Pictures from December 2013

Angels really do exist.  Look... there's one right there!

One word:  COLD

Empty mailbox...  Often a missionaries lot in life.

Except on this day:

Christmas package arrived!  Yes!!

A day in the life of Elder Traasdahl... 

I wonder how much that back pack weighs?

Nov. 25, 2013 ~ It all starts with prayer ~

So much to talk about!  That's cool to hear that ASU won the Pac-12 south championship, sounds like it made for a fun evening!  Those pictures were sweet, that's not something that happens every day Bdog!  Maybe one day one of them will go to the NFL, think of that! Dad, thanks for the email. We've got somewhere to spend thanksgiving with, it'll be the Leavitt family, so there's no worries there.  They're doing a big shin dig down at the church building so it'll be a lot of people and a good time.  Mom, what an AWESOME experience!!  I loved your story of sharing the gospel.  I've gotta echo Tyler's statement, it makes it much easier to labor in the Lord's vineyard when you have the support system like the one we've got!  

We had a pretty stacked week this week. We started Monday off with a district leader council, and gave a training and set things straight. We're really striving to implement Joseph Smith's counsel "teach them correct principles and let them govern themselves."  Tuesday night we went on splits with our bishopric, and got some great LA, PM family work done. Wed we went out and had our Elders Quorum splits and had a lesson with Mark (who's getting baptized this weekend!  I've got that opening prayer on lock down again haha) and visited with a LA family.  Thur. was the big day, where we had Elder Craig A. Cardon of the Presidency of the 70 come to a mission conference.  Did you know he's born and raised in Mesa?  I was talking with his wife and she said that they raised their children there.  He got his something or other degree at ASU and the whole 9 yards.  He talked to us about a variety of things, but the major commitment he left with us was not to ask the head of the household if they'd be willing to say a closing prayer in our 1st lessons with investigators, but rather assign them the closing prayer, and not give in when they protest or make excuses as to why they don't want to. (which happens a lot ) He said that if they won't begin to say a prayer then, they won't start ever praying to know if what we shared with them is true.  "We are teaching spiritual children.  It all starts with prayer, and if they won't do that, then you've lost them."  It was an unexpected commitment, but I can see how it would help!

 The Norman stake also was reorganized this weekend, so we were able to listen to him and another member of the 70, Elder Rean this Saturday and Sunday.  The theme was member missionary work, and I pulled the most away from Elder Rean's message to us.  (They both served in Italy, and both went back as mission president's too, cool huh?)  Elder Rean said that from his mission, in Italy, (the 1st one) he came back feeling like a failure, because all he did was knock doors 13 hours a day, for 2 years, with 2 converts who went LA and 2 young women who only converted "because of two handsome Americans."  He prayed for opportunities and a friend from high school called him up and said "you left for your church thing, I went military.  My life's a mess.  I need help."  He then related more experiences that were similar to this one.  He prayed because he was willing, yet didn't feel like he was capable of going out of his way.  So the Lord brought people to him.  It reminded me of a scripture that I've been thinking about lately, relating to member missionary work.  It helps us identify who's ready to receive the gospel, and why we're the one chosen to share the gospel.  D&C 35:12-15 "And there are none that doeth good except those who are ready to receive the fullness of my gospel, which I have sent forth unto this generation. 13 Wherefore, I call upon the weak things of the world, those who are unlearned and despised, to thresh the nations by the power of my Spirit; 14 And their arm shall be my arm, and I will be their shield, and their buckler; and I will gird up their loins, and they shall fight manfully for me; and their enemies shall be under their feet; and I will let fall the sword in their behalf, and by the fire of mine indignation will I preserve them. 15 And the poor and the meek shall have the gospel preached unto them, and they shall be looking forth for the time of my coming for it is nigh at hand --"  The Lord doesn't expect us to be grand and mighty, but to be willing!  Elder Rean left two commitments with the members here that I extend to you, my wonderful family.  #1 Pray for personal missionary opportunities (which I know you're already doing) and #2 Do something with a friend, who's not a member of the church, outside of a church activity.  He made a comment that struck me as well.  He said "We're doing the world a disservice by not sharing the light we have with them. It's already a dark enough place.  Why allow it to get darker?"  I love you guys, and I love hearing about your lives!  Thanks for your righteous examples!!  Continue to learn and grow in the gospel, because that's the greatest thing we can do! Happy Thanksgiving!

Elder Traasdahl

 "4 missionaries, squeezed in a little green bug. Think it can happen? #itdid

Nov. 18, 2013 ~ Be ready to give a reason for the light and joy found within ~

It's a beautiful day in Norman, OK!  I haven't had a week like the one I've had in quite some time.  With Elder Burr coming to the area of course I had to take over the area, and I haven't had to do that for a solid 6 months.  It was a good change of pace.  I learned a lesson or two, or 5 on ways to be a more effective, efficient, & organized planner so all is well!

 Elder Burr has been patient as well, and that's been a blessing. Elder Burr's a good missionary.  We've been getting along well thus far.  He's from Burrville, UT too. Half the members here don't believe him when he says that, it's pretty funny.  He says though that you can google maps it and it shows up. 16 people live in his town.  This week however it's been neat to see how the Lord has worked through my amazing weaknesses to continue to get the work done!  Haha we went to go see a LA member that we got from the ward boundary changes.  We've never met him and his records are somewhere else, but we had a # and potential address.  I got the address and then 30 second later as we walk to the apartment building (not knowingly, it  lead us to the wrong apartment (which I thought was the right one) and knocked on the door, and asked for Nathan.  Well a big Black woman opens the door, and she's clearly not Nathan and he doesn't live there.  As we talked with her however we found out she's searched for truth in religion and has read some of the Book of Mormon on her own! So we're going back this Wednesday evening with our Elder's Quorum President to share the restoration with her.  The concern she left with us on the door was the "skin of blackness" curse, and she feels we think she's cursed.  However I'm fully confident once she understands  that Christ's church is on the earth today, and that we have prophet, her heart with soften and that concern will go away.

 Last night we had a lesson with Mark Whatley as well and we went over the baptismal interview questions, and so far he's good to go! He was able to meet President Walkenhorst last night at a baptism we all attended for the OU sisters, and they okie talked for a bit.  All that is left is to have him be interviewed and to get the details figured out for his baptism.  Also, this past week I only got 1 migraine!  It was a wonderful blessing.  This Thursday we have the privilege of listened to Elder Craig A. Cardon of the 70, he's coming and touring our mission!  That evening as well we're going to have a dinner with him as an MLC and he'll be training us afterwards. I'm looking forward to a good chastisement and rebuke.  Our mission needs it.  Jacob 1:19 I came across that yesterday in my studies.  Jacob teaches us importance of being diligent in magnifying the callings we have. Whether it be our church callings, or our callings to be a friend, brother, mother, or father. Keep on sharing the gospel, and always be ready to give a reason for the light and joy that is found within you! Loooovvveeeee y'aaaallll!!

Elder Traasdahl

Nov. 11, 2013 ~ First time I've seen it done that way ~

Well transfers week has come and gone!  I'm staying here in Norman, which I wasn't surprised about.  Elder Burr is going to be my new companion.   I'm looking forward to serving with him though, I've heard good things about him.  He's at the end of his mission, he either has 1 or 2 transfers left.  As you could tell from the pictures I sent, G. got baptized this past weekend!  It was awesome!  We were talking with him before his baptism and he said to us "I started crying on my way to the church this morning thinking about getting baptized."  Br. Barber, a stud member here, gave the talk on baptism and the holy ghost, and at the end he said "I looked up the name Gabriel, and I wasn't surprised at what I found.  It means 'Man of God'."  You could tell that really impacted him when Br. Barber told him that.  Now for the actual baptism, it doesn't help when you have a leaky baptism font.... haha it took 4 times to complete the ordinance, and the 4th time they sat G. down and Elder Ravsten was kneeling as well.  First time I've seen it done that way but hey!  He was fully submerge and that's all that matters. His confirmation was a neat experience as well.  I was expecting to feel the spirit super strong as we all stood in the circle to give him the Holy Ghost, but I was surprised, because I didn't.  Instead, I felt this lasting, enduring, calm feeling of the spirit.  My testimony was built in the necessity to have the priesthood to perform saving ordinances, and the spirit confirmed that to me as I stood in that circle of priesthood brethren.

It was a blessing to be able to participate!  M., and investigator of ours was also at the baptism, and he has a date for the 30th, and he's right on track as well and really excited for it, so we'll be having another one coming up shortly!  Also!  If you got my letter this week you'll know what I'm talking about.  I've got to tell you about my fasting blessings!  I only got 1 migraine this week, and that was because I neglected to hydrate my body.  Had I been vigilant, I would've had 0, no doubt . Nevertheless!  I can't even begin to tell you the difference I have felt both body and mind, and I know they are the "significant but subtle" (to quote Elder Bednar) blessings that come from obeying the Laws of our Father in Heaven!

Bishop sent out a email the other week talking about decisions, and we only need to think about the decision in the moment.  As we make the right decision, in the moment, we'll have greater ability and power to make the right decision the next moment we have to choose. The same principle applies to testimonies and conversion. This small little experience about fasting, or the utilizing the priesthood, doesn't make up the whole of my testimony, but I've been strengthened by it to have the desire to fast again come next fast Sunday with more intent, or to seek opportunities to exercise the priesthood, etc. etc. It's a great comfort to know that we don't have to know everything, right now.  Anyways, just some thoughts that have been on my mind. Love y'all LOTS!!! Tis the turkey and Christmas season!! What a wonderful time of the year. This is Christ's Church! I know it, and I love it.

Nov. 4, 2013 ~ Learning how to "reproof betimes with sharpness" ~

La familia!!  E. Ravsten was called Spanish speaking, so it's been a mini goal of mine to become fluent in Spanish.  One of these days I'll learn it!  haha it's so good to hear from y'all though!!  Sounds like you've had a super busy week! Same here. How was Halloween for you guys??  Mom you asked what we did, well we spent it with this super nice old couple called the Crescents and turned in for the night!  We weren't allowed to go out and proselyte. Another set of missionaries and called us and said on their way home from dinner with a member they saw a group of guys dressed up all nice.  White shirts, slacks, ties.  What made their costume "the missionaries?"  They had helmets on.  haha classic okies for ya right there!  We finished the night off though watchin the hour long prophet of the restoration. 

Hey Dad, does an Anziano Ravsten sounds familiar?  Elder Ravsten's dad wrote him and said while he was in the MTC there was an Anziano Traasdahl he knew.  His Dad was born the same year you were and he served in the Sicily, Italy mission.  And Mom, way to keep on sharing the gospel!  I loved your insights about the importance of following up.  It's so important that PMG even has a whole chapter about it!  Something you could possibly do is even share with her a specific chapter that you feel she'd be receptive to, and suggest to her that she read that one first.

And the Gilbert temple!  What an incredible opportunity to do missionary work!  Utilize it in whatever way you can, because those are moments that don't come around very often!  Also I got both your letters this past week mom and dad, and they were a bright spot in my week, as always!  I'm greatful for being blessed to having been born of goodly parents.  Coming up this Saturday we're going to be having a baptism for Gabriel Arredondo at 11am!  Given everything runs smoothly.  He's such a solid guy. He came andplayed  basketball with us and some members of the ward Saturday morning at 6 and he was tearing in up!  It surprised all of us. He's way excited to get involved and become a member of the community and of the ward.  Elder Ravsten is going to baptize him, and I've got the opening prayer on lock down!  Bishop Blake is going to confirm him at church the next day.  

This past week there have been two talks that I've been able to learn a lot from. One is called Desires by Elder Dallin H. Oak and "Those Whom I Love I Chasten and Rebuke" by Elder Christofferson, in the April 2011 conference.  Suffice it so say, what I thought was adequate reproof and chastening, is not enough.  So I'm learning how to "reproof betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost, showing and increase of love afterwards, let he esteem thee to be his enemy."  In a nutshell, I've learned this past few weeks that sharpness doesn't necessarily mean rudeness, or harshness, but rather clarity, and understanding. President Packer has taught that true doctrine understood changes behavior.  If we are to help others help themselves change their behavior, we need to help them understand, on their level, the "why".  Haha it's a work in progress, and I've failed many a times at it.  However I know that we have a responsibility to fulfill, as members of the church, as siblings, parents, leaders, and children of our Heavenly Father wanting to help one another. Thanks for your loving correction and reproof over the years, it's helped become the person I am today!! Love,

Elder Traasdahl