Some Funnies and a Baptism

Howdy Y’all!

So this week has been pretty cool, although every week is flying by like crazy! I’m half way through my second transfer…Whaaaa!

This week we were planning what to do at a certain time and I felt prompted to go see a certain recent convert that Id only seen once and that never comes up in our plans. So we headed over there and she wasn’t home, so naturally there was a reason we were on that street. I saw a guy taking out his trash and thought, “There he is!” So we gave him a card and he invited us back the next day. We went by and taught him. We were half way through the first lesson and sorta were on the subject of baptism he was very hesitant and made it clear he wasnt sure about baptism – then we taught about the restoration and then invited him to be baptized. He agreed to the 19th of July 🙂

Later that night, we went over to the Eldredge’s home for a BBQ (Yeah, cause that’s how Texans do dinner!) and a lesson with Brayden. But he couldn’t make it, so instead, we decided to have a testimony meeting because Katie is off to BYU soon and it seemed like a cool idea! So we went around and shared testimonies and before long, everyone was balling! Elder Austin shared that he came on a mission because back home he’d go out with the missionaries and they made an impact in his life, so he thought, “If I can help one kid want to go on a mission, it’ll all be worth it.” Then Sister Eldredge spoke and talked about how she used to do family history a lot and was worried about Bobby and his friends and the path he was going down, but she had a feeling saying, “If you take care of us, we’ll take care of Bobby.” So she continued family history and sent many names to the temple. Now, We take Bobby virtually everywhere with us! And Sis. E said that he has become a better person and said, “That is why you two are here on a mission. You were sent to take care of bobby.” It was an eye opener on how God works! It was amazing. There wasn’t a dry eye in the circle. Katie even said, “This was better than Girls Camp and EFY combined!” Loved it.

I went to a members home for dinner one night and they asked me how I wanted my steak. When I said, “Well done” He looked at me and said, “No you’re not! Might as well have a hamburger!” haha so he gave me a medium well done. That night we even jumped on someones trampoline! Apostate? Debatable. Haha. Its been a while since I did that.

We were in a members home sharing a message with them, and their kids were all over us. Lizzy (7) turns to Bobby and says, “You’re cute!” then Stephie (4-5) looks and me and copies her sister, “You’re cute!” then Nathan (2) is basically on my back and whispers in my ear, “YOU’RE CUTE!”  hahaha It was just so funny that they were all copying each other.

Saturday Shelby was baptized! It was cool because enough people came that we needed to meet in the chapel!

Sunday, I confirmed Shelby! It was another cool experience! Also, We’ve been trying to get an investigator (Claude) to come to church since I got here. Friday we got Brother Washington to come with us to Claude’ s home. Bro W. asked him to come to church and offered for a ride. Sunday morning Bro W. called Claude and asked if he needed a ride, but Claude said he’d drive. He didn’t come to sac. meeting so I was disappointed. but then we saw him in the foyer afterward! He came for Gospel Principles! And it so happened that last minute I was asked to teach the class. It was on Service so I just wung it! Cause I love service 🙂 and It went pretty well!

All in all, everything is going pretty dandy!

Love y’all! Thanks for the letters!

Elder Householder

[Insert Awesome Greeting]

[Note from Nathan’s Mom: I would have inserted an “awesome greeting” for the subject line, but I kind of liked his version 😉 Here’s his weekly email… ]
This week has had its ups and downs. But all the letters lift the spirits :]
We have an investigator who owns a slick all black Mercury Cougar! And he totally took us out on the road in it! Peeling out like crazy! The smell of burnin’ rubber! Elder Austin in convinced he’s buying it at it will be our mission vehicle – as we are like the only missionaries on bikes in Arlington. haha not true – there MIGHT be one other companionship.
We had interviews with Pres. Ames this week! Love it ’cause its one on one with President and answers virtually any question you have. You can feel love flowing from this guy. I don’t know what does, but I need to get me some of that! haha
Flora, Flora, Flora… So we went over to her place on thursday – hoping to convince her to come to church to get the greatest gift in the world! She knows her baptism isnt complete without the Spirit, but something is holding her back. She says its her leg infection, so we offered a blessing, and she accepted. Right after the prayer, she immediately said, “I have a confession to make…” And we were braced for it. She said someone close to her has wronged her and she felt hate for them. and she doesnt want to come to church when she feels hate. We were thinking, “Thats it?” We read her some scriptures on charity and lifted her spirits. We came back the next day to help her paint the inside of her house and she said her leg feels WAY better and she had lost her feeling of hate for this person! It was awesome! Then when we painted her wall, she came in and yelled at us, “DID I NOT TELL YOU TO USE THE OTHER BROWN?” It was a little scary…But she got us with the correct paint and started painting the wet wall!! it was mixing the colors and flinging paint around her whole house! but she didnt realize, so i took the paint roller and offered to do it, but instead waited for it to dry first haha. When we thought we were done, she kept giving us something new to do! We ended up virtually painting 3 walls and baseboards haha
As we were leaving, we asked her what we can do to get her to come to church and recieve the Holy Ghost. She FINALLY told us her underlining concern. Her mom (who is trying to get her to go back to a different church) pointed out somethings to Flora during her baptism that she took as offensive. Shes praying if she should come back. Shes really close. We’ll get her :]
We taught another one of Bobby’s friends this week! Brayden is a bright kid and was soaking it in. When I recounted the First Vision, he said the atmosphere in the room changed! He saw it! Baptism is on July 5th :]
Shelbys baptism is this weekend! She created a Facebook event for it and is getting lots of people to join!
I fell off my bike this week! Skinned my knee and part of my arm, but all I could do was laugh – It happens to all missionaries at one point :]
Elder Austin and I were walking out of our apartment complex and the electric gate was closing after a car left, so we were booking it to make it through! there was a little room left, Elder Austin stopped in front of the gate, then jumped through, making it harder for me to get through before it closed! so I jumped through but part of the gate caught my foot and I was stuck! Jerk! Hahaha
Yesterday was President’s Fireside and Pres. Ames spoke to us and it was for investigators. We got Shelby and Will to come! It was an amazing experience because some new converts spoke and hopefully the others in the room could relate and make that step!
Well that was a novel in itself!
Love y’all!
Elder Householder
P.S: I have a few friends that I still need to hear from – you know who you are!
2207 Cornerstone ln #1002
Arlington, Texas, 76013
Repent, and write me :] hahah

Pictures from a ward member

“hi leslie my name is sheri petersen. your son is in our ward. ive had the opportunity to go see a couple investigators with him and his companion. he is an awesome missionary and we just love him. i took these pictures at an investigators house this week and thought you might like them”
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Letter to President

I didn’t feel like this weeks email was that great, so I thought i’d share my email to president with y’all!

Hey President!

This week has been pretty great! A little more mellow than the last 2 (due to the quick baptisms we’ve had lately).

It’s frustrating when investigators sound so set on coming to church one week, but then just don’t come. They need to feel the spirit that is in the building! We had a lot say they were coming this week, and actually the least likely to come came. He very much enjoyed it! We plan to progress him toward baptism.

We’ve also found how frustrating it is that everyone we are in contact with HAS as cellphone, but they rarely answer, but when we are with them, they’re constantly on it.

These frustrating times have actually made me laugh! Because I’ve asked the Lord to help me change certain parts of my self and asked him to allow trials to come that will help me make those changes. So when I go through trials, I remember I asked for them and I see how its helping me change and it becomes way easier! I stumbled upon 2 Cor. 13:9 “For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.” I’ve found I’m becoming glad in the weak times because I know the refiners fire! I feel like I’m being refined. Elder Austin read 2 Cor. 12:9-10 in a lesson once:

“9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

And It hit me hard because I feel like these were the thoughts I’ve had and I didn’t know that there was a scripture that said it so perfectly!

I feel like I’m constantly hearing the words of Elder Bednar, “Get over yourself Elder! Who cares what YOU want! It’s not about YOU!” And it pushes me forward time and time again. I am here for my brothers and sisters, not for any personal gain.

I’m doing everything in my power to be Christlike, but I fall short so many times. I am motivated by Elder Groberg’s poem “The Race” when it says, “you haven’t lost at all, for all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.”

Thanks for everything you do for me President, I see your love and dedication and it really impacts me in my life and in the mission field.

Love,
Elder Householder

Missionary Work = Members

Hey Y’all!

This week has been pretty great! Ups and downs, but its all good in the end!

We tried to get Flora to her confirmation last week, but she was in too much pain with an infected leg. We tried to get her to come this week, but she had excuses….SHE NEEDS THE HOLY GHOST! Baptism is not complete without it. We’re making sure she gets it this coming Sunday.
On Friday we asked to borrow a lawnmower from the Eldredge
Family to mow a less active with his yard. When we went to get the lawn mower, they loaded it up into their car and drove us to the home, without us asking. Then whilst mowing their huge yard, Sis Eldredge drove back over and gave us Gatorades, then Bro Eldredge came to help us! It was way cool to have the members support us like that. Even afterward Bro. Eldredge took us out to dinner! His kids are jealous ’cause he doesnt do that for them haha. We’re basically part of the family! Love them to death.
Speaking of this family, we have been teaching 2 of their friends, and are starting to teach 2 more soon! These are golden, just because they came from the members and have seen that example from the youth. Its amazing. Btdubbs, Bobby Eldredge is the kid in the other blue tie with us. He got up in testimony meeting yesterday and said that he spends more time with the missionaries than he does his friends! haha He then saw a friend in the congregation discretely throwing up his hands like, “What the heck!” and he said, “Its true, sorry!” hahah
We had a lot of people say they were coming to church this week but didnt show. But we had someone show! He enjoyed it.

Elder Austin and I have been on “Top 8” for the last 3 weeks! (top 8 companions in the mission)
Love Y’all!

Ill think up some more crazy experiences for next time!

Pictures from the Eldredge family

Bobby Eldredge is the kid closest to me in each picture, Katie Eldredge is the one in white, and Shelby Dykes is the one in...blue? The picture was taken by a kid that is starting to take the lessons from us soon - Whoo!! "Your son is the best, we love him dearly! - The Eldredge's"
Bobby Eldredge is the kid closest to me in each picture, Katie Eldredge is the one in white, and Shelby Dykes is the one in…blue? The picture was taken by a kid that is starting to take the lessons from us soon – Whoo!!
“Your son is the best, we love him dearly! – The Eldredge’s”
"Elder Householder is an inspiration to me!" -Bobby Eldredge
“Elder Householder is an inspiration to me!” -Bobby Eldredge