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...