Week 19 - March 19, 2012

Hi family --

Three heads are not better than two. I'm not saying we've had a bad week or anything, but it really is harder to get three people moving in the same direction at the same time. Haha. Elder F is a good guy and is sooo excited about the work. He's been out for a year and has a super super good attitude about everything. I have a hard time getting excited for knocking doors (because we have hardly found anyone in the last two or three weeks) but he just goes along, sharing the gospel with a big smile everywhere he goes! So that's good. Elder F was previously serving in the same zone we are in right now in Lexington, which is only 15ish miles east from here, so instead of driving way out west to Louisville for the transfer meeting, the zone leaders just dropped him off on Tuesday morning. They do a lot of that stuff at transfers for people that are moving, but not very far.

St. Patrick's Day ties.

This week was pretty good. I don't think we have scared too many people at the doors now that there are three white people instead of just two white people. Haha. But we still haven't really found anyone new in quite a while. Things have sort of dipped with our investigators lately... Roxy has cancelled our last two appointments and hasn't been to church for two or three weeks. Gustavo didn't come to church and still didn't talk to his lady friend about marriage (although he was reading the Book of Mormon when we stopped by the other day, so that was wicked cool!), Rufino's work schedule changed and he can't come to church, and we asked Enrique a question the other day and he seemed to remember nothing about the restoration of the gospel... that we had already taught him twice. But we still think these people have all the potential in the world if we can help them commit and study and pray. Which is so much easier said than done. But we're trying.

I have felt like I'm on vacation this week. Being from Arizona, I'm totally used to 7% humidity and dirt and clear skies. But this week it has been cool but humid, and everything has really greened up. If we have a little bit of a breeze it seriously feels like we're in a coastal town, so every time I open the door and go outside into the green and cool, I feel like we're off on vacation somewhere to get away from the desert. I'm sure that feeling will go away when it's in the 90s with 95% humidity. Hahaha.

Blooming trees?! My new favorite thing.

Yesterday church was only an hour long because a ton of the wards in Kentucky have gotten together and gone to southern Indiana to help clean up the mess from the tornadoes a few weeks ago. I was way impressed that so many people went up there, because I think it's about 2 hours away and they had to camp and take their own food and stuff. We had an investigator come to church yesterday named Mariela. We knocked on her door a few weeks ago and finally got in contact with her and got her to church. She is super super cool. But she left before the closing hymn. She said it's because her two daughters were too hungry and restless to sit still, although we aren't really sure if that's the case. Our speakers were less than dynamic. One of them was a super great member that we've interacted with a lot. But she talked about her smoking problems, and Mariela turned to Elder S and said, "I thought you guys don't smoke." So that was kind of a rough spot yesterday... But we'll see. Fingers crossed we can get her back

I did something this week that made me think of Dad -- I helped lay a brick patio in a member's backyard! And guess what... it was actually super fun! Haha. I don't have pictures of it, but the member said he's going to send them to me, so maybe I'll have them next week. But seriously, it was way cool to watch a patio sort of come to life in just a matter of hours. I've seriously learned a ridiculous amount about power tools and back yard projects since we are free labor for the general public. Haha.

A few spare minutes before an appointment.

Things are going good. We're working hard, and I really do like our companionship. Even though we're kind of awkward in a group of three, the other elders are seriously great at all of this, so we can't really fail if we're doing the best we can, right? Right.

Thanks for all you guys do for me! The support I have from home is a real blessing, because there are quite a few missionaries that don't really have that. So thanks. :)

Have a good week everyone!

Love,
Zac

Week 18 - March 12, 2012

Hi family,

Well we got the word on Saturday, and Elder S and I are staying here! We're way excited about it. The catch is that we're gaining one elder, named Elder F. Because of the way missionaries are coming in and out in the next few transfers, we're going to have a few extra Spanish missionaries, so two companionship's have to double up for a transfer. We are one of those companionship's! To be honest, we're really nervous about it. Really nervous. Elder F is a great guy, and he actually already served in Versailles, which kind of makes the whole situation even weirder, since he's returning to an area. But we're mostly nervous because we feel like people aren't as receptive to two white guys standing on their doorstep. What are the odds that they are going to be receptive to three now?! And the fact that we are kind of struggling to find new places to go to knock isn't exciting.

But what is exciting is the progress in the area! We had two investigators at church yesterday. Enrique is still doing awesome. He is nervous about baptism, and we're trying to figure out why/explain to him how great it is. But he loves to come and learn, and is always down to have us over. The other interesting thing that happened this week was teaching the law of chastity to our friend Gustavo. He has been living with his lady friend for 8 years! He told us that he understands it, thinks they should tie the knot, etc. He really did take it very well. The funny thing about the whole lesson was that at the end he said, "Oh, well we've just never really talked about it." Never talked about marriage after 8 years? We just live in a totally different world as members of the LDS church. Hahaha. But he really took it well, and we're excited for him. We think he's really got potential.

We're still hearing lots and lots about tornado clean up. The stakes throughout this whole region are uniting and organizing efforts to help communities. We won't be involved though, since we're pretty far away from the significant damage. But some of the worst stuff was in Elder S's first area, so it's possible that someday I'll be in an area that will be involved with stuff like that.

Spanish is going okay. I finally told myself that it's now or never -- I can either sit there and say nothing, or I can just give it a go. I'll never learn if I don't try, right? So I'm trying hard to speak a more in lessons. If I mess up... well, that's how we learn, right? But so far there haven't been any really embarrassing moments. Or none that I am aware of. Haha. So anyway, Im' just trying to jump in a little more. We teach the Restoration enough that you'd think I'd have it down pat by now. And I kind of do. But knowing it and spitting it out are very different things. Haha.

I think that's about all for now. Things are going well, and I'm glad to have 6 more weeks here. If it's anything like this transfer was though and it will be gone like THAT. Does anyone else think time is
moving super fast? I do.

Thanks for all you do for me! I love you guys!

-- Elder Zac

And pictures are taking forever to attach, so I think you might have two weeks without them. I'll see what I can do.

Week 17 - March 5, 2012

Hi everyone!

Well, this week was a weird one for weather. Earlier it had been pretty nice, breezy, sunny, etc. We thought that we were having an early spring. And then on Friday it was cloudy and a little rainy, but nothing bad. We were visiting a family in Frankfort. They are so great, and speak the most amazing Spanglish I have ever heard. It's a good thing I'm learning Spanish, because I would never understand anything that was going on because their sentences start in Spanish, switch to English, and you never know which it will end in. Haha, I love it every time. Anyway, as we opened the door to go out to the car, the tornado sirens started. It was kind of a thrill to hear them for reals, and not just as a test they do on Saturday mornings every once in a while. It didn't look very stormy where we were. I guess the clouds turn green when a tornado is coming, so we figured the medium gray clouds were a sign we weren't really in much danger. But we went back inside and waited for 45ish minutes before the sirens went off. It rained a little, but that's the worst we got. I guess Versailles got hail, but that's all for our area. Yesterday it was chilly, and we woke up to lots of snow today. Everything is super gorgeous covered in snow, but I'm not really excited to have to clean the car off when we go out later. Haha.

Yesterday we had our second Spanish testimony meeting. We got an investigator there this time, which was great. Enrique came, and it all went really well. There was also a less active family there that we have been working with, they are actually Roxy's sister and brother-in-law. They both shared their testimonies too. It was really really cool, and we hope that if we can get a few more strong people to come into the church in the next few months that this Spanish meeting won't just be a pilot program kind of thing, but will become a consistent thing that people can really learn from and enjoy. I know I'm loving it, and we don't even have that many Hispanics right now! But we'll get there!

Speaking of Enrique, he is so cool. He loves to come to church and learn everything. And he really understands more than we initially gave him credit for. We always thought he wasn't getting anything because Spanish isn't his first language, but he really does pick most of it up. And after I asked him about how he liked the meeting, he said he enjoyed it, and started telling me about how he felt the same way as one of the people that shared their testimonies with us. We've had a hard time kind of getting to know him, so we're excited that he's opening up and enjoying it all.

The work is good. Not a lot has changed since last week. We haven't found anyone in the last couple of weeks, so that is hard. We just aren't sure where to look. As Spanish speakers, we do a lot of profiling (which sounds really bad), but we do it so that we don't have to be disappointed with yet another promising English person we meet that gets turned over to the English elders. But we've sort of covered all of Versailles already, and we're starting to tackle Frankfort. We've also done some really interesting reactivation work, and though that isn't always really really fruitful, it's really fun to interact with these people. Like a few weeks ago a ward missionary asked us to go visit a name he had on a list. She had us right in and talked to us for a long time about everything that has gone on in her life. She hasn't been active in 20 years, but still respects the church. Her testimony isn't strong, but that's what inactivity will do to people. Anyway, we do our best to encourage these people, and they are almost always so kind. It's really fun to share messages with them and get to know them a bit more. Even if they don't come to church, hopefully it gets them thinking about church. And that will get them moving one of these days.

Not much else new to write about. We find out about any transfers this Saturday, so we're a little nervous about what's going to happen. I really hope I don't get moved anywhere, because I feel like there's still work for me to do here. But if I'm meant to go, I'll do it. Elder S seems to think that I'll stay one more transfer. Four transfers in an area is pretty typical for a new missionary, and I'd like to be here that long. It's hard to believe my third transfer is ending. Six weeks sounds like a long time, but they really move pretty quickly. Wednesday marks six months since I left home, and that's just crazy! It's been fast, that's for sure.

Anyway, thanks for all of your help and support. Not everyone has that out here, so I'm really grateful for it. I know I'm far away, but just let me know how I can help you guys with anything!

Love ya!
--Zac

No pictures this week because I forgot my camera cord. :(

Week 16 - February 27, 2012

Hi everyone!

Can I just tell you how much I like church? As a missionary you are really really busy on Sundays. They don't really feel like a day of "rest" like they should be. But it's so fun when you have three investigators come, and Gospel Principles is super great. I think I've told you about the Gonzalez family -- she is from Chile and he is from Mexico. They have three super adorable daughters. They always translate in sacrament meeting and then teach Gospel Principles. I love how excited they are to serve and help. How come I was never like that in my callings? Haha. Anyway, they are so great, and help make church really really amazing for the people we bring.

Speaking of, because we're in Versailles and there aren't many members here, it's hard to get people to church. We had to do a Priesthood exchange yesterday and the week before so that we could get people to Frankfort. I rode with Enrique, the cool guy that speaks a dialect and a mostly-active guy named Patrick. He's way way cool, and I think it's been good for him to do a little service with us and to have someone to chat with. He's great. Elder S rode with another family and a guy named Rufino. On the way home from church Rufino offered to sing a song about God. The member that they were with speaks Spanish, so he egged him on a little and Rufino belted some weird song. I was kinda sad I wasn't there. Haha.

I don't know if I ever talked about Gustavo. He's way cool, and he came to church too! He said that he really loved it, and that he wants to keep coming back. We had also promised him that he could find work if he prayed, and really did his best to honor Heavenly Father, etc. And guess what -- the same day we promised he could find work as he sacrificed some time to come to church, he found a job! So he is so excited because he is seeing the blessings of the gospel already, and he's only been around it for a few weeks!

The work is going pretty good. We are pretty excited about these three in particular, because they are all progressing so well. Roxy is also doing so great, although her dad still hasn't softened at all about the baptism thing. But she's still plugging along.

We taught English again yesterday at the little Mexican store. I just really really love watching people learn and apply stuff. I haven't seen lots of that with the gospel stuff yet, so hopefully that all comes along pretty soon, but this English stuff has been so fun to be a part of! And Patricia, the store owner, started asking me lots of questions about becoming a legal citizen. Of course I don't know much about it, but I told her to pray and demonstrate some faith, and that God would bless her. I tried to get her to come to church (because we want to start infusing gospel stuff with these English lessons too), but she says she has to work at the store on Sunday mornings so that she can help her family back in Mexico. I tried hard to explain to her that sacrifices in the name of keeping commandments brings blessings far beyond what we have to give up. I don't know that I did a great job, but I tried, and we're still going to keep going back and working with these people. They are all so cool!

Hmmmm... can't think of too much else that has gone on this week. We've had a hard time finding new investigators. In our four weeks together, Elder S and I have basically tracted all of the Hispanic hot-spots in Versailles. We're going to have to start focusing on Frankfort, which is harder because it's bigger. But hopefully that means there are great people up there to find!

Oh, we did have interviews with President and Sister W last week. I like them so much, and I wish we got to see them more. They are always so fun and uplifting to be around.

Anyway, I think that's about all this week. I guess I don't have a cool spiritual thought for y'all, just know that the gospel is good and true. Live it and love it!

I love you all!

--Elder Zac

Week 15 - February 21, 2012

Hi family!

The library was closed yesterday, so here we are. And we planned on coming to the library when it was dark, because nights are really hard. Almost everyone we know is available during the day, but not at night. But our appointments fell through today, so we came over to the library out of desperation. And since President's Day is super random and no one actually observes it besides the federal government, we didn't do anything cool to celebrate it. Haha.

Planning the rest of our day after things fell through and we had walked to our appointments.

Well, we're still plugging along here in Versailles. I can't think of too much that is really exciting this week. We've been trying really hard to find new people. It's kind of crazy how quickly you pick up people and think they're in this for the long haul, and then by the end of the week or sometimes two weeks you see that they aren't. But we do what we can and try to explain why this is so great -- how it can change their lives.

You just never know what you'll find in a sketchy apartment building. Pictures of large cats? Why not?

Roxy is doing good. Apparently she talked to her dad about being baptized, and he went totally nuts. Which is dumb, because it's not like she is into hardcore drugs or on her way to the slammer or anything. So we're still working with her. We're going to try to get things sorted out so that she can be baptized soon -- it's super clear that she wants it. She's the one that has initiated the majority of the conversations and questions and things in the last few weeks, so we can tell that she's in this for the right reasons. We're so excited for her, even if it takes forever for her to be baptized. It's so fun to watch people learn and make connections, and especially to follow through on commitments, and Roxy is the perfect example of that.

We also met a cool guy named Enrique. He speaks some crazy dialect of southern Mexico called Misteco. He is learning Spanish, because knowing Spanish is better than knowing Misteco in the US (although English is definitely what he should be learning. Life is so much harder than it has to be for these people that don't speak English). He is way way cool, and he seemed to really be absorbing everything the other day at church. It's also kind of a fun thing being around him, because we really practice our Spanish finding ways to explain things that will make sense to him. Because he's still learning Spanish, he doesn't know words like "comfort" or "restoration", so we're learning how to be better teachers to help him out. But it's great, because he seems to really be interested in learning and hearing what we have to say.

Teaching English in the little Mexican store is sooo fun. The people have super fun personalities, and since there is a pretty good number of them (5-9) it's way fun to go and teach and practice with them. Last week the English Elders came with us and practiced with everyone. We broke off and practiced individually or in small groups with them, and it was so cool. I really really enjoyed trying to teach a man named Sipriano. He is easily the farthest behind, so it was hard, but it was also really cool when he got stuff right. I can see how teaching as a profession would be really really gratifying. Also, it was a super good way for me to practice Spanish, because I had to explain things and give him clues. We're thinking about bringing the English Elders along every once in a while so that they can all have some real practice with people that speak zero Spanish. I don't know if I told you -- we taught them to pray, and now they'll pray for us at the start and end of each lesson. They are so grammatically incorrect, but so great every single time. :)

Us at the Capitol. Elder J fell and hurt himself getting ready for the picture before the cameras all went off. Haha.

We went to the Capitol last week with the English Elders, and again yesterday by ourselves. It's way cool. They have the coolest  We also saw Daniel Boone's grave (if the name doesn't sound familiar, don't worry. I didn't really know who he was either. Still don't.) It was way up on this hill overlooking Frankfort -- I can only imagine what this place is like in spring! I'm way excited for when everything turns green!

At Daniel Boone's grave -- looking out over Frankfort.

That's about all I think. We're plugging along, doing hard work. Thanks for all that you guys do for me!

Have a good week!

Love,
Zac