Brothers and Sisters!

This week has been downright crazy! Last Monday it sleeted, then tuesday, wednesday, thursday it snowed and friday it rained. So walking in the snow was insane cracking Ice and crunching snow with every footstep.

We decided to act like grown men and walk instead of seeing how fun a bike would be. Tuesday we walked 7 miles round trip in the snow (Up hill both ways ;] ) It was an adventure. We have some great videos of Ice fights, and pictures of Icicles.

We have had lessons with bashers and its hard to put the pride away and NOT shut them down with their own Bible. Instead we tell them politely that we have a great message and would love to share it with them If they are ever interested and told them to give us a call. They were furious. whats the quote say? “Nothing makes a person more mad than to be nice to them when they are angry at you.” We had to drop Eddie because of it. Hes like the pharisees – trying to tell Christ his own doctrine and wouldnt listen when he was trying teach because they thought they were too learned. An Investigator named Ceaser was caught up with deep doctrine and we told him that wont help him get back to Heavenly Father. The moment he stopped trying to talk about deep stuff, he understood the Priesthood in olden times. He understood where the Book of Mormon came from and thought it was so interesting, “Hey, Im going to read this!” We had this 65 yr old college professor/Church teacher call us up and asked to meet with us and basically told us to be prepared or he’ll shut us down. The Bible Belt is one heck of a ride. We’ll see how that goes.

Elder Maun and I were selected to be part of a “Mission Choir”! There is 50 of us and is a blast! I. MISS. SINGING. You get some members here in MCO and its really tantalizing.

We had to drop Simplice. Dona says hes not as interested as he’s put on in the past…We’ll see, we may be able to get him back.

We had a lesson with Geo and he accepted baptism for April 3rd!! Hes 15 and says he wants to go on a mission!! He is a solid kid! Joined the ward choir and everything.

Dona is doing well – We have the grandest time with him. Threw some snowballs at his apartment window and it freaked him out! The snow came so suddenly that Dona looked out the window and was so confused when it started snowing! haha

I love this area! been here 4.5 months and will probably be here for another couple.

I wish I could let yall see the videos we take!

Love yall!

Elder Householder

Hey!

I think im finally seeing what time must be to my father in heaven – each week feels like but a moment.

We’ll start with a funny experience for ya: 2 weeks ago a member from the lakecities brought me a box of stuff I left behind. While walking through the front office, the managers look at us with the box and jokingly asked if we had any chocolate in there. I looked and actually found some old holloween woppers and tossed it to them! They all cheered and then paused and asked, “Is this holloween candy?” I immediately said, “Yup!” and Elder Reed responded, “Uhh…” and the managers said, “Yall better get your story down strait before you come over here!” hahah

On Tuesday we had to drop Alex unfortunately. Tried not to make it a throw down, but sometimes its needed along with the witness of the spirit. We basically read a scripture chain that shouldve been read a couple years ago. Before we started the lesson, we used his phone to take a picture and deleted our number from his phone (youll see why). Started with Jacob 2:7 and just read the first line, “And also it grieveth me that I must use so much boldness of speech concerning you…” We told him we were going to be bold. Then we read to him 1 Ne. 3:7 and asked him if he believed that God could prepare the way for him to make it to church. He said he believed that he could. I told him that God had prepared the way every week and he chose not to. We then talked about commandments and then read in 2 Nephi 31 (which says in short) “If Christ needs to be baptized, dont you?” and he kept talking to us about he just needs to make that choice. We agreed. We then read to him Ezeik. 33:1-6 and told him that the 80 missionaries that have been in his home have sounded the trump.

Alex has used missionaries for service for the past 8 years with no intentions of joining the church, wont read, wont pray, wont come to church. When a set of missionaries decide to drop him (which happens every couple months apparently) he will just wait for missionaries to go through the old records again and come by to visit him. So he says he doesnt care if we dont stop by anymore, “Other mormons will be at my door in a couple months!” So we ensured that future missionaries wont waste their time by deleting our number from his phone and leaving a fat note on the teaching record.

We were on the phone with our district leader once and Elder Maun said, “I asked, will I recieve? Liberally and without upbraid?” and Elder Reed the district leader says, “Oh no, Ill definitely upbraid.” hahah

President Ames opened our eyes to something recently. He says, “Who uses the title, ‘Elder’? The apostles, 70 and missionaries. We are companions to the Apostles.”

A man named Will approached us in our apartment office this week and told us he hadnt been to church in 30 years. He said he took his girlfriend to Family Home Evening at his active brothers home last week. She cried and said she felt better than she ever has before. Will told her that he wants this for their future family and he wanted to do it the right way. He said he wants to get married in the temple and bring his girlfriend with him. We will teach them this week :]

We were out walking in the freezing rain soaked yesterday and turned to Elder Maun and said, “..the truth of God shall go forth boldly, nobly, and independent until it has penetrated every continent, visited every climb, swept every country and sounded in every ear until the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say, ‘The work is done!'” hahah I thought it fit.

Lots of great things are happening here! Ive been in Hurst forever but I love the people! And I love YOU! random friend.

We’ll Thanks again for the letters and prayers! I feel them constantly. ’tis sweetish fish.

Love yall!

Elder Householder

Top: What the, Elder Reed. Bottom: Elder Maun, Elder Reas:

Elder Reed and I before needing to drop Alex:

Elder Reed busted my small blender while trying to blend a full apple…Yes children, do not do this at home:

Exchange with Elder Reed! trying to recapture a face he made a couple months ago:

How missionaries dry their stuff:

It sleeted! looks like snow!

Howdy howdy!

Hey everyone!

Last monday I hit my ten-month mark, wednesday was a year since Jake got back from his mission, and yesterday was a year from the day I opened my mission call! Good stuff!

Since Monday was my 10 month mark we celebrated during our “unwinding” time after nightly planning. Yes, with Ice cream. And the testaments! And Elder Maun had to fix his bike (from his superman last week) so we could work the next day – poor guy!

Cool experience: on Tuesday, we saw someone with a moving truck and felt prompted to ask them if we could help. Usually people say, “No thanks!” thinking that we are dressed too nice for that. PEOPLE. These are my working clothes! Oh my Lanta. Well these people actually said, “You could help us move a couch upstairs!” We were in that truck before they finished the sentence. There was only an old guy and 3 women planning on carrying this thing. They said we just randomly came at the right time! They let us come back and teach a lesson 2 days later. Deanna is pretty solid! So hope she decides to go down this road.

At Pday Activity, I was trying to figure out how to open this lightsaber. Looking for the button, swinging it around, but It just wouldnt open. Sure enough I walked over to my Zone Leader and still trying to figure it out, I swung and it decided to open! And totally wacked his knee. “Ahhhhh!” it was hilarious, so I thought Id share. Youre welcome.

During a lesson, our exchange got some calls and stepped outside for a few minutes. Came back in, and sat through the rest of the lesson. Afterward, he said, “I need to get yall home, my daughter is in the ER!” We just told him to hurry over there and we’d walk home. Felt super bad for him – nothing life threatening, she’ll be fine. There are people I meet that I want to be like so much. That is an example. Thinking of himself last.

Sometimes its so overwhelming to change and be the person I want to be. But I just take one moment at a time. Everytime I have the urge to get upset or something not Christlike, I hear, “What kind of man do you want to be?” in my mind and that always gives me the drive to choose the hard, but rewarding way.

We’ve still been going over to Dona’s. He is hilarious and honestly my brother in every way. I would do anything for this man. Anything. Once, we had just finished riding bikes and went to see him. He came to me, squatted down, and pulled my pant leg out of my sock! haha always has my back. Elder Maun (being an islander always takes off his shoes right indside the door. Dona looks at him confused and says, “Why you leave your shoes ova derr?” and we explained it was a sign of respect. Dona thought about it and remembered that in his country you take off your shoes before going into the kinds palace. Elder Maun said, “There you go! I took them off for the kind of this home!” And Dona laughs really hard, “No no no no, There is only one king!” *points upward* Love that guy.

Geo is progressing! We hope he will accept a baptismal date this week!
We may drop Alex – isnt keeping any commitments.
We found a kid named Victor whose mom is a member going to the tongan wards!
We are being led everyday! Awesome sauce.

I love yall so much! Keep up the good work and have the best week ever!

Hurrah for Israel!

Elder Householder

-My Ten month mark celebration
-We took a break from planning!

Hey!

This week has been pretty great!

First off, Its my 10 month mark! I hear bluebell calling my name. Dad, why are Householders so addicted to Icecream? haha

We taught Geovanny the rest of the Restoration, watched the restoration and he accepted baptism when he knows its true! I dont think that will be hard for him!

I went on an exchange with my Zone Leader Elder Petersen this week. We work together so well, I love it. I have grown closer to this man than I have anyone else on this mission so far. He has helped me tirelessly, backed me up, and been a genuine friend, and someone I want to be like. We’re going to chill at BYUI later down the road.

We taught Lee the rest of the Restoration and he said, “So you think your church is the only true church?” and Elder Maun and I stopped for a second to figure out how to make it not offensive. Then our Exchange looks him in the eye and says, “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the same church Christ set up, and therefore the only one who has the fullness of the gospel, and the Book of Mormon is the most true of any book on earth.” and I cringed wondering how he’d take it (he’s baptist). He said, “Yeah, don’t hold your tongue! Dont worry about hurting my feelings.” So we committed him to read the Book of Mormon all the way through and found he already had the restoration video from a friend years back!

Elder Reed (my companion in Lakecities 2nd) is coming to be my district leader here this week!! Im stoked! The world better watch out when exchanges go down.

Its so interesting to me how many people say, “Oh, Im already Christian, thank you!” and shut the door! Soooo You believe in Christ and you dont wanna talk about him? Gotcha. Makes sense! haha They dont understand we are sharing this message WITH Christians, not just trying to help people believe in Christ…

To be a great missionary, one has to have a relationship with:
1. Our father in Heaven, Christ, & Spirit (duh)
2. Your companion (uh-huh)
3. Ward members (yep)
4. The asphalt (accept it.)

This week we had a older single sister in the ward sign up for dinner. Since we cant go to her home to eat, we decided to meet somewhere. Freebirds was chosen – which meant we were going to have to ride to the furthest part of our area. Texas decided to rain on us the whole way. We didnt mind, it felt good! Until we chose the “short-cut” which involved mud. Lots and lots of it. We got some mud streaks all the way up our backs and some on the face. On the way home, it poured. There was nothing but puddles to ride through, so we were soaked to the core! Eventually Elder Maun lost one of his pedals while riding! Poor guy. But he found a way to ride without it! We then entered a 1 lane street and Elder Maun hit a crack and super-manned over his bike and face-planted on the street! I had to ride over and yank his bike outta the street before the car came. He just rolled out onto the grass on the side.
Somehow he found the strength to ride to an investigators home who gave us a lift to our apartment. He just got some roadburn on his chin and spent some time fixing his pedal and rim. So there you go, he finally had a good relationship with #4, so he’s complete! hahaha

A Priest in the ward pointed out in Testimony meeting that its just “Children taste the mic day” hahah Totally true.

To bring it to a close, we’ve been tracting more, fixed a computer with a paperclip and some bubblegum, allergies killed me this week, I sawed a old whiteboard in half with a kitchen knife, Annndddd just kidding about the computer – we arent allowed to have gum (or else I would definitely go MacGyver status.) (Thats whats up).

Remember to do the basics everyday. Our missionary weekly memo says it all!

Well everyone, its been fun! Love yall to death!

Elder Householder

Howdy Howdy!

This week has been pretty fantastic!

We had an amazing Zone conference! It was all about working with members and the ward council more. Our ward council actually joined us for the last portion of the day. I recorded all of the speeches by our mission president.

How do you get toddlers to eat their food? Competition. Works for the male species every time. There are a many pictures of missionaries on the walls of restaurants (food competitions) to prove it. Believe it. Mothers will start inviting us to dinner to get their kids to eat. Whatever works, right? haha

We have a pretty solid new investigator named Harold! Missionaries have been trying to get into his home (PM family) for 6 months, and every time he makes an appointment, he makes an excuse when the night comes. But one night this week he finally let us in and we had a great Restoration lesson with him! You would not believe the power of the Spirit behind the recitation of the first vision! Every time.

Elder Maun is hilarious! He found a pipe and creates some sort of trumpet off of our top-story balcony to confuse the people on the ground. Maybe they think its time.

We’ve been helping Dona with saying the sacrament prayers! Hes pro! except he doesnt know how to pronounce the “R” sound, so its kinda funny! So glad we live so close!

Did I ever tell you about my pizza incident? Well, listen again. Our Zone Leaders asked if we wanted to go to TacoBell with them. We told them that a member was coming by and dropping us off a pizza. It on Elder Maun’s first day here, and once I had the pizza box in hand, turned to walk away, the wind picked up and blew the pizza box completely open (my hand was on the fold)! The member had just gotten in her car and was about to drive away, but totally saw our dinner fly away! We felt so bad – she offered us another pizza, but we told her its ok. “Ill just go make myself a sandwich..!” I said. We called up the Zoneleaders and told them we’ll join them for TacoBell. We texted her later and let her know that we recycled it the pizza! You can come to your own conclusions. She happens to be a seminary teacher so our experience became the funny for the next day.

We found some Jehovah’s Witnesses this week and we talked about differences in beliefs with them. It was interesting! I almost took my scriptures out, but I knew contention is devilish, so we just shoot hands and wished them luck!

I texted an investigator named Paul yesterday: “Hey Paul! Its been a while! Can we come see you sometime this week?” The response came back, “Sure. What day? I’ll have to check whats going on with the family.” Then I realized I texed the wrong Paul! It was sent to our Ward mission leaders phone! He was probably wondering 1st, “Why are they calling me by my first name?” and 2nd, “I talk with them every night, and just finished a correlation meeting with them…..” Hahah Im goin crazy.

This gospel is amazing! Everything just makes sense. The only thing holding you back from changing is YOU. Its so easy, just make the choice! Revenge will be turned to charity, sorrow turned to happiness, and life will be so much better.

I love you all!

Have the best week ever!

Elder Householder

Last Sunday there was a little girl (maybe 6) that gave me a folded paper during sacrament meeting. I unfolded it and in crayon it said, “Dear Missionary, I want to be a missionary when I grow up. I like when you come to my house, missionary. I like you missionary.” and I looked over at her and she was just smiling. hahah it cracked me up. This week that same girl was sitting on the back bench in the chapel and I was on the first row of the overflow. Out of my peripheral, I saw he popping up and looking at me, then popping back down. This happened most of sacrament meeting. I soon realized that she was drawing a picture of me. She stood up and held it high and proud for me (and everyone else) to see. Her mom pulled it down. She came and gave it to me afterward. I attached a picture of it below. Looking at how she drew me, I came to a couple of conclusions:

1. She was trying to make me trunky. (Wasn’t going to work. Take that.)
2. That would be what my face would look like if I was surrounded by kids (Somehow she knows about Pg. 35 in the handbook.)
3. She caught me squinting to see the hymn number on the wall in front. (I’m going blind.)
Either way, I look pained. Chillin’s are the best! Hilarious.

Holly’s baptism was like mine – freezing cold. Her husband baptized and confirmed her! The ward has surrounded her and blasted her with friendship. Yes, blasted.

I love being able to feel the spirit all the time – It is truly amazing! I have learned so much from the “Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith” That thing blows my mind and it just. makes. sense.

Well now Im just going on tangents, so Ill just leave you with an awesome quote from the book above:

“In February 1847, nearly three years after the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred, he appeared to President Brigham Young and gave him this message: “Tell the people to be humble and faithful and sure to keep the Spirit of the Lord and it will lead them right. Be careful and not turn away the small still voice; it will teach [you what] to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the kingdom. Tell the brethren to keep their hearts open to conviction so that when the Holy Ghost comes to them, their hearts will be ready to receive it. They can tell the Spirit of the Lord from all other spirits. It will whisper peace and joy to their souls, and it will take malice, hatred, envying, strife, and all evil from their hearts; and their whole desire will be to do good, bring forth righteousness, and build up the kingdom of God. Tell the brethren if they will follow the Spirit of the Lord they will go right.”

Follow the promptings. Anything you feel to do, that is good, its the spirit and you should just do it. Forget your apprehensions.

Love y’all to death! Have the best week ever!

Elder Householder

(Nathan just got a voice recorder in the mail from his Dad, so here are the first two audios he sent – a hello, and a birthday song for his Mom…)

Howdy y’all!

This week has been awesome!

Once we were on our way to an appointment when we saw Dona (Recent Convert from the Congo) teaching himself how to ride his bike (that we gave him) out in our parking lot. It was pretty funny. But we told him to come ride with us to our appointment and so he wobbled over! It was a constant stop the whole way, but we eventually made it. We met with Alex (The 450lb black guy) and he asked us about our friend. We said, “This is Dona! He got baptized a couple months ago.” and Alex said, “Oh, he goes to church with you?” “Yeah, he comes every week!” “Hmmmm”

We gave Alex a large print triple and were able to read it with him a bit because he didnt know what was in there. Alex tells us all the time, “When I get baptized, I know the Lord will use me in high places! Ill be in Utah before you know it!” hahah he’s naturally got a big head…hehe (see what I did there?). Alex has talked to missionaries about the desire to get baptized for years, but he keeps saying that it is his decision and nobody can force him. He just needs to say yes on his own. When we were to leave, Alex asked Dona to say the closing prayer, so he did…in French! After the prayer, Alex was wiping tears from his eyes. “Guys, I think I figured it out! I’m ready to be baptized!” In my mind I figured out that Alex didnt want to be the only black guy at church…once he knew that there is a couple that go each week, he was down to get baptized! haha, whatever works, right?

We taught Holly again for the last time and prepped her for her baptism!

I realized something this week…I must be a pro cooker….cause I caught the stove on fire simply by boiling water! I know, right. I was confused because it said nothing in the package directions about lighting a fire first….I guess they knew it would happen so they didnt add it. haha

Its been cool on the mission to really follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost! Yesterday we walked past a certain door and I had the smallest inkling that we should knock. So we did and this guy totally let us in! An hour later we had the feeling to try a potential investigator and developed a better relationship with them.

Simplice (Investigator from the Congo – barely any English) moved to some apartments down the street from us so it will be easier to catch him!

Well yall, Ill finish this email later! With MLK day tomorrow, everything will be closed, so we are using the clerks office.

In other words….

TO BE CONTINUED

Hey!

This week was a little crazy to start, but now its runnin’ smooooth.

When taking Elder Beard to the mission office to do an “Emergency Transfer,” to my surprise, President Ames pulled me into his office and he told me stories of a companion he had on his mission that were very similar to the ones Ive had the last couple weeks. He was able to relate! He told me that I was a dynamic missionary and that he’s not worried about me In the least. “You are getting a missionary that has been in the same area his whole mission. Keep being the obedient missionary you are, and lift him up as he tries to make this adjustment.” He is 1 of 4 Marshallese missionaries in the mission, Elder Maun. I love him to death. The APs took us on an all day trip to make the switch in Cleburne.

We have been meeting some great people! Tracting for the first time since my first area, and doing the work!

Elder Maun gave me a haircut this morning, look good? haha

Well yall, they are beckoning me thither. Im sorry its so short, I will answer any letter that comes my way that has questions ;]

Love all yall to death! Itll be longer next week!

Elder Householder