Bring the base!!!!!!!

December 22, 2014

Well i'm sorry to say that I don't have much time this week either. so i'll get right to it with some more Bullet points.

1. Being a District leader is a challenge. A challenge that i LOVE!!! I love going on exchanges, trying to figure out how everyone is doing, how i can help them or serve them. I love getting calls or txts from them, I even love recording the numbers and reporting them to the Zone Leaders! haha

2. We have been caroling senior centers like crazy this last week. It's really rewarding to see the smile on their faces, and to sit down and talk with them for a bit. It really helps me remember that missionary work is never about the numbers. Even though our numbers for these last weeks have dropped, I feel like we've been a big influence for good in the lives of a lot of people. And all it took was to sing them Christmas songs, and have a short chat with them, The spirit does the rest.

3. This district seems like the most unified district i've ever seen, and i literally cannot wait to see what we can accomplish together.

4. I found out that even if i get fed pizza for lunch and dinner.... cold pizza in the morning still sounds amazing to me!!! hahahaha

5. I have found no greater joy, than bringing the spirit through song to people that need it.

Thanks for all the support everyone!!!!!

-Elder DeFreese

1. Super cool fire thing!

2. I know the pic is too bad to see the score.... but I totally won!!!!!! hahaha

3. Can you see me?

 

 

Christmas time in the city!

December 15, 2014

 

hey everyone!

Hey so guess what?

I have absolutely no time.

sorry.

Bullet points,

Today is the last day as a tri-panionship.

I'm the new district leader in Monongahela.

Working hard is funner than having fun.... don't laugh, I'm not a poet. ;)

I love being a missionary!!!!!!!!!!

-Elder DeFreese

1.My district

 

Not much time

December 8, 2014
Hey Everyone!!

So I don't have too much time this week but I'll try to give you a quick overview of what has happened to me this week!

Being in a trio is a little difficult it turns out... We have to run both areas, and that's proving to be a challenge. Scheduling our day or our week is very difficult. I just barely got transferred here so I'm trying to learn my area and the other area at once. That means two bishops, ward mission leaders, Ward councils, Relief society pres, YM & YW pres. .... SO many NAMES!!!! hahaha But all joking aside, it's been a blast! Both areas are awesome! And i'm really lucky to have this opportunity to work in both!

We Also do a TON of driving now.... I haven't done any real walking for weeks! We drive more than the zone leaders! haha so many things to do!!! Also, we have to try and make it to all the meal appointments the ward(s) signed up for... So not a lot of walking, lots of driving, and lots of meals..... Miraculously I've been able to maintain my weight! but it's definitely not gonna keep going down! haha

We got to see the Christmas Devotional At the Monongahela Bishops house last night! That was an amazing program! I think the Choir gets better every year.

We got to skin a deer at a members house on Saturday. That was pretty cool, I've never done it before, but I had a blast! Also I got to try fried Deer heart! It was good actually!! it kinda tasted like a steak fried in an egg yoke or somethin.... with some blood in there too :)

haha we stopped to talk to this guy that was dressed up like Santa, About the true meaning of Christmas!!! hahahahahahaha funniest thing ever was when we were talking about how Christmas wasn't about the presents! hahahaha he got a kick out of it, and we gave him the 'He is the Gift" pass-along card, and he said he'd watch it haha.

We also got the cops called on us one night while we were tracting. I guess some old lady got scared when she saw the three of us walking around her block late at night. So when the cop found us, we explained that we were just giving out cards with the He Is the Gift website on it. So we told him about the video and gave him a card! He also said he'd check it out, and he let us go :) haha

We went to Pittsburgh on Tuesday for Zone Conference! It was pretty awesome. We got some good training, and we saw the mission video one of the Elders made. It was sweet! And I love driving in Pittsburgh in the rain too :) It's a really cool city :)

Well I think that about does it for this week! Love you all! Thanks for all the love and support!!!

-Elder DeFreese

1. We went to a members house to skin a deer with the sisters the other day!!! Soo fun!!! haha we want this to be our Christmas card!! hahahaha

2. Also, I ate fried Deer heart. It was pretty good actually!! I wish there was more, but it was a really small deer :)

 

By now you have probably thought that I've perished in the wilderness... but you are wrong... I'M STILL ALIVE!!!

December 3, 2014  


Wow, what a crazy week!! So I'm not sure what I've already filled you in on, so if I repeat something I already said in a previous e-mail.... sorry :)

1st, I got Transferred from Huntingdon to Monongahela in the middle of a transfer. It's called a mid-cycle transfer, or an emergency transfer... I'm keeping in contact with my last comp so he is letting me know how everyone is doing over there. So far they are still seeing a lot of success in that area, and I can't wait to hear about how my last investigators are progressing. One of my investigators should be baptized on December 20th. So I'm really excited for that. Although I'm really sad I won't be there for it. I've been with her since the beginning... :( But I definitely have a strong testimony that the lords plan for me is much better than my plan for me. So this definitely needed to happen. Just not sure why.

2nd, My new comp Elder Martin and I get along great! I think our friendship really increased when, at a members house, we were talking about sad books for some reason. No idea how that conversation started, but anyway. I said, I've only cried while reading one book in my life, Elder Martin said "me too! where the red fern grows."........ "that's the one I cried at too!!!!!!!!!" hahaha so that was pretty funny :) however that book is the saddest book ever :( I wouldn't recommend it to my worst enemy. ;)

3rd, Another elder in this district got sent home mid-way through the transfer! So President Johnson stuck him with us in a trio!! His name is Elder Childs, and the three of us could not possibly get along better. They are so much fun! However the work load is a bit challenging. Now we have two areas to cover. We have two cars, but it's pointless because none of us can be alone.. so we switch off cars occasionally. We have been running around like mad trying to get to every appointment that was already scheduled before we were put together. We've had to cancel a lot since we couldn't be in two places at once. But it's still really fun.

4th, a sister in our district almost died at my first district meeting in this area!!! But my comp Elder Martin saved her life!!!!!!! Basically what happened is we were having lunch in the gym after the meeting. Some of us were playing hackey sack. She was eating jerkey while playing and we were all joking around, I said something stupid that made everyone laugh, but when she laughed, apparently she inhaled the jerky! I didn't notice, I just thought she didn't think it was funny or something... That should've been my first hint... ;) But she started walking away from the circle, and she was breathing weird. I thought it might be some sort of allergic reaction or something. She walked to the door, tried to breath, but it wasn't coming. I went to go help her, she turned around and whispered "help" with her hand to her throat!!! Before I could get to her, Elder Martin was there so fast and was giving her the Heimlich Maneuver!! And it totally worked!!!! She spit out her food, and started breathing again! Holy COW!!!! What a crazy district meeting

right?!

5th, We had a zone conference yesterday in Pittsburgh. It was way cool. we had a lot of musical numbers, our district performed one as well. And we received a lot of good advice and council. And they told us all about the He Is The Gift, initiative! If you haven't heard of it yet i'll be surprised. But if you haven't, look it up! It's pretty awesome!

Well It's really hard to fill you in on everything that happened but I hope this was good enough.

Please make the effort to talk to someone about Christ this week. This is the easiest time of the year for missionary work. The Christmas spirit is everywhere, you can bet the holy ghost will be with you when you speak of Christ. Invite someone to church, or to have dinner at your house with the missionaries, or to a family home evening activity. go caroling, visit a hospital or a retirement home or something. write a letter to someone, leave a gift for someone. Do something. God will bless you, AND them when you're going about doing good. The holy ghost will be with you as you serve god's children.

-Elder DeFreese

1-2. My companions! Elder Childs and Elder Martin. This is us at Zone Conference :)

3. Just us being weird. Steve might recognize this face :) I don't know why, but I always did this to him at work. :)

4. I love these 2015 mustangs... What do you think of them?

5. haha I had to get a selfie with the president! lol

 

 

December 1, 2014

1. I love these 2015 mustangs... What do you think of them?

2. haha I had to get a selfie with the president! lol

p.s. We have a 2015 version of your car here in Monongahela!! I've decided I need to get one.. :)

November 24, 2014





I'm really sad to be leaving elder Shuppy, we got along great, and we were working really hard. We were about to see a lot of success there as well. I've been with some our investigators from the very beginning, so it's sad to leave just before they finally take the step of baptism. :( But I know it's not about me, and I know Elder Shuppy will take care of them.

I am also really sad to be leaving my trainer... and my Protein... but Elder Martin likes to work out as well, so hopefully i'll continue to improve. Brian got my bench max from 135 to 185 in a week, so i'm hoping pretty soon i'll get to 200 :)

This new ward sounds awesome and I hope I can make a positive difference here.

　

Finally!!! I can send a few pics!!

Sis. Burnett is from Springville and graduated the year before me!

 

Hey Ho Another week!!

November 17, 2014

 

Hey Everyone!! Can you believe it's been another week?! ... Are you tired of hearing missionaries say that yet??? haha me too.... I'll try to remember next week not to do that... However if I do, It'll just be that much funnier won't it? ;)

Well this has been an amazing week. There hasn't been any crazy cool experiences to write about, and yet, this feels like one of the most fulfilling weeks I've had on the mission so far. It all comes down to work. We have been working our buns off! And I can tell the Lord has blessed this area, our investigators, members, and us, because of it. And also all the prayers that are said for us missionaries :) That plays a major role. 

One of the amazing things that happened this week was that we had 2 Investigators at church!! It was Amazing!!!!! I couldn't believe they actually came!! Not only did they come, but they definitely felt the spirit, and I hope this is the beginning of an amazing testimony. I had a cool experience yesterday at church while I was sitting with Tim, (one of the Investigators) I told him to focus not as much on WhAt was said, but on what he FeLt... I know I feel the spirit at church every week, and I also knew that if we focused on it, we'd feel it even stronger... But as it is a family ward/branch, There were a lot of noises, kids crawling over laps, eating various cereals, Crying, dropping hymn books, Everyone is wondering why they don't just take that screaming kid outside already... ya know, the usual.... so I started to get worried. I couldn't feel the spirit nearly as strong as I wanted, and that made me frustrated, I started to get angry at all the people who seemed to be ignorant to the fact that this one meeting could determine this guys decision on the church entirely. At that point, I'm not sure if I had the spirit at all... Then I felt a prompting from the Holy Ghost that seemed to say, "these are my children too, trust me..." ....... um...... Woah!!! So I said a prayer of thanks in my heart. I kept thanking Heavenly Father for helping Tim get here, for all the people in the branch that i've come to love, for the gospel, and for what it can do to families, or individuals. Anytime I heard something said that I didn't like, I instead focused on the person and thanked God for what a good person they were, and for what a great influence they could be on Tim. At that point, I began to feel the spirit, Strongly, And the rest of Sacrament went so amazing!! I couldn't believe how good it was! I shared with Tim that sometimes Sacrament meeting in a family ward, is a good representation of the rest of our week in normal life. There will be a lot of things that can distract us from the spirit if we let them. But if we focus on the good, and seek for the spirit, we'll find it. He then said he was going to try to focus on the spirit better and seemed to understand what I was saying. I didn't even have to invite him to look for the spirit more, he just made up his mind that he was going to do it. So for the rest of Church, he stayed a little quieter, thought a little deeper, and pondered a little longer. He Even stayed for the potluck afterwards and made a few friends with people in the branch!! What an amazing day that was. I know he felt the spirit, I know his testimony is beginning to grow. And mine is growing right along side it. :) 

I Absolutely Love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It brings me so much joy to see it working in the lives of those I love. I am so thankful to have been born into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am also very grateful for my Parents, my Family, my Friends, and for the awesome ward I grew up in. 

Thank you for all your love and support. 

-Elder DeFreese

1. Elder Shuppy is definitely a stud muffin...
2. We put up our Christmas tree!!! :)
3. I collapsed after a workout with Brian, and this is what Elder Shuppy decided to do with his golden opportunity to mess with me... I have a good companion... :)

Another one bites the dust!

November 10, 2014
  





Hey Everyone! It's been an eventful week with a lot of awesome experiences so I'll see how much I can write about :)

Transfers: Elder Bryant got transferred last Tuesday :( It was sad for a couple reasons, For one he was my first companion/trainer, and for two, I didn't get to go to Pittsburgh for the meeting!!!! :( I love the city of Pittsburgh and I was excited to see it again, but instead I went to another elders area to work for the day. I would've liked that a lot too if it wasn't for the lack of success that day.. He was really new to the area and his companion and mine drove to the city for transfers, so he had to run the area for the day. He really wanted to work hard, which was good! But unfortunately without a good knowledge of the area, it wasn't as productive as it could have been.. But that's okay! The important thing is that we tried! I know the lord will bless us for our efforts that day.

Elder Shuppy: I picked up Elder Shuppy in Bellefonte Tuesday night. We immediately hit it off! And I could already tell what a great missionary he was. We didn't get back to the apartment until about 9 that night so we couldn't go out to teach anyone. We spent the next 2 hours talking about the area, our investigators, members, and all that jazz. The next morning we had about an hour to plan District meeting up in State College. Neither of us got a call from the mission president telling us who is the new district leader, so we just did it together. It went great! We all felt the spirit really strong, and I hope the others learned as much as I did. Then from the minute we walked out the door that day, until now, It's been 100 miles an hour with Elder Shuppy.. He is a REALLY hard worker.... and i absolutely LOVE IT!!!!! We've had so much more success in the last week than i've had in about a month here. He has a lot of ideas and he follows the spirit. We work really well together. And I think we teach well together also. The key is letting the spirit teach the investigator. Which can be hard in a lot of circumstances, but he pushes through, never gives up, and because of that, the lord has blessed us sooo much!!!

Elder Shuppy has been out for 13 months. He's served in Lebanon and Carlisle.

One funny experience: So Elder Bryant and I had been having a small competition for losing weight before he left. I have lost a good 26 pounds now and was starting to feel pretty good about it. aside from the loose fitting clothes that is... But anyway, we had this investigator that we hadn't been able to see for a long time. He's a really cool guy, we just never got the timing right. Well I figured i'd point the "Shuppy work-horse" in his direction and see what happens... Mistake... Elder Shuppy and I found out that he used to be an extreme body builder... while we were talking to him he mentioned that he used to train people, and that he misses it... Now I know exactly how hard those body builders work... so when I heard that, and saw Elder Shuppy's face light up with an idea, my heart sank. The next words out of Elder Shuppy's mouth were "Will you train us? I have a girl at home that I want to impress, so I need you to train us.." NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! hahaha His face lit up and he said he'd train us only if we did exactly as he said with no complaining... well, as per his request, 15 minutes later I was in Walmart buying 2 jugs of protein powder, 6 dozen eggs, sweats, and thermals... We are now working out with him 4 days a week and its intense. I have to eat 6 eggs in the morning, and drink 2 huge protein shakes a day. I have to do either 500 crunches, or a bunch of planks per day... I went with crunches... But it's not as bad as elder Shuppy though. Elder Shuppy has to have 4 protein shakes a day, 6 eggs in the morning, And he'll txt Shuppy thoughout the day and ask him what he is eating at that moment.... He has to eat basically all the time... lol

We've only worked out with him twice so far, and i'm pretty dang tired and sore. But every once in a while i'll get a burst of energy. I think it might be because of someone praying for me, so please keep that up! it's a life saver!!

Well I was excited to be losing weight, but working out only twice so far and i've gained back a couple pounds... losing weight is not in his vision for me... :( he says he wants to turn me into a beast.... so i guess i'll give it my best and try not to let him down! :) so if anyone sees me on the cover of muscles magazine... don't be suprised... hahaha jk he says he's gonna ease me into it, so i'm sure it wont be ThAt intense... i hope...

But this is an example of what elder Shuppy will do for an investigator.... anything. Even if it causes his body much pain and suffering... lol But i'm glad I got him for a companion. This relationship is really good for our investigator, and I could see this leading to his baptism in no less than a month or two. So I'm really pumped up for that!!!

well I hope this was long enough for ya!!! love you all! see ya next week!

-Elder DeFreese

1. Elder Shuppy

2. Our muscles can barely fit in the picture.... haha

3. Hug for Mom

 

  

Change in the wind

November 3, 2014


Happy Halloween last week!!!!! I hope yours was amazing!



We're not allowed to go out on Halloween, after 6, so we actually spent that night working on the Area book, and reading Ensigns... YAY for Ensigns! Also they actually did their Halloween parade at the beggining of the week, and their official trick-or-treat night was in the middle of the week. So we couldn't be out on trick-or-treat night either. LAME! I really wanted to go out and talk to people but i guess I can see some wisdom in keeping us in on those nights.

We are having transfers tomorrow and sadly, I'm losing my amazing Trainer Elder Bryant. :( It's really too bad because I feel like we were about to see some success together. But I have great faith that the lords plan for the work in this area is better than mine. Hopefully I can align my will with his, That's when the blessings will truly flow.

The work in this area is a little slow right now. But the workers are busier than ever, so we're about to see some success, I just know it! Please say a little prayer for me if you can. I've only ever had one companion and we got along great! I really hope I get along with the next one as well. But no worries. I'm sure he'll be a great missionary!

I'm actually excited for the chance to learn from another experienced missionary. They have so much to teach me, and i've got lots to learn.

I love reading all the scripture I can get my hands on! whether it be the Old Testament, New, or the Book of Mormon, or the Doctrine and Covenants, or the Pearl of great price, or the Ensigns, or the missionary library... Anything!!! I look forward to personal study every single morning. I just wish i had more time to read! I Really wish I had spent more time in the scriptures before I left. But looking towards the future, i'm really excited to learn even more!!!!

I hope you have all had as good a week as I have. And if you havent, make this week a good one!

I have a strong testimony that god knows who we each are, he knows what we're going through, and he knows how to help us. When we pray, and ask in faith, help will come. I know it. I've seen it out here so many times. I love this gospel. I know it's true. Thank you for supporting me everyone!

have a fantastic week!

-Elder DeFreese

1. David is an amazing person who we've been working with, and he just got a suit!

2. Raking leaves. By the way, Raking leaves is hard in PA... they just rake it to the road, and trucks with huge pipes come by and suck em up! not very helpful when its a yard this big...

3. This sign made my day haha
 

 

I hope they call me on a mission!

October 20, 2014
This week has been really rewarding and i've learned a lot. For those of you who are familiar with missionary work you can rightly assume that I learned so much because I likely made a lot of mistakes and the week was tough.



I do make frequent mistakes, including getting drawn into confrontational bible disputes, thinking that tracting is an effective way of finding, and other fun things haha

I have actually come to accept these trials and setbacks as opportunities to learn. Many times throughout the Book of Mormon, we see a civilization, people, or other group, go through the same trial. And their are usually two groups of people that come out of it, those who humbled themselves and looked for heavenly help, and those who murmured and rejected the prophets. In every instance we see that the devil will not support his followers at the last day, while on the other hand, those who turn to God are blessed! It reminds me of a scripture in Helaman that says something like, why would you keep giving place for the enemy of your soul? haha I love that scripture so much.

When we take trials and setbacks and look at them from a positive point of view, asking heavenly father what we are supposed to learn from this trial, we grow much quicker. I know Heavenly Father is aware of each of us. At all times in our lives, in every situation, he knows. I know that as we turn to him in faith AND diligence, he will help us. Because he loves us, he will always be there, no matter what.

I heard a quote the other day that I really liked, I don't remember it perfectly so i'll just paraphrase. Regaurding your breakfast, the chicken was involved, but the pig was committed... What that means is the chicken had to lay the eggs, but the pig had to give his life in order for us to have bacon or sausage or whatever else comes from a pig. Now when we apply this random seemingly unrelated quote to ourselves, we should ask ourselves, whether this be in a church calling, or at work, or at school, as a mother, father, husband, or wife... Am I just involved, or am I committed?

The lord had truly blessed me as I have committed myself to his work. I know this principle extends far beyond missionary work, and as we truly become committed, we will understand the meaning of Malachi 4:10, when the lord promises to open up the heavens and pour out a blessing bigger than we have room to receive.

I know this letter sounds really preachy, but it's just what's been on my mind lately as i've been studying the Book of Mormon.

I know this church is true, I know the Book of Mormon is true, I know Heavenly Father knows and loves each of us.

-Elder DeFreese

1. I guess they're really proud of their prices.... Maybe i'll tell them about the Word of Wisdom....

2. Amish country on the way to Marv's house...
3. Tried to snap a picture of a really high class Amish buggy from inside a house... You can tell he's high class because he has a roof and it's all enclosed with windows...
4. Reminds me a bit of Bridger

 

 

 

Hey You Guys!!!!!!! (chunk)

October 13, 2014

Hey guys! Thanks for tuning in to this weeks report!

This week has been amazing. Sooo many blessings. First off, lets talk about Meet the Mormons.

Meet the Mormons is an awesome movie that will definitely touch the lives of those who see it. The end is a little heart wrenching when the mother says goodbye to her missionary son, but the whole movie is full of amazing things. If you haven't seen it, go see it. Then invite someone you know to go see it with you. Whether they be a member or a non-member, people need to see this movie.

We got two zones together in State College to watch it, The Williamsport Zone, and the Altoona Zone. There were about 70 missionaries in that little gym watching, and we absolutely loved it! This movie will open a lot of doors for us, and a lot of people will be touched by the message. Missionary work will progress faster and faster the more people know about us. So please, recommend it to everyone!

Okay second big blessing. One of our investigators accepted the invitation to be baptized! This is the first time that's happened to me! We had a lesson with her at a members house a few weeks ago and in the middle of the lesson I was prompted to invite her to be baptized, this was not my plan going in to the lesson, but when the spirit says "do it"... you do it. And i'm so glad I did. She said she would get baptized but would not set a date. So we planned to meet with her next week and talk about it and see if we could help her make that goal. She couldn't meet with us that week, it was about a week and a half until wee could see her again, this made me very nervous that something had happened to push her away. When we finally met with her, the lesson was shaky, she started telling us the same things she told us 2 months ago when we started teaching her again. She seemed like she was backtracking. The whole lesson I had a lot of things I wanted to say, but they never felt right. Neither me, nor my companion felt as if we should say anything, even when she asked us some questions, she was met with silence.. Then all of a sudden she started admitting that she did know the Book of Mormon was true, and that she knew the church was true as well. Then out of the blue she said she would agree to get baptized on December 20th!!! WOW!!

A little background on her, she has been taught by many sets of missionaries in the past, she's had a baptismal date at one point as well. So teaching her the basics is not the route to go, neither is being pushy. So when we were thinking of a date to set, I just said "December 20th!" really loud, We usually set them closer than that, and I just shouted the date that came to my head, I had no idea if it was a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, etc. So we looked at the calendar and found out it was the Saturday before Christmas. And lo and behold, that's the date she agreed to!!! The spirit is amazing, he really will give you what you need to say, when you need to say it.

unfortunately i'm a little short on time this week so just remember that i love you all, that i'm thankful for your prayers, letters, e-mails, and all the support.

-Elder DeFreese

P.S. If you've never been in PA during the fall, Put that on your bucket list...

 

Conference!!

Not surprisingly General Conference was the highlight of my week! but unfortunately I have no time to write about it! I really need to get going, so i'm gonna do this letter highlights style. 

1. I went on Exchanges with Elder Packard on Tuesday. We met up with them somewhere in Altoona, and Elder Bryant packed an overnight bag. He worked with Elder Christenson in Altoona and I worked with Elder Packard in Huntingdon. On exchanges the zone leaders are checking to see how you're progressing, how well you know your area, work with members, how well you use your time, Tons of things i guess. Jordan can probably tell you more about it. Well it was awesome, I feel like i knew my area really well, and i feel like i worked hard. We had a good exchange and he gave me some very helpful tips to work even better! Also since i was in charge for that day and a half, I got to DRIVE!!!!! for the first time in forever!!! yay!! 

2. we got to have a district meeting with the president and his wife! (mission president, not USA) He and i get along great and he gave me a great confidence booster. He is a great guy and i'm lucky to serve under his direction.

3. General Conference!!!! Man i wish i had more time to type about this! I love Elder Bednar! he is totally helping me out over here, his talk is going to be used for a long time in missionary work. Also there wasn't one talk that wasn't amazing!!!! my suggestion is to read and re read all those talks. there is a wealth of information in there. A literal gold mine of life changing words from god. Read it. Then Live it. Then watch as the term, more blessings than you have room to receive them, unfolds before you.

God loves us so much he gives us commandments. the commandments is a fantastic reminder of how much god loves us. Another evidence of his love is the Apostles. They give us exactly what we need. God knows us. Christ knows how to succor his people. The Atonement works. The church is true. 

-Elder DeFreese

1. Just in case you didn't know... listerine spray and a lighter makes for a fun day...

..... I'm a bat....

September 29, 2014

Holy cow! It's been another week! Where does the time go? 

So this week has been tough. We keep having appointments drop on us. It seems to me that the more I try to be an effective planner, the more appointments cancel on us. It's getting harder and harder to see so much rejection. But there's a reason for that. I'm learning to love the people. Truly love them.

There is one kid we're teaching who is a member, but hasn't been to church in years. He's an extremely talented singer, song writer, and guitarist. So much potential. But he made some poor decisions with friends and now he's in a real bind. He feels absolutely hopeless. He knows he should come back to church. He knows it's true. But he won't do it. And he won't let us help him. I get worried sick some nights because of this kid. I know I can help him, but he won't meet with us anymore. His father really wants us to help him, because he can't get in to see his son either. He's made contact with the sister missionaries in State college and they're worried about him too. It seems everyone is asking us to help him, and we're really trying. But he wont let us. I don't know what we're gonna do.

One scripture gives me comfort about this situation. I forget exactly where it is, but Alma the younger is telling his conversion story, in this verse he calls out to god and says immediately he feels his guilt washed away and the joy he felt was just as exquisite as was his pain. He had been racked with eternal torment, but when he called out to god, God pulled him out of that place, to a place so full of joy, he couldn't describe it. Well this kid seems like he feels this eternal torment of which alma speaks. All he needs to do is call out God, Repent, and change his ways, and he too can feel the exquisite joy Alma felt. I have faith that the Atonement of Jesus Christ can turn this kids life around. He just needs to use it. 

I love this gospel. I love the power of the atonement. 

Well on a lighter note, a few good things happened this week! We finally got a new car! And the week we got it, we almost hit a bear.... Nope, not a deer... a black bear. The roads out here are like canyon roads back home, lots of blind corners and tons of trees. Also, if it's morning or late evening, there's a thick fog to add to the fun. We drive pretty cautiously, but neither of us expected a hulking Black Bear to be in the road in front of us on one such blind corner! We drove around it as it lumbered up the side of the hill into the trees. Pretty cool, I wanted to get out of the car and get a picture with it, but Elder Bryant said no... Party pooper... I named this Bear Smokey. Not sure why that name fits so well with a black bear, but hey, when it works, it works. 

Well I gotta go! Thanks for all the letters everyone! keep 'em comin! haha 

-Elder DeFreese

1. My Zone

2. Awesome view on the way to David's house

America!

September 22, 2014

Well this is unfortunate... I've had a week of experiences, seeing new things, meeting new people, working, and having fun.... and i don't remember any of it... 

I can't believe it's already been a week! I hope I can remember a few things to say to you guys. 

This week has been a fantastic week from a numbers point of view. Elder Bryant and I are leading the Zone in lessons taught! Yet almost none of our investigators are progressing. What is the point of numbers if the people don't progress? nothing. 

We got too focused on our goal to teach the most lessons this week, that we forgot about the people behind the numbers. So while the zone leaders are complementing us on our area, we feel like nothing was really accomplished this week. We must've tried to get 6 investigators to church. 0 came. We truly did plan our days to have success, we taught a lot of lessons, and we taught by the spirit, but we forgot one of the most important things. We didn't invite them to do anything. If we don't invite them to read, or pray, or repent, or come to church, or anything, chances are... they won't do it on their own. They need us to push them, they need our help, and we failed them by not giving them the invitation to act. Faith is useless without action. We can build their faith all day long by teaching with the spirit. But unless we invite and encourage them to act on that faith, they'll never get anywhere. 

There are a lot of things you learn on a mission. But the thing you learn time and time again, it's how you fall short. How you fall short as a missionary, as a teacher, and most discouragingly, as a person. 

This is where Christ steps in. This is the point where you turn to Heavenly Father, and say, "Help me". 

One of my favorite quotes i've heard is "when life gets too hard to stand, kneel." I've knelt in prayer many times to ask for help, or to give thanks, or just to talk. Thats right, just talk. Your relationship with your father in heaven is up to you. You can just talk to him, he can become your confidant, your best friend. What a blessing it can be to you, your family, and those you come in contact with, when your heavenly father is your best friend. 

"today's trial, is tomorrow's testimony." 

I know this Gospel is true. I know Heavenly Father answers prayers. 

Talk to you next week! 

-Elder DeFreese

1. America!!! Lewistown is full of these wall painting things, Abe is my favorite though.

You-ins Guys

September 15, 2014

Hey everyone!

Well I can't believe it's been another week! Let's jump right in with a story! 

Ever since I left the MTC, i've felt confident about teaching. I never had a problem talking to people, and I felt confident in teaching once I researched the subject at home. But when I got to the MTC I spent all day everyday researching the Restoration, Plan of Salvation, and Gospel of Jesus Christ. As well as many hours of personal and companion study, reading the Book of Mormon, and the Bible. Needless to say, I felt like I had done my homework, and was ready to teach people. There are a lot of "I's" in that last statement. Which became the problem with my teaching. I felt too confident out here. I felt like nobody could stump me with anything, and so far they haven't. And yet, they weren't accepting the messege "I" gave them. I realized yesterday at church that this mission has nothing to do with me. I am NOT the person that teaches people, I am not the person who converts them. I am here to give the Holy Ghost a voice to speak through. I am there to sit and listen to the spirit and do whatever it tells me to do, or say. So after Heavenly Father taught me that lesson, I decided to pray. I decided to pray for something a little odd. I prayed that I would get nervous, I prayed that I would get asked hard questions that I didn't know the answer to. I prayed for these things so that I would have to rely on the spirit. The lord was kind enough to answer that prayer. Be careful what you wish for. I had a lesson with a less active member and his non-member girlfriend. She's been taught by missionaries before, and it was very confrontational. To the point where she told them never to come back. Well unfortunately for her, we came back. That whole lesson I was nervous, my voice was shaky, I couldn't sit still, I couldn't stop thinking about what I should say, or what scripture to share. I couldn't listen to what she was saying. I was all over the place when I tried to teach. My companion had no idea what was going on with me. Nervousness, Check. At one point Elder Bryant asked her if she believed Joseph Smith was a prophet of god, after a very long rambling answer she ended up getting mad at us, saying that we didn't believe in unicorns!! Nope, not joking. She said unicorns... At this point I had finally started listening, and praying in my heart to feel the spirit. I felt the presence of the spirit so strongly as I remembered something that made me smile. She looked at me and said "you want to laugh at me and tell me i'm crazy for believing unicorns existed don't you?" ... I said "No I don't, I'm smiling because the word unicorn is in the bible, I know for a fact they existed..." Weeks ago I had been reading in the Bible Dictionary and I came across the word unicorn, go ahead, look for yourself, it's there. It says basically that it's a wild ox that actually had two horns, and that the name is just unfortunate, and that they're now extinct. But it didn't matter that it wasn't the one she was thinking of. She said "are you serious?" "Where does it say that?" so I opened up my Bible and showed her. After that we got along really well, she played us a song about unicorns, we laughed and talked and as the spirit guided us we walked out of that apartment having committed her to read the Book of Mormon, and an armful of her homemade woopie pies, with an invitation to come back and teach her again. 

There are a few things we can learn from this experience. 

1. The lord hears and answers prayers,

2. The spirit is the teacher, not us

3. Woopie pies are delicious,

4. Unicorns existed. 

I don't know if any of this will help you in your lives right now. But it's helped me in mine. I know Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. I know that if we rely on him, with all diligence on our part, he will bless us, guide us, help us, protect us, and whatever else we need. Put your trust in the lord, and he shall direct thy paths. I know that's true, and I know this church is true. I love all of you back home and I hope you're having the best day ever. Enjoy this time away from me, for the day soon cometh that I will return home, in all my glorious sarcasm, and their shall be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth among all those who didn't take advantage of the joy of my absence. 

Just kidding, Love you all! 

-Elder DeFreese

1. I see apartment complexes like this Everywhere...

2. My shirt is cutting off blood flow to my pythons! #gettin'gains, #hugebiceps, #foundthefisheyeeffectonmycamera, #fakepic, #notreallythatbuff, #stillbuffthough

Gotta go!

September 8, 2014

sorry for the short e-mail this week guys. But I've got about 16 hours worth of stuff to do, and about 10 hours to do it in... life of a missionary eh? 

Yesterday was one of the best days since i've been out here. We had 5 investigators at church!! Holy cow!! usually we're lucky to get 1! It was so cool to see, the lord definitely answers prayers. 

One thing i've learned recently is that when you're praying, whether it be for yourself or for others, ask yourself how you could be an answer to your own prayer. A lot of times it may seem like the lord doesn't answer our prayers. I believe that some times he waits for us to realize that we can be the answer to that prayer. Try to ask for his help in all things, but after you're done asking for help, go see what you can do yourself. The lord will answer your prayers, But that doesn't mean you don't have to work for it. 

Big shout out to my Boss BJ, my street contacting/door contacting has  been greatly improved thanks to his advice! 

1 thing i've noticed since i've been here is that people in the ward think their job is to feed the missionaries... wrong. that's helpful yes, but it's not what we're here for. We can help so many more people if the members will work WITH us. Members are far more effective missionaries than we are. Be an example to your non-member friends, and don't be afraid to tell the missionaries about them! 

Thanks for all the support everyone! 

Remember that the Church IS true! Remember why were here, ask the lord how you can help. 

-Elder DeFreese

1. Got some experience planting trees @ sister Jenson's

2. This is a paper mill just down the road from Mifflin street... I miss Dunder Mifflin

No I'll explain!

Brade's letter last week scared Dad and I when he told us about "Mutton Man" and locking doors and the scary questions he asked, etc. Dad wrote Pres. Johnson's wife so that somebody was aware in case this turned into a dangerous situation. Call us paranoid, but we don't want our child ending up in a tragic news story. Here's Braden's response.

 

September 8, 2014

I've since learned that the whole house isn't his, he rent's out the top floor, so he locks the front door, as everyone would, then walks in the side door, where he lives, and locks that door, since that's his real front door... it makes a lot more sense now that i've learned that :) 

Also, he's a very political guy, and i guess there's a terrorist group somewhere in the middle east that cuts off peoples heads if they don't convert to their religion... He was just asking what we thought about that, not telling us that's what he might do. haha

We've met with him a few times since, and maybe you're not supposed to have favorites... but he's mine :) 

I really want to help him, trust me he's not a scary guy. I just had a hard time trying to write all that in the letter... my bad!!

However, the mission presidents wife doesn't just call for anything... So when we got a call from her last night, Elder Bryant put it on speaker and we were both wondering what had happened that required a call from her. She asked if she could talk to me.... I thought my Grandpa had died. I was freaking out until she asked about an investigator i had, named mutton man.... then i just bust up laughing and i immediately knew that you'd written her....

so i'm sorry for giving you the scare, but if it makes you feel better, I got a really good scare and a laugh out of it! haha Sister Johnson and i had a good laugh as i explained my poor communication through e-mail haha 

well i love you mom, thank you for all the updates, tell jas not to feel embarrased... bridger once did that to me at a park... in front of a bunch of cute girls. Not fun. haha Hope he feels better soon! 

-Elder DeFreese

P.S. this is a pic of me and Elder Bryant ballin' it up at the church last p-day :)