email | September 3, 2013

2 MONTH BIRTHDAY!!

So today is my 2 month Birthday!  I've been on a mission for the past two months which means that my mission is 8.33% complete.  I can't believe I'm already so far finished.  I know that it seems like 8 percent isn't that much but at the same time it does.  

Well, since the last email a lot has happened.  Last time I said that I am staying in the 12th Ward, which is scary since it's so small and not a lot of active work going. So we've been praying to be kept busy each day.  And here is the result of our prayers:

Wednesday:  We had 2 hours of emailing and then another two hours of staining a deck.  With our leftover time we did another hour of studying, dinner and setting up appointments.

Thursday:  We have weekly planning (which takes 3 hours) so that takes up a bunch of time, plus we met with our Relief Society president to discuss how we can best help them.  then we had dinner at a member's home which was very interesting.  It is a couple with grown up kids, but their son and daughter-in-law are living there while waiting to find a house.  The people in our ward (the parents) realized that they couldn't be there for dinner, so they just had their daughter-in-law feed us (her husband, the son, would be at work).  But since we can't be in the house alone with a female, they invited their other son-in-law to be the adult male.  He is a non-member and didn't want any sort of religious discussion from us.  Then, the son showed up early and was at dinner, so the non-member didn't even need to be there.  In the end, it was a very interesting and hectic night.

Friday:  We had a Zone Goal Setting Meeting which took 2 hours.  Then we went to help a member sand the old paint off his fence and shed and helped him put on the first coat on the fence.  That took like 3 hours

Saturday:  We helped a family load up a trailer to move then, while the people were gone, the wife, us, another set of Elders, and a set of Sisters stayed to clean and do some repairs.  (Thanks Dad for teaching me to use all sorts of tools because they needed a "handyman" and I was the qualified one that did most of that kind of work). Then we had lunch and quickly went to go help our bishop's daughter move.  Then we went back to the first family and helped load up the second trailer load.  So lots of service that day.  Plus we met with our investigator.  More on that to come.
Sunday:  Fairly normal, with one exception.  A Less Active in the ward texted us and asked if we could come over that night.  He then texted "We need an exorcism, lol". Naturally we were confused and a little worried, so we talked to the Bishop and got some advice.  Afterwards, we called the LA and asked what exactly they wanted.  As it turns out, they just wanted a blessing to be safe on their vacation and wanted help with an audition he had for a movie the next day.  The exorcism thing was a joke, thankfully.  After that call we met with our investigator.  Then we went and explained to the LA that what he wanted wasn't really a blessing but more of family prayer thing.  So we prayed with them and they appreciated it.  

So, as you can see, we were kept very busy.  God really does answer our prayers and will help you in so many ways, some of which you may not have expected.

I guess the last thing is to update you on our investigator, or rather our promising investigator.  So his name is Randy and he is a trucker.  He knows he needs to be baptized but has a lot of lame excuses (his words, not ours).  We found out that he actually watches General Conference on his own and wants to get an Ensign subscription.  But several things are holding him back.  His parents are a main factor.  While we were talking to him on Saturday, his parents were present and it took him 15 minutes to commit to come meet a member with us.  They make him nervous since the Dad is super inactive and the Mom is Atheist.  But on Sunday, the parents weren't home and he was a lot more open.  Which brings us to the second, bigger issue, his work schedule.  He works 7 days on, 3 days off, 7 days on, 4 days off, and repeat.  This works out to mean he's only in town every third Sunday.  and since he has to go to church at least twice before he can get baptized, we are looking at a minimum of 6 weeks before a baptism.  It sucks, but he's awesome and we are going to work with him as much as possible when he's back in town.  

I think that that is all for the week.  Thanks for all the emails and stuff.

I love you all and hope you have a great week!!

Love,

Elder Wake

email | August 27, 2013

Transfer Week!!!


Okay, so this week has been pretty awesome, well the last few days at least.  The rest of last Monday through last Wednesday were pretty normal.  We just stopped by members and less actives trying to set up appointments.  Then, on Thursday, everything got really exciting.

First off, we got training calls.  Some of my friends in the district got calls informing them that they will be training this coming transfer.  It's really cool to see but also scary because they are training after only 3 months, so I might have that coming up in a month and a half.  For most of Thursday morning we helped our bishop set up for his daughter's wedding reception.  After awhile, we had to go on some quick exchanges because (drum roll please).....    WE GOT A NEW INVESTIGATOR!!!!!  Basically, the other missionaries were passing him off to us so he'd have one familiar face and one unfamiliar face.  I was going to go, but the other missionary couldn't drive yet, so Elder Henderson went with him instead.  But it doesn't matter because we have a new investigator!!!  He is super golden and told us he believes the Book of Mormon is true, he quit coffee on his own two weeks ago now, and he knows he needs to get baptized.  The only thing is that he has a bunch of lame excuses, and he even admits that they are lame excuses.  So we may have a baptism here in a few weeks :)

On Friday, we went to Park Lake Ward's ward camp out and had hot chocolate and marshmallows with them, so that was fun.  On Saturday we went up to the camp out again for their lunch and corn bust.  To explain, around here there is a town called Tabor.  They mainly grow corn there, but it is supposedly the best corn in the world. So, at the end of every harvest, corn stands pop up everywhere and everyone buys the corn to eat.  Plus, the wards buy it in bulk to have "Corn Busts" where the primary food is corn on the cob.  At Park Lake's there was also pulled pork sandwiches but people pretty much focused on the corn.  It actually really is the best corn I've ever had and we've had it with most of our meals the past few weeks.

On Sunday we had ward council in 12th Ward, the first time since I've been here.  I really enjoyed it and we got a lot of help from the auxiliary leaders.  Then we had an appointment cancel on us and then dinner.  After dinner, we went to teach the other investigators that I mentioned last week.  This was my first real investigator lesson and I had such a great time.  She had a ton of questions about this and that and we answered all of them boldly.  Some I thought for sure would make her angry if we told her the full truth, but we were bold and she appreciated it.  I think that with time, she, and her family, will be baptized.  Monday was decent as well.  We tried to contact a referral, but they weren't interested, so yeah.  
Then you have today, P-day.  It was freaking fantastic!!!  First we checked our email's for transfer notices.  So now for the moment of truth....  I'm staying in the 12th Ward with Elder Henderson.  I don't know how I feel yet because both wards have awesome people.  Plus, Park Lake has a ton more work to do than 12th.  We are really going to struggle trying to fill our days, unless the members step up and get us referrals! ;)  Then, we had a great time doing our activity, which was a temple trip to Cardston. So I think that answer's several of your questions.  It is about 40 minutes away and super cool.  The inside is nothing like other temples, it's very woody, like wood panelling so it is darker colors.  Plus we got to see the new movie!!!  It is very awesome and I like it a lot better.  It was very nice to go with our whole zone and have that experience.  And that brings us to right now, me emailing you.

I got a lot of emails today, So thank you everyone for showing your support and love.  I really appreciate it.  Always remember to be awesome and do the things you know are right.  I love you all and I can't wait to hear more from home and to give you updates on our awesome investigator.
 

With lot's of love,

Elder Wake

email | August 19, 2013 (plus a picture!)

The Bishop's wife sent this picture of Braden with his companion, Elder Henderson.
The 12th ward loves and appreciates all that Braden is doing in that area.

So this coming week is the last full week of the transfer.  All the assignments will be made and stuff will start changing.  But that is all for now and I'll let you know all about it next week.

This week was very nice.  Tuesday we met with two less active families, one in each of our wards. The couple in Park Lake ward are awesome, because they have such strong testimonies but for whatever reason don't come to church.  We were told that the wife didn't really have a testimony and that we would kinda have to build her up, but that wasn't true at all!!  Now we are trying to get the ward involved by inviting them to activities and church.  The couple in the 12th ward are our oldest consistent less active family. Also, the wife is a recent convert.  So we started teaching them about the plan of salvation and at the end she said three things that made me so excited! First, she really wants her patriarchal blessing.  Second, she really wants to get started with family history work.  And Third, she REALLY wants to go through the temple once her first year is done.  I was SO happy to hear her say these things.  They are all the right steps to take and I hope that we can help her make them.

Wednesday was our Zone Conference and our mission president gave us very interesting counsel.  The thing that stood out the most was about agency.  We always think of agency as our ability to choose whatever we want.  In reality, if we use our agency righteously we sort of give our agency to God and do whatever he asks.  One of the examples he gave was a mission.  Since we agreed to serve, we gave all our agency back to Him.  We have no choice but to obey his commandments and do exactly as he wants done.  I hope that makes sense.  He really taught it well and I went away with a greater understanding of what agency actually is.

Thursday was nothing really special, just the usual stuff.  But Friday, oh Friday, was the most glorious day of the mission so far.  Allow me to explain.  So my very first day here we had a referral for a family in Coalhurst.  So we stopped by and they seemed really confused as to who we were, what we were doing there, and why we thought they would want to talk to us.  Apparently, the member that referred them didn't prep them.  So a couple weeks go by and we get word that they are ready to listen to us.  So once again we dropped by.  The husband seemed less confused but still kind of unsure.  Plus the wife was sick and so they couldn't talk to us then. That brings us to Friday.  Sadly, it was exchanges day so I was in a different area and so it was only my companion and another Elder that did all this, but it still counts for me.  So, Elders Henderson and Smith stop by for the third time.  The wife lets them in and starts talking to them.  The Husband is in the other room trying to take care of one of their 5 kids.  She apparently has a lot of "golden questions" that missionaries can answer.  The primary one being, "If all Christian churches use the Bible, why are they often times different?"  The same question Joseph Smith had!!!!  Plus, she really values good moral standards and likes the church's stance on the family. Also, she wants to learn about our church specifically!!!  So we have a return appointment for this coming Sunday when we will start the lessons!!!  MY FIRST INVESTIGATOR!!!!!!!   The only sad part is that our area is splitting and it is very likely that we will stay in the 12th ward, so I'll only get to teach them once :(  But its okay because the family has 2 kids that are baptism age so whoever takes over Park Lake Ward will have 4 investigators and it all started with Elder Henderson, Elder Smith and I.

That all makes Saturday really dull.  We mainly prepared for the splitting of the area by getting the Area books all organized and ready.  Then I got sick.  It was really weird, like I had a slight fever, then that went away but my throat started hurting, then that went away, and the whole time I just felt weak and achey.  But who knows.  I'm all better now.  Then on Sundaywe got to do something totally awesome.  I got to teach Primary again!!!!  The teacher for the 8 year olds couldn't make it and so they asked us to sub for them.  It was super fun and, as usual, I love being in Primary.  We taught them about Samuel the Lamanite and the importance of prophets.  After church we studied some more and then went to dinner at the Bishop's house.  After that we went to a member in the ward to teach them.  He sometimes has to work on Sundays and he really wants to have some sort of spirituality on the Sundays he works.  So he requested that we come by and share a message.  We had a very nice conversation type lesson on prayer.  We all taught each other and I learned a lot.  He really appreciated that and wants us to come by next week.  

And that was my week in a nutshell.  Eventually, I'm going to do something really cool, so look out for that coming up, at some point, during the next two years.  That's all I'm going to say on the subject, so you'll just have to keep checking in so you don't miss it.

Oh, by the way, Thank you so much Jamie and family for bringing my package to me.  I really am grateful for it.  And Thank you Danielle Moran for your letter, it was awesome!!!  If you are reading this, congrats on your choice to serve and let Tanner know I'm super excited for him.

Lastly, let me quickly share a miracle from the past week.  Two P-days ago my mom requested my address so my sister's friend could deliver a package.  After getting home, I realized I gave the wrong address!  I was frantic, it's not like I could call or go email again with the correction.  So I turned to the Lord and prayed for a miracle.  I prayed that some how, some way I would get that package.  On Sunday, I got a phone call and it was Jamie, asking where we lived and I got the package.  At the time I didn't realize how much of a miracle it really was.  You see, my mom texted Jamie's mom the address that I gave.  They were planning on just dropping it on my doorstep (which would have been a stranger's door).  When she was looking for the address, it wasn't in her phone (and according to Jamie, her mom NEVER deletes texts) so  they didn't know how to get in contact with me.  So at church last Sunday, Jamie's aunt (who is in my stake) just happened to come to their ward.  She gave them my phone number and they called and dropped off the package.  I now realize that this was a bigger miracle that I had originally thought.  The Lord truly does answer all of our prayers.  I know it for a fact that if we ask him, he will answer us.  Go to him, pray to Him.  there is nothing that he doesn't care about.  Even if it is kind of selfish or petty or silly, like getting a package, he cares and will help us.

On that note, Thank you for all the prayers and support,

I love you all,

Love,

Elder Wake

Heavenly Father answers prayers!

If you remember from this post, my friend Jamie and her parents briefly visited Braden and delivered a package to him. In an email, Braden mentioned that he was worried they wouldn't be able to deliver the package because he accidentally gave my mom the wrong address. He prayed all week that everything would work out - and if you read that post, then you know that it did. But it wasn't until after I wrote about his side of that experience that we learned how much more of a miracle it truly was.

Jamie shared with me their side of the story:

"Hey! I just read the post about Braden getting the package. I'm so glad we could help him out. It was fun to read his side of the story. I guess I should tell you our side of the story. We got up to Canada, and through Saturday/Sunday, I was wondering how we were going to get the package to him. I knew that your mom had sent my mom the address that Braden had sent her, so I think we had just planned on going by and dropping it off at some time. On Sunday though, my mom was trying to find the text with the address on it from your mom on her phone. She couldn't find it. We couldn't figure out what had happened to it. She NEVER deletes her texts. (I don't know if she even knows how, haha.) But we just couldn't find it. My aunt that lives in Braden's stake just happened to come to my grandma's church for a missionary farewell, and I mentioned that to her. She said she didn't know where the missionaries (Braden and his companion) lived, but she could find out their phone number. We were able to find his phone number, and later Sunday evening we called them and stopped by. My mom kept on thinking it was so weird that the text with the address just disappeared...but after reading Braden's email, I know why. I told my mom about that just barely, and we both kind of teared up, thinking of how Heavenly Father absolutely just loves his missionaries, and hears and answers their prayers."

Isn't that just amazing? I think it really strengthened all of our testimonies of prayer and that God truly does hear and answer our prayers. We are also definitely grateful for the knowledge that He is looking out for Braden while he is so far away from us.

Special Delivery for Braden!

My good friend Jamie Williams has a lot of family who live in Calgary, and as luck would have it, right in Lethbridge where Elder Wake is serving! And to make things even better, she and her parents were planning on going up to Canada to visit her family in that area. My mom arranged for them to take a package with them so that Braden would get it sooner, plus it was a lot cheaper that way. We didn't know for sure if the Williams would actually see him, but they did! They were able to meet up with him Sunday evening (August 11th). (He and his companion were at their apartment and done for the day, so that's why he's not wearing his white shirt and tie in the photo.)

Here's what Braden said in an email about getting the package:

"So first of all, I got the package from Jamie yesterday!!!  It was awesome and I love it.  Thank you so much!!!  I actually gave you the wrong address in my email last week and I have been praying all week that somehow I would get it.  I didn't want Jamie to just leave it on some random person's doorstep.  So last night she actually got our number and called.  We gave them the address and they stopped by and dropped it off.  You may see the picture she took soon and you may find out that I was sick.  Don't worry about me, I just had a headache and was laying down. Anyway, the whole thing was an answer to my prayers and it restrengthened my testimony of prayer."

And here's a picture Jamie sent me of her and Braden together.

email | August 12, 2013

Week......5?

Wow, I can't even keep track of the weeks any more.  All I know is that next week is Board week, which is crazy because that means that the transfer is almost over.  Oh yeah, I forgot, you aren't missionaries so you don't know what Board week is.  Well, Board Week is the last week of the transfer when the President and Assistants look at the "Board" and figure out who is going where, who they are going with, and what leadership assignments will be made.  During the week, anyone that gets a leadership or training call will be called by one of the assistants and the assignment will be made.  Also, parents get letters telling them about how awesome their child is and stuff like that.  Finally, everyone with new assignments has to make a last minute trip to Calgary to go to training.  So that is all happening next week.

Speaking of Calgary, I mentioned that I went to Calgary on Friday, but didn't specify why.  Halfway through the transfer, all trainers need to go to "retraining".  So Elder Henderson had to go to the conference and I was dragged along.  It was actually really fun.  We drove another set of Elders and we just talked and stuff the whole way. In a very small town halfway there called Claresholm, there is some chicken.  Now, my first day in the mission, it was hyped up to be the greatest chicken in the world. Missionaries would dream of being transferred to the south so they could stop there and partake of the chicken.  Plus, every mission conference in Calgary, they could stop on the way up again.  EVERY missionary said it was to die for.  So, as is tradition, we stopped in Claresholm to get chicken, at the 7-11.  It wasn't bad, but it definitely wasn't anything near what people were saying it was, so that was a disappointment.  Anyway, the actual training was fun because us "greenies" got to sit in on it and a lot of good council was given.  Plus, I got to see all of my MTC district.  They are all still super awesome and we were talking about how by the end of our mission we will all be in the same district again.  

As for this past week, it was pretty much same old same old.  We did more service then we normally do, which of course I love!  But yeah, we taught some less actives and we are on our way to meet our month's goal of teaching 10 new less active families.  On Saturday we went on exchanges again, and I was in charge of our area.  We took a walking day, but we still got a lot accomplished.  Dinner that day was awesome, but really strange too.  I probably shouldn't go into to much detail, but it was a 65 or 70 year old white guy who has been married to his wife for 10 years.  She is from Tanzania and is probably about 35 or 40.  But they love each other and that is all that matters.  Plus, they are really missionary minded, although they are working with a strange group.  They are all refugees from Nepal.  So they asked us for a bunch of materials written in their language.  Also 3 Swahili Book of Mormons.  Some very interesting requests, but anything to help others. 

OH!!!!  We accomplished our vision for the month of August!!!!  We wanted our area to be split at the end of the transfer, and Mission President said it's going to be.  So now we are working hard so that both wards have enough work going to keep their missionaries busy.  

One appointment we went to was very awesome.  It was with a member and her less active husband.  He didn't show up, so we met with her and the ward mission leader.  She expressed her concerns about how she was trying to get her husband back into activity.  We helped her and gave her some advice on how she can best do it.  We told her that all she can do is invite.  Every night say family prayer with the kids and read the scriptures, and always invite him to join.  He may say no, but as long as you don't get angry and yell, it will be okay.  And if he does come and join, that's great!!  Same with church attendance.  Invite him to join you every Sunday.  Say that it's important to you but you respect his decision.  He may say no, but eventually he'll say yes.  And finally, tell him you want to go to go to the temple with him, but that he needs to be worthy.  That gives him something to work for.  She appreciated our help and at the end asked if I could give her a blessing.  It was awesome to be able to use my priesthood authority to help her.  It was also a great experience because I've only ever given blessings to people that I know.  I barely knew her, but I could still give her a blessing.  How awesome is that?!?!?!

And that's pretty much how my week went.  Missionary work is awesome and I continue to ask that you will try to do your part and teach others.  If you are, great!!  Keep it up and the Lord will bless you.  I can promise you that because I've seen it and I'm a missionary, and you can trust the missionaries :)

I love you all and hope that you are doing well.  Keep strong and faithful.  

Love,

Elder Wake

email | August 6, 2013

Great News!!!!  I don't have bedbugs!!!!  I guess I should explain.  Starting last Monday night, I started getting itchy red spots on my arms and legs.  Within two days they quadrupled in number.  The way that I figured it was that they were the result of one of three things.  Either they were insect bites (most likely bedbugs), a skin condition, or an allergy.  The Senior missionaries that are in charge of housing checked out my bed and said there were no signs of bedbugs.  Plus I washed my sheets and blankets.  They still didn't go away and 4 more appeared.  So I went to the doctor, who thought that it was an allergy.  I was prescribed Benedryl and some sort of cortisol cream.  After taking the pills for one night, they stopped itching and now they are almost all gone.  Normally I'd be happy, but now all I know is that they are an allergic reaction and I still have no idea what I'm allergic to.  So once my Benedryl runs out, the hives will come back.  Then again, maybe they won't.  I'm trying to be optimistic.

So I guess I should also explain why I'm a day late with the email.  Here in Canada, yesterday was "Heritage Day" so pretty much everything, including the library, was closed. So here I am, talking to y'all on Tuesday!

I guess I'll just go through what the past week was like.  Last Tuesday we were blessed to teach two less active families.  I say blessed because we didn't have any appointments, they just invited us in to talk and share a spiritual message.  

Then on Wednesday I got the opportunity to see just how much the Lord helps his missionaries.  We had a zone goal setting meeting for the month of August.  For July, the zone had a goal to have 8 people baptized or on date.  They started the month with only one investigator on date, so it was going to be a difficult goal to achieve.  Well, by Wednesday night, our zone had TEN on date!!!!  It is awesome to see the blessings that come from hard work.  Our goal for August is to have 15 baptized or on date and so far we have 8 on date, one baptized, and one that dropped the sisters.  But we still have a month to go and with faith we can accomplish our goals.  

On Thursday, we got to teach a less active in the Park Lake ward.  He is a very nice man and has a lot of interesting insights.  He, and others like him, are interesting cases.  They have strong testimonies, know the commandments, and for all intents and purposes are identical to fully active members.  But for whatever reason, they just don't come to Church that often.  And in the case of this less active, he recognizes the fact that he needs to come to church and told us that everyone goes through life on a roller coaster and right now he is in a spiritual low.  I really don't know how to help him, besides just constantly encouraging him.  

Friday was the day I went to the doctor and, since there were no appointments available, we went to a walk in clinic.  It took forever!!!!  I was 14th in line and was waiting for like 3 hours.  Then we had to get the prescription filled and buy a rain coat for me.  So very little was done in the way of missionary work that day.  

Saturday I was on exchanges again.  We spent most of the day doing service for the same less active that we taught on Thursday.  We also went around trying to talk to less actives and former investigators, but no one was home (or at least they wouldn't answer the door).

Sunday was Fast Sunday, and as a zone we did something interesting.  In Alma, it talks about how after the Nephites would beat the Lamanites in battle, they would fast for gratitude.  I've never really thought about fasting for gratitude.  We normally fast for things that we want, like rain or for someone to get over a sickness or for comfort.  So, for the first time, I fasted for gratitude for the success the zone has had at achieving and surpassing our goals.  Then to break the fast, a family decided to serve a very disappointing dinner.  I shouldn't complain, but the main course was clam chowder and as some of you may know, I HATE clam chowder.  So I was trying very hard to not gag or look grossed out.  I almost finished one bowl and claimed I was full.  The only good part was that they had Taber corn.  Taber is a town near here that grows mostly corn.  It is a huge deal here.  Most members are talking about how the Taber corn stands have opened and everyone needs to get as much as they can before they run out.  At ward council a huge deal was being made about who was going get the Taber corn for the ward camping trip and were they going to be able to get enough.  It's kinda funny, but they are right.  It was the best corn I've ever had!!

Then there was yesterday.  Since we couldn't email, we had extra time to spend at our P-Day activities.  There were board games and later indoor soccer.  There were three European natives and then a bunch of Americans.  Needless to say, the Europeans were the main ones playing.  Trust me, you do not want to be goalie when the Frenchman is about to attempt a goal.  It is terrifying and I could never block one of his shots.

Oh! I almost forgot the best part of yesterday.  Someone called us and asked if we were available to meet with him and his non-member friend Bryce.  Bryce wants to learn more about the church and has a lot of questions.  We agreed to meet at7:00 at the stake center.  It was a very spiritual experience and very interesting.  He certainly does have a lot of questions and is very philosophical.  He spent 3 years in Eastern Europe and has seen a lot of bad in the world.  We answered all his questions as well as we could, and he seemed to get something out of it.  He agreed to read the Book of Mormon and to pray to know if it and what we taught was true.  Sadly, he is a YSA and so we can't teach him anymore.  We'll turn him over to the other missionaries next time we meet.

That's pretty much all I did this past week.  I appreciate all the emails I've gotten so far, and Friday I'll be in Calgary, so if any letters have come through I'll get them then.  I love you all and miss seeing and talking to you, but I'm remaining dedicated to the work.  I encourage all of you to do some sort of missionary work.  If there is one thing I've learned since being out in the field, it's that missionary work is nearly ineffective without the help of members.  Remember to do your part and the Lord will bless you in so many different ways.  

With lots of love,

Elder Wake