It's been a week...

It's just not right now how fast these weeks are flying by. It really did seem like just yesterday I was sitting here at this computer talking to y'all telling you about the week!  Now here it goes again. It's been a week, that's for sure.  Lots of road bumps.  We'll get to that though.  That's so exciting to hear Michelle got baptized!!  

... I'm glad you got my memory card.  Elder Lott is probably one of my favorite companions I've had.  Transfer calls are this next Sunday, so next email we'll know what's happening.  And I have no idea what's happening either.  It's all up in the air.  President Walkenhorst is nothing like President Taylor when it comes to transfers.

 

... Well like I said, this week we've had a lot of road bumps. We had a lesson with M., and it was a follow up on the Law of Chastity.  To sum it up, it went south... The silver lining however is that she called us not 30 minutes afterwards, apologized &, and asked us to come back the next week.  So we haven't lost her. 

 

We also met with R. last night, at the W's home (her potential mother and father in laws.)  She's the Messianic Jew.  We got into a really in depth conversation about the priesthood, all the offices of the Melchizedek priesthood, and so on and so forth.  It was mainly led by Br. W., annnnnnd it was definitely meat before the milk.  Hard part is, R's intellectually capable to understand it all.  Yet we're still trying to help her have that desire to get on her knees and ask God if it's true.  I may turn into a broken record, but because of the experiences thus far in my life, and all the people that I've been able to meet with and teach, I've learned and can't emphasize enough how important having a desire to know the truth is to receiving an answer to the truth.  And not just a weak, feeble, passing desire.  But one that consumes your soul and inspires you to act!  A desire that will push you to change your wrongs into rights. 

 

I'm super stoked too for General Conference in two weeks!! The world needs the counsel, guidance, and direction from the Lord's servants now more than ever.  And we need to listen and obey! Well I love you all, thanks for you emails of love and support!  It's always a joy and bright spot in my week to get to hear from you. Continue to hold fast to the iron rod, because the mists of darkness will only get thicker and darker.  Love you! 

Elder Traasdahl

 

Unless There Is A DESIRE to Know...

Sounds like everyone has had a busy busy busy week! Well, that makes 5 of us! Tyler you best make it 6. Haha nah just messin. Well just so you know, I sent home a memory card today, so it should be coming in the mail sometime this week. If it doesn't, then I think that's the Lord telling me that I need to forget taking pictures and rely on the record that the angels in heaven are taking of my life. This week has been an up and down kind of week.  T. texted us on Saturday, before we were about to go down to Waurika, and said "Don't come by today. Or ever."  She told us too that she wants to go to a church closer to her home and that God loves her unconditionally so that means he wants her to be happy, so it's ok for her to smoke and drink. We replied and said God's love in unconditional, his commandments are not. Clear and simple!  She's going to go to a Church of Christ down there, because her neighbor has been "working with her on the side"...  It also was a check to the gut too because we each spent about 20$ to buy supplies for the Stop Smoking Workshop for her, annnnnnd then she drops us. It's okay though, Elder Lott now has raw unsweetened grapefruit juice, and we've got grapes and carrots to munch on!  Not to mention cinnamon toothpaste, mouthwash, and some other fun stuff.  

We were able to meet with R. twice this though! She's the Messianic Jew I mentioned last week. Man. Those were some intense lessons.  Really awesome.  She's got some great questions.  Our first lesson was at our stake president's home.  We were going to teach the restoration, but it turned into a testimony meeting more or less.  Oh before I forget, the day we had that first lesson, Wednesday, we had 3 meals, one at 12:00, one at 3:00, and then at 6:00.  The lesson was at 6:00.  By that 6 o'clock meal I was about to bust in the seams.  It was a high class problem. 

Anyways, back to R.  We met with her last night and taught the doctrine of Christ, which turned into a discussion on the Priesthood authority.  Just to give you a taste, some of the questions she asked were "what does baptism have to do with the first resurrection?"  "Where does it say the responsibility to baptize falls under the Levitical or Melchezideck Priesthood?"  "Who qualified Joseph Smith to receive the priesthood?"  

We answered most of them, some we've got some studying to do, and some won't have scriptural answers.  I've learned that no matter the amount of knowledge or evidence there is for any principle of fact of the gospel, unless there is a desire to know behind the seeking, then conversion won't happen.  Real intent is so important!  The desires of our heart are so so important.  It's something I've been studying as well this past week.  There's lot's of good stuff about it in the scriptures.  One thought I had this week was "We know we're going to live the law of consecration in heaven. We also know we're not going to have any material goods in heaven. What is it then that we're going to be asked to consecrate?"  Food for thought.

I gotta run though, glad you're doing well!  Keep up the hard work!  Thanks for the example Pops and Aust of being hard workers! Talk to you next week!

Love,

Elder Traasdahl

We Had a Stellar Week

What a week, what a week, jeez!  Can't believe I'm already emailing you guys again.  First off I want to thank Sis. Halcomb for her wonderful email, I thoroughly enjoyed it!  Just so she knows, Enid OK is one of the highest baptizing areas in the mission right now, and has been for a while.  I got the bday package, it was awesome! I know have like two and a half boxes of EmergenC, soooo I finally am gettin on top of it and for the last 3 days I've had one each morning! haha. And hey! I didnt know you were sending out THAT watch! I was stoked! when I saw it.  I only where if for special occasions, like meetings and church. Gotta keep it nice. And don't worry, I definitely rep the ASU shirt. That made my day too.  As you can tell from the picture I sent, we got the other elders in ward pretty good with the silly string you sent.  

And Mom don't worry, that girl that you ran into from ASU at jury duty, I betcha Austin's gonna run into her now, just you watch!  We had a stellar week this week.  Oh wait gotta tell ya before I forget for the 3rd week in a row, last month we had 44 baptisms!  Which is awesome for 3 reasons. 

1. Set a mission record for baptisms in a month. 

2. Previous average was 25 and 

3. Now that we know we can get 44 we can't go back! 

Our vision is still 100 baptisms a month, so we can only go up! With that said I've forgot to mention each week that we've been doing a lot of baptism interviews.  Our zone had 5 of those baptisms, and I did 3 of those interviews.  Two were a couple, K. and C., and the third was a native american named J.  C's was my favorite.  She's a black woman that LOVES LOVES LOVES Jesus.  And she makes it known.  Haha I only had that interview with her but she's for sure one of my favorite people. 

Back to our week though.  We had a ward party, and  H. showed up with a friend and their kids.  We weren't expecting them to show, but they did, so it was game on!  We actually didn't have to do a thing, the ward took care of it all, which was perfect. They introduced themselves and talked with her and helped her feel welcomed.  She also came to church this Sunday too!  Now she walked out with her family 45 min into sacrament meeting, and we don't know why, but our WML is neighbors and he talked with her so we're gonna go find out tonight. 

We haven't been able to get in touch with M. because she's been real sick as of late.  We called her though and we should be having a lesson with her this week.  Oh and check it out.  We might be getting a 3rd set of missionaries here. They'd go down to Waurika and cover all the small towns around there. We gave the idea to the Assistants and we'll see where it goes from there.  We also got a referral from a member this week to teach his girlfriend. She's a Messianic Jew, and is extremely well versed in her Old Testament knowledge.  We'll be teaching her at the stake president's home.  We're excited for the lesson. I know that there's no way I'm gonna "best" her, or anyone really in my knowledge of the scriptures, so it'll be yet again another opportunity for me to realize my own nothingness and rely upon the strength of God and to teach by the power of the spirit! Alma 31:5 talks about that though, how powerful an effect the word of God can have on the hearts of us, the children of God.  Came across that one the other day.  

BY the way, you'd be happy to hear that I've done a much better job at writing in my journal.  And it makes a difference. I'm still trying to pin point how and why, at least personally, but I can tell a difference.  And lastly, that's really exciting to hear that Michelle is getting baptized!  There's nothing better than seeing some that you've worked with for a while, and witnessed their spiritual progression enter the waters of baptism.  Don't let it end there though. Continue to be her friend and help her learn and grow, because the ultimate goal isn't baptism, but the temple!  Baptism is just the gate.  I love each and every one you!  Thanks for you examples.  And your prayers.  There can't be enough said about the power of prayer. 

Love,

Elder Traasdahl

Silly String Attack - The aftermath

Time for Dinner

Elder Traasdahl speaks 'Okie'

Holllaaaaa! I'm trying to get rid of my stinkin okie talk and terrible English.  It's gettin to me!  You'da thunk i'd done did have a childs edumacation after all i's said and dun. I usedsta could speak like a city folk type a person, but them days is gone folk!  Imma tellin ya it's allll gone!  I'm a fixin ta stay like this if aint nothin is done right quick!  Hahaha oh fun stuff. But seriously though. It aint good. 

You want to know what is good though? The good news of the Gospel! Before we get into that though, I want to give a shout out to Uncle Eric and Aunt Marcy! Thanks for you emails! They gave me an extra boost to my sails, I hope you know that!  Aust I hope school and work is going good for you.  B dog way to keep things rolling in scouts!  Don't follow the example of your elder twin brothers and wait till you were almost 18.  Get your eagle as soon as possible!  Less of a pain that way. Haha. Dad!  You're gettin trim check it out!  And mom, your email definitely felt like it was a party.  

Well we couldn't email yesterday. The library was closed, but yesterday we were able to have our zone pday and specialzed training meeting.  We trained on the principles of gospel leaders.  Prepare spiritually, participate in councils, minister to others, teach the gospel, and administer the gospel!  Only two of the 16 elders in our zone knew what they were, so it was very educational for them.  Since Elder Lott and I have been with each other for forever now we gel real well, so I feel like the training went off without a hitch. Really spiritual. 

Mom you had asked about T.  She's doing really good! Her biggest issues right now is not having a job.  Since she has hours upon hours of nothing to do, her mind is her biggest enemy.  If she gets a job and is occupied though it'll really help.  Not to mention the financial bonus.  She's kept true to the W.o.W, minus one day of drinking coffee since we taught her it.  Tomorrow we're going to do the Stop Smoking Workshop, to keep her on track for the 14th of Sept.  Not sure it that will still hold, we may have to bump it back a week or two.  

I had a neat insight this week I'd like to share too.  It comes from the book of St John, and it's right after Christ has the sacrament with his disciples and washes their feet.  He then gives them this commandment.  Chapter 13 verses 34-35.  "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another, as I have loved you, that ye also love one another, 35. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."  Of couse we've all heard this a million times, but what stuck out to me is that we're not only meant to love others, but how. We're commanded to love everyone in the very same way that God loves us. I then reflected on the love of God that I have felt in my life, and then the love that I give to others.  The love of God has motivated me to do things that I never wanted to do on my own, nor ever thought I could.  If we love others with that same love, imagine all the good that could be done!  No wonder Christ gave that commandment.  After all those thoughts came together I realized that I could do better at loving people, and having it be more genuine.  

Thank you for all your prayers and support, especially for my health. Haha I loved Aunt Erin's letter when she mentioned that Madi made sure to pray for my migraines.  Made me smile!  Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you! The church is true. Jesus Christ lives. He loves you. 

Elder Traasdahl

 My boy Elder Peterson. If there were any missionary in my mish that acted most like Tyler, it'd be him.

THE DUNCAN ZONE

after specialized training

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