Greenie Fire!!

January 26, 2015
Hey ho and away we go!!!!

This week has been pretty challenging, but a whole lot of good things are about to happen so I'm super stoked for it!

a few things that are changing,

1. My Companion Elder Martin is finished with his two years and goes home on Wednesday, I take him to Pittsburgh tomorrow for his final Transfer meeting.

2. I will be getting a new companion, and as the subject line suggests... I'm Training!!!!!!! Wahoo!!! Gotta love that greenie fire eh? I cant wait to see what the future holds for this next companionship, because I'm pretty sure it's something awesome!!! hahaha

A few things that are staying the same,

1. I am Still District Leader in this area, I really enjoy giving the weekly trainings and exchanges, and whatnot, even though it is stressful at times. I'm still happy to have this assignment for the time being :)

2. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!! I don't care what they say... being a missionary is fun. Hard, yes, at times, But fun!!! I will continue to work hard and show my new Greenie that I've been feeding "gospel logs" to my greenie fire for the last 5 1/2 months!!!! hahaha it's basically a Greenie Bonfire by now!!!!! Working hard is the only way to go folks!

So basically that's what's going on here the next few days...

So about my last week. A few things that happened are

1. On P-day we went to the Ice-rink with the Mosser family and I totally learned how to ice skate!!!! It was sooooo much fun!!!!

2. There are about 5 people right now that are so close to becoming investigators, I'm so excited for this new Elder. As soon as he gets here we are hoping to pick up about 4-5 investigators in the next 2 weeks!!!! Oh ya!!!

3. Also, Elder Martin and I re-connected with one of his old investigators at the perfect time! She is soo ready to be

taught, and we couldn't have seen her at a better time!

4. I am constantly learning more about myself, about the savior, about Heavenly Father, and about missionary work. I honestly wish i had more time to study in the morning though. 1 hour never seems to cut it for me... There is sooo much to learn about, AND SO LITTLE TIME!!!!!!!! hahaha

well that's about all I can think of for now, so i'll send you guys some pictures!! haha

Thanks for all your help!

-Elder DeFreese

　

1. Pres. Johnson called us while we were at a dinner appointment to tell me i was training!

2. Can't you see how happy and not incredibly nervous I am!?

no time

January 19, 2015

hi, I literally have no time... sorry

　

still alive,



love the mish,

working hard,

-Elder DeFreese

1. This is the Cathedral of Learning in Pittsburgh... But I think I'd probably call it Hogwarts :)

2. The Cathedral outside

3-5. Keeping up with the funny sign tradition we've started. I present to you the peek-a-boo stop sign...

 

 

Trampolines are fun :)

January 12, 2015  Well it's been another week, and a lot has happened so i'll try to type as quick as I can and get all the juicy details! :)



Last P-day after I wrote home, We went to a trampoline park in Pittsburgh!!! There were about 15-20 missionaries there, and it was soooo fun!!! Even though it seems like everybody and their dog can do a backflip.... arrgghh okay new years resolution.. Learn how to backflip. #impressive #conversationstarter #newfindingidea #success ;)

Also, the Hyitas came to church for the third time in a row!!! They stayed for all three hours and they really enjoyed themselves. Elder Martin sat with them for Sacrament, (I was speaking so I couldn't sit with them) we went with them to Gospel Principles class, and we sat with Brother Hyita for Elders quorum! It was Awesome!!! The Hyitas are the young Less Active family that told bishop they wanted to come back to church and receive callings and all that jazz. They are such a cool family. They also invited us to dinner on Saturday and it was sooo good... He Grilled steaks.... not impressed yet? It was 3 degrees outside when he was grilling them.... Oh yah, he definitely loves us :) haha we also played Gestures with them after dinner, I am absolutely terrible at it, but it was still way fun.... mostly cuz we won :)

Also this last week I had to prepare a District meeting on Thursday instead of Wednesday because President Johnson was coming down to Interview us.... You could say I was pretty nervous to have him there. ;) I thought that Sister Johnson would be coming as well because the last time he did interviews, she sat in on the meeting and took notes.. So I thought to myself "I bet she would love to be included in the meeting instead of just sitting there..." So I planned on using her to help me teach for most of the meeting.... well she wasn't there.... So I just changed all of my plans and winged it!!! hahaha So I taught a few things in the meeting, One thing I taught was a simple illustration that shows how people should be taught so that they will most likely change. I learned this illustration from a man in our ward whose job it is to go around to different companies and train them on how to be more productive. They all LOVED it!! I wish I had a picture so I could show you what it is, but even then it would take me a while to explain... so just trust me when I say, It was awesome ;) haha Another thing I did was basically one of the most nerve wracking things ever but both my sister and my mother encouraged me to do this.. so I did. I sang to them... No piano, no music, nothing but my voice and a room full of confused missionaries. There was a time in the MTC that my companion Elder Smith and I were really nervous to teach this lesson to one of our fake investigators. We had no idea what to teach him and we were encouraged to listen to what the spirit told us to teach him. So we had to bring the spirit stronger so we could feel it better. So we went into a room, closed the door, and I sang him my favorite hymn as he just sat there listening to the spirit. The spirit was strong, he understood what we needed to teach, and the lesson went great!! So with my district I did the same thing. I had them pull out a piece of paper, and just sit and listen to what the spirit told them to do differently this year. I prefaced this by telling them that we all have something specific the lord wants us to do differently this year, whether it's doing more of something, or stopping doing something else, or whatever. I encouraged them to listen to the spirit and write down what it told them to do. Then I sang Hymn 335 Brightly Beams our Fathers Mercy. My favorite hymn. They sat, and sat, and eventually started writing. I didn't ask

them to share what the spirit told them to do. But I encouraged them to strive to do whatever it is they were told to do. Then I bore testimony of the spirit and the power it has in our own conversion, and in the conversion of others. I felt the spirit strong, and I hope they did too. I got a lot of compliments for this one, and I hope that means they learned something, but either way, I'm just glad my Mother and my Sister encouraged me to look for opportunities to sing to people. We all have gifts that we were meant to share, It doesn't matter if someone is better at that gift than you, what matters is what we do with it.In church I was asked to speak on the Atonement. Probably the most flexible topic I can think of. You can take the Atonement in so many different directions. At first it was hard to pin down where I wanted to go with this talk, but then I had an Idea that I needed to change the way we looked at the Atonement. In true Braden DeFreese style, I had to use some sort of food in my talk, so I compared the Atonement to a big Chocolate cake.... yep... a cake. haha I was saying basically that for me, a chocolate cake isn't doing anyone any good just sitting in the refrigerator instead of in my mouth!! Just like how the atonement isn't doing anyone any good if we don't use it! haha They got a kick out of it... not sure if the bishop did.... oh well. I went on to explain how to use the atonement, pointing out that we need to commit to living the gospel of Jesus Christ in order to fully repent, then pointing out that in order to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we need to use the Atonement regularly. They go hand in hand. Then I went to 2 Nephi 2:25 I believe that's the scripture that says men are that they might have joy. So then I said, If we are supposed to have joy in this life, but we are also supposed to be using the atonement regularly, then that must mean that the Repentance process is not supposed to be a sad or a scary thing. But in fact it is the single greatest thing we can do to bring happiness in this life. When we repent we are simply put, aligning our will with God's will, and letting Jesus Christ pay for our past mistakes. How great a blessing it is that we know how to do that! So I encouraged them to make the Atonement a more prominent part of their lives, and to look at it as an opportunity to grow, both closer to your Heavenly Father, and the rest of the Godhead, but as a person in general as well.

Other than that I'm not sure what to inform you on. We haven't taught a lot of people this week, but it's definitely not for lack of trying. We have been searching as best we can, just haven't found them yet. But that's okay, we'll just try to make a difference wherever we go, and trust that the lord is preparing people for us to teach, and that when they're ready for us, we'll find them. :)

I hope these e-mails are slightly more informative than my previous e-mails! haha I'm trying to do better with these so that you know what's going on with me... So now you should definitely write me and tell me what's going on with you!! hahaha I love the Gospel, and I love being a missionary, even on the hard days. Thanks for everyone's Prayers and support! I love you and I miss ya!

-Elder DeFreese 1. This is a picture of us at the Trampoline Park last week :)

2. I found a sweet Jacket at a second hand store that I think you'll really like. It's a Levis Jacket that was originally over 180$ but I got it for like 30 bucks!!! I also got the tie in the picture :)

3. Emergency Shower? (Do you think this belongs on Batman's Utility belt?)

4. Sweet Gigantic icicles!

 

What a Wonderful World....

January 5, 2015 If you looked at the title to this e-mail and didn't start singing this song in your head with the raspiest voice you can muster.... Dishonor!!! Dishonor on you!!! Dishonor on your cow!!!! ;)

Well let me tell you. This has been an eventful week to say the least....

.... funny how right after I typed that sentence my mind totally went blank on what actually happened this week.... ugh... I'll do my best....

New years! New years eve was really awesome! We went to dinner at a members house and let me tell you, this member is the best member missionary ever!!! As we were leaving we saw the cooks walking in. Chelsea Cook is a fantastic potential investigator. She Prays, she's been to church, she just struggles because her husband is a member, but he doesn't go to church at all. He has a bunch of tattoos and the whole intimidating look going on... But he is one of the coolest guys I know for sure... Anyway, They had been invited to the members house for dinner and to spend new years eve with them! Apparently they've been over to the members house a few times. She has been totally friend-shipping all of our potential investigators!!! It's really awesome :)

Then after we stayed and talked to them for a minute, we went home, packed up our stuff and drove to Uniontown to spend the night with those Elders down there. They're in a trio right now so it was fun to have 5 of us in one apartment for a night. We drank some sparkling cider before we went to bed haha it was kinda lame but funny at the same time :) then we stayed in their area to work with them for the better part of the next day.

Okay this is one of the sweetest experiences on my mission so far... There's this family we've been working with since I got to this area about 6 1/2 weeks ago. They are less active, but they don't act like they are. They are totally a gospel oriented family! they just never come to church.... Why would anyone do this?.... ugh.... anyway, We made a really good friendship with them and actually ended up spending a p-day with them a week or two ago. We brought almost the whole district to their house, they fed us lunch, we played games and laughed a ton. It was so much fun... Then out of the blue, the came to church the week I was sick! It was really cool but we didn't think too much of it, since less actives tend to come to church every once in a while, we didn't think anything had really changed. But then they came yesterday as well! the bishop pulled him into his office to talk to them after sacrament. We taught the young men about the Godhead during the third hour, and after church the bishop pulled Elder Martin and I into his office to talk. He told us that the family explained to him that they have changed, that they want to come back to church, that they want to take callings, and that they want to raise their kids in the gospel!!!!!!!!! Holy cow!!! can it get better than that?!..... yes it can... Bishop then told us that when he asked them what changed, they told him it was us. That our visits had truly helped them to realize what they needed to do. That they had been touched just by having us in their home.... Okay now that is definitely the sweetest thing of my mission so far. I have never had such

a confirming experience that actually says that what I'm doing is making a difference. wow..

So remember the Cooks I talked about earlier? So since that member was doing an awesome job of fellowshipping them, we decided to capitalize on the situation and go visit them again. We stopped by just to talk one night and we hit it off with them really well too! They invited us to have dinner at their house! SWEET! So we did it! we had dinner at their house on Saturday and it was awesome! Chelsea's husband said a prayer over the food, and she said a prayer for us as well! it was super good.

Now, some back story on the Less Active family I just talked about earlier. Every time we went there, we had a lot of fun talking, but we felt like we wasted our opportunity to teach. We never had a legitimate lesson with them. We never invited them to church, we never had a really powerful spiritual moment.... So how did their situation change? It was very simple. We were their friends. They knew we loved them. They felt the spirit with us. They felt it. They changed.

This is exactly what's going to happen with the cooks. That member family is inviting them over for fun things, being their friends, never being pushy. We had dinner with them and shot his blowdart gun at a zombie face and talked about motorcycles that day. We were not being pushy, we were being their friends. The spirit does the rest. Ultimately it is their decision to change. What we can do, is be their friends and be ready for them when they're ready for us.

Does this sound like something we can all do? I think we all know we can. Be someones friend. Invite them to your house for dinner. Be genuine. Be ready. The spirit will do the rest. And you'll be blessed for simply being who you are. Don't try to change yourself to fit into some imaginary missionary mold. It's more simple than that. Be yourself.

Thanks to everyone for all your prayers... They really payed off this week :) haha



love,

-Elder DeFreese

1. Dad used to point out stupid signs to me. This one reminded me of that.

2. Talkin to everyone...
 

Felis Navidad!

December 29, 2014

hey hey hey! guess what! no time... :(

Who likes bullet points?! good! cuz that's what you'll get!!

Wednesday: super fun christmas eve, we had breakfast at the Hoffmans, and dinner at the Mossers where I had the most amazing drink, Guarana!

Thursday: AWESOMENESS!!! We had Breakfast at the Johnsons and dinner at the Langs! I got some great gifts and we had a lot of fun!

Friday: Woke up feeling really sick, tried to do some work anyway. but basically collapsed at the end of the day,

Saturday: Couldn't work. Just stayed in the apartment and tried to clean a little. Then I was feeling better so we went to help Bro. Mosser move some really old really heavy tube tv's. That was a mistake.

Sunday: was so sick I couldn't even go to church. I just layed in bed and slept for about 23 hours. Bro. Mosser came over to give me a blessing and viola! I'm feeling a little bit better today!!!

Thanks for everyones support!

-Elder DeFreese

1. Love trampolines!!! this is at Bro. Robkers house when we did the bon fire!

2. More fun on the tramp!

3. Little baby at the Johnsons keeps steeling my candy!

4. Funny Mustaches at the Langs on Christmas!

5. Cutest baby keeps photobombing me at the Johnsons on Christmas!

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