Weekly Post - 12/27/2010

First off, I'd like to declare my manhood! Although, I have been a man for over 2 years now I declare my manhood- being TWENTY! So HA! No more of that nineTEEN garbage anymore! So take that and repent all you people!!

Anyways Merry Christmas everyone- it was a good Christmas for me. Elder Sonderegger and I did get presents, and a white Christmas and you didn't; so take that!

This last week was kinda difficult for the work since it was in fact the week of Christmas- we didn't get the opportunity to teach Miranda or the Brooks; but we did get our whole Zone to come sing Christmas Carols on the 23rd to the Brooks and left them a copy of Joy to the World! So that was cool I guess. We did finally get in contact with a investigator that was being taught but the past missionaries had a hard time with, and we taught him two times this last week. Once on my birthday and the other on Christmas Eve- so that was pretty cool. He's way dedicated to learning now, and really wants to make a change. And his mom is a member too- so that helps. We're excited for him.

Christmas was really nice- we spent Christmas eve, Christmas day, and the day after Christmas with a brother in our ward who is going through some really rough trials, and was alone for the day. So we hung out with him, and visited him- bless his heart; he's one of the most amazing men I've ever met, and I can't believe how rough he's getting it lately :P due to the privacy of his situation I will not tell his name or say what's going on. But we're helping out, and things are getting better :)

I bought a really cool action figure at a Goodwill just barely... it's like a swamp creature thing... and, yeah.

So when Elder Sonderegger and I were at a members home on Saturday the member asked us to find a Christmas movie to watch on TV- so we flipped through some channels when one movie caught our eye... it was probably the most amazing thing I've ever seen! Here's what happened:

The camera moves past the Christmas star and down into the North pole. Santa is obviously stressed out and the elves are not listening to him- suddenly they look and the Christmas star is flying at them. "take cover!" shouts Santa! Suddenly a group of men in black run out and start shooting at them "Protect Santa!" shouts Mrs. Clause and everyone runs to a closet and pulls out a bunch of guns and rockets and stuff! At this point Elder Sonderegger and I are dying of laughter- suddenly a guy in white snow gear [like in Inception] pulls up and takes of his mask "LEE MAJORS?!" everybody exclaims- Lee Majors and Santa talk about taking on the hoard on the NIGHT THE REIGNDEER DIED! Not a very good explanation of it, but there's a video of it I recorded; and it ended up being a Bill Murray movie so that explained it for me.

Ummm... Talking to the family was nice. I got super trunky or homesick after it, but then I went to Church the next day and I didn't miss them anymore. OH! We went to visit some members yesterday and randomly found out the sister's sister lives in my home Ward and I actually hometaught their family. so that was a little random.

Anyways, that's that.

Oh yeah, this last year we had a goal for the mission to get 350 baptisms for the year. We so far have 379. Just something cool for you to hear. And next year our goal is 500- so pray for us to get 500 baptisms.

Weekly Post - 12/20/2010

So I'm very saddened to hear the news of the burning down of the Provo Tabernacle. I literally burst into tears as I read an article my dad sent me, just remembering some of my greatest memories there. From The National Day of Prayer concerts, to the Masterworks Concert to Stake Conference that place was very dear to me- and now it's gone! I'll return to Provo, Utah in 21 months with no tabernacle! :( Things change fast- but alas, we hold our heads high, and move forward. My dad showed me a neat picture of the savior found in the Tabernacle. All the picture was charred black, except for the Savior- The Church is true.

 

So this last week was weird- last Sunday I mentioned how we didn't get to go to Church because of it beign cancelled due to weather conditions- well there definately is a difference in your week when you have not taken the Sacrament. Something I believe very strongly is about how if a missionary loses the spirit sometime in the week, then he has to wait until Sunday when he takes the Sacrament again to get it back- we must have that spirit to be with us always!

 

Monday we were on our way to meet with Jessica and Mark but she told us not to come over because she didn't feel like she should have us over that day, [remember she got anti'd the day before] so that  appointment fell through- and we scheduled a new one on friday. That monday by the way was the WORST P-Day ever! It was so boring, we didn't do anything fun! So this P-Day we're going to be sure to play some basketball or something.

 

I don't really remember anything else from this last week other than this exciting news:

 

WE HAVE SET A BAPTISMAL DATE FOR MIRANDA NUTTALL!

 

It's really exciting- the date is March 12th, and it's a date we are just shooting for her to be ready for. If she feels she can be baptize sooner she can be baptized sooner, if later then later. But for now that is the date! We're super excited, and she is really working hard with us! So yee haw! :) She's awesome, and willing to make a change, and she really wants to be a part of this- which is key because you must have the want to change if you are going to try to change.

 

So I had the opportunity to speak in Sacrament meeting this last Sunday. It was a really crappy talk- I didn't feel very organized, and I was super nervous because as soon as I stood up to speak I noticed Sister Jergensen in the congregation... so it made me super nervous that my Mission Mommy was there! But people said it was a good talk to close the meeting with [I was the concluding speaker], and that I really brought it home. So maybe it's all in my head and I really am that awesome? Be humble Elder.. I somehow ended up singing in the Ward choir before my talk too, which was awkward, and the two pieces the brother chose were terrible, and weird. "Candlelight Carol" and "Winds Thro' the Olive Trees" <=Ugliest Choir piece EVER! I had to take the lead as a tenor though because for some reason all the other tenors decided to follow ME of all people, who I might remind you hadn't rehearsed this song before... but to my surprise I SOMEHOW could read the music, and I followed it perfectly. That was quite the blessing, but the tenors still didn't follow me so it was bad. But that choir conductor just shouldn't be conducting... anyways!

 

...

 

OH! We had a Zone Conference! I forgot about that! Tuesday was Zone Conference! And it was amazing! How did I forget this?! Yeah, I was at my first ZC on Tuesday and it was really neat, they did show us one of those videos on youtube of the people singing that hallelujah chorus song- it was really cool. The APs gave a really cool lesson thing on being consecrated missionaries, and it pretty much made me feel like a really crappy missionary. I found I have A LOT to improve on, and that I am no where near consecrated, so I've been working really hard on that, and I will have you know I believe I am doing alot better! My teaching skills have improved too. So I really love my mission president, not only is President Jergensen to best mission president out, but he is so freaking uplifting! He gave the best lesson during this conference, the spirit was so strong! Love the guy. After that we went and decorated cookies and had a talent show. It was really cool. Then we did other stuff less cool, other than Sister Jergensen's awesome talk she gave! And the testimonies born by the departing missionaries going home in January.

 

Then Wednesday I went on exchanges with Elder Connell, who replaced Elder Price in the Des Moines 3rd Ward, and he is really freaking funny. He's currently waiting for a visa to go to his mission in Brazil Sao Paulo- but he's been out here for I think 5 months now so President Jergensen is considering trying to see if we can keep him- because it doesn't look like he's getting his visa soon. We did alot of cool stuff, like tracting and tracting. It was good stuff and cold.

 

Anyways I don't really have much more to add- oh yeah, Jessica and Mark dropped us. They want to stay friends, but they don't really want to hear the discussions anymore. It's really sad, but we had dinner with them on Friday and we're going to schedule another appointment soon, and we're gonna totally get them back. So keep them in your prayers, people!

 

Elder Prows out!

Weekly Post - 12/13/2010

Ok this last week was a bit crazy.

Monday we had P-Day as usual and we went to a shop called Big Bass Pro... that shop is like a big in-your-face-to-Cabela's! Holy cow! It's amazing! Here are some pictures I took of some of the displays from some hunts some people got that are put up there. All the hunts are native to Iowa and real animals that were donated, it's amazing! It just made me want to go hunting even more- some day I will go hunting and I will fulfill my dream!

So Monday we had the opportunity to go to that store, and go bowling in which I totally got owned with a score of 20 I think? I went half way through the game with a score of 0, it was not a good game for me. But after the half way point I started to make a comeback. We had dinner with the Nuttall's as well and it went super well! We got to know them and we were able to get to know them very well.

The next few days Elder Sonderegger and I got to hang with one of the Elders from the 3rd ward since his companion was at leadership training, so we did alot of work with him, and it was awesome. Elder Connell is his name.

So I had the opportunity to go with Elder Knapp [A Zone Leader from the Iowa City area] to teach a lesson to Jessica and Mark Brooks. And man, oh man. That lesson went so well! Jessica told us about how once she met Elder Sonderegger and I she went and prayed to know if she should let us come back, and it felt right! And then when we gave her a Book of Mormon she started reading it, and prayed about it and it felt right! GOLDEN! We were so happy, and they talked about how their life had been changing, and they just want to hear more. I couldn't be more happy about it...

Friday we went to service as usual only this time Elder Connell came with us, so it went by alot faster. It was pretty awesome.

Saturday was the first snow of the month! And boy was it crazy! A blizzard! I went tracting in a blizzard, and the snow that was in the air was pretty much hail, and the wind blew really freaking hard, so it HURT. That night we got a phone call from Brother Thomas who is the Brooks' fellowshipper, and he does a dang good job by the way. He told us that Jessica would be coming to church the next day!! We invited her and she turned it down because she teaches Catholic 6th grade sunday school every sunday at 6:30. But it just so happens it got cancelled! So she decided she'd come to our service before hers at 11! YEE HAW! Our service got cancelled... so she didn't get the opportunity to go. We were walking to her place, to visit and check up on her, but after walking a block in 5 degree weather with 10 degree wind chill that day and the humidity, it wasn't going to happen [do the math 5-10= -5 so we were walking in -5 degree weather]

We then had to go help a non-member move [planting seeds there] which we got done by the help of the Elders quorum in our ward, and we organized it in like 1 day so it was way short notice, but we got it done for her. After that we went to a members and had dinner- a really yummy pork roast! :] Later that night I was sitting on the floor playing with my foot when I saw Elder Sonderegger answer the phone. He looked excited, but then a look of shock came on his face. He left the room and talked on the phone for like 2 minutes and came back in. Jessica had gone to her mass that morning like she said she would, and turns out she talked to one of her priests about us- he told her not to have us comeback, and I guess she said it was her choice to have us come back or not- and she got Anti'd.

To Be Anti'd- when a person comes to another person who displays interest in our faith, and they tell that person as much negative stuff as they can about our church to get them to lose faith.

In this case he blew up, and told her we're racist, practice polygamy, and that we believe there is more than one God, and tons of other Anti... I am not a fan of that priest.

So in the long run, she probably doesn't want us coming back anymore. We have an appointment tonight with the Brooks, and we're ready to pretty much throw it down; when I say that I don't mean be hostile, or fight or rebuke anyone. But we are not going to lose her, we are going to invite the spirit, we are going to bear testimony to her, and we are going to clarify the church, and we will pray with her. We've worked super hard with her, and so we are not giving up- so pray for us!

I know not alot of people are reading this blog, but I ask to everyone who is reading this blog to please pray for Elder Sonderegger, myself, Elders Ball and Connell [who will attend the lesson with us] and the Brooks.

This is a crucial lesson for us! So help us not lose them!

Weekly Post - 12/6/2010

Ok so first I'd like to clarify something- I've been getting alot of reports from people that apparently I'm really depressed or something out here. That's not the case though; yes, I have an occasional time where it is a little more challenging. But my mission is going very well. I am very pleased with the success that Elder Sonderegger and I are having, and I am definately having the time of my life.

There was one bad thing this week, but it's all good and it happens- Fred and Katie dropped us. We were really upset about it because they seemed very promising; but they said they were not feeling ready to investigate further. They just aren't really feeling like searching for anything; so they asked we cease the visits and when they feel ready they will give us a call. Bummer? Yes. But life moves on, we have other people to teach; so let's hold our heads high, pray and move with the spirit.

The Brooks [Jessica and Mark] are going wonderfully- we invited them to the ward Christmas Party this last Saturday- but Jessica and their daughter Chloe got really sick. So Mark went over to the Thomas' home and told Brother Thomas they couldn't be there. Brother Thomas said they were really genuinely disappointed; we went and visited them on Sunday and they said they were super disappointed they couldn't go and Chloe was crying alot about it, because she really wanted to go. The Thomas' are awesome, because they are really fellowshipping the Brooks Family alot, and it says alot about what is going on between them if Mark is feeling comfortable enough to go to the Thomas' and tell them they can't go- he trusts them. I'm super excited about this family; they are really receptive and they feel the spirit. Mark is really quiet about it, but I can see it in his eyes- he feels something, he just doesn't realize what it is [That gives us something to work with there!]. We are meeting with the Brooks this Wednesday and we will bring a different brother who has a 6 year old daughter [Chloe is 7 ;) ]. His name is Brother Uzel; and he's been a convert for a little over a year now- he has a very firm testimony in this church, and he is actually super active- he's the Boy Scout Master actually. So we're hoping he can help out with them alot, and just fellowship them. Also Sister Thomas invited Jessica to the Relief Society Christmas Party tomorrow, so we'll see how that goes down!

We're meeting today with Miranda Nuttall- she's an investigator the APs found randomly who was delivering a pizza to them. She was commited to EVERYTHING and even had a baptismal date! the only problem was the Law of Chastity... she was living with her Boyfriend Jon Nuttall [A less-active]. And they couldn't afford to split up [moneywise] so they got married! But the process of her getting married to Jon put off her baptism, and lessons. (She used wedding prep as an excuse of being too busy) but now that she's married and everything she wants to meet with us and get this whole baptism thing going again! Only thing is we know she is not keeping the Word of Wisdom-[we saw an ashtray full of cigarrette butts on her table the other day.] And so we're just going to work from it all through again with her. Make sure she is really prepared! So we're way excited about her.

Other than those two investigator groups we don't have much other investigators. But you know what? The Brooks are going so well I'm ok with it; I do want to find other people, yes, that's why we keep looking. We want to find as many people as we can. But if we don't find anyone, hey we have the Brooks! SO HA!

Weekly Post - 12/1/2010

Monday was not P-Day :P BUT! It was my 2 Month Click Day! I'm 2/24 of the way done! CRAZY!

So I have a funny story:

Last monday right after I had finished writing emails we went and played ultimate frisbee in a church. Elder Price made a really epic pass at me and I dove for the frisbee, nicked my face on the wall! I got a killer rug burn from that carpet stuff that they put on the walls in the gyms. It's all healed now, I only have like a little bit of red on my cheek- but the scabbing is gone and everything. It was a manly wound, and super awesome. I'll send pictures later.

OH MY GOSH!!! That same day I saw the coolest thing EVER!! I always wanted to see this, but Iowa has graced me with a once in a lifetime experience! So Elder Heywood, Elder Bird, Elder Sonderegger and I are driving home from the Mission office, and we're stuck in traffic, headed west. For some reason it was really busy, but anyways, we look to our right and running back and forth in a park next to us is this big buck! It was so cool- Elder Heywood says: "watch this he's totally gonna get nailed!" We see the buck dart across the street missed barely by two cars, and as soon as it enters the street heading east it gets NAILED; literally flies like 7-8 feet in the air, does like a 720 degree spin and lands on the sidewalk. It's antlers flew off when it hit the car, and it's legs had to have been broken because it couldn't get up. But it was so COOL! We could not stop laughing because it was so exciting, it was loud too! We could hear the CRASH from inside the van, while listening to the Home Alone Soundtrack and the windows up! It was loud! It was so cool, totally made my week. I wish I recorded it, because it would've been awesome to send home.

So Tuesday of last week, Elder Sonderegger and I got into this bash with some mega catholic guy. He was crazy. He instantly started bashing us and quizing us on the bible and testing our knowledge of Jesus. It was so funny, cause he was surprised to see how much we knew. And we had good argument too. At one point he started asking us about polygamy, and the Churches breakoff that practices polygamy, and we told him we didn't know much about them because they aren't our church and he flipped yelling "Well you should know! You should know about your churches breakoffs!" So I said- "Do you know about the over 1000 breakoffs from the Catholic church?" and he said "No, they're not the catholic church. Why would I learn about a church that's not my church?" So wait! Didn't he just contradict his own question?! Moron. Then he started asking dumb questions like when was Joseph Smith born? December 23, 1805. Where were his parents from? We said we don't know and he flipped- "Well you should know! you need to know your churches roots!" So let me point this out, what does where Joseph Smiths parents birth dates and birth places have to do with our churches Doctrine and message? We're not giving a history lesson, we're teaching about the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that there is a living Prophet today who hold the authority to speak to us for God, and warn us of things to come- like Noah! The guy was so closed minded- he invited us to a Mass and we gladly accepted. We will be attending a Catholic Mass this Saturday (I'm so excited!) But when we invited him to our church, and to read the Book of Mormon he insulted us and stuff. In the end we found out there was a seed burnt there long ago, by a member who was an idiot and made the guy angry. So the guy has this perspective about Mormons now that we're a secretive group who believes we are all perfect. It was dumb, but there wasn't anything we could do to restore his interest- he already had made his choice, and has his views on the church now.

Wednesday... I don't remember what we did wednesday. Oh boring weekly planning and I made a hat.

Thursday we had Thanksgiving and it was awesome! I wasn't homesick at all! [really I wasn't, is that healthy?] we watched football, and visited members. It was awesome. And then at the Mission Home we had pie, it was very cold. 21 degrees outside, and we had to bike!

Friday was a good day. We went on exchanges with the Des Moines 3rd ward. I went with Elder Phillip Ball and Elder Sonderegger went with Elder Alexander Price. It was really fun, Elder Ball and I had a good time, really got to know each other and met some really good people. We didn't however get to teach a lesson because all of them fell through :(

Saturday was District Meeting. I ended up somehow singing a solo of Away in a Manger with Elder Wengert [Ween-gurt] accompanying me. It was bad- really bad- if only I could sing :P We had alot of fun though, and we did this activity involving roleplaying following up on commitments and shooting basketball hoops. Then we ate at Buffalo Wild Wings for District Lunch which involved transfer calls- sadly Elder Lewis and Elder Price are being transferred away from us :/ hopefully we'll get two cool new guys. Elder Sonderegger got released from being District Leader too, so he can focus on training me and he couldn't be any more happy. Elder Ball is his replacement. Elder Wengert is being transferred too, and Elder Jennings is going home because he's done with his mission [Jennings and Wengert are our Zone Leaders]

Sunday was your typical Sunday- short and sweet.

Monday- not P-Day. I was not happy with Monday not being P-Day. BUT! Some members had us over for dinner, and they also invited to their family home evening with us a family that investigating with us! It was so neat, and I was happy to see members getting involved. I'm excited about Jessica and Mark because they really seem to be growing- I still don't think it's clicking to Jessica that we're saying this is the only true church though, and that Catholic isn't.

Tuesday- We finally got ahold of an investigator being taught by the last missionaries, who was put on hold because she was getting married. [so she can get baptized, Law of Chastity] And we set up a time so we can meet with her. We're going to start teaching her again, and we're so gonna get her baptized! I'm excited!

Today is Wednesday. And it's P-Day, we just went to the new Goodwill in Waukee [for those of you who don't know what that is it's like the D.I. or Savers] and I got some awesome ties. I'm stoked about it! Now I'm typing this blog post.

In the long run, this last week was interesting- for some reason I just became really bold out of nowhere and I was able to just talk to people. But these past 2 days I've been less bold. I don't know what it was, but I felt super intimidated around people. I'll figure it out- James 1:5 right?

Anyways I'm rambling! I hope you all have a great week! Stay safe! Hope to hear from you!

Love,

Elder Prows

Weekly Post - 11/22/2010

The Lord continues to bless us with weather that does not involve snow, but it is still cold regardless [stupid wind]. Supposedly this Wednesday it will snow though.

I can't believe that this transfer is almost over, and that I've been in the field for a month! CRAZY! I looked in my journal this morning and I've been in the field for 55 days- that's epic. It doesn't seem like I've been out that long- which is weird.

So we didn't really teach any lessons this week- we watched the video 'Finding Faith in Christ' with Jessica and Mark, and I have to say to you all that you really should watch that movie. It's really really good and powerful! But other than that we didn't teach them anything, and Fred and Katie are out of town so we won't be able to see them again until the end of the holidays; which means we will be lessonless-ish for a while. But that's ok, 'tis the season to be jolly! Now that people are going to be home alot less we get to do some creative stuff! Such as go to the mall and walk around and talk to the till manager people- great ITL experiences- or we can just do some good ole tracting in the bitter cold?

I'm not really sure what to say about this week- it was pretty interesting.

Oh! Elder Sonderegger and I got to excercise our priesthood authority several times this last week and give lots of blessings. It was really cool, the first blessing we gave I knew I was going to be the voice. I just knew- the brother couldn't decide who he wanted to voice, and he flipped a coin. Elder Sonderegger was Heads, I was tails- guess what it was? Tails! So I got to voice a blessing, and it was a really neat experience. We rarely give blessings, so that was a really cool experience. But the next day a dad asked us to give a blessing to his son, because his son was having a hard time in school- and E.S. voices that one. And then we were asked to join in a blessing on a sister who was having some trials yesterday. So it was a neat experience to do that :)

We had stake conference yesterday- oh and I have to say- WORST STAKE CHOIR EVER. It was bad, it was just bad. Like you could feel the spirit. But it was bad- the look on the people on the stands faces was great. Pres. Jergensen, and Sis. Jergensen spoke though, and they gave some really amazing talks. I'm super fortunate to have them as my Mission Presidency! I can't really share insight from it because I forgot my study journal at the apartment, but basically what it said was A) Everyone should study Preach My Gospel along with their scriptures B) Boys should begin practicing using Preach My Gospel NOW! Really good talks, I learned alot from them.

Saturday we did a service activity. It was the worst activity ever. We went to the Iowa Games- or in other words keeping score for a basketball tournament for kids from the grades of 2nd-7th I think. It was 13 hours long. I got up at 5 in the morning, showered and got ready for the day, drove at 6 from Des Moines to Ames, and at 7 I began watching 3rd graders chase a ball for 13 hours and keep score... it was DREADFUL! I was excited for the first 30 minutes, but then I realized "Oh, wait... I get to do this for another 12 hours." Yeah, it was pretty bad- and you add the parents yelling at you for "getting the score wrong a.k.a. not letting their kid win" and the kids not really playing basketball, and the lack of food, and the need to use the facilities every 15 minutes it was bad. And when we had the chance to go to the bathroom we only had 2 minutes to go! 2 MINUTES!!! 35 minutes of watching garbage, and 2 minutes to myself?! BAH!!! Anyways in the end we played basketball in our pross [church clothes] and ate cheap mexican food. It was a rough day. We barely managed to get to bed at 10:30- I think I went to bed at 10:34 actually. I'm such an apostate! :(

Anyways that's all that was really worth writing about this last week, because I can't really remember much other than me crocheteing a hat, and going on exchanges. OH! Exchanges are so fun, but the only part I hate about them are the part where you meet people you really grow to like, but you never see them again. It's sad. But oh well. BTW, Thursday night was the hardest day eating-wise EVER:
So we have our District Meeting as usual on thursdays, and then we go to district lunch- I had an AMAZING pulled pork sandwich, and then we got for dessert a huge hot fudge sundae. It was really good. Then E. Lewis and I go to dinner, and we have pulled pork sandwiches [the irony], only they were more spicy this time. After Dinner we had Brownies and ice cream, which was delicious, but by the time I finished it I was STUFFED. Then we went to a members home to teach some investigators, and they go "guess what we got?! Homemade brownies and homemade ice cream!!" I was about to cry. It's so hard when a member says "We won't be offended if you don't want any..." *STARE*. They literally stared at me til my bowl was clean. It was the most difficult night ever, thank goodness the next day Elder Lewis and I lacked a car, so we had to bike for 3 hours- it was great! I love biking now, it's really fun.

anyways just some fun stories for you all. Just remember everyone that if you feed a missionary dessert, remember to tell them so they save room for it.

TTFN!

Elder Prows

Weekly Post - 11-15-2010

Ok first let's start this post off right.

 

November 14, 2010 was:

MY 47th DAY AS A MISSIONARY!!!

 

Now, to the point. This last week was a little crazy.

 

Monday:

 That was our P-day and we got to move in with the AP's because the Stahle's needed us to move out, due to personal reasons. Typical P-day. BUT! We got to teach Fred and Katie who are two of our investigators who are pretty solid. They want to read the Book of Mormon so we left a copy with them and they are going to read it- but in fact they even asked for a second copy so they can both read their own individual book!!! SWEET! We're meeting with them again today, and I'm super excited, because I think they're pretty solid. Looking forward to this! :) now we get to teach the Plan of Salvation.

 

Tuesday:

We got to teach Jessica and Mark- who are two of our other investigators. Their an odd couple, because he's not religious at all, and she's mega Roman Catholic! They're going super well as well, the only problem I see is I do not think she is recognizing the fact we are saying that our church is THE true church, not another true church, and that the Catholic church is false. But she's getting along with us, that's just what we need to get her to recognize really is that her church is not true, and ours is- and that's what we're telling her.

 

Wednesday:

Ah, this day we got to meet with Aaron again. I think I mentioned him in my last blog post. He's from Cameroon, Africa. And he is not going well- and the reason why is because we go to meet with him and teach him; but he does not recognize us as the teachers. He sees it as we are there just to talk Jesus, and give all glory to God with him- but that's not the case. In a sense we are there to talk to him about Jesus, yes, our purpose is the Invite others to COME UINTO CHRIST by helping them to recieve the restored Gospel through FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST AND HIS ATONEMENT, repentance, baptism, recieving the gift of the holy ghost and enduring to the end. He sees it as that he has the Gospel, and he has all the faith he needs in Christ, so he's saved. This particular day we tried to get him to commit to reading the Book of Mormon and he refused- because he has a Bible. 2 Nephi 29 anyone? But in the end we couldn't get him to commit, which was annoying- but it's his loss right?

We also worked with a Less-Active member who wants to be active again named Mary Lilley- and we taught her the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It went super well, and I think she's gonna be fine. She just needs lots of support, and fellowshipping from the ward. Because she's been coming to church and everything! Her first day back three weeks ago, the first thing she did was pay tithing. AMAZING woman.

 

Thursday:

This day we got to go on exchanges. I went with Elder Loveland of the Waukee ward, and it was pretty awesome. We went and ate dinner with a Recent Convert named Sandra Glazebrook. She made us some good food, and we played Go Fish as a group with he daughter. It was fun, but the best part was when we taught her a lesson. We read to her Alma 50:1-5 and we talked about building walls in our home that will protect us from evil influences, and will strengthen our faith. It was pretty awesome; though I can tell she is struggling with something. I'm not sure what it is, but her faith is definately being tested- so I got the opportunity to bear my testimony to her that I know as she prays and reads from the Book of Mormon, and she heads the words of our modern day prophet, and his apostles she can build those walls and have without a doubt peace and joy in her home.

 

Friday:

This day was very very very rainy. It was pouring all day, and it was very cold outside. We got to go and teach Jessica again, and it went awesome. We bring members with us alot, because we're trying to get the ward involved in the missionary work. The couple that came with us helped alot. Jessica and Mark are both doing very well, and I think they're recognizing the difference our Church has from others:

1. The Book of Mormon and it's authenticity.

2. The authority we hold as ministers of Christ.

3. The spirit.

We then got to bike home from the Church where our bikes were, and we got home soaked to the bone. We literally had water dripping everywhere when we walked in the house. I think I actually had it coming out of my ears at one point.

 

Saturday:

We taught two lessons this day. One to Jesse Cottrill whose mom is a member and she wants him to give the church a chance. He stopped talking to the missionaries cause he got "busy". We met with him and found out there were alot of misunderstandings with the last missionaries regarding doctrine- such as you have to KNOW all of the doctrine before you get baptized, which is not true so we had to clear that up.

We then went with Brother Ken Seibert to meet with Aaron- and man, that guy is frustrating. I don't know what we're going to do with him. I think we need to drop him, because he isn't going to listen. He sees us as we're there to be taught by him; so he's not recognizing us as ministers to him, and that we are the teachers! So that was frustrating. I also came to find this day that he has some VERY obscure views on things. We taught him the plan of salvation, and he didn't get it. In the Terrestrial kingdom those who live righteous lives, but did not accept the gospel will dwell- but here is the issue, he doesn't believe that people who do not believe in Christ can do good. Because he believes all good comes from Christ- which technically is true, but, that does not eliminate the agency of a person to make a right choice. And that is not what he understands, in the end I came to find that he is actually really ignorant. And that in order for us to teach him, he needs to be humble, and teachable and willing to listen. He doesn't understand what we teach him, because he doesn't listen to what we teach him. It's not discouraging for me to see this, yes, it is frustrating. But as I said before- you gotta just walk out with your head held high and say, "well that's too bad for him." Because he doesn't know how little he knows, and how little he is going to obtain. I had to pull us out because the lesson was not going in a good direction, and I was losing the spirit- so I didn't see any point in trying to teach him at that time; because as the scriptures say-if you don't have the spirit, you can't teach.

 

Sunday:

It was sunday and we didn't do much other than church, dinner and study. It was really relaxing actually. We have this Book of Mormon class with Bro. Seibert that is way awesome, we just sit for an hour and read the Book of Mormon together and talk about it. Yesterday we read out of Mosiah 2-5, the address of King Benjamin; which is awesome. You know, I sit there and read things like Abinadi or King Benjamin or Samuel the Lamanite and I just wonder how people can read something so profound and powerful as that, and still think that this book is man made. There is no way some one like Joseph Smith who was uneducated could make it up. Just flat out impossible.

 

So it was a pretty long week, but pretty good. I'm glad we're getting the car back because it's really cold outside. Lots of good lessons taught. I'm glad I'm finally getting to teach people lessons, and to work with real investigators. It started out slow, but we're finally progressing. So I'm excited.

 

Hope all is well with all of you, and I hope to hear from you soon!

 

Love you all!

 

Elder Prows

Weekly Post - 11-8-2010

So this week was definately alot harder.

 

Elder Sonderegger and I have been working SUPER HARD- and sometimes it feels like we recieve no success- and that's really hard for us, because we try so hard. We really try hard, we pray often, we seek diligently to serve. But yet we don't have ANYONE to teach really- we get lots of people who say we can try back with them- but we always come back and they reject us- or the appointment falls through. So this first part of the week was very hard for us, because we had some very difficult people we met- one man believed Jesus Christ was a good person, just not the Son of God. And he refuses to believe in J Dubs because the are very anti-gay and anti-feminism. And he has a hard time with us cause we don't support homosexuality either.

 

BUT we are not anti-gay; always remember that everyone. Though we do not endorse homosexuality, the church will NEVER excommunicate a person if they are gay. Elder Holland said in a talk- "you may have the thoughts and the temptations, but it is you who gets to decide whether to act upon them." The Church will however help you to understand the importance of marriage between a Man and a Woman- and how homosexuality is not ordained of God.

 

You hate the SIN not the SINNER.

 

The man did not understand that marriage between a man and a WOMAN is ordained of God; not marriage between a man and a man, not marriage between a woman and a woman, not marriage between a man and women (polygamy). I was reading yesterday from the Proclamation to the World- and it stood out to me about how much God believes in marriage, and he sustains it! A huge thing that stood out to me as I was thinking about this as well was the fact about how messed up society is. The man asked me "Where in the bible does it say do not be gay?!" I instantly opened up my Bible and showed him Leviticus 18:22- which clearly states 'Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.' [don't I rock for knowing about that scripture?] His instant reply was "Leviticus also teaches that we should not eat pork! And do we obey that?! NO!"

And here is what I have to say to that, even if it says that in the Bible and we don't obey it, it is still a SIN! You sin when you go against God's commandments! How more plain do you want it?! Even if Gay Marriage is legallized it is still a sin, God is unchanging- He will not change according to a public vote, if He did, then He is not God. God makes His laws because He knows what is best for us. Yes the church practiced polygamy, because the Lord commanded it for us; just as He did with King David, because our men were fighting to our families alive, and being killed off! Women had no husbands so there were no children being born into the Gospel! And when polygamy started to tear the Church apart, and men started to use it for wicked deeds, that's when the Lord pulls it from the Earth. How more plain and simple can that be? The Lord will never ordain homosexuality.

 

Anyways, that guy and several other people frustrated us, and because we were frustrated we did not have the spirit. And when we did not have the spirit we could not teach- D&C 42:14 'And the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith; and if ye recieve not the Spirit ye shall not teach.' This was so frustrating, so when we went home for lunch I sat on my bed in absolute distress. I was reminded of a story one of my MTC teachers- Brother Farley- told to us, where he was in a similar state, and he prayed to the Lord asking "Why is it so hard?" and he recieved the answer instantly- "It's not about you!" this begged me the question though, why is it so hard for me right now? I'm being as faithful as I can as far as I know, so why is it so hard for me? Why are all the disobedient missionaries seeing success, and yet I'm not meeting anyone? I prayed to ask the Lord this, and instantly as I ended my prayer I recieved my answer- a single line from Ether 12:6 'Ye recieve no witness until after the trial of your faith.'

 

Isn't it great to know the Lord really does speak to us? I sat there on my bed in total distress- I have not been faithful. I've been prideful, I've been arrogant- I need to be humble, and charitable. I did not understand that- I did not realize how I had murmured, and how distressed I was that the Lord had not handed the success to me.

Remember; I'm teaching people, not objects. They have their views, and while it doesn't make sense when you invite the spirit and they still say no to you, they have their agency; so let it go, they'll learn someday- be it in this life or the next.

 

Later in the week as Elder Sonderegger and I began to prayed for Charity, and Humility and we sought to just show our love for the Gospel and less just teach a lesson- we started meeting people. On wednesday while I was on exchanges with Elder Jennings I got 4 Potential Investigators, all inviting us back to teach them again. I also met with a potential investigator who E. Sonderegger and I tracted into, and he was not home for our appointment and he said he felt bad he missed us cause he went to vote. And we scheduled a new appointment, and will meet with him and his girlfriend today; and they are very excited to learn about the Church. Elder Sonderegger and I also tracted into a man who we met with for 15 minutes, scheduled another appointment, met with him yesterday and we will meet with him again on wednesday. You demonstrate true faith, and you follow the spirit, and you will see success. D&C 82:10- 'When ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.'- the Lord will not give us success if we murmur and whine and complain about people, or anything; we must be humble and charitable. The spirit will not dwell where there is pride.

 

As we followed the commandments, and were led by the spirit we also met some less-active members the ward had been trying to track down for a long time! We're planning on working with them.

 

As I coninue to serve the Lord I see how important obedience is- it's simple in the Children's Hymn 'Keep the commandments, keep the commandments; in this there is safety, in this there is peace.' You keep the commandments and diligently obey, and the Lord will bless you. As Joseph Smith said- "If the Lord commands it- DO IT!" If you do this then you will be protected, and you will see health, and strength.

 

I know that this church is true, I know that Joseph Smith is a Prophet and that Thomas S. Monson is our Prophet, Seer and Revelator today. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, along with the bible and that the two compliment each other- "for God so loved the world He sent His only begotten Son." Yes, He so loved the WORLD not Jerusalem. So it makes sense there is a book which takes place in the America's. I know it's true, I've read it several times, I've prayed about it, and the Spirit has born witness to me of the truth and the divinity of the Book of Mormon and the Bible.

 

Jesus is the Christ- always remember that.- The church can be summed up in  4 words as Elder Nelson said- "We Believe In Christ". This past  week I have reflected alot on the atonement, and how I am blessed to know of it. It is so difficult for me to comprehend the love He has for me, and for you. He loves us so much He bled for, and died for us- even when he fell, on His knees, pleading! to the Father that this cup would pass from Him, if we would just believe in Him, and if we would just repent. "Nevertheless, Lord, not my will, but thine be done." And yet He pursued, and He conquered death for us- and because of Him we can return to be with our Father in Heaven and Him again. And I cannot wait for that day, I cannot wait to feel the prints in His hands, and in His feet. And to wash His feet with my tears, and to embrace Him, and to say 'thank you, thank you for being my Savior- and for suffering for me." I often thing we take it too lightly that even when we sin, we harm our Savior- but not only did He suffer for that, but He suffered for our pains and our sorrows as well. Through Him are we saved, and are we able to be truely whole- I know this to be true, I bear witness of it, that only through Christ can we achieve true happiness- He is the Christ. I love Him, I bear witness of Him.

 

In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord, my Savior-

 

Amen

Weekly Post - 11-1-2010

Words of advice for the week.

Never bike uphill, while huge gusts of wind are blowing at you and it is 40 degrees outside. It's not fun.

So I realized this last week this thing- I did not know cold until I came to Iowa. And that is really sad, because it's is going to get ALOT colder here! This last week we had our bikes, because we had to trade off the car, and we had it last week. I realized I'm out of shape, and that biking is very hard- especially in Iowa since there are alot of hills in Des Moines and we bike up them (It's a killer workout, I've lost ALOT of weight [I came to Des Moines weighing 178- I now weigh 158- and the best part is I can eat alot and not gain weight). But the temperature out side the first day biking was about 55 degrees- and it just got colder and colder down to below 40, and you add the humidity and the wind to the equation and it is FREEZING! We're already wearing our thermals, and stuff!

I taught my first lesson to an actual investigator on saturday! It was legit! Her name is Kim Kroll Ballinger and she found the church when she went to Salt Lake to pick up a car she wanted and she thought she'd watch Joseph Smith: A Prophet of the Restoration! So she's been reading the Book of Mormon and now is meeting with us. She's so ready by the way- it's awesome. She has so obscure beliefs though-ish. Like she partially believes in reincarnation, but yet she believes in the Atonement whole-heartedly. Which is weird cause reincarnation COMPLETELY throws out the purpose of the Atonement (I've done my research) and is completely false doctrine. You do meet interesting people on your mission. But we answered some good questions- she went on some anti-Mormon website that compares us to other Christians; and some of the things it said made me laugh inside (not outside, I held it in.)

1. Mormons believe the Book of Mormon is better than the Bible and the Bible is less important than their forms of scripture???
-This one made me laugh because it was easy to answer. Brother Crewdson who is a convert, return missionary, and ward missionary in the Des Moines 2nd- who accompanied us- just held up his quad and said "this is my Book of Mormon and my bible. They are together in the same set, and that's what we believe- they go hand in hand and work together." We then showed her the footnotes in our scriptures and how they refer to each other and work in unison. That we believe that the Bible and Book of Mormon work together, and equally, and in unison testify of the same Jesus Christ and that He is our Savior.

2. Mormons believe that they will be Gods?
-This one was a little harder to answer. Because we do but we don't. I explained it that we do not believe we will be greater than God, or we will become God; but we will become in a God-like state, where we will be held in glory and I guess you could say fame-ish. Like we will recieve special recognition.

3. Mormons believe Satan and Jesus Christ are brothers, and therefore equal???
-This one made me laugh. It's simple- no we do not believe that. We do believe that we are spiritual brothers with Satan, and Jesus Christ. But we are not equal in that matter; Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer to us, Satan is the tempter and devil. How can those two be equal? The Savior recieves eternal glory, and we follow Him- we despise Lucifer who is a fallen being, and is so evil he never will have a body. It's that simple- Jesus Christ= Awesome Satan= big fat doo doo head who we do not like.

There were other awesome questions that made me laugh, and others really made me think. But in the end it just strengthened my testimony- cause you see how they're lost and what they say makes not much sense! And they don't have the spirit.

We also talked for like 2 hours with this pastor we tracted into- he was super hostile at first. Like instantly started Anti'ing us- "Did you know the Book of Mormon contradicts the Bible?!" "Did you know that Doctrine and Covenants teaches that if you are not a polygamist you're going to hell?!" it took us off guard he knew about D&C, but he was wrong! We instantly jumped up and stumped the guy (we bore our testimonies, and corrected the doctrine by showing it to him), and he ended up being really cool. But he turned out to be a pastor! And we figure he knows about D&C and BofM because he teaches Anti-Mormon stuff. He said he was shocked at our humility, and kindness though and how we talked to him rather than jump to defence and be like "NUH UH"! Instead we just were like, where does it say that? Did you read the whole thing, cause you might have taken it out of context, buddy. In the end we exchanged cards, and he says he'll come to our church, and we're going to go to his [We told him we'll take his card and go to his church, because it would be hypocritical of us to teach the Gospel and not learn of others- and Christ hates hypocrites. Besides, we all know how it'll end up anyways ;) ]
So we're going to go to his church sometime and then he'll go to ours and we'll see what's up- Elder Sonderegger and I were laughing about it, what if we converted him?! What would his congregation think?!

Anyways, we are also working with a less-active sister, who has been inactive for 6 years, and she wants to reactivate. Pretty awesome, no? Mary Lilley is her name and she has a strong spirit about her- I'm excited for her. And she was at church yesterday too! EXCITING!

My mission is going awesome, and I am loving it! there's the occasional pothole in the road that will maybe stump you for a second- but it doesn't matter. I know what is right, and I'm proud of it. I'm glad I'm here- and I'm loving it. Each day I lay down in bed I think- 'don't blink, Elder; don't blink.' Every time I go to sleep it's as if I shut my eyes, open them and it's 6 AM. Which means another day has passed, and I'm one day closer to leaving my beloved mission. Which I hate the thought of- shoot, I'm feeling like I'm gonna cry thinking about it now- I don't want to leave. I love this too much. We talked to person on the street the other day and they asked us what we do when we get back and it hit me- we press forward, and live a normal life again. But what is normal? What did I do before I came here? I don't remember home! I can't see the faces of people I left home- I can't remember the tunes to songs I loved back home, I don't remember my favorite movie quotes, I don't remember Topher Prows. I'm Elder Prows! I want to stay Elder Prows, and just teach people, and progress more! I hear it hurts- when you remove your nametag that one last time. I'm already dreading it; and I don't know how they'll get me on that airplane home. They'll have to sedate me or something.

Missions are the best.

Elder Prows- out

First Post from the Field - 2010-10-25

Well I am in Des Moines, Iowa now. It's an amazing place and I really love it- the people in my area are so great.

 

I am in the Des Moines 2nd Wards area, so I'm in West Des Moines and it is awesome. The people are super nice, and I haven't had really any bad experiences!

  So here's how it's been-

 

Wednesday morning my MTC district and I woke up at about 5:00 AM to head to the airport. We showered, packed what we needed to pack last, cleaned the dorm and boarded the buses. We then drove from the MTC to the airport which didn't take that long actually- we talked alot so time flew. We arrived at the airport at about 6:30 and checked in, went through security and baggage check and all that stuff- and we finally were just waiting to board. I got the opportunity to call my dad, and home to talk for a bit and let him know how I was doing- my family was already off at work and school and stuff so it was too late. I did get to speak to my sister Jackie however, which was great!

 

We boarded at 8 AM our plane and flew to Minneapolis, Minnesota- we arrived at about 12 PM Central Time. By the way, the guy next to me was a jerk. After we arrived we had hardly anytime to do anything so it was either call my dad and let him know I was ok, and about to fly to Des Moines, or it was go get food. I prefered to call my dad so I did (It was a good choice). At 12:25 we then boarded the plane and flew to Des Moines.

 

We arrived in Des Moines at about 2 PM, and there we met President Jergenson, his wife Sister Jergenson and his assistants. We took pictures got our bags and headed to the mission office. There Pres. Jergenson showed us the boundaries for my mission- which goes from the border of Minnesota-ish down to Nauvoo, Illinois (Yes Nauvoo is in my mission now) and It expands out into Missouri. So I have about 3/4 or Iowa in my mission, 1/4 of Missouri I'd say and about 1/2 of Illinois- maybe less. So it's a big mission, and I'm loving it!

 

We then drove out to the Mission home where President Jergenson lives- and we went through a training meeting thing and a testimonial meeting, and then we had dinner. Which was sooooooo good! I normally hate Roast Beef- but this Roast Beef was how Roast Beef should be made. Not dry and bleh, moist and juicy and mmm. And homemade rolls- I'm just gonna stop talking about it cause I'm drooling all over the keyboard.

 

After dinner we had interviews with President Jergenson, he talked to the new missionaries as a group and we were off to bed by 8:30- which was soooo nice! We were EXHAUSTED.

 

The next day were up at 5 again got ready for the day, had breakfast (yogurt and fruit and cinnamon rolls) at 6:30 and headed off to Iowa City for the transfer meeting.

 

The transfer meeting was awesome- I found out Scott Nay who I went to elementary school is in this mission, and so it Joseph Reid who I went to high school with- and Nathaniel Gates. And there might be more, which is odd, but ok!

 

I had to separate from Elder Knight that day, which was sad :( I love Elder Knight and we were way close- in fact I was close to the whole district 7A who got separated! And that's sad! I miss those guys!

 

My new companion is Elder Sonderegger- he's a way cool guy and his nickname is the Hero of Time (He really likes the Legend of Zelda- he's knitting a tunic and cap) He's really cool, funny and I have a great feeling we're going to see a lot of success here.

 

I then got driven home in Des Moines and we had to figure out where I'm going to live because nobody told us... so it was a mess. But! We found it, and it's a nice place. We live with the Stahle family (Stay-Lee) and they are super nice people, I just got to stay on his good side apparently or else he will rebuke us- but so far so good! He's been way nice and even one night when our dinner appointment fell through he bought us pizza! nice guy that Stahle guy.

 

We've been doing ALOT of tracting- BTW we have a car share area, so one week we use a car, then we trade off and us bikes.- We do alot of tracting and it's awesome! The people are way nice, and while there is the occasional jerk, we have been have a great experience. There was one guy who came to the door in his towell and we asked him if he'd heard of the BofM and he was like "yeah, I read it cover to cover!" and we were like "what did you think?" He paused with this calm look on his face, then as if he woke up from something was like "I'm not dressed to entertain goodbye!" and he shut the door in our face. It was pretty funny. The house next door was even better! It was a J-Dub (Jehovah's Witness) and he was a pretty arrogant man. He started rambling about how we're not supposed to believe in Jesus Christ and teach of Jesus Christ, but we're supposed to teach about Salvation (which we achieve through Jesus Christ) and he ranted about how the Bible says "don't go door to door preaching!" (What happened to 'feed my sheep?' And J-Dubs do it too!) and he ranted about how we're not faithful Christians cause we worshipped Christmas and the bible doesn't say 'celebrate Christ's birthday!' (Where does it say not to?) and how we don't worship the Holy Days, and the sabbath is supposedly on Saturday and not sunday and apparently pass over is how we're supposed to remember Christ's death and the ONLY WAY. It boggled me how arrogant he was, I mean he was very intelligent- he knew more about the Bible than I do for sure, but he based every argument he had off the 7 Holy Days in the Bible. He was just so annoying to talk to, cause he wouldn't let you talk and stuff. But it was super funny, cause he came out and talked to us. And we ended up bearing our testimonies and stuff to him and he listened. What was the best for me was when he was sitting there ranting about repentance and how the Book of Mormon is supposedly man made cause it doesn't talk about repentance and I whipped out a scripture and showed him it does and he was like "oh... well cool. But you don't need that cause the Bible says enough." He was super arrogant. But hey, can't convert those who aren't willing to listen. Just have to keep your chin up and keep going- because I know the truth, I have a testimony of it.

 

The next cool experience we had was tracting on Saturday and we bumped into a Lutheran lady named Babette, or Grandma Babs. She's way cool and amazing! I see so much potential with this woman and here is why. We knocked on her door and she opens it and says she knows who we are and we've come several times and that she's Lutheran and has faith in Christ. She then went on to pretty much bear her flat out testimony on Jesus Christ- which was really powerful, this woman has FAITH! She invited us in and sat us down and we just discussed the gospel, whether in be Lutheran, Catholic or Mormon we just talked the gospel. We then noticed a little statue on her desk, it was Jesus at Gethsemane- and it was LDS statue! Apparently a Sister who tried to teach her sent her it, and she really treasures it! We talked for a while about what she knows about our church and it turns out she read the Book of Mormon and she says she learned alot- but she wouldn't say what... but we got on the subject of the after life. We asked her what she believes happens after death and she pretty much laid out the Plan of Salvation or the Plan of Happiness in front of us! She even mention PARADISE! Which she called Paradise! CRAZY! And we were smiling with the biggest smiles ever by now and we asked "so is this something your church teaches?" and she was like "nope!" and we were like "how'd you learn it then?" and she said she figured it out in the Bible, and that it's all there. You just gotta look! SMART WOMAN! And we were like "well that's what we teach!" anyways long story short, she's not interested in being baptized, but we're invited to go back anytime so Elder Sonderegger and I are gonna take advantage of that. She's totally ready, has a testimony of the Atonement, Jesus Christ, the Lord and Gospel and everything- just not Joseph Smith or the Book of Mormon. She even went to the open house for the Nauvoo Temple! And she went to the Manti Pageant, and the Nauvoo Pageant and the San Diego temple, and the winter quarters and salt lake and ALL OVER! She loves the Mormon history! So she's so ready in my eyes, just needs to realize it, and gain those testimonies she needs!

 

We also taught the first lesson at a dinner meeting to another Lutheran yesterday. One of the members invited her best friend over to have tacos (they sucked) with us and she started asking us question about the church. So we left her a card and she said she's gonna get a Book of Mormon and start reading it! We got some of her info too I think, so yeah we're crossing our fingers with her!

 

Anyways, like I said I see a lot of success in this area. I feel like Elder Sonderegger and I are gonna do great- I'm super excited! Besides having an Area Book not up to date, and completely White washing this area I feel we are gonna have success.

 

OH! Story before I go!

So Elder Sonderegger and I needed to grab something at home real quick, and so we passed the church and noticed fire engines and police cars and paramedics at the Stake Center- the one I go to. We were like Wha??? But went home- when we got home we ate a quick snack grabbed our stuff and got a phone call the church had been vandalized and we were needed to go help clean up. So we changed into service clothes and headed over- we could afford putting off some tracting ;)

 

So apparently in Iowa they feel it's safe enough to leave the Church unlocked all the time, cause all the doors were open, and some suicidal guy went on this rampage in our church. He took a painting of Joseph Smith and burnt it in the halls, lit some pictures on the billboards on fire, smashed all the picture frames he could find, smashed the glass to the fire extinguisher cases, dragged the broken glass around so it was in the carpet, threw a chair through a window, smashed a piano stool, tore off the front of a piano, smashed lamps in the foyers, threw the decorations in the chapel every where, drunk some cleaner and threw it up, and cut himself and bled all over the place. It was pleasant to clean up I must say! But they caught him and he was taken away, so that was good- he was actually caught in the act so yeah. But the ward took action and cleaned up the Stake Center best we could so it would be ready for the sabbath. Fun stuff!

 

Anyways on that note I'm gonna wrap up. I'm super excited about being out here, it's super fun and I really am learning alot. Iowa is BEAUTIFUL! I hear stories about how difficult it is to take off your name tag when you finally get home- I AM NOT EXCITED FOR THAT! I really love doing this work, and I don't know how I'll go back. I really really wish I could do this forever. It's kind of sad that I'm more homesick for the MTC than I am actually at home. I do miss people on occasion, but I really am enjoying my mission so much it doesn't matter- I've got my focus, and I know what I'm doing. I'm on the Lord's time, and I don't plan to waste it. Des Moines 2nd has been having a rough time with the missionaries lately, the ones before me and Elder Sonderegger apparently didn't work very hard. Well guess what everyone?! The missionary work here is about to change!

 

In 2 years Iowa is gonna have more Mormons than Utah!

YEE HAW!

 

with love (for this gospel and work),

 

Elder Prows

Excerpts from E-mail to Home

Well Week 2 has passed. INSANE! In exactly one week as I am typing this I will be on a plane flying to Iowa.  I'm super excited, but it is so crazy to think that in a week I will not be in Utah! HOLY COW!

The spirit here is very powerful, I love it. The other day I was with Elder Knight and we were ... talking about a message we wanted to share with an investigator about prophets in the TRC. The TRC is like a simulator thing where a teacher will portray a investigator, and it's literally like they are different people!  And you just practice teaching on them, and your teacher watches you over a camera and evaluates you. We were talking about our lesson and how we wanted to share that prophets do exist today, but we forgot a picture of President Monson to show and say "this is our modern day prophet"- when out of no where one of the TRCs come ... [up] and asks "so there are prophets today? Didn't they all die off with Peter and Christ?" and we sat there for a sec looked at each other with this look like "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?!" and we practically taught the first lesson.... Totally sponaneous, and epic! It was the coolest thing ever! The only thing is I don't think that it will be that easy in the field, but it was still cool!

Anyways,

I'm loving it here! It's such a great place and I love my mission!

PLEASE WRITE ME!

I'm not getting any letters! I want to hear from you!

 

Elder Christopher Joseph Prows

MTC Mailbox # 209

IA-DMOIN 1020

2005 N 900 E

Provo, UT 84604-1793

 

I leave the MTC on October 20th, so if you send a letter after October 15th, send it to:

Elder Christopher Joseph Prows

Iowa Des Moines Mission

8515 Douglas Ave Ste 19

Urbandale, IA 50322

 

I'm having a great time, and the spirit is strong! I don't have any time so I'll write again later!

 

Love ya!

 

Elder Prows

First Post From the MTC

So I am here in the MTC typing this post! WOO HOO!

I don't really know where to start, it's kinda way awesome! When I first laid back in my bed my first night I couldn't even comprehend where I was. Until one of the other elders in my room was like "Elders! We're in the MTC! We are LEGIT!" And it was like HOLY COW! I am a MISSIONARY! Totally blew my face off!

My companions name is Elder Richard Cory Knight and he is definitely one of the coolest guys I've ever met. Love the guy to death, he's got an incredibly powerful testimony and says the best prayers. Oh yeah, and he's from Mesa, Arizona and is very very very enthusiastic about it!

I really do love the fact that I'm here, it makes me so happy! The best part is too that I'm so happy I don't really have the time to think about home and friends, so I'm not really missing any of it (not when I typed missing and I had to backspace and retype because I accidentally typed mission). Sorry to anyone if you feel sad about me not missing much, but I'm just busy focusing on my work, and my studies- I'm trying and working very hard to learn a lot. And already in one week I feel like I have. This place is POWERFUL- the teachers are legit, and they totally know what they are saying. I love them to death, and the TEs or teaching experiences are so helpful it's not even funny! It's when we go and sit down with an "investigator" and we teach them and it's way awesome cause we learn a lot about how to teach properly and stuff.

I saw Elders Stewart, Larkin, Heaton, Routt and Sowards here within my first week! They all are doing excellent, and it was great to see them. Elder Sowards is in Tennessee now, and Elder Larkin in Washington. CRAZY!

General Conference was awesome- that's enough to say about it. It was a mission advice bombardment.

I hope to be able to type more next post, but I'm short on time- I'm doing laundry while I type this email. SO! Everyone write me- I want to hear what is up with you and how you are all doing!

First Letter from the MTC

It has been very strange here going to bed and waking up in a different bed.  But to be honest I really love it here.  My companion's name is Richard Knight and he is from Mesa, Arizona and I love him.  He's a great guy and I think we get along great.  We share a room with Elders Howard and Folsom.  They are two of the funniest and funnest people I have ever met.  I love my district!  We are so close!  I just love the MTC, everyone here is so happy.  It's weird to say I haven't missed too much back home because I'm having a lot of fun, but it's the truth!  Send my love to all and know I love you and everyone at home!   I miss you all!  But not crazily!

Remember, I'm on the Lord's work.  D&C 64:34 "The lord requireth the heart and a willing mind..."

Farewell my friends, See you in two!

Well my friends, it really has been quite the ride. Tonight I am being set apart, which means I will not be allowed to access this blog or facebook, or myspace anymore. My dad will be keeping this blog up to date with what is going with me, posting pictures and letters from my mission as I progress. My older sister, Jackie, will keep control over my facebook.

I would just like to say that I love all my friends and family. You all really are what keeps me going, what pushes me forward. The support that I have recieved as of late has been so unconditional. And I appreciate it all to the highest degree, I do not even know where to begin sharing my gratitude.

To everyone planning on serving a mission, concidering it, or who is waiting on a call- write me as soon as you get it.
In fact, people just write me! I'd love to hear what is going on in Utah and what's new!

To everyone struggling to decide on a mission, do not think about it. her Just go and serve, I cannot begin to express the happiness I have begun to feel as I am preparing to serve- I can't imagine when I'm out there! The question should never be "should I serve?" but it should be "will I serve?" and of course the answer should be yes. The Lord blesses those who do what is right, and follow His commandments. And what better way to do so than to dedicate two years of our lives?

There are people out there who need us brothers and sisters. Let's help them.

I love you all, and I will see you in two years!
Write me!
Stay Strong, and stay safe.

With love,

Elder Christopher Joseph Prows

5 days until I enter the MTC! WOO HOO!

I am so excited to say I am going into the MTC in 5 days! I speak in 2! Crazy, it's this close and I can't believe it! I've been saying all my life I'm going on a mission, until I got to high school and changed my mind, and then I changed it again decided I will go! I am excited and cannot wait! It puts butterflies in my stomach like girls do :) And I LOOOOVE girls! So that says alot about how much I love this :)

much love to you all!

Elder Prows

Pre-MTC #1

Hi!

I have been called to serve in the Iowa Des Moines Mission, and this is my blog for you to keep track of what I've been up to once I enter the MTC, and hit Iowa with my awesomeness! Hope you like it, and have fun reading about my experience!

Elder Prows