Week 34…Wintry Weather & Miracles in the Mission

January 27, 2014   

Howdy Family,

     I am glad you liked the envelope with the pictures and the letters.  The stuff seemed to get there really fast this time.  I sent it on Tuesday.  That is really weird; I thought you would not get it until Saturday.  I’m sorry to hear about Steve, please tell them that I say hello and that I’m thinking of them and keeping them in my prayers. 

     Unfortunately, I forgot to grab my camera this morning but I have some more pictures from last Pday and my exchanges last week.  I went on exchanges and got some pics of the frozen snowy Susquehanna River.  I will email them to you next week. 

     Well another month pretty much gone by and can't believe February starts on Saturday.  I will be at 8 months in a week and a half.  Friday (1/31) is a monumental day, it’s hard to think that is the year mark of getting my call. It seems like it was just yesterday.

1. What are the highs/lows for the week?  Oh my goodness this week has been amazing.  So many good things have happened.  Miracles are happening and all of the sudden everything seems to be falling into place.   We have met so many new people and we have the opportunity to teach them.   I’m not sure what’s going on, suddenly all of our hard work is paying off and we can see the Lord’s hand in our work.  Maybe the Lord feels sympathy for us because of all this crazy weather that we have been enduring.  This week many people opened their doors to us and we were invited to teach quite a few people from our old teaching records.  These are people that were taught a few years ago.  So here are the other highs from the week.  First of all, I was able to go on an exchange with the zone leaders in their area.  It was pretty fun to get out and around to see a new part of  PA.  Even though a lot of their plans fell through we still had fun and were able to make do and come up with other ideas to complete our day.  The day I was on exchanges with the zone leaders, Elder B  and Elder T  contacted these people that were in our records from a while ago.  We have been meaning to contact them, but we could not find their address and haven’t had time to see them.  However, Elder B finally contacted them on Thursday and they were super nice and receptive.  They seemed to know who the missionaries were and Elder B said they were GOLDEN J  Even better, it’s a family.  We have a return appointment with them tomorrow (Tuesday).  Hopefully they will be interested and let us teach them.  On Friday night we had a lesson with D  and that went really well.  Also, we picked up another guy from Puerto Rico and he also has been taught before.  He is kind of wishy washy, so we will see where it goes.  If that’s not enough, we decided to do a BOM class.  We started it on Wednesday and it went well.  We had a few people show up.  We are doing it with the sisters so hopefully we can get a good crowd coming out to it.  Last week 3 people came and we hope it continues to grow.  So overall it was a great week and we have a packed week this coming week.  The overall low has probably just been the cold weather and snow which I am getting tired of.  I really hope spring is shortly around the corner.   
2. How's the weather been this week?  Oh boy has been all over the place.  Cold and snowy last week and then it warmed up a tad this weekend.  But it has been crazy to say the least.  Our WML said usually this part of PA does not get this cold and snowy ever.  I guess, according to him, this winter is breaking records.  So pretty much it is has been much different than your balmy January weather and it sounds like this week isn't going to be much better for us.  More subzero temps coming for tomorrow and Wednesday.
3. How was the storm last Monday/Tuesday?  Did your car get parked?  It was quite the storm, it snowed pretty much all day Tuesday.  We ended up with about 10 inches of snow.  The car was parked for most of the day Tuesday.  We able to drive in the morning a little bit, but not much because the storm was just starting to roll in just when we got started.  So we came back and had lunch and then we went out and shoveled around our apartment complex for like 3 hours.  Unfortunately, it was so snowy that it basically just covered all of our work back up.  So we shoveled for a while and then we went back and cleaned the apartment.  Later that night we drove into downtown Lititz and contacted this guy that used to be an investigator a few years ago and luckily we ended up picking up him as a new investigator.  We walked around to try and contact a couple of other people.  While we were driving back to our apartment we were going up a hill and had a little trouble.  Unfortunately our car does not have 4 wheel drive.  We were almost to the top of the hill, but our tires could not get any traction so basically we were just spinning.  Luckily, there were 2 dudes behind us and they came and pushed us up.  On Wednesday it was nice and sunny and we had blue skies.  This gave everyone the chance to begin to dig out.  So there you have it…the story of the blizzard. 
4. In your last email you said it was scary driving home in the fog from Harrisburg.  You didn't tell me that you were safe and made it home in one piece...I'm assuming that was a given and that everything was A OK even though it was scary.  Yes, we made it home in one piece and everything is A OK and hopefully it will always be like that. 
5. Was the man that paid for the pretzel factory tour a church member?  No, he was just a random guy that knew who Mormon missionaries were and decided to pay for all of us.  So he was just a super nice stranger. 
6. Did you get my package on Thursday?  Can you use the sweaters and the new BYU shirt?  Yes, I got it all.  It was lovely and I can use all of it.  Thanks!
7. How did your interview go with President?  Interviews went well.  He talked a lot about making sure that we set goals and then plan around those goals.  Basically it was just making sure that our planning is going well and we continue to work hard and be obedient.  He related a scripture story about the people of Ammon when they were at a critical point in their spiritual lives and laid down their weapons and gave up fighting.  Elder Richard G. Scott gave an amazing talk during October 2013 conference that centered around this scripture story ( https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/personal-strength-through-the-atonement-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng President taught us that we need to do our part in being obedient and be committed to the covenants and promises that we make. 
8. How are things with your investigators?  Amazing, as you saw in the highs. 
1. TP, Mandy & Lee ...  Right now we have just talked with them for a few minutes after we stopped by D’s .  But hopefully tomorrow we are having TP  and D over to the W family (Primary president) for dinner and then a lesson. 
2. D... is doing awesome and he’s making progress.  We had an amazing lesson with him on Friday and Bro. W  was there with us.  We intended on talking about the Plan of Salvation but it turned into a lesson about trials.  Unfortunately, he is still not coming to church.  But he still is reading and praying, so that’s great!  It hard because he wants a “for sure answer” if this is the right thing for him.  Really he wants a giant “sign” that says this is what you should do as his answer.  We told him the spirit works in a still small voice, not giant “signs” and that the spirit he feels reading the BOM and meeting with us is his answer.  Basically, it just Satan’s way of trying to keep him on his side.  Also, he doesn't really have a job right now. He’s applied with a company and he has had a couple of interviews and he just desperately wants/needs a job.  The lesson was so good and the spirit was so strong that he started to cry a couple of times.  I shared the scriptures in Ether 12:6 and 27 and those were very helpful to him.   6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that ^afaith is things which are ^bhoped for and ^cnot seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no ^dwitness until after the ^etrial of your faith.   27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their ^aweakness. I ^bgive unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my ^cgrace is sufficient for all men that ^dhumble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make ^eweak things become strong unto them.  So please pray for him and that things will continue to move forward with him. 
3. W... Well, basically he has been really busy and not doing much that we’ve asked of him, so we have pretty much dropped him.  We have one more appointment set with him for Sunday and if that doesn't spark a fire with him we are officially going to drop him. 
4. M...  She is sort of wishy washy and we tried to meet with her the other day but she said she was going out of town.  So we will see what happens.  It is hard because there is no man in the house, so we have to find people to go with us each time and that makes it hard to get a set lesson with her. 
5. Claude...  He is doing great.  He is still enjoying us playing pool with him and I love it too.
6. I family...  Unfortunately, we were not able to meet with them last week because they were sick.  We are planning on going over tonight. 
9. Any new leads/investigators?  The family that I was talking about in highs is a great lead.  Like I said above, I have not met them yet, but they sound great.  Pray that they will be receptive to our message.
10. How are your meals?  Do you still eat at members' homes each night?  Tried any new food lately?  Meals have been good.  We’ve finally been starting to get meals back on the calendar.  It has been kind of slow for the past month or so.  We’re hoping it will pick up again.  On a sidenote, I tried asparagus a few weeks ago and this is hard for me to admit, but I kind of liked it.  I know you probably are jumping for joy right now. 
11. What food are you sick of?  What food are you craving?  I would love some of your Chex mix, that sounds good about right now. 
12. Do you need anything?  stamps, labels etc.?  No, I am doing  pretty good on all of that.  I haven't been sending a ton of letters out lately. 
13. Can we pray for anything/anyone?  Pray for D .  Please put his name on the temple roll.  I really want things to get going with him.  Really just pray that all of these new people will allow us to share the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. 
14. How's Elder B?  He is great and we continue to work well together and apparently it is working because we have a lot of people to teach right now.  So, we are getting along great and we both enjoy being with each other.              

Well as you've seen I have had an awesome week!!! Hopefully this coming week will be the same and all of our appointments will happen.  Thanks for everything and I love you and miss you!!!

Love,

Elder Muir

Columbia bridge over the Susquehanna River 

 Ice on the frozen Susquehanna River

Snow can't stop this horse and buggy near Bird in Hand, PA

(southeast of Lancaster in Elder Muir's zone)

 

Photos from WGAL.com

Snail Mail Letter from Elder Muir

January 21, 2014

Hello,

     Hope all is well with you.  Your email made it sound like you are all doing great.  Glad your weather has been decent.  It’s been pretty good here until today.  A big old snowstorm is coming through today.  Unfortunately, we won’t be able to drive around too much.  We don’t have much planned because of it and having the car parked won’t help.  We did have exchanges planed but the weather made us postpone it until Thursday.  The next few days is supposed to be cold and snowy.  TREK sounds like fun, glad you get to go again.

     I can’t believe there is another temple movie.  That’s the 2^nd new movie in six months.  I sure miss the temple and wish we had a temple in the mission.  I looked at the Gilbert temple pictures online and it looks pretty awesome.

     I’m sorry to hear about gma Bonnie’s hip.  I sent her a card for her bday, hope they had fun on their trip.  I’m glad that you are all doing the 90 day BOM challenge.  Congrats on the progress you are making, that’s awesome!  As you saw last week, I was able to finish it and I was so excited.  I can’t wait to hear about Boris’ flying adventures.  What exactly is the ground school that he’s starting?  Looks like Meg has her work cut out for her with her Valentine’s bake sale. 

    Yesterday we had our Pday adventure at the Sturgis pretzel factory.  We took the tour and it was pretty cool.  We went as a district and some super nice guy paid for all of us.  Also, there were some people from the Hershey ward on the tour with us.  The tour was interesting and fun.  I have some pictures of the tour.  I got you guys a magnet that I will send home at some point and I got a Tshirt.  Also, I got me some Wilbur Buds but I accidentally got dark chocolate.  Their good, but I would rather have milk chocolate.

     I love the info you sent on the success/failures of the famous people.  It’s so important not to give up, to “just keep on swimming”.  Greatness and success can only come if we aren’t afraid of failure and don’t give up.  Gotta go so I can get this in the mail.  Thanks for all you do for me.  I love you and miss you!!!

Love,
Elder Muir

Sturgis Pretzel Factory tour

 

 Inside the pretzel factory

 

Week 33 January 20, 2014...Hastening the Work in Lititz

January 20, 2014...

FYI...Elder Muir is 1/3 of the way through his mission and is down to 500 days!!!  We've gone from the 700's, 600's, 500's and tomorrow we hit the 400's...YAY!!!

First things first, I have an announcement to make.  You may be able to guess, if not the picture will say it all.  

 It looks like you have been pretty busy and I’m glad things are going well for all of you.  That is crazy that another temple movie was made, now there are 2 new ones?  You will have to let me know how the latest one is.  Also you mentioned something about Meg trying to build up her savings account…what’s the damage on mine so far.  How much is left in mine?  Also, you may want to check on my debit card account here in the next couple of days.  I may end up buying some more Wilbur buds for you and me (because I didn’t buy any for myself before).  You said they were good so I think I might have to try them.   Also, as you will read further down, we are going to the Sturgis pretzel factory (http://www.juliussturgis.com/ourhistory.html) and I may buy a souvenir there so I will keep you posted.  Just giving you a heads up on the card.   

1. How's your week been?  Oh my goodness what a difference a week makes.  We are finally back in the swing of things and we were able to teach quite a few people this week.  D is finally back from North Carolina and we were able to meet with him and get lessons started with him again.  So hopefully we can get him progressing again.   Last night we started teaching this lady named M that missionaries had taught in the past. 
2. What are the highs/lows for the week?  Well one high is that I was able to go to a broadcast of the 100 Years of Scouting that the church did back in October.  I don't know if you were able to see it but it was pretty sweet.  You should be able to find it online if you were not able to see it.  Here is the link if you want to watch it https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/archive/on-my-honor/2013/10?lang=eng.   Another high is since transfers were last week we had to take Elder S (trio companion) up to the Harrisburg church so he could meet and pick up his new companion.  It was fun to see all of the missionaries that night.   It was also fun because I had to take the new elders that were going to be serving in Camp Hill to their area.  It was weird to go back to my first area.  That adventure brings comes with a low too.  I was the driver that night coming back from Harrisburg.   The drive going to and back from Harrisburg was really foggy.  The freeway was really foggy and it was kind of scary driving in the fog at 9:30 at night when I’m not completely familiar with the roads.  Another high was that we had zone training on Thursday and it was also fun to see some of the new missionaries that were transferred into the zone.  A couple of Elders that I came out with were there and I had not seen them in quite some time.  So it was good to see them. 
3. How's your weather?  The weather has been pretty decent.  You can definitely tell it has been humid because there is a noticeable wet cold in the air.  It snowed during the night a few days ago but it has pretty much all melted now.  It looks like things are supposed to get cold and snowy here for the next couple of weeks.
4. What the status on the flood at the church?  Still drying out or does it need a new floor?  Well it sounds like they are going to be replacing the floor sometime in February.  The bubble and the fans etc. are all gone right now but the floor is very warped which makes it very uneven and bubbly.  They are letting people use it but like I said it sounds like the final decision was to replace it sometime next month. 
5. Are you able to still use the church?  Yes, we are able to use the church.  It was just the wood on the gym floor that was the biggest problem.  Right now it is being used but it’s just very warped and uneven. 
6. How's Elder B?  Are things good between the 2 of you?  We are getting along great.  We both are continuing to do our best to find people to teach and help the work move forward. 
7. What happened with the media referral that you got last week?  Well we stopped by and it was a kid that sent the request.  We talked to him as he was walking home from school and he said that he had submitted the request online, but apparently after he sent the request he also sent something in saying “never mind, we’re catholic”.  So my guess is he had a friend from the ward at school and they did a mormon.org  request but then his parents probably did not want us coming over.  So unfortunately we are not teaching him and he's not interested. 
8. How are things with your investigators/less actives?
1. TP,  Mandy & Lee?  Well when we stopped by D’s we also stopped by TP’s and talked to her for a minute too.  We’re hoping to get the ball rolling with all of them and start teaching them again.   Mandy & Lee have moved in with TP (mom) and are staying with her for a bit.  We’re looking forward to teaching all of them again.   
2.  D?  Well we were able to contact him again Friday night and start teaching him again and get the ball rolling.  The best part is that he’s still been reading the BOM a bit through the month (while he was in NC) and the whole time that we haven’t been in contact with him.  So we were pretty excited about that. 
3. W?  He is kind on the back burner right now.  He is really busy and we’re not able to see him a lot. 
4. Claude?  Well he is doing good, just being the same old, same old 93 year old man stuck in a nursing home and ready to get out. 
5. I Family?  How did the FHE go last week?  They are doing great.  They are getting a lot of fellowship from the ward which is good.  The Mia Maids went over to visit with one of the daughters for their Wednesday night activity.  So they are starting to make friends and getting to know the ward a little better.  The progress is slow but at least it is progress. 
6. Any new leads/investigators/families?  Well we were going through our old records of people that missionaries have taught in the past and we started teaching this lady, M, that had been taught a few years ago.  I don't know what will come of it but at least we have one more person to add to our teaching pool. 
9. How did zone training go on Thursday?  It went well.  They had a really good training on how to help the people we teach recognize the spirit.  It was very helpful and useful because we have made that the focus of a few of our lessons for some people. 
10. What's the most memorable thing from your mission so far?  I think the biggest thing is all of the new things that are being done by the church and missions as part of the "Hastening the Work" motto.  Also, another highlight was at last general conference (Oct. 2013) when they announced that the church had 80,000 missionaries serving.  I think it is pretty cool to be a part of the historic emphasis and changes in missionary work. 
11. Who has had the most impact on you so far during your mission?  Probably President Topham.  He is a great man, the advice and council that he gives each and every week in his emails is uplifting, positive and helpful.  He gives great info at the trainings that he gives to us each zone conference/interview etc.  He is an awesome mission president and has a strong testimony of the Savior, gospel and missionary work. 
12. What's the best advice you've been given on your mission?  Sister Topham said something in our mission video about being obedient.  She said “obedience brings blessings, but being exactly obedient brings miracles” and I would 100 % agree with her. 
13. Do you have a favorite scripture from your mission so far?  I liked reading in Ether chapter 12.  I especially love (chapter 12:6) where it talks about the trial of you faith.  “For ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith”. 
14. Any fun activities coming up in your ward?  Not to my knowledge.
15. Do you do anything fun/exciting for pday or do you always go to the church?  We used to go to the church but since the floor has been out of commission we went bowling last week and today we are going to take a tour of Sturgis pretzel factory.  It is America’s first pretzel place.  Hopefully that will be fun and the best part is that it only costs $3.50.  Also, I am going to finally get myself some Wilbur buds…YUM!!! 
16. Do you and Elder B exercise in the morning?  Sometimes we do.  This morning we got up and ran about a mile around this loop by our apartment. 
17. Do you walk at all anymore?  We do on occasion.  Sometimes we walk around to places in downtown Lititz to try and conserve miles. 
18. How are the boots?  Do you use them much, are they comfy?  Yes, I use them when they are needed and they definitely work well and were a good purchase. 
19. How are your other shoes holding up and how are your feet?  They are holding up well. 
20. Were your feet problems mostly because you were walking so much in Camp Hill? I think so, everything seems to be ok with my feet right now. 

Well there is my weekly life report from last week.  It looks like you have all had a good week and I can't wait to see the surprise I get in the mail from you.  I want you know I love you and miss you lots. 

Love,

Elder Muir