ELDER LOGAN CHASE VAN KATWYK
WEEK #41
3/30/15
Hey everyone!
Glad to see everything is everything with everyone! It's fun to see all your adventures and things happening in life and the "outside world" hahah
My week was great! A lot of things happened actually :) So I think for the picture mom, what I'm going to do is just find a picture on my camera and print one out from Target or something. So you don't have to stress out about it anymore! hahah We went to target today but when it was my turn the little computer thing stopped working and the screen disappeared.... Sooooo I'm gonna do it next week .Anyways...
I believe I will be going to the stake center to watch general conference if not to somebody's house. So yes we get to watch.
SO...about my week. So we've been working with a Less-Active named Janet. She was baptized when she was like 10 or 13 or so but then hasn't come to church since and she lives alone and takes care of her 4 kids because her and her husband are separated and he lives in Monterrey, Mexico right now. So we went over and had a lesson with her and her kids (A few of them are baptismal age) and we taught about prophets and how God loves us and has given prophets to guide us to make good choices.
Afterwards I helped her daughter with her Math homework (there's my service ;) which by the way she missed one. So I can still do Math!)
On Saturday, there was a branch event that was like a breakfast/Easter Egg Hunt and we invited Janet and her kids to go. And they went!!!!!! Elder Rodriguez and I were super-duper pumped. We were trying the best we could to find someone to fellowship her, but it was really frustrating because the branch members are shy and so is she because she doesn't know anybody. And then Janet told us that she didn't bring Easter baskets so Rodriguez and I were frantically trying to find anything we could give them to use. We eventually found plastic bags. And during all of this the branch members were giving us jobs to do to help out and then we eventually got stuck in the kitchen making the pancakes. So I went on splits with Elder Christiansen and we waited in line for the food. Then I just got out of line and went and sat with Janet and her daughter and niece and just started small talk to get to know them better and such (because no members where there talking to her). And then I was playing with her boys racing around on the field and messing around with them, trying to keep them all happy and having a good time. I hung out with them for a while and got a few more members to go and talk to her and meet her. Once I was finally had time to get some breakfast, there was none left. Oh well. Sacrificed food for a Less-Active :) Anyways, she ended having a really great time and she even went to the Women's Broadcast by herself and she sat with a member. Woop woop! Lets go baby!!!
After the activity, we had a little zone meeting yesterday and talked about the people we have that were looking good for baptism. And the ZL's had an investigator that they've been trying to find for a while so they needed help scouting him out. Their investigator works at a pastry shop in our area so they wanted us to help them out. So we did. Hahah The Sister missionaries stopped by the pastry shop just to see if he was there. Then Elder Rodriguez and I showed up at a distance and the sister missionaries told us that he was inside. So, what we decided to do, was chill at the nearby Sonic and watch for their investigator because he leaves work on a bike. So we sat there at Sonic while the Zone Leaders were parked a distance away. All of us watching for their investigator to be on the move and they told us once we see him to give them a call. (Movie? I think yes hahaha :)) So Elder Rodriguez and I were chillin' there at Sonic and then we see him biking, so I grab the phone and I say "Target is on the move" (Why not say that? hahaha) and the Zone Leader reply "Ya we got him" and so they followed him all the way to his house so they could intercept him. The absolute greatest things that has happened yet! Startin' off the undercover FBI agent thing early! :)
After the whole spy work, the sisters call us to go to the church to give this guy a blessing that they've been teaching that lives in our area. So we go and give this guy a blessing of comfort. It was super sad... He works 75 hours a week, barely even home, and he found out his wife has been cheating on him. He found a pregnancy test stating positive in his house somewhere and now they're separated. So the only friends he has is us missionaries. No family and now no place to live. Long story short he's only been to church once, and he got baptized yesterday! A lot of the missionaries were mad about it and some of the members. I wasn't mad because I trusted my Zone Leaders that they knew what they were doing. Obviously, I had curiosity about how it all happened but I just didn't see why the missionaries were mad about it. Elder Rodriguez on the other hand was furious. I basically told him "none of us know the whole situation. If it's the Lord's will, it's the Lord's will". But he was really really really happy after his baptism. And I hope all goes well with him and that he can have a better life.
Sometime last week, we biked to the area we call "Outer-Darkness" (because there's a little area way out from the city that's in our area) because we were wanting to meet a Less-Active that lives out there. We were biking trying to find where to go and this guy calls us over. Long story short, he's been suffering from a heroin/crack/cocaine addiction for 4 years and he shoots everyday (Amazing how he isn't dead). And I guess recently, his wife left him as well. When we were talking to him his wife called him and I guess she asked if he told us about his addiction. And I guess she freaked out really bad. Next thing I know, this guy, Joey is crying. I had no idea what to do honestly. I've never dealt with this situation before. BUT, we invited him to church and we set up a baptismal date and he accepted. The bad thing is, he lives in the South ZL's area. Like two blocks out of ours :/ So we'll see what happens.
Well that was a long letter this week and I'm running out of time now hahah So ask me those questions next week mom! I love you all alot and pray for you all and I'm grateful for all of you and your encouraging words. Have a steller week and keep on keepin on.
~~Elder VanKatwyk
3/30/15
Hey everyone!
Glad to see everything is everything with everyone! It's fun to see all your adventures and things happening in life and the "outside world" hahah
My week was great! A lot of things happened actually :) So I think for the picture mom, what I'm going to do is just find a picture on my camera and print one out from Target or something. So you don't have to stress out about it anymore! hahah We went to target today but when it was my turn the little computer thing stopped working and the screen disappeared.... Sooooo I'm gonna do it next week .Anyways...
I believe I will be going to the stake center to watch general conference if not to somebody's house. So yes we get to watch.
SO...about my week. So we've been working with a Less-Active named Janet. She was baptized when she was like 10 or 13 or so but then hasn't come to church since and she lives alone and takes care of her 4 kids because her and her husband are separated and he lives in Monterrey, Mexico right now. So we went over and had a lesson with her and her kids (A few of them are baptismal age) and we taught about prophets and how God loves us and has given prophets to guide us to make good choices.
Afterwards I helped her daughter with her Math homework (there's my service ;) which by the way she missed one. So I can still do Math!)
On Saturday, there was a branch event that was like a breakfast/Easter Egg Hunt and we invited Janet and her kids to go. And they went!!!!!! Elder Rodriguez and I were super-duper pumped. We were trying the best we could to find someone to fellowship her, but it was really frustrating because the branch members are shy and so is she because she doesn't know anybody. And then Janet told us that she didn't bring Easter baskets so Rodriguez and I were frantically trying to find anything we could give them to use. We eventually found plastic bags. And during all of this the branch members were giving us jobs to do to help out and then we eventually got stuck in the kitchen making the pancakes. So I went on splits with Elder Christiansen and we waited in line for the food. Then I just got out of line and went and sat with Janet and her daughter and niece and just started small talk to get to know them better and such (because no members where there talking to her). And then I was playing with her boys racing around on the field and messing around with them, trying to keep them all happy and having a good time. I hung out with them for a while and got a few more members to go and talk to her and meet her. Once I was finally had time to get some breakfast, there was none left. Oh well. Sacrificed food for a Less-Active :) Anyways, she ended having a really great time and she even went to the Women's Broadcast by herself and she sat with a member. Woop woop! Lets go baby!!!
After the activity, we had a little zone meeting yesterday and talked about the people we have that were looking good for baptism. And the ZL's had an investigator that they've been trying to find for a while so they needed help scouting him out. Their investigator works at a pastry shop in our area so they wanted us to help them out. So we did. Hahah The Sister missionaries stopped by the pastry shop just to see if he was there. Then Elder Rodriguez and I showed up at a distance and the sister missionaries told us that he was inside. So, what we decided to do, was chill at the nearby Sonic and watch for their investigator because he leaves work on a bike. So we sat there at Sonic while the Zone Leaders were parked a distance away. All of us watching for their investigator to be on the move and they told us once we see him to give them a call. (Movie? I think yes hahaha :)) So Elder Rodriguez and I were chillin' there at Sonic and then we see him biking, so I grab the phone and I say "Target is on the move" (Why not say that? hahaha) and the Zone Leader reply "Ya we got him" and so they followed him all the way to his house so they could intercept him. The absolute greatest things that has happened yet! Startin' off the undercover FBI agent thing early! :)
After the whole spy work, the sisters call us to go to the church to give this guy a blessing that they've been teaching that lives in our area. So we go and give this guy a blessing of comfort. It was super sad... He works 75 hours a week, barely even home, and he found out his wife has been cheating on him. He found a pregnancy test stating positive in his house somewhere and now they're separated. So the only friends he has is us missionaries. No family and now no place to live. Long story short he's only been to church once, and he got baptized yesterday! A lot of the missionaries were mad about it and some of the members. I wasn't mad because I trusted my Zone Leaders that they knew what they were doing. Obviously, I had curiosity about how it all happened but I just didn't see why the missionaries were mad about it. Elder Rodriguez on the other hand was furious. I basically told him "none of us know the whole situation. If it's the Lord's will, it's the Lord's will". But he was really really really happy after his baptism. And I hope all goes well with him and that he can have a better life.
Sometime last week, we biked to the area we call "Outer-Darkness" (because there's a little area way out from the city that's in our area) because we were wanting to meet a Less-Active that lives out there. We were biking trying to find where to go and this guy calls us over. Long story short, he's been suffering from a heroin/crack/cocaine addiction for 4 years and he shoots everyday (Amazing how he isn't dead). And I guess recently, his wife left him as well. When we were talking to him his wife called him and I guess she asked if he told us about his addiction. And I guess she freaked out really bad. Next thing I know, this guy, Joey is crying. I had no idea what to do honestly. I've never dealt with this situation before. BUT, we invited him to church and we set up a baptismal date and he accepted. The bad thing is, he lives in the South ZL's area. Like two blocks out of ours :/ So we'll see what happens.
Well that was a long letter this week and I'm running out of time now hahah So ask me those questions next week mom! I love you all alot and pray for you all and I'm grateful for all of you and your encouraging words. Have a steller week and keep on keepin on.
~~Elder VanKatwyk
WEEK #40
3/23/15
Hey howdy hey!
Hahah I'm glad Sister Zaehringer put those drum videos on the website. I was sure it'd make you happy mom :) Hahaha hey I can't show them "all" my stuff. I gotta leave them wanting more for next time! :p Sounds like everyone had a quite a fun-filled week! Where is Grandpa living now?? Cammie, What did that Elder play on Drumline? That's super cool that there's a Elder there like me haha must be a cool guy ;)
My week was pretty good. Nothing too much happened this week other than playing the drums at the Zaehringer's house. The Zone Leaders, Elder Christiansen and Elder Chavez told her that I play drums. So last week Sunday she came up to me and was like "Hey I heard your magical at the drums." and I was like "Weeeeelll I mean I do play a little bit" and so she worked up a time for me to go over last week with the ZL's hahah.
Hmmmm favorite song of the week that's a good question. I never thought about that. Probably "We Wont Be Shaken" by Building 429. Great song :)
My favorite scripture for the week, well a scripture I shared a few times at members houses was D&C 130:18-19. I like those scriptures because everything we learn in this life will be taken with us to the next. But it's only through our diligence and obedience in living righteously that we will be able to have that luxury. This life and the next is full of learning and we will continue to learn so we can have a perfect knowledge like our Heavenly Father through experiences and trials and tribulations throughout this life, and our works in the next.
I guess you could say my service was teaching the kids how to play drums. Well teach him some beats to practice. It was fun teaching him and playing those drums because I felt "Logan" for a while and just doing what I love. And I was able to share my talents to bless a life or the life of the family, to help improve a talent that God has blessed him with so he can bless somebody else. And Sister Zaehringer wants me to go to her house once a week to teach him new things and new beats :)
Oooooo my favorite authentic mexican meals. That's really hard. Let's seeeeeee...... I love the traditional enchiladas, verde or rojo, ummmm pasole (hominy) , sandwichos, Oooooo Carne Asada (The absolute best!) Definitely my favorite. Aaaaand that's about all I can think right now. Mexican food is super good though. I'm not gonna lie hahah
Hahaha yup I called Hermana Dominguez "mom" one time and know I'm almost adopted. All that's left is a picture of me for them to put in a frame and they'll put it on their wall :) So don't forget to send them a picture of me mom! :)
Clothes mishaps...... I haven't really had any clothes mishaps that I know of right now haha sorry ;/ I haven't ripped my pants yet but when I do I'll be sure to write it in the email! haha
I think what strengthens my faith when I feel down is really to just stop and say a prayer, try to push the bad thoughts out, or make a joke about it. And that usually helps brighten my spirits. I always joke around when investigators drop us or the calling my cyst, "Murph", joke. Or just when things get frustrating I usually just take a moment and pray for help. As well, I always remember the last interview I had with President when he told me to "always have a good attitude" no matter what the circumstance. So that usually helps as well.
Well that is all I have for you all. I love you all and pray for you all. Thanks for all your emails and support/encouragement. It's going by super fast! Keep on keepin on and I hope everything is everything. Oh and yes mom I agree, have a stellar week! ;)
~~Elder VanKatwyk
3/23/15
Hey howdy hey!
Hahah I'm glad Sister Zaehringer put those drum videos on the website. I was sure it'd make you happy mom :) Hahaha hey I can't show them "all" my stuff. I gotta leave them wanting more for next time! :p Sounds like everyone had a quite a fun-filled week! Where is Grandpa living now?? Cammie, What did that Elder play on Drumline? That's super cool that there's a Elder there like me haha must be a cool guy ;)
My week was pretty good. Nothing too much happened this week other than playing the drums at the Zaehringer's house. The Zone Leaders, Elder Christiansen and Elder Chavez told her that I play drums. So last week Sunday she came up to me and was like "Hey I heard your magical at the drums." and I was like "Weeeeelll I mean I do play a little bit" and so she worked up a time for me to go over last week with the ZL's hahah.
Hmmmm favorite song of the week that's a good question. I never thought about that. Probably "We Wont Be Shaken" by Building 429. Great song :)
My favorite scripture for the week, well a scripture I shared a few times at members houses was D&C 130:18-19. I like those scriptures because everything we learn in this life will be taken with us to the next. But it's only through our diligence and obedience in living righteously that we will be able to have that luxury. This life and the next is full of learning and we will continue to learn so we can have a perfect knowledge like our Heavenly Father through experiences and trials and tribulations throughout this life, and our works in the next.
I guess you could say my service was teaching the kids how to play drums. Well teach him some beats to practice. It was fun teaching him and playing those drums because I felt "Logan" for a while and just doing what I love. And I was able to share my talents to bless a life or the life of the family, to help improve a talent that God has blessed him with so he can bless somebody else. And Sister Zaehringer wants me to go to her house once a week to teach him new things and new beats :)
Oooooo my favorite authentic mexican meals. That's really hard. Let's seeeeeee...... I love the traditional enchiladas, verde or rojo, ummmm pasole (hominy) , sandwichos, Oooooo Carne Asada (The absolute best!) Definitely my favorite. Aaaaand that's about all I can think right now. Mexican food is super good though. I'm not gonna lie hahah
Hahaha yup I called Hermana Dominguez "mom" one time and know I'm almost adopted. All that's left is a picture of me for them to put in a frame and they'll put it on their wall :) So don't forget to send them a picture of me mom! :)
Clothes mishaps...... I haven't really had any clothes mishaps that I know of right now haha sorry ;/ I haven't ripped my pants yet but when I do I'll be sure to write it in the email! haha
I think what strengthens my faith when I feel down is really to just stop and say a prayer, try to push the bad thoughts out, or make a joke about it. And that usually helps brighten my spirits. I always joke around when investigators drop us or the calling my cyst, "Murph", joke. Or just when things get frustrating I usually just take a moment and pray for help. As well, I always remember the last interview I had with President when he told me to "always have a good attitude" no matter what the circumstance. So that usually helps as well.
Well that is all I have for you all. I love you all and pray for you all. Thanks for all your emails and support/encouragement. It's going by super fast! Keep on keepin on and I hope everything is everything. Oh and yes mom I agree, have a stellar week! ;)
~~Elder VanKatwyk
WEEK #39
3/16/15
Hey hey!
This week was pretty goood. Nothing in particular happened with Grandma-G and Veronica yet. We did however go to Grimsleys house on Saturday to eat but she told us that Veronica was in San Antonio. Bummer... but it's ok! As for downsizing the mission, I've actually never heard that happening...? hahah All I know is that President Maluenda is probably going to make a brand new zone, if not already. So that'll be pretty cool!
So G'ma G works at the elementary school as a secretary? I believe. And she has a bunch of grandkids (don't really remember how much or where they're at) But ya. She has a picture of one of her daughters on the wall in the home and It's funny when Elder Clark and Pulsipher were here, Elder Clark would always ask how she's doing and he would say that she's "looking good" hahah even though the picture never changed. So every time we go over, I always ask her how her daughter is doing in memory of Elder Clark hahah Veronica is really cool. She's Grandma G's friend. Apparently she came to church before or something like that but got offended by a member. And that's about all we know so far.
Hahah march madness..... well we're terrible at it this past 2 rounds. We got kicked out like the first round last week cuz we totally forgot hahah. It stinks because everybody else is in car areas or really small bike areas. Del Norte is like in the middle; small for a car but pretty big for a bike. So, we do what we can.
As for service hours...no one will ever let us serve them! Like we beg our members cuz all we do is go there, eat, share a message and run, but nobody will never let us clean anything or do our dishes. One time, I just went over to the sink and started doing my dishes and the members were like "ELDER NO!!! No se preocupe!" (Don't worry about it) hahaha like they freaked out. So I mean I guess the hunt to do service still continues!
Hmmmm one negative thing about the apartment itself or the people in it? Well I guess one negative thing about the apartment itself was that the door to the bathroom Elder Rodriguez and I use never locks, so you can just push on the door and it'll open. And today I was taking care of Murph after my shower and Elder Rodriguez apparently forgot I was in there and bursted the door open while I'm standing there without any clothes on hahaha I can't wait till I can have a bathroom where the door stays closed again...
3 Positives about Apartment 54 would definitely be the missionaries (the people) in it for sure. I'd say another one is all the memories of that apartment, from all our music videos, to all our crazy weekly planning half-time games. Speaking of which, missionaries in the South are starting to make music videos now too. I guess us original "Apartment 54 Phantoms" started a new trend hahah :)
Oh man hahaha I don't know if I told this one before but I think it's hilarious. So one time Elder Pulsipher and I knocked on this door and this old guy answers the door. I do the whole introduction and the old guy just stares at us like he's angry shakes his head a little bit and all he said was "Bye!" and slammed the door suuuuper hard. Elder Pulsipher and I walk away laughing a little bit. Then we go knock on another house and the old guy comes out of his house and calls at us. We turn around and that old guy was like "Hey guys I just wanted to make amends with you. I'm really sorry for the way I acted slamming the door on you. I was just watching a TV show and... Well you know how that is. But I just wanted to apologize about that. I really appreciate what you guys do but I'm just not interested right now". Elder Pulsipher and I just stare at him with our mouths open and there's just an awkward silence. Then finally I say "naw it's all good not a problem" and then he says "you guys have a good day" and walks in his house. Elder Pulsipher and I just looked at each other and started laughing cuz we were so shocked that somebody actually apologized for slamming a door in our face.
Hmmmm Well for March Madness we saw little itty bitty miracles you could say.. And we also lost one because we forgot we were playing that day hahah that counts as an experience. Ummm I guess really the only thing was that we picked up some investigators to teach. But then the next game we got trashed because we were competing for Member Presents and didn't get anything hahah then the other one we forgot. SO! We'll see what happens for this weeks game hahah
Well that is about me. Glad everything is everything with everyone. Keep on keepin on. Pray for you all and I appreciate everything you all do. have a stellar week
Elder VanKatwyk
3/16/15
Hey hey!
This week was pretty goood. Nothing in particular happened with Grandma-G and Veronica yet. We did however go to Grimsleys house on Saturday to eat but she told us that Veronica was in San Antonio. Bummer... but it's ok! As for downsizing the mission, I've actually never heard that happening...? hahah All I know is that President Maluenda is probably going to make a brand new zone, if not already. So that'll be pretty cool!
So G'ma G works at the elementary school as a secretary? I believe. And she has a bunch of grandkids (don't really remember how much or where they're at) But ya. She has a picture of one of her daughters on the wall in the home and It's funny when Elder Clark and Pulsipher were here, Elder Clark would always ask how she's doing and he would say that she's "looking good" hahah even though the picture never changed. So every time we go over, I always ask her how her daughter is doing in memory of Elder Clark hahah Veronica is really cool. She's Grandma G's friend. Apparently she came to church before or something like that but got offended by a member. And that's about all we know so far.
Hahah march madness..... well we're terrible at it this past 2 rounds. We got kicked out like the first round last week cuz we totally forgot hahah. It stinks because everybody else is in car areas or really small bike areas. Del Norte is like in the middle; small for a car but pretty big for a bike. So, we do what we can.
As for service hours...no one will ever let us serve them! Like we beg our members cuz all we do is go there, eat, share a message and run, but nobody will never let us clean anything or do our dishes. One time, I just went over to the sink and started doing my dishes and the members were like "ELDER NO!!! No se preocupe!" (Don't worry about it) hahaha like they freaked out. So I mean I guess the hunt to do service still continues!
Hmmmm one negative thing about the apartment itself or the people in it? Well I guess one negative thing about the apartment itself was that the door to the bathroom Elder Rodriguez and I use never locks, so you can just push on the door and it'll open. And today I was taking care of Murph after my shower and Elder Rodriguez apparently forgot I was in there and bursted the door open while I'm standing there without any clothes on hahaha I can't wait till I can have a bathroom where the door stays closed again...
3 Positives about Apartment 54 would definitely be the missionaries (the people) in it for sure. I'd say another one is all the memories of that apartment, from all our music videos, to all our crazy weekly planning half-time games. Speaking of which, missionaries in the South are starting to make music videos now too. I guess us original "Apartment 54 Phantoms" started a new trend hahah :)
Oh man hahaha I don't know if I told this one before but I think it's hilarious. So one time Elder Pulsipher and I knocked on this door and this old guy answers the door. I do the whole introduction and the old guy just stares at us like he's angry shakes his head a little bit and all he said was "Bye!" and slammed the door suuuuper hard. Elder Pulsipher and I walk away laughing a little bit. Then we go knock on another house and the old guy comes out of his house and calls at us. We turn around and that old guy was like "Hey guys I just wanted to make amends with you. I'm really sorry for the way I acted slamming the door on you. I was just watching a TV show and... Well you know how that is. But I just wanted to apologize about that. I really appreciate what you guys do but I'm just not interested right now". Elder Pulsipher and I just stare at him with our mouths open and there's just an awkward silence. Then finally I say "naw it's all good not a problem" and then he says "you guys have a good day" and walks in his house. Elder Pulsipher and I just looked at each other and started laughing cuz we were so shocked that somebody actually apologized for slamming a door in our face.
Hmmmm Well for March Madness we saw little itty bitty miracles you could say.. And we also lost one because we forgot we were playing that day hahah that counts as an experience. Ummm I guess really the only thing was that we picked up some investigators to teach. But then the next game we got trashed because we were competing for Member Presents and didn't get anything hahah then the other one we forgot. SO! We'll see what happens for this weeks game hahah
Well that is about me. Glad everything is everything with everyone. Keep on keepin on. Pray for you all and I appreciate everything you all do. have a stellar week
Elder VanKatwyk
WEEK #38
3/9/15
hey hey hey!
Well I didn't get an email from anybody else. But shout out to Dad for the hard work out there in the big Saudi Arabia and getting that award. that's super, super awesome!!!
As for me, my week was good...good. So since it's the month of March we've been doing a "March Madness" in our zone. We were all competing against each other trying to get the most of a key indicator. Elder Rodriguez and I got to the finals but we lost because we needed 4 member presents and our day planned didn't make that happen lol But it was still fun.
Zone conference was on Wednesday and I thought it was great. All four of the AP's stayed in our apartment the night before so it was super super crazy but it was alot of fun. President talked a lot about finding and different ways to find. And how everything we do, we should be anxiously engaged in finding in everything. So what I've been doing now that I wasn't doing before, is asking every single member for referrals as well. So it's been working out pretty good. One of the AP's the other day gave me a commitment to get 5 member referrals so I was working really hard in fulfilling that commitment. And I got it! And ever since then it's been something that I've been working more at.
So one day last week, (I don't remember exactly which one) but we had a terrible day. We started working around 1 and hadn't gone in a single door and we hadn't taught anything either. But something cool that we did was that we gave a Book Of Mormon to one of our former investigators from two weeks ago. While we taught him, he said he really wanted a Book Of Mormon. He turned us down because he lives with his mom (He's 21) and she stereotyped us super bad to him (A.K.A he got anti-ed) and his grandma was a really strong Jehovah's Witness. So eventually he turned us down. Had a BD with him and everything. So with that, in the 6 months I've been here in Laredo, I now have had a total of 11 people who dropped me....and counting...lol) Anyways, so we dropped off a Book Of Mormon at his house and left on his porch while he was at work. And we both wrote our testimonies in it. I thought it was a cool experience because I've never written my testimony for anyone before and gave it to them in a Book Of Mormon.
This past week, we've seen a few miracles. We were biking on Saturday or Friday and we stopped to figure out where we were going. And this guy calls us over and literally says "hey" and told us he lives "in those apartments over there. Apartment number..." and told us a good time to go by would be before 12. Then on Saturday we were at a meal appointment with a member named Hermana Grimsley, But I always call her "Grandma G" or "Grandma Grims and it's stuck ever since :) hahah But she had her friend Veronica there. We had a lesson planned and everything but we ended up teaching Veronica about temples (who's not a member) and long story short, we're gonna teach her at Grimsley's house every saturday when we go over :) Woop Woop! So we'll shall see about that!
But that is all I can for this week that i can think of. Hope everything is everything with everyone else and just remember to keep on keepin on! Have a stellar week and I love you all and pray for you all!
~~Elder VanKatwyk
3/9/15
hey hey hey!
Well I didn't get an email from anybody else. But shout out to Dad for the hard work out there in the big Saudi Arabia and getting that award. that's super, super awesome!!!
As for me, my week was good...good. So since it's the month of March we've been doing a "March Madness" in our zone. We were all competing against each other trying to get the most of a key indicator. Elder Rodriguez and I got to the finals but we lost because we needed 4 member presents and our day planned didn't make that happen lol But it was still fun.
Zone conference was on Wednesday and I thought it was great. All four of the AP's stayed in our apartment the night before so it was super super crazy but it was alot of fun. President talked a lot about finding and different ways to find. And how everything we do, we should be anxiously engaged in finding in everything. So what I've been doing now that I wasn't doing before, is asking every single member for referrals as well. So it's been working out pretty good. One of the AP's the other day gave me a commitment to get 5 member referrals so I was working really hard in fulfilling that commitment. And I got it! And ever since then it's been something that I've been working more at.
So one day last week, (I don't remember exactly which one) but we had a terrible day. We started working around 1 and hadn't gone in a single door and we hadn't taught anything either. But something cool that we did was that we gave a Book Of Mormon to one of our former investigators from two weeks ago. While we taught him, he said he really wanted a Book Of Mormon. He turned us down because he lives with his mom (He's 21) and she stereotyped us super bad to him (A.K.A he got anti-ed) and his grandma was a really strong Jehovah's Witness. So eventually he turned us down. Had a BD with him and everything. So with that, in the 6 months I've been here in Laredo, I now have had a total of 11 people who dropped me....and counting...lol) Anyways, so we dropped off a Book Of Mormon at his house and left on his porch while he was at work. And we both wrote our testimonies in it. I thought it was a cool experience because I've never written my testimony for anyone before and gave it to them in a Book Of Mormon.
This past week, we've seen a few miracles. We were biking on Saturday or Friday and we stopped to figure out where we were going. And this guy calls us over and literally says "hey" and told us he lives "in those apartments over there. Apartment number..." and told us a good time to go by would be before 12. Then on Saturday we were at a meal appointment with a member named Hermana Grimsley, But I always call her "Grandma G" or "Grandma Grims and it's stuck ever since :) hahah But she had her friend Veronica there. We had a lesson planned and everything but we ended up teaching Veronica about temples (who's not a member) and long story short, we're gonna teach her at Grimsley's house every saturday when we go over :) Woop Woop! So we'll shall see about that!
But that is all I can for this week that i can think of. Hope everything is everything with everyone else and just remember to keep on keepin on! Have a stellar week and I love you all and pray for you all!
~~Elder VanKatwyk
WEEK #37
3/2/15
Hey howdie hey!
Yup I'm still king in the great DN! (Del Norte) I still have 3 transfers left here! They can't kick me out just yet! :) hahah But yup I'm still holdin' down the fort here and I'm glad I still get to be here. Sounds like everyone had a stellar week! Liked the pictures!
Sunday was good good. Nothing really too out-of-the-ordinary happened. Abby Dominguez bore her testimony about her experience she had with her friend that we helped with. So the story is, right now we're setting up "game nights" with members and we're asking them to invite one friend to come. And all we're really doing is playing games and then sharing like a little, little spiritual thought. One time, we played Catch-Phrase in Spanish with them and our spiritual message was suggesting a game night to do with them. And we got feedback on how people in the outside world view missionaries. (boring, consecrated, annoying, weird etc.) So on Tuesday when we went to the Dominguez's to eat, we asked Abby if she could invite a friend to the game night on Friday. And to be honest, she was not too thrilled about it because she's never had her friends meet missionaries. So eventually she found a friend from TAMIU and invited her over. So on Friday, we played games and had a good time and shared a spiritual thought about prayer. When we woke up the next morning, we saw 5 pages of texts from Abby telling us how happy and grateful she was for that experience because her friend told her that she had a lot of fun and it brought up a lot of curiosity. So she texted us telling us how much she loves us and how much she appreciates all the hard work we do and that she's grateful that we were able to plant a seed in her friend. I guess that experience just tied in the first 3 questions hahah :)
Someone new in the district.....Well Hermana Hemmingsen has a baby named Sister Tervort and she's from Utah. And she loves to dance. She did Drill Team and dance competitions apparently. And it reminded me of the fam-bam and all the dancing that goes on :) I do know Elder Volkman yes. He's in my zone and Elder Falcon as well. It's hilarious how hyped that TMM mom's site is. It's makes me laugh all the time hahah
Well that's about my week thus far. Hope everyone has a stellar week. Keep on keepin' on and hope everything is everything!
Love you all and pray for you all!
Elder VanKatwyk
3/2/15
Hey howdie hey!
Yup I'm still king in the great DN! (Del Norte) I still have 3 transfers left here! They can't kick me out just yet! :) hahah But yup I'm still holdin' down the fort here and I'm glad I still get to be here. Sounds like everyone had a stellar week! Liked the pictures!
Sunday was good good. Nothing really too out-of-the-ordinary happened. Abby Dominguez bore her testimony about her experience she had with her friend that we helped with. So the story is, right now we're setting up "game nights" with members and we're asking them to invite one friend to come. And all we're really doing is playing games and then sharing like a little, little spiritual thought. One time, we played Catch-Phrase in Spanish with them and our spiritual message was suggesting a game night to do with them. And we got feedback on how people in the outside world view missionaries. (boring, consecrated, annoying, weird etc.) So on Tuesday when we went to the Dominguez's to eat, we asked Abby if she could invite a friend to the game night on Friday. And to be honest, she was not too thrilled about it because she's never had her friends meet missionaries. So eventually she found a friend from TAMIU and invited her over. So on Friday, we played games and had a good time and shared a spiritual thought about prayer. When we woke up the next morning, we saw 5 pages of texts from Abby telling us how happy and grateful she was for that experience because her friend told her that she had a lot of fun and it brought up a lot of curiosity. So she texted us telling us how much she loves us and how much she appreciates all the hard work we do and that she's grateful that we were able to plant a seed in her friend. I guess that experience just tied in the first 3 questions hahah :)
Someone new in the district.....Well Hermana Hemmingsen has a baby named Sister Tervort and she's from Utah. And she loves to dance. She did Drill Team and dance competitions apparently. And it reminded me of the fam-bam and all the dancing that goes on :) I do know Elder Volkman yes. He's in my zone and Elder Falcon as well. It's hilarious how hyped that TMM mom's site is. It's makes me laugh all the time hahah
Well that's about my week thus far. Hope everyone has a stellar week. Keep on keepin' on and hope everything is everything!
Love you all and pray for you all!
Elder VanKatwyk