A Blast From the Past!

Hey Everyone! This week there has been a lot of change. We had exchanges with the Lancaster Elders and it was fun. I was with our new missionary, Elder Zunigga, who has been out now for 4 weeks. So, it was a blast from the past for sure. We also got a new car! Instead of our Chevy, we now have a Corolla! It's been nice. We also got bikes and biked all day Saturday! I am still sore from that one. We learned later however, that due to Elder Kershaw's medical issues, he can't ride bikes.  So, that ended our biking endeavors. That has pretty much been my week! We have been working with our really awesome recent converts, Beth and Deanna, but other than that we have been in the finding mode. I hope everyone is enjoying the school year so far! I hope you have a good week!

A lizard that our Ward Mission Leader let us hold.

Our new car! Super happy!

Ward game night with our recent coverts and members.

Messing around with Elder Haynie.

It's Been a Good Problem to Have!

Hello Everyone! Things have been going well in the Amish country. We are planning on going to an all-you-can-eat Amish buffet in a few weeks, so I'm super excited for it! The weather has been pretty hot and humid, but for the most part this summer has been really mild compared to the heat that was last year.

One of the coolest things that happened this week was that Beth, our investigator, was baptized! Our Ward Mission Leader was running late, but he was able to baptize her.  It was a neat experience! Since I have been here, our investigator pool has been lacking.  This is mostly because all of the investigators have been getting baptized, so it's been a good problem to have.

What amazes me and what has been my favorite part of being here, is the ward! The ward is so funny and really great! I love how welcoming they have been and the friendships that I have been able to form.

We had zone conference last week and it was neat to see some of the missionaries that serve around me! They gave a cool message and really focused on building our faith. We also had a crazy experience this week, when we got locked out of our apartment. After coming home from dinner with a family, we left our car with a dealership (because our car literally died that day).  We accidentally left the home key on the key ring. So, we ended up calling lots of people and at 11:00pm, we finally got a ride from the Litiz Elders.  We stayed overnight at their apartment and I slept on the floor. It was a fun experience. Hopefully, you won’t get locked out this week! Have a great week!

Last Preparation Day!

Me with Elder Worsham!

We served around each other for 16 months now. Super crazy!

This is a little old village where we do service.

Us with the Litiz Elders at their apartment,

after we were locked out. I slept on the floor!

Beth's  baptism!

Beth with our ward mission leader.

Planting Seeds...Bear Fruit in the Future!

Hello Everyone! I hope all is going well with everyone, especially with school coming up on the horizon. I'm still loving the area! It's been a little tricky figuring out what we are going to do, but for the most part we have been going and visiting with the members and we try to set up Family Mission Plans with them. Basically, it's trying to have members do simple things to help further the missionary efforts. So far, it's planting seeds, but we are hoping that by having the members think about what they can do, it will bear fruit in the future.

The Amish are still the Amish! Oh man, do they know how to make good food! I have tried veggies that they grew and they were super good! Elder Kershaw and I have been getting along. The more that I am around him, the more that I’m understanding why he does certain things and how his personality fits into it. So, for the most part, we are doing good. I am also doing better with this whole District Leader thing. It's still a little stressful at times, but it's been really cool to see the District come together on things. Plus, I have been able to get to know the missionaries better than I would as a normal missionary.

This past week we saw a lot of cool people! We taught Dominque and it was such a cool lesson. We went in with the idea of talking to her about baptism, but when we got there it looked like the previous missionaries had already taught her about it. While sitting there, wondering what to talk about, the Spirit totally took over! I asked some really cool and inspired questions on the commitments that she has had, as well as share some really insightful stuff. It was such a cool experience! We also have our investigator, Beth, getting baptized this Saturday. That will be super cool! Lots of fun stuff is coming up this week! That's pretty much it for what's been going on here, but I hope everything is going well for you. Make it a great week!

We found a really weird looking neighborhood.

The Amish! The carriage riding is real!

This is our apartment!

I Love Ephrata! Love It, Love It, Love It!

Hello Everyone!  I hope you have had a good week.  I love Ephrata! Love it, love it, love it! I have never been this excited to serve in an area before. Everyone here is super funny and super missionary minded. Elder Kershaw is my new companion.  He is from Kaysville, Utah and has been out for 5 months tomorrow! Plus, there are tons of Amish! Like, everywhere! I can't even tell you how many horse carriages that I have drove past. I will have to get a picture of one for you. It is a super fun area. The Lord definitely knew where to send me, to cheer me up. I have the spirit so strongly, now.

My new ward had 3 baptisms recently with Luca, Liam, and Deanna. They are really cool! They are super prepared and ready to serve in the church. Our progressing investigator is Beth Sipes, she is also super prepared! She has already been taught most of the lessons, so I’m coming in at the tail end of everything. She is super cool, though!

I have been totally in the midst of some crazy days, since we have been here. I locked us out of the apartment! Whoops!!! That was fun! For Preparation Day, we have been with the other Elders in my district. Plus, Elder Nielsen, my old companion is here! He is going home this next transfer. Super weird!!!!!!!!!!! But it's been a blast!!!!! I hope you have a great week!

My last district. Elder Sawyer went home, so we had a funeral!

Eating lunch with my last district!

Me with the Cejka family!

Elder Harvey with the Cejka family!

Our apartment in McConnellsburg

Really pretty sunset!

My zone this transfer.  Elder Kershaw is the redhead.