A Mixture of Colors!

My family! So good to hear from you guys this week! 

Haha mom, I love your stories you have each week....  I laugh all the way through them.  Great to hear Tyson's heading out! I wish him the best of luck. And atta boy Pat! If all works out I guess it'll be fine if he goes to U of A.... I know there are some sins that aren't forgivable, and that one does come close, but I think he'll be able to be forgiven.  Haha sike, just messin. 

Well boy howdy. It's been a week. Before I get into it though check you out Tyler! Let me tell you what, that story you told about going back to that house and talking to that guy was awesome! Got me pumped! There's no way now that I can ever not leave something unsaid.  You're right man, no regrets. Gotta serve with no regrets. Good stuff. 

Ok so this last week. Remember that guy I was telling you about...?  Well we've met with him twice since then, both with members... So long long story short, it's beautiful to see the promises fulfilled that if we treasure up the words of life, and open our mouths, we will speak by the power of the holy ghost, and will not be confounded before men. We're going to be meeting with him once more, Elder Lott and I, and set some serious expectations and let him know that we're here to invite others to come unto Christ through baptism.   If he doesn't want to progress towards that then we need to part ways. 

Elder Lott is going to be my new companion, by the way.  I'm staying in Duncan and Elder Zerkle will be leaving. This last week we've also been doing lots of clean up for the tornado.  Most of Friday and all of Saturday.  We helped in New Castle where the tornado started.  I'm going to try to not get on a tangent, but while there it was awesome to see the outreach by the local community.  We were there helping and the fire department and local organizations were passing out food and water for all of the volunteers and also to the people affected by the tornado.  And there was alot too.  These people weren't messing around.  And then when Red Cross would come, in their big fancy trucks, they were passing out jello cups.  It was quite comical actually. 

This group from Texas came up, set up a stand, and cooked these awesome burgers and cooked for the 100 or so volunteers that were there. The neat part about it though was to see everyone working together. Of course you have the Mormons in the yellow shirts, and the Methodists in the red, and the Church of the Nazarene in the white, and so on and so forth.  As we were working though it was a mixture of colors of t-shirts, and it was a refresher to tell you the truth to be accepted and to be able to talk with them and build relationships, even though I know I won't see any of them again. There are some great people I met those two days.  And the work will continue on.  Our mission will be a part of this clean-up effort for a long time, months and months. 

Oh, funny story. So Thursday our bishop called and asked if we could give talks and we said yeah we could, because he needed someone last minute.  Well Friday we got a call from Pres. Taylor calling us up to do service, so we had no time to write our talks then, and the same thing happened Saturday.  So Saturday night at 9:00 when we're planning, we sit down and plan real quick and get a good 45 min to write a talk.  And I was so tired I said 'forget it I'm going to bed'.  Sooooo I wrote my talk on the stand Sunday morning.  And I pulled it off! Definitely a blessing from Heavenly Father.  The talk was on the blessings and power of the sacrament. 

I love you guys, thanks for all you do! Let me know if I can ever do anything for you!! Till next time!

Elder Traasdahl

Days in Duncan, Oklahoma

Ta Dun! I got a memory card from this missionary so here's a little glimpse at who he's meeting around town.

 

 

And this one is for his twin...

(They've done this since they were babies.

When one had an idea, the other had to do it and vice versa.  Good to know that though they are seperated, some things still haven't changed.  It's actually been one of my favorite things to watch how they motivate eachother in their missionary efforts with all the good things they are sharing.)

This was a great picture but I had to crop it because Elder T.
was standing in front of their contact board. There were so many names of people they were looking for or working with in Duncan.  In honor of their privacy, here's just a quick glimpes at his p-day tshirt.  Sorry you  missed out on the great smile that went with it but just thought it was worth mentioning that Elder Traasdahl SAVES SOULS  too...

Tornado Watch

We've heard from the Mission President of the Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Mission today through email, twice. Elder Traasdahl happens to be serving in Tornado alley and yes, the season is obviously upon them.  President Taylor sends an email once a storm has passed and when everyone is accounted for. We actually also got a surprise text msg from Elder Traasdahl verifying his safety early this evening too.  He was given permission to do so since the weather was so crazy. We're grateful the Missionaries are all safe, and feel for those who have lost loved ones and all their personal belongings. The missionaries will most likely be helping in clean up efforts in the days ahead. The picture below speaks volumes...


http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/moore-oklahoma-tornado-relief

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Below is Elder Traasdahl's email udpate for the week.

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Ok, it's official. Tyler's beating in the picture race. Check you out though Tyler! Getting some lime light there! Before you know it we'll be seeing you on SportsCenter!! 

So yeah crazy stuff been going down, tornados and whatnot. Like you said Mom, nothing around us thank goodness, just some windy winds and rainy rain. For your peace of mind, all missionaries have a weather contact for their area, that gives them up-to-date info. on what's happening.  Our's is the stake presidents wife. When a tornado watch happens, it's kinda like we get on our tippy toes, ready to bounce at the first sign of trouble.  And then during a tornado warning, we go to our safe spot, which is a tornado shelter at the stake president's home.  Which is only a mile down the road from our apartment.  And depending where we're at in town we've got some other places picked out.  So don't worry, we'll be safe even if a tornado comes tearing straight through Duncan! (knock on wood.)

This week we've had some awesome miracles. We've had some great lessons with less actives, and the members here have been doing a great job of coming with us to lessons.  We've had a member with us nearly every day for the last two weeks.  A lot of great fellowshipping has been going on.  Now the tricky part is getting these less active members to come to church!  The other day we had a member with us for a few hours, B.. Everyone we had planned fell straight through. Kinda dissappointing.  Before we were about to turn in though we asked if he would be willing to go see someone that another member had referred to us a couple days earlier. Only problem is is that they live 25 minutes out of town, so we were slightly hesitant to ask. But B.'s a stud  and said lets do it!  So we went and it turned out he's related in someway to these people and cha-ching!  Miracle find!  It's was great.  Instant fellowship too...

I'll keep you guys posted on what happens. I do love you guys!! I hope you have a great week! I hope work is going well! Thanks for sending out the quotes. I've been doing good on memorizing. 1 week down 51 to go!

Love, 

Elder Traasdahl

Loved loved loved loved loved talking with you

Zone Conference

Of Course I'm partial to one of the missionaries standing tall on the back row - 

What can be said after last night?? Can't really think of much! Loved loved loved loved loved talking with you guys! There were some things I did forget to say that I needed. But guess what!  I got a full night's rest of sleep last night!! It shocked me when I woke up. Haha I attribute it to talking with y'all.  But if you could, tell Todd congrats on the mission call!! That's awesome!!  

And I also forgot to ask last night about this, but what's everyone's summer plans? I also was curious what funny comment was said by Austin while that picture was being taken that you sent, because with that look on Austin's face and braden's laugh, I know Austin must've said somethin.  Oh and btw, I've recommitted myself to memorizing a scripture or quote a day, cause if Tyler comes back with a photographic memory and I don't, that just aint right.  So I'm gonna do it!  With that said, if you guys could send out a list of good quotes, inspirational quotes a life, missionary work, diligence, obedience, aka gospel quotes by prophets and apostles and such, that I could throw in there to memorize, that'd be awesome!  And it's fine if you send them on a page in like size 10 font. Well sorry that this has been such a lame email, but after being able to talk with you last night emailing doesn't really compare!  Oh I know what to share.  I'll end with this.  It was pretty sweet.  We had a zone conference on Thursday of last week, and it was President Taylor's last one. Don't worry I got it all recorded on my audio recorder.  All 5 hours.   He gave this amazing training on the gathering of Israel. Super cool. But in his closing testimony he said "Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. Oh how I love to testify of that, especially in this land!  That's just the way it is folks. Deal with it."  It was epic. I wish you could've been there for it. I realize that that didn't do it the least bit of justice... Ok, well I love you guys. Thank you for your beautiful, shining bright examples!!! The family truly is the central unit in God's plan of happiness. Because I'm happiest when I think of you.  Let me know if I could ever do anything for you! LOVE YOU!

Elder Traasdahl

Busy busy week

It's that time of the day again! Loved all the pictures you guys sent this week. Y'all are looking GOOD!!!  Shout out to Tyler for having that wedding, that's sweet!  Now just wait till they get sealed in the temple.  That'll be a priceless experience. 

Well we've had a real busy week. Haven't had much time to spend in our area. We went on an exchange with some missionaries in Blanchard, and then we also went on an exchange with a District Leader of ours who's in Anadarko. Oh before I get to that guess what! I found out about this last Tuesday at MLC? Remember how a while ago I talked about a John I taught while on exchanges in Wichita Falls, and set a baptism date with??? Well he just got baptized!! Made my day when I heard that. Wish you could meet this guy. Anyways, just had to share, because it was such a bright spot in my week. 

This week though we've done a lot of less active work. We've met with a lot of members who have fallen away because they've been offended, and it's really sad. The whole situation. Because of another's actions or words, which in some cases are terrible, some of these people have given up on going to church, and are missing out on the wonderful blessings that come from partaking of the sacrament.  This week has really built my testimony on how important home teachers are.  We've gone away from most of these appointments with an overwhelming impression that, "There's nothing more we can do. It's up to the home teachers now."  And I've thought about that a lot.  And I believe it's because those who have left the church because they've been offended and hurt, will only come back because they know they're wanted and loved.  What's the vehicle to show that love?  Home teaching. Some of these people too, I already know, won't come back after a few visits.  Or a few months worth of visits.  It may even take years. But it's that christ-like dedication that's needed.  I've written in my journal, in super big letters, a promise, slash commitment, to be the worlds best home teacher.  Because I've seen the effects no home teaching can have. 

We had success also this week with a part-member/less active family. The dad's name is M. He hasn't been to church since he was 12, so it's basically like we're teaching an investigator.  His wife isn't a member, and they have a 2 year old daughter.  We're going to try to see them this week, but it's hard to, because they live in the outskirts of town, so we have to see them with a member.  So it takes a bit of coordination and planning. We also are teaching a man named C.

That about wraps it up for me! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!! Thanks for everything you do!!! Let me know if I can ever do anything for you, and I'll talk to you Aunday! and Monday! ahah crazy.  Adios!

Love,

Elder Traasdahl