For starters, this email may be brief and I'm typing it as quickly as I can because the library has changed their computer system so we're only allowed a half hour now. Murmuring is bad so I'm going to try not to murmur. Maybe.
The highlight of my week was most definitely SUNDAY. Because Sunday was awesome! Why was Sunday awesome? Because we had church! I might normally insert an "of course" after that statement, but seeing as the weather and the forces of evil have been conspiring against all our church-having recently, this is big news! And, of course, to make it all even better, we had two investigators there - the first time this transfer (well, last transfer actually - today's the first day of my fourth "transfer") we had any investigators at church. Two of those with baptismal dates were there (one of the sisters and the soon-to-be-married man) and both seemed to like it.
Elder Sodenkamp and I both had the opportunity to speak in Sacrament Meeting and we did pretty well, if I do say so myself. I spoke on my all-time favorite doctrine - that we are the literal spirit children of a loving Heavenly Father - and discussed what this meant for us before this life, what it means for us now, and what it will mean in the eternities. Good stuff.
I don't know if I've mentioned "quality gospel conversations" (QGC's) before - it's an indicator that our Mission President uses to keep track of our work. Elder Sodenkamp and I had a rather poor week with only 21 QGC's. But to make up for it we had 21 QGC's yesterday alone, so we're off to a good start for the week.
We attended a funeral for a branch member on Saturday, which was really nice. I hadn't met her because she's been entirely incapacitated the last few years, but I know many of her children and grandchildren that live in our branch. It was a beautiful service; my favorite part was when all her grandchildren sang "Families Can Be Together Forever". The Spirit was so strong. In the lid of her casket they had a picture of the Washington, D.C. Temple with the caption: "Sealed together for eternity, May 1, 1975". (I don't actually remember the date). It made me sad that I wasn't able to be there for Grandad's funeral, but at least I know I'll see him again.
Oh! I almost forgot to mention transfer calls! Friday was transfer-call day and both of us are staying! I'm glad to keep working with Elder Sodenkamp and in Oscoda. I guess President figured if it wasn't broke he wasn't gonna fix it. Or something like that. Boy, have we got him fooled :P. (Just kidding, mom. I'm a good little missionary :).)
I love you all and I'm happy to report that we're probably pretty close to halfway through winter. Everyone tells us the snow will probably melt at the end of April. Oh goody.
Love,
Elder Cloward
Monday, January 26, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
It Just Keeps Snowing!
Hello!
It's been snowy and cold this week, which has sort of limited us in what we've been able to do. Where normally we might have walked from door to door when tracting, we've done a lot more driving around, only getting out to knock when it looks like someone is home or when the Spirit tells us we'd better. In any case, I've set a new mission goal: Come home without getting frostbite once! (So far I've only talked to one missionary who's been frostbitten, mom, so don't flip out or anything.)
We do, however, have some great news this week! Three investigators have set baptismal dates in February! Two of the sisters we've been teaching have decided to be baptized (on February 8) and their older sister is still considering it as well. I may have mentioned that we met a couple last week that we began teaching; we have now taught them twice more and the husband would like to be baptized (on February 14). Transfer calls are coming on Friday and I've got a feeling I won't be staying, so I may not be here for the baptisms, but I would definitely like to be!
The biggest challenge to our missionary work is still the weather. Due to snow and Michigan road commissions being broke (it takes FOREVER for them to get all the roads plowed) church was canceled again this week. We took comfort in the fact that we would definitely have had five investigators there if we'd had church. It's sort of hard to invite people to learn more about a church that doesn't ever have meetings.
Well, I think that's all the news from Michigan. A couple more snow pictures, though! They're both from Greenbush, Michigan, a small town north of Oscoda.
Love you all,
Elder Cloward
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Zone Conference Etc.
From and e-mail dated Jan. 12
Hi!
Highlights of this week:
- Zone conference! So far our zone conferences have varied quite a bit in length, but this one took most of the day. President Jones talked at length about our mission-wide goal for 30 baptisms in February and especially the goal that every companionship should have to commit someone to baptism in February. The title of his remarks was "The Price for 30 in February" - referring to the price that we must pay in order to achieve our goals, specifically referring to four key teachings from the Epistle of James. We must 1) Ask in faith (James 1:5-6), 2) Be Doers of the Word (James 1:22), 3) Apply Faith and Works (James 2:17-18), and 4) Better Understand the Power of Christ's Atonement and God's Plan of Salvation (James 5:19-20). Good stuff!
And also, I took a picture with Elder Valentine at Zone Conference, which I've attached.
- 3 new investigators, all of which we found while tracting (which we have been doing an awful lot of lately). It may not be the most creative or exciting way to find those who will receive the restored gospel, but I suppose it can still get the job done. We're having a hard time meeting back up with any of the 5 investigators we've found in the past 2 weeks, so we are hoping at least a few of them have a real interest in learning more about the Restoration.
- It hasn't yet dipped below zero this year! On New Year's Eve it got down to 8 below, but the coldest I've seen in 2009 is 3 degrees! Here's to waiting until next winter to see the negative end again!
I love you all and hope you are doing well,
Elder Cloward
Hi!
Highlights of this week:
- Zone conference! So far our zone conferences have varied quite a bit in length, but this one took most of the day. President Jones talked at length about our mission-wide goal for 30 baptisms in February and especially the goal that every companionship should have to commit someone to baptism in February. The title of his remarks was "The Price for 30 in February" - referring to the price that we must pay in order to achieve our goals, specifically referring to four key teachings from the Epistle of James. We must 1) Ask in faith (James 1:5-6), 2) Be Doers of the Word (James 1:22), 3) Apply Faith and Works (James 2:17-18), and 4) Better Understand the Power of Christ's Atonement and God's Plan of Salvation (James 5:19-20). Good stuff!
And also, I took a picture with Elder Valentine at Zone Conference, which I've attached.
- 3 new investigators, all of which we found while tracting (which we have been doing an awful lot of lately). It may not be the most creative or exciting way to find those who will receive the restored gospel, but I suppose it can still get the job done. We're having a hard time meeting back up with any of the 5 investigators we've found in the past 2 weeks, so we are hoping at least a few of them have a real interest in learning more about the Restoration.
- It hasn't yet dipped below zero this year! On New Year's Eve it got down to 8 below, but the coldest I've seen in 2009 is 3 degrees! Here's to waiting until next winter to see the negative end again!
I love you all and hope you are doing well,
Elder Cloward
Monday, January 5, 2009
Hallo Familie!
Not a whole lot to report on this week. New Year's Eve was a lot of fun - we spent the evening with the Karns (the same member family with whom we spent Christmas Eve). They're the best! New Year's was fun as well, because lots of people were home and willing to talk with us, which is always nice.
We had trade-offs twice this week, so we got a lot of work done. Elder Fortuna, our district leader, and his companion, Elder Darley, whom he is training, came over Monday night and spent Tuesday with us. Then on Thursday we had tradeoffs with the "Traveling Trainers" - two excellent elders President Jones has temporarily given the assignment of traveling anywhere in the mission they want to go, getting to know the elders, especially us young ones, and helping us with our work. That was great.
We got two new investigators this week - both high school students that we found while tracting. The girl, whom I may have mentioned, that became a new investigator last week is now officially a progressing investigator - we taught her the Plan of Salvation and she is reading the Book of Mormon.
Unfortunately, freezing rain made church a no-go yet again this week. About half of the members came to church but we only had a ten-minute Sacrament meeting and then we all headed home. It was nice to at least take the Sacrament but I wish our investigators could have been there and had a real service. Maybe next week.
Not much else to report on. Zone conference this Wednesday, which I am very excited for. I've attached a bunch of pictures this week too. Lots of snow!
Captions por la fotografia:
#4 - It's tres cold.
#5 - Snowbanks are almost like mountains. If you squint a lot.
#6 - I call this one "The Frozen Photographer". That's Elder Sodenkamp.
#7 - We decided not to go down this street ...
#8 - This is Lake Huron. Not just the water part. Yep. The waves freeze over. Pretty crazy.
#9 - This is also Lake Huron. You can't really tell, but that formation is taller than me. Pretty crazy.
Love always,
Elder Cloward
Not a whole lot to report on this week. New Year's Eve was a lot of fun - we spent the evening with the Karns (the same member family with whom we spent Christmas Eve). They're the best! New Year's was fun as well, because lots of people were home and willing to talk with us, which is always nice.
We had trade-offs twice this week, so we got a lot of work done. Elder Fortuna, our district leader, and his companion, Elder Darley, whom he is training, came over Monday night and spent Tuesday with us. Then on Thursday we had tradeoffs with the "Traveling Trainers" - two excellent elders President Jones has temporarily given the assignment of traveling anywhere in the mission they want to go, getting to know the elders, especially us young ones, and helping us with our work. That was great.
We got two new investigators this week - both high school students that we found while tracting. The girl, whom I may have mentioned, that became a new investigator last week is now officially a progressing investigator - we taught her the Plan of Salvation and she is reading the Book of Mormon.
Unfortunately, freezing rain made church a no-go yet again this week. About half of the members came to church but we only had a ten-minute Sacrament meeting and then we all headed home. It was nice to at least take the Sacrament but I wish our investigators could have been there and had a real service. Maybe next week.
Not much else to report on. Zone conference this Wednesday, which I am very excited for. I've attached a bunch of pictures this week too. Lots of snow!
Captions por la fotografia:
#4 - It's tres cold.
#5 - Snowbanks are almost like mountains. If you squint a lot.
#6 - I call this one "The Frozen Photographer". That's Elder Sodenkamp.
#7 - We decided not to go down this street ...
#8 - This is Lake Huron. Not just the water part. Yep. The waves freeze over. Pretty crazy.
#9 - This is also Lake Huron. You can't really tell, but that formation is taller than me. Pretty crazy.
Love always,
Elder Cloward
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Happy New Year!
an e-mail sent on Monday, December 29, 2008
Hello and Happy New Year!
This was a fairly uneventful week, considering we didn't do much work on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day. Still, it was nice to celebrate the holiday (and especially nice to call home).
Christmas Eve we had district meeting over in West Branch, so it was nice to spend part of it with the other Elders in my district, and then we drove over to Hale where the Karn family fed us and played with us. Afterward we went with them to the local Lutheran candlelight Christmas Eve service. (Although the Karns are LDS, Brother Karn's parents are Lutheran and Brother Karn's daughters were singing in the choir). It was nice. On Christmas we had dinner with Pat Morris and her family. It was so nice of them to share their Christmas with us! When we got back to the apartment, Elder Sodenkamp called his family (you'll recall that I called y'all in the morning) and I worked on a puzzle with a bunch of missing pieces (not the little puzzles you sent me for Christmas; they still have all their pieces). We're totally out of miles for the month, so we've been doing lots of walking. Friday we walked about 6 miles and Saturday we walked almost 15. It wouldn't have been too bad but it warmed up almost to 50 on Saturday, so we were mostly wading through puddles and slush and the snow boots I bought aren't really waterproof. Needless to say, my feet were soaked, so they're still a little raw.
Thank goodness it's a new month on Thursday! Miles again!
We finally had church this Sunday, which was very nice. They ended up doing the Christmas program they had planned for last week. Sis. Drury, the Branch Pianist, had me play the organ while she played the piano (which we do most weeks). For the opening hymn, we both started at different parts of the introduction and it sounded absolutely horrible! Eventually, I figured out what I had done and we got back together. The best part of the meeting was that they ran out of time to have me sing! Unfortunately, Sis. Drury told me later she would just have me sing next week. Apparently, Silent Night is still allowed in January ...
Sadly, we didn't have any investigators in church Sunday. The three sisters we're teaching were out of town for the holiday and nobody else had a good excuse (so far). There was one family we were really hoping (and expecting) would come - we have an appointment with them on Tuesday, so hopefully we'll be able to keep helping them along. Well, I can't think of anything else to report. I'm excited for the New Year - I can't believe I've already been a missionary for 4 months! Love and Happy New Year,Elder Cloward
Hello and Happy New Year!
This was a fairly uneventful week, considering we didn't do much work on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day. Still, it was nice to celebrate the holiday (and especially nice to call home).
Christmas Eve we had district meeting over in West Branch, so it was nice to spend part of it with the other Elders in my district, and then we drove over to Hale where the Karn family fed us and played with us. Afterward we went with them to the local Lutheran candlelight Christmas Eve service. (Although the Karns are LDS, Brother Karn's parents are Lutheran and Brother Karn's daughters were singing in the choir). It was nice. On Christmas we had dinner with Pat Morris and her family. It was so nice of them to share their Christmas with us! When we got back to the apartment, Elder Sodenkamp called his family (you'll recall that I called y'all in the morning) and I worked on a puzzle with a bunch of missing pieces (not the little puzzles you sent me for Christmas; they still have all their pieces). We're totally out of miles for the month, so we've been doing lots of walking. Friday we walked about 6 miles and Saturday we walked almost 15. It wouldn't have been too bad but it warmed up almost to 50 on Saturday, so we were mostly wading through puddles and slush and the snow boots I bought aren't really waterproof. Needless to say, my feet were soaked, so they're still a little raw.
Thank goodness it's a new month on Thursday! Miles again!
We finally had church this Sunday, which was very nice. They ended up doing the Christmas program they had planned for last week. Sis. Drury, the Branch Pianist, had me play the organ while she played the piano (which we do most weeks). For the opening hymn, we both started at different parts of the introduction and it sounded absolutely horrible! Eventually, I figured out what I had done and we got back together. The best part of the meeting was that they ran out of time to have me sing! Unfortunately, Sis. Drury told me later she would just have me sing next week. Apparently, Silent Night is still allowed in January ...
Sadly, we didn't have any investigators in church Sunday. The three sisters we're teaching were out of town for the holiday and nobody else had a good excuse (so far). There was one family we were really hoping (and expecting) would come - we have an appointment with them on Tuesday, so hopefully we'll be able to keep helping them along. Well, I can't think of anything else to report. I'm excited for the New Year - I can't believe I've already been a missionary for 4 months! Love and Happy New Year,Elder Cloward
Monday, December 22, 2008
The Halls are Decked
Hello and Merry Christmas from very snowy Oscoda, MI!
It's snowed a bunch this past week. Church was canceled again this week because of it - understandably - we decided to go out in it anyway but our car got stuck several times and we almost caught frostbite eleventeen times once we started walking instead, so we spent the evening indoors. Just the same, we were very disappointed that church was canceled because we were planning to have at least four investigators there! I don't know if I mentioned last week that Elder Valentine and Elder Seely, one of the zone leaders, met a man while door-knocking last week who was very interested and has now tried to come to church twice. We plan to see him tomorrow, though, so all is not lost.
The three sisters who are investigating the church are doing so well! We finally met up with them again for a lesson and it was awesome! We challenged them to pray and specifically ask Heavenly Father if it was right for them to be baptized on January 17th and all three of them said they were willing to ask. The Lord has promised that if we ask, we will receive and I trust that they will receive.
I am very excited to call home on Christmas. I will call between noon and 1 our time (so between 10 and 11 your time). I had hoped to be able to wait until grandma and grandpa are with you but our Christmas dinner is at 2, so I'll be busy. I'm excited to hear all your voices again!
In other exciting news, I have a bunch of new pictures attached!
#1 - I'm standing ON Lake Huron! Yep!
#2 - That's me, with our lovely friend the ...
#3 - Possum!
He just sat there while we took pictures of him and after a while he got bored of it and jumped off the landing - about 15 feet off the ground - and scurried off into the bushes. Crazy Michigan varmints!
#4 - That's the lighthouse at Tawas Point, or whatever it's called. We tracted nearby so that we could go and see it.
#6 - I made an ornament for our Christmas tree! It needed a topper, so, who better?
#7 - Thanks for the package! This lovely tree you sent me is set on our kitchen table.
#8 - C'est moi with Elder Sodenkamp, my new companion! You may also notice that I cut my own hair! Fantastic, no?
Things are happy in Michigan. Are they happy where you are? If not, make them happy! "Men (and women) are that they might have joy!"
Lots of love,
Elder Cloward
It's snowed a bunch this past week. Church was canceled again this week because of it - understandably - we decided to go out in it anyway but our car got stuck several times and we almost caught frostbite eleventeen times once we started walking instead, so we spent the evening indoors. Just the same, we were very disappointed that church was canceled because we were planning to have at least four investigators there! I don't know if I mentioned last week that Elder Valentine and Elder Seely, one of the zone leaders, met a man while door-knocking last week who was very interested and has now tried to come to church twice. We plan to see him tomorrow, though, so all is not lost.
The three sisters who are investigating the church are doing so well! We finally met up with them again for a lesson and it was awesome! We challenged them to pray and specifically ask Heavenly Father if it was right for them to be baptized on January 17th and all three of them said they were willing to ask. The Lord has promised that if we ask, we will receive and I trust that they will receive.
I am very excited to call home on Christmas. I will call between noon and 1 our time (so between 10 and 11 your time). I had hoped to be able to wait until grandma and grandpa are with you but our Christmas dinner is at 2, so I'll be busy. I'm excited to hear all your voices again!
In other exciting news, I have a bunch of new pictures attached!
#1 - I'm standing ON Lake Huron! Yep!
#2 - That's me, with our lovely friend the ...
#3 - Possum!
He just sat there while we took pictures of him and after a while he got bored of it and jumped off the landing - about 15 feet off the ground - and scurried off into the bushes. Crazy Michigan varmints!
#4 - That's the lighthouse at Tawas Point, or whatever it's called. We tracted nearby so that we could go and see it.
#6 - I made an ornament for our Christmas tree! It needed a topper, so, who better?
#7 - Thanks for the package! This lovely tree you sent me is set on our kitchen table.
#8 - C'est moi with Elder Sodenkamp, my new companion! You may also notice that I cut my own hair! Fantastic, no?
Things are happy in Michigan. Are they happy where you are? If not, make them happy! "Men (and women) are that they might have joy!"
Lots of love,
Elder Cloward
Monday, December 15, 2008
Some Say the World Will End in Fire
Merry Christmas!
Things are going well in Oscoda, MI! First things first, we got our transfer calls on Friday - Elder Valentine will be going down to Midland and I will be staying in Oscoda. My new companion will be Elder Sodenkamp, who has spent the last six (and only) weeks of his mission down at MSU in Lansing. I'm a little nervous to be the "experienced" one, but President told me we're officially co-senior, so - thank goodness! - I don't have to take all the responsibility. It should be a lot of fun; I'm excited to meet him tomorrow.
Church was canceled yesterday because of road conditions, so we were told we had to stay in. We got a lot of study done but decided to fly the coop in the evening because conditions weren't as bad as they were supposed to be. We didn't even crash!
Nothing real exciting in the "work" this week; it just keeps going along. Thursday and Friday we had trade-offs with the zone leaders and Elder Valentine found a couple of solid contacts while knocking doors with Elder Seely in East Tawas. It seems that there are many people in our area who are open to learning a little more about our religion, which is fantastic!
I think I forgot to mention my WEST HIGH PRIDE(!!) last week. At zone conference, I discovered that three of the senior missionaries also graduated from West High (in 1959 and 1960) - Elder Horne and Elder and Sister Seeley. If I did mention it, you'll have to forgive my Panther zeal. Also, I found out that Elder Stayner, who is currently serving in the next area over - West Branch - lives on Emerson Avenue! Crazy, no? He went to East! Small world.
Our Branch Christmas Party was Saturday night. It was lots of fun and a great time for Elder Valentine to say goodbye to everyone. The Karn family were very angry with them because we lied to them the day before. They asked us to call them as soon as we found out where we were going. Well, I called them, but due to the encouragement of Elder Price, one of the zone leaders, who served in Oscoda a year ago, I told them Elder Valentine was staying and killing off an elder who only has six weeks left and that I was going to be training while re-opening the Alpena area and serving as a district leader. To my credit as a skilled dealer of deception, they ate it right up. Later, of course, when we confessed our sin, they were rather upset. Elder Valentine says I've lost member trust in this branch. :)
The Karns must not be TOO angry, because they gave us a Christmas tree!
A picture of which is attached!
The other picture is from our last district meeting.
From top to bottom and left to right we have: Elder Fortuna (District Leader), Elder Valentine, Elder Yours-Truly, Elder Price (Zone Leader), Elder Wilkinson, Elder Lish, Elder Seely (Zone Leader), and Elder Stayner. Notice how I'm the center of the pyramid. It's because I'm the most important. :)
Lots of love! Have a wonderful holiday season! Sing a Christmas Carol or two just for me! I know it is the Lord's work we are about here in Michigan and He is guiding it!
-Elder Cloward
P.S. It's definitely ending in ice! (The world, that is. We've got lots of it in Michigan right now.)
P.P.S. That's a Robert Frost reference for all you poetry-haters. At least I think it's Robert Frost. I'm not really that well-acquainted with the world of poetry.
Things are going well in Oscoda, MI! First things first, we got our transfer calls on Friday - Elder Valentine will be going down to Midland and I will be staying in Oscoda. My new companion will be Elder Sodenkamp, who has spent the last six (and only) weeks of his mission down at MSU in Lansing. I'm a little nervous to be the "experienced" one, but President told me we're officially co-senior, so - thank goodness! - I don't have to take all the responsibility. It should be a lot of fun; I'm excited to meet him tomorrow.
Church was canceled yesterday because of road conditions, so we were told we had to stay in. We got a lot of study done but decided to fly the coop in the evening because conditions weren't as bad as they were supposed to be. We didn't even crash!
Nothing real exciting in the "work" this week; it just keeps going along. Thursday and Friday we had trade-offs with the zone leaders and Elder Valentine found a couple of solid contacts while knocking doors with Elder Seely in East Tawas. It seems that there are many people in our area who are open to learning a little more about our religion, which is fantastic!
I think I forgot to mention my WEST HIGH PRIDE(!!) last week. At zone conference, I discovered that three of the senior missionaries also graduated from West High (in 1959 and 1960) - Elder Horne and Elder and Sister Seeley. If I did mention it, you'll have to forgive my Panther zeal. Also, I found out that Elder Stayner, who is currently serving in the next area over - West Branch - lives on Emerson Avenue! Crazy, no? He went to East! Small world.
Our Branch Christmas Party was Saturday night. It was lots of fun and a great time for Elder Valentine to say goodbye to everyone. The Karn family were very angry with them because we lied to them the day before. They asked us to call them as soon as we found out where we were going. Well, I called them, but due to the encouragement of Elder Price, one of the zone leaders, who served in Oscoda a year ago, I told them Elder Valentine was staying and killing off an elder who only has six weeks left and that I was going to be training while re-opening the Alpena area and serving as a district leader. To my credit as a skilled dealer of deception, they ate it right up. Later, of course, when we confessed our sin, they were rather upset. Elder Valentine says I've lost member trust in this branch. :)
The Karns must not be TOO angry, because they gave us a Christmas tree!
A picture of which is attached! The other picture is from our last district meeting.
From top to bottom and left to right we have: Elder Fortuna (District Leader), Elder Valentine, Elder Yours-Truly, Elder Price (Zone Leader), Elder Wilkinson, Elder Lish, Elder Seely (Zone Leader), and Elder Stayner. Notice how I'm the center of the pyramid. It's because I'm the most important. :)
Lots of love! Have a wonderful holiday season! Sing a Christmas Carol or two just for me! I know it is the Lord's work we are about here in Michigan and He is guiding it!
-Elder Cloward
P.S. It's definitely ending in ice! (The world, that is. We've got lots of it in Michigan right now.)
P.P.S. That's a Robert Frost reference for all you poetry-haters. At least I think it's Robert Frost. I'm not really that well-acquainted with the world of poetry.
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