Well transfer calls are in and I'm staying in the Deepy Creeky. My new companion is Elder Lagace. (La-goss-e) He is a cool kid from what i have heard and know about him. I Believe he came out like 4.5 months ago. So not too old of a guy but should be good if they want me with him. Elder Barr is not happy and he is heading off the south side of Richmond over by my first area. he also wanted to have me ask if y'all know anybody that is into anime. its Japanese animation. like Pokemon stuff. he is really into it and wants to talk to some people about it. So if anyone you know is into it and wants to distract a missionary with it then please write to britian@myldsmail.net. Alright i asked it. He keeps trying to buy shirts and what not from Hot Topic and sees nothing wrong with walking into that store. Yeah i can't even look at that store without getting this terrible feeling let alone walk in. He needs to learn to focus on missionary work. I'm glad he is going to be going somewhere where he can grow. Its been a tough 2 transfers with him. I'm not sure if I have seen the blessings yet but one day. I hope. if not then oh well. I hope he at least had fun.
Ralph's baptism went really well! He was excited to see me and Elder Hall there. He was there with me in Ahoskie teaching Ralph. It was odd to see the Ahoskie members again. they were nice to see which was a good change. We did not leave on the best of notes. Long story. But things are good now. Don't worry i got a baptism picture with him so we are safe.
Well we have two main gatores right now.
Sherri- we "soft committed" them for baptism. We did not set a specific date but we did ask them, "if you found all this to be true, (BOM, Joseph Smith, the LDS Church) would you be baptized into the church?" she said yes! so that is good news. they plan on coming to church next next week. they are going out of town for vacation for Christmas.
Cornelius- super great guy. He says his testimony grows in leaps and bounds every time we go over. We have an appt today so pray for luck. We talked abut baptism with him last time briefly. he was bordering it years ago but didn't. So we explained the authority and he liked it. So we shall see today. we are hoping to set him for next month!
Its soo odd to think that in 2009, i will smell AZ air once more. I do not like that idea very much at all. I hope to move back home once I've spent sufficient amounts of time in AZ. my future home probably lies in VA. sorry to disappoint anyone. But I'm looking forward to calls. Well kinda, ill try to be excited about them. they are distracting. so no me gusta but ill do them because we are supposed to. We can get 40 total minutes each to both families! 10 min increase! So lets keep obedient and stick to that ok? OK. i WILL hang up on anyone who tries to keep me over my limit. I fear God more than mom. I hope to call to mom and Mike's house at about 10am y'alls time. then dad and Jacque's house about 40 mins. afterward. so go where you want. but equal time among sisters means 5 mins each. so fight it out and talk on the 25th. :)
love to all y'all
Elder Malone
p.s. thank you sooooo much for everyone's packages and letters gifts and pictures. as well as support and testimonies. I look forward to writing back to almost everyone. if not this week then next.
Countdown Clock
Make your own Countdown Clocks
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
The Lord's will be done...
Our main family, the Kings, are sure enough moving to PA on the 8th if i did not already mention it. They were supposed to come to church this past Sunday and next and then would be qualified for baptism into the Lord's Church. We actually got special permission from the President himself for it. Sure enough, the morning comes and a call comes saying that things were not going to work out for them to come to church. It was tough to handle but we know that things are better this way. They can now be taught and baptized in Lancaster where they will be needed. we are not so rushed to teach them and and they are less-stressed. But man, they were soo close.AND Amy, the mom, asked me to baptize her! My first baptism! Stolen by Lancaster Elders. Nevertheless, the Lord's will be done...
We are still coming along well with all our other investigators. Not too many leads yet, but i realize that I am more of a sower and not a reaper. Which is nice, because I dont like to be grimm. Pun intended. So I do my part in the field of reaping and planting seeds for future Elders/ Sisters. I know its what Im supposed to do. There is a reason why I struggle with teaching.
Great news! My Zone Leader Elder Hess, the man, got special permission for me to attend Raplh Hewitts baptism! Normally you have to have an investigator to go. But they said whether or not I have one, i can go! I was soo happy when I found that out. Apparently, Ralph actually emailed me and told me to find someone or else. :) I didnt get the email (mysteriously) but i can go!So I will try to bring a guy named Vincent Brown who is just like Ralph. But im really excited. Its the 13th! And thus we see how Elder Malone is a sower and not a reaper. I was to find him and not to baptize him. Plus the Lord in His infinte wisdom and kindness has set it up for me to be here...the area right next to Ralph's, for the baptism! The Lord's will be done...
I know that Elder Barr has a good heart. Its His wisdom that Im with him. Its the Lord's blessing for this companion that I get to see Ralph baptized. I love the Lord. I hope yall do too.
Continue to seek His blessings everyday.
Elder Malone
We are still coming along well with all our other investigators. Not too many leads yet, but i realize that I am more of a sower and not a reaper. Which is nice, because I dont like to be grimm. Pun intended. So I do my part in the field of reaping and planting seeds for future Elders/ Sisters. I know its what Im supposed to do. There is a reason why I struggle with teaching.
Great news! My Zone Leader Elder Hess, the man, got special permission for me to attend Raplh Hewitts baptism! Normally you have to have an investigator to go. But they said whether or not I have one, i can go! I was soo happy when I found that out. Apparently, Ralph actually emailed me and told me to find someone or else. :) I didnt get the email (mysteriously) but i can go!So I will try to bring a guy named Vincent Brown who is just like Ralph. But im really excited. Its the 13th! And thus we see how Elder Malone is a sower and not a reaper. I was to find him and not to baptize him. Plus the Lord in His infinte wisdom and kindness has set it up for me to be here...the area right next to Ralph's, for the baptism! The Lord's will be done...
I know that Elder Barr has a good heart. Its His wisdom that Im with him. Its the Lord's blessing for this companion that I get to see Ralph baptized. I love the Lord. I hope yall do too.
Continue to seek His blessings everyday.
Elder Malone
Miracles Among Miracles...
Well to be to the point ponder on that topic. We were out of miles last month for the last half almost. So as Elder Barr complained about it we biked all month. Well, if we were not biking, then we would not have met a girl named Ashley who we stopped along the way to talk to. She told us to go see her mom just a few streets over. So we did. She was not home, so we tried a few times later. We not only made contact with her mom Amy, but also her friend Sherri. Both women are incredibly faithful and very much aware of God in their lives. Amy was actually moving to Lancaster, PA this Sat. But sure enough, for some reason, she is not leaving now till the 8th! So she told us that she will attend church and her whole family too! They are about 5 people strong...possibly more too. and Sherri is coming as well with her son. Amy actually recieved some anti literature a few days after we taught her and she didnt believe it. So she asked us about it and we explained it. Sure enough. testimony strengthened we moved on. She actually convinced her husband that we are not bad and now he is hogging a BOM. We had to give them another one so she could read it! Miracles among miracles.
Karen as well is totally awesome. She only has to take down her Catholic decorating plates and she will become a member. No doubt in my mind. We stopped by to return her tupperware that she gave us food in and she mentioned how she was having some really tough times in the family. Her husband is deployed and all. So we talked to her about how the BOM can answer the great questons of the soul. then we left her with some scriptures to read and pray about. She plans on doing it this weekend once things settle down. We actually went by again the next night by mistake and she invited us right in. Sure enough as we left and realized that we meant to go to Karen Dayton, a member not Karen the investigator we laughed about it. She then said, well God knew that I needed you tonight. We just saw her the last night! WOW.. is all i really had to say. Who knew but God. Miracles among Miracles.
There are thousands more I can say, but right now i thank you for your prayers. Miracles occur and continue to sweeten the work.
Much love to all yall. Elder Malone
Karen as well is totally awesome. She only has to take down her Catholic decorating plates and she will become a member. No doubt in my mind. We stopped by to return her tupperware that she gave us food in and she mentioned how she was having some really tough times in the family. Her husband is deployed and all. So we talked to her about how the BOM can answer the great questons of the soul. then we left her with some scriptures to read and pray about. She plans on doing it this weekend once things settle down. We actually went by again the next night by mistake and she invited us right in. Sure enough as we left and realized that we meant to go to Karen Dayton, a member not Karen the investigator we laughed about it. She then said, well God knew that I needed you tonight. We just saw her the last night! WOW.. is all i really had to say. Who knew but God. Miracles among Miracles.
There are thousands more I can say, but right now i thank you for your prayers. Miracles occur and continue to sweeten the work.
Much love to all yall. Elder Malone
A sound understanding...
Some times in life we realize that we are completely wrong. This is a lesson learned multiple times. Especially as a missionary and dealing with stubborn companions. But the best part is having a companion that understands the process of growth and the building of ones character. Elder Barr and I have had some really good fights lately. Sorry to say that I almost lost my patient with him. Luckily though he had the phone so I couldnt call President and ask for an Emergency Transfer(ET). We worked through it and kinda fixed the problems. The thing I realized is that I expect too much from others sometimes. I am able to perform to a level that he cannot in some areas. He is able to perform to a level incomparable to me as well. So I cannot expect him to be a morning AND evening person as I fully am. Sure people get tired. Since I usually do not, its difficult for to understand why he does. But the Good Lord has opened my eyes due to my prayers and helped me see that his best is his best. It may not be my best but its his best. Thats all the Lord requires and thats all I can require as well.
In better news, a man that I found and taught in Ahoskie named Ralph Hewitt is getting the plunge on December 13th! We found him almost a year ago come January. How incredible is that? That is right before transfers too so if we get an investigator, we can go! What a marvelous blessing it would be to see him get baptized. A man that I knew as a greenie, getting baptized while im still out here in my prime of my mission! The Lord knows me and that I wanted to see him baptized. I sure am. There are reasons why he is getting baptized now and not earlier. The current missionaries told me and I respect that. But he still said that he loved listening and learning from us. Also the friendships that he developed. I too am grateful for that.
Well its 35 degrees and Elder Malone is loving every moment! It actually "snowed" yesterday too! Like 12 flakes but hey, 12 is better than, what is it yall have? like 80 degrees. Oh yeah go East Coast!
We met an amazinly prepared lady on sat evening. Her name is Sheri and she loves the Lord. She has seen way more than I ever thought someone could and she still has faith that its part of a plan for her. Plus, she is looking forward with faith for the next trial to come! We invited her to Enrichment last night and she was soo ready to go! But her car was not quite fixed so she had to cancel. We could have gotten her a ride but when we went by to have her follow us, she was gone. :( Super Sad day. but we did get the Aguiar girls to go. The mom and her daughter. they had a nice time. The daughter in general found good friends and wants to come back! So hopefully she can get involved in mutual.
I love the church. get em once and they are as good as gold!
God Bless us all.
Elder Malone
p.s. yes even Obama
In better news, a man that I found and taught in Ahoskie named Ralph Hewitt is getting the plunge on December 13th! We found him almost a year ago come January. How incredible is that? That is right before transfers too so if we get an investigator, we can go! What a marvelous blessing it would be to see him get baptized. A man that I knew as a greenie, getting baptized while im still out here in my prime of my mission! The Lord knows me and that I wanted to see him baptized. I sure am. There are reasons why he is getting baptized now and not earlier. The current missionaries told me and I respect that. But he still said that he loved listening and learning from us. Also the friendships that he developed. I too am grateful for that.
Well its 35 degrees and Elder Malone is loving every moment! It actually "snowed" yesterday too! Like 12 flakes but hey, 12 is better than, what is it yall have? like 80 degrees. Oh yeah go East Coast!
We met an amazinly prepared lady on sat evening. Her name is Sheri and she loves the Lord. She has seen way more than I ever thought someone could and she still has faith that its part of a plan for her. Plus, she is looking forward with faith for the next trial to come! We invited her to Enrichment last night and she was soo ready to go! But her car was not quite fixed so she had to cancel. We could have gotten her a ride but when we went by to have her follow us, she was gone. :( Super Sad day. but we did get the Aguiar girls to go. The mom and her daughter. they had a nice time. The daughter in general found good friends and wants to come back! So hopefully she can get involved in mutual.
I love the church. get em once and they are as good as gold!
God Bless us all.
Elder Malone
p.s. yes even Obama
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Ok so it's really Chesapeake....
Howdy do?
Well things are going here in good ol Virginia. OK so its not really in Deep Creek. There is an actual place called Deep Creek. But its in Chesapeake. Our area covers both Chesapeake and Portsmouth (pronounced port-smith) don't ask me why. but either way its a good little area. the people are great. they will either talk to you or close the door so normal for VA i think. The members are really really helping out alot not just with meals, actually that is the slowest part of it all. but they are more than willing to go on exchanges and have us over for a AMI. they are all working with families to bring into their home for us to teach. so that is good news there.
We actually had a really neat experience with a family named the Jackson's. There are about 5 people total. 2 adults, 5yr old twin girls and a baby named Eleazar. so only two people up for baptism but in 3 years Brother Jackson can baptize his own kids! they don't have a date yet but they did come to the last session of conference. the mom was kinda preoccupied some with the kids. but they all fell asleep! so they got the watch it. with that talk on marriage, brother Jackson was on the edge of his seat with eyes wide open! not even blinking. i watched him. it was incredible! plus he said afterwards that it gave him a lot to ponder and think about..."meditate on" so that's good. we are going over for a brunch on Thursday... tomorrow. we hope to answer their questions they are having. he has done some pretty good study with both the BOM and Bible. so good news there.
Lewis did not come to conference so he doesn't have a baptismal date anymore. but he is not moving to Newport News like i thought he was so we can still teach him. he is looking for a place to stay and he is having a hard time. he is getting kicked out of his apt suddenly because of his crazy ex. so we are doing our best to stay with him. he said he wanted to call us a few nights back but thought midnight was too late. he really needed to talk to someone. he also felt like he should read his BOM but felt like he was too frustrated to focus. so he just talked his problems out to a tree off his back patio. :) he is a trip. We are also teaching a bunch of people. nothing too solid with them so I wont report on them just yet. but your prayers and the prayers of these members are helping. thank you soo much.
Today we are headed off to Neptune Beach to play some football. now that Oct conference has happened, we can go to the beach. which also means coats back on full time unless it gets over 70 degrees. but its alright. i think i have climatized because i don't sweat all the time like i use to. and being in a car is nicer with the coat.
Its interesting though to see how peoples idea of religion runs. they all think that a prophet is any person moved by the Spirit. and once we say no, they get offended because half their family is "prophets" so its soft treading grounds there. but we do just fine. they also don't like the idea of having someone tell them what to do and think. they believe its a personal thing with God that we supposed to have. we tell them it is very personal with God, but He has called a man on this earth. then they bring up how mans is corruptible. that's why they follow God. its a mess. but we are slowly but surely helping the chosen find the right path. i know we are. its amazing how the Lord works. taking both Elders out and putting in two fresh ones. it helps us because we are probably tracting where they just tracted. and sure enough we find people. miracles happen daily.
Elder Barr is a great guy. he tries my patience 24/7 but its a resistance work out. the Lord sees how far He can push me. until i crack. and so far, 1 year later I'm still not cracking. I KNOW that if He really wanted to, He COULD make me crack. but i don't think He will. at least not now. i can see my last transfer out here, Him doing something like that. Just to show me my final point. He will get a kick out of it and I will too. I love the Lord. we have a pretty good relationship.
Just for y'alls info-mation. in exactly 1 year and 1 days from now, i will be at the temple in Washington and then going back to the mission home to meet whoever wants to meet me there. crazy huh? who would have thought that this is really my mission? and its half over! it's really odd but I'm loving it just the same. haha i don't know if reality has really actually set in yet that it is my mission. once i go home it will seem so surreal that i actually did serve one. and that my mission stories are happening now. its just crazy to me. well thanks for the prayers and love and support.
love to all y'all,
Love Elder Malone
Well things are going here in good ol Virginia. OK so its not really in Deep Creek. There is an actual place called Deep Creek. But its in Chesapeake. Our area covers both Chesapeake and Portsmouth (pronounced port-smith) don't ask me why. but either way its a good little area. the people are great. they will either talk to you or close the door so normal for VA i think. The members are really really helping out alot not just with meals, actually that is the slowest part of it all. but they are more than willing to go on exchanges and have us over for a AMI. they are all working with families to bring into their home for us to teach. so that is good news there.
We actually had a really neat experience with a family named the Jackson's. There are about 5 people total. 2 adults, 5yr old twin girls and a baby named Eleazar. so only two people up for baptism but in 3 years Brother Jackson can baptize his own kids! they don't have a date yet but they did come to the last session of conference. the mom was kinda preoccupied some with the kids. but they all fell asleep! so they got the watch it. with that talk on marriage, brother Jackson was on the edge of his seat with eyes wide open! not even blinking. i watched him. it was incredible! plus he said afterwards that it gave him a lot to ponder and think about..."meditate on" so that's good. we are going over for a brunch on Thursday... tomorrow. we hope to answer their questions they are having. he has done some pretty good study with both the BOM and Bible. so good news there.
Lewis did not come to conference so he doesn't have a baptismal date anymore. but he is not moving to Newport News like i thought he was so we can still teach him. he is looking for a place to stay and he is having a hard time. he is getting kicked out of his apt suddenly because of his crazy ex. so we are doing our best to stay with him. he said he wanted to call us a few nights back but thought midnight was too late. he really needed to talk to someone. he also felt like he should read his BOM but felt like he was too frustrated to focus. so he just talked his problems out to a tree off his back patio. :) he is a trip. We are also teaching a bunch of people. nothing too solid with them so I wont report on them just yet. but your prayers and the prayers of these members are helping. thank you soo much.
Today we are headed off to Neptune Beach to play some football. now that Oct conference has happened, we can go to the beach. which also means coats back on full time unless it gets over 70 degrees. but its alright. i think i have climatized because i don't sweat all the time like i use to. and being in a car is nicer with the coat.
Its interesting though to see how peoples idea of religion runs. they all think that a prophet is any person moved by the Spirit. and once we say no, they get offended because half their family is "prophets" so its soft treading grounds there. but we do just fine. they also don't like the idea of having someone tell them what to do and think. they believe its a personal thing with God that we supposed to have. we tell them it is very personal with God, but He has called a man on this earth. then they bring up how mans is corruptible. that's why they follow God. its a mess. but we are slowly but surely helping the chosen find the right path. i know we are. its amazing how the Lord works. taking both Elders out and putting in two fresh ones. it helps us because we are probably tracting where they just tracted. and sure enough we find people. miracles happen daily.
Elder Barr is a great guy. he tries my patience 24/7 but its a resistance work out. the Lord sees how far He can push me. until i crack. and so far, 1 year later I'm still not cracking. I KNOW that if He really wanted to, He COULD make me crack. but i don't think He will. at least not now. i can see my last transfer out here, Him doing something like that. Just to show me my final point. He will get a kick out of it and I will too. I love the Lord. we have a pretty good relationship.
Just for y'alls info-mation. in exactly 1 year and 1 days from now, i will be at the temple in Washington and then going back to the mission home to meet whoever wants to meet me there. crazy huh? who would have thought that this is really my mission? and its half over! it's really odd but I'm loving it just the same. haha i don't know if reality has really actually set in yet that it is my mission. once i go home it will seem so surreal that i actually did serve one. and that my mission stories are happening now. its just crazy to me. well thanks for the prayers and love and support.
love to all y'all,
Love Elder Malone
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Shamrock Garden? TRANSFERRED!!!!
Well here is the big news. They are "shotgunning" Glen Allen meaning everyone will die. :( ...No it means that they are pulling all missionaries out and putting brand new ones in. should be fun. it helps to mix things up and get some new blood in there. two people who don't know the area go in without a bias or anything. it seems to be really beneficial. I am going down to Deep Creek,VA which is in the same area as Portsmouth,VA. i believe I'll be in a car too but I'm not quite sure yet. I have driven through it and been to the building there. It's a nice area. i hope it will prove to be beneficial. I'm actually getting shotgunned in to it. So me and Elder Barr, my new comp will have to learn everything from scratch but it should be a fun time.
Also I'm not a DL anymore which I'm OK with... too much time spent on other things. i would rather focus more on the work and the area. not so much calling people and helping them. Don't get me wrong. i love helping others. but i kinda feel like lately I'm slipping in helping others instead of myself. "he that loseth his life shall gain it" right? well "the Lord helps those who help themselves" so it's time to help myself i guess. Elder Holley is going to Newport News so pretty close to me which is good because he is driving me up the wall! So its sad that I'm leaving but I'm excited to go to the promised land!
oh my new address if y'all care to write is :
1306 Shamrock Garden Ct.
Deep Creek, VA 23323
yeah kinda fruity but hey I'm Irish so no worries.
Not too much to say really. Things have kinda been dying to be honest. A lot of our investigators have been avoiding us. even though we have been finding a TON of new ones it's sad that the old ones were soo close. Tom and Lisa have disappeared. and Anne is still struggling with her arm but she said the nicest things about me. she is a sweet old cranky lady. she knows it too. :)
Well as far as the mission goes, there are going to be some sister TAs. but no Elder TAs (yet) i hope they bust them out soon. its been almost a year since it ended. but actually President is changing things up a lot. i haven't heard about it before it so its intense. the Assistants are working in their own area and not the office. they will work with trainers and greenies for a few days when they first get in and then let them loose in their own areas. so like tomorrow, Thursday, the trainers and greenies go to somewhere i don't know where. but on Friday and sat, they will be with the assistants and learn all about PMG. just get it hammered into them. and then come Sunday they will all turn back to their areas and finish the transfer there. A lot of people who were ZLs or Dl are getting "demoted" but its all good. it gives more people a chance at leadership. and luckily you cant mess up too much in mission leadership. unless your an asst or president. but that's about all for right now. any questions?
sorry its short and not informative. i am sick right now which stinks. i have a temp and probably a sinus infection or something. i don't know but it sucketh. so I'm going to go to a local pharmacy and get something called bucklies.which is actually a cure for the common cold developed by a Canadian pharmacist. so go figure. the slogan is, tastes terrible, works great. so I'm all kinds of excited about this. :)
tell people i said hi and let me know about stuff.
Love,
Elder Malone
Also I'm not a DL anymore which I'm OK with... too much time spent on other things. i would rather focus more on the work and the area. not so much calling people and helping them. Don't get me wrong. i love helping others. but i kinda feel like lately I'm slipping in helping others instead of myself. "he that loseth his life shall gain it" right? well "the Lord helps those who help themselves" so it's time to help myself i guess. Elder Holley is going to Newport News so pretty close to me which is good because he is driving me up the wall! So its sad that I'm leaving but I'm excited to go to the promised land!
oh my new address if y'all care to write is :
1306 Shamrock Garden Ct.
Deep Creek, VA 23323
yeah kinda fruity but hey I'm Irish so no worries.
Not too much to say really. Things have kinda been dying to be honest. A lot of our investigators have been avoiding us. even though we have been finding a TON of new ones it's sad that the old ones were soo close. Tom and Lisa have disappeared. and Anne is still struggling with her arm but she said the nicest things about me. she is a sweet old cranky lady. she knows it too. :)
Well as far as the mission goes, there are going to be some sister TAs. but no Elder TAs (yet) i hope they bust them out soon. its been almost a year since it ended. but actually President is changing things up a lot. i haven't heard about it before it so its intense. the Assistants are working in their own area and not the office. they will work with trainers and greenies for a few days when they first get in and then let them loose in their own areas. so like tomorrow, Thursday, the trainers and greenies go to somewhere i don't know where. but on Friday and sat, they will be with the assistants and learn all about PMG. just get it hammered into them. and then come Sunday they will all turn back to their areas and finish the transfer there. A lot of people who were ZLs or Dl are getting "demoted" but its all good. it gives more people a chance at leadership. and luckily you cant mess up too much in mission leadership. unless your an asst or president. but that's about all for right now. any questions?
sorry its short and not informative. i am sick right now which stinks. i have a temp and probably a sinus infection or something. i don't know but it sucketh. so I'm going to go to a local pharmacy and get something called bucklies.which is actually a cure for the common cold developed by a Canadian pharmacist. so go figure. the slogan is, tastes terrible, works great. so I'm all kinds of excited about this. :)
tell people i said hi and let me know about stuff.
Love,
Elder Malone
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
missionaries only fly twice... to and from home.
well i did attempt to fly a third time. and the Lord chastened me for doing so...here is the plunge of incredibleness.
So...we were riding on Monday morning to go to an appt with a guy named Mike. nice guy by the way. and while we were riding, i did something I always do..naturally i took my hands off the handle bars. i pulled out my little pocket map and started to look and see if we had missed the street or not. while i was biking, my bike drifted to the side of the street causing me to come too close to the curb. well in my efforts to get back on to the asphalt, my tire decided that instead of hopping over the curb and continuing onward, it wanted to twist around and stop right in its place. so of course it won. and next thing i know, im soaring over the bars with map in hand. my legs didnt make it over the bars so i took the bars with me, landing on them and then carried them with my legs as my momentum pulled me to a stop about 8 feet later. it..was..epic! i loved it! well, looking back now, at the time, it hurt somethin' awful. i laid there not sure which part hurt the most just knowing that there was alot on my right side that hurt. luckily, my face is ok. *phew* life goes on in the dating scene. ;) but...my shoulder got a good rub on the ground, and my elbow as well. my leg hurt really bad, so when i got up to walk, we went over to the 7-11, (thank heaven) to check said pain in leg. on checking i came to the conclusion that the tear in my garments and blood on them could mean something. i wasnt quite sure what but hoping for the worst, i look and noticed that, huh...is that my tissue? why by golly it is! that cant be good. who do i need to call to tell? so sure enough, on the inside of my right leg, there was a nice gash. still not quite sure what from because my brake handle is probabaly what i landed on and its not sharp! maybe thats why it hurt so bad... a deep blunt wound. ugh. so i got it stitched up and went home to rest for a little bit. but we got bored so we walked over to some members homes and tried to talk with them but there were kinda busy... so...nothing really exciting happened on monday. but everyone has been really nice about it! i get calls from my district almost at every meal to see how i am. we have a car now for a few days because i dont want to irritate the stitches and pull them on a bike. its nice. i miss cars sometimes. but sure enough, we get a car now when its like 75. last week it was like 90. where was my car then?! HUH?
so nothing really new. just some new wounds but hey, it was about time right?
OH OH OH! news! so..they called an emergency ZLC today. its a zone leader council. so im not going. BUT! why would they call one "emergency"? they have one coming up in about 2 weeks. i personally think two things.
1. Charlottesville is becoming its own stake, meaning a new zone will be opening. so thats big news! a city making its own stake. Richmond is covered by 3! (well, there are only about 5 actually covering the city limits, but because it goes over to the south side, there are two different wards down there that take the cake on that.) but it means that the church is growing out here! so that could be the cause of much rejoicing among the believers.
2. when i came out last year it was the end of a program called the TA program. Training Assistant. where about 1 missionary goes to a different area each week to help train missionareis on PMG and misionary work. just to help get the mission to become a preach my gospel mission. and there is a rumor among the zls that President might be bringing that back in! i really hope so for two reasons.
a. I really really want to be a TA. you have to know misionary work really well, not to mention PMG. BUT what a blessing! plus, its different every week, talk about trust, and ever since i came out i wanted to be one. more than an AP or ZL.
b. i never had one, so i would like to have one if they start it back up.
so i dont really know about it, whether its happeneing or not, but transfer calls are on tuesday so we shall know then right? :) pray family. pray for success!
i hope all is well with yall. i'll definitely keep yall in my prayers as always. thanks for the $upport and love. it helps alot.
Love
Elder Malone
p.s. Autumn is on Monday! everyone pray that it will last forever this time. jut cancel out winter and keep autumn! hooray for autumn!
So...we were riding on Monday morning to go to an appt with a guy named Mike. nice guy by the way. and while we were riding, i did something I always do..naturally i took my hands off the handle bars. i pulled out my little pocket map and started to look and see if we had missed the street or not. while i was biking, my bike drifted to the side of the street causing me to come too close to the curb. well in my efforts to get back on to the asphalt, my tire decided that instead of hopping over the curb and continuing onward, it wanted to twist around and stop right in its place. so of course it won. and next thing i know, im soaring over the bars with map in hand. my legs didnt make it over the bars so i took the bars with me, landing on them and then carried them with my legs as my momentum pulled me to a stop about 8 feet later. it..was..epic! i loved it! well, looking back now, at the time, it hurt somethin' awful. i laid there not sure which part hurt the most just knowing that there was alot on my right side that hurt. luckily, my face is ok. *phew* life goes on in the dating scene. ;) but...my shoulder got a good rub on the ground, and my elbow as well. my leg hurt really bad, so when i got up to walk, we went over to the 7-11, (thank heaven) to check said pain in leg. on checking i came to the conclusion that the tear in my garments and blood on them could mean something. i wasnt quite sure what but hoping for the worst, i look and noticed that, huh...is that my tissue? why by golly it is! that cant be good. who do i need to call to tell? so sure enough, on the inside of my right leg, there was a nice gash. still not quite sure what from because my brake handle is probabaly what i landed on and its not sharp! maybe thats why it hurt so bad... a deep blunt wound. ugh. so i got it stitched up and went home to rest for a little bit. but we got bored so we walked over to some members homes and tried to talk with them but there were kinda busy... so...nothing really exciting happened on monday. but everyone has been really nice about it! i get calls from my district almost at every meal to see how i am. we have a car now for a few days because i dont want to irritate the stitches and pull them on a bike. its nice. i miss cars sometimes. but sure enough, we get a car now when its like 75. last week it was like 90. where was my car then?! HUH?
so nothing really new. just some new wounds but hey, it was about time right?
OH OH OH! news! so..they called an emergency ZLC today. its a zone leader council. so im not going. BUT! why would they call one "emergency"? they have one coming up in about 2 weeks. i personally think two things.
1. Charlottesville is becoming its own stake, meaning a new zone will be opening. so thats big news! a city making its own stake. Richmond is covered by 3! (well, there are only about 5 actually covering the city limits, but because it goes over to the south side, there are two different wards down there that take the cake on that.) but it means that the church is growing out here! so that could be the cause of much rejoicing among the believers.
2. when i came out last year it was the end of a program called the TA program. Training Assistant. where about 1 missionary goes to a different area each week to help train missionareis on PMG and misionary work. just to help get the mission to become a preach my gospel mission. and there is a rumor among the zls that President might be bringing that back in! i really hope so for two reasons.
a. I really really want to be a TA. you have to know misionary work really well, not to mention PMG. BUT what a blessing! plus, its different every week, talk about trust, and ever since i came out i wanted to be one. more than an AP or ZL.
b. i never had one, so i would like to have one if they start it back up.
so i dont really know about it, whether its happeneing or not, but transfer calls are on tuesday so we shall know then right? :) pray family. pray for success!
i hope all is well with yall. i'll definitely keep yall in my prayers as always. thanks for the $upport and love. it helps alot.
Love
Elder Malone
p.s. Autumn is on Monday! everyone pray that it will last forever this time. jut cancel out winter and keep autumn! hooray for autumn!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Miracles and more Miracle!
Well...thoughts. nothing is coming to mind. oh miracle time! OK so i guess in he umbilical cord, there are supposed to be two main vessels right? well, this ward missionary who is really cool and super great guy, his wife is pregnant. and she was having problems with it. apparently there was only 1 main vessel which causes problems with the baby or for her. serious problems. so they asked for a blessing the other day. and after email last week, we stopped off at a Kroger to shop and she was outside! so we talked and it turns out that she had a Dr's appt that morning and she had 3 vessels! so I'm guessing that's really good because she was really excited about it! so talk about a miracle. i was really glad for her. they are a great great family. they fed us liver once. :) at our request. good stuff.
Well...Aaron, my friend who i feel like i was sent here to find. he is moving this weekend, so our last appt with him is tonight! we are going to talk about the plan and basically just do whatever we can to help him get settled on the right foot. so when the church comes looking for him where ever he goes, he will be ready. he is really cool. he doesn't know quite where he is going in life but does hope to open an orphanage i believe. something like that. its really neat. great guy.
Elder Holley is doing well. surprisingly because I'm training him. he picks up on things really well. somethings a little too well. so i watch my actions because i don't want to be a hypocrite. :( its good though. somethings i don't tell him, he picks up by example.(not mine of course :) but I'm glad. its good to know that he is learning from me. the assistants say he is a good kid so i hope its true. they don't usually lie, unless it comes to cell phones, miles and exchanges.
Speaking of miracles and assistants! last Thursday we went on an exchange with the assistants. finally because they said they would a year ago! two completely different elders promised it to me. but these ones are still good. they really taught me a lot. and elder Hancock and i met an extremely prepared lady. her name is Kim. she is a YSA so she is not our gator, but still! i got to meet her and find her. we sang to her on her doorstep and she really liked it. then we talked about things with her and she really really liked the church. she was so excited that we set her for baptism on her doorstep! its incredible. she is just the sweetest (and the cutest) lady ever. it was a such a blessing to see how the Lord kept us there for that long of a time. we went to see a less active and he wasn't there. so just talking with everyone we could, and asking for referrals, we stayed on one street for almost 3 hours. which was just long enough. because as we were walking back to the truck, we stopped to talk to one last person who was not interested at all, but it bought us just 60 secs longer. Kim pulled up as we were talking to him. so when we stopped, we ran over to hr house and knocked on her door. it was an amazing blessing! I'm soooo grateful the Lord counted me as one worthy to find her. doing what we were supposed to do, the Lord helped us find the elect. I love Him.
Love
Elder Malone
p.s. pray for hurricane Josephine and Ike to be good ones!
Well...Aaron, my friend who i feel like i was sent here to find. he is moving this weekend, so our last appt with him is tonight! we are going to talk about the plan and basically just do whatever we can to help him get settled on the right foot. so when the church comes looking for him where ever he goes, he will be ready. he is really cool. he doesn't know quite where he is going in life but does hope to open an orphanage i believe. something like that. its really neat. great guy.
Elder Holley is doing well. surprisingly because I'm training him. he picks up on things really well. somethings a little too well. so i watch my actions because i don't want to be a hypocrite. :( its good though. somethings i don't tell him, he picks up by example.(not mine of course :) but I'm glad. its good to know that he is learning from me. the assistants say he is a good kid so i hope its true. they don't usually lie, unless it comes to cell phones, miles and exchanges.
Speaking of miracles and assistants! last Thursday we went on an exchange with the assistants. finally because they said they would a year ago! two completely different elders promised it to me. but these ones are still good. they really taught me a lot. and elder Hancock and i met an extremely prepared lady. her name is Kim. she is a YSA so she is not our gator, but still! i got to meet her and find her. we sang to her on her doorstep and she really liked it. then we talked about things with her and she really really liked the church. she was so excited that we set her for baptism on her doorstep! its incredible. she is just the sweetest (and the cutest) lady ever. it was a such a blessing to see how the Lord kept us there for that long of a time. we went to see a less active and he wasn't there. so just talking with everyone we could, and asking for referrals, we stayed on one street for almost 3 hours. which was just long enough. because as we were walking back to the truck, we stopped to talk to one last person who was not interested at all, but it bought us just 60 secs longer. Kim pulled up as we were talking to him. so when we stopped, we ran over to hr house and knocked on her door. it was an amazing blessing! I'm soooo grateful the Lord counted me as one worthy to find her. doing what we were supposed to do, the Lord helped us find the elect. I love Him.
Love
Elder Malone
p.s. pray for hurricane Josephine and Ike to be good ones!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Letters of words forgotten
That's a pretty epic title huh? yeah i love writing. Well here is something interesting. I finally retired a pair of shoes. Oh they were bad. I will have to mail out pictures to y'all sometime. they had holes and everything. Multiple holes in each shoe. So i thought it was time to get rid of them. so we did. and now I'm using my other pair which are fast disappearing as well. not too many dress shoes can hold up to a bike or even tracting. so as a wish list to start i would ask for new shoes. Dr Martens are a good idea. they are comfy and good soled. i think its a good investment for that instead of a bunch of $30 shoes every time. Dr Martens are cheap(er), and they last! there is a member who has been home almost 10 years and he still has his. they are not really worn too much from his mission. he offered them to me but they are too big. :( too bad huh? so yeah no rush but those would be nice.
Elder Holley is from Sandy, Ut where there is no sand. and he has 2 siblings. he plans on going into medicine and goes to byu. he is a really funny kid and he has a good testimony. its difficult training just because I'm not too good at laying down the law one might say. i figure he knows whats right and he is an adult so if he chooses to brush his teeth at 1030 then its his deal. he has plenty of time to brush before. so i don't hound him about it. it causes contention or at least it can. but i feel it is my duty to say a little something. so i do but not too much. its almost physically impossible for me to get out the words to tell him no.
Aaron, the guy i told y'all I'm here to find is amazing! we don't really teach him because he teaches us. he knows tons and tons about the bible and the history also. the ONLY thing keeping him caught up from joining is the sabbath day changing from sat to sun. so we are going to talk about the priesthood to him and see what he says then. because he claims that Christ didn't even have that authority to change it so why should man? its tough but he will join one day. but as we were leaving though, he said that he has been feeling for a few weeks now that he needs to "be in my life" for some reason. he cant explain it and why but he asked for my AZ information. so i gave it to him. but it was really awesome that he feels like that too. i was wondering what's going on with him. but the interesting thing is that he is planning on moving on Sept 13th. and transfers are a week afterward. so good timing huh? i met him my first transfer here and we are both leaving around the same time. proof enough for me!
i love this gospel with all my soul. I may not understand it all but the truth is constantly made manifest unto my by little things the Lord does. I had an incredible study the other day in which I learned that I need to trust the Lord more. All learned from D&C 19:23. talking of meekness. i need to trust him more and forget about other things. just like in 3 Nephi 13 :26-35 or something like that. "consider the lilies" let us all trust in the Lord is my prayer this evening. Love to all y'all.
Elder Malone
p.s. today is my 11th!
Elder Holley is from Sandy, Ut where there is no sand. and he has 2 siblings. he plans on going into medicine and goes to byu. he is a really funny kid and he has a good testimony. its difficult training just because I'm not too good at laying down the law one might say. i figure he knows whats right and he is an adult so if he chooses to brush his teeth at 1030 then its his deal. he has plenty of time to brush before. so i don't hound him about it. it causes contention or at least it can. but i feel it is my duty to say a little something. so i do but not too much. its almost physically impossible for me to get out the words to tell him no.
Aaron, the guy i told y'all I'm here to find is amazing! we don't really teach him because he teaches us. he knows tons and tons about the bible and the history also. the ONLY thing keeping him caught up from joining is the sabbath day changing from sat to sun. so we are going to talk about the priesthood to him and see what he says then. because he claims that Christ didn't even have that authority to change it so why should man? its tough but he will join one day. but as we were leaving though, he said that he has been feeling for a few weeks now that he needs to "be in my life" for some reason. he cant explain it and why but he asked for my AZ information. so i gave it to him. but it was really awesome that he feels like that too. i was wondering what's going on with him. but the interesting thing is that he is planning on moving on Sept 13th. and transfers are a week afterward. so good timing huh? i met him my first transfer here and we are both leaving around the same time. proof enough for me!
i love this gospel with all my soul. I may not understand it all but the truth is constantly made manifest unto my by little things the Lord does. I had an incredible study the other day in which I learned that I need to trust the Lord more. All learned from D&C 19:23. talking of meekness. i need to trust him more and forget about other things. just like in 3 Nephi 13 :26-35 or something like that. "consider the lilies" let us all trust in the Lord is my prayer this evening. Love to all y'all.
Elder Malone
p.s. today is my 11th!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Thank you for using your cell phones outside of the library
Its a sign i just looked up at and saw. I think it really speaks true to our day and age, dont you?
Well here is the BIG news about transfers. The one thing I was always really hesitant about is coming true. So we are in and planning last night and I was thinking about getting the calls. Because when you get called to leadership its from the assistants. When its training a greenie or special assignment its from the President. Sooo... i was wondering who got calls and what they were for and sure enough, our phone starts to ring. Oh! well who could it possibly be? Well son of a vondruke if it isnt the President on the other line! Wow president, wasnt expecting to hear from you today! what can I do you fer? Well elder malone, the Lord has chosen you(duh)...to train a new missionary in your area. Meaning Glen Allen. So needless to say i was terrified. The Spirit just poured over me when he said that though and I just really felt strongly like its what im supposed to do! kinda funny though because the one thing I never really had an inclination to do is now my deepest desire! I really really want to train this new Elder now. I dont know his name or anything about him. What happens is that tomorrow, we all meet at the building at 10am and get some training. Then...we go into this room and the president tells us who our new greenies are! The best part is that elder shock and elder hatch. two guys i came out with are training as well! Its mine and elder shocks first but elder hatchs second. Elder clegg, another i came out with has trained twice now too! So its pretty awesome. I really love it. I feel really calm and excited to meet him and get started! The best is that it will keep me on my toes and keep me going. Plus all the greenies coming out have been really awesome lately so good news there. but yeah..im a dad! woo-hoo!
On a sadder note, I heard about Russia invading Georgia (the country not the state). so it made me wonder, what happens to the missionaries in Russia? because i heard that they closed it down for missionaries. No more allowed in. so what happened to Andrew? does anyone know? could someone find out please? thanks a ton!
Well things have been going alright here in good ol Glen Allen. Lots of new people to teach. we are still working with Anne the hair lady. she is still working on it all but she is going back to physical therapy so she can get better. and she still promises to come to church. she is great lady. i love her to death...Also a cool family named the Watsons. Tom, Lisa and jesse. They are great as well. We had a super sweet lesson with them. The spirit was amazingly strong and all too! but not even 2 mins after we shared the First Vision, their son woke up and ruined the whole thing! But they really wanted to meet again and they even bore testimony about Joseph Smith. saying how its amazing that a boy that young saw God! i know right?! We havent been able to meet because of stupid adversity BUT tonights appointment will go through! fingers crossed and knocking on wood....we also are working with a family named the Johnsons to get their less-active family to church again. The johnsons are on fire with converts! Their son a year ago and Akua (his girlfriend) in may. So with this new family they have a boy who is 15 and unordained and a 9 yearold not baptized. So it falls to the missionaries hands and so myself and "elder greenie" will have a good challenge ahead of us! I am really looking forward to it though.
The Lord is really blessing us with people to teach not to mention keeping me here in Glen Allen is a super big blessing. Its like the best place in town. Seriously, this is a place i want to take y'all after my mission if y'all still want to come pick me up. I would love to have y'all come! and meet these fine people. well not much else to say really. Just sooper dooper excited to train now! Wish me luck and pictures will be coming soon!
Love Elder Malone
p.s. helaman 4:20-26 the Lords church needs to be built on obedience, other wise it WILL fall. that goes for all of us too!
Well here is the BIG news about transfers. The one thing I was always really hesitant about is coming true. So we are in and planning last night and I was thinking about getting the calls. Because when you get called to leadership its from the assistants. When its training a greenie or special assignment its from the President. Sooo... i was wondering who got calls and what they were for and sure enough, our phone starts to ring. Oh! well who could it possibly be? Well son of a vondruke if it isnt the President on the other line! Wow president, wasnt expecting to hear from you today! what can I do you fer? Well elder malone, the Lord has chosen you(duh)...to train a new missionary in your area. Meaning Glen Allen. So needless to say i was terrified. The Spirit just poured over me when he said that though and I just really felt strongly like its what im supposed to do! kinda funny though because the one thing I never really had an inclination to do is now my deepest desire! I really really want to train this new Elder now. I dont know his name or anything about him. What happens is that tomorrow, we all meet at the building at 10am and get some training. Then...we go into this room and the president tells us who our new greenies are! The best part is that elder shock and elder hatch. two guys i came out with are training as well! Its mine and elder shocks first but elder hatchs second. Elder clegg, another i came out with has trained twice now too! So its pretty awesome. I really love it. I feel really calm and excited to meet him and get started! The best is that it will keep me on my toes and keep me going. Plus all the greenies coming out have been really awesome lately so good news there. but yeah..im a dad! woo-hoo!
On a sadder note, I heard about Russia invading Georgia (the country not the state). so it made me wonder, what happens to the missionaries in Russia? because i heard that they closed it down for missionaries. No more allowed in. so what happened to Andrew? does anyone know? could someone find out please? thanks a ton!
Well things have been going alright here in good ol Glen Allen. Lots of new people to teach. we are still working with Anne the hair lady. she is still working on it all but she is going back to physical therapy so she can get better. and she still promises to come to church. she is great lady. i love her to death...Also a cool family named the Watsons. Tom, Lisa and jesse. They are great as well. We had a super sweet lesson with them. The spirit was amazingly strong and all too! but not even 2 mins after we shared the First Vision, their son woke up and ruined the whole thing! But they really wanted to meet again and they even bore testimony about Joseph Smith. saying how its amazing that a boy that young saw God! i know right?! We havent been able to meet because of stupid adversity BUT tonights appointment will go through! fingers crossed and knocking on wood....we also are working with a family named the Johnsons to get their less-active family to church again. The johnsons are on fire with converts! Their son a year ago and Akua (his girlfriend) in may. So with this new family they have a boy who is 15 and unordained and a 9 yearold not baptized. So it falls to the missionaries hands and so myself and "elder greenie" will have a good challenge ahead of us! I am really looking forward to it though.
The Lord is really blessing us with people to teach not to mention keeping me here in Glen Allen is a super big blessing. Its like the best place in town. Seriously, this is a place i want to take y'all after my mission if y'all still want to come pick me up. I would love to have y'all come! and meet these fine people. well not much else to say really. Just sooper dooper excited to train now! Wish me luck and pictures will be coming soon!
Love Elder Malone
p.s. helaman 4:20-26 the Lords church needs to be built on obedience, other wise it WILL fall. that goes for all of us too!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Flaming Pandas!
Hello all,
Well this week has been aamzing! Suprisingly, my birthday was on the lower end of the week. Not that it was bad at all. But there were so many other things that happened that were waaay better. for instance, please read more...
-Well there is a really awesome member in the ward who has a gf. She just got baptized a few months ago and her mom doesnt know about it. Her mom is very against the church. :( So she has to keep it on the hush hush. So you can imagine, being only baptized for a few months, not going to church, or being able to really read the scriptures like she wants. its a terrribly sad day. Well this member calls asking if we will give her a spiritual message over the phone. so we pray and call her. And she was doing well until we talked church. and she got sad saying she needs a boost. so using the scripture I found that day in D&C 78:17-19 and a letter I had just gotten from a friend that day, she felt the spirit soo strongly that she actually started to cry. she said it was exactly what she needed! How amazing is that! that what i had studied and recieved that day helped her in the way she needed. I know that it wasnt just happenstance. tis the work of the Lord. I know that is true. I see things like that all the time. Almost too much to count...like her for example.
-Also, this amazing guy we found back in april. His name is aaron and he reminds me soo much of Randy Hatch. he is the coolest guy ever. and I really really feel like i was sent here to teach him. We lost contact for a while and it made me really sad because I just KNEW that he is supposed to be taught. Well we didnt push it too much, but his name was bugging me all weekend and I didnt say anything though to Elder Meyers. Well after church, he asks if we should stop by aarons. So I said yeah! and we did. you would never believe the meeting we had. The spirit was super strong. he really wants to know! He has a lot of questions so we are really having to prepare for this guy, but I KNOW that it will bring him closer to Christ. whether throught the church or not. the feeling I have about him is just too overwhelming to go unnoticed. and elder meyers really likes him too. So we finally got a return appoinment with him and are going to teach him sunday. so keep your fingers crossed. (or your arms). but im soo excited to help him learn about Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon. what a blessing.
-Real quick too. I may have mentioned this one day, but we found a family who had been taught by missionaries in another mission. They moved in to where we tracted and we found them on the "fourth watch". they are awesome. well we couldnt get a hold of them for a while. and this new family just moved in 2 houses down! the investigator family had prayed for friends and that day, the new member family shows up at their door and talks to them. its amazing the friendship they have kindled. these members are so hardcore. they are working and meeting with all their neighbors to try to build friendships to later intorduce them to the church. what better members to move next to a previous investigator than these ones?! Blessed.
- Well one final note. I know that NO ONE will believe me, but I have in fact....STOPPED BITING MY FINGER NAILS! in all seriousness and honesty. I just up and quit one day. they are super long. and nice looking too. i tried to take a picture. so ill try to send it. and you can try to see it. but I am dead serious. I never thought it would come. but it has happened!
thanks for all yall do. i hope to hear from yall soon.
love, peace, chicken grease,
Elder Malone
Well this week has been aamzing! Suprisingly, my birthday was on the lower end of the week. Not that it was bad at all. But there were so many other things that happened that were waaay better. for instance, please read more...
-Well there is a really awesome member in the ward who has a gf. She just got baptized a few months ago and her mom doesnt know about it. Her mom is very against the church. :( So she has to keep it on the hush hush. So you can imagine, being only baptized for a few months, not going to church, or being able to really read the scriptures like she wants. its a terrribly sad day. Well this member calls asking if we will give her a spiritual message over the phone. so we pray and call her. And she was doing well until we talked church. and she got sad saying she needs a boost. so using the scripture I found that day in D&C 78:17-19 and a letter I had just gotten from a friend that day, she felt the spirit soo strongly that she actually started to cry. she said it was exactly what she needed! How amazing is that! that what i had studied and recieved that day helped her in the way she needed. I know that it wasnt just happenstance. tis the work of the Lord. I know that is true. I see things like that all the time. Almost too much to count...like her for example.
-Also, this amazing guy we found back in april. His name is aaron and he reminds me soo much of Randy Hatch. he is the coolest guy ever. and I really really feel like i was sent here to teach him. We lost contact for a while and it made me really sad because I just KNEW that he is supposed to be taught. Well we didnt push it too much, but his name was bugging me all weekend and I didnt say anything though to Elder Meyers. Well after church, he asks if we should stop by aarons. So I said yeah! and we did. you would never believe the meeting we had. The spirit was super strong. he really wants to know! He has a lot of questions so we are really having to prepare for this guy, but I KNOW that it will bring him closer to Christ. whether throught the church or not. the feeling I have about him is just too overwhelming to go unnoticed. and elder meyers really likes him too. So we finally got a return appoinment with him and are going to teach him sunday. so keep your fingers crossed. (or your arms). but im soo excited to help him learn about Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon. what a blessing.
-Real quick too. I may have mentioned this one day, but we found a family who had been taught by missionaries in another mission. They moved in to where we tracted and we found them on the "fourth watch". they are awesome. well we couldnt get a hold of them for a while. and this new family just moved in 2 houses down! the investigator family had prayed for friends and that day, the new member family shows up at their door and talks to them. its amazing the friendship they have kindled. these members are so hardcore. they are working and meeting with all their neighbors to try to build friendships to later intorduce them to the church. what better members to move next to a previous investigator than these ones?! Blessed.
- Well one final note. I know that NO ONE will believe me, but I have in fact....STOPPED BITING MY FINGER NAILS! in all seriousness and honesty. I just up and quit one day. they are super long. and nice looking too. i tried to take a picture. so ill try to send it. and you can try to see it. but I am dead serious. I never thought it would come. but it has happened!
thanks for all yall do. i hope to hear from yall soon.
love, peace, chicken grease,
Elder Malone
Monday, July 7, 2008
Lot's of news!
Well dear people some really cool things have happened this week:
-We set Anne, the old lady with the hair problem for baptism. Aug 2 I think. Its more of a tentative date to get her thinking about it. She has to come to church 4 times before she can be dunked. But she has 4 weeks now to come to church. we did tell her we have sisters to do her hair and she said maybe."its too early for them to come over." early meaning 830ish. but they would do it. so she just needs to make that step for herself. but all we need is one week and she will be coming forever.
-We set another girl named Tiffany for baptism too! July19. she is awesome. she is only 12 too. and she has a strong testimony. just the cutest little girl ever and really nice. she gives us flowers when we go over there. and she asked me to do her confirmation too! that was an unexpected honor. Im really excited for her to baptized.
-Transfers came in. I am still in Glen Allen with Elder Meyers as a DL. good news. I love this place. and there is about 3 people who could be baptized this next transfers not including the two mentioned above. lots of work and lots of time but lots of blessings. But thats not what im doing it for though. not trying to sound all noble or anything. But i do it because i want to. beacuse it brings people joy and I love seeing their eyes light up for us. or hearing an investigator pray for the first time. as hard as it may be. its from the heart and very spiritual. its amazing!
-Well another miracle is this less active lady named Carrie Owens. she hasnt been to church in 14 years! and after some work with her, she came to the first two meetings last sunday! it was awesome. she fit in really nicely. and in class, she mentioned us as her push and thanked us. she said that elder malone is very persuasive. :) i hope its good. am I really though?
-Not to mention we met a guy who is into Scientology. if you ever get to meet one of those people please do. they are awesome! really really crazy to believe such things but nice people. I dont want to put down thier beliefs but its interesting talking to them. ill leave it at that.
-Well I wanted to thank everyone for their wonderful letters. It's been great hearing from yall. sorry if its taken a while to write back. no worry though. keep em coming. I love hearing from y'all. and i am going to do better at writing my week for y'all too. I think it would really help to talk about that to keep focused. too much outside distractions come in through emails. and plus it can be kinda homesick sometimes. so please try to include uplifting things and spiritual experiences. its so important to keep focused. and President said that it would help to write more in my emails and to recieve things that are uplifting. as much as i love hearing about things. my main focus is out here. so please in the nicest of ways, keep the daily events to a minimum. thanks so much!
love to all yall,
Elder Malone
p.s. friday is watermelon day. so eat up. i know i am.
-We set Anne, the old lady with the hair problem for baptism. Aug 2 I think. Its more of a tentative date to get her thinking about it. She has to come to church 4 times before she can be dunked. But she has 4 weeks now to come to church. we did tell her we have sisters to do her hair and she said maybe."its too early for them to come over." early meaning 830ish. but they would do it. so she just needs to make that step for herself. but all we need is one week and she will be coming forever.
-We set another girl named Tiffany for baptism too! July19. she is awesome. she is only 12 too. and she has a strong testimony. just the cutest little girl ever and really nice. she gives us flowers when we go over there. and she asked me to do her confirmation too! that was an unexpected honor. Im really excited for her to baptized.
-Transfers came in. I am still in Glen Allen with Elder Meyers as a DL. good news. I love this place. and there is about 3 people who could be baptized this next transfers not including the two mentioned above. lots of work and lots of time but lots of blessings. But thats not what im doing it for though. not trying to sound all noble or anything. But i do it because i want to. beacuse it brings people joy and I love seeing their eyes light up for us. or hearing an investigator pray for the first time. as hard as it may be. its from the heart and very spiritual. its amazing!
-Well another miracle is this less active lady named Carrie Owens. she hasnt been to church in 14 years! and after some work with her, she came to the first two meetings last sunday! it was awesome. she fit in really nicely. and in class, she mentioned us as her push and thanked us. she said that elder malone is very persuasive. :) i hope its good. am I really though?
-Not to mention we met a guy who is into Scientology. if you ever get to meet one of those people please do. they are awesome! really really crazy to believe such things but nice people. I dont want to put down thier beliefs but its interesting talking to them. ill leave it at that.
-Well I wanted to thank everyone for their wonderful letters. It's been great hearing from yall. sorry if its taken a while to write back. no worry though. keep em coming. I love hearing from y'all. and i am going to do better at writing my week for y'all too. I think it would really help to talk about that to keep focused. too much outside distractions come in through emails. and plus it can be kinda homesick sometimes. so please try to include uplifting things and spiritual experiences. its so important to keep focused. and President said that it would help to write more in my emails and to recieve things that are uplifting. as much as i love hearing about things. my main focus is out here. so please in the nicest of ways, keep the daily events to a minimum. thanks so much!
love to all yall,
Elder Malone
p.s. friday is watermelon day. so eat up. i know i am.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Birthday list anyone???
Well all is well today and so far. Last week though we had like 8 appointments dropped. They just didn't show up! So its been getting a little frustrating trying to get a hold of people. The work is really slowing down. But its awesome though because its all the work of the adversary trying to slow it down. So we just work harder at calling people and trying to contact them. and it doesn't always work but when you pray at night and account the day to the Lord I feel His smile on my day. And some thoughts for how to do better for tomorrow. So its nice to receive that daily.
I know that all of you are really worried and anxiously awaiting my birthday list. so here it is.
-Food(dry stuff is good.)
-Cologne( my top choice is 360 degrees by Perry Ellis...the blue color)
-pictures from home
-money to fix my bike and buy things needed
sorry its a pretty lame list. but I'm not a man of material things. if I need it I'll buy it. and that's where number 4 comes in. but its always good to smell good. sorry...i really don't know what else to put on there. use y'alls imagination. I'm open to anything. i got a Hannah Montana cake for my first district meeting. it was awesome. i love her.
Speaking of district meeting we just had one on Friday and it was awesome! I really planned it out to try and maximize the spirit and it worked! I was afraid it wouldn't turn out as well as I wanted it to but it really did. We talked about properly preparing our investigators for baptism and how to do so. then we practiced setting them for baptism. and that really helped invite the Spirit. We had some time set apart for pondering and really trying to see how we could reach out to our investigators needs, and it turned out to go really well. So we had a lesson with Anne, this one lady, and we set her for baptism on august 2! she is really nice. we tracted into her a few weeks back. she is kinda cranky but really nice. she is very interested and knows the church is true. she doesn't doubt it. she just needs(and wants) to read the BOM. once she does and comes to church she will be baptized! the hard part is that she had shoulder replacement surgery so she cant lift her arm and she cant do her hair. we have tried so many different ways to help her come and it wont work. she wont come until she ca do her hair to look "presentable" for the Lord. which is good and all...but its been 3 years for her like this. so we talked about her putting the faith first and then the miracle will follow. (Ether12) so we are just going to leave it up to her now. Transfers are coming up next Thursday. we don't find out who is leaving until next week. But I don't think either myself nor Elder Meyers will be leaving. We work really well together. and we haven't had any fights or quarrels. so its really nice. and the bike is really good now too. its easy to bike and fun sometimes. I'm not afraid of the weather. it's my legs I'm afraid will give out. but the Lord is on my side. I ran over a nail and it punctured through the tube on both sides so its in the shop now getting serviced. so please put money into my account asap. i don't know how much but alot should suffice.
Nothing really new lately. Happy birthday to everyone who has one coming up in June. its weird to think that my "blackout year" or my full year as a missionary is half gone. its gone by too fast. next year it wont be all spent in VA. that is not a good feeling or thought. i really love it out here. there is nothing that is too bad, that prohibits us from sharing the Gospel. why should we let anything get in the way? the Saviour didn't. so I wont.
Love Elder Malone
p.s. Alma 5
I know that all of you are really worried and anxiously awaiting my birthday list. so here it is.
-Food(dry stuff is good.)
-Cologne( my top choice is 360 degrees by Perry Ellis...the blue color)
-pictures from home
-money to fix my bike and buy things needed
sorry its a pretty lame list. but I'm not a man of material things. if I need it I'll buy it. and that's where number 4 comes in. but its always good to smell good. sorry...i really don't know what else to put on there. use y'alls imagination. I'm open to anything. i got a Hannah Montana cake for my first district meeting. it was awesome. i love her.
Speaking of district meeting we just had one on Friday and it was awesome! I really planned it out to try and maximize the spirit and it worked! I was afraid it wouldn't turn out as well as I wanted it to but it really did. We talked about properly preparing our investigators for baptism and how to do so. then we practiced setting them for baptism. and that really helped invite the Spirit. We had some time set apart for pondering and really trying to see how we could reach out to our investigators needs, and it turned out to go really well. So we had a lesson with Anne, this one lady, and we set her for baptism on august 2! she is really nice. we tracted into her a few weeks back. she is kinda cranky but really nice. she is very interested and knows the church is true. she doesn't doubt it. she just needs(and wants) to read the BOM. once she does and comes to church she will be baptized! the hard part is that she had shoulder replacement surgery so she cant lift her arm and she cant do her hair. we have tried so many different ways to help her come and it wont work. she wont come until she ca do her hair to look "presentable" for the Lord. which is good and all...but its been 3 years for her like this. so we talked about her putting the faith first and then the miracle will follow. (Ether12) so we are just going to leave it up to her now. Transfers are coming up next Thursday. we don't find out who is leaving until next week. But I don't think either myself nor Elder Meyers will be leaving. We work really well together. and we haven't had any fights or quarrels. so its really nice. and the bike is really good now too. its easy to bike and fun sometimes. I'm not afraid of the weather. it's my legs I'm afraid will give out. but the Lord is on my side. I ran over a nail and it punctured through the tube on both sides so its in the shop now getting serviced. so please put money into my account asap. i don't know how much but alot should suffice.
Nothing really new lately. Happy birthday to everyone who has one coming up in June. its weird to think that my "blackout year" or my full year as a missionary is half gone. its gone by too fast. next year it wont be all spent in VA. that is not a good feeling or thought. i really love it out here. there is nothing that is too bad, that prohibits us from sharing the Gospel. why should we let anything get in the way? the Saviour didn't. so I wont.
Love Elder Malone
p.s. Alma 5
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
He's teaching a guy named TED?????!!!
Hey y'all!
Really quick... sorry for the short email. times are good. the humidity is coming and so is the heat. We have a baptism on the 7th with a lady named Akua Johnson. she is soo awesome and soo prepared. she has been wanting to investigate for a while now and she was almost done with the lessons when I came in. so we just set her and she actually said no. so when we came back the next week she said she had her baptism date picked out! so it was really awesome. we didn't fail at setting her. We just put it on her mind and possibly in her prayers. so that was a great blessing there.
Also...we are teaching a guy named Ted and he invited us over for pizza tonight. I kid you not when I say that he is a Ted. he is a really nice guy. this will be our first actual lesson/meeting with him so I really hope it goes well. The only problem we are running into is people to come to church. We really need them to come so we can get people to fellowship them with and get them feeling the spirit. I fasted for it yesterday and we had some show up. which is really awesome. but we still need more! and I'm not being greedy or anything but we cannot baptize them until they come to church! But its amazing to see the hand of the Lord in my day. He is always there in yours too. You just got to look to find it. That is my challenge his week. Find His hand and then love it.
Love Elder Malone
Really quick... sorry for the short email. times are good. the humidity is coming and so is the heat. We have a baptism on the 7th with a lady named Akua Johnson. she is soo awesome and soo prepared. she has been wanting to investigate for a while now and she was almost done with the lessons when I came in. so we just set her and she actually said no. so when we came back the next week she said she had her baptism date picked out! so it was really awesome. we didn't fail at setting her. We just put it on her mind and possibly in her prayers. so that was a great blessing there.
Also...we are teaching a guy named Ted and he invited us over for pizza tonight. I kid you not when I say that he is a Ted. he is a really nice guy. this will be our first actual lesson/meeting with him so I really hope it goes well. The only problem we are running into is people to come to church. We really need them to come so we can get people to fellowship them with and get them feeling the spirit. I fasted for it yesterday and we had some show up. which is really awesome. but we still need more! and I'm not being greedy or anything but we cannot baptize them until they come to church! But its amazing to see the hand of the Lord in my day. He is always there in yours too. You just got to look to find it. That is my challenge his week. Find His hand and then love it.
Love Elder Malone
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
So you get to be a District Leader!...
Ok let me try this thing out. Well things are going really well in Glen Allen.
1. Elder Davis is pretty alright. He is very by-the-book Elder and it kinda bugs me sometimes but no worries. he is VERY obedient. which sometimes its needful to follow the Spirit of the law and not the letter. and so he has some hesitants but he does alright. there are more blessings from obedience. too many to count. im trying to help him relax a little. he beats himself up too much about little things. like the other day he was feeling bad so he thought it was from disobedience. I said he was fine. he is very obedient. he said, "well i could definitely improve. like I could wipe up the counters after i use them. that might help. " i laughed and told him he is fine. but he didnt really agree so we shall see.
2. being a District Leader is way fun! i got to do exchanges with Scotchtown Elders the other day. and one is Elder Roberts so just like old times and the other is Elder Blight. he goes home in like 3 weeks so i learn from him mostly. but it was a lot of fun! and i get to stay up about 10 mins late on sundays to do numbers. because my fax is lame so it takes a while. but other than that no worries. I did hold my FIRST district meeting and it went really well i hear. it was combined with another district to make it bigger. and then my district (only scotchtown) suprised me with a Hannah Montana cake in celebration/embarassment. it was awesome! and she is way cute too.
3.We have a baptism on saturday the 3rd of May. its a Cambodian family. they are so dedicated to the gospel. if we tell them about something then they do it! their names are Shawn(dad) and Michelle(daughter) Mao. like he threw away all his coffee and tea as soon as we told them to. so they are so excited for it! i get to confirm Michelle on Sunday and Elder Davis is dunking both of them. im scared. ive never done that before. but it will be so awesome. the Spirit is the strongest in those circles. blessings are powerful but not as much as a confirmation circle (sorry girls). and scotchtown gets to have a lady be baptized on the 18th of may. our zone will have 13 baptisms in may! how sweet is that? president millburn asked for 10 a zone every month! and we are! but the coolest thing is that I will get to interview their candidate for baptism. how scary huh?! but way awesome too!
4. the tornados were not in Richmond. but they were down south and around us. there is nothing to clean up or help with around here so no service there :( but i am looking forward to a hurricane soon.)
5. DONT BE AFRAID OF EMAILING ME! I love getting emails but try to not have them be novels. dont leave things out because you are afraid its too long. I only have specified to certain people that their emails are too long. and its not a picky thing. all the emails i get takes up more than a hour. so i am constantly behind. but please continue to send them! i love hearing from all ya'll! just no novels! thanks.
6. we went to a place called Maymont Park today. it was so cool! it had a zoo type of thing and a japanese garden. that was the coolest part. then we played football and i rolled down the hill. it was a blast! i love Richmond soo much!
Love Elder Malone
1. Elder Davis is pretty alright. He is very by-the-book Elder and it kinda bugs me sometimes but no worries. he is VERY obedient. which sometimes its needful to follow the Spirit of the law and not the letter. and so he has some hesitants but he does alright. there are more blessings from obedience. too many to count. im trying to help him relax a little. he beats himself up too much about little things. like the other day he was feeling bad so he thought it was from disobedience. I said he was fine. he is very obedient. he said, "well i could definitely improve. like I could wipe up the counters after i use them. that might help. " i laughed and told him he is fine. but he didnt really agree so we shall see.
2. being a District Leader is way fun! i got to do exchanges with Scotchtown Elders the other day. and one is Elder Roberts so just like old times and the other is Elder Blight. he goes home in like 3 weeks so i learn from him mostly. but it was a lot of fun! and i get to stay up about 10 mins late on sundays to do numbers. because my fax is lame so it takes a while. but other than that no worries. I did hold my FIRST district meeting and it went really well i hear. it was combined with another district to make it bigger. and then my district (only scotchtown) suprised me with a Hannah Montana cake in celebration/embarassment. it was awesome! and she is way cute too.
3.We have a baptism on saturday the 3rd of May. its a Cambodian family. they are so dedicated to the gospel. if we tell them about something then they do it! their names are Shawn(dad) and Michelle(daughter) Mao. like he threw away all his coffee and tea as soon as we told them to. so they are so excited for it! i get to confirm Michelle on Sunday and Elder Davis is dunking both of them. im scared. ive never done that before. but it will be so awesome. the Spirit is the strongest in those circles. blessings are powerful but not as much as a confirmation circle (sorry girls). and scotchtown gets to have a lady be baptized on the 18th of may. our zone will have 13 baptisms in may! how sweet is that? president millburn asked for 10 a zone every month! and we are! but the coolest thing is that I will get to interview their candidate for baptism. how scary huh?! but way awesome too!
4. the tornados were not in Richmond. but they were down south and around us. there is nothing to clean up or help with around here so no service there :( but i am looking forward to a hurricane soon.)
5. DONT BE AFRAID OF EMAILING ME! I love getting emails but try to not have them be novels. dont leave things out because you are afraid its too long. I only have specified to certain people that their emails are too long. and its not a picky thing. all the emails i get takes up more than a hour. so i am constantly behind. but please continue to send them! i love hearing from all ya'll! just no novels! thanks.
6. we went to a place called Maymont Park today. it was so cool! it had a zoo type of thing and a japanese garden. that was the coolest part. then we played football and i rolled down the hill. it was a blast! i love Richmond soo much!
Love Elder Malone
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The Move to Richmond.....
Well Elder Davis is pretty alright. We get a long great. He is very obedient so a big change for me. It keeps me going so I like it some. I finally found out his schtich you could say...something that makes me itch that just settles a little off with me. He is very tight about his money and eats very healthy-like. so not a huge thing. but its different. We get along well for the most part. Being more obedient has really helped me see more missionary miracles. little prayers answered throughout the day that make it much better. tracting is going well actually. its really tough because everyone has been tracted into so we just introduce it differently. its a challenge to say the same message different ways every time. but you'd be surprised how i can relate anything back to the restoration. all in all though its going well. Glen Allen is a really nice ward. lots of good member work going on so we have people and dinners too! that's a huge step up. biking is getting hard but sometimes its easy too. in Richmond, if you're not going down you're going up. so just think of that all day. sometimes we take downhills but then you got to come back up. tough times but its just all about working the natural man out of you. and the harder I work, the more I show the Lord that I want to work for Him and bring His children home. so that's my mindset while I bike. it works i suppose. Not too much to tell. We did give a lady in the hospital a blessing. She had some bacteria so we wore these gowns and gloves while we did it. something different. well sorry its short and late. but times precious. love to all.
Love, Elder Malone
Love, Elder Malone
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
BIG NEWS!!!
Alright people are you ready for a huge shock?!?! I sure as heck fire was when I found out...Well here it is. I got a call from Elder Coles last night right as we were opening our mouths to say our prayer. He is an AP so that meant something on transfer night especially. Well it turns out he wanted to talk to me! And he said, "Elder Malone, after some careful and prayerful consideration, we would like to extend to you to be the District Leader in the Glen Allen district. Its in the Richmond Zone(or stake). As we were doing transfers, we realized that we needed one more District Leader. And President Millburn and we all agree that you are more than capable to fill this role. So do you want it?" HAHA well needless to say, I was more than stunned. Why me? I didn't think that was what President was talking about when he said "big change" and " prepare yourself well." Who knew?! so there it is! I'm going up to Richmond VA to be a district Leader over 2 other companionships. My new companion will be Elder Davis who is one transfer younger than I. And from what i know a really awesome guy! So talk about a responsibility! But I prayed to the Lord to help me and comfort me when I find out where I am going so I know that it is where HE wants me to go. And I got the sweetest most peaceful feeling ever thought about. It gave me such comfort. And I later thanked Heavenly Father repeatedly for the support and comfort He gave me. I know I will rely on Him a lot this transfer but I look forward to it. I pray that I might be humble in serving them and helping my district in the way that they need it the most. I see this as a great opportunity to prove myself to the Lord and Mission President that I can do it! Now there is a catch, I'm getting shotgunned in there which means that neither I nor Elder Davis are there currently so we are starting from scratch when it comes to knowing people and the whereabouts of things. So it should be a great adventure. Oh..and I'm on bike. :) but i will love every minute of the heat and sweat that will be coming. Coats off now till next conference! so that is much better on bike. I love the Lord soo much. not just now but I always have. He is my best friend out here. And will be at home too! he gives me soo much strength when all I do is turn to Him and just tell Him what is wrong. He always provides a way. Like Sister Tanner said on Sunday, "The Lord is a 4th watch Lord.' He comes at the last minute to help us. Last minute for us but just in time for Him. He will never abandon us." I KNOW that with all my heart. Ahoskie has taught me a lot and I will look back knowing that its been really growing. And Ahoskie is getting closed for a while. no more missionaries which is why I'm cleaning all day today and tomorrow and packing. so i don't know my new address yet but I will soon.
Love to all. and thanks for the prayers,
Love Elder Malone
Love to all. and thanks for the prayers,
Love Elder Malone
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Letter home on 3/25/08
All right lets see how this thing works. My typing is off today so it will probably be a little un- coordinated. Elder Q says that when I talk to people on the phone I drop a drawl. which I think is awesome and he just laughs about it. He says I use southern words alot which he thought was just out of joking but I'm serious when I use them. So he says, "oh...hes not being funny. huh:)" like if i ask "what ya'll want for supper?" he thinks I'm being funny. but I'm seriously asking what they want for supper! whats wrong with that? nothing i like it. :)
We are all getting along better. just dumb little things piling up. I have been speaking my mind more than i want to but its helped on some ways. it helps me get some stuff out and really get the whole picture. not just what i think but it helps clear my mind of wrong ideas. so its bitter sweet. Honestly through it all, I have not lost the faith. I have lost the faith in missionaries and repented, but I have not lost the faith that the Lord is helping me every step. And that soo many people pray for me everyday. We are the most prayed for people in the world! So that helps the confidence some. I feel bad for sending any bad vibes home. I apologize. I realize that I shouldn't be quick to judge. I normally don't judge. but when you are around someone soo much and we have a strict code of conduct. you tend to see every step they take outside of it and focus on the bad. so i am really changing how I view myself and others. It amazing how the Lord answered me in His own time and no soo much my time. He tested me to see how much"long-suffering" i could endure. and I guess it was a long time. because it has been a super long time to me. But to Him like a second. Because He sent His spirit "to comfort me when faint." and "I feel my Savior's love" especially as I do what I love doing most. serving others. its crazy how it works out. i love to serve. especially knowing I won't get anything on the other end makes me happy. because then I know its the right reasons and I hate doing things for the wrong reasons. So i serve others and it helps me feel better as well as become a better person. I realize my own weaknesses and work those out as I work with others.
My new favorite scripture chapter is Ether 12. And i extend to all of you a challenge to read and pray about it. especially verse 27. its great to talk about. and it cross references perfect with Alma 32. So please read and pray and ponder about those scriptures. because they will humble you and make you realize how much you need the Lord's trials. I got a million but it only feels like 1 small one. because of this amazing blessing from the Lord. Matthew 11:28-30. and then i think about in times of trial, this is the Lord in my response to help, "And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand and said, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" (Matthew 14:31) just remember that He immediately stretches forth His hand and tells us to be of good cheer and have faith. I challenge you all to look to the Lord in times of need. I know He will help us if we ask Him.
Love Elder Malone
We are all getting along better. just dumb little things piling up. I have been speaking my mind more than i want to but its helped on some ways. it helps me get some stuff out and really get the whole picture. not just what i think but it helps clear my mind of wrong ideas. so its bitter sweet. Honestly through it all, I have not lost the faith. I have lost the faith in missionaries and repented, but I have not lost the faith that the Lord is helping me every step. And that soo many people pray for me everyday. We are the most prayed for people in the world! So that helps the confidence some. I feel bad for sending any bad vibes home. I apologize. I realize that I shouldn't be quick to judge. I normally don't judge. but when you are around someone soo much and we have a strict code of conduct. you tend to see every step they take outside of it and focus on the bad. so i am really changing how I view myself and others. It amazing how the Lord answered me in His own time and no soo much my time. He tested me to see how much"long-suffering" i could endure. and I guess it was a long time. because it has been a super long time to me. But to Him like a second. Because He sent His spirit "to comfort me when faint." and "I feel my Savior's love" especially as I do what I love doing most. serving others. its crazy how it works out. i love to serve. especially knowing I won't get anything on the other end makes me happy. because then I know its the right reasons and I hate doing things for the wrong reasons. So i serve others and it helps me feel better as well as become a better person. I realize my own weaknesses and work those out as I work with others.
My new favorite scripture chapter is Ether 12. And i extend to all of you a challenge to read and pray about it. especially verse 27. its great to talk about. and it cross references perfect with Alma 32. So please read and pray and ponder about those scriptures. because they will humble you and make you realize how much you need the Lord's trials. I got a million but it only feels like 1 small one. because of this amazing blessing from the Lord. Matthew 11:28-30. and then i think about in times of trial, this is the Lord in my response to help, "And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand and said, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" (Matthew 14:31) just remember that He immediately stretches forth His hand and tells us to be of good cheer and have faith. I challenge you all to look to the Lord in times of need. I know He will help us if we ask Him.
Love Elder Malone
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Letter from Greg 2/26/08
Well I don't know how this will go. I haven't been able to clearly put all my thoughts down on paper like I really want to. I have been doing some real up and down times in life. Just extreme lows and highs. But i can really feel love for the people now.
Good news! A lady here named Felita, got baptized in Jan. She is moving to Scottsdale in June to go to culinary school there! So she will be there when I'm home! how sweet is that? I'm looking forward to her living there. she is sooo awesome.
Well I'm sorry to say but I had a crazy black lady propose to me the other day. She is really interesting. She is a member of the holiness church. Pentecostal. yeah they are crazy and everywhere! and she likes to talk to us. but has this weird attraction to me for some reason. so we talk with her through her screen. and i don't talk much to her but she will occasionally stop the conversation to talk to me, and she randomly asked me if i would marry her. I said no of course and my only nice excuse i could say was "I'm on a mission." i didn't want to say because you're old or Pentecostal but she didn't think it was a good excuse. but luckily she left it alone. yeah she is weird.
I have always prayed before my study in the morning to use what I learn throughout the day. and it finally happened! we were teaching Felita and everything I had learned in the morning about loving others and using the BOM helped her exactly as she needed! it was so amazing to see that even the random scriptures I cross-referenced had helped her out too! it truly was a tender mercy from the Lord and I thanked Him ten times over for that. it was awesome to see the fruits of my labor for that day. I met brother Zundel's family out here. This guy in my ward passed away the week after President Hinckley. And his daughter married Brother Zundel's cousin. whose last name is the same. so when he introduced himself i found it couldn't be just a coincidence. so i asked if he had family in AZ and he said he did in mesa! so it was his cousin! it was really cool. he took pictures that he should have sent to brother zundel. they are from Maryland i believe.
Sorry my typing is poor. my hands are shaking pretty badly. Last night was transfer calls. so we can stay up later! and elder quebbeman and i decided to duct tape 2- 2 liter bottles of soda to our hands and drink it! we both only got one down in an hour and gave up. but it was awesome.
It will be Elder Quebbeman, elder Roberts and myself in Ahoskie now, so its good. I heard elder roberts is a strong obedient missionary...exactly the one I was praying for which is good to know. I do not hold myself higher than any other missionary, but i am here to grow.
I would suggest to everyone to please go and buy the new spring Oreos!they are to die for and also if you submerge them in milk.... its like celestial kingdom worthy. i tell you what. oh man. but i thank everyone for their kindness and support no matter what. sorry about my lacking to write. it tough out here. not so much physical but mentally.
Love Elder Malone
p.s. don't keep hidden wedges. read president monson talk in July 2007! good stuff!
Good news! A lady here named Felita, got baptized in Jan. She is moving to Scottsdale in June to go to culinary school there! So she will be there when I'm home! how sweet is that? I'm looking forward to her living there. she is sooo awesome.
Well I'm sorry to say but I had a crazy black lady propose to me the other day. She is really interesting. She is a member of the holiness church. Pentecostal. yeah they are crazy and everywhere! and she likes to talk to us. but has this weird attraction to me for some reason. so we talk with her through her screen. and i don't talk much to her but she will occasionally stop the conversation to talk to me, and she randomly asked me if i would marry her. I said no of course and my only nice excuse i could say was "I'm on a mission." i didn't want to say because you're old or Pentecostal but she didn't think it was a good excuse. but luckily she left it alone. yeah she is weird.
I have always prayed before my study in the morning to use what I learn throughout the day. and it finally happened! we were teaching Felita and everything I had learned in the morning about loving others and using the BOM helped her exactly as she needed! it was so amazing to see that even the random scriptures I cross-referenced had helped her out too! it truly was a tender mercy from the Lord and I thanked Him ten times over for that. it was awesome to see the fruits of my labor for that day. I met brother Zundel's family out here. This guy in my ward passed away the week after President Hinckley. And his daughter married Brother Zundel's cousin. whose last name is the same. so when he introduced himself i found it couldn't be just a coincidence. so i asked if he had family in AZ and he said he did in mesa! so it was his cousin! it was really cool. he took pictures that he should have sent to brother zundel. they are from Maryland i believe.
Sorry my typing is poor. my hands are shaking pretty badly. Last night was transfer calls. so we can stay up later! and elder quebbeman and i decided to duct tape 2- 2 liter bottles of soda to our hands and drink it! we both only got one down in an hour and gave up. but it was awesome.
It will be Elder Quebbeman, elder Roberts and myself in Ahoskie now, so its good. I heard elder roberts is a strong obedient missionary...exactly the one I was praying for which is good to know. I do not hold myself higher than any other missionary, but i am here to grow.
I would suggest to everyone to please go and buy the new spring Oreos!they are to die for and also if you submerge them in milk.... its like celestial kingdom worthy. i tell you what. oh man. but i thank everyone for their kindness and support no matter what. sorry about my lacking to write. it tough out here. not so much physical but mentally.
Love Elder Malone
p.s. don't keep hidden wedges. read president monson talk in July 2007! good stuff!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Letter home on 2/12/08
Ok so to start off, I had the coolest thing ever happen to me the other day! Ok, so we are told that we have to contact every single referral given by Salt Lake last year this year. So we have been doing a lot of that and we went over to this one lady's house. It was in a pretty bad trailer park and there were some cars outside. AND some dogs...oh yeah. So we walked up and the littler of the dogs was going crazy barking! But it seemed harmless so we walked on. Till we approached the beast... it was a massive dog and we second thought it but as servants of the Lord, we pressed on. We finally reached the steps and the little dog is off the wall barking. It's right by the steps so we walk up and it jumps at elder quebbeman, so we use the bible to repel it away. We all get up the steps and.... well, they are not home. so i take the shot at walking down the steps to see if the little dog will cause trouble because he was hiding. sure enough as i hit the ground he came at me. i thought i was out of his reach but no....he took a nice size bite at my left leg! so now with pain in my leg i look around and he is cowering away. so i tell him i will kill him if he comes back again. so the other two are safely able to get off the porch and im limping away with a battle wound that rivals most veterans. :L) not really. it tore my pants good and got some nice teeth marks in me. A little bit of blood but we stopped rabies by putting hand sanitizer on it. :) it worked. So, pictures are coming. we were going to email them but we forgot the camera. so...yeah thats the week for you.
Pretty much not too much left. Transfers are soon and I am excited for that. But I wanted to say how tough it is living with someone, well one of them. But with the Lords help I am able to look at them with a new light. Sure its tough and every 10 mins I'm praying for strength but last night He turned me around to view a road I had not seen. A new path... and what i thought was a dead end arose up and helped me. So i dont know where it goes but I know its better than where i was.
May we all look towards Him in our times of triumph, sorrow, need and thanks is my prayer. Love Elder Malone
Pretty much not too much left. Transfers are soon and I am excited for that. But I wanted to say how tough it is living with someone, well one of them. But with the Lords help I am able to look at them with a new light. Sure its tough and every 10 mins I'm praying for strength but last night He turned me around to view a road I had not seen. A new path... and what i thought was a dead end arose up and helped me. So i dont know where it goes but I know its better than where i was.
May we all look towards Him in our times of triumph, sorrow, need and thanks is my prayer. Love Elder Malone
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Letter on 2/5/08
Things are good here. We have a GPS provided by elder quebbeman so we dont get lost. We are teaching a lot of people. one is set for baptism and a few others are almost there. ruth is set for the 23rd of feb. and has come twice to church. she needs 4 times so we are praying she still comes. she has a ways to go but is trying hard.
The funeral for President Hinckley was really awesome! I almost cried. he was an amazing man and a great example of work. He has given us all a charge to double baptisms in the north american missions so I think that it would be a great way to honor him by doubling the baptisms. so please do all you can to get referrals for the missionaries. I know that the Lord puts thoughts into your minds of people to refer. and even if you dont think they are right, the Lord does. So follow those thoughts. And tell everyone else that as well!
Well we had some crazy mice all over the apartment lately. But after we put out sticky traps and other traps they have disapperared. We caught 3 so far. I will not tell you what I did with them all but as you can see from some pictures, we did use fire. they deserved it.... pooping on our counters and eating our food! stupid meese. and President Capser the branch president is ok with us killing them! everyone is and everyone else does it so no worries there.
I thank everyone for their packages and support. I didnt get carols but I did get the valentinos. and a letter they had sent the MTC back in november finally came through the other day.
I am really relying on the Spirit lately for strength among the most of things. But mostly for inspiration. Its easy to get used to the spirit and its easy to lose it too. I have really seen how much hard work can turn into a small amount of return. Unfortunately thats how it is sometimes. But I know that no effort is wasted when it comes to the Lord's work. So I continue to press on and keep going. I work hard at teaching and harder on my companionships. Both are essential and both can become extremely difficult.
Just last night I had a gentleman ask about circumsion. And he proceeded to say how his preacher said he is unclean for not being circumsized. Now mind you, I really wanted to know that so we told him that its not required anymore. And then he continues to talk about it and he is also sitting there without a shirt on too so that added to the effect before my eyes! it was awesome! well not really but it was hard to not laugh. especially when we held hands to pray. I am glad I grew up normal. Thats all for now I believe. thanks for the support you give!
Love Elder Malone
The funeral for President Hinckley was really awesome! I almost cried. he was an amazing man and a great example of work. He has given us all a charge to double baptisms in the north american missions so I think that it would be a great way to honor him by doubling the baptisms. so please do all you can to get referrals for the missionaries. I know that the Lord puts thoughts into your minds of people to refer. and even if you dont think they are right, the Lord does. So follow those thoughts. And tell everyone else that as well!
Well we had some crazy mice all over the apartment lately. But after we put out sticky traps and other traps they have disapperared. We caught 3 so far. I will not tell you what I did with them all but as you can see from some pictures, we did use fire. they deserved it.... pooping on our counters and eating our food! stupid meese. and President Capser the branch president is ok with us killing them! everyone is and everyone else does it so no worries there.
I thank everyone for their packages and support. I didnt get carols but I did get the valentinos. and a letter they had sent the MTC back in november finally came through the other day.
I am really relying on the Spirit lately for strength among the most of things. But mostly for inspiration. Its easy to get used to the spirit and its easy to lose it too. I have really seen how much hard work can turn into a small amount of return. Unfortunately thats how it is sometimes. But I know that no effort is wasted when it comes to the Lord's work. So I continue to press on and keep going. I work hard at teaching and harder on my companionships. Both are essential and both can become extremely difficult.
Just last night I had a gentleman ask about circumsion. And he proceeded to say how his preacher said he is unclean for not being circumsized. Now mind you, I really wanted to know that so we told him that its not required anymore. And then he continues to talk about it and he is also sitting there without a shirt on too so that added to the effect before my eyes! it was awesome! well not really but it was hard to not laugh. especially when we held hands to pray. I am glad I grew up normal. Thats all for now I believe. thanks for the support you give!
Love Elder Malone
The Famous Scarf he rarely takes off!!!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Letter home on 1/29/08
Hey how are ya'll? Hope all is well with the family.
Things are going well here. We just had another baptism on the 26th. His name is
Greg Harmon. Elder Horsley, one of the Elders who found him back in June, did
the baptism and the branch Prseident did the confirming. Greg's dad brought him
to the baptism which was a big step for him there! So that was really nice to
hear! And he even talked about church too! But he didn't come. Its ok though we
are going to work with Greg on missionary work with his dad. He is super solid
though. He watches BYU TV and reads all day long!
Well this past weekend has been really long for me and continues a little faster
at least. On Friday for dinner I had fried chicken so I used a hot sauce called
texas petes. Which is good stuff but hot. But I can handle it you know? Well
then on saturday for lunch I had nachos with texas pete again and for saturday
dinner I had mexican with salsa and hot sauce of course. So all in all my
stomach has been killing me all weekend even until now. Its not as bad but
definitely hurts. And it was not just the hot sauce. we think I might have an
ulcer. I have not had it checked out yet but because I have had no sharp or
terrible pains today I think I am alright. But who knows? If it continues
through the week, I promise promise I will go to the hospital. OK? no worries.
We finally had another investigator come to church! Her name is Ruth and she
needs the gospel bad. Her family is torn up and she smokes. So she will need
some work but she is very into the gospel. Luckily she came last sunday or
else we would not be able to have any baptisms in Feburary! :( not that i am focusing on
that but investigators need to go to church 4 times before getting baptized. So
its a step and we are asked to baptized monthly. I am doing good so far! We
have about 7 investigators we could set for baptism but we just need them to
come to church! So we will set them and have the Lord help us in getting them
there!
Things are going well here. We just had another baptism on the 26th. His name is
Greg Harmon. Elder Horsley, one of the Elders who found him back in June, did
the baptism and the branch Prseident did the confirming. Greg's dad brought him
to the baptism which was a big step for him there! So that was really nice to
hear! And he even talked about church too! But he didn't come. Its ok though we
are going to work with Greg on missionary work with his dad. He is super solid
though. He watches BYU TV and reads all day long!
Well this past weekend has been really long for me and continues a little faster
at least. On Friday for dinner I had fried chicken so I used a hot sauce called
texas petes. Which is good stuff but hot. But I can handle it you know? Well
then on saturday for lunch I had nachos with texas pete again and for saturday
dinner I had mexican with salsa and hot sauce of course. So all in all my
stomach has been killing me all weekend even until now. Its not as bad but
definitely hurts. And it was not just the hot sauce. we think I might have an
ulcer. I have not had it checked out yet but because I have had no sharp or
terrible pains today I think I am alright. But who knows? If it continues
through the week, I promise promise I will go to the hospital. OK? no worries.
We finally had another investigator come to church! Her name is Ruth and she
needs the gospel bad. Her family is torn up and she smokes. So she will need
some work but she is very into the gospel. Luckily she came last sunday or
else we would not be able to have any baptisms in Feburary! :( not that i am focusing on
that but investigators need to go to church 4 times before getting baptized. So
its a step and we are asked to baptized monthly. I am doing good so far! We
have about 7 investigators we could set for baptism but we just need them to
come to church! So we will set them and have the Lord help us in getting them
there!
I have really learned to trust the Lord. Because knowing that I am right with
Him is worth more than being "cool" in the eyes of other missionaries, I do not
care really about ties or being the center of the crowd. I do what I want and
thats follow the Lord. Unfortunately there are alot of Elders who focus on other
things. So I keep my mind in the clear and be an example. No one likes to hear
advice from a younger missionary even though I am more focused. So I set the
example and they follow after a little while.
I found out about some Malones. They own a lot of land in Virginia. A small town
abvoe the border of NC and VA. Ruth mentioned the last name because her daughter
married into them. So she could be my link into them. I hope so. I think the
town is in the mission or close enough at least so I could contact them. I will find
out more but I think that is them. I never got the genealogy information if it
got sent. Please resend?
I am very grateflul to have such a loving family who supports me. I apologize
for my ignorance and selfishness I have displayed these past 3 months. It is
very difficult to adjust to so much in this short time. It is leveling out but I still
feel it. I hope I will be nicer to ya'll as time goes on. I have really gained
a greater appreciation for my family out here. I look forward to sharing
memories with ya'll. Even if I don't write very much of them, I have them. And
if I do not express love then I apologize. I feel it more than I say it. I am
learning more about myself and where I play a part in God's plan. Its comforting
to know that we have a part and we can fulfill it through Christ and through
faith. Have faith. Its what I rely on and the Lord gives me more everyday. Use
yours so it builds like mine does. MY favorite scripture recently is Alma 13:3...
exceedingly great faith is mentioned twice.
FAITH- find it. apply it. share it. build it.
I know that it will get us through the storms. Faith is the foundation on which
we build. The first principle of the Gospel is faith. Faith faith faith. I love
it! And you should too! I know you will. Love to all.
Love
Elder Malone
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Letter on 1/22/08
Hey how ya'll been?
OK this week has been really good. I really am liking my new companion Elder Quebbeman. He is very sincere in his teachings and his knowledge is very high as well. He makes me really concentrate on the teaching and making sure the person really understands the doctrine. Its hard sometimes to have to explain words like Priesthood and Apostasy. Words I have always known growing up! But its new to them so I explain it.
We have a baptism this saturday on the 26th. Then the 27th he should be getting confirmed. President and Sister Millburn are also coming to talk then too! So we are tyring to get as many people there as we can. At the lastest Bishopric training, President Millburn spoke about how he only has 170 missionaries in the mission and said that if you do not utilize them he WILL take them out of there! And he does. Two areas that have not ben doing so well lately, he pulled them out. And they were pretty nice sized wards too! So there you go. He doesn't lie. But he also brought up Ahoskie as an example a number of times. So he is VERY pleased with our work. And he helps us out alot with extra miles and rules being bent to help us be more efficient. Like how we have a 15 year old kid we take out on exchanges. you have to be at least 16 preferably and an Elder but you can't always get that. So he is way awesome. He had to go to an Apostle to get that approval by the way.
I would highly encourage all the read the Ensigns thoroughly. They are very good in that they are testimonies throughout the day of different men and women God has called to be in that magizine. In the July 2007 one Elder Holland gives a very good talk. I am not done with it but he really talked about relying on the Lord as we are in the last times. And I have really learned to do that. When companions are tough and the work is tougher you turn to HIm that is ALWAYS there. So I put my trust in HIM and see the goodness from that. But he says, "just be faithful. God is in charge. He knows your name and He knows your need." and how true is that! I have really seen a difference in my prayers lately too! Last night as I knelt in personal prayer, I really felt like I was talking to a person not just an unseen person who is to be feared. But I felt like He was right there by my side. And it was soo personal and soo casual(stil using the language of prayer) but in that I just talked. Not asking but openly and directly. It really changed my attitude towards Him as an actual Father. I knew it all along but last night really hit me. Well I wish I had more time but these people here are not very nice. But thanks for the continued support and prayers. I feel those the most!
Love to all Elder Malone
OK this week has been really good. I really am liking my new companion Elder Quebbeman. He is very sincere in his teachings and his knowledge is very high as well. He makes me really concentrate on the teaching and making sure the person really understands the doctrine. Its hard sometimes to have to explain words like Priesthood and Apostasy. Words I have always known growing up! But its new to them so I explain it.
We have a baptism this saturday on the 26th. Then the 27th he should be getting confirmed. President and Sister Millburn are also coming to talk then too! So we are tyring to get as many people there as we can. At the lastest Bishopric training, President Millburn spoke about how he only has 170 missionaries in the mission and said that if you do not utilize them he WILL take them out of there! And he does. Two areas that have not ben doing so well lately, he pulled them out. And they were pretty nice sized wards too! So there you go. He doesn't lie. But he also brought up Ahoskie as an example a number of times. So he is VERY pleased with our work. And he helps us out alot with extra miles and rules being bent to help us be more efficient. Like how we have a 15 year old kid we take out on exchanges. you have to be at least 16 preferably and an Elder but you can't always get that. So he is way awesome. He had to go to an Apostle to get that approval by the way.
I would highly encourage all the read the Ensigns thoroughly. They are very good in that they are testimonies throughout the day of different men and women God has called to be in that magizine. In the July 2007 one Elder Holland gives a very good talk. I am not done with it but he really talked about relying on the Lord as we are in the last times. And I have really learned to do that. When companions are tough and the work is tougher you turn to HIm that is ALWAYS there. So I put my trust in HIM and see the goodness from that. But he says, "just be faithful. God is in charge. He knows your name and He knows your need." and how true is that! I have really seen a difference in my prayers lately too! Last night as I knelt in personal prayer, I really felt like I was talking to a person not just an unseen person who is to be feared. But I felt like He was right there by my side. And it was soo personal and soo casual(stil using the language of prayer) but in that I just talked. Not asking but openly and directly. It really changed my attitude towards Him as an actual Father. I knew it all along but last night really hit me. Well I wish I had more time but these people here are not very nice. But thanks for the continued support and prayers. I feel those the most!
Love to all Elder Malone
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Letter home on 1/15/08
Mom and Dad,
Hey ok I will see how well this works. Things have been going really well here. Transfers just came in last night and I am staying here with Elder Hall. Elder Brockman is going to Cape Henry with a missionary who is a little apostate. So that will be good because he is really good at helping out other missionaries with their issues. Elder Hall is awesome! He is the one from Sequim, WA. WE get a long very well so its really good to know I get to stay with him. WE are getting a another Elder down here named Elder Quebbeman. (k-web-man). He sounds like a great guy. Kinda quiet which will be nice because Elder Brockman is really loud a lot. He likes to tell you exactly what he is thinking always. So it might be nice to have some peace. But he is a great Elder. He just baptized a lady last saturday named Felita Holloman. She is way awesome and so strong. She had struggles but she can recoginze the adversary in them and knows that overcoming them will help her. So she overcame them and is now a member! We have an other baptism planned for the 26th of jan. His name is greg harmon. he is a really great guy as well. he has been investigating for a while and he knows its true. just its hard to get a hold of him because he doesnt have a car or phone. we have a guy named donye. he was set for feb 9th. but you have to go to church 4times and he hasnt been yet so we need to push that back. but he is in alma chapter 30 something and we only gave the BOM to him on the 1st! so he is was prepared and is also talking about sharing it with his friends! its just really hard because he lives about 20 miles away with no car. so its really hard to get him to come to church. its funny how we have a really good developing area with a low income. everyone loves the church but can't make it to church. :(
I was reading in my personal study today about King Benjamins address in Mosiah 4 and it was awesome how he just tells the people straight out that they are sinners and should be condemned if they dont repent! he even said that if you refuse a beggar and look down upon them than you need to repent too! just beause they live a lower life doesnt mean they got themselves into it. the Lord gave us soo much and we thanks him for it. We also are beggars ourselves when we ask God for things. So why should be shun that away from others? I really liked that chapter.
Oh and im sorry to say but I am turning Apostate, meaning im rebelling. We went out of the mission boundaries into the Raleigh,NC mission a few times. Because we have a member who lives out there so we get to drive out there. Its only about 20 mins away so no big deal. :) its fun though to say that I've been out of the mission. We had to get an Apostle to approve it. and we cannot work out there. so its cool. we go over there and joke about not being missionaries anymore. :) they are an awesome family though.
One last thing. I started what is called a 40 day purification fast. tis where you fast for one day and write down all things that bring you away from missionary work and the Spirit. then for the next 40 days after that you "fast" or stay away from those things. and its really helped a lot. i keep more focused. and i have a stronger Spirit with me too. By keeping those thoughts out of mind I literally am being "set apart" from the world. and its not a sacrifice to me because we were sent out here not to bring it with us but leave it behind. so if we sings those songs and quote movies all day then it is just like at home, so i choose to be different in that regard.
Thank you soo much for raising me to be like this. even though i was a tough hard headed boy I know that you two (and jacque)stuck with me and im grateful for that.so much. because its interesting to see how I want to make those decisions for myself. and I feel like I am blessed more because I do it for the right reasons. i had those things in me all along. just removing myself from others and being closer to the Lord helped me realize my true person. and now that I finally can sense who I am, I am really working on bringing him out more. I just hope I can make him a permanant guy. not just temporary. but thanks again for all you do and your prayers.
I love you both.
love,
Elder Malone
Hey ok I will see how well this works. Things have been going really well here. Transfers just came in last night and I am staying here with Elder Hall. Elder Brockman is going to Cape Henry with a missionary who is a little apostate. So that will be good because he is really good at helping out other missionaries with their issues. Elder Hall is awesome! He is the one from Sequim, WA. WE get a long very well so its really good to know I get to stay with him. WE are getting a another Elder down here named Elder Quebbeman. (k-web-man). He sounds like a great guy. Kinda quiet which will be nice because Elder Brockman is really loud a lot. He likes to tell you exactly what he is thinking always. So it might be nice to have some peace. But he is a great Elder. He just baptized a lady last saturday named Felita Holloman. She is way awesome and so strong. She had struggles but she can recoginze the adversary in them and knows that overcoming them will help her. So she overcame them and is now a member! We have an other baptism planned for the 26th of jan. His name is greg harmon. he is a really great guy as well. he has been investigating for a while and he knows its true. just its hard to get a hold of him because he doesnt have a car or phone. we have a guy named donye. he was set for feb 9th. but you have to go to church 4times and he hasnt been yet so we need to push that back. but he is in alma chapter 30 something and we only gave the BOM to him on the 1st! so he is was prepared and is also talking about sharing it with his friends! its just really hard because he lives about 20 miles away with no car. so its really hard to get him to come to church. its funny how we have a really good developing area with a low income. everyone loves the church but can't make it to church. :(
I was reading in my personal study today about King Benjamins address in Mosiah 4 and it was awesome how he just tells the people straight out that they are sinners and should be condemned if they dont repent! he even said that if you refuse a beggar and look down upon them than you need to repent too! just beause they live a lower life doesnt mean they got themselves into it. the Lord gave us soo much and we thanks him for it. We also are beggars ourselves when we ask God for things. So why should be shun that away from others? I really liked that chapter.
Oh and im sorry to say but I am turning Apostate, meaning im rebelling. We went out of the mission boundaries into the Raleigh,NC mission a few times. Because we have a member who lives out there so we get to drive out there. Its only about 20 mins away so no big deal. :) its fun though to say that I've been out of the mission. We had to get an Apostle to approve it. and we cannot work out there. so its cool. we go over there and joke about not being missionaries anymore. :) they are an awesome family though.
One last thing. I started what is called a 40 day purification fast. tis where you fast for one day and write down all things that bring you away from missionary work and the Spirit. then for the next 40 days after that you "fast" or stay away from those things. and its really helped a lot. i keep more focused. and i have a stronger Spirit with me too. By keeping those thoughts out of mind I literally am being "set apart" from the world. and its not a sacrifice to me because we were sent out here not to bring it with us but leave it behind. so if we sings those songs and quote movies all day then it is just like at home, so i choose to be different in that regard.
Thank you soo much for raising me to be like this. even though i was a tough hard headed boy I know that you two (and jacque)stuck with me and im grateful for that.so much. because its interesting to see how I want to make those decisions for myself. and I feel like I am blessed more because I do it for the right reasons. i had those things in me all along. just removing myself from others and being closer to the Lord helped me realize my true person. and now that I finally can sense who I am, I am really working on bringing him out more. I just hope I can make him a permanant guy. not just temporary. but thanks again for all you do and your prayers.
I love you both.
love,
Elder Malone
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