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

Ok let me try this thing out. Well things are going really well in Glen Allen.
1. Elder Davis is pretty alright. He is very by-the-book Elder and it kinda bugs me sometimes but no worries. he is VERY obedient. which sometimes its needful to follow the Spirit of the law and not the letter. and so he has some hesitants but he does alright. there are more blessings from obedience. too many to count. im trying to help him relax a little. he beats himself up too much about little things. like the other day he was feeling bad so he thought it was from disobedience. I said he was fine. he is very obedient. he said, "well i could definitely improve. like I could wipe up the counters after i use them. that might help. " i laughed and told him he is fine. but he didnt really agree so we shall see.

2. being a District Leader is way fun! i got to do exchanges with Scotchtown Elders the other day. and one is Elder Roberts so just like old times and the other is Elder Blight. he goes home in like 3 weeks so i learn from him mostly. but it was a lot of fun! and i get to stay up about 10 mins late on sundays to do numbers. because my fax is lame so it takes a while. but other than that no worries. I did hold my FIRST district meeting and it went really well i hear. it was combined with another district to make it bigger. and then my district (only scotchtown) suprised me with a Hannah Montana cake in celebration/embarassment. it was awesome! and she is way cute too.

3.We have a baptism on saturday the 3rd of May. its a Cambodian family. they are so dedicated to the gospel. if we tell them about something then they do it! their names are Shawn(dad) and Michelle(daughter) Mao. like he threw away all his coffee and tea as soon as we told them to. so they are so excited for it! i get to confirm Michelle on Sunday and Elder Davis is dunking both of them. im scared. ive never done that before. but it will be so awesome. the Spirit is the strongest in those circles. blessings are powerful but not as much as a confirmation circle (sorry girls). and scotchtown gets to have a lady be baptized on the 18th of may. our zone will have 13 baptisms in may! how sweet is that? president millburn asked for 10 a zone every month! and we are! but the coolest thing is that I will get to interview their candidate for baptism. how scary huh?! but way awesome too!

4. the tornados were not in Richmond. but they were down south and around us. there is nothing to clean up or help with around here so no service there :( but i am looking forward to a hurricane soon.)

5. DONT BE AFRAID OF EMAILING ME! I love getting emails but try to not have them be novels. dont leave things out because you are afraid its too long. I only have specified to certain people that their emails are too long. and its not a picky thing. all the emails i get takes up more than a hour. so i am constantly behind. but please continue to send them! i love hearing from all ya'll! just no novels! thanks.

6. we went to a place called Maymont Park today. it was so cool! it had a zoo type of thing and a japanese garden. that was the coolest part. then we played football and i rolled down the hill. it was a blast! i love Richmond soo much!

Love Elder Malone

The Move to Richmond.....

Well Elder Davis is pretty alright. We get a long great. He is very obedient so a big change for me. It keeps me going so I like it some. I finally found out his schtich you could say...something that makes me itch that just settles a little off with me. He is very tight about his money and eats very healthy-like. so not a huge thing. but its different. We get along well for the most part. Being more obedient has really helped me see more missionary miracles. little prayers answered throughout the day that make it much better. tracting is going well actually. its really tough because everyone has been tracted into so we just introduce it differently. its a challenge to say the same message different ways every time. but you'd be surprised how i can relate anything back to the restoration. all in all though its going well. Glen Allen is a really nice ward. lots of good member work going on so we have people and dinners too! that's a huge step up. biking is getting hard but sometimes its easy too. in Richmond, if you're not going down you're going up. so just think of that all day. sometimes we take downhills but then you got to come back up. tough times but its just all about working the natural man out of you. and the harder I work, the more I show the Lord that I want to work for Him and bring His children home. so that's my mindset while I bike. it works i suppose. Not too much to tell. We did give a lady in the hospital a blessing. She had some bacteria so we wore these gowns and gloves while we did it. something different. well sorry its short and late. but times precious. love to all.
Love, Elder Malone

BIG NEWS!!!

Alright people are you ready for a huge shock?!?! I sure as heck fire was when I found out...Well here it is. I got a call from Elder Coles last night right as we were opening our mouths to say our prayer. He is an AP so that meant something on transfer night especially. Well it turns out he wanted to talk to me! And he said, "Elder Malone, after some careful and prayerful consideration, we would like to extend to you to be the District Leader in the Glen Allen district. Its in the Richmond Zone(or stake). As we were doing transfers, we realized that we needed one more District Leader. And President Millburn and we all agree that you are more than capable to fill this role. So do you want it?" HAHA well needless to say, I was more than stunned. Why me? I didn't think that was what President was talking about when he said "big change" and " prepare yourself well." Who knew?! so there it is! I'm going up to Richmond VA to be a district Leader over 2 other companionships. My new companion will be Elder Davis who is one transfer younger than I. And from what i know a really awesome guy! So talk about a responsibility! But I prayed to the Lord to help me and comfort me when I find out where I am going so I know that it is where HE wants me to go. And I got the sweetest most peaceful feeling ever thought about. It gave me such comfort. And I later thanked Heavenly Father repeatedly for the support and comfort He gave me. I know I will rely on Him a lot this transfer but I look forward to it. I pray that I might be humble in serving them and helping my district in the way that they need it the most. I see this as a great opportunity to prove myself to the Lord and Mission President that I can do it! Now there is a catch, I'm getting shotgunned in there which means that neither I nor Elder Davis are there currently so we are starting from scratch when it comes to knowing people and the whereabouts of things. So it should be a great adventure. Oh..and I'm on bike. :) but i will love every minute of the heat and sweat that will be coming. Coats off now till next conference! so that is much better on bike. I love the Lord soo much. not just now but I always have. He is my best friend out here. And will be at home too! he gives me soo much strength when all I do is turn to Him and just tell Him what is wrong. He always provides a way. Like Sister Tanner said on Sunday, "The Lord is a 4th watch Lord.' He comes at the last minute to help us. Last minute for us but just in time for Him. He will never abandon us." I KNOW that with all my heart. Ahoskie has taught me a lot and I will look back knowing that its been really growing. And Ahoskie is getting closed for a while. no more missionaries which is why I'm cleaning all day today and tomorrow and packing. so i don't know my new address yet but I will soon.
Love to all. and thanks for the prayers,
Love Elder Malone

Letter home on 3/25/08

All right lets see how this thing works. My typing is off today so it will probably be a little un- coordinated. Elder Q says that when I talk to people on the phone I drop a drawl. which I think is awesome and he just laughs about it. He says I use southern words alot which he thought was just out of joking but I'm serious when I use them. So he says, "oh...hes not being funny. huh:)" like if i ask "what ya'll want for supper?" he thinks I'm being funny. but I'm seriously asking what they want for supper! whats wrong with that? nothing i like it. :)

We are all getting along better. just dumb little things piling up. I have been speaking my mind more than i want to but its helped on some ways. it helps me get some stuff out and really get the whole picture. not just what i think but it helps clear my mind of wrong ideas. so its bitter sweet. Honestly through it all, I have not lost the faith. I have lost the faith in missionaries and repented, but I have not lost the faith that the Lord is helping me every step. And that soo many people pray for me everyday. We are the most prayed for people in the world! So that helps the confidence some. I feel bad for sending any bad vibes home. I apologize. I realize that I shouldn't be quick to judge. I normally don't judge. but when you are around someone soo much and we have a strict code of conduct. you tend to see every step they take outside of it and focus on the bad. so i am really changing how I view myself and others. It amazing how the Lord answered me in His own time and no soo much my time. He tested me to see how much"long-suffering" i could endure. and I guess it was a long time. because it has been a super long time to me. But to Him like a second. Because He sent His spirit "to comfort me when faint." and "I feel my Savior's love" especially as I do what I love doing most. serving others. its crazy how it works out. i love to serve. especially knowing I won't get anything on the other end makes me happy. because then I know its the right reasons and I hate doing things for the wrong reasons. So i serve others and it helps me feel better as well as become a better person. I realize my own weaknesses and work those out as I work with others.

My new favorite scripture chapter is Ether 12. And i extend to all of you a challenge to read and pray about it. especially verse 27. its great to talk about. and it cross references perfect with Alma 32. So please read and pray and ponder about those scriptures. because they will humble you and make you realize how much you need the Lord's trials. I got a million but it only feels like 1 small one. because of this amazing blessing from the Lord. Matthew 11:28-30. and then i think about in times of trial, this is the Lord in my response to help, "And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand and said, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" (Matthew 14:31) just remember that He immediately stretches forth His hand and tells us to be of good cheer and have faith. I challenge you all to look to the Lord in times of need. I know He will help us if we ask Him.

Love Elder Malone

Letter from Greg 2/26/08

Well I don't know how this will go. I haven't been able to clearly put all my thoughts down on paper like I really want to. I have been doing some real up and down times in life. Just extreme lows and highs. But i can really feel love for the people now.

Good news! A lady here named Felita, got baptized in Jan. She is moving to Scottsdale in June to go to culinary school there! So she will be there when I'm home! how sweet is that? I'm looking forward to her living there. she is sooo awesome.

Well I'm sorry to say but I had a crazy black lady propose to me the other day. She is really interesting. She is a member of the holiness church. Pentecostal. yeah they are crazy and everywhere! and she likes to talk to us. but has this weird attraction to me for some reason. so we talk with her through her screen. and i don't talk much to her but she will occasionally stop the conversation to talk to me, and she randomly asked me if i would marry her. I said no of course and my only nice excuse i could say was "I'm on a mission." i didn't want to say because you're old or Pentecostal but she didn't think it was a good excuse. but luckily she left it alone. yeah she is weird.

I have always prayed before my study in the morning to use what I learn throughout the day. and it finally happened! we were teaching Felita and everything I had learned in the morning about loving others and using the BOM helped her exactly as she needed! it was so amazing to see that even the random scriptures I cross-referenced had helped her out too! it truly was a tender mercy from the Lord and I thanked Him ten times over for that. it was awesome to see the fruits of my labor for that day. I met brother Zundel's family out here. This guy in my ward passed away the week after President Hinckley. And his daughter married Brother Zundel's cousin. whose last name is the same. so when he introduced himself i found it couldn't be just a coincidence. so i asked if he had family in AZ and he said he did in mesa! so it was his cousin! it was really cool. he took pictures that he should have sent to brother zundel. they are from Maryland i believe.

Sorry my typing is poor. my hands are shaking pretty badly. Last night was transfer calls. so we can stay up later! and elder quebbeman and i decided to duct tape 2- 2 liter bottles of soda to our hands and drink it! we both only got one down in an hour and gave up. but it was awesome.

It will be Elder Quebbeman, elder Roberts and myself in Ahoskie now, so its good. I heard elder roberts is a strong obedient missionary...exactly the one I was praying for which is good to know. I do not hold myself higher than any other missionary, but i am here to grow.

I would suggest to everyone to please go and buy the new spring Oreos!they are to die for and also if you submerge them in milk.... its like celestial kingdom worthy. i tell you what. oh man. but i thank everyone for their kindness and support no matter what. sorry about my lacking to write. it tough out here. not so much physical but mentally.
Love Elder Malone

p.s. don't keep hidden wedges. read president monson talk in July 2007! good stuff!

Letter home on 2/12/08

Ok so to start off, I had the coolest thing ever happen to me the other day! Ok, so we are told that we have to contact every single referral given by Salt Lake last year this year. So we have been doing a lot of that and we went over to this one lady's house. It was in a pretty bad trailer park and there were some cars outside. AND some dogs...oh yeah. So we walked up and the littler of the dogs was going crazy barking! But it seemed harmless so we walked on. Till we approached the beast... it was a massive dog and we second thought it but as servants of the Lord, we pressed on. We finally reached the steps and the little dog is off the wall barking. It's right by the steps so we walk up and it jumps at elder quebbeman, so we use the bible to repel it away. We all get up the steps and.... well, they are not home. so i take the shot at walking down the steps to see if the little dog will cause trouble because he was hiding. sure enough as i hit the ground he came at me. i thought i was out of his reach but no....he took a nice size bite at my left leg! so now with pain in my leg i look around and he is cowering away. so i tell him i will kill him if he comes back again. so the other two are safely able to get off the porch and im limping away with a battle wound that rivals most veterans. :L) not really. it tore my pants good and got some nice teeth marks in me. A little bit of blood but we stopped rabies by putting hand sanitizer on it. :) it worked. So, pictures are coming. we were going to email them but we forgot the camera. so...yeah thats the week for you.

Pretty much not too much left. Transfers are soon and I am excited for that. But I wanted to say how tough it is living with someone, well one of them. But with the Lords help I am able to look at them with a new light. Sure its tough and every 10 mins I'm praying for strength but last night He turned me around to view a road I had not seen. A new path... and what i thought was a dead end arose up and helped me. So i dont know where it goes but I know its better than where i was.

May we all look towards Him in our times of triumph, sorrow, need and thanks is my prayer. Love Elder Malone

Letter on 2/5/08

Things are good here. We have a GPS provided by elder quebbeman so we dont get lost. We are teaching a lot of people. one is set for baptism and a few others are almost there. ruth is set for the 23rd of feb. and has come twice to church. she needs 4 times so we are praying she still comes. she has a ways to go but is trying hard.

The funeral for President Hinckley was really awesome! I almost cried. he was an amazing man and a great example of work. He has given us all a charge to double baptisms in the north american missions so I think that it would be a great way to honor him by doubling the baptisms. so please do all you can to get referrals for the missionaries. I know that the Lord puts thoughts into your minds of people to refer. and even if you dont think they are right, the Lord does. So follow those thoughts. And tell everyone else that as well!

Well we had some crazy mice all over the apartment lately. But after we put out sticky traps and other traps they have disapperared. We caught 3 so far. I will not tell you what I did with them all but as you can see from some pictures, we did use fire. they deserved it.... pooping on our counters and eating our food! stupid meese. and President Capser the branch president is ok with us killing them! everyone is and everyone else does it so no worries there.

I thank everyone for their packages and support. I didnt get carols but I did get the valentinos. and a letter they had sent the MTC back in november finally came through the other day.

I am really relying on the Spirit lately for strength among the most of things. But mostly for inspiration. Its easy to get used to the spirit and its easy to lose it too. I have really seen how much hard work can turn into a small amount of return. Unfortunately thats how it is sometimes. But I know that no effort is wasted when it comes to the Lord's work. So I continue to press on and keep going. I work hard at teaching and harder on my companionships. Both are essential and both can become extremely difficult.

Just last night I had a gentleman ask about circumsion. And he proceeded to say how his preacher said he is unclean for not being circumsized. Now mind you, I really wanted to know that so we told him that its not required anymore. And then he continues to talk about it and he is also sitting there without a shirt on too so that added to the effect before my eyes! it was awesome! well not really but it was hard to not laugh. especially when we held hands to pray. I am glad I grew up normal. Thats all for now I believe. thanks for the support you give!

Love Elder Malone

The Famous Scarf he rarely takes off!!!

Letter home on 1/29/08

Hey how are ya'll? Hope all is well with the family.

Things are going well here. We just had another baptism on the 26th. His name is
Greg Harmon. Elder Horsley, one of the Elders who found him back in June, did
the baptism and the branch Prseident did the confirming. Greg's dad brought him
to the baptism which was a big step for him there! So that was really nice to
hear! And he even talked about church too! But he didn't come. Its ok though we
are going to work with Greg on missionary work with his dad. He is super solid
though. He watches BYU TV and reads all day long!

Well this past weekend has been really long for me and continues a little faster
at least. On Friday for dinner I had fried chicken so I used a hot sauce called
texas petes. Which is good stuff but hot. But I can handle it you know? Well
then on saturday for lunch I had nachos with texas pete again and for saturday
dinner I had mexican with salsa and hot sauce of course. So all in all my
stomach has been killing me all weekend even until now. Its not as bad but
definitely hurts. And it was not just the hot sauce. we think I might have an
ulcer. I have not had it checked out yet but because I have had no sharp or
terrible pains today I think I am alright. But who knows? If it continues
through the week, I promise promise I will go to the hospital. OK? no worries.

We finally had another investigator come to church! Her name is Ruth and she
needs the gospel bad. Her family is torn up and she smokes. So she will need
some work but she is very into the gospel. Luckily she came last sunday or
else we would not be able to have any baptisms in Feburary! :( not that i am focusing on
that but investigators need to go to church 4 times before getting baptized. So
its a step and we are asked to baptized monthly. I am doing good so far! We
have about 7 investigators we could set for baptism but we just need them to
come to church! So we will set them and have the Lord help us in getting them
there!

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

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

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