ELDER LOGAN CHASE VAN KATWYK
WEEK #93
3/28/2016
Salutations from the state down under!
Happy "late" Easter! Hope it was a good one. It's always fun to be a missionary on Easter. Down here they celebrate "Good Friday". Now I've never heard of that till I got here, is that something we celebrate at home? They treated that like a normal holiday and none of the kids had to go to school.
Well not much really happened this week. On Monday, the sisters, us, and the AP's came and we all got facials from one of our members. It was a lot of fun hahah Our faces and hands were all suuuuuuuper smooth afterwards hahah But we all had a good time. We were all laughing at each other for all the many things we had to put on that our member was giving to us and the way we looked as we were putting the cosmetics on.
On Tuesday, I had District Meeting and I basically just gave a training on The Atonement and applying it to ourselves as missionaries. And it went suuuuuper well! The Zone Leaders even came too. But at first for the "activity" portion, I brought a bag of starburst Jelly Bean candy. I chose somebody to be my helper and what I did was, for my volunteer, he had to do 10 push-ups every time someone accepted to take a candy. The catch, nobody could reject the candy. So I went around the group a few times asking them if they wanted a candy and my volunteer was off doing his push-ups. Then the application was that all of the rest of us gets to enjoy candy while another one is suffering for our happiness. Just like Jesus Christ, he suffered for every single one of us so all of us can experience happiness with our blessings. After that, I shared a little track of this guy named Eric Thomas, who's an inspirational speaker that all of us missionaries in this mission listen to. And I shared this track which talked about how we need to have a vision for ourselves in the future and we can't dwell in the past, and at that same time they were listening, I had them write down impression/thoughts/feelings on how it could apply to the atonement. And then afterward I had them all share. Lastly, I shared one of my favorite poems that E. Latu showed way back in the beginning of my mission. It was a very spiritual training and definitely one of my best ones for sure because you could tell the spirit was very strong in the room and there was a few that were on the verge of crying.
Then on Thursday, we had Zone Meeting and we all had to show up dressed in white (in our baptismal clothes) Prior to that, the Zone Leaders asked me to give my same training on the Atonement at this zone meeting. So I did, and I followed the same general idea of it and towards the end, I asked them all how they had a testimony of The Atonement of Jesus Christ, and I then went to the direction that because we know that, its one of the most powerful aspects of our testimony that we have and that we should not be afraid to share it with others. And that was definitely very spiritual and powerful training as well. I even had some missionaries come up to me afterwards telling me that that was the most spiritual training they've ever received in their missions. Pretty cool :)
Yesterday, I had interviews with President. And it went very good as well. He asked me how much time I have left in my mission and I kinda took a while to respond but then I told him I have a transfer left. Then he told me that I've served a "greeeaaattt" mission and that I've learned a lot and I'll be a changed person and ready to go home. (Pres. trying to make me trunky already ;) hahah) But there was very good the council he gave me; that with me he feels like at times, I only strive for the 50% and not the hundred. That I have "soooooo much potential, gifts, skills, and knowledge to do such great things" but I only settle for the 50%. (.....Ooops...) But then he told me to do my absolute best to go for the 100% on my last few weeks. So, that's what I'm gonna do!
"Not Knocking On Doors Anymore" was a little rough, BUT it was very good at the same time. We did see a lot of success in regards to the members but in regards to our goals..... eh... hah But it was really good. You could say it sort of made us think outside the books and get out of our 'routine' and 'rotation'. This week we're going to keep that challenge rolling as a companionship, but still keep a rounded effort in our labors. It'll be good :)
Today I received news. This morning the Zone Leaders called me and told me they are "retiring from their position as zone leaders". .....if it's what I'm thinking...then they are going to start doing what we did in Mission Zone, where they combine districts to make the "zones". So, I'm not a Zone Leader again hahah and this time, it'll be a trio "Zone Leader" companionship. So since I've done it already, I'm basically gonna be senior companion with this idea and coach my fellow "companions" into this as well. And this will be going on till the end of the transfer. So it'll be fun. I really liked the idea from last zone so I'm excited for this again.
Well that is about all I have for this week. Hope you guys have a great next week. Keep on keepin on and I hope everything is everything!
~~Elder VanKatwyk
3/28/2016
Salutations from the state down under!
Happy "late" Easter! Hope it was a good one. It's always fun to be a missionary on Easter. Down here they celebrate "Good Friday". Now I've never heard of that till I got here, is that something we celebrate at home? They treated that like a normal holiday and none of the kids had to go to school.
Well not much really happened this week. On Monday, the sisters, us, and the AP's came and we all got facials from one of our members. It was a lot of fun hahah Our faces and hands were all suuuuuuuper smooth afterwards hahah But we all had a good time. We were all laughing at each other for all the many things we had to put on that our member was giving to us and the way we looked as we were putting the cosmetics on.
On Tuesday, I had District Meeting and I basically just gave a training on The Atonement and applying it to ourselves as missionaries. And it went suuuuuper well! The Zone Leaders even came too. But at first for the "activity" portion, I brought a bag of starburst Jelly Bean candy. I chose somebody to be my helper and what I did was, for my volunteer, he had to do 10 push-ups every time someone accepted to take a candy. The catch, nobody could reject the candy. So I went around the group a few times asking them if they wanted a candy and my volunteer was off doing his push-ups. Then the application was that all of the rest of us gets to enjoy candy while another one is suffering for our happiness. Just like Jesus Christ, he suffered for every single one of us so all of us can experience happiness with our blessings. After that, I shared a little track of this guy named Eric Thomas, who's an inspirational speaker that all of us missionaries in this mission listen to. And I shared this track which talked about how we need to have a vision for ourselves in the future and we can't dwell in the past, and at that same time they were listening, I had them write down impression/thoughts/feelings on how it could apply to the atonement. And then afterward I had them all share. Lastly, I shared one of my favorite poems that E. Latu showed way back in the beginning of my mission. It was a very spiritual training and definitely one of my best ones for sure because you could tell the spirit was very strong in the room and there was a few that were on the verge of crying.
Then on Thursday, we had Zone Meeting and we all had to show up dressed in white (in our baptismal clothes) Prior to that, the Zone Leaders asked me to give my same training on the Atonement at this zone meeting. So I did, and I followed the same general idea of it and towards the end, I asked them all how they had a testimony of The Atonement of Jesus Christ, and I then went to the direction that because we know that, its one of the most powerful aspects of our testimony that we have and that we should not be afraid to share it with others. And that was definitely very spiritual and powerful training as well. I even had some missionaries come up to me afterwards telling me that that was the most spiritual training they've ever received in their missions. Pretty cool :)
Yesterday, I had interviews with President. And it went very good as well. He asked me how much time I have left in my mission and I kinda took a while to respond but then I told him I have a transfer left. Then he told me that I've served a "greeeaaattt" mission and that I've learned a lot and I'll be a changed person and ready to go home. (Pres. trying to make me trunky already ;) hahah) But there was very good the council he gave me; that with me he feels like at times, I only strive for the 50% and not the hundred. That I have "soooooo much potential, gifts, skills, and knowledge to do such great things" but I only settle for the 50%. (.....Ooops...) But then he told me to do my absolute best to go for the 100% on my last few weeks. So, that's what I'm gonna do!
"Not Knocking On Doors Anymore" was a little rough, BUT it was very good at the same time. We did see a lot of success in regards to the members but in regards to our goals..... eh... hah But it was really good. You could say it sort of made us think outside the books and get out of our 'routine' and 'rotation'. This week we're going to keep that challenge rolling as a companionship, but still keep a rounded effort in our labors. It'll be good :)
Today I received news. This morning the Zone Leaders called me and told me they are "retiring from their position as zone leaders". .....if it's what I'm thinking...then they are going to start doing what we did in Mission Zone, where they combine districts to make the "zones". So, I'm not a Zone Leader again hahah and this time, it'll be a trio "Zone Leader" companionship. So since I've done it already, I'm basically gonna be senior companion with this idea and coach my fellow "companions" into this as well. And this will be going on till the end of the transfer. So it'll be fun. I really liked the idea from last zone so I'm excited for this again.
Well that is about all I have for this week. Hope you guys have a great next week. Keep on keepin on and I hope everything is everything!
~~Elder VanKatwyk
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WEEK #92
3/21/16
Hey hey hey!
Well, nothing too new happened this week for me hahah So I'll just get right to it.... So this email maayyyyyybe shorter than the rest unfortunately. But things here in "the Burg" is good. We've been continuing to work with less-actives and trying to baptize through them instead of through our own finding efforts. This week, the Zone Leaders challenged us to "not knock any doors any more". Meaning to not tract or talk to people out on the streets for the soul purpose of emphasizing working with members. I think it'll be really good because it's something I've been learning since being here in Edinburg. Wish I could've learned it earlier on, but it's ok.
As for the flight arrangements, I don't know it all just yet. The office called me last transfer and asked me where I want to fly into and so I told them what you told me Mom. I believe you should be receiving an email regarding that when the time comes closer.
This past week was Zone Conference.....aaaand.....lets see if I remember any of it.... I remember it being really good though. President really touched a lot about Faith and just being faithful in every single aspect to bring down the miracles. Don't really remember too much else than that hahaha Maybe that's just the kind of stuff I needed to hear so my mind retained it. But from that, this week I've been working a lot on having faith in everything and just working with a lot of faith. Sure, easier said than done. Definitely can only progress upward from here!
Nothing really happened in regards to the District this past week. The sisters were gone on exchanges in the zones up north until Friday morning so I didn't really talk to them or see them a whole lot.
Yes, Chamberlain and I live by ourselves. I've definitely have been in a 2-man for most of my mission. Maybe means something? But it does get kind of boring sometimes honestly. But it still love Chamberlain though.
Hahaha oh mother.... I'll be honest, the meals I cook were scrambled eggs and frozen foods (only for the areas that never fed me (I get fed so much here I barely by any groceries))
I think the companion that has helped me the most in my mission so far would beeeee......... Elder Maluia I would say. I think when he came in mid transfer, that, you could say, shaped me up and I had to really become reliant on the Lord to make things happen. I think when we were together, we really grew a ton, not perfect, but we did grow a ton and having him and training him really made me make sure that I was doing the things I was suppose to. That was probobly one of my biggest refining moments.
Well that is all I have for this week. I love you all alot and I pray for you all as well. Keep on keepin on and I hope everything continues to be everything!
~~Elder VanKatwyk
3/21/16
Hey hey hey!
Well, nothing too new happened this week for me hahah So I'll just get right to it.... So this email maayyyyyybe shorter than the rest unfortunately. But things here in "the Burg" is good. We've been continuing to work with less-actives and trying to baptize through them instead of through our own finding efforts. This week, the Zone Leaders challenged us to "not knock any doors any more". Meaning to not tract or talk to people out on the streets for the soul purpose of emphasizing working with members. I think it'll be really good because it's something I've been learning since being here in Edinburg. Wish I could've learned it earlier on, but it's ok.
As for the flight arrangements, I don't know it all just yet. The office called me last transfer and asked me where I want to fly into and so I told them what you told me Mom. I believe you should be receiving an email regarding that when the time comes closer.
This past week was Zone Conference.....aaaand.....lets see if I remember any of it.... I remember it being really good though. President really touched a lot about Faith and just being faithful in every single aspect to bring down the miracles. Don't really remember too much else than that hahaha Maybe that's just the kind of stuff I needed to hear so my mind retained it. But from that, this week I've been working a lot on having faith in everything and just working with a lot of faith. Sure, easier said than done. Definitely can only progress upward from here!
Nothing really happened in regards to the District this past week. The sisters were gone on exchanges in the zones up north until Friday morning so I didn't really talk to them or see them a whole lot.
Yes, Chamberlain and I live by ourselves. I've definitely have been in a 2-man for most of my mission. Maybe means something? But it does get kind of boring sometimes honestly. But it still love Chamberlain though.
Hahaha oh mother.... I'll be honest, the meals I cook were scrambled eggs and frozen foods (only for the areas that never fed me (I get fed so much here I barely by any groceries))
I think the companion that has helped me the most in my mission so far would beeeee......... Elder Maluia I would say. I think when he came in mid transfer, that, you could say, shaped me up and I had to really become reliant on the Lord to make things happen. I think when we were together, we really grew a ton, not perfect, but we did grow a ton and having him and training him really made me make sure that I was doing the things I was suppose to. That was probobly one of my biggest refining moments.
Well that is all I have for this week. I love you all alot and I pray for you all as well. Keep on keepin on and I hope everything continues to be everything!
~~Elder VanKatwyk
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WEEK #91
3/14/16
Hey hey hey!
I hope the job works out for Dad! That's a pretty cool experience and I hope it'll all work out.
My last week was pretty pretty good! Just a couple of things happened:
Got the car stuck in the mud (oops...) hahaha It was raining and thundering quite a bit two weeks ago and so the other day the dirt was still wet and such. So we were driving to find this house on this two way road and we ended up passing it. So I had to flip around.... Aaaaand O had to go off road a little bit to make the turn all the way and I ended up getting the car stuck in the mud... BUT, I got it out! It didn't take too long to get it out because I know how to drive cars ;) As I was stepping on the gas, I just had a thought come to my head to push the Traction control button off. So I did, and we got us out. Good thing the spirit didn't take too long to give me that idea hahah
Another thing that happened was another comp study with my sistahs. It was really good! The sisters were having a little struggle in their companionship so I called a companionship study to figure out the "root problem" or the "why?". And we figured it out!! I'm not gonna lie, I love doing that. I don't know if it's bad, or maybe it's the Criminal Profiler in me, but I love these kinds of experiences of finding the root problem of things. Of course, I definitely would have to give the credit to Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost more importantly, because without their help, I wouldn't ever be able to help out my sheep to become the missionaries they need to be. But, it was super cool, I wrote everything out on the board (I'll send the picture) and everything. Probobly won't make any sense to you guys but ya! hahaha
Things in Edinburg have been going really really good. We're starting to work more closely with the auxiliaries and I feel like it's gaining their trust. We've particularly just been focusing more on Less-Active work and it's been super good! Chamberlain and I found a golden part-member family. They are the Fuentes family. And fortunately, they live in our apartment complex! :) But Frank (the husband) hasn't gone to church in a veeeerrrry long time because he had a nasty experience with the church in California (long story), but the cool thing is that he has two daughters and he told us that he wants them to be baptized and they are 6 and 8 years old! Woop woop! And as well, Franks wife isn't a member either. So that's our key family we're working with right now. And yesterday, they all came to church!!!!! It was my very first family in my entire mission that I've actually brought to church!!! It was really cool! Frank was wanting to meet everyone so before church we prepared super well by texting all the auxiliaries to let them know and stuff and we were able to have a ton of people meet them. They all had great experiences and the members really did very well by fellowshipping them.
The other day, the Zone Leaders had a comp study with me and the sisters. The sisters were having a very hard time because what seemed to be a solid investigator, turned out that she was not ready to be baptized at all.... so it really bummed them out and they were very very discouraged.
And the comp study was a very sentimental one. I felt so terrible seeing my sisters break down crying, and eventually, I started shedding a few tears just because, for whatever reason, I just felt so so so bad that my sisters were crying in front of me. It was one of those moments were I honestly wanted to give them a hug or something but I just couldn't. But it went very well. They both were just very stressed out with everything for a long story short. I was pondering afterwards about why I myself felt super bad watching the sisters crying, and the first thing that came to mind was the Love of our Savior and how in 3 Nephi when he came down to visit the people that there was a part where he started crying as well. And I think that was the moment were I felt the love of Christ so powerful through me to those that I serve. To be able to, I dont know how to describe it, but be connected spiritually to them in a kind a way to feel for them in their times of need. Don't know if that made sense.
The worst thing that happened this week, well kind a funny as well, is me and Chamberlain were working in the sisters area just on this random street. We knock on this door and this lady asks who it is and what church we come from and we tell her we're missionaries from the church and things that like, and then all she said was "You're not Christian!" and walks away. I left a pass-along card at her door and I walked away kind a chuckling at what she just said. Then later, she walks out of her house and gives our card back and says "I'm not interested". And then I asked if she's ever talked to missionaries before, and she starts blowing up a little bit on us. And basically, she told us that we shouldn't go around spreading blasphemy and that God hates Heresyers (Don't know how to spell it). She asked us if we believe Jesus to be God and I was like "well, he has many different names that people refer to him in the bible", then she starts throwing John 1:1 at us (that's when you know it's a basher) and then she's like yelling at us telling us we really need to reconsider what we're doing. I dunno sounds like De ja vu from last week..... hahah
Hmmmm 3 favorite people on the mission.... I would definitely have to say President is one of them, Elder Lindsay (who I came out with. He's an AP) and one of my super good friends from the zone, Elder Mason. And my top 3 favorite people in Edinburg would have to be the bishop, this women named Jennet Esquivel, aaaaaaand....... This member named Brother De La Torre :)
Well that is about all I have for this week. Have a great week and I hope everything continues to be everything!
~~Elder VanKatwyk
3/14/16
Hey hey hey!
I hope the job works out for Dad! That's a pretty cool experience and I hope it'll all work out.
My last week was pretty pretty good! Just a couple of things happened:
Got the car stuck in the mud (oops...) hahaha It was raining and thundering quite a bit two weeks ago and so the other day the dirt was still wet and such. So we were driving to find this house on this two way road and we ended up passing it. So I had to flip around.... Aaaaand O had to go off road a little bit to make the turn all the way and I ended up getting the car stuck in the mud... BUT, I got it out! It didn't take too long to get it out because I know how to drive cars ;) As I was stepping on the gas, I just had a thought come to my head to push the Traction control button off. So I did, and we got us out. Good thing the spirit didn't take too long to give me that idea hahah
Another thing that happened was another comp study with my sistahs. It was really good! The sisters were having a little struggle in their companionship so I called a companionship study to figure out the "root problem" or the "why?". And we figured it out!! I'm not gonna lie, I love doing that. I don't know if it's bad, or maybe it's the Criminal Profiler in me, but I love these kinds of experiences of finding the root problem of things. Of course, I definitely would have to give the credit to Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost more importantly, because without their help, I wouldn't ever be able to help out my sheep to become the missionaries they need to be. But, it was super cool, I wrote everything out on the board (I'll send the picture) and everything. Probobly won't make any sense to you guys but ya! hahaha
Things in Edinburg have been going really really good. We're starting to work more closely with the auxiliaries and I feel like it's gaining their trust. We've particularly just been focusing more on Less-Active work and it's been super good! Chamberlain and I found a golden part-member family. They are the Fuentes family. And fortunately, they live in our apartment complex! :) But Frank (the husband) hasn't gone to church in a veeeerrrry long time because he had a nasty experience with the church in California (long story), but the cool thing is that he has two daughters and he told us that he wants them to be baptized and they are 6 and 8 years old! Woop woop! And as well, Franks wife isn't a member either. So that's our key family we're working with right now. And yesterday, they all came to church!!!!! It was my very first family in my entire mission that I've actually brought to church!!! It was really cool! Frank was wanting to meet everyone so before church we prepared super well by texting all the auxiliaries to let them know and stuff and we were able to have a ton of people meet them. They all had great experiences and the members really did very well by fellowshipping them.
The other day, the Zone Leaders had a comp study with me and the sisters. The sisters were having a very hard time because what seemed to be a solid investigator, turned out that she was not ready to be baptized at all.... so it really bummed them out and they were very very discouraged.
And the comp study was a very sentimental one. I felt so terrible seeing my sisters break down crying, and eventually, I started shedding a few tears just because, for whatever reason, I just felt so so so bad that my sisters were crying in front of me. It was one of those moments were I honestly wanted to give them a hug or something but I just couldn't. But it went very well. They both were just very stressed out with everything for a long story short. I was pondering afterwards about why I myself felt super bad watching the sisters crying, and the first thing that came to mind was the Love of our Savior and how in 3 Nephi when he came down to visit the people that there was a part where he started crying as well. And I think that was the moment were I felt the love of Christ so powerful through me to those that I serve. To be able to, I dont know how to describe it, but be connected spiritually to them in a kind a way to feel for them in their times of need. Don't know if that made sense.
The worst thing that happened this week, well kind a funny as well, is me and Chamberlain were working in the sisters area just on this random street. We knock on this door and this lady asks who it is and what church we come from and we tell her we're missionaries from the church and things that like, and then all she said was "You're not Christian!" and walks away. I left a pass-along card at her door and I walked away kind a chuckling at what she just said. Then later, she walks out of her house and gives our card back and says "I'm not interested". And then I asked if she's ever talked to missionaries before, and she starts blowing up a little bit on us. And basically, she told us that we shouldn't go around spreading blasphemy and that God hates Heresyers (Don't know how to spell it). She asked us if we believe Jesus to be God and I was like "well, he has many different names that people refer to him in the bible", then she starts throwing John 1:1 at us (that's when you know it's a basher) and then she's like yelling at us telling us we really need to reconsider what we're doing. I dunno sounds like De ja vu from last week..... hahah
Hmmmm 3 favorite people on the mission.... I would definitely have to say President is one of them, Elder Lindsay (who I came out with. He's an AP) and one of my super good friends from the zone, Elder Mason. And my top 3 favorite people in Edinburg would have to be the bishop, this women named Jennet Esquivel, aaaaaaand....... This member named Brother De La Torre :)
Well that is about all I have for this week. Have a great week and I hope everything continues to be everything!
~~Elder VanKatwyk
WEEK #90
3/7/16
Hey hey hey all!
Thanks everyone for all the words of encouragement and such! and it sure looks like everyone kept busy this past week! haha
This week was alot better than last week. But before that, transfers are tomorrow but, like usual, I don't know what's happening yet. Hopefully I stay as a District Leader here in Edinburg with the sisters but we shall see what happens. And yes, Thompson was a ZL in Harlingen but he and I became very very good friends when we were in Harlingen together when he was my District Leader. Sad to see that both Thompson and............................this just in..... got transfers.....aaaaaaaand.......... I'm staying!!!!!!! And....... the whole district is stayiiiiiiing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry. pretty pumped can you tell? hahaha :)
Anyways, sad to see Thompson and Pulsipher leaving in a little bit here. Hopefully I'll get to see them in the "after-life".
As for my week not too much happened really. I guess a spiritual experience and new thing I saw in Edinburg was this.......
Yesterday we went to this guys house on a return appointment. Previously, we gave him a Restoration pamphlet and asked him to read it. We went back yesterday, and as we were heading over to his apartment, for whatever reason, I just had a weird feeling about this guy, like something weird was going to happen.
So we go in and we sit down and he proceeds to tell us his thoughts on the restoration. He told us that he read more about our religion on the internet (problem #1) and then explained how he felt about us. He then started asking us all these questions on "when we accepted Christ" and all these schanannagins.
Now, this here is the 'spiritual moment'. He asked us, ...if we were to die right now, would we be confident that we would go to heaven. I looked him straight in the eye and I said, "if someone were to walk in this apartment and shoot me in the head, I wouldn't be afraid and yes, I would be absolutely confident that I'm going to be in heaven". Now, it may not seem super big, but to me, I realized just how my confidence has changed since being out here on my mission. I remember when I first started my mission people would always tell me, "just be more confident", or things of that nature.
Going back to the "lesson", so he then basically tells us that we're wrong, that we shouldn't be spreading blasphemy, and that we should repent now "before the devil gets into our hearts". And then we just kept telling him that we know this message is true and that if he wants to know he'll have to pray. And I told him, if he wants to find the answers, don't go to Google, go to God. Then he wanted to say a pray over us. So we let him. And it was pretty interesting. That was definitely the first time I heard someone "speak in tongues".
But he prayed over us yelling and shouting and all this weird stuff and it was funny because he was trying super hard to...I guess...open our hearts or something. But while he was praying I just had the reassurance that this is all true and that my testimony was rock solid.
In mid prayer, he stopped because "our hearts weren't open". I felt bad but kinda chuckled on the inside when he asked us if we thought he was crazy. Neither of us really responded because we honestly didn't know how to answer that. But eventually we got outta there.
So to sum it all up, it was a spiritual experience for me because of the confidence and just the unshakable testimony that the mission has given me. We walked out and that was the first time where I actually felt sorrow for someone because of their point of view. For denying the truth and the message we brought. Hopefully he'll get another chance in this life, if not the after life.
Murphy is doing great. I believe he has moved out because he hasn't been throwing a tantrum or anything like that. Great things come to those that wait right? :) So I'm pretty excited. I haven't bought gauze or hydrogen peroxide in months and nothing has happened since then, so I'm pretty sure it's all healed up :)
Well that is about all I have for this week. I love you all a lot and I hope everything continues to be everything. Have a great week and keep on keepin on!
~~Elder VanKatwyk
3/7/16
Hey hey hey all!
Thanks everyone for all the words of encouragement and such! and it sure looks like everyone kept busy this past week! haha
This week was alot better than last week. But before that, transfers are tomorrow but, like usual, I don't know what's happening yet. Hopefully I stay as a District Leader here in Edinburg with the sisters but we shall see what happens. And yes, Thompson was a ZL in Harlingen but he and I became very very good friends when we were in Harlingen together when he was my District Leader. Sad to see that both Thompson and............................this just in..... got transfers.....aaaaaaaand.......... I'm staying!!!!!!! And....... the whole district is stayiiiiiiing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry. pretty pumped can you tell? hahaha :)
Anyways, sad to see Thompson and Pulsipher leaving in a little bit here. Hopefully I'll get to see them in the "after-life".
As for my week not too much happened really. I guess a spiritual experience and new thing I saw in Edinburg was this.......
Yesterday we went to this guys house on a return appointment. Previously, we gave him a Restoration pamphlet and asked him to read it. We went back yesterday, and as we were heading over to his apartment, for whatever reason, I just had a weird feeling about this guy, like something weird was going to happen.
So we go in and we sit down and he proceeds to tell us his thoughts on the restoration. He told us that he read more about our religion on the internet (problem #1) and then explained how he felt about us. He then started asking us all these questions on "when we accepted Christ" and all these schanannagins.
Now, this here is the 'spiritual moment'. He asked us, ...if we were to die right now, would we be confident that we would go to heaven. I looked him straight in the eye and I said, "if someone were to walk in this apartment and shoot me in the head, I wouldn't be afraid and yes, I would be absolutely confident that I'm going to be in heaven". Now, it may not seem super big, but to me, I realized just how my confidence has changed since being out here on my mission. I remember when I first started my mission people would always tell me, "just be more confident", or things of that nature.
Going back to the "lesson", so he then basically tells us that we're wrong, that we shouldn't be spreading blasphemy, and that we should repent now "before the devil gets into our hearts". And then we just kept telling him that we know this message is true and that if he wants to know he'll have to pray. And I told him, if he wants to find the answers, don't go to Google, go to God. Then he wanted to say a pray over us. So we let him. And it was pretty interesting. That was definitely the first time I heard someone "speak in tongues".
But he prayed over us yelling and shouting and all this weird stuff and it was funny because he was trying super hard to...I guess...open our hearts or something. But while he was praying I just had the reassurance that this is all true and that my testimony was rock solid.
In mid prayer, he stopped because "our hearts weren't open". I felt bad but kinda chuckled on the inside when he asked us if we thought he was crazy. Neither of us really responded because we honestly didn't know how to answer that. But eventually we got outta there.
So to sum it all up, it was a spiritual experience for me because of the confidence and just the unshakable testimony that the mission has given me. We walked out and that was the first time where I actually felt sorrow for someone because of their point of view. For denying the truth and the message we brought. Hopefully he'll get another chance in this life, if not the after life.
Murphy is doing great. I believe he has moved out because he hasn't been throwing a tantrum or anything like that. Great things come to those that wait right? :) So I'm pretty excited. I haven't bought gauze or hydrogen peroxide in months and nothing has happened since then, so I'm pretty sure it's all healed up :)
Well that is about all I have for this week. I love you all a lot and I hope everything continues to be everything. Have a great week and keep on keepin on!
~~Elder VanKatwyk