Week 18--we weren't exactly sure how to wear them so...Ninja.

Date: Dec 31,  2012
Companion: Elder Carly
Area: Morehead, KY

Sup everybody?

I've got some catching up to do! We have an investigator who told us about a dream that she had so... I wrote a poem about it!

Pauline's Dream

The best advice that I've ever received

Came i the form of a dream

Not to me, but a wonderful lady

Who spiritually, waxed lean

A glorious man appeared before me

Wearing beautiful white clothes

Standing in front of the Pearly White Gates

Pure light about him bright glows

He answered my questions which helped me know

What on my left side I saw

Three exceedingly beautiful mansions

Whose glory left me in awe

"Who lives in the first one there?" I pointed

Tempting that celestial being

"Your childhood friend we accepted gladly,

For her belief without seeing."

"How about the one in the middle there?"

"That one is your loving Aunt."

Of course this came to me as no surprise

She wouldn't tell Christ "I can't"

Although I already knew, I still asked,

"And who in the last one there?"

My sweet, sweet grandma it surely must be

Sifted as wheat from the tare

It was curious that as we moved on

The scenery was changing

From the mansions to a subdivision

Small houses still amazing

Inequality had not occurred to me 

That it all was not the same

'Twas then that I saw one, humble as ever

I wondered how it became

"Well what about this one right here?" I asked

"It is yours since you believeth."

I asked, "Why not a mansion?" He replied,

"It's all you gave me to build with."

No, that's not necessarily what heaven shall be like, but the underlying principle is what's important! I was going to go through my whole last 2 weeks day by day... however... That will take a long time... so instead I think I'll just give ya'll the highlights:

Tuesday the 18th we met a huge dog named Duke. I told you about him during the skype call and I included a picture of him and Elder Carly in another email.

Duke! He's so big. He has a coat that is supposed to be for a small horse. He slobbers a lot. 

Thursday the 20th we were invited to some dinner thing put on by the place where we volunteer at, Christian Social Services. There was some good food and then some entertainment afterwards. There was a guy with a guitar and we sang Jesus songs. I see the appeal in the "Rock n' Roll Jesus" type churches ha it was kind of fun.

Sunday the 23rd we had Church and then after a couple of errands we packed our bags and headed to Louisville for the Mission Conference. We stayed the night with some Elders right near where the mission conference was going to be held. (24th)We had Mcds for breakfast and then we went to the conference a little bit early so that we could see all of the Elders that we hadn't seen for awhile! The Program included a lot of singing and the testimonies of the departing missionaries. After that we had lunch and then we sang some more. Sis Woodbury was a member of MoTab so... she enjoys singing. Afterwards we drove home and a member called us and asked us to stop by and had made us some cinnamon rolls! Yay! Then we went over to a little Christmas Party thing with The Bishop and his wife and daughter and another family the same size and they invited over one of our investigators who doesn't really have family or anything to do for Christmas so that was very kind of them. We made Gingerbread houses. 

On Christmas we got up and opened all of our presents (See pictures in email with subject "More Photos") 

I Didn't actually get my 12 days of Christmas package until the 26th but I included the picture from it there. Mom made both of us scarves and we weren't exactly sure how to wear them so... Ninja.

Sunday the 30th President and Sister Woodbury came to our Ward for our 5th Sunday missionary work meeting. President was in our coordination meeting that we have before church as well. Everything seemed to go smoothly. 

I just had some hot chocolate.

The first pictures here are just some scenery. 

The gravel (dirt) road that we were driving on is simply where the GPS led us... 

Good wisdom from the Book of Mormon: Alma 37:6

Shoutouts!

The Nelsens: for sending me the comments from the ward!

Whitney: for an awesome Christmas package!

Momma: All the hard work you do and for the 12 days of Christmas! As you can see, we enjoyed it!

This had to happen. We weren't sure if it was actually dead or just "playin' possum" so we approached carefully.
 

hehe

Week 17--Christmas Skype Call!

Date: Dec 25,  2012
Companion: Elder Carly
Area: Morehead, KY

We got to talk to Elder Denton!  'Twas great :D

 

Week 16--We finally got to have some real KFC!

Date: Dec 17,  2012
Companion: Elder Carly
Area: Morehead, KY

 

Sup everybody?

 

I'm really not sure why I am writing this because on Friday the world as we know it is going to end. Oh well, I'll write anyways. Yesterday I gave a talk in Sacrement Meeting. It was my first time ever giving a talk without having the internet as an aide. Bleh. It was supposed to be 14-15 minutes and it went for about 8. Ha. whoops! I guess I won't be talking again for awhile! 

 

This week we had our zone meeting, it was nice to finally get to meet everybody that's in our zone! President Woodbury gave a great training there and I think he is coming to our ward for 5th Sunday this month because I believe it's on missionary work. Also for the 3rd consecutive week we had our District Leader blitz us. It's always nice to be able to have 2 companionships working one area. We get a lot done.

 

This week we made some pork chops and had some rice with it and mixed in some chicken noodle soup. Elder Carly was having a hard time cutting the pork chop so he just used his hand and then we just ended up eating all of it with our hands like barbarians. I thought I would share that with you.

 

Saturday morning we helped an investigator raise up the sinking foundation of a cabin that he has on his property. After that we went to another investigators house to stack some wood. I didn't feel like it was that tiring until that night. We both crashed right after we planned for the next day. On Sunday we were both feeling especially exhausted as well.

 

On Sunday we had a meal appointment and we finally got to have some real KFC! I can't believe it took me over 4 months to finally have some! It was delightful. The buttons on my suit coat were falling off and the lady who fed us said that she enjoyed sewing and such so... boom! My buttons are fixed! Hallelujah!

 

The pictures that I included are 

 

1: A cute puppy 

 

and 2: A washed out road that we decided not to cross. The river went right on over it!

 

Good wisdom from the Book of Momon: Mosiah 2:41

 

Shoutouts!

Elder Carly's parents: For sending me some Christmas love! I don't know what it is yet, but I'm appreciative!

 

Have a great week ya'll... Good luck on Friday...

 

Love,

 

Elder Denton III (Strikes again)

 

Week 15--We'll give the credit to the Spirit for that one

Date: Dec 10,  2012
Companion: Elder Carly
Area: Morehead, KY

Sup everybody?

This week has been another productive one! We have been able to get a lot accomplished! Yesterday Elder Carly gave a talk in sacrement. He did well. Earlier in the week the Assistants to the President came and Blitzed our area. We were able to accomplish a lot! Having 2 companionships working 1 area is definately a benifit!

It's finals week on campus so any college investigators that we have are busy busy! Also, some of our investigators are going home for a month or so to be with their families which is understandable, but they need to be baptized, yanno?

The missionaries that left our area took all of our workout equipment so we've only been able to do sit ups and push-ups for the last few weeks. This week we asked around the other missionaries and we were actually able to get some decent equipment! So that should be helpful and now I don't have an excuse to not have an effective workout. So yay.

On quite the opposite, yet still positive note, the members here seem to enjoy feeding us. It's like the promised land of getting fed! It's great but I still have to excercise self control to not stuff myself at every opportunity I have :/ But hey- it's definately a positive thing.

Last week our Zone had a competition to see who could have the best "key indicators" i.e. How many people you've talked to, lessons you've had, etc... Well we won it. We kind of forgot about it during the week and were just working hard and then they sent out a voicemale and we found out that we won! Cool huh? We got a $15 gift card to coldstone.. we're probably just going to give it to somebody else though. There was another competition this week for a Subway gift card.. if we win we'll probably keep that one. I'll have to let ya know what happens. Needless to say we've been doing really well. I'm definately aware that it was our efforts that contributed to that... but not that made it all possible. We'll give the credit to the Spirit for that one.

This week the Ward had their Christmas dinner. I think it was Friday night... it was very tastey! Free meals are the best! It was a potluck.. there were a lot of options! There aren't as many weird foods here as I thought that there would be. They sure do love their 'taters though. One thing that I like that sounds nasty would be corn pudding. Yep. It's de-lish.

My companions parents sent us some stalkings for Christmas! I drew up a make-shift fireplace to make it feel right. Oh yes.

Good wisdom from the Book of Mormon: 2 Nephi 9:34

Shoutouts!

Mom and Dad: Being so willing to help me out! Love you guys!

  

Sivertson Family: For my awesome Christmas package! Thanks guys!

I hope ya'll have a great week!

<3,

Elder Denton III (Strikes again)

Week 14--In the area...we're experiencing a lot of success

Date: Dec 3,  2012
Companion: Elder Carly
Area: Morehead, KY

Sup everybody?

I'll start things off with a poem that I wrote a month or so ago:

As kids we're told to be creative

And let our minds imagine.

But with time we become sedated

More than you could fathom.

But don't lose faith, not just now!

There surely is still hope!

Do as Christ saith, He knows how

We can learn to cope.

Submissive, meek, and simple

Are steps one, two, and three

Make sure to show your dimples

For Christ said, "Be like me"

Do these things, be of good cheer

Buckle up, let Christ drive

He knows how to steer

Then from this we can derive;

Like kids our hearts can soften

Just remember Him and strive

To talk with Him real often

For in Him we're made alive.

This week has been great! We've definitely been working hard! I feel like our last P-day went way too fast! On Wednesday the Zone Leaders blitzed our area (2 companionships worked one area) and we were able to learn a lot! We were able to find a lot of good success that day as well.

There is a place called Christian Social Services that we do service at. The first day we served there nobody really gave us the time of day but we worked hard and by the end we found out why. Aparently the Elders that had been in before us were rude and wouldn't listen to anybody and would only show up for like 15 minutes. I didn't feel like I was helping much until I actually saw some of the people that were benefiting from our service.

This Friday we had been contacting on campus and we went into the probably the quitest library I've ever been in for a minute to let all of the people that were outside filter out and have new ones filter in to talk to. While we were in there my companion was looking at a statue and I rested on what I thought was a regular door but turned out to be a fire escape door. Well, it went off and it was very very loud! I'm not sure I've ever felt so dumb although it was pretty funny. Gosh.

In the area itself we're experiencing a lot of success. Last week wasn't quite a full week and we found 16 Investigators and this week, being a regular one, we have found 23 new investigators. I believe the standard that the Mission President has set is 5 per week. So you could say that this area is on fire (refering to the Spirit). Fasting works! The Church is true.

For Institute here the area likes to involve the full time missionaries as much as possible. So we watched the CES Fireside last night at Bishop Green's house with the institute group. 2 of our investigators were there. It was a good fireside!

We also seem to be getting fed quite often! Mostly just 1 of our investigators does because she's awesome, however, there have been plenty of others as well in this short period of time that we've been here. It's fantastic!

Good wisdom from the Book of Mormon: 2 Nephi 4:27-30

Shoutouts!

Sivertson Family: For sending me an awesome package filled with Christmas cheer!

Gumby: For being green and bendy...

Love you all have a great week!

-Elder Denton III (Strikes again)

Week 13--The speed limits here are fast! It's nice!

Date: Nov 26,  2012
Companion: Elder Carly
Area: Morehead, KY

Sup everybody?

So I'm in Morehead, Kentucky. It's an "in the middle of nowhere-how did anybody ever find this place" kind of town. It has a college, Morehead State University which seems to make up most of the population. There are plenty of stores and even a super Wal-Mart to solve all of my shopping needs! I think I'm going to enjoy it here! Church is about 20 miles away. The speed limits here are fast! It's nice!

I certainly hope that everybody had the most wonderful of Thanksgivings! Mine certainly was interesting! I'll get back to that. Here's how it's been since last Monday: Woke up at 5:00 on Tuesday morning to drive 2 hours to Louisville for transfer meeting.

Immediately after transfer meeting my new companion, Elder Carly, we hopped into a truck of somebody we didn't know and drove for 2 more hours to Mt Sterling, Kentucky where we got our phone, and car. We then proceeded to head east another 35ish minutes to our apartment. I'm not sure if I was very clear last week about what happened. The area I'm in got "whitewashed" by my companion and I. That means that the two Elders that were here got transferred out and we got transferred in. That isn't common to happen but when it does it's because there wasn't much work getting done.

We arrived at our apartment (119 N Blair Ave Morehead KY 40351.. I'd double check the zip code) and it was a MESS. It was evident that the Elders that had left had done absolutely nothing to clean up that apartment. We've spent a total of over 6 hours cleaning. Our Ward Mission Leader has been absolutely awesome and got us some cleaning supplies to help us out. He also took us out for a bite to eat. Between then and now we've done a lot of missionary work! We were able to find 16 new investigators this week which is like more than 3 times the amount I've ever found in a 7 day period and this was essentially a 5 day period Including Thanksgiving which is a non-proselyting day. Very exciting! We've also had a couple of people try to convert us... nothing unusual out here!

For Thanksgiving we kind of had a progressive dinner I guess. One of our investigators actually had us over for our first dinner and it was very good! After that we went over to a family in the ward's house and theirs wasn't done cooking so we got to know them and ended up leaving without eating. Our last stop was our Ward Mission Leaders house for dessert. Before we ate we played Botchi ball which was fun. I enjoyed pretty much everything I've eaten so far and as far as I know I haven't eaten any roadkill!

My new companion is Elder Carly. He has been out only a month and a half longer than I have. Same age as me and he is from Spanish Fork. He enjoys film making and is in a lot better shape than I am, like most people I come across! He has 8 siblings including step-siblings. He's a pretty cool cat. We get along well.

Our apartment is awesome now that it's all cleaned up. Having a washer and dryer is super beneficial and should save me close to $20 a month. The kitchen and study room alone was the size of my last apartment and then beyond that we have a workout room, bedroom, bathroom, and closet. It's pretty sweet! We found a fake tree in the pantry so we decided to put it up. There was only two strands of lights that worked so one went on the railing and one on the tree. Elder Carly is a fruit so that's why he's in the picture. 

The other picture is of two towns that are in our area. One is "Sharkey" and one is "Farmers"...........at first we though it was one town called "Sharkey Farmers" so we imagined some gilled creatures that enjoyed farming... but I guess not.

Sorry for writing a book. Packages need to be sent to my address and not the mission office because it costs them money to forward it to me. I make an end.

Good wisdom from the Book of Mormon: 1 Nephi 9:6

Shoutouts!:

Brother Curry, our awesome ward mission leader who has helped us out SO much and been very hospitable and just a boss!

Bishop Green who has been similiarly awesome and caring about the missionary work going on here!

Have a great week! Love ya'll (I hope I don't pick that up)

-Elder Denton III (Strikes again)

 

Week 12--I...am getting transferred!

Date: Nov 19,  2012
Companion: Elder Moorhouse
Area: Newburgh Bike

Sup everybody?

Well I just came back this morning from another trip out to Mt Vernon to get Elder Clawson's things because he is getting transfered. I did my laundry while I was there because I, too, am getting transfered! Pretty big shocker you could say. Definately was not expecting that... I thought that my companion was gone for sure. Oh well! I'm going to be heading to Morehead, Kentucky. My companions name is Elder Carly. I know all of this beforehand because Elder Carly is in my zone and he got the same phone call. Usually when you are getting transfered you have no idea about either of the two.

While I am excited to change things up and start fresh in an area, I am slightly saddened because this week we set a baptismal date with a lady called Terry. She is so prepared and has the coolest story: There is a family in our ward who used to be Catholic who knew her from church. The family obviously converted and she shared with us that she could tell that that family was happier being in our church. That family now has a son who was in the MTC waiting for his visa to arrive so he could fly out to Barcelona, Spain. Terry was curious one night so she went onto Mormon.org to ask a couple of questions and pretty soon after she started the Elder of the family was like, "Terry?" Isn't that crazy! So the Elder helped her set up a skype and he taught her a little bit before sending us the referral! She has kept all of her commitements and has seen a baptism, and come to church. So freaking cool! I'm sad that I won't get to see her get baptized yet at the same time I'm just happy that she is.

We are also still teaching our Chinese friends but they have quite the workload so it's been hard to get them to church. I also didn't take any pictures this week :/ I'll work on that.

The Newburgh ward has been great! There are a lot of great members but I guess that it's my time to be moving on! Morehead is a branch, so that will be different but bring it on! I wonder where I'll be having Thanksgiving dinner? Maybe the apartment? This ward there were like 4 families signed up! Phew!

So I only heard back from one person about my good advice from the Book of Mormon section of the letter... The scripture I sent last week pretty much was fluff. Just seeing if it's even worth putting on here! I forgot to look up a scripture so we'll just say... the last 2 paragraphs of the introduction to the Book of Mormon.

Shoutouts:

All who participated in the missionary training event in CP 8th! Great work!

The great people of Morehead, Kentucky.. watch out!

Elder Moorhouse: For being a great trainer!

Catchya all next time! Have a safe week! Make sure to stuff yourselves for Thanksgiving!

Gobble!

Elder Denton III (Strikes again)

Apartment pictures

 

 A family in the ward

Week 11-We were able to find some new investigators

Date: Nov 12,  2012
Companion: Elder Moorhouse
Area: Newburgh Bike

 

Sup everybody?

 

This Friday was our districts turn for interviews. It went well although I think President thought that I was just finishing up my first transfer? That's okay though. This week I also had another exchange. It's definately been my favorite exchange so far it was very productive. We were able to find some new investigators and all that!

 

We also took a trip to Mt Vernon where the third member of our companionship was serving to get some of his stuff. We took our laundry because they have a washer and dryer in their apartment! They also have leftover detergent from other Elders so we got to do it for free! Usually we have to go and get quarters and it's a huge rip off. It's like $1.50 per washer load and dryer load. Pretty lame. It's nice to give my funds a little break though! Hopefully we will be able to make time to do the same thing this week.

 

Having the car is definately more of an advantage than it is a disadvantage. It's a lot more efficient than riding a bike. I prefer a bike for the much needed excercise. I need to get in shape! Workin' on that (:

 

Good advice from the Book of Mormon: Alma 45:18

 

Shoutouts!

Those who feed the missionaries.... You're appreciated! (:  

 

Have a great week!

 

Love,

 

Elder Denton III (Strikes again)

Week 10--He brought out a sweet Scandinavian battle axe, an M4 Assault Rifle, and a Sniper Rifle

Date: Nov 5,  2012
Companion: Elder Moorhouse
Area: Newburgh Bike

 

Sup everybody?

 

It's actually been a semi-eventful week! As far as the wheather goes... it's been cold! We didn't get anything really from the big Sandy storm on the east coast except maybe some percipitation. I bought some gloves a week or so ago that aren't super bulky and will block wind and should help keep me warm enough while I'm on the bike.

  

For Halloween it was essentially just a normal Wednesday while the sun was up. For the Election our Mission President has asked us to write down the addresses of all the people with Romney signs in their front yard and we will contact them at a later time. There are 2 other missionaries in the ward that I serve in- the Zone leaders- and they have an investigator who invited us over for Halloween night. His baptism is next week. We had a fire and he brought out a sweet scandinavian battle axe, an m4 assault rifle, and a sniper rifle. It was pretty legit. 

 

 We found some new investigators and all 3 of them are Chinese! Straight from Asia! Incredible, huh? Not that crazy but it's definately all about starting from scratch with them. One is athiest, one has no religious ideas, and the third is Muslim. They're all colleagues. 

 

Last but not least I'm in a trio... again. An Elder in our district decided to go home early so that left his companion with us! His name is Elder Clawson. The funny thing is, Elder Moorhouse and him were already companions for 2 transfers in a different area so they know each other pretty well. The trio should only last until transfers which are in 2 ish weeks. Elder Clawson came from a car area though, so he brought that with him :)

 

Good advice from the Book of Mormon: Words of Mormon 1:7

 

Shoutouts!

Mom & Dad! They're celebrating their 25th Anniversary the 6th of November!

 

Have a great week everybody! You're loved!

 

-Elder Denton III (Strikes again)

 

 

Week 9--I also decided this week that I want to be more like Enos

Date: Oct 29, 2012
Companion: Elder Moorhouse
Area: Newburgh Bike

 

Sup everybody?

 

It's cold! Riding a bike in the cold hasn't been a help to that either! It's very flat here so you get the wind full force... nothing to block it! I'm not sure that I'm ready for the winter wheather but ready or not here it comes! I also decided this week that I want to be more like Enos. Most are familiar with the wrestle he had with God in prayer. I want to be able to pray like that! I'm working on it.

 

Mike- I mentioned him last week and said how solid he is! We had a bomb lesson this Wednesday with him and he seemed to be progressing very well. As promised, he came to church and everything seemed to be going well until the second hour when some of his concerns seemed to come out. He's had concerns before but by the time we met with him to address them he had already ironed them out. So hopefully that's what will happen!

 

Also, here is a cool scripture: 3 Nephi 28:20. It's refering to the 3 nephites and they totally smote the Earth with the Word of God! That's super legit! I'll have to try it sometime.

 

As I mentioned last week I had an exchange this Thursday. He had just come out this last transfer (the one after me) and was very green. I learned more about myself it seemed than I learned about him. I have a deeper level of patients than I thought! It was like an anti-sanity barrier of patients I experienced. Good to know it's there.

 

Until next time...have a great week ya'll!

 

Good advice from the Book of Mormon: Alma 5:32

 

Shoutouts!

Those who have shared their testimony with a stranger in the last month! Thanks!

 

With <3,

 

-Elder Denton III (Strikes again)

 

Week 8

Date: Oct 22, 2012
Companion: Elder Moorhouse
Area: Newburgh Bike

Sup Everybody?

Another week gone and passed! On Thursday we had a pretty busy day. We took our ward mission leader.. well... he took us in his van to go see a bunch of less active members. It was effective but he was only available in the middle of the day when everybody is at work so... not too many people were home. Yesterday at church everybody spoke about missionary work and next Sunday they are having a fireside on missionary work so hopefully that'll get the ward amped up to do... well.. missionary work. Home teaching at the least?

Yesterday I bought some grease for my bike chain so it won't get all rusty. I put it on too if you were wondering. This upcoming Thursday we have another exchange. You know how I feel about those. This one shouldn't be too bad because the guy who ate all of my food got transfered.

So we finally started finding some people! Last month this guy who wasn't a member and had just moved into our area for a job showed up at church and we talked to him. He is super smart but it sounded like he had some hold ups about our church. We had set up an appt to go and see him and when we did it went way well! It was basically just picking a date for baptism and then going over the baptismal interview questions to see what he knew. The only thing he wasn't familiar with was the Word of Wisdom which normally is a problem out here but he quickly accepted. So elect! We'll call him Mike. I'll try to remember that for future letters. We have another investigator were teaching regularly but he doesn't have a bap date quite yet so more to come!

Good advice from the Book of Mormon: Alma 37:37

Shoutouts

Brother and Sister Moorhouse: For sending me a sweet shirt!

All those Jimmy Johns Drivers out there... "you betta check yourself before you wreck yourself"

Have a magical week!

-Elder Denton III (Strikes again)

Week 7

Date:  Oct 15, 2012
Companion: Elder Moorhouse
Area: Newburgh Bike

 

Sup everybody?

The wheather this week was getting warmer until we got rained on yesterday and that cooled it off a little. It is inbetween fall and summer wheather still it seems. I bought a jacket this week because the one I brought is too heavy for just when it's raining. I'm going to have to buy a splash guard for my rear tire because when it rains it flicks the water up at me and I get a nice line on my backpack and the back of my shirt. Speaking of backpacks I'll need to be getting one of those too because mine broke! It lasted it's worthwhile. It was only 5 bucks anyways! Yet another example of "you get what you pay for"...

Right now my companion and I are doing what we can to find new investigators. It's not that we aren't getting any but the rate at which they are coming isn't meeting the standard that the mission has. We had Zone Meeting this week and the Zone Leaders gave a good training on making sure that we are incoorperating the Book of Mormon into every aspect of our teaching and finding. It wasn't really a "how to" so much as a "this is important" type of deal. So I believe the quality and quantity of our investigators should improve.

That's actually all that I wrote down for my outline for the letter this week :0 Hopefully something exciting will happen this week. Oh.. today at basketball I jammed my finger... I thought that I had broke it but then some of the pain went away and it was all good. Well now I'm going to go and play some raquetball so I'll catcha next time!

Good advice from the Book of Mormon: 3 Nephi 27:33

Shoutouts!

Those who paid attention in seminary: I sure wish that I had!

Hope you all have the most fantabulous of weeks!

With <3

-Elder Denton III (Strikes again)

Week 6

Date:  Oct 8, 2012
Companion:  Elder Moorhouse
Area:  Newburgh Bike

 

Sup Everybody?

 

So it was inevitable... I'm a Zone leader. Well... only for a couple days because our Zone leader became an assistant so my companion and I are just in a trio with him... Ha? So ya I didn't get transfered but the rest of our district got rocked. Should be exciting to see the change. General Conference was too cool! Did everybody take notes? Too cool about the new age elegibility huh? Personally, I'm glad that it was 19 when I went out I was super grateful for the job opportunity that I had. I did pretty well through conference but like most, probably faded off a little at the end. I watched the first 4 sessions at our stake center and the last one at an investigators house. It wasn't our investigator it was the Zone leaders so don't be getting too excited (: On Saturday before Priesthood session the ward does a "pizza potluck" which was pretty good. Anytime you don't have to make food for yourself is simply the best... we don't get fed too much by the members but it does happen so nothing to complain about (:

 

Tomorrow is transfer meeting but you know on the Saturday before if you are being transfered so that it will give you time to pack and clean. I never did make it to Fall Festival which was too bad! Last Tuesday I went on an exchange with the guy who ate all my food and it went... better than anticipated. I made sure to plan where we were going to eat so he wouldn't chow down on all of our food again. My companion was in the area where the Festival was so he was able to go.

 

We get service opportunities fairly regularly but not like... daily or anything which is okay. Anybody who comes off their mission and would like to go into the moving buisness should be perfectly qualified. Service opportunities are nice because it gives you a break from the usual and you'll generally get fed.. although it isn't expected. We look for service opportunities everywhere we go.

 

Well I think that's all for this week! I love all of you so be safe!

 

 

 

Good advice from the Book of Mormon: Mosiah 4:27

 

Shoutouts:

 

Mariah Sivertson: For just being amazing and putting up with me (:

 

President Woodbury: For his leadership and ability to keep sanity with all the... harder to deal with.. missionaries.

 

 

-Elder Denton III (Strikes again)

 

Week 5

Date:  Oct 1, 2012
Companion:  Elder Moorhouse
Area:  Newburgh Bike

Sup Everybody?

I hope you're all super excited for General Conference! I know I am! Before my mission I never realized the severity of its awesomeness, hearing from a Prophet of God and all. It was always just good because I got to sleep in! Now, however, I know of how important it is to listen to what is said because it is all revelation recieved for us! This is what we're always talking about- Modern day Prophets- so we should probably take notes! (: 

 We have had the opportunity to find some new investigators, but so far none of those have been super solid Preach My Gospel perfect investigators. It's definately a sifting process. So I probably won't talk much about investigators unless I'm sure that they are about to be baptized so don't be sad! We are having success.. Just not major success! Not yet. It'll come!

Fall Festival starts today! It's a pretty super huge event from what I hear and it's only a mile or so outside of our area! I believe we will be going a few times this week to check it out and contact some people! I'm excited! The scouts have a booth called "monster ears" which I believe are just scones that they sell to raise money.

Also, I've pretty much just accepted that I'm going to be dying at an early age due to second hand smoke inhalation. It's gross. There are a bunch of people out here that smoke and I guess I just have to deal with it! And it's funny because everybody has smoked or done drugs or whatever and now theyre on disability..... pfft.

On Saturday we took a second attempt at contacting a referral that we had recieved. We biked over there and he let us right in! Unfortunately, he was trying to figure out what he was going to do because that night he had to be out... he had gotten evicted and had a 3 day notice but apparently got the days mixed up and about an hour previously had remembered that it was, in fact, Saturday. It was unfortunate.. hopefully things start to look up for him! 

I have definately noticed that the biking has been becoming easier. Part of that I would attribute to the new bike being so easy to ride and part that we just do it so consitently that I've built up my quads. Anyways, it's been nice to not get so winded, or have to put forth as much effort just to get back and forth.

Well I'll wrap this thing up with a new advice column provided with Book of Mormon references. Oh and fun fact: Dale Murphy's son (one of my zone leaders) is sitting next to me.

Love ya!

Good advice from the BOM? Jacob 6:12

Shoutouts!

Barry & Melody Sivertson: for being awesome parents to an awesome girl! Well.. girls.. but I'm pretty sure you know who I'm talking about. (:

Kyle Denton: for writing me on my mission regularly even when I didn't write you very often...

 More to come!

-Elder Denton III (Strikes again)

Week 4

Date:  Sept 24, 2012

Companion:  Elder Moorhouse
Area:  Newburgh Bike

 

Sup Everybody?

 

This week seemed to be another good one! The wheather has been nice and such which makes everything good. This week we had Zone Conference on Wednesday and then Stake Conference yesterday. Both were really good! There were a lot of good insights and I'm remembering from high school how bad of a note taker that I am! I just drew instead and then listened while I was drawing and that seemed to make it easier. I probably have ADD. It's whatever.

 

So I don't know if I've already mentioned it but they have a game here called "bags" which is basically just a bag toss but it's more serious out here! The why to that was explained to me as even a drunk person can be good at bags... so there ya go. I say this because I want to play but we just haven't yet. I feel like we will soon.. I'll definately letcha know how it goes!

 

The picture that's attached is just a park where we commenly find ourselves trying to find people. A lot of people will go there to feed ducks because there are a TON of them. There are also geese and a ton of squirrels and occassionally you'll catch a blue herin just chillin'.

 

 

Well I'm starved and tired right now so I apologize for the boring letter.. hopefully it will improve next week! I hope everybody has an awesome day! And week! I love you all! Peace!

 

Shoutouts:

 

Mom: for being awesome and helping me out with the things that I should have done before the MTC!

 

Paul Murdoch: for being a cool cat.

 

Tyler Coles: for being an amazing home teacher! If everybody was as awesome as he is then retention and less active members of the Church would not even be an issue.

 

-Elder Denton III (Strikes again)

Week 3 and pictures!!

Date:  Sept 17, 2012
Companion:  Elder Moorhouse
Area:  Newburgh Bike

Sup Everybody?

Hey there! I hope everybody has been having a magical week! I finally got some pictures on here and the first 2 are old news from the MTC. The one with just me was my first full day there. I'm cute, i know. 

'The second one was me and my comp with our last teacher (like I said we had like 9).   

On Tuesday I went and bought a new bike as you can see in the pictures! It was 'posed to be $440 with tax but (you know how I do) I was able to get it for $375 instead with a kick stand and water bottle holder included! Cool huh? It has made riding SO much easier and our pace has increased and I can keep up! Woo Hoo! I bought it from a place called Gilles. It also has a 3 year warranty where they will adjust everything for free if it gets out of whack.

Also on Wednesday we our regular District meeting and my comp and I (for some reason) were asked to give the training. I felt weird giving all of the other Elders in the district advice but I felt like it all went smoothly.

The picture of the egg samich is simply my amazing creation. It turned out better than expected and I've had a few of them this week (: I haven't run out of food just yet I've been doing an okay job of shopping... frozen foods are bomb!

Oh! This coming Wednesday were having Zone Conference so that's pretty exciting!

The weather here has been either nice out and not too hot or rainy. I enjoy it. I don't enjoy riding in it. We had a cool lighting storm pass over a week or more ago and that was cool as well. My comp says that I missed most of the hot hot summer they had which... isn't dissapointing! (:

As far as investigators go my area had a baptism the week before I came and we are in a state of finding right now. We do have a few investigators but they are not really progressing... so we have not had to drop anybody really yet but hopefully things turn around!

I think that's about it! I'll wrap up with some shoutouts!

Dad - teaching me how to cook eggs

Forrest Sutherland - being a stallion and having a companion that I know? Mostly being a stallion

Whitney Denton - for being an awesome sister and (I'm sure) and even awesomer teacher!  

Take care now!

Elder Denton III (Strikes again)

Week 2 in the field!

Date:  Sept 10, 2012
Companion:  Elder Moorhouse
Area:  Newburgh Bike

Sup errybody?

Well since last Monday it's all just kind of meshed together besides Wednesday! There wasn't anything super duper special about Wednesday except that I went on an exchange with my District Leader, Elder Rigby. It was a good experience and not only did I get a break from the bike for a day but we were able to teach 3 different lessons and also found a new investigator. There was more to it but those were the highlights. I wasn't exactly sure what to do for food so I just skipped breakfast (on the exchange still) and we went out for lunch and had a dinner appointment for dinner. I figured mine and Elder Rigby's companion had done the same until I got back to my apartment and found that a bunch of my food had been eaten. I was pretty upset but what can ya do yanno? It wasn't anything my companion did wrong but.. just... ya... grr.

As far as cooking has gone I've just stuck to the basics. I get a fair variety of cereal, mac n' cheese, samiches, and microwavable corn dogs. Pretty legit'. My companion isn't necessarily an amazing cook but he has some good ideas when it comes to food. I have to force myself to drink water so I don't get dehydrated. The Brita filter pitcher that I got has worked wonders! I just got back from shopping and got some eggs, eggos, frozen pizza, and some other unhealthy-because-I-can't-afford-anything-else foods.

 Were everybody else's letter that long? Man I'm really stretchin my brain right now for more of what we did. It all just seemed to blend together.. Probable because the majority of it was missionary work. I guess siblings wrote more about their investigators... whatever! Oh and I forgot my camara again this week so... sorry for being a failure!

Shoutouts:

Mom: for all the little things I do that you taught me that make my days easier!

TJ Sutherland: For being AWESOME and making the decision to serve a mission! The GKLM (Great Kentucky Louisville Mission) IS where it's at.

Stephen Sutherland: The shoes! They are working out excellently and are muchly appreciated!

Love you guys!

The Church is true!

First Week in the Field!

 Date:  September 3, 2012
Companion:  Elder Moorhouse
Area:  Newburgh Bike

Sup everybody?

Sorry I missed ya last week! So I flew to Kentucky and we landed at about 4 o clock.

President Woodbury and his wife and the assistants were all there to greet us.

We piled into a few different cars and went to the mission home which is actually only about 10 minutes away from the airport.

The first thing that hit me when we stepped off of the 'plane was --you guessed it-- the humidity! Phew! It's going to take some getting used to for sure! Sister Woodbury had an AMAZING dinner waiting for us. It was probably so amazing because we'd only had MTC food for the last three weeks... but it was still good :)

 The next morning we got up and had breakfast

and then went the transfer meeting where I was paired with Elder Moorhouse.

He's a pretty cool cat! We are serving in the "Newburgh Bike" area. You read me correctly! I'm on a bike! If you saw the pictures of my companion it's fairly obvious that he is fit. If you have seen me it's fairly obvioius that I'm not. I'll get back to that. Newburgh Bike is just the name of the area. I am physically in Evansville, Indiana. Feel free to send me all the mail and packages that you'd like (: It's a pretty area! There aren't too many hills. (thankfully... going back to the riding a bike thing) (e-mail Whit for his address...I didn't want to post it online.  whitneyndenton@gmail.com)

It was about a 2 1/2 hour car ride to our apartment from the chapel where the meeting was held and then I moved in real quick and the zone leaders came and picked us up to do some shoppin'. We meet up with them often to go places because.. well... they have a car. I felt super lost in the grocery store because I was not prepared by any means to go shopping. I felt like I needed to plan it all out what I was gonna do for meals and such but nontheless I feel like I did a pretty good job of winging it! We don't get too many dinner appointments but I've eaten twice so far out in the field where it was prepared for me. There was a bike left there that I will use until mine is shipped to me that had a flat tire and I actually was able to repair it! It went pretty smoothly! The bike is a little rough but will work for now.

Other than that it's just been a lot of proselyting this week. I enjoy it. I haven't had a door straight up slammed in my face but we're getting there. I need that experience. Street contacting is fun as well. When we get on our bikes to ride to an appointment or wherever Elder Moorhouse is always up ahead of me.. he has been biking for awhile now I guess so he has a quick pace. It pushes me but I make sure to not push it too hard or I'll be dead once I get to wherever I'm going so he stops and lets me catch up. Today we are going to get a brita filter because the tap water is atrocious and it is so so important to stay hydrated. It makes the difference between a good and bad day for surely.

UMMMM oh! Every Monday morning we play basketball at the Church and because school was out today there were these two kids who were like... amazing. Turns out the taller of the two is rated number 1 in the city (he is a junior in hs) and has a full ride scholarship to like... anywhere he wants. He was on my team though so it was all good.

I think that's it ya'll? My laundry is about done and I'm not sure I have anything more to say. The Gospel is true. Amen, right? Right.

Elder Denton III (strikes again)

Ahh oh BTW a complete miracle happened on Sunday that I forgot to mention! (bashful face)

SO - last week there was a lady, who's name will remain anonymous, was baptized and this week in testimony meeting I stood in for her confirmation. Her husband (soon to be ex i believe) was the one who the missionaries had gone to see but ended up meeting her instead! She didn't even know that he had been a member. He is inactive... and by that I mean it's been 21 years. He went to church and during testimony meeting got up (which made my comp a little nervous) and basically said he was going to start coming to church again and asked for everybody's help! so cool! The Spirit works wonders!

Thats all

bye again

From the Mission President's Wife

Dear Brother and Sister Denton,

Your wonderful son arrived in the GKLM (the Great Kentucky Louisville Mission) safe and sound on Monday, virtually beaming from ear to ear from the moment we saw him. We were and are so impressed by him and his enthusiasm and desire to serve. What a fine young man!

After getting the bags and loading up the GKLM trailer (Great Kentucky Louisville Mission) the missionaries hopped in the Mission van or other cars for the short ride to the Mission Home. President Woodbury began interviews while I conducted an orientation meeting and the Assistants to the President took individual pictures to be used on the Transfer Boards at the Mission Office and Mission Home. 

We were joined by the two couples from the Mission Office and sat down to a home-cooked dinner. The two couples left after the meal and the rest of us went downstairs to the Training Room (aka the family room) to have a “Welcome to the Best Two Years” skit by the Assistants, and Testimony Meeting. What a spiritual feast! Your wonderful son bore a strong and humble testimony. We're looking forward to great things with and through him...      Then, it was off to bed with chocolates on his pillow for sweet dreams.

Tuesday morning we had a hot breakfast, followed by Companionship Study and orientation regarding finances and vehicles. By 10:00 we were at the church adjacent to the Mission Office for Transfer Meeting.

After the song and prayer, the outgoing missionaries gave their departing "Words of Wisdom" and then it was time for new missionaries to be in the spotlight. 

 

Each stood as he or she was introduced, along with the name of their Trainer and their first area.  After Elder Denton stood, Elder Moorhouse, a good and dedicated missionary, hurried over to hug his new companion and take him to the area in the chapel reserved for them. "Called to Serve" was sung, GKLM style, and then President Woodbury announced the rest of the transfers. Following the meeting, the new missionaries and their Trainers met to be introduced to the new 12-week Training Program, after which they and the outgoing missionaries had lunch there at the church before having their pictures taken by the sign at the Mission Office. 

That was it - After pictures Elder Denton took off with Elder Moorhouse to his first area, charged and raring to go!

President Woodbury and I appreciate you sending your wonderful son to us. I know that you will blessed for your support and the sacrifices you are making to enable him to serve.

            Love, Sister Woodbury 

I've sent some pictures of Elder Denton's first twenty or so hours in the mission field.

Week 2 in the MTC

Date:  received Aug 20, 2012
Companion:  Elder Souza
Area:  Provo MTC

Sup everybody?

This week in the MTC has been... different? I had a cold for a couple of days and unfortunately that spread through my district like wildfire! My companion, Elder Souza, had a bad stomach flu or something of the sort so on Wednesday I believe it was he slept in to try and recover. We had made an attempt to go to class but then left shortly afterwards because he clearly wasn't able to focus anyways. Before we left I asked if he wanted a blessing and he thought that that would help so me and another member of our district, Elder Stohel, gave him one. I had the opportunity to give a blessing for my first time. I was surprised at how calm I was for the situation! 'twas a neat experience indeed.

Our teachers for class have been in and out. I believe you're only supposed to have to for your class but we've ended up switching and having substitutes and I believe we're up to 8! Either way, I have been learning a lot. Also I would like to address the fact that my district is tone deaf, aside from my companion, who is a singer!

Can I just tell you guys how much I love recieving Dear Elders? (: I do get them daily, however, I cannot respond daily so thine patients is appreciated (:

I was going to wait until I got to Kentucky to buy a journal just so I could start the day I got there but I couldn't wait another second so on Wednesday after Elder Souza was feeling a little better we went to the on-campus book store and I made the purchase. It's hard to find time every day to write so I'll probably only be using it every couple of days. Cool story, I know.

Doing the laundry actually went surprisingly well! I didn't have any issues and if I had a (dumb) question my companion knew how to do laundry and could answer it for me. I also got my flight plans on Friday which is super cool. I can't believe I leave next Monday! waking up at 3:30 in the morning to be ready seems like a daunting task but hey, I'm up for the challenge! We will have a 2 1/2 hour lay over in the Denver airport.... plenty of time to hand out a copy of the Book of Mormon ;)

I also thought that I would let everybody know that I saw a sister missionary that looked absolutely identicle to Pam... off of The Office.

This week I took some time to write everybody in my district a letter. Like, heart felt and feeling and everything; that crazy stuff. It seemed appreciated and I also believe that I will be writing the Priests in my ward. Feels like it'd be a good thing to do.

I think that's pretty much it! I don't know how next week will work as far as P-day goes based on me leaving... but I guess we'll see.

To end: I would like to share the testimony of prayer I have recieved! Isn't prayer amazing? Heavenly Father lets us talk to him and we just need to have faith that He'll reply and... then He will? I think that it is absolutely amazing. Something that I heard that brought this home for me was that He wants for us to talk with Him and He waits for us and wants to hear from us just like I wait I want to hear from all of you! (Dear Elder... *cough*) Our Heavenly Father loves us! The Gospel is true! Amen!

Love you guys!

Elder Denton III (strikes again!)

First Letter!

Date:  received Aug 10, 2012
Companion:  Elder Souza
Area:  Provo MTC

Yo!,

   First day at the MTC has come to a close and I haven't written in a while so don't judge me.  My new comp is Elder Souza (sue-zah) and he's a pretty cool cat.  He is a convert and it's been good to get to know him!  The room we're in is tight quarters...yikes!  It's clearly meant or 4 people (i.e. 4 dressers, 4 desks, etc.) but it has an extra bunk bed stuffed in here to house 6.  Dinner was okay but from what I here I'm about to get wrecked.  Anywho I'm here

wish me luck

write you next week

Love ya!

Elder Denton III (strikes again)

Off to the MTC!

Date:  Aug 8, 2012
Companion:  TBD
Area:  Provo MTC

Wednesday morning, we finished getting Elder Denton III all packed up and then headed out.  Grammy stayed at the house and Elder Denton left her some final words of wisdom, "Make sure you follow the rules!"

To which she replied through an onslaught of tears, "Why would I start now?"

We made the obligatory stop at Wal-Mart to pick up some odds and ends and then headed down south to P-Town.  We stopped for a lively (as always) meal at Olive Garden--delish.  Then we all squished into one car and headed toward the MTC.

Because of the Wal-Mart stop, there were quite a few things that hadn't made it into Elder Denton's suitcase, so we stopped at the MTC field to repack and take a few pictures...well our family certainly isn't camera shy!  You may click here for a more comprehensive collection of pictures or continue onward for the highlights.

We headed across the street and he gave a couple of hugs...

...and then he was off!

Good luck Elder Denton!  We'll see you in two years!