Elder Malone's Missionary Memories

Next to the last letter home.....

2009-09-24T22:55:00.000-07:00

I would like to thank all y'all for the religiousness of writing to me on my mission. this will be one of the concluding emails that I send from VA. I will have you know that P-DAY is probably one of the most celebrated holidays in the mission field. It is weekly, short and sweet. I enjoy it quite fully. Today, the whole way to the library, we shouted P-DAY and rejoiced in our release from burdens.
Not that we really have any, the Lord helps us out, but if they did come! we would be released.
Speaking of released, I AM NOT TRUNKY! Let me again define that trunkyness if to be looking forward with great anticipation for your homecoming and the life after the mission. My companion likes to say little things all the time about it, i do not. the members are blown away to think that i leave in 2 weeks! it is pretty amazing to see the sadness in their eyes when they hear that. I have really grown close to this ward, not any family in particular, but the whole ward in general is just incredible. probably one of my all-time favorite areas to serve in! So they are consistently asking me about what i will do and how i am handling it all. I just say, when it comes it comes. so sorry mom and dad and mike and jacque if i am not too happy to see all yall when yall come to get me. that is the reason why.
i am excited to listen to music and hold a girls hand again! luckily music is first because i do not have a girl to hold hands with. if i did though!...music would still be first.
Sis talley is still set for the 10th, but if she does not stop smoking by friday then she cannot be baptized on the 10th. sad day huh? so keep her in your prayers!
Tonya as well needs to quit smoking but she is doing really well! her daughters and her came to all 3 hours of church and loved it tremendously. tonya told us yesterday that she really has seen the blessings among her family growing closer together as they are going to church. so that is really good. the other girls are expressing interest in baptism as well, so who knows what all will come of this great event?
Doris dropped us on thursday night, but then showed up to church with her friend. talk about a shocker. she still does not have a new baptismal date for her, but when she wants it, it will be there for her. I think it surprised her how not different our ward was from her friends ward. even if they are from the east end of Richmond. they are alright.
No other news really, sorry
Elder Malone

P.S.

2009-09-16T07:58:00.001-07:00

sorry one last item of ward business to discuss. None of yall know this, but we have been taking the sign language classes and this past week I signed the Sacrament prayer for the water! it was a really amazing thing to be able to do that for our deaf sisters in the ward. I was super nervous but the Lord helped me out a lot, as always and I prevailed! I am still working on the bread which is a tad bit longer and Elder Pierce wants to sign the water within the next two weeks also, so perhaps I can do bread and he can do the water.
love yall

Good News and Bad News..............

2009-09-16T07:45:00.000-07:00

Well good news is that we are seeing opposition, so something is going right here in the ward. Bad news is that Miguel and Doris both are stepping off the baptism wagon for a little bit. Miguel basically disappeared and no one knows exactly where he is at. So, when and if he comes back, we shall see how interested he really is. Doris is getting some cold feet, so she decided to not be baptized THIS month. But she says definitely next month. So, we are planning on next month. She did not come to church on Sunday like we had hoped she would. She also committed to come, and her fellowshipper said she would be brought. But apparently she was not feeling very good, so it did not happen.
But as far as we know, Tonya Stith and Sis Talley are still set for what is ahead. As long as they keep their commitments, they will succeed! Just like all of us, God does not ask big things, simply little things that bring big results in our lives. As long as we do what he has asked of us to do, then we will see those BIG results in our lives. So do those small things okay?
We had an experience with a man who for some reason is praying and asking God to show him what he needs to do to change his life. We have knocked on his door twice and he skims through the bible every now and again. So we very boldly told him to repent and listen to the signs and whisperings that the Holy Ghost is giving him. I told him right to his face that his beer and cigarettes are keeping him from God's promptings. Because the Spirit backed it up, he felt the need to change and invited us back anytime. Whether he change that night I am not sure, but he felt something. That is what counts.
There was a really sweet fireside this past weekend with Elder Jay E. Jensen from the Presidency of the Seventy. That was a very powerful meeting and I walked away feeling very uplifted in the Spirit! He had a Q&A for about an hour in the which some really good questions came up that I myself had thought of but did not remember to ask them. Good news is that we took Miguel there and he enjoyed what part he really understood. Mormon language was used a lot there. can be tough for some people.
love
Elder Malone

Where did all this fire come from?

2009-09-10T22:06:00.002-07:00

4 PEOPLE SET FOR BAPTISM!
We have been really blessed to have such good investigators who are anxious to receive these blessings. some are more solid than others but all of them are working towards that goal, and if they do not get baptized, then their hearts are still changed for living the Gospel for a time. Here are the people and their dates. I should be able to go to a few of them!
Doris- Sept 26th she has not come to our ward yet because of illnesses but she knows a good handful of people and has been 3 times to other wards were her friends are members so at least she has gone. But she keeps all of her commitments!
Miguel- Oct 3rd in between sessions probably. he keeps disappearing down to NC for sometime. So he has not been to church for a little bit, but he reads and preaches out of the BOM to his friends who are also influenced by family and friends who are members. He has a strong testimony, just needs to prioritize.
Sis Talley!- Oct 10th she has a few kids that are members. She is really awesome, super sweet lady. She has a different Spirit around her from that first time we met her, and she has become converted. She is definitely set for this date. We actually went over on Monday and gave Priesthood blessings to her and her grandchildren for school! that was a really neat experience to have. especially for Sis Talley's blessing.
Tonya Stith!- Oct 11th. her response to the invtiation for baptism was, "do you really think Im ready?" we replied yes! she understood that it was an actual covenant with God, not just a thing to do, to get into the church. she is really awesome, such a blessing to teach her.
thanks for the prayers family and friends!
i love all yall elder malone

Awesome Investigators!

2009-09-10T22:06:00.001-07:00

My first item of business is Doris Woodlief. She is a really awesome 61 year old lady. She is set for baptism for the 26th of Sept and totally committed to that date too! She has some really great fellowship with multiple of our members and others in surrounding wards. She is the best friend of a member who lives just across the river and has been going to her ward for a few sundays but is now going to come with us this week! which will be really good for the transition. She believes and has a testimony of all of what we have taught her, so things are really looking up with her.
We had a FHE with Tonya Stith and her girls over at a members house and that went really well also! They have come to church only once but this weekend, Tonya has work off so her whole family will be there for all 3 meetings! That is where the power comes in. She will experience the whole enchilada. They do not have a baptismal date but definitely will soon. The Bishop is very aware of them and dedicated to get them baptized. its amazing how much he wants them to be members. It really motivates me and gets the ward excited also!
We are still working with a few others, nothing really too strong but all part of the separating process! half the work is finding them.
Elder Pierce is my new companion, he is from St. George, UT. But he grew up in Florida and Louisiana so he is redeemed! But we get along really well, especially because he is focused and dedicated to really teaching powerful lessons to everyone he sees, so it has helped me to teach powerfully also. The Lord knew what I needed to end the mish.
thanks for the love and letters and emails and all the support. If yall could help a brother out, here is a simple list of foods I desire.
-Tuna in WATER
- whole-wheat pretzels
-almonds
-protein powder
love to all yall
Elder Malone

Small successes.....

2009-08-19T08:23:00.000-07:00

Well we had a family come to church on Sunday! They are the Stiths. Great
family. A mom and 3 girls all over 11! So they are mostly all going to be in YW
which is really needed right now. Poor YW class with only 3 YW in there. They
plan on staying the whole 3 hours next week. She gave up extra work time to come
so she is really seeing the blessings in sacrifice.

We have also been recieving a lot of referrals lately. Mostly from the Church
HQ but referrals none the less. Lots of work to do. It did slow down for a few
days here and there, but luckily, we have been faithful and the Good Lord is
definitely providing! We have members who are actively working with non-members
to invite into their home, so within the month we should see some super solid
people come forth!
Our main girl Cassie is staying in VA for good, so we are working forward with
her for the baptism. She is not set for a date because she has some things to
take care of first and she really needs to be reading and praying daily. She
wants to be baptized within the month so she can have some of her school friends
there, but she needs to step up her game. we told her that too and she
understood, so it is up to her now. But her mother is a member who would come to
church except for work. So not too bad of a support at home. She did get to go
to the Spanish ward's baptism last night at 8:30 which was a really good
service. So she got to witness it and reconfirmed her decision to be baptized.
It is almost surreal how the end is near. It is not something to really push
off anymore. I do not think about it often really, but it is odd to think that
in 7 weeks, it will be over. I hope my efforts have been accepted by the Lord.
He definitely has had a struggle with me at times. I feel like I have done my
best throughout most of my mission and that is just about all I can ask for.
Thanks to all y'all for supporting me throughout this time in my life. It is a
blessing to have so many great people, especially among those I hardly know.
love,
Elder Malone

Letter Home 8/12/09

2009-08-12T20:15:00.002-07:00

Well...not a letter in a while because most of our people have been disappearing! Or at least are not keeping commitments and not calling us back. So instead of chasing them down and trying to knock some sense into them like we use to do, we just move onward!

We did have an experience with a part-member family who we are teaching. They have been taught by missionaries for a little while now but never make those steps so they stop meeting with them. Well the first couple of appointments went really well. But when they all committed to come to church and our rides came by to find no one home, we got a little perturbed. So we went by and they all individually swore up and down and side to side that they did not say they would come to church. So they were all conspiring together! Well, we rebuked the mother hardcore to get some sense into her, plus it fed my pride a little bit. :) We told her that she needed to come and let the Spirit work on her. So she stated that she had things planned to do... we asked if they were more important than church or the Lord. She said, of course not! nothing is more important than the Lord. So we boldly said, Then why are you making them that way? And left silence while she ate from the ice cream cone filled with guilt. Chocolate chip kind too. She agreed to let us come back and we told them all, if they miss one commitment they are dropped! No time to play around, they have had too many witnesses now, it's all on the them.

Well on a good note, Tonya and her family will be at church this Sunday! She finally found the exact location of the building, because last sunday she got lost and did not bring her cell phone with her. So this sunday is the day! They keep all of their commitments and definitely are making a point to have family scripture study. So they are doing well.

We were told just yesterday that the first book Pocahontas ever read was the Bible, specifically in John were it talked about confessing with your mouth and you are saved! She liked it so much she made her own version of the Bible to share with her Native friends and highlighted that scripture in there. Betcha y'all never heard that before!

Also, they may move our apartment in a couple months. We are currently at the very bottom of a 10 mile up and down area. Mostly up hill, so 45 mins later we arrive at the top, which is difficult sometimes on bike. So they will move us to a more central location. We are picking out places to go, and we may have found a winner.

All in all, just working and striving to finish with a bang. But I think the only bang I may make is just a little hooray from my companion!
love,
Elder Malone

Letter home 7/15/09

2009-07-21T07:56:00.002-07:00

Hello family!

Things are going super well here in meadowbrook. I really love it here. lots of people to teach which i will talk about all of them in just a minute. transfers!..nothing! except that my son Elder Holley is going to be my new Zone Leader. talk about awesome. im really glad I got to see him before i die...as a missionary. not in real life.

Ok here are the main peoples:
-Kassi...she is a part member. She is really awesome. 16, she is going with the stake up to the Palmyra pageant this weekend so it will be a super big spiritual moment for her. im really excited. she keeps all of her commitments and loves meeting with us. just waiting for her glasses from NC so she can read.

-Sylvia...we are going to do service for her. When we taught her about the BOM, the spirit was really strong and she said she didnt need to pray about it to know that it was a true book. we had a hard time getting ahold of her which is nice because it taught me about dilligence and now we are cutting her grass which will soften her heart and almost guarantee a church attendance or two. :)

-Hamza...a Muslim guy. he came to church and a baptism and said he will never go to another Christian church again unless its a Mormon church! he loved it. we are teaching about the Atonement today so it will be powerful and he will be baptized soon. he is soo close to a belief in Christ. he use to be an athiest. now he believes in God! there is more but not enough time.

Things are well. im happy and myself which is nice. Elder Burningham and I get along really well. The ward trusts us pretty good and the biking is getting easier. Thanks for all the packages and cards and letters and all the support too. its really awesome!

we should have a baptism by the end of this transfer, which just started, but we are praying for it, so it will happen. i hope the pictures got there ok. im actually more lean than some of those pictures let on to be...maybe ill get some updated ones. although I think those are. I just have bigger pants. i need to get some tighter ones. but my thighs are massive from riding bikes! hope all is well in AZ!

love,
Elder Malone

letter

2009-07-01T09:28:00.001-07:00

OK here we gooo...
Today's news is that we are spending a lot of time finding people to teach. and we
actually find people who want to hear about the gospel too! they have a desire.
it may not be too big but we are taking every chance we get and the Lord can see
it.
Today is Blame Canada Day and my companion and I are going to be eating
pereogies. (per-ro-gees) they are mashed potatoes in ravioli. its a Canadian
thing so don't ask me about it. But I am making him celebrate the 4th with me. He
is in America! he shall do it. Oh and President said I cannot light fireworks on
the 4th either. He is a mean guy. But i bought him a really nice gray and blue
argyle sweater for our BIG meeting we had last week. it was really awesome. He
loved it. He said he will wear it but not during the summer. he did put it on
for a picture though which I will be sending soon. along with 7 cds of pictures.
I hope they work actually let me try them real quick...processing processing...
The ward itself is super awesome. We are really building some good trust and
excitement. its just a matter of getting these members to talk to people! they
claim they don't have anyone around them who isn't LDS. but at their dental
schools, its half LDS so they have a point.
ok the picture CDs work! so i will be sending them home and they are for
everyone to enjoy. now granted I have not really gone through all of them so
they may be some odd ones in there and random ones. but please DO NOT delete any
of them. i will await for word that they all work, i only tried one. then I
shall delete them off my camera. thanks for the love and encouragement. Friday
is my 21 month mark. Saturday i by my first 40 oz. wooot woot.
love,
Elder Malone

Transfer to Meadowbrooke.....

2009-06-24T09:35:00.001-07:00

I think the "e" at the end makes it look a little more formal don't you think?

Well Meadowbrook is amazing!!! I love it soo much. The joys of living in
Richmond and being so close to all my favorite missionaries plus the ward is
great! We got the nicest welcome on Sunday and lots of missionary excitement.
The bishop is just all for missionary work and it gets the members all excited
too. It truly is a very dedicated area. makes me wonder why they changed both
missionaries out and haven't baptized in a while. But that will change.

We had a zone conference yesterday, a big one too. Sister Millburn who has
been sick for almost 11 months now showed up! it was really powerful when she
spoke and gave her testimony. I haven't seen her for like 11 months too. its
really sad but she is pulling through! At zone conference they mentioned some
really neat things about using the BOM in our teaching. Like how its easier to
convince people of the truthfulness of the BOM than it is to convince them that
we have the correct interpretation of Bible scriptures. very true!

President is starting something called the "146 Days to Remember". its a BOM challenge to read through it marking 5 scriptures for 15 different topics of the gospel. then we have to memorize them. but think of how much more powerful that would be! I'm excited, mostly because I'm already in Alma in my other BOM reading and marking up my military set of scriptures I got in Norfolk. So im marking principles in one set, reading from Alma to the end in my little BOM and starting over in a brand new copy. Not to mention I don't have 146 days left! :) so it has to be done faster. but not a problem. its an awesome book. not to mention a true one.

We are starting a new program called lesson series. The First Presidency has
asked that all missionaries teach at least 20 lessons a week to all kinds of
members and nonmembers. So we go into members homes and share a POWERFUL 10 min
lesson and then pray and walk out! it really only is supposed to last about
10-15 mins so not a hard job for the member. we do it once a week for 4 weeks
straight. then supposedly by week 2 or 3, they have someone to invite into their
home where we share another 15 min lesson. powerful once more. and this time its
all conversion from here on out!

Elder Burningham is my new companion. From Cardston, Alberta. very luckily for
me he is really into fitness so we are going to look good. Plus, he is really
funny, very spiritual and we get along great. the ward is solid in doing what
needs to be done and I'm on bike in south side of Richmond, VA. What else could a
guy ask for?
Love,
Elder Malone

listen up children, it's goin' down

2009-05-27T12:53:00.002-07:00

Dear Family,
All is well in Norfolk. Scotty Rey is getting baptized this weekend at 6 pm. We have a ward picnic that day too, so we are going to go and get people rallied up for the baptism. I made some more salsa today and my nose is burning because i rubbed my fingers over it. not a good thing to do reminder to all. We also made some pancit. Which is like the Filipino version of chow mein I guess. its pretty good. we are going to open up a Filipino restaurant. we also set a fire on the stove top. that was an adventure. elder stokes tried to take a picture but I blew it out too quick. we didn't reignite it. we aren't that dumb.

So we had a Zone Conference on Monday and it was a pretty good one. They talked all about dedicating yourself wholly to the work. Heart might mind and strength. something that I feel like I do, but not 100%. i can get up there to like the upper 80s maybe even the 90s, but not 100%. and its tough because it seems as if all the miracles and success happens when its 100%. you can give 80-90% effort in a classroom and still pass, but with God's service, its 100%. so that is my goal this week. and the weeks after, but a short range goal sounds nicer. and more accomplish-able.

Things are improving around the area too. Starting to learn more members and gain some trust with them. We hope to get things rolling this weekend as we are teaching the 5th Sunday lesson in the 3rd hour. Introducing the family mission plan and helping people start working with specific people. Its difficult. You would think that missionary work, being required of the Lord, would be made more of a priority. Which leads me to think back to a talk I was given some time ago about a lady with 3 doctorates in theology and other religious fields. She said, "do we really know what we have?" Its also been said that as you learn more about the Atonement, you learn more about why your actually out here. It is soo true too. This work is the best and only way people can be saved. Souls are brought back to God's presence by the work the WE do in OUR church. No other church has the priesthood. Its OUR mandate in this last day. To declare to all people whether they be in VA, AZ or Japan. IF you go to japan on business, declare it there too. So make that an effort, not to just pray for them, seek for them. seek and ye shall find. seek and ye shall be blessed.

love to all y'all,
Elder Malone

Letter Home 5/20/09

2009-05-22T09:10:00.001-07:00

Well this one wont be too long today. We went to the stake center and had a big pday party with some other missionaries. Bro Knight, one of the members took us there too. He is pretty alright, for a Navy guy. You know how they go. You hear that Bro Knight! Huh? Those chili dogs really weren't that great after all! HA! Ok yes they were. I have to bike extra hard to work them off though. Oh by the way, I forgot to say, we are on bikes full-time. I think i said it, but just in case.

Well Scotty Rey, is getting baptized on the 30th. He gets more and more excited as the time goes on. He just needs to figure out his baptismal program and we should be all set. Also Haskell Corry is now officially set for June 13th. He is praying about it, but he still knows it is true so it will hold, no doubt.

Elder Stokes and I are doing alright. We go through our good times and our tough times. But we talk it over and we move on. It's not as touchy feely as it may sound. The talking over it aprt doesn't mean our voices are not raised. We both like to annoy each other. Its tough love you could say. or just, I-have-to-live-with-you-I-guess-I-can-love-you love. We shall see. Nothing really new to tell. other than things are well. everyone says I look skinnier since Deep Creek. Which was like 2 months ago. I'll take it I guess. I am eating small healthy meals, and lots of biking. It does the trick I guess. Spread the news.

It rains alot, and I love it. Especially cause I left my fender in Deep Creek, so water goes all over. But it aint bikin with out a dirty shirt. I swear no spaghetti sauce at all on my shirts in two year, but lots of dirt from rain water. very odd.
love,
Elder Malone

Norfolk 2nd Ward...

2009-04-29T20:52:00.002-07:00

It's a good little ward. not too much excitement for missionary work though. I don't know how to explain it. It's like there is, but the members are not that interacting with the missionaries like normal. So it's something I'm trying to work on. My companion is Elder Stokes. He is an alright guy. He kinda takes over the role of SR companion for now which is fine, he knows the area better. But I still need to jump in when he plan on doing something ridiculous, like biking 2 miles to stop by a guy, then bike 1 to stop by a lady, then go back home for 3 miles for lunch. I say just pack a lunch, plan to work the area around that person and lets go. So longer days, but it pays off. The Lord helps us.

Other than that it's alright. Trying to stay dry, I'm sopping wet after a short ride, so I wear a bandanna to keep the sweat from out of my face. It works good. actually y'all will not believe this but I'm actually eating a WHOLE LOT healthier than i use to. (besides the cookie dough and snickers pie Elder Leonard made today). mostly whole-grain breads, tuna and water. I ran out of money a while back so I'm surviving off the food that no one really claimed in the apartment. I don't want to use my personal card because in the real life, there is no "fall back cash". It's tough, but paying off. My health is up and my body fat is going down. We have a scale that measures it, so with eating 6 healthy, small meals a day, and lots of exercise and water i will be lean and mean in October. yeah baby!

I'm already buff so its just the lean part. seriously, y'all know its true. so along with that, if anyone feels compelled to send me some:
-tuna/chicken in water
-brown rice
-peanut butter
-dried fruit
-almonds or other nuts( not peanuts)
-other non-perishables
that would be splendid. thanks family!

Well in the Norfolk news, its a great place. I'm definitely going to be a pilot in the Navy soon after the mission. I love love love hearing the planes fly overhead and seeing them. It's gorgeous. A TOTAL distraction but I don't care. The area is nice. a lot like Deep Creek with its rough areas and nice areas. So far so good. We are really trying to find more people to teach. You can never have too many. They were teaching a couple of people when I first got here, but they are on the slow track. we need to step them up. Oh we also have Sisters in our ward too. We live with the 1st ward Elders in their area. The 1st and 2ND ward Sisters live together in our area. They are really great Sisters too. hard working. Unfortunately they are not finding too much success. :( super sad day, but they remain faithful! I'm really hoping to help the ward not only gain trust in the missionaries but mostly in helping the sisters. Its super easy for members to love Elders, but its really hard for some to like sisters. I don't know why. They are stellar. One of the Elders in the 1st ward is Elder Leonard, one of the guys from my MTC group. So we have a good time. Oh and the sisters in the 2ND ward, our sisters, are the ones who drive "Lily" my car from Deep Creek. So they had to fix the dent in it this week. so they are walking,poor girls. It's like high 80s all week. They get rides though.

Last night I met a Muslim guy who is going to give me a Koran this week some time. He is a really neat guy. I told him all about Sri Lanka and asked about the Muslim faith. Very similar to ours...very similar. It's amazing how close they are. Their Koran is our BOM written to provide a 2ND witness to the things in the Bible. Their Mohammad is our Joseph Smith. So basically the same thing. I would encourage everyone to look more into other faiths and be familiar with them. It provides good knowledge and proper understanding of others beliefs. Especially because we want people to learn about our faith, we should do the same thing.

Well not too much left to talk about. just really working on getting pretty for October, and trying to not think about it. It's easy. Also, trying to avoid getting such a dark tan this year. too late though, in 3 days I've changed like 2 shades. Seriously it's terrible. Get me a do-rag and call me Shequan.(pronounced shay-kwan). oh yeah.

love to all y'all,
Love, Elder Malone

I'm a grandpa!

2009-04-22T10:51:00.002-07:00

Elder Holley, my son, is training this transfer! Which makes me a grandpa! haha that makes me feel old, mission wise. But I will get a generational picture tomorrow and have to send it out. I guess he didn't turn out so bad after all huh?...odd.

I have 4 transfers left, including this one. And i am going down to Norfolk 2nd ward in the VA Beach stake. I've never served in that one before but I've been to Norfolk plenty. WE are on a bike and I'm excited. Have I mentioned how much I love biking? Well I really do. So I might need some money to get it back in working order. Actually I need 20 dollars. We HAVE to wear these ridiculous yellow reflectors and leg straps all the time... to keep cars from hitting us, (hmm...a little late?) so good news is no more cars! Bad news is, more Mormon jokes. We are known for the white shirts and black pants, and soon also the yellow bandalos. President thinks they are the greatest thing ever....He is also bald, so phooey on him. Here is my new address in case anyone really cares:

Elder Humility
6411 Crescent Way #203
Norfolk, VA 23513

Now a lesson on Norfolk. Don't get confused with the pronunciation of it with Suffolk. Suffolk= Suf-folk...Norfolk=Nor-fick. I would write the southern way to say Norfolk but that involves a bad word but it is properly said with that word in there. Perhaps if I'm feeling rebellious one day, ill say it for y'all. its ok for me, I'm a missionary, and its my mission language. I feel like this is a small transfer too. I won't be in Norfolk very long. I think the Lord is really just hopping me around to keep it fresh, and to utilize me in ways I'm needed. I have often felt that I'm here more to bless than to be blessed. A lot of my companions had things I could help them with. Maybe ill be a counselor one day. who knows.

Miracles in Farmville. Well, we had 4 to church which is nice. WE are dropping some people and picking up a few new ones. Not too many actually. But the branch just loves how hard we work. They are very impressed at our attitude on not wasting time or doing dumb things. So we got a good reputation going there. Which has brought about a greater missionary spirit. So this Sunday we are teaching some friends of a member. The best kind to get because the member will be there. So talk about a blessing. Those have a 80% rate of getting baptized I believe. So invite your friends!

I'm not excited to leave, but it feels ready. Which is odd because of Crystal, being sent here to teach her. But the Lord knows what He is doing with His Elders. And I know that President is inspired man. so...we shalljavascript:void(0) roll with the punches.

Love to all,
Elder Malone

Miracles

2009-04-11T11:43:00.000-07:00

So first things first, we had some really neat miracles this week. Lets recount them:

1) Elder Neugubauer taught a guy named Edmond in downtown Richmond last couple of transfers. He was doing really really well, keeping all his commitments and all, but then he disappeared. So we are walking along the road around the college on Monday, and sure enough guess who we run into? Seriously! After a few weeks he turns up to be in Farmville, VA of all places. He got in a car wreck and had been struggling so he is in town for a while. We are meeting with him tonight. Really neat though how things turned out. He is excited to get back into the Book of Mormon and church. :)

2) There was someone that had met with the missionaries back in January, only once though. Nothing really came of it. Well sure enough, he called us last night and asked about church and what it as like. We told him and commited him and his girlfriend to come to church. Their names are Sidney Thompson and Austin Miller. So we are meeting with them tonight also. But what a blessing to have some random people from a few months ago just up and call for church and lessons!

3) Well I may have said this before, maybe not, but there is someone here that im
supposed to teach. It was made clearly known to Elder Clegg, when he was praying for transfers. He got the impression that I should come to Farmville to teach a lady named Crystal Burley. I had heard about her form other missionaries but didnt think much of it. Well when i got here, I looked her up and her information. We attempted contact with no success. Well one day in wal-Mart parking lot we happen to see her in her car.So I go and talk to her and find out who she is. She said she recognized the missionary tag and all. Well not too much came of it unfortunately. We contacted the member that she is very familar with and told her that we wanted her to set up an appointment with Crystal and us. (Crystal had been reading the Book of Mormon on her own). The member was a little apprehensive, so I quickly bore my testimony about how the Lord made it known that we ARE the missionaires that are meant teach her. The Spirit was strong, and she agreed that she needed to do it. That was Friday. Monday, I called her and she said that Crystal was anxious to meet with us! So we set up an appointment for tonight at 6pm. Family, friends, and family of my companion, please pray for her. We have been praying for a baptism this month. It could be her it could not be, but there IS indeed a reason why she is now ready. We need your prayers for her too. so when you read this, if you will pray for her to understand in her heart and mind the message that we are teaching her, that will do wonders. Thanks sooo much.

I love yall alot. Im not ready to come home just yet, but I will be when the time comes. I love missions. they're gooder 'n grits.
love
Elder Malone

Where in the Hades is Farmville, Va?

2009-04-01T09:29:00.002-07:00

Well, its considered the heart of Va. So if you get a map and point to the middle, somewhat, you'll find me. I love it out here. I was uncertain as to how I would like it. we got a very unexcited response to us our first Sunday. We don't have very many members in the branch, so we are working on that. We are making sure to not waste time at members homes and to be on time. It builds trust you see. That's what we need. We are working on getting the Priesthood more involved also. We need exchanges and they need the blessings/growth.

Here is some miracles and people we are teaching:

-Bobby Carwile and Sam Elholm, have been investigating for a while now. They are a really great family. I'm excited that they are still talking with us. They plan to get married soon but they don't know when. Also they want to be baptized, so we set them for a date to help speed things up. They are praying about April 25th. They feel really good about it, they face a lot of trials but they are being blessed for their obedience. We had a powerful lesson the other day. It's funny because we felt strongly about sharing a particular lesson with them, we get there and they bear a powerful testimony of it right off. So the Spirit helps us to address their needs and it was probably one of the most Spiritual lessons. Only twice have I born a testimony that brought me to tears during a lesson. It was amazing the way the Lord used me. I was extremely humbled that night. Good things are happening there...

-Jay B, we met him walking along the road. He said he met with the missionaries before and it was mostly his GF who was interested. Well he agreed to meet again and he loves it! He was going to go to church at another church, but we committed him(after a really long, Spiritual lesson) to come with us. He did and felt everything really speak to him. He said, if this really is the truth, then I want to jump right in and just go for it. Well he is doing that because he got his confirmation. Amazing...

-We had 6 people to church last week too. Probably the most I've had my whole mission. The members are bringing friends and they love it. We are actually going bowling with some of the YSA's tonight to get to know them a little bit better before we teach them. Good way for lots of people to come together and see us as people, not just Elders.

Also our first day here we met a really neat kid at Goodwill named Brian. He is pretty interested. He is coming bowling so he will get involved more in the branch which is really good. He loves to learn, so we hope its more of a wanting to convert and not so much, I want to learn. He is tough to teach though because he stares you down and doesn't look away. So it can be tough to determine his understanding.

Well much love to all y'all. thanks for the prayers. I'm having such a great time out here. We are being blessed. I'm back up in Richmond(ish). I have some of my favorite people in this zone too, so the meetings are really great. Its such a great way to do missionary work. with those you love.

My love to all,
Elder Malone

Transferred to Farmville, VA

2009-03-18T12:05:00.003-07:00

Well, Farmville is a pretty nice little town. Its got a lot of big town things
with a small town feel. WE live in a really nice duplex with another girl named
Andrea.(du means two, completely separate houses). So we went around and met our
neighbors and actually met some really great people to teach. one family is
kinda odd, they are into robots and what not, but the mom is really into family
history. She added 100 names to her lines within days of our last visit. Learn
from her.

We went running this morning down by the High School, really pretty day
outside. We also went to Hampden-Sydney yesterday which was really pretty too.
We just drove around the campus but it was founded in 1776 so really old
building. Very green though and very elegant. I loved it. It was like in a
forest, all hidden too because you go a few miles either way and it opens up and
becomes all dead. Its kinda magical I guess. We chopped wood for a 94 year old
member lady. It was a lot of fun. I got a couple of blisters from not chopping in
a few years but they are all better. We toured around her garage which hasn't
really been touched for about 8 years when her husband died. He restored old MG
Midgets...these tiny English speedsters. She said anyone could have it if they
will fix it up. So I thought about it. it would definitely need to be towed with
a lot of work done to it. Completely rebuilt and I know nothing about cars. But
I can figure it out. hey, free classic car, why not?

My companions are:
Elder Neugubauer- really tall,loves to work hard and keep at the
best we can be. he really inspires me to do better. Always hoping to have a good
time. ugly ties

Elder Johnson- really charitable, very humble, kinda quick to upsetness so we
have to tread carefully. looks forward to working in this area.

We have also committed ourselves to be praying for a baptism this transfer in
every pray we say. I'm not perfect but we are seeing more and more unfold as we
do so. for instance, our top guy and his fiancee are Bobby and Sam Carwile. His
kids are actually named Bobbie Jo and Robert. No joke either. (and yes I told
them). They are planning on marriage soon and baptism right after. They are very
prepared. well these southerners like to drive slow but they kick you off the
computer fast.
love to all y'all,

Elder Malone

40 Day Fast

2009-02-25T09:57:00.001-07:00

Well I think I told y'all about our 40 day fast that we are doing in the ward. It is where for 40 days, 40 families fast, each one day, and they all fast for missionary work! So its been pretty good so far. We have seen some good miracles. One of the biggest ones is VINCE COMING TO CHURCH!!! I was soo excited to see him. he said he would come and he did! He is really progressing well. We talked about church yesterday and he said that he really enjoyed it. A lot like his Lutheran church but he still liked it. He plans on coming to the ward activity on Friday. He already knows tons of people from all the members at his lessons. So its just a matter of him actually continuing to come to church. He bore a really nice testimony to us last night and Friday. he knows the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet. He didn't quite know about the why for the BOM so we explained it with 1 Nephi 13. Talking about the plain and precious truths lost. that's where we hit a little bump. he believes its the "infallible word of God." yet he sees hos the bible by itself yields confusion. so we explained the need for more scripture and the Love God has for us in giving us those plain and precious truths back. Good ending. he still wants us back so it works.
I'm really loving this ward a whole bunch. they all have such a strong desire to share the gospel its just a matter of getting the opportunity. So we ate with the Hobdys last night. That's the family that dropped by with the DVD. and we taught sister Hobdy how to further a conversation about the church. Instead of just saying that we don't drink coffee because its against my religion/faith. ask them a question back. "why do you think i don't drink coffee?" "did you know its a commandment from God?" "did you know we have a prophet on the earth to give us these commandments?" That will teach them as well as open up more for them to learn about. She really liked the idea. Its a big thing for members to step out of their comfort zones and talk but IT WORKS. DO IT!!!
We actually go to businesses now and talk to people. But its your going fishing, go where the fish are right? So we do. We meet some really good people there. One lady at a dry cleaners we are following up with on Thursday. perhaps we can get free dry cleaning. i need it badly.
Trunky thoughts: (trunky means looking forward to home, i cant wait to get home or "things I will do when I got home" thoughts) come April Conference, we take our suit coats off unless we are at meetings. I don't put my coat back on. I leave for the mission home like 2 days after the October Conference so that is kinda good news. I don't like the coat, but I don't like the idea of my 5th and final Conference. :( sad day..anyways
Nick and Nate! I hope y'all enjoyed my letter. Not meaning to brag about my members there Nate. Keep your head up! The Lord is on your side. "When your on the Lord's errand your entitled to the Lord's help!" I wish I could help you but VA needs me.
Nothing really new happening. Just living life. Oh I was finally sick on Sunday so we stayed in and got some members to bring by a TV/VCR combo. we watched all the old cheesy movies by the church. it was awesome. I love them.
Take care y'all
Elder Malone

Hit and Run!

2009-02-07T12:46:00.001-07:00

I'm excited for taylors baptism. the first one in this ward in almost a year. so the ward it excited. the guy who baptized her mom (in 1991) will be the one to baptize her. his name is brother lee. Then one of the Bishopric will be confirming her. At least we get to stand in. Im really glad. its different having us do all the teahcing and then the ward takes care of the baptism. Its almost like we are pushed off to the side. But I know its not intentional. Thats the way its supposed to be too. Im glad that the ward its getting involved with her baptism. While Taylor and her mom are getting things together, they have been having missionary experiences. They have two families coming to the baptism that we can teach. im really excited. imagine a family of 5! especially with recent converts as their fellow shippers! Its guaranteed to be solid.
I got hit by a car on Friday evening. I was crossing through an intersection and Elder Lagace was a little bit behind me. of course there are no bike lanes or even a shoulder in VA, so I was riding the white line. then a white jeep comes up behind me and side-swipes me. It knocked me off balance but luckily not off my bike. I wasn't sure what had happened until i felt my arm hurt so I pulled over and sat there watching the jeep just drive away. I pulled out the phone and called the police. I felt really bad though. I had no ID on the guy or car. Just the fact that he ran and i got hit was all. Luckily there were two cars full of witnesses. who stopped and checked up on us. then they gave the cop their information. It was a blessing. my arm feels fine now, no harm done. other than me always wanting to ride on the sidewalks now. can you blame me though?
We have not been successful in contacting Sherri or the Wheatleys lately. It makes me sad that we have to struggle to get a hold of them let along get a lesson with them. Its like with Lewis. Great guy, strong desire to learn, but just wont give up their time to learn more. They know they need to prioritize but they just don't. I hope and pray that none of y'all are doing that. its a bad bad trap to get into. We are hoping to get them seeing enough to change but its not too good looking right now.
Vince is not getting baptized on the 28th but he is still doing well. more later Love to all,
Elder Malone

Par-lay voo Fran-say?

2009-01-28T14:03:00.001-07:00

I am sticking another one out with the Canadian, (y'all knew Elder Lagace is Canadian right?). He is super stoked...don't know why. I think im a terrible companion. But he told me a week ago that he was praying for us to be together again. He then asked if it was alright by me. Sure i said. I even did it once. I like the kid, he is a good guy. The thing is that he reminds me alot of Elder Brockman, my 2nd and probably worst companion. So its tough to see elder lagace for Elder Lagace. That's who he models himself after because it was the first American that he lived with, so he doesn't really know any other way. its a test I know it is.
But attached is a picture of my Canadian, myself and Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve. He came to our Stake Conference and also to our Zone Conference. Which only had about 26 other missionaries, which made it totally more powerful. That Relief Society was on fire. I'm telling you. Wow. So then we got to see him at the Adult Session and the regular session. each time he bore just the most incredible testimony ever. of course he would, he is a Special Witness of the Lord and Savior, who could deny his power?
All in all it was a great session. Plus President went out with us on an exchange and Taylor the little 9 year old girl is set for baptism on the 7th. Vince is set for the 28th. It is going to be a great transfer. We have so many more people to find and teach and baptize. Sherri is still struggling so keep her in y'alls prayers. please and thank you.

Love to all y'all. Thanks for all you do.

Elder Malone

p.s. Elder Shock, a guy i came out with. is going to be in Portsmouth Ward! I can see him all the time now! he is probably one of my best friends out here.

Letter.........

2009-01-22T14:03:00.002-07:00

Happy Obama Day!

Well we just got back from "Boot Camp". We went up to Richmond, actually the Midlothian area where I was born, and went on exchanges with the training assistants. TAs as they are called. remember i wanted to be one? yeah, missed out. :( sad day). But one of them is Elder hatch my MTC comp so it was great to finally serve with him! We had a really good time.

We got pounded with Preach My Gospel trainings and application. It was a really good thing. I learned alot of new ways to find people to teach. We would go "where the fish are." No one is home during the day, so we go to business and pretend to be interested while we work in Gospel conversation. worked good in some places and terrible in others. But all is well. We got kicked out of Goodwill for "soliciting". we just let it be. All in all it was well. i loved being back in the old area. i got to eat dinner with a great family and they remembered me! That was a blessing to know that.

Probably the coolest thing though was how I was used last night by the Lord.Remember Whitney Terramato? Well...she met with the sisters after we left and didn't like them and their teaching style. So she stopped taking the lessons. She still believed it was true and all, and she knew she needed to act on it, but couldn't do it. So Elders have tried lately with little to no success. They showed up one time and she called her member neighbor and told her to ask them to leave. So the TAs were not too open to going by again. But I called her and she remembered me! So we got a meeting set up that night and went over to her house! Not only was it really great to see her again, but it was truly a blessing to see how the exchange that had signed up that night was exactly who needed to be there for her. So had a lot of questions about Mormon life with a part member family and so on. So she mentioned she still believes and what not so she agreed to meet again! It was a blessing to see that. I almost set her for baptism. When i first taught her, she mentioned how if she was to be baptized it would be in March, for nothing is in March. What a great month to be baptized! Well march is coming back up. So i wanted to but something held me back. afterward the TA said he was really hoping I would do it but it didn't work for a reason. that was my week so far.

Sherri is still struggling alot with life and what have you. But she is working through it. Taylor is going to be baptized in Feb. Her mom and her are praying for the 14th. Keep your fingers crossed, and your arms folded! Vince is coming to stake conference where he will receive an experience of a lifetime. it just so happened he can only come one week a month. it was supposed to be last week but something came up, honestly, he was bummed. so he can just have an even greater time next week.

Love to all y'all,
Elder Malone

Happy Anniversary Goodmans

Blessings they may be, but are they wanted?

2009-01-14T21:42:00.003-07:00

Now who would turn down blessings right? I can't think of a single person who would willingly turn down blessings. Or can I? Let's think for instance of how many people have disobeyed God. They have all turned down blessings. Especially as members of the church, we know the blessings that comes in obedience. Yet we sometimes choose to follow the beaten path that is easier. Remember though that "taking the path of least resistance, is what makes men and rivers cooked." If life gets easy, then we are probably going downhill. ( I just came up with that myself. pretty good eh?) I'm not here to rebuke y'all, just posing a question. If Zion is to be built on principles of righteousness, then shouldn't it begin with obedience?

Well the reason why i titled the email the way I did is because we have been having people to church. Sherri and her son Zach came on the 4th. But not the 11th. Taylor and her Mom came on the 11th. So with all these blessings must come more opposition. If the Church is true, the why wouldn't there be opposition? Why would Satan let them come and be baptized and he just not care? He does, that's why Sherri missed two appointments in a row and now has food poisoning maybe not making tonight. So I ask again, are the blessings wanted? Wouldn't it just be easier to struggle and wish to overcome it, hoping for some help, than it would be to see them come and progress and then slip backwards? Tough questions that one must ask themselves. Can they overcome the obstacles of faith and temptation and be baptized, receiving that Gift that will ultimately make the biggest difference in their lives? Or should they not come to know the Light because it will be rejected once received, putting them more into condemnation. What would you do?

Fortunately, we have a Savior who suffered for this very reason. Freedom to choose. He knew that millions would reject His Gospel. Still He suffered. He knew that thousands would backslide once received into the faith. Still He suffered. Let us all go forth and help those we know come closer to Him by receiving His Light. That is how this world will save itself. That is how Zion will be established. That is how we can gain a fullness of joy.

I love you all and hope for the best.

Love Elder Malone

p.s. i ate pickled pigs feet last night. it was awesome!

"2009 a time to refine!"

2009-01-07T09:50:00.002-07:00

Those are the words of my mission president. Doesn't sound too hopeful does it? Especially because in my recent interview, he said that there is a lot of opposition headed our way in this year. But he smiled about it because he then said, "which means there is going to be a lot of good come our way." I agree. Opposition is a great thing. Not in the midst of it, but think of the blessings that comes from growing in the gospel. and helping others grow in the gospel as well.

We talked about ways to improve the work in Deep Creek so that was a sign that I'm probably staying next transfer. Which is fine by me, I love this area. There is a lot of work to do. He said that the missionary shooting will open a lot of doors for a lot of people to share the gospel. So we will be doing a lot of member work to get things going. Also will all yall, you have a son on a mission! Use the missionary fire and talk to people about it. Invite friends over for church or to hear the missionaries. Guaranteed there are people prepared to receive you. didn't think about that one did you? We just read it in the PMG this morning. Chp 9 in the "Go About Doing Good" section.Look it up.

Well one of the biggest blessings of them all is Sherri Kirby and her son Zach. THEY CAME TO CHURCH! Guess what too?! She was babysitting her grandbabies last weekend and told her daughter she was taking all the kids to church. Well, her daughter refused so Sherri said, "OK, then come home on Sunday morning, because I'm going to church!" So she did and Sherri and Zach came to church! Zach is 10 so that's two! Set in stone. well kinda, but she loved it. She stayed for all 3 meetings, signed up for the ward 40 day fast and also signed up to help take an elderly sister to the doctor! ON her first Sunday! If that isn't golden I don't know what is! Such a blessing from the Lord to have that. It really upped the missionary Spirit soo much. People are still talking about her and how friendly she was and how much they liked her. Its incredible. All that from the opposition we face everyday. I KNOW it. No doubt.

I'M excited for the New Year of refining and opposition. I'm experiencing a lot myself as I see myself questioning things in the church. Its all been just little social issues lately, but it does take a toll on you sometimes. So I just pray and ask for support or talk to Elder Lagace about it. It gets resolved and I do my best to not let it get to me. But there is only so much you can take right? Well I'm working on it, no worries.

Thanks for the love and support that's always received. I hope all is well on the home front. We just got cut 50 more miles which is a crock. So we are biking more, which I don't mind, but its one of those irking things that make me wonder sometimes. The nitty gritty details get in the way and make missionary work that much harder to handle. But the Lord has provided ways for us to be happy. And I'm currently applying those.

Love to all y'all,
Elder Malone

Uncertain Confirmations....

2008-12-17T21:04:00.002-07:00

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.

The Lord's will be done...

2008-12-03T17:59:00.003-07:00

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

Miracles Among Miracles...

2008-12-03T17:52:00.001-07:00

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

A sound understanding...

2008-12-03T17:49:00.002-07:00

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

Ok so it's really Chesapeake....

2008-10-08T09:06:00.002-07:00

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

Shamrock Garden? TRANSFERRED!!!!

2008-09-24T17:42:00.003-07:00

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

missionaries only fly twice... to and from home.

2008-09-17T20:51:00.002-07:00

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!

Miracles and more Miracle!

2008-09-11T16:50:00.002-07:00

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!

Letters of words forgotten

2008-09-03T10:02:00.002-07:00

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!

Thank you for using your cell phones outside of the library

2008-08-13T08:54:00.002-07:00

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!

missionarymemories

2008-07-11T10:25:00.001-07:00

Flaming Pandas!

2008-07-08T09:50:00.002-07:00

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

Lot's of news!

2008-07-07T19:27:00.001-07:00

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.

Birthday list anyone???

2008-06-24T08:33:00.003-07:00

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

He's teaching a guy named TED?????!!!

2008-06-03T11:31:00.002-07:00

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

So you get to be a District Leader!...

2008-04-29T14:19:00.002-07:00

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

The Move to Richmond.....

2008-04-15T21:31:00.002-07:00

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

BIG NEWS!!!

2008-04-08T07:56:00.002-07:00

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

Letter home on 3/25/08

2008-03-25T12:36:00.003-07:00

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

Letter from Greg 2/26/08

2008-02-26T11:58:00.003-07:00

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!

Letter home on 2/12/08

2008-02-12T11:16:00.000-07:00

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

Letter on 2/5/08

2008-02-05T10:57:00.000-07:00

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 Famous Scarf he rarely takes off!!!

Letter home on 1/29/08

2008-01-29T14:37:00.000-07:00

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!

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

Letter on 1/22/08

2008-01-22T12:18:00.000-07:00

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

Letter home on 1/15/08

2008-01-15T09:57:00.000-07:00

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

2007-12-31T12:00:00.000-07:00

Hello to all!
Hope everyone has a wonderful new Year! I have to be indoors by 5pm tonight so I get to stay up late tonight too! Like 1030pm! Woot Woot! But its all good because I dont like staying up late anymore. Its disobedient and as everyone knows...Elder Malone is very obedient. :) I didnt say greg i said Elder Malone so dont doubt me. :) But I am actaully known here a little bit as being one who likes the be effective and obedient. WHich some missionaries have a problem with I dont know why. You definitely are not getting up at 630 everyday and tracting everyday for yourself. I mean you do but also for the Lord mostly. :)
But it was really good to hear from all ya'll again. I will be sending the tape and camera memory card home soon so you can all look at those when that comes around. There are some interesting pictures on there abnd dont be afraid. Just laugh and that will take away some of the shock. But tis really good down here in Ahoskie. We were supposed that have abaptism on the 29th but he disappeared! Who knows where he went but he showed up in wal-mart randomly around a corner. and we are planning on meeting with him again. hopefully we can resolve his concerns. but he came to church! He didnt seem too interested after he reappeared. he just said he was out of town for a week. but he never told us and it was his baptism week! :( werido. but through much prayer we ran into him and hopefully getting him back on track. (sorry my typing is soo bad right now. just try to udnerstand my fingers wont obey. ) we had another lady felita getting baptized ont eh 5th but she smoked again so that got pushed back. we have not seen her in 2 days which is not good. we are supposed to see them everyday! and we usually do but she kinda disappeared too. she has a really tough time at home with her husband so we are really helping her. and the change the spirit makes is incredible! elder hall felt prompted to try her a 4th time last friday when we had 5 mins till we had to be home. So we did and she was there! but with a lit cigarette. so we talked and she cried and said how she is unhappy and things are not working. so we prayed, and read scriptures and she prayed and let me tell you. investigators say the best prayers ever! It was so heartfelt and personal that it brought me to tears. we all were! and she addressed it, dear Heavenly Father, this is your daughter...and how...im getting the goose bumps right now typing this but when we left the spirit was sooo much different there. we made her a calendar to help her eachday till the 12th (her new baptism date) with scriptures.(my idea) and we also gave her a journal to help her with writing her thoughts to see her progress. (my idea again.) so the spirit is awesome when it comes to personal revelation! and prayers are answered as well! it was raining really bad yesterday while tracting and I didnt bring my coat or umbrella. :( so I prayed that my suit, tie and BOM wouldnt get ruined. I woke up this morning and my suit was more clean, my tie is perfect and the BOM has NO water damage at all! So prayer really really does work. I hope all is well. Sorry its kinda short but know I love ya'll. Im loving it out here very much. Thanks for the support both personal and financial. I know its a strain but think of the blessings we will all get after this life and during it.
3 Nephi 13:25-33
Love
Elder Malone

Letter to Jacque 12/18

2007-12-18T11:09:00.000-07:00

you will have to tell me If i have an accent or not yet. I think I might be getting one a little bit. Things are good though! I love my companions and we all get along realy well. We have a baptism this weekend and another one next weekend. Then one on the 5th i believe. But they were all set up before I get here. but they are all awesome! its so cool to see the changes and how they go through so much to be able to live the way the Lord wants them to do. I totally used that pizza mcdonalds thing at some ladies door the other day. i dont know if she liked it but i will backhand anyone who doesnt think it makes sense. anti is so dumb. did you hear about that one guy ed decker? yeah he is apostate. haha its missioary lingo for not doing whats right. like going to bed after 1030 is apostate. its fun. well i need to go but thanks for the email, support, love,care, packages, and all else! Love elder Malone

Letter home on 12/18

2007-12-18T10:17:00.000-07:00

Well our church is pretty sweet. it use to be an old restaurant so it has drive-thru salvation. :) yeah it rocks pretty awesome like. but its a good size one. they will get a real chapel if they can have an average of 60 people come to church for 3 months i believe. yeah we only average about 52 a week. haha small eh? i gave a talk last week though about the gospel. i think it went well. i also taught priesthood and gave a prayer a few sundays ago so they are really putting me to work which is awesome. we have a car and we drive about 50 miles average a day. yeah its a huge area. it goes up to the VA/NC border. so its crazy how much we drive. and for zone conference on friday we have to drive up the Denbigh in Newport News. Like a 3 hour drive from our house or so, so we might be spending the night up in franklin. i got some pretty sweet ties. we swap some times and they are way nice. i guess polyesters are the way to go because they can survive the summers out here so if you send ties please make them polies. :) but i ride bikes occasonally. its fun but it can really wear you out. just to answer all weather questions...i can take my jacket off at 70 degrees and i have taken my jacket off almost everyday last week. but now this week we wake up to 30 degrees so where it went I dont know. but i got more name tags. a magnet one and another clip one. i love those things. but im all set as far as everything goes. just really focusing and putting my head into the work and blocking out most everything.

My comps are great! one is from sequim,wa and the other from modesto, ca. he doesnt know aunt carol but he asked his mom and she does! its nice to be able to bash on utah without having to throw out disclaimers. but its soo fun though. we have soo many inside jokes and just little things that make it more enjoyable. and we have only been together 12 days! its insane but way cool. we are singing 22 songs on sunday for Christmas. its the way the program is set up. yeah weird huh? we started reading the BOM as a companionship. 14 pages a day and its nice. it really brings the spirit but we cant study other things which is sad no time. :( but i highlight everytime it says Christ or another of His names and its really intersting to see it all. elder rappleye and i saw eachother on last fri and it went well so its nice to know we are still friends. just not companions. :) but its ok.

Well not too much left to say. just relying on the spirit and laughing my head off with these guys. we have different words of the day and everything. so its cool. well i have to go ok
Love Elder Malone

12/3 Letters to Dad's house

2007-12-04T12:59:00.000-07:00

We received some hand written letters from Greg, I'll try and hit some of the things he said.
To Alex: He was full of teasing! He goes to bed early and gets up early, he says it feels good to get up and exercise in the morning. Says he's "pretty huge now". He says boys are mean and he gets bored with them! He tells her not to kiss boys, they don't brush their teeth! and neither do dogs, so don't be sneaking around and kissing Gus (our puppy). he says quote, "I am sorry I talk about you and boys alot. But I know it's not as fun to kiss people when you're young. When you're old and in love is where the magic is! Not that I know anything about that one......:)".

To Jacklyn:He goes into people's houses and they have little girls her age and it makes him think of her. He tells her that she should feed Gus brussel sprouts. They are really good for dogs! And it makes them fart alot too! So feed him brussel sprouts and then lock him in Alex's room!:)
say your prayers EVERY night!

To Dad: (We had to smoke 25 chickens for a ward party) He says: "Dad,
:( Stop smoking! It's bad! Even though it's "only chicken" it could turn into turkey, then beef and venison! And once you hit venison there is no return! And then *BOOM* excommunication!" He really wants a missionary picture at the Stake Center. So that we can look at his pretty face. He used ya'll in a couple of places. He says that Preach My Gospel is the ultimate guide to everything! pg 107 is an awesome one he uses all the time. He says that he is going to need a new book, this one isn't going to last 2 yrs because he uses it all the time. He's excited about his Grandma and Grandpa Donn getting their mission call to NYC Manhatten temple. He thinks it's funny that gpa will be living in the big city. He says it's been a growing experience to learn to love his companion and put up with him. He prays alot for himself and companion and it's helped alot. Read the Bible dictionary under Prayer and it WILL change your views and the way your prayers go. In a positive way.

To Jacque: The anti-morman stuff is big out there. Alot of people look into it, which is dumb! You don't learn how to make pizza by working at
McDonalds! You don't learn about the church by anti material! Go to missionaries or websites! He stays away from it. Sometimes people battle with you to get you to say things, but "I just bare testimony and walk away before the spirit does!" He suggests that we carry around an extra Book of Morman to hand out. He suggests having them read the Introduction (especially the last 2 paragraphs), The Testimony of Joseph, the 3 &8 witnesses & Moroni's Promise. Its a good combination. Preach My Gospel pg 107 is a winner with people who are struggling!

Letter 12/4...he's being Transferred!

2007-12-04T10:28:00.000-07:00

Mom,

I am being transferred to a place called Ahoskie( a-hoss-key), NC (i believe its in NC) but its down in the Chespeake Zone and in whats called tide water. aka the "tidewater trap" its hard to get out once you are in i guess. I will be in a threesome with Elders Brockman and Hall. I dont know either one but I'm very much looking forward to it. I will greatly miss this ward. some office staff and the Zls cleaned the apartment really well on saturday. like mop, wash walls and clean the carpet and bathroom. which makes sense. They did because sisters are moving into our ward. elder rappleye is going to be going down to a place calles negs head. i think. its over by me.

well I have raked a lot of leaves lately. like tons and tons. After a District meeting on last wednesday, a car was broken down in the road and others were just honking and going around. so we stopped and I pushed the car into the turn lane, across traffic and then up a hill out of the road. but the thing is that as hard as it was I thought how cool would it be to have that angel help like the pioneers did in the picture on the wall in the office? well i thought it but the car just got harder and harder, ( mind you this is a boat of a car.) so as i pushed it across traffic(no cars don't worry) the car took off from me and went up the hill a lot farther than I could have pushed it. and I knew that in my moment of weakness, when i thought i couldnt push it anymore, the angels came and helped me. whether they gave me strength or whether they took it I dont know. But I Do know that they are there. Willing to help as soon as we are ready to collapse. Everytime. I know that I didnt push that car by myself. it was a nice size car and hill. We are not making really any progress with whitney. she knows its true and embraces all of our teachings but she lacks in the knowledge and thats what is keeping her back I think. Oh and please send me some CD's for Christmas too! Like From Cumorah's Hill if its LDS published, some MOTAB and EFY CD's. They can be burned thats totally cool. Elder Funk and I were on exchanges and we were running late. So to help us get home on time, The Good Lord gave us green lights for about 7 miles down Midlothian Tpke. That is unheard of on Midlothian. So we felt blessed there too. OH and by the way! Start sending everything to the mission home. because it might take a while to get to me if it goes to midlothian and then Ahoskie. so they will forward it to me. but make sure it is all USPS nothing else!PLEASE! well thats all for now. Love you lots! thanks for EVERYTHING! Love Elder Malone

Partial letter from Greg 11/20/07

2007-11-20T09:44:00.000-07:00

Well I got one package, the greenie one which was awesome! on thanksgiving I will only have 2 weeks left in my first transfer! how crazy is that? it also marks my 8 week mark! what the heck?! haha where did it all go? I dont know. but im loving it. I rode a bike for the first time eysterday! and it was sooo sweet. I got honked at too! haha i was loving every minute. its a lot better because you can stop faster and talk to more people, you get to know the area better and you are more in the action. plus the exercise is really great too. but it makes talking to people that much better when you ride 4 miles to get to their house. but the people here are so awesome. I meet new members all the time and they are soo into missionary work and they have people waiting to hear the gospel. thats the best way to get someone converted is member referral. 98% return appointments made are kept. and 30% are baptized. alot better than 2% for tracting if we find them. so really think and pray about who you can introduce to the missionaries. if everyone in the church invited someone to church we would build more buildings and imagine if 30% of them got bapitzed! thats like...4.5 million people or so! wow!

love you lots, love Elder Malone

Letter to Mom 11/13

2007-11-13T09:27:00.000-07:00

Well I went to an authentic baptist church! it was the coolest thing in my life. haha so it was a clapping and praising good time! seriously they would sing soooo loud and clap too! and the choir would get into it and the people would stand up and shout and clap. the piano player would go nuts and just bang on the piano so hard it almost broke. then the drummer would just go crazy too. its all about their emotions and not spirit in it really. but it was awesome. then some preacher guy gets up in military uniform and prays for the people to have the spirit shouting "in the name of Jesus!" like 30 times over and all around me people are crying out amens and hallejuahs. and praise God. instead of saying umm they say amen at the end of every sentence and praise God when he changes subjects. it was awesome! oh an investigator is a minister there so thats why we went by the way not just cause.
umm i do a lot of tracting. IM thinking about joing the navy or army when i get home. this one Elder tells me stories and I love it. And this guy in my ward is in the navy so he flys and I love his stories too. Not any super amazing experiences really. I have just found that my knowlegde and stories about worldly things helps me when I talk to people. which is why I think I would be a good counselor and why I had so many trials all the time. I had pears and cream cheese last night. i heard its amazing but its ok. the ward is really doing well with missionary work. they are all getting into it. this one family has a baby just born with heart defects so its going to die soon. :( but it was only suppose to live a couple mins and its going still. its been over a week so good news there. prayer works. but hmm....thats it i think. i like that scripture you gave me and I love this new one i cant remember it. its like matt7:24 with Christ on the sermon on the mount about faith is not the only way to salvation. not just praising his name but acting in it. its good to read the scriptures. its better to study. but its best to live them. thats my words of wisdom for the week. read from the scriptures everyday for at least 30 mins. do it as a family too. it will help. i promise. love, Elder Malone

Letter from Greg 11/6/07

2007-11-06T10:48:00.000-07:00

well another week has come and gone. but still the work is tough. I have a new quote:

"if missionary work gets easy, then you're not doing something right."- Elder malone

i really love the talk that President Eyring gave at conference in 2002 called Rising to your call and I would have anyone who gets any type of call to read it. it really is amazing how this gospel works. I went on an exchange with the zone leaders yesterday and actually learned more from him then I do my companion, sad as it is. but we taught a bunch of people and they all seemed really interested in the gospel. but they have to make the change and put forth the effort themseleves. and thats probably the hardest of all. especially when some guy chooses football over the word of God. Im wondering what he will say when God says, "as a matter of fact I DID send my gospel to your door. Rememeber those guys in ties and suits? that you said you were too busy to listen to becuase your football team was playing?" But Rita is struggling with the gospel. she invites us over to teach but she doesnt show up for her appointments so thats tough. especially on elder rappleye. But I keep the right attitude and look at every door as a new chance to help them. not the effects of an old door. Charles is a back-up baptist minister and he goes to his church over ours. so we are really hoping to get him to church. this sunday is fast sunday so we are probably going to his congregation then taking him to ours. im excited because I love going to those churches where they "praise the Lord! and sing hallelujah!" but im really hoping on those people we talked to at their door to call us. And we are also putting a ton of emphasis on the members and getting them going on a ward mission plan to help them reach out to their non member friends. so we are counting on referrals there too. OH! the sweetest thing happened. this little girl named tara richio ran up to me and said "elder elder! here!" and she handed me a drawing she made of me! it was the cutest thing in the world! and im mad we cant hug little kids so all i could do was giver her a piece of gum. :( but she is only 3 or 4 but still it was awesome, and I carry it with me all the time. but it helps me know more that I am a missionary because everyone calls me elder and I do the missionary work. its nice to be in virginia right now when everyone loves the missioinaries. especially when the world needs it soo much.everyone read up on bill carpenters conversion story. its truly amazing! love to all!
Love, elder malone

Letter to Jacque

2007-10-30T23:10:00.000-07:00

Please dont name him Elder Malone. thats lame and what if you get mad at him or he dies? is it like a a voo-doo doll? no thanks. well im doing great! yeah have my mom put that poem up on the blog. its for everyone. its an ok one. i wrote it in about 15-20 mins. but whatever people want to out up on the blog is for all to read. just not personal stuff about me or help suggestions for others. well a pupppy? what kind? how about mr sticthes? or crosby? jynx? i dont know. but the people are awesome! here is my schedule 630 wake up 7 eat 730 exercise 745 show and dress 8 personal study 9 companion study 10 tracting!/appointments 1 lunch/study 2 more tracting/appointments 5 dinner usually with a member 630 visit less actives/recent converts 9 planning 930 get ready for bed 1030 sleep! its more detailed then the one i wrote my mom so probably put that one on my blog too. well i totally ate those drinks. yeah i ate them. they were really chunky. but still good. a tongan guy chugged 3 down without blinking. crazy kid. well i have to go but thanks for the letter. and tell grandma i said hi. have fun in san antonio! there will be a temple in virginia someday you can go to. love elder malone

from Marisa

2007-10-30T14:34:00.000-07:00

Well, since my mom has sent me three invitations to contribute to this, I had better. From his letters Greg sounds amazing. His new picture of him arriving in Virgina confirms the fact that he is eating quite well! I talked to him at the airport before he left and he said "do you know how much you are paying for food?" I assured him I was well aware. Also he said " I forgot that normal people dont walk aruond in suits all day" That one made me laugh! Imagine everyone in your world walking around in suits... it was funny. Well, that is all for now! I miss my brother, but luckily he is gone doing something amazing. Bye!

10/30/07 Email and Update on Elder Malone!

2007-10-30T08:34:00.001-07:00

See Emailing and Addresses for his new address. His p-day is on Tues. so expect an email then.
=====================================================
From Greg:

Well now at the Chesterfield county library I have an hour to write so good news there. But Im loving it in Virginia! it is amazing! The weather is really nice. Not too much color change on the trees because they havent had much rain lately. But its gorgeous. the ward is awesome! they are filthy rich. The knight family owns a Universtiy in Virginia for charity only. And they buy and run hotels from Hilton and Marriot. Among other things. But they are really awesome though. My typical day is wake up. study from 8-10 both personal and companion. then tracting till 1. then lunch and study till 2. then tracting or appointments. then dinner-usually by a member. then we teach them or they visit less actives with us or appointments. and then planning from 9-930 and then bed by 10. but they have a really cool ward mission plan. but im in Midlothian ward. and its really big. not with members but size. its about 15 mile radius? something like that. elder rappleye is really sweet. he is really smart and knows a lot about the gospel. OH! we visited a lady named Rita Keiser and after a year of teaching she said, "Well I cant have you guys come over anymore." so I got sad but then she said she wants to be baptized! so we were really happy about that. but it was part her fellowshipper. they are in the same boat with only member in family and kinda older with no family. and i placed my first Book of Mormon to a "die-hard episcopal" as she put it. but 15 mins on her doorstep and she was touched by the spirit. so she accepted the book and promised to read it! well thats mostly it for now.
Love Elder Malone

Update on Greg

2007-10-28T15:39:00.000-07:00

(ok the dates on th pics are off)

Greg left for VA on Wed. Oct. 24th. Unbeknownst (his favorite word) to his family, he suprised us with an early morning phone call from the airport! It was so wonderful to hear his voice. He sounded happy and the same teasing, always-finding-something- to- get- into guy. There were 5 of them going to VA. He loved his time at the MTC and sent home 3 items to remember it by....an acorn, fall leaves and a square of TP. Apparently they tp'd the elders room, went playing in the fall leaves (I don't even want to imagine what the suit looks like after that) and he and his companion bonded over collecting acorns. He wrote a beautiful poem which if he gives me permission, I will post on here. He keeps feeling prompted to write a hymn, I'm assuming the lyrics only. He says he "enjoys the challenges and look forward to those in the mission field."

The mission home called me on Wed. night to tell me Greg had arrived safely and he ate a great dinner and was writing a letter and sending a picture of him. He was spending the first night at the mission home and then going to the local chapel the next day to train and then meet his trainer....sounds like dog obedience school to me!!! So now he is an official "greenie!" Anjum

Comments from Elder Malone

2007-10-23T19:05:00.000-07:00

We've gotten a few letters and e-mails in the past couple of weeks. Greg seems very happy and loves learning so much about the gospel. He's kind of glad that he doesn't have to learn a language because he gets to go "way" deeper into the gospel. He says that he's following the rules and it's "surprisingly" easy. He wanted Halloween pictures from his sisters, but then said that Alex and Jacklyn will probably just be boogers and Kayla will think she's a "princess" again so never mind, it'll be just another boring year!

He really enjoying the changing of the leaves and weather in Utah and is very excited to get to Richmond on Wed. Oct 24th. He said to think about him at 3:00 pm Az time, he'll be at his new home. His time at the MTC has been wonderful and he says, "It's gone by so fast! The days are long, but the weeks are short."

He thanks everyone who talked him into going on his mission.

Elder Malone's First P-Day Letter!

2007-10-10T13:46:00.001-07:00

Hey I finally got my email! Its gregorymalone@myldsmail.net.
please note the .net part. its not .com!

things are going amazing here! Its my first preperation day
and im lovin it! Its so werid to think its already been a week.
like its been really full but I dont know how to explain. its so
fun though. Im learning so much already. its nice not learning a
language because we can get into the deep doctrine. oh and not
meaning to brag but at our devotional last night we had a talk by
Elder Gerald N. Lund. Yes the author of work and the glory. and i
shook his hand!

My companions name is Elder Hatch. He is crazy. we have a lot of fun
together and its funny but we play like we are mad at eachother but we
never really are. but other elders look at us funny. The food is delicious
of course! and endless too so im afraid to step on a scale. I exercise
too so no worries right?

A normal day for Elder malone is wake up and get to class by 7 am.
Personal Study till 815.
Breakfast till 9
Class from 915 till 1
Lunch at 115
Class from 2 till 6.
Dinner from 615 to 7
Then class till 9.
then planning for the next day

but with conference its been a little mixed up which is good. and class
is not just sitting but teaching and going to different workshops. they
have so much different things to do. I called a lady in new jersey and
asked how she liked the pamphlet on familes. she enjoyed it alot so i
offered for the missionaires to come by with a Book of Mormon and she
agreed! she was a devoted catholic and said she was having a really rough
time. but they awesome part is also that i had prayed for someone to pick
up the phone and no one did. but i kept the faith and prayer in my heart.
and look what happened! the Lord blesses those who seek for an answer. and
by the trial of their faith will He answer them! I know this to be true.
Thank you so much for all the pushing you did to get me out here. its really
paid off. and Im missing home but not enough to come home yet! haha
sorry. maybe in 725 days. love to all!

Elder Malone

Emailing, Writing and Addresses:

2007-10-05T12:37:00.001-07:00

EMAILING:
You can email Greg at: gregorymalone@myldsmail.net

WRITING:

If you want to avoid the hassle of getting stamps, writing etc. you can also sign up on DearElder.com to write letters which will be mailed to him by the dearelder people. They print them and mail them for you....just choose his mission.

Or Write to him at the addresses posted below.

LIVING ADDRESS:

Address for where he's living in NC:

Not Available yet...plz send letters to email or the mission home

Mailing Address for the Mission Home in Richmond, VA:
please use this address for mailing packages and when you don't know his regular address-

Elder Greg Malone
Virginia Richmond Mission
9327 Midlothian Tpke. Ste 1-B
Richmond, VA 23235-4944

Elder Malone Enters the MTC!

2007-10-05T12:27:00.000-07:00

Greg and Nate Johnson (friend going to Nicaragua) both entered the MTC on Oct. 3, 2007 at 12noon to begin their service to their Father in Heaven for the next 2 years! He looked so wonderful in his blue suit and red tie. His mom, dad, stepmom and friends accompanied him. Pictures will be posted soon. Mom got to put his name tag on him. Then we all went into the chapel to listen to talks by his MTC Mission President and watch a video. Then came d-time....hug goodbye and he goes one way and we go another. Tears flowed freely...except him of course...he was too excited. His estimated date of departure is Oct. 24 for Virginia. See the address section for his current address. He LOVES care packages and letters! Check back often for news.