Things Always Turn Out for the Better

Hello all,

 

This week was interesting. It actually started out quite bad, but by the end of the week, I was again on a spiritual high.

 

First off, remember the Indian bible study group that Elder Ouassil and I attended while I was in Issaquah? One of the meeting locations is actually in my area, so me and my district leader, Elder Taylor (who wants to start teaching Indians), went back to get invited back to the study. Warned and prepared from what happened last time, we went in Wednesday night. It started out quite well, reading from the bible, but then the real "lesson" started. One of the men in the group heard that we were coming back and did some "research" beforehand. He was surprised about what he found and pulled out a whole bunch of anti on us, coming mostly from Brigham Young's Journal of Discoursed, which may or may-not be doctine,  but we were able to solve it quite quickly. Our conversation then changed to Adam and Eve and weather they were able to have children in the garden. For the most part, we agreed on many things, but they pulled out suttle differences that they expounded on them. It was really quite annoying that they never really listened to our side. We stood our ground firmly, and so did they. and we never made any progress. Needless to say, it was quite a waste of time and they aren't open to further light and knowledge at this time. This experience only strengthened my testimony of the Restored Gospel. They seemed confused and didn't know all the answers. Experiences like this only make me more grateful for the Book of Mormon.

 

Saturday was interesting. At the Islamic Mosque next door to the Bellevue Stake Center was an open house. My companion and I, and another companionship attended. It was well recieved and I did increase my knowledge about Islam, although I did know a lot of it from my class at BYU-I last year. I was very impressed about how they presented themselves. They talked about the 5 pillars of Islam and even got to see someone who showed up take an oath and become a Muslim. Many members of our Church attended and during the open house they mentioned the "Chruch next door" positively.

I saw Anne and her kids in one of the parks in our area. If you remember, she was one of my favorite people I met with in Issaquah. She seems to be doing amazing! She has completely stopped smoking and got her patriarcial blessing. It is amazing to see the gospel truly change people's lives and I was happy to be a part of that change.

 

It was a pleasant surprise that on Sunday Jake Stinson got the Aaronic Priesthood and became a Priest. We were talking about them in Ward Counsel and noticed there was a stake baptism day for unendowed adults this week. So we invited them to meet with the bishop yesterday and they both got temple recommends and he was interviewed for the priesthood, which he ricieved after Church. It is great to see the progress they are making so quickly. They are my first new converts to be worthy to enter the temple. They are also quite excited to do family history. Lindsey and Jake's first baptisms for the dead are going to be their parents. They can't wait for Thursday!

 

So as you see, things are going okay here. We still don't have too many investigators, but we are still working with Jake and Lindsey. This week seems like it will be exciting too!

 

The Church is true!

 

~Elder Fetzer

Rain Drops are Falling on my head

This week it rained a lot. No big deal because I am used to it, but thought you ought to know. Seattle is beautiful in the spring. Flowers are out and summer is just around the corner (tomorrow!). This week was quite a lackluster week from last week. We caught up on some much-needed office work, going to Maple Valley, Auburn, and Seattle, but we still have much to do. 

We had a lesson with recent-converts, Jake and Lindsey and watched "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration," which they saw on Temple Square, but they understood it much better this time. They said that they were asked a couple of times on Temple Square if they could have missionaries visit them, and they finally said yes after seeing the film. After all, Joseph did die a martyrs death for the Church. 

We are still teaching Chelsea, our Russian investigator, but she is still caught up on the apostasy and either doesn't understand it or doesn't believe it. So we still have quite a ways to go with her. We are also trying to get in with Mila, a less-active's daughter. She has been in the teaching pool for a while, but won't progress until her mom gets everything together. Her mom is quite lazy and non-committal and tends to stand us up on every appointment we set up, except the 2 times we have done service. But I am not the one to judge.

So all in all, things are just going along right now. We have no one solid we are teaching. But the Chruch is still true even though many people aren't interested and the work of the Lord will still go forth "boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished!" (from the Standard of Truth)

~Elder Fetzer

White Stuff is Falling from the Sky and it Isn't Snow!

Hello All,

It is finally summertime here in Bellevue. The sun is out more and flowers and trees are blooming. Cottonwood trees spread their cotton through the air, looking like a heavy snowstorm, and our apartment's parking lot often looks like freshly fallen snow. Welcome June!

This week was Jake and Lindsey's baptism. Let me say, of all the baptisms I have had this was the most special and spiritual! They are finally members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and they seem quite happy! We had two great lessons with them BEFORE their baptism on Sunday! One was reviewing the Plan of Salvation and the other, a Church tour, reviewing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They had to have been the most prepared and sincere investigators I have ever had, studying as much as 5 hours a day, reading scriptures, The Ensign, and articles on LDS.ORG before our lessons! I am truly honored that I had the opportunity to teach them and see them through to baptism. Thursday they had their baptismal interview, which I think they were a bit more nervous for than needed, but they passed with flying colors says our district leader. We asked them to write out their testimonies. When they gave us copies of them they were truly remarkable. Jake bore a sweet testimony. He was thankful for Christ and his family. Lindsey was grateful for patient missionaries and the peace that the gospel has brought into her life. 

  

Saturday was their baptism day. They came excited, changed into their clothes, and we started the meeting. Sister Greenside gave a great talk about baptism and the Holy Ghost, while Elder Greenside baptized them. Elder Rodriguez and I were excited that he got the chance to baptize them, as they were his FIRST live baptisms. Jake, Lindsey, and the Greensides have become good friends. After the Baptism, Bishop Wilson welcomed them into the Bellevue 6th ward, giving them advice and telling them about how they would continue to progress in the gospel through Jake getting the Priesthood, getting sealed in the Temple, holding callings, and receiving their Patriarchal Blessings. The spirit was strong and the ward's support was great! Nearly 60 of Jake and Lindsey's new friends attended! As one of their missionaries, it made me quite happy to see the outpouring of love shown to them.After the Baptism the ward held a potluck at one of the Bishop's counselors houses. That was also well attended and Lindsey stood up and told everyone how grateful she was for their friendship. Lindsey and Jake have come a long way. As missionaries first started meeting with them 3 months ago they were nervous and somewhat reluctant to let missionaries in. But the gospel truly changes people for the better and they are a testimony to me that no matter what walk of life you come from, EVERYONE needs the gospel. Lindsey realizes that too. She is already doing missionary work and asked her sister, who has many problems, to take the missionary lessons in Florida! Her sister's first lesson sounded great and hopefully the lessons continue!

On Sunday I confirmed Jake a member of the Church. It was a remarkable experience to be a part of that! Sacrament meeting was truly made for them! The woman that spoke wrote her talk weeks ago. She was supposed to speak last week, but there wasn't enough time and was rescheduled for Sunday because they didn't have anyone to speak yet. She spoke about the Holy Ghost and recognizing its promptings. A high counselor spoke about following the commandments and the blessings of following them. The meeting was perfect and the spirit was strong! God truly had his hand in making it happen for the Jake and Kathy Stinson! They are going to be great, strong members of the Chruch. They are excited to serve the ward that has shown them so much love and support!

Yesterday was interviews with President Larkin. I am fine! And today the mission attended the Temple! So right now I am on quite a spiritual high! I feel good that the Stinson's are baptized and will continue to search for other opportunities to find new people to teach!

The Church is true!

~Elder Fetzer

Elder Rodriguez, Lindsey, Jake, Elder Fetzer

Just Another Week

Hello all,

So transfers are finally over! By the time we got home on Tuesday at about 8 PM we both crashed! But we have been going around the mission, delivering items and trying to catch up on different office duties.

To be honest, this was kind of a boring week. We met with Jake and Lindsey again and discussed the Restoration again. We took our Ward Mission Leader, who tends to stranglehold our lessons so that isn't too fun. Jake and Lindsey are so ready for the gospel! I am quite excited for this weekend! The ward is in full support for the baptism and have been great at fellowshipping the them.

This week we had to go to Seattle to pick up a furniture donation in Queen Anne. It was fun to go back and we went to Kerry Park again! It was beautiful!

I am so excited for this weekend! The Ward is hosting a potluck after the baptism!

Sorry this is short! I don't have much time.

~Elder Fetzer