we got our car back Wednesday so that was a relief!

This week Elder Fullmer wanted to swing by Burger King on the way home for lunch. I sat down at a table to wait for him and a guy came up, looked at my tag, and sat down. We struck up a conversation. He said he was from Utah and knows about us. He just wished we were real Christians. He started pulling out a bunch of scriptures trying to
bash with us. “Sir, we do have faith in Christ – It is the Church of
Jesus Christ…” “But its not the same Jesus! You worship Joseph
Smith.” “Sir, we don’t worship Joseph Smith and we are not here to
argue with you….” “Oh Im not arguing, I just have felt a calling in
life to help people realize that their religion is wrong and to help
them come over to believe in the truth.” I stood up and told him that
we have a testimony of the truthfulness of what we were doing and told him contention is of the devil so we are leaving. As I walked off,
Elder Fullmer just stood in line for his food and as I went to wait
with him, the man yelled at Elder Fullmer (who had been over-hearing the conversation), “YOU! COME OVER HERE, NOW.” He pointed down in front of him. Intense guy! But Elder Fullmer got his food and we left the guy to fume cause he couldnt bash ;]

Gabriel received the Aaronic Priesthood this week and was ordained a Priest! The first assistant in the Priest Quorum asked him to pair up with another Priest to team-teach the lesson in the quorum next week and he accepted! He is also blessing the sacrament next week!! I am so stoked for him! We hope to get him to the temple soon in a group trip with some other Recent Converts and returning members.

In Gospel Principles class we taught about Prophets. We felt prompted to ask everyone which prophet they look up to. Of course Sylvie said a prophet from the Old Testament (Jewish Background), and other members said who they looked up to, but when it came to Rufus we were surprised to find that he looks up to the prophet Joseph Smith!! I hope he makes the decision to join the fold soon. He just needs to have his answer.

Jacob once made a mouth-guard out of hot-glue that moulded his teeth perfectly. Well I wanted to whiten my teeth as well recently (with no hot-glue) and so out came a ingenious idea! I made a face-mask on the spot that would resemble that dumb thing dentists use to move your lips out of the way! Dont judge.

Sylvie accepted the invitation to have Visiting Teachers!! We also
invited her to speak to Bishop (that he may be able to help her
spiritually the way she is looking for) and he is thinking about it.

Maya’s father said that she is not ready to make the decision to be
baptized….That really made us sad, but the father said we can still
teach her and that we can focus on the father soon.

Yaneck had his friend Gerrard (reminded me of what we call Jared
sometimes – Gerrared ;] ) and we able to teach them both. We helped Gerrard understand how to repent because he said he has been wanting to, just hasn’t known how.

We were helping a homeless center do some yard-work. Elder Fullmer ran out of cord for his weed-trimmer, so we made do with what we had! I found some small vine like stuff and fed it into the weed-trimmer. I was pretty proud because it lasted a whole 5 seconds! Ill be going to the patent office soon. Congratulate me later.

A’aight, Im gonna be completely honest. There have been many times on my mission where members have invited us to dinner and afterward I just wanted to explode. We share a great “Work of Salvation” lesson encouraging members to be missionaries and when we try to commit them to do missionary work, they just say, “We are just trying to be a good example.” Family, friends, this is already part of our baptismal covenant!
“[A]nd now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to
be called his people, … and to stand as witnesses of God at all
times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even
until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with
those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life–”
(Mosiah 18:8-9)
We should already be standing as a witness always, even until death.
If we want to have the joy our Father has, we need to know ” … that
the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare
repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that
you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.” It is as
clear as that! You will be blessed beyond measure.

Brandon has been going out on his own just looking for people on the street and at work and has found 4 people in the last week that said they’d be interested in hearing what we have to say. We make this work seem so difficult. The Lord will provide a way. He has for us. He has for Brandon. He will for you.

Love you!!

Elder Householder

Transfer week! Elder Fullmer and I are staying! Last transfer of the
mission #17.

This week I went on exchange with Elder Lewis in Gatesville. I was
able to help him understand how to get organized and how to use his
time to the max. He is a great missionary, I love him. We also had a
cool experience in our preparation time before studies in the morning.
He expressed his frustration for a member of his branch and how
disrespectful that member is to the missionaries, “I have done nothing
but be nice to him, but he still shows no respect.” He explained
further. I tried using the counsel President Ames gave me in
interviews and share that with Elder Lewis. I even used part of my
studies to help him out:

“When we think we see failings, weaknesses or faults, whether they be
real or imaginary, in our brethren and sisters, … if we will use
sufficient charity, and friendship, … we will go to our friends who
suffer our displeasure, or our belief of their defects, and tell them
how we feel and what we think, and do it in the spirit of helping them
to overcome their weaknesses, and we will thus do ourselves, as well
as them, much good. We will not go to them in the spirit of
condemnation and complaint, and hurt their feelings and fill their
hearts with enmity.” (Joseph F. Smith)

It helped me learn as well. Elder Lewis said that their missionary
coordination meeting that night was going to be interesting after
their confrontation. So I suggested he sit down with the brother and
have a loving honest conversation with him. I had him roleplay with me
how he would do it. After he tried it, I recognized that his practice
was a little upfront and and so I gave it a try. During this roleplay,
I learned how to do it myself. It was loving and purely out of
strengthening the relationship. That night Elder Lewis called me and
said that he tried to be accepting of the ideas of the member shared
in the meeting, and in return, the member was respectful back! Elder
Lewis said the roleplay helped! Helped me too.

We reset 2 dates: Maya and Leah! Now we just need to get them to church.

Elder Fullmer had Strep for a couple days so we had to stay in while
he was contagious. I went on exchange while he was down once.

Sylvie said that (after we read the Joseph Smith pamphlet with her)
she is starting to believe that he really saw the things he said he
did. She said it rings true!

Our new Branch Mission Leader Aaron has been going all out trying to
find people for us to teach! He brought Jonathan to FHE and he really
enjoyed it! We had a pie eating competition and it was sweet! I got
sick on my 3rd personal one while Elder Fullmer did 4 and went on to
be the runner-up champion. Jonathan won! Wouldve been awkward if Elder
Fullmer won cause the prize some goodies and a movie for a date
night…. Jonathan Came and did service with us this week and we have
our first lesson tonight!!

I love you all!!

Elder Householder

This week has been one rollercoaster ride!

We had interviews with President Ames, and that was cool! He came out with us that night and taught Sylvie with us. IT was cool to see him be able to dig up concerns and help resolve them. He promised her that
there will be a day where she will ask the missionaries to be baptized.

We had a weird experience this week. First, background: 2 weeks ago, we went to the Cove Sisters baptism for their investigator. While we were there, a man named John told us that he had a non-member brother that lived in our area and that we should go visit him. So I took down his name, address, and then asked, “Do you want the visit to be anonymous or should we use your name?” “You can use my name,” he said. A couple days later we had some free time to try by him. Knocked on James’ door and his daughter answered. “He’s out of town right now, who are you?” “We are missionaries for Jesus Christ. Your Uncle John sent us to see how yall are doing and share a message if your family is willing.” She told us to try back another time. This week we tried
back again. This time the son answered the door and said the same thing, “He is out of town.” But then we heard some yells from the kitchen, “WAIT, WAIT, WAIT.” James’ wife came to the door and said that James was on the phone and wanted to talk to us. So I took the phone and said hello. “WHO ARE YOU AND WHO SENT YOU TO MY HOUSE??” We told him who we were and that his brother John sent us. “HOLD ON RIGHT THERE. IM PUTTING HIM ON A 3-WAY CALL.” We then talked to the both of them. James told me to repeat what I said, and John denied all of it. They were all freaking out. James’ wife could see how we were acting though and believed us. James made us leave our number and he wants to sit down with us and figure this out. So now we play the waiting game till he gets back in town and contacts us. President Ames counseled that we dont meet with them – just let this family figure it out on their own. Crazy situation…

Gabriels baptism was great! Had some technical difficulties with the baptismal suits and such, but it all worked out! Very memorable experience. He was also confirmed a member yesterday. As we went up to stand in on the confirmation, Bishop whispered to me, “He asked if you would do it – Suprise!” And it totally took me off guard. I confirmed him and that was also a great experience!

Last night we met with Yaneck. We helped him understand the Restoration more in depth and invited him to be baptized on March 12th! He accepted! He has a great desire to do so as well, we could tell in his eyes. When we asked why he wanted to be baptized, he said because he wants to come closer to God in his church.

Latoya is still having a hard time gaining motivation. Even when the Spirit is present, the atmosphere is just cold. We have plans to help her live the Law of Chastity and move toward baptism.

Sylvie met with us two days after the lesson you joined us for and she started by saying that she has decided not to get baptized. After talking with her for a while, we found that she still wants to learn at the pace we have been teaching her and still wants to come to church and that she may change her mind in the future. Soooo basically nothing has changed. We helped her realize that even if she asked to be baptized this week we would say that she needs to learn more first. She really understood and appreciated that.

Rufus is almost coming to a halt. We are not sure what to do for him. He understands the apostasy completely now and he got a little upset because he believes his past baptism was for nothing and it was such a momentous occasion for him. We helped him understand that that was a spiritual experience for him and that he should hold on to that memory. But at the same time we tried to help him understand the need for a baptism again.

Met with Maya and Leah this week. Their father recently came back and so their minds were a little distant. We hope to help them toward baptism. While trying to renew that desire in the father to learn more.

We helped Tito and Tania tear out one of their sheds this week. They trust us very well npw after the last couple experiences with them. We are trying to help them get on the process to getting married.

I had the apportunity to interview Tammy (Gatesville Elder’s investigator) and she is so ready! Just as long as she is able to keep all those commitments!

I know that everything happens for a reason. I love this gospel and everything that it teaches me. I am grateful for a merciful, patient Father in heaven. I know that Jesus Christ has suffered for my every
infirmity.

Love,

Elder Householder

Howdy Howdy!

This week has been pretty bomb!

We do our weekly planning at the Boynton’s apartment (Senior Missionary Couple) and they had to leave to an appointment so they said we had free reign of their fridge! Bad choice. We made some Tongan Sandwiches! They eventually came back and we were eating alone in their place and it was just so funny.

We FINALLY got through the Plan if Salvation with Sylvie and she came to agree with it! She is getting more motivation to read the Book of Mormon.

The Chaplain for Ft. Hood is in our ward. He has explained to us that we are not allowed to proselyte on post unless they approach us. So we have passes on base (to get through the check-points) and went to get our oil changed and tires rotated. While we were sitting there in the waiting room, Juan came out from behind the desk and started talking to us. He’s from Arizona and used to go to church with some friends that are members. THEN Lamar busted out from the door behind e counter and pointed at us, “Are you the ones that knock on doors?” “Uhh, yeah!” “Come over here!” We went and talked with him and he asked what we believe. As we shared, Jose came from the back and started talking to us! We ended up leaving them with pamphlets and getting all their numbers!

We had President Pack (Member of the Stake Presidency) come with us to see Rufus again and talked about Moses 7 and Gods love for us. It really touched Rufus and at the end, he said, “I think I pm a little closer to the….plunge!” Haha he is so funny.

The other day we were sitting out front of our complex waiting for our exchange to pick us up. This guy drove up and said, “Hey, do y’all have a pamphlet or card I could have?” We gave Matthew the card and got his number! Should be seeing him soon.

Gabriel is solid! Ready for Baptism this weekend! President Ames is coming for Interviews this Wednesday and is interviewing him then! Im excited for him.

Maya is solid too! She should be baptized at the end of this month along with her cousin Leah!

We were at the car wash this morning and a couple were at another car full body looking straight at us for a while. So we went over and gave them a pamphlet and got a number from them! They seemed really excited!

We finally got a Ward Mission Leader last week. He seems to only want to do the bare minimum…We asked the High Councilor over missionary work to train him.

A lot of great things are going on! Elder Fullmer and I have a lot of fun.

I have grown up with goodly parents who have not failed to teach me the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have learned true service. I have learned the importance of the Book of Mormon and have never questioned any of it. However, I have always wondered what the Spirit really felt like. I’ve seen people cry because of the presence of the Spirit. I’ve heard its like a warm blanket. Whatever it feels like, I didn’t feel it. I left on my mission and entered the MTC. During one of the meetings I subconsciously started to feel a “burning in the bosom.” After awhile I recognized it and something clicked in my mind, “That is the Spirit.” What surprised me was that it was familiar to me. I have felt it many times in the past, but because I felt it so often I didn’t put two and two together. I have felt and recognized it everyday since. I have been able to point it out to investigators and help them realize what they are feeling.

Galatians 5:22-23 says that the fruit of the Spirit is “Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance” I have felt every one of these aspects of the Spirit during the course of my mission.

Love: I have gained such a Love for those investigators I serve! Joy: When Investigators commit to the Father that they are ready to follow him and decide to get baptized. Peace: I feel that I have had many experiences over the course of my mission that have weighed me down. Difficult Companions, sad days, rejection, and investigators who discontinue the search. When all you have to talk to is your companion and they just don’t care, things feel hopeless. Really hopeless. I can’t talk to my Mom about it. “I am so alone right now.” At these moments (and they aren’t rare) I have nowhere to look but up. My prayers have never been so heartfelt –
literally a cry for help. Then a loving Heavenly Father sends Zone Leaders to the door to check up on me. To give me a break. A prayer answered and a little glimmer of hope. The fire of the Spirit burns away the feelings of fear, doubt, and defeat. It leaves behind that peace, “Fear not, little children . . . I have overcome the world.”

The Prophet Joseph Smith once said, “A person may profit by noticing the first intimation of the spirit of revelation; for instance, when you feel pure intelligence flowing into you, it may give you sudden strokes of ideas … and thus by learning the Spirit of God and understanding it, you may grow into the principle of revelation, until you become perfect in Christ Jesus.”

I have felt that pure intelligence flowing through me! I have felt and witnessed the many roles of the Spirit throughout my mission. I know these things are true!!

I love you all!

Elder Householder

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