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)