¡Hola!
AWESOME WEEK! I am so excited to be leaving to Chile!
Sunday we sang in Priesthood, Monday was District Home Evening(at which we had a lot of fun), Tuesday was devotional and Testimony Meeting, Wednesday was Hosting and new missionary day(Hola to Elder Spencer and Elder Lichtenburg!), Thursday I went into the real world for the first time in two months and spoke perfect spanish, and Today is P-Day, temple, and TRAVEL PLANS!!!
On Sunday, we sung ´Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy' for priesthood meeting. I composed the arrangement as commissioned by our Branch President, President Larsen, and wrote a new fourth verse that brought it all together nicely. We had a wonderful lesson on being the 'lower lights' to the people of the world and guiding them to Christ. I love singing.
On Monday, we had a day full of classes and that night we had district home evening together. We played games and then went to a workshop on improving our lesson plans. Great learning opportunities for the field! I know that I'm gonna miss this district a lot.
On Tuesday, We had a wonderful Devotional by a member of the Seventy(I left my black book at the residence hall or I'd give you names, but I want to say Rasband or some such name), who had changed his talk at the last minute to reflect a meeting that he had with the Quorum of the Twelve. The message from the first presidency is that while this is the Church of Jesus Christ and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that we must remember and Focus on the fact that God is our Father, the Creator of the plan and the grand designer of all things. Therefore, They've asked us to refocus and remember to teach about God's role in all aspects of our lessons. If you want more details, feel free to write and I'll tell you more. Suffice it to say, what a powerful lesson to remember!
On Wednesday, we had the opportunity to host for the first time. It was really, really fun, and a blessing to see how much we've grown in so short a time. After we were done, one of the other Elders pulled out his camera and we looked back at pictures from our first day; I noticed that I've changed, both in countenance and literal physical characteristics. I look different, I feel different, I act different, and I believe that all of it is for the better. I've even gained some muscle(and some weight as a side effect (15 pounds!)).
On Thursday, I ran out into the real world for the first time in two months with my companion. How different! It was almost comical to me to look at State Street. I recognized everything, yet it seemed so foreign to me that I wonder what it will be like when I return. We also ran into some Spanish-speakers from Argentina and Mexico, and I was able to understand 100% and respond just as quickly and naturally as they were speaking. What a miracle! Although they warned me that Chileans speak much faster and less clearly, it still amazes me that I have learned so much, and I know that with the Spirit guiding I will be able to adjust quickly. I am glad that our district has put extra time and effort into learning.
On Friday(Today), I slept in, and it felt wonderful. What a luxury! I didn't intend to, but now I realize that I needed it. We had breakfast and I began writing some letters, then we went to the temple. I am so blessed and so grateful that I have that opportunity. It is a privelege to be able to go to the temple and be instructed in such a direct way. I hope that you all take advantage of that. I promise that it is worth it.
That being said, it's time to talk about travel plans! I'll be leaving the morning of the 29th, and have a 3 hour layover in LA around 11:40 MST to about 2:40 MST. I'll be calling home at that time, so get in contact with my mom if you want to hear directly from me. Then a LONG flight to Chile, directly to Santiago, where I will be arriving about 4:40 MST. Then a morning orientation, and proselyting by that night. ¡GUAU!
It blows my mind to be so close. Every day I feel just a little bit closer to my investigators. I know that there is hard work to be done, but I also know that this sanctification of my time means that God will bless me with the strength that I need. I can testify that God knows me and loves me, and that Christ has been where I have so that I don't have to do this alone. What a wonderful power and presence to have! How marvelous to have the power of God at your back! Shall we not go on in so great a cause?
Thank you for your prayers and concern. Especially thank you to those of you who keep me informed and aware of your lives. Your stories are a great source of strength to me.
A Dios, Con Dios.
To God, With God.
-Elder Wheelhouse
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
T minus 17 Days and counting...
Buenas Dias!!!
With so many things happening this week I've been constantly busy, even today! Not much to note in particular, but I will start out with the biggest thing:
I've been cleared to continue on to Chile! :D
I know it's not exactly missionary-like or professional to put a smiley in an email, but I am so excited and grateful to be able to continue onward. The doctors have given me some VERY specific instructions on what I can eat, what I can do for Gym, and how I am to take care of myself in the remaining weeks that I'm here. I have also received some specific instructions about what to do if anything begins to happen while I am there, and how to handle it; but nevertheless, I am allowed to go on and serve. THANK YOU for your prayers on my behalf! I know that it played a key part in allowing me to go.
My hand has continued to progress as well, and I am able to use it again. Although I am still not allowed to do hand-sports (basketball, foursquare, goalie for soccer, etc.) I am able to use it again without pain for writing and opening doors, jars, etc. What a blessing! Thank you for your concern.
The heat has really turned up the last few weeks, and this week was no exception. None of us has really had time to do much, and poor Elder Loomis is typing and writing at a feverish pace today to try to respond to as much of his birthday mail as possible (he doesn't expect to get much done before he leaves though). We are trying to speak solely in Español, but it´s difficult sometimes without the vocabulary we normally use. It´s certainly a fun excercise in thinking outside the box and figuring out new ways to express things. Every spare moment is spent studying (typically spanish), and we seem to be losing time (Finally..), almost like some crazy exponential function where the work increases and the available time and resources decrease. It's hard, but I really like it- it's a challenge.
How did everyone's Book of Mormon challenge go? Did anyone try it? If you missed the deadline, try again! I promise, it's worth it.
Sorry that I can't write more today, we're out of time before dinner. I hope to talk to all of you soon! I leave the 29th, so if you'd like to hear my voice (I get to make a phone call at the airport), get in touch with my parents and we'll coordinate a conference call.
Remember that God loves you, and I love you too!
A Dios, Con Dios.
-Elder Wheelhouse
With so many things happening this week I've been constantly busy, even today! Not much to note in particular, but I will start out with the biggest thing:
I've been cleared to continue on to Chile! :D
I know it's not exactly missionary-like or professional to put a smiley in an email, but I am so excited and grateful to be able to continue onward. The doctors have given me some VERY specific instructions on what I can eat, what I can do for Gym, and how I am to take care of myself in the remaining weeks that I'm here. I have also received some specific instructions about what to do if anything begins to happen while I am there, and how to handle it; but nevertheless, I am allowed to go on and serve. THANK YOU for your prayers on my behalf! I know that it played a key part in allowing me to go.
My hand has continued to progress as well, and I am able to use it again. Although I am still not allowed to do hand-sports (basketball, foursquare, goalie for soccer, etc.) I am able to use it again without pain for writing and opening doors, jars, etc. What a blessing! Thank you for your concern.
The heat has really turned up the last few weeks, and this week was no exception. None of us has really had time to do much, and poor Elder Loomis is typing and writing at a feverish pace today to try to respond to as much of his birthday mail as possible (he doesn't expect to get much done before he leaves though). We are trying to speak solely in Español, but it´s difficult sometimes without the vocabulary we normally use. It´s certainly a fun excercise in thinking outside the box and figuring out new ways to express things. Every spare moment is spent studying (typically spanish), and we seem to be losing time (Finally..), almost like some crazy exponential function where the work increases and the available time and resources decrease. It's hard, but I really like it- it's a challenge.
How did everyone's Book of Mormon challenge go? Did anyone try it? If you missed the deadline, try again! I promise, it's worth it.
Sorry that I can't write more today, we're out of time before dinner. I hope to talk to all of you soon! I leave the 29th, so if you'd like to hear my voice (I get to make a phone call at the airport), get in touch with my parents and we'll coordinate a conference call.
Remember that God loves you, and I love you too!
A Dios, Con Dios.
-Elder Wheelhouse
Friday, August 5, 2011
Week Six
¿Qué tal?
What an interesting week. MANY MANY blessings, but some struggles too. We´ll get to those later.
Finally got over being sick at the beginning of the week. Did I talk about that? I don´t remember. When you gather 2600 missionaries into tight classrooms all day and everybody shakes hands, apparently you can catch a cold or the flu easier. Who´da thunk? My companion, myself, two Hermanas and one other Elder pushed through it with us and now we´re better! Thank goodness for the blessings of priesthood power and guidance in our tribulations.
Elder Loomis´birthday is today! We´ve enjoyed a rather wonderful morning, culminating in our trip to the Temple. I am so blessed to feel that peace and hope each week; I testify of the healing power of the temple.
Spanish has been getting better, and what the Lord allows me to say surprises me more and more each day! There are even some times when I slip into Spanish without thinking now because I say things so much.
My hand has started feeling better, and I´m able to do a lot more with it now. The doctor has still advised me not to use it to play sports or do anything other than writing until I leave so that it has sufficient time to be restored and strengthened. I think it´s awesome that the church has such skilled and inspired doctors to look out for us.
We performed ¨Nearer My God To Thee¨in sacrament meeting, and everyone loved it. I felt the presence of angels as we weaved a tapestry of testimony that is so near to my heart, and I have never heard a collection of amateur at best singers come together and be recording worthy. I tried to record us with a tape recorder afterwards, but the quality simply didn´t do it justice, so you´ll just have to imagine Vocal Point and Eclipse mixed, but in a sacrament meeting. BEAUTIFUL.
I got called down to the doctor´s office the other day for a followup on my hand and the doctor who was performing the followup asked me to stay and talk to him afterwards. He noted my medical history and some of the muscle aches that I´d had when I was sick and we talked for 45 minutes about my health. The doctors have decided to re-review my medical history and research specialists in my mission to see if they want to change my assignment.
He noted that my current health seemed to be well enough and that as long as I felt that I´d be able to walk at least 6 miles without complications that it shouldn´t be a problem for me to go out; however, he is concerned about what would happen if something did begin to happen. He said that it is unlikely that I´ll need to be transferred, because Santiago actually has some of the best medical care in the field, but advised me on some procedures if I begin to have problems wherever I end up.
I know that I was called to this mission for a reason. There is no way that the Lord would perform such great miracles in my life for nothing, nor that he would call me to Santiago via revelation unless this was the training that I needed. I will go wherever he wants me to go, and I accept that perhaps I simply needed the experience of the group that I´ve had in the MTC to best prepare me for the field I end up in. However, if this is simply a matter of my faith, willingness to ask Him for it, and humility to accept help from others, I don´t want my inaction to be the stumbling block that qualifies me for a different work.
At this time, I ask that you all pray for me to end up where is best for me, and if it be possible, the Chile Santiago North Mission.
I have turned it over to the Lord now, and I will wait patiently for His answer. I am meeting with the doctors again to make sure that I understand everything correctly and that they understand everything as well; I am also meeting with President Sonne, the President over missionary reviews, to make sure that he knows the desires of my heart and the miracles that have gotten me here. I will continue to work forward with faith, and I know that the Lord will bless me to be where I will be most effective.
Our lives are not without trials. God never intended it to be any other way. He allows trials in our lives, some self-inflicted and some not, because we have the great ability and opportunity to grow and learn from these experiences. It is meet that we should know sadness, so that we can appreciate greater joy. I find such solace in the testimony I have gained from my experiences in getting here; and while it is certainly difficult for me to wonder about this conclusion, I testify that God has never left me. NEVER. I know that these things are a small moment in my life, and that the blessings of my faith and the good desires of my heart will be rewarded a hundred times over. Time and time again, difficult things in my life have always led to a greater joy and a deeper understanding of my purpose; why would this be any different?
I testify of the redeeming and healing power of Christ. It is amazing to me that I can feel such peace and joy in the middle of something that is so hard. I know with all of my heart that this is a part of His plan, and that the blessings that will follow are far greater than any blessing I would receive otherwise. For the first time in my life, I have truly felt a thankfulness for a trial as it is happening. Not for the sake of the trial, but because it is a testimony to me that God knows what He is doing and what is most needed in my life. I do not know the end, but I see the next step- and for the first time, that is enough! What a great blessing to be able to feel my faith and my testimony grow! The Lord would not give me the commandment to go and serve a mission unless he prepared a way to acheive it, and he did. So too is the call to Chile. I do not know how or when or where, but I know that God Himself will allow me to bless those people, whether in person or through someone else.
THANK YOU for your love and support. THANK YOU for your prayers on my behalf. THANK YOU for your sacrifices, your time, your energy, your patience, your respect, and your blessings. God WILL see this through.
A Dios, Con Dios.
TO GOD, WITH GOD.
-Elder Wheelhouse
P.S. After I wrote this all out and began to transfer it over to email, I received an email from my dear Grandma Susan. As a part of her email, she shared a scripture that she felt she should share. It is in Phillipians 4:11-13. Read it.
P.P.S. We'll make this week's challenge relate. What is the situation when Paul wrote this scripture? Tell me the story. The first one to do so receives a picture of my companion and I with our testimonies.
What an interesting week. MANY MANY blessings, but some struggles too. We´ll get to those later.
Finally got over being sick at the beginning of the week. Did I talk about that? I don´t remember. When you gather 2600 missionaries into tight classrooms all day and everybody shakes hands, apparently you can catch a cold or the flu easier. Who´da thunk? My companion, myself, two Hermanas and one other Elder pushed through it with us and now we´re better! Thank goodness for the blessings of priesthood power and guidance in our tribulations.
Elder Loomis´birthday is today! We´ve enjoyed a rather wonderful morning, culminating in our trip to the Temple. I am so blessed to feel that peace and hope each week; I testify of the healing power of the temple.
Spanish has been getting better, and what the Lord allows me to say surprises me more and more each day! There are even some times when I slip into Spanish without thinking now because I say things so much.
My hand has started feeling better, and I´m able to do a lot more with it now. The doctor has still advised me not to use it to play sports or do anything other than writing until I leave so that it has sufficient time to be restored and strengthened. I think it´s awesome that the church has such skilled and inspired doctors to look out for us.
We performed ¨Nearer My God To Thee¨in sacrament meeting, and everyone loved it. I felt the presence of angels as we weaved a tapestry of testimony that is so near to my heart, and I have never heard a collection of amateur at best singers come together and be recording worthy. I tried to record us with a tape recorder afterwards, but the quality simply didn´t do it justice, so you´ll just have to imagine Vocal Point and Eclipse mixed, but in a sacrament meeting. BEAUTIFUL.
I got called down to the doctor´s office the other day for a followup on my hand and the doctor who was performing the followup asked me to stay and talk to him afterwards. He noted my medical history and some of the muscle aches that I´d had when I was sick and we talked for 45 minutes about my health. The doctors have decided to re-review my medical history and research specialists in my mission to see if they want to change my assignment.
He noted that my current health seemed to be well enough and that as long as I felt that I´d be able to walk at least 6 miles without complications that it shouldn´t be a problem for me to go out; however, he is concerned about what would happen if something did begin to happen. He said that it is unlikely that I´ll need to be transferred, because Santiago actually has some of the best medical care in the field, but advised me on some procedures if I begin to have problems wherever I end up.
I know that I was called to this mission for a reason. There is no way that the Lord would perform such great miracles in my life for nothing, nor that he would call me to Santiago via revelation unless this was the training that I needed. I will go wherever he wants me to go, and I accept that perhaps I simply needed the experience of the group that I´ve had in the MTC to best prepare me for the field I end up in. However, if this is simply a matter of my faith, willingness to ask Him for it, and humility to accept help from others, I don´t want my inaction to be the stumbling block that qualifies me for a different work.
At this time, I ask that you all pray for me to end up where is best for me, and if it be possible, the Chile Santiago North Mission.
I have turned it over to the Lord now, and I will wait patiently for His answer. I am meeting with the doctors again to make sure that I understand everything correctly and that they understand everything as well; I am also meeting with President Sonne, the President over missionary reviews, to make sure that he knows the desires of my heart and the miracles that have gotten me here. I will continue to work forward with faith, and I know that the Lord will bless me to be where I will be most effective.
Our lives are not without trials. God never intended it to be any other way. He allows trials in our lives, some self-inflicted and some not, because we have the great ability and opportunity to grow and learn from these experiences. It is meet that we should know sadness, so that we can appreciate greater joy. I find such solace in the testimony I have gained from my experiences in getting here; and while it is certainly difficult for me to wonder about this conclusion, I testify that God has never left me. NEVER. I know that these things are a small moment in my life, and that the blessings of my faith and the good desires of my heart will be rewarded a hundred times over. Time and time again, difficult things in my life have always led to a greater joy and a deeper understanding of my purpose; why would this be any different?
I testify of the redeeming and healing power of Christ. It is amazing to me that I can feel such peace and joy in the middle of something that is so hard. I know with all of my heart that this is a part of His plan, and that the blessings that will follow are far greater than any blessing I would receive otherwise. For the first time in my life, I have truly felt a thankfulness for a trial as it is happening. Not for the sake of the trial, but because it is a testimony to me that God knows what He is doing and what is most needed in my life. I do not know the end, but I see the next step- and for the first time, that is enough! What a great blessing to be able to feel my faith and my testimony grow! The Lord would not give me the commandment to go and serve a mission unless he prepared a way to acheive it, and he did. So too is the call to Chile. I do not know how or when or where, but I know that God Himself will allow me to bless those people, whether in person or through someone else.
THANK YOU for your love and support. THANK YOU for your prayers on my behalf. THANK YOU for your sacrifices, your time, your energy, your patience, your respect, and your blessings. God WILL see this through.
A Dios, Con Dios.
TO GOD, WITH GOD.
-Elder Wheelhouse
P.S. After I wrote this all out and began to transfer it over to email, I received an email from my dear Grandma Susan. As a part of her email, she shared a scripture that she felt she should share. It is in Phillipians 4:11-13. Read it.
P.P.S. We'll make this week's challenge relate. What is the situation when Paul wrote this scripture? Tell me the story. The first one to do so receives a picture of my companion and I with our testimonies.
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