Finding, finding, finding

It's always a wonderful day when I get to hear that the Traasdahl family is doing good! 

That awesome that Colby is off and away, he'll be a solid missionary.  Shout out to Jace for making it to Brazil.  B dog, hope you're able to get over that sore throat of yours!  Gurgle some of Bazil's water, it'll do you good.  hehe just kidding. 

Well last week we got in touch with some investigators we haven't seen in a while, which was a blessing, and set up a lot of return appointments for this week.  We spent a lot of time also in Waurika, helping one of our investigators, T.  She's been progressing really well.  She hasn't been taking huge leaps and bounds like we hoped, or really like most people would, but for the spiritual, physical, and emotional state she's in, the steps she is taking are huge for her.  We taught her the Word of Wisdom, and helped her understand that to be spiritually clean we need to be physically clean as well.  We text or call her each day to give her a reminder to not drink coffee or beer.  We're going to get to cigarrettes later...  Haha but she did come to church this week, which was good.  She'll come the first two hours, but leaves the 3rd, because she feels uncomfortable because she doesn't feel "holy" enough for the group of woman that meet. 

Elder Lott and I had a neat experience this week too.  I., an LA woman who takes care of J., one of our investigators, told us this week something that really built my testimony.  She thanked us for being who we are, and said that other elders are nice, but the two of us have really helped her have the desire to want to come back to church, and  teach her understanding.  She's been inactive for 20 years, so it built my testimony like I said that there are people that only we can touch in the area's that we serve in.  Other than that Elder Lott and I have hit the pavement and are out finding finding finding!  Now that we've got some great trust established with the ward we're leaning on them now to start going out of their comfort zone and do some missionary work!  Our bishop's family has really stepped it up, it's been awesome.  Thanks for your prayers and support!  Let me know if I can ever do anything for ya.  Love you!!

Elder Traasdahl

I'm in the Belt Buckle of the Bible Belt

Well the doctrine has come.... But before we get to that, let's talk about you!  Glad to hear that you got to get to the temple Mom and Austin! Wish I could've gone with y'all. Tis the place to be. 

Oh, haha pictures... Well here's the dealio.  Remember how I always misplace things?  Good news is what was once lost is now found, but it was lost for a bit. Hence no pictures. Sorry. And yes I got the pic you sent, loved it!  I've been showin it to everyone.  Hey pops, good to hear that you're still pluggin away at work and the training for the triathlon.  I just played basketball this morning with some priests in the ward, and gosh. I'm fat and out of shape, it's pitiful! haha I was huffin and puffin I could hardly catch my breath. Push ups in the morning doesn't really work your lungs I guess.... 

Well aight. Maybe you'll be as shocked as me, but here it is. I'm staying in Duncan another transfer, with Elder Lott. It'll be a transfer of firsts! First 6 month area and first 3 transfer comp. I was looking forward to going to another zone, because I really don't like how spread out the zone is.  We hardly ever get to see any other missionaries, except for DM's or our zone pday, but the Lord has something else in mind for me.  

This last Sunday we did have a great Sunday though! Two of our investigators showed up, M. and T. The ward enveloped them too so we couldn't have been happier!  M. afterwards told us she had issues with using water instead of wine for the sacrament, but that's a concern we can handle.  As we met with T. this week we also had a really good lesson on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  While we were teaching her, near the end actually, she said, "It looks like I need to be baptized."  We invited her to be baptized on Sept. 14 and she committed! It'll be an uphill battle, because she has some Word of Wisdom issues and she's a slower learner, but I know that if she's committed to it then it'll happen.  

The past week or so I've started into the New Testament, because shoot, I'm the the belt buckle of the bible belt and it's probably time I get a feel for the bible.  In PMG it has a neat study idea though.  It suggests that as you read the 4 gospels to write down all the questions that Christ asks.  As you get into it, it's really neat, because you see a trend. 

One story that stuck out to me this week was when Christ asks his apostles who others say that he is (Matt 16) and they tell him that people think he's a prophet, a wise man, maybe even John the Baptist or Elias. He then asks his disciples "but whom say ye that I am?" and Peter responds "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." I wondered, if Christ asked me that same question, what would I say?  Would I think that he was just a good man?  Or would I think he was the Son of God?  And how would I have been able to discern the difference?  Christ then teaches his disciples that it wasn't man that revealed this knowledge to them, but Heavenly Father.  I'm only going to assume that the apostles got their answers through prayer!  And can I give an amen and a halleluyah to Bro. Millecam?   It is so terribly important to have our oil of conversion at the ready. We do that by obtaining a knowledge of the principles and ordinances of the gospel through prayer. Then we live it. Like it says in John 7:17 "If any many man will do his will he shall know of the doctrine."  It was a reaffirmation to myself that we've gotta know for ourself!  Well I love y'all thanks for all you do for me.  Please let me know if I can help out in any way! love you!

Elder Traasdahl

Brother Millecam's words from his talk this past Sunday:   

HAVE YOUR LIGHT BURNING BRIGHT, 

YOUR LAMP TRIMMED, 

AND YOUR OIL AT THE READY

From 1 to 10

Can you hear from the 580 of Duncan OK? What's goin on! Good to hear from everyone this week, loved loved loved the emails! Well let's get right to it...

This last week I had 2 migraines again, which was a downer. It's all good though, because I'm determined this week though to not get any! The power of positive thinking!  And yes transfers are August 21st. This next week is our last full week of the transfer, it's crazy to think about! Time has flown by so stinkin fast. 

The other day I was looking at our board of investigators, and I realized that I've done a poor job at keeping you informed about all of them. At one point we only had one investigator, and now we've been blessed and we've got 10. So here's the quick run down. M. She's been with us for a while and we just had a good lesson with her at the church. Church attendance is our biggest hang up right now because she only feels comfortable coming with A., the LA member she lives with that works on Sundays. 

K. is next. He has LA parents that dont want to be members. He's been divorced and wants to get back in touch with his kids, and realizes that getting his life in order is the way to do it. We're trying to help him get to Church as well. Then there's R. He had a date for Aug. 31, but that just dropped because he didn't come to church. 

D. is next. We haven't gotten in touch with her for a while, because her daughter just got major surgery and she's been busy taking care of her and going to doc appts, etc. We've been helping her understand how the spirit works with her, and the need to be baptized by someone who holds authority. Really promising... just going to take time. 

H. is a lady who goes to the Freedom Biker Church. Our first visit with her she told us it met her spiritual needs for a while, but now she realizes that there must be something more, because she can feel a lacking.  J. is a man who got in a car accident years ago, and suffered some brain damage. When we teach him we teach him like a child.  However he's accountable, so it's been an interesting experience.  He tells us about when he was 14 he went searching for the "right church", because he knew there had to be one.  A LA member, who joined in Mexico, is taking care of him.  So we get two birds with one stone when we teach him. 

The rest live in Waurika. The last two are TK and A. They're friends who ride around on motorized wheelchairs and pick up cans for money. TK, even though she goes to church, we found out has no relationship with God.  So we're starting square one with her.  A. believes you do good, you go to heaven & "it don't matter what building you worship in."  

We had a spirtual lesson about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, so we're excited to see if she's read.  And that's where we're at!  It's been a blessing to be able to see the Hand of God is working in our area to hasten his work. I know that as we adhere to his commandments and strive to be exactly obedient, the Lord will provide! 

Thank you for your love and support and always being willing to send anything I need out, it's been a great comfort!  Love you all and hope you have a stellar week!

Love,

Elder Traasdahl

A miracle was unfolding before me!

My family! This one is going to have to be a shaw-tee one too, as Austin would say. We've got a zone pday planned in Ardmore, and then a STM soo it's a busy busy day today!  Haven't been able to read Ty's email the past two weeks, but I know he's probably baptizing nations over there in CO!  Next week though, next week. What happenin though!  Goodness I love y'all! 

Mom sounds like you're teaching and testifying!  Thanks for you letter, it was a soft, humble rebuke for me.  We've had an incredible week this past week, probably the best yet since I've been here, annnnnnd I've failed at recording these important events in my journal.  However, I will repent!  Thank goodness for the beauty of the atonement.  We had temple conference this past week, and man! I LOVE THE TEMPLE!  

My understanding of the importance of sharing the gospel expanded as well, because it's so so so so so soooooo important that we allow EVERYONE the opportunity to be able to have the chance to return to live with their Father in Heaven too! I know the temple is a house of revelation, and as we make it a part of our lives, be it weekly, monthly, or whatever routine works, I know that we'll be able to make the course corrections necessary to bring our lives in harmony with God's will. As that happens, the blessings follow. I think of temple blessing as super blessings. 

Anyways, I gotta tell you about last night! President Walkenhorst set a goal for our mission of 100 baptisms in the month of August. The mission average has been 25 a month, so this is a big big stretch and act of faith.  Elder Lott and I really wanted to contribute, but the requirements were tough, if we wanted to have someone baptized this month.  We have no one on date, and we've invited all of our investigators but they all have concerns or issues that need more time to resolve.  Last night we were trying a potential investigator, named R.  We've been trying to reach him for a few weeks now.  We finally got to talk with him again, and after a bit of small talk he started breaking down and told us of a nasty divorces he recently went through, and how he knows he needs to get back into church.  He asked us "How do I join your church?"  It took us back a bit but we told him about baptism and then he said "I never felt right about my baptism.  I was sprinkled with water as a child.  Christ was baptized with water, he got dunked.  Do you do it that way?"   I couldn't believe what I was hearing!  A miracle was unfolding before me!  

We taught about priesthood authority and commited him to be baptized on Aug 31, and he said yes!  He then asked, "Can I tithe in your church?  I use to tithe and I know that God blesses you when you do."   Later on he also said, "Can I help in your church too? I want to serve, I love helping others."  So we explained callings and also tithing briefly.  Haha it was awesome!!  He's 1 of the 100, for sure.  We meet with him next Wed.  I know the Lord provides when you act in faith.  As you believe in the promises of God, whether it comes from Him, by revelation, or from His servants, the prophet and the apostles, and act, God will always reward that step of faith.  That belief of mine is slowly turning into a knowledge, because I've seen it time and time again.  I love you, and thank you for your prayers and support! I can feel them! 

Love, Elder Traasdahl

And the Blessings Came Raining Down

Well gosh dang this one is going to have to be short. We've got a lot planned today and we need to get down to Ardmore. Our truck was in the shop for 5 days so we were able to save up some miles! Dad, Austin, you two are studs for tackling that beast of a pump downstairs! Such are the blessings of a mission. I don't have to worry about such issues. Hehe. Bdog! I might just call you michael phelps!  Mom I appreciate all your help and advice about the migraine issue. I've taken some adequate notes and I'll apply and let you know next week how it went! 

Well to sum this past week up we've had a stellar week. We were able to have a member or two come out with us every day this last week and the blessings came raining down!  We had a really good lesson with one of our new investigators, named H. She goes to a Biker Church in town. As we talked she mentioned how she feels like "something is missing" and it's not quite meeting her spiritual needs.  It was cool, she was asking the perfect questions!  

Another person we met with this week lives down in Waurika. Her name is T. I think I might've mentioned her before?  She was the referral from the member.  We dropped in and talked with her.  She was the one who had her boyfriend die because he drowned in the Waurika lake, and she was asking us all the "why" questions, and was demanding answers.  We both were standing there, thinking of what to say, and at one moment she said "Speak to me!  Say something!"  So we did, and what came out was our testimonies of the Savior and His atonement, and the healing power of the atonement. It was really a moment.  Definitely one of those moments I'll always remember from my mission. 

Another awesome miracle that's happening in our area is that the momentum is picking up in the Duncan ward for missionary work!  It's being talked about more and more and the leadership is getting on board so it's awesome!! It's not happening all at once, but it's happening slowly but surely. Sorry this was such a short one, but I'm on a time crunch! See D&C 75:2-5.  Found it this week and it has awesome blessings promised for those who share the gospel. Check it! Well I love you and always keep you in my prayers!

Love,

Elder Traasdahl

What can I do to get you more excited about missionary work?

Eyyyyooo what's happenin!  I've got to start this out with sayin heck yeah Dad!!  Triathlete baby!  I know you said you want both of us to join you next year, but hows about we just let Tyler join you for that???  Haha sike I'm just messin.  I'm gonna be chubby and I'll need a way to get back in shape next October so challenge accepted!  I may pop a lung or two from breathing so hard and Austin will have to chalk me up as another patient he saw come rollin in those doors of the ER but that's okay!  It was for a good cause right? Hey congratulations Braden!! That's sweet to hear you won that championship AGAIN!!!  Don't worry though, I'll take you on in the Knight's pool one of these days to see what you've really got!  Haha. 

Shout out to Brother Denler and Brother Davis!  I'm sure they've got their hands full the young mens and their callings but tell em to keep on giving those awesome lessons on Sunday and to whip em in shape during all the camp outs and such!  I still remember the lesson where Bro. Denler was teaching on ways to invite the spirit and he talked about how singing was one of em and then he started to sing I Am a Child of God right there!  There was no way anyone in that room could deny the spirit that they felt.  

Mom and Dad it's great to hear that you're still visiting with the Elders.  I've got to be short about this but this week was an inspiring week for myself.  I got to interview with President Walkenhorst, and it was awesome!  His first question to me was "Elder Traasdahl, what can I do to get you more excited about missionary work?"  I was kinda shocked at first that he asked me that, because I thought I was doing pretty good, so I laughed off the question and he said again "Seriously, what can I do to get you more excited about missionary work?"  We then talked for the next half hour and it was a great convo but I came away from that knowing I gotta step up my game!  Btw he ended it with, "I'm not saying you're not excited about missionary work, but I'm expecting more from my leaders."

We also had an exchange with the AP's this week and I was in our area with Elder Hanes and let me tell you what, I took a good beating there too!  Haha the Lord's expectations are rising here for our mission, and it's starting with the leaders.  So I've been sufficiently humbled and expectations have been set.  I'm excited though because I know I can do it!  On Tuesday I got a pretty good migrane, took me out for the last half hour of the night. 

We were updating potentials and our area book when we got a phone call from a member who used to live in our ward.  A friend of hers just had a boyfriend that died and she had had interactions with missionaries before but never was interested.  A tragic event later, with an invitation by a member, this friend was willing to have us stop by! So we have plans to see her this Wednesday.  Thanks for all your support and love, I feel it each and every day! LOVE YOU!!

Elder Traasdahl

I'm Still Alive...

DUNCAN, OK

Well check you out fam! Y'all are just one amazing bunch!! I'm glad to hear that you were able to go to the temple with Tod and Lexee Mom and Dad. Wish I coulda been there. And Mom did I hear you say 24th Anniversary!!!!!! My goodness!! CHECK IT! Before you can blink and say whipper snapper it's gonna be 50 and then eternity & there you go! Congrats though, that's awesome.  And I would say going to the temple would be a great place to celebrate! A date night to Charlestons wouldn't hurt too... Man, all I remember about that place was their dinner rolls and the honey butter. And B-dog! Jeez I knew you were gettting old but 7th grade! Gosh dang. That's exciting... 

This week has been good, better than last week.  We've had some good success with the less active members of our ward, and we were also able to get in touch with many of the potential investigators that we've been trying to see for a while now. This week we've got some good appointments set up with them so I'm excited!  It definitely was a faith builder for me that as we hope for the best and give people the benefit of the doubt the Lord provides!  Every single situation where we contacted our potentials it was one of those situations where we showed up at just the right time and the events leading up to it (forgetting something, or stopping by someone else first, or taking a different route than usual for no reason at all {well yes for a reason the spirit!}) put us in the path of them to show up at the same time!  Haha I have no idea if that made any sense at all but suffice it to say, miracles happened this week, and I witnessed them! 

We were able to teach a woman named D., and that was a neat lesson.  She had met with missionaries in the past, only a time or two though.  This time we were able to set some expectations and get more of her background.  We had a member with us, he's a junior in highschool, and he was able to bear his testimony about how the gospel has blessed his life and his family's life.  It was really neat to see how his testimony affected her more than anything that we really said. She was struck by how young he was, and how he spoke with such conviction and with the Spirit!  It was super cool.  It's another evidence as to why members are so so so important in this work!  Because yeah she enjoyed all that we had to say, but she was floored most by our member's simple but powerful testimony. 

I'm sure you're wondering what the subject of the email is about though. Let me tell ya. We were going to try some former investigators that we dropped, and their dog was out in the front yard barking at us. It was on a leash, and I've seen the dog before, it's seen me, so I pulled the Cesar Chavez "Be the dominant one and don't show fear."  So I didn't and walked right past it!  Well the dog walked around me and it went out of my sight. The other two missionaries ( I was on splits with them, E. Lott was with our WML) were behind me a ways just stayed back because they were scared.  Well I'm about to knock on the door when it goes quiet for a split second and then all of a sudden I feel teeth on my calve!! THE FETCHIN DOG HAD THE NERVES TO BITE ME!! Btw it was like a pit bull size dog, not sure what type of dog though. I yanked my calve away and backed up and walked off, about ready to throw down!  Well the dog backed up too and I had a chance to evaluate the damage.  No blood was drawn, so that was good. Just some skin was taken off.  It didn't look that bad but it hurt like heck. Few days later it turned all black and blue and purple.  I'm still alive though! So all's well that ends well. However, I do re-affirm my statement. Dogs are of the devil. At least while you're a missionary. 

Haha well I love you guys, thanks for the the package of Rx's mom that you sent! Let me know if I can do anything for ya. I pray for you each and every night! My partings words of wisdom come from King Benjamin. Mosiah 4:9-10. Came across it in my studies this morning. That man was a stud!

Love,

Elder Traasdahl