Summer 2013

Summer 2013

Remember the storms last month?  Here's what the sky looked like on one of those days...

If you need it, this is a really good reminder to Stop drinking Dr. Pepper.

At least this guy is cuter than the turantula in last weeks post...
But still...

Looks like the missionaries need help filling in the blanks..

'I didn't come on a mission to stay the same person.'

How y'all doin?!  Sounds like life is good!  Glad to hear you had a fun 4th.  We had an ok week here.  M. got sick so she was in the hospital for a few days and we weren't able to meet with her.  Things are better now so we have that church tour set up for Thurs.  We've been hittin the road and doing a lot of finding, trying to increase our pool of investigators, and we've got a few solid potentials that we've been trying but can never catch home.  Some live down in Waurika and we're making a trip down there later on this week so that's kind of a one shot one kill dealio.  It's 30 miles out and we don't have the miles to go there often.  

We met with President Walkenhorst at our MLC and also had a mission tour with him this past weekend, and I love the man!  Haha he's such an awesome guy.  You can totally tell that he's from California.  He was talking to us in MLC and said at least 20 times "we had this dynomite elder" or "this investigator was dynomite!" or simply "dynomite!"  It was pretty funny.  He uses a lot of lingo from the 80's also, that's been different trying to get used to. He's more laid back that President Taylor, but still has the same, if not higher expectations. It's an interesting combination.  Our mission average is 25 baptisms a month (which is much much better than what it used to be before President Taylor got here).  At our mission tour President Walkenhorst basically said, in over an hour of training, that that's not good enough! With the amount of missionaries we have in our mission and the cooperation we're going to have with members, it needs to be much higher. He said in the future we're going to set a goal, so we'll see where that goes. 

Elder Lott and I are staying together another transfer.  Ha this will be my first comp that I'll be with for 2 transfers, and it'll be a learning experience for me that's for sure.  I'm excited for it though.  I didn't come on a mission to stay the same person. I expect myself to change for the better.  If i'm not changing I'm not applying the doctrine of Christ!  I would like to say thank you too for your prayers on my behalf.  I have felt them this past week.  I have been able to talk to people and put myself in situations that I wouldn't have been able to before.  I OYM'ed a man while riding our bikes, and he was on his bike riding behind us!  Haha it was pretty funny.  I thought of it as a "Tyler" style of missionary work.  

I studied a few weeks ago about fear, because that was an issue for me that arose again, and a few things all came together that I never was able to share.  In the bible dictionary it has a neat definition of fear, which I'm paraphrasing, but it basically says that fear is not an instinct or feeling that's natural for a son or daughter of God.  I took a lot of comfort in that personally.  As a son of God, I need not fear because that's not an emotion that's fit for who I am.  I'm above that, so to speak.  With that said it's a battle that I fight with faith, but I took comfort in that knowledge.  Also in church a few weeks back we were talking about the pre- existance,  annnnnd how we had the choice to follow Heavenly Father and Christ or Satan. Someone in the class spoke up and said "I think that those who chose to follow Satan didn't choose to follow him because they didn't understand the Plan of Salvation, they chose to follow him because they were afraid of failure."  I had never thought of it that way!  And it really stuck out to me.  And it made sense too.  When we chose to follow Christ, we had no guarantee we'd return back to live with them again.  However we had the faith to make that step. Those that didn't were filled with fear.  So whenever we're afraid to make a decision because we're afraid of failure, think on that!  We already made one of the greatest leaps of faith any man or woman ever could've made.  I'm slowly getting a tincy wincy bit of an understanding of how faith can be applied, and it's through how we live our lives.  Again, thank you for your prayers, I love you for it, and please let me know if I can ever do anything for you!  Continue to read your scriptures and say your prayers!  Love you!

Elder Traasdahl

Waiting to see the Fruits of our Labor

Ohhh boy what a week! ... Where to start... Well big news first.  Obvious too.  President Taylor is home, and President and Sister Walkenhorst are here!  Haven't had the opportunity to meet them yet, but we have texted them! haha but we do get to meet them this Wednesday because we're going to the city for an MLC.  I'm really looking forward to meeting them.  I'm hoping that I'll be one of the lucky ones that gets to be interviewed by him this MLC, rather than having to wait till next month.  I'll let you know next week though what happens!  

Other than that I hate to say it but we're still waiting to see the fruit of our labors here. We're pluggin and chuggin along, working with the ward members and really trying to apply what was learned in the broadcast last week and implement it within our ward here. Our WML is on board, he's just got to watch it first. We're revamping our Ward Mission Plan and then we're gonna get all our leadership and auxillaries on board!  Elder Lott and I are still finding through our own efforts, and I aint gonna lie, it's harder than I thought it'd be to get back on that horse!  Haha so if you wouldn't mind, when you do pray for me, pray that I'll be able to turn my desires into action, and open my dang mouth.  Cause when I do I have no problems.  Not in a boasting way, but the promised is fulfilled that if we open our mouths they'll be filled with what to say.  I don't know, I'm just having issues with opening my mouth.  Instead of never, I'm at like a 50/50 now.  So I'm doing better!  But I still have room to improve.  The other day though we were at Wal Mart, buying bike slime (I hate bikes btw, 20$ down the drain from flats, ended up buying a new tire) and the wal mart cashier asked us why we were dressed up the way we were.  Open door baby!  Walked right into it too.  Kinda ticked off the people waiting in line behind us but oh well.  Still waiting for that girl to get back to us too.  And no the guy from last week hasn't called us yet. It's ok though, all in the Lord's time!  

We met with M. again this week. We asked her if she's been praying about what we've been teaching her and the Book of Mormon.  She said yes and left it at that.  I had the thought to pry a little farther so I asked how she felt as she prayed.  And she said that she felt that Heavenly Father has taken away all of her fear, doubt, and anxieties about what she's heard and seen in the past and has replaced it with peace, so she feels like she's found the truth! You could definitely feel the spirit as she spoke and it was just awesome! We're having a church tour with her this week and we're going to invite her commit to a date in August, so we'll see how it goes! Well my times about up, this clock's tickin on me.  Next week I share an insight I had this week in my studies because it was some good stuff.  Love y'all!!!!!! Keep on going out with the missionaries!!!

Love, 

Elder Traasdahl

Elder Traasdahl said these guys are all over the place in Duncan.

When they drive down the road, they justs get squished under the tires.

Ick.

To see a video Elder Traasdahl mentioned last regarding member missionary work:  CLICK HERE

You Live and You Learn

Can we just take a moment really quick and reflect on how AMAZING!!!!!!!! last night was??? Boy howdy!  I'm telling you what, that was an answer to who knows how many prayers.  I loved it!  We just witnessed another sign that the Lord is truly hastening his work.  If people really do apply what was talked about last night, then miracles are gonna happen!  Not that they're not happening already, but why would we not want a multitude of miracles!? 

Hey and bdog! Did you see that video they played during that opening hymn? With that family all doing small acts of missionary work?  Did you see that 8 year old boy invite his friend to his baptism?  Missionary work applies to everyone!  You can never start too soon! Coming away from that meeting #1) I was walking on Cloud 9 (not even sure what that expression means I just wanted to use it.. haha) and #2) it reminded me of a scripture.  Alma. 29. verses 9-10. It's Alma the younger talking, and he's writing and trying to tell everyone what brings him the most joy in life.  Like Tyler's letter last week.  It says "I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, (going forth and preaching the gospel aka sharing the gospel), and I glory in it.  I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul (notice it says soul, not souls, or multitudes, or cities or towns, just soul.  Your friend.  Neighbor.  Classmate.  Relative.) to repentance; and this is my joy. vs 10. And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me."  We find joy in the work because we get to play a role in helping our brothers and sisters come closer to our Savior.  Like Elder Perry talked about last night.

Okay, well for our week. It's the final countdown for President and Sister Taylor.  Really sad but they served diligently, and it's time for them to start a new phase of their lives.  Didn't get to say goodbye to them really, but that's ok.  It's not like I'll never see them again.  And I'm really excited to get to meet President and Sister Walkenhorst in the upcoming weeks.  Our mission is entering an exciting time of the work and it'll be really cool to see the Lord's hand in it all!  We got to meet with M. again this week.  We taught a solid lesson on keeping the sabbath day holy, because church attendance is something the mission struggles with in general.  So we decided to get the ball rolling early!  Had a great lesson and we were positive that she was going to show up, and come Sunday their car breaks down.... The miracle of the day though we were in ward council and were asking who they thought would be a good female fellowshipper and we got nothin.  After wards the ward seminary teacher walks up to us and she said "The spirits been working on me and I know that I need to be  the one to fellowship this woman.  Let me know what I need to."  It was so cool!  So that's going well. 

Another miracle we had happened while we were out finding. We were biking around (in 95 degree weather, safe to say I was sweating buckets) and this guy pulled up behind us and stopped us.  Said he's on the clock so didn't have much time but wanted a pamphlet to learn more because he has family that's mormon and JW, and he's never understood what the Mormons believed.  I'm like "wait is this really happening?!"   Because no one ever stops us out here.   Haha we've gotta stop them!   Anyways I get a hold of myself, gave him a Book of Mormon and Restoration pamphlet, bore a 30 sec testimony about it and Elder Lott got his name and gave him our number.  He drove off,  we're stoked, and then we realized we forgot to get his number.  So we're praying he gets a hold of us again!  You live and you learn. 

Anyways I love you guys, thanks for all you do.  Know that you're in my prayers, and let me know if Elder T can ever do anything for ya!

Love, 

Elder Traasdahl

Weather in Oklahoma.

"Some Crazy cool cloud we saw on a drive we had to the City"

"Found this gem while I was reading during lunch."

OK - I have to confess... I used to be the mom that would slip a note in my sons lunch sacks to try to bring a smile to their face when they were away at school.  So why would I stop just because they were going to be gone longer than one meal?  Before my two missionaries zipped up there luggage and hauled it off to the MTC, I wrote little notes and secretly slipped them in to all sorts of books and pockets, etc, so they would be randomly discovered.  Kind of made me smile to think that one of those notes was enjoyed. 

"The Duncan Zone, after our zone p-day and specialized training"

"We cut and piled all that wood up during Service"

To bring a soul -

Well this one is going to be a short one, we have a zone pday in Ardmore that we've got to get to and set up.  We're going to be doing a laser tag/dodgeball game in one of those bouncy house places, like Bounce U back home.  14 Elders, 3 1/2 hours to mess around in one of those places = one heck of a time baby!! It's gonna be sweet. 

I forgot my gosh dang camera again! Sorry... Pictures next week. Promise. HAPPY BELATED FATHERS DAY!!!!! I Absolutely have one of the greatest fathers around.  Who else would go to Scout Camp for 6 days? That's exciting to hear about S. and N. though Tyler, glad they're finally getting baptized!  As for my week though, let's get things rollin. 

Not sure if I've told you this or not, but we've started to implement Family Mission Plan's in the Duncan ward, to get missionary work going, and it's awesome.  We started with Bishop's family, then the RS pres., then the Sunday School pres., and so forth.  And the reaction has been great!  Now we both realize that the fruit of this labor won't be immediate.  In fact I may not even see any of it to tell you the truth, but it's totally worth it because were implementing this family mission plan as a tool for members to use to do their missionary work, and it's here to stay.  Side note, we got a call the other day and found out that another set of elders is coming to Duncan.  Our area is being split!  So that's another thing we've been doing this week.  Finding housing for them and figuring out the best way to split the area.  We're planning on putting them in Waurika.  Probably going to put them in a rental house.  Funny part too is that the Tycoon of the rent houses in Waurika is the local minister.  It's safe to say we're praying that his heart will be softened so that he'll be open to rent a place to this new set of elders.  Our teaching pool has dwindled significantly.  We've dropped quite a bit of people.  However we are teaching a woman named M. and she's solid.  She's living with a less active member, and that's how we found her.  We invited her to baptism this last week, and she readily accepted, but wouldn't commit to a date because she wants to take her time to study, read, and pray about all that we're teaching her.  Her biggest hold up is an experience she had in Hawaii.  Long story short, couldn't go into the temple, and it was never explained to her why. And that was years ago.  An issue that's new to deal with, but nothing that the Lord can't handle! 

Can't leave without a spiritual thought. Alma 29:9-10. I'm not Tyler so I can't quote it for ya, but it's Alma the younger talking about the joy that comes from missionary work.  I've read those two verses many a time and my favorite part is how he glories that he can be an instrument in the Lords hand to bring "some soul" to repentance. Not souls but soul.  Our job is to find the one.  At times missionary work feels like an overwhelming task, but all we're asked is to bring a soul.  I love you guys and appreciate all you do for me!! Gotta run now. Till next week!

Elder Traasdahl

President Taylor Says Goodbye

What a wonderful family I have! Gosh dang you guys are great.  And Pat!  Check you out! Shout out to the up and coming newest member of the U of A football team baby!  Haha your boy slants taught you everything you know, just remember that!!  I guess this means that I'll have to cheer for U of A now doesn't it?  I guess that's an exception that I can make. 

Atta boy Pops!  Man wish I could be running 4 miles now! Keep that up and I'll be weighing more that you when I get back... Ha I've had to move up a hole on my belt.  Sounds like I need to be doing some of this 5:30-7 in the morning ball playing like Tyler does!  Well as always I had a busy week this week.  Spent a lot of time on the road.  A ton of time.  Like I've said before our zone is huge, so having to go to district meetings and such takes a good hour and half to two hour drive, depending which one we go to.  We also had a MLC this past week.  It was President Taylor's last one.  Pretty epic to say the least.  It's frustrating at times, to be honest, because we've got 30 or so people in there with the zone leaders and sister training leaders, and when we talk about stuff Pres. Taylor likes to hear everyone's opinion.  It's a work in progress. 

President Taylor gave an incredible training though on Hel 5:12, and ways we can build our foundation upon Christ.  At the end of the meeting, the Taylor's gave their departing testimonies.  Of course I can't share with you all that President Taylor said, but right before he ended his testimony, he paused, looked at all of us in the eyes, and said "I love you Elders and Sisters.  I expect to see each and every one of you in the Celestial Kingdom.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."  It was awesome!  Not that that wasn't my goal before, but expectations were set, and you could feel that nothing less was expected.  Coming away from that meeting, I asked Heavenly Father what he requires of me.  I know I've grown, but I realize that there is yet more growth to happen, and I need to be earnestly seeking for opportunities to expand my capacity. The overwhelming feeling came that I need to be, and am expected to be a man of faith. Then came to mind President Cowan, when he set me apart, saying, "a man of faith has no fear."  So there's my goal. Become a man of faith.  Like Ammon.  Or Alma or Amulek.  Plans to achieve that goal?  Be exactly obedient.  Push myself out of my comfort zone everyday.  Pray for experiences to do so.  Act on them.  Faith always precedes the miracle.  Like I've said before, President Taylor counseled me to expect miracles.  So I'll be doing a whole lot more expectin!  

A miracle we did have happen this week was with the grandfather of a boy that could get baptized any day.  The kid's name is H. E.  He's been taught by missionaries for a year now, and he's sharp as a tack.  His mother is super less active, but she's given permission for him to be baptized.  Grandpa though doesn't want him to be baptized...  He feels that H. will go less active if he gets baptized.  Want's to wait till he's old enough to take himself to church.  Well of course by that time he'll be in highschool and without the foundation of the Gospel will have already have fallen by the wayside.  So Elder Lott and I have been praying morning and night for the Lord to soften grandpa's heart.  

We had a lesson this last week with H. at Grandpa's house, and at the end asked his grandpa if we could do anything for him.  He teared up and said he's getting too old to do everything around the house and his body pays for it for days.  Opportunity to serve!  Like the scriptures say, by small and simple things are great things brought to pass.  So slowly but surely his heart is softening.  We also got back into contact with a former that had a baptismal date a few months ago, and we've been trying to see them for a while now but they've never been there.  So we're going to go back tomorrow and let the spirit do work!

This week, to wrap this epistle up, we had a last hurrah of service up in Norman.  I would send pics but I forgot my USB thinger ma jig.  Did a lot of tree work again.  Worked 8 hours Saturday and Sunday.  Didn't get a headache Saturday, but Sunday I forgot to hydrate.   All is well though.  Thanks for your awesome emails.  They always make me smile!  Enjoy this wonderful day, and study your scriptures!!!! Love you!

Elder Traasdahl

Clean up in Little Axe

It's a beautiful day here in Duncan, Oklahoma! That day has been made all the more beautiful because of your great emails and smiling faces!  

Well Mom you asked if I was sore from service and doing tornado clean up and my answer is 'ohhhhh yes I am'.  Woke up this morning and goodness, I could tell that I am way too out of shape.  Yesterday and Saturday our zone went up to the Norman area, well Little Axe to be more specific, and help some folk there.  We did a lot of tree clean up.  Cutting up trees and throwing the limbs and logs into piles that can be burned.  Haha my forearms are so cut up it looks like I got in a fight with an alley cat.  Don't worry though Mom I've been putting those oils on for it and it's healing up quite nice.  And I made sure to put sunscreen on.  Anyways, over the two days we got a good 9 hours in of service.  Not including travel time.  It looks like too that our mission will wrap up our "service mode" in the next week or so, because the relief effort seems to be slowing down.  All the big things have been taken care of, and now it's a matter of "what's next" on the owners part.  I definitely put those boots to good use though.  Haha now I have to lug them around though for the year till next storm season.  

Do you guys remember the guy that I've been telling you about that Elder Zerkle and I had a super sketch feeling about.  Well I've learned my lesson.  Always follow promptings of the spirit.  Don't doubt them.  You'll be much better listening to the spirit right off the bat.  Last night we met with this guy...  Again really long story short, (to get the full story you'll have to just wait till I get home, it's just one of those things) turns out he's a missionary from a christian church... that's been meeting with us this entire time to try to convert us.  And his mask came off last night at our meeting and boy howdy, it was sad, and funny, but not funny at the same time because that's rude to say it's funny.  Like I've been telling you he's been bringing out all this anti info trying to question/prove the church wrong, and we kept coming back to "R., you need to read the Book of Mormon, and ask God if it's true," and he didn't seem to get that.  Then he started attacking the Book or Mormon, factually, and kept saying "Well what do you think about that?"  And we kept bearing our testimonies that we know it's true, because of the witnesses that we've received by the Spirit.  And then we'd asked him if he had faith?  And he said, 'Yes'.  Heb 11:1 tells us faith is a substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  We explained that "the evidence of things not seen" is the witness that the Spirit gives us, because of the application of our faith in Jesus Christ.  That's why we don't worry about all the facts and questions and conspiracies out there.  When faith is applied the Spirit testifies.  When he realized he couldn't convert us he got desperate and it went downhill from there.  Safe to say we're not meeting with him again. 

I'm greatful for the clarity the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ brings us.  I know that the Book of Mormon is the evidence that His church has been restored to the earth once again, and I'm greatful for the witnesses I've received from the Spirit.    I know it's true.   Because of this knowledge I must live it.  Thank you for your love and support and examples!!  You've been such a strength to me.  If I can ever do anything for any of you, please let me know!  I'm always willing and ready to help. 

Much love,

Elder Traasdahl

This is a picture of a movie theater- post tornado of course.

Driving out to the clean up zones