12/30/14

26 And I saw that I must soon go down to my grave, having been wrought upon by the power of God that I must preach and prophesy unto this people, and declare the word according to the truth which is in Christ. And I have declared it in all my days, and have rejoiced in it above that of the world.

It's good to read that and realize that I actually am not going to die and have many days yet in the service of my God. I don't feel to make this super dramatic or anything. I will simply go on this week doing what I know how to do. Pray and pray some more. 

Other than that, there are a couple of cool things I would like to share with you!

Leanna, although she's going through some doubts and trials right now, I am confident she will get through them because of this awesome text that she sent to us about two weeks ago that I sent to my e-mail from my phone so I could copy and paste it and get it word for word. 

Fwd:
From: Leanna Kean (Inv.)
Sent: Dec 16 9:21pm
Msg: Thank you guys sooooo muuuuuch! It really means the world to me. You guys came into  my life at the perfect time. It's nice that I've only came to one lesson, and I feel like I've known you all my whole life.

I want you all to know that I intend to keep serving after I get home. I do not feel like this is the end. 

I love you all and thank you for all you have done for me. 

TO ZION TO ZION! HURRAH HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!

Elder Lovell's Return

Hello, Everyone!  Elder William Lovell is having his homecoming talk on January 12, at 2:50 p.m. at the New LDS Chapel on Water Street.  He would love all his friends to attend!  So excited to have him home!

12/23/13

My goodness, I was as sick as a pig this week and now I am all better and it just feels so much better to be not sick! Yay! Now Elder Richards is sick. Booh!

I also worked at applying for school this week. I have a question, when do I know if I got accepted? Did the ecclesiastical endorsement come through? 

As I approach Christmas on my mission again, I really love it. I remember one of the best Christmas presents I have ever received on my mission.

It was a cold Christmas night in Dash Point and Elder Palmer and I had just spent a few hours at the Colby's where we skyped with you and also his family. As the clock reached 5:00, it was time for our sacred tracting time. Time to knock doors on Christmas. I was hesitant but not altogether unenthusiastic about the prospect. I think I was sort of frightened. Our phone rings and we answer the phone to our Zone Leader, Elder Park asking if they can come tracting with us. May I mention that I remember feeling a little discouraged about the work. Elder Palmer and I were often tired and had just about zero investigators. I think I consigned myself to just being a mediocre missionary who just wasn't meant to see much success on his mission. 

I went with Elder Hampton that night and he did something that he almost never did. He said "Elder Lovell, what are you thinking about? Talk to me about your concerns." Just to paint some more detail, Elder Hampton is from South Carolina, so when he talks he sounds like he has just that southern wisdom of a cowboy who just knows exactly what to reckon about any situation. 

I said "Elder Hampton, I feel like I am behind as a missionary. I feel like I have a lot of catching up to do." 

He kind of spat out a chuckle as if to say "nonsense Elder." But he told me "You are not behind. You're right where you should be."

He asked me some of my thoughts about my purpose as a missionary. We talked about what it meant to teach people and how to do that with the spirit. I told him about some of my weaknesses concerning obedience, and here's where things became very interesting. I can't remember everything he said that night but here are the words of wisdom that stuck with me forever after. 

He said, "If I could sit down with every brand new missionary for four minutes, do you know what I'd tell them? I'd tell them 'do exactly what the key-holder tells you to do. God will not give you anymore revelation or inspiration than his chosen vessels. In fact, he'll fight against your own grand ideas for your benefit so that you don't exalt yourself above your leaders."

That hit me like a brick wall. I realized then, that I had been trying to start all these new programs in our ward that were complicated and for lack of a better term they were all just too much. I realized that if I would just do exactly what my mission president said, I would be led just as he was, line upon line, precept upon precept. And Zion would be established. It's not just that Zion won't be established without unity, it's that Zion can't be established without unity. It's not in the program. 

Continuing on, Elder Hampton taught me this "We have to be obedient. The Lord cannot bless us if you're not. So one word of advice Elder Lovell, even if your mildly disobedient, repent in your prayers but also tell us, your leaders." I was kind of skeptical to that at first.

"Do I have to tell you?" I said. 

"No, absolutely not." he said, "But if you do, we and the Lord will trust you 100%." 

I remember that night, we stayed up passed 10:30 watching a short clip of a performance from our mission Christmas party. It was a dumb reason to stay up. I remember the next day, repenting and then getting ready to call the zone leaders to let them know what we had done. Not to confess, but to seek help from them. I think it was just the prospect of needing to call them that made me want to change more than ever. I didn't want to call them and show them how disobedient I was. But I did. Elder Park rebuked us pretty sharply. Then he told us he loved us and we never stayed up passed 10:30 again. Next, we were consistently being late to sacred finding and tracting on time. We would call every time we didn't get there on time. Our zone leaders patiently worked with us until we were there on time consistently. 

Next transfer, I was a trainer. I was a regimented missionary who was exactly obedient. It was the best gift I had ever been given. I had come very close to the Savior and experienced so many miracles. 

Anyway, yes, Angie's baptism is this week! On Christmas! Yay! We are very excited! Then she and her husband are getting married in the temple in a year! Oh how exciting! 

Bishop is getting ready to interview Glen for the Priesthood! We just comitted him to prepare to recieve it the other day. He is excited. Last night, he was telling us that the sacrament has become more real for him and that he is taking it more seriously than ever before. 

Leanna is doing well. We should be meeting with her tonight. She already is getting answers that the Book of Mormon is true. The ward already loves her and they haven't even met her. She is just soaking in information like a sponge. We love her. 

A new part member family moved into the ward and they are great. The member's name is Aundrea and her husband is John. We taught her husband the message of the restoration this week and he just said "Woah... I know you know that's true. I'm going to read and pray." He couldn't commit to a day to be baptized yet but he's doing well.

Remember Dawn? And Julian? I told you about them a while ago. They all came to church this week! It was fantastic! Lots of people at church this week! 

By the way, here's a picture of Elder Richards and I with all of our Christmas stuff! Yay!

12/16/13

12/9/13

Well, I just recieved two e-mails from members of my district in brazil that they go home this wednesday. They were all really kind of sad. Yikes! I feel so special to be serving longer than them! HA! How ironic.

Glenn did not get baptized this weekend. It was all my fault. I called and tried scheduling the building on Thursday, when I should have done it at the beginning of the week. Then it turned out there was a Christmas party during the time they wanted it, so we tried moving it, but there was just no way. The good news is, it is still this weekend. Saturday at 12:00. We have a large scale church tour organized for about 60 people. I'm going to have to use some of this e-mail time to type up a description on what we need everyone to do. Seems like we'll host 6 groups of 10. 

Angie is getting baptized on Christmas now, and her husband is getting ready to baptize her. It is going to be an exciting time! She is so awesome! We ran out of food yesterday so she and her husband invited us over and we watched the Christmas devotional with them and ate spaghetti and toast with garlic salt. DELICIOUS. Garlic salt is the best. 

Mom, I have not been eating well. I think it is killing me. My neck is getting too big for my shirt and it feels like there is Elmers glue pumping through my aorta. So, I need some healthy recipies that I can make and still feels like a meal. Elder Garner eats healthy, but he he only ever eats a tortilla with salsa and spinach in it. Gross. He looks great though. I have gotten fat. And I mean it, I am not saying that to be funny. I dont even have to push out my gut anymore. I've decided, although I used to not mind it, I really don't like it now and I want to stop. But it isn't bugging me too much today. But Elder Richards and I are going to buy healthy food today and slowly move out the gross stuff!

We made chicken breasts on rice with the slow cooker for sunday lunch yesterday! We were so proud of ourselves! Its not hard at all, I know! 

I love you all! Sorry this is short! Have a great week!

12/2/13

HOOOOOWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

AAAAAAAHOW! PUYALLUP ZONE IS THE BEST ZONE IN THE MISSION! ... Besides Federal Way! AND LAKE TAPPS IS THE BEST AREA IN THE MISSION! Besides Dash Point... HA! 

Now that we have that cleared out of the way! Let me tell you about GLEN! Actually, can I just tell you about Elder Richards first? I love Elder Richards! This passed Friday we were teaching a family and getting the part member ready for her baptism. I asked, "So Angie, do you feel you have recieved an answer about the Book of Mormon yet?" 

"No." She replied, simply.

Silence for a few seconds...

Then she said "I just don't know what I am looking for. I know I need to read and pray, you keep telling me that, but I have no idea what I want or what I need out of this."

(I usually hate these questions because it's difficult to tell someone how they're going to feel the spirit. In fact it's impossible without the spirit. Usually you're green companion says something dumb and you end up trying to cover up their flop and sound dumb too. But NONE OF THAT HAPPENED. Elder Richards and I had that spirit.)

In fact watch this video and start watching at 4:13! That is exactly what we looked like! It was awesome!

http://bcove.me/3czghor8

So at the end of the lesson I said "so Angie, perhaps the question I phrased at the beginning was not a great question. So I'll rephrase it. Do you feel that you can say that the Book of Mormon is true?" 

She smiled, "Possibly." 

(That doesn't sound like a good response, but from Angie that was EVERYTHING!)

She has not drank coffee for a while now and also has been coming to church several weeks in a row. A member came up to her at church this passed week and said "You aren't a member yet?"

Angie replied, "Not YET, is correct." 

AHHH! Yay! 

Ok I was supposed to tell you about Glen and I never did. Glen came to church in a nice tie and white shirt! OH YEAH! And his baptism was announced for this Saturday at 5:00! YEAH! So then we go over to his house after church and I say, "Glen, we're going to get 300 referrals from you today. We need to fill up that chapel with people to invite to your baptism!" (I was really just thinking of maybe getting 100 or 150 and just making him aim high.) But he said "Ok, let's do it." We sat there for three hours and just wrote down names. No addresses or phone numbers yet, just names. When we were done, we had 302 referrals. He wants them all to come. 

He passed his baptismal interview last night (Elder Bradford, one of my favorite missionaries of all time) interviewed him and afterwards he said "Man! that guy is going to be a stake president! He was practically interviewing me!" 

Then next week, Angie is getting baptized! Then the week after that, Ben is Getting baptized! Then the Week after that, Dawn and her son Julian will be baptized! Oh yeah! It is exciting times! 

Ok I need to go! I love you all! 

Bye!

11/26/13

Dear Family,

Today is the start of my last transfer and that's all that needs to be said about that, other than that there is a bubble in my throat and I feel like I am going to cry. Ha. Elder Newman, dear Elder Newman is getting taken from me. He has grown so much and everyone has noticed. It has been so good to see his face when he has a huge break through and I'll just SCREAM in joy and his face will just light up and I'll say "THATS THE WAY TO BE A MISSIONARY ELDER! YOU'RE DOIN' IT YOU'RE BEING A MISSIONARY!" In the best Jimmy Stewart voice that I can. Then Elder Newman looks down at the floor and smiles and just says "Wow..." Not at me being weird, but really because he's proud of himself! I just want to hug him right now! 

I will be finishing the training of Elder Nathan Richards who is serving in the zone being trained by the zone leaders and now he gets to come with me! He is a visa waiter waiting to go to Brazil. I have been in frequent contact with him already and have sat in on some language studies to help him. It is satisfying that much of my portuguese hasn't left me. I have on my portuguese tag today to go an pick him up from the stake center! He will be along with Elder Garner my favorite companions. 

This week was miraculous. Rachel unfortunately dropped us, but we're still kind of working with her. Thats not the miraculous part. The great part is about Glen. I think I told you he was kind of dropping us last time you heard. Well as I have really been praying for the spirit, last monday we were finishing up our preparation day and pulling out to go visit potentials and the thought came to mind. "Go visit Glen, now." So I'm like "ok, well I'll give him a call to make sure he's home." and the spirit just said, "Nah, visit him now. No calling or texting necessary." So I did. Glen was there. He told us "Look I don't want to be baptized or go to church anymore, it's too much." So we shared Helaman 12:5 and 1 Nephi 8 with him and said "Have you really been reading the scriptures?" He indicated that he had not. So we read with him. As we did, the spirit filled the room and he said "I get it now! You guys are here to hold me accountable. You really want me to get an answer!" and I said "YES! (geeze! finally!)" He said "You know, we need to set SOLID appointments" "(Amen to that)" I thought. So we come over 4 times a week. Well anyway we were texting at least once a day or calling and one time I called him to follow up and he's like "Lovell! This is killing me! Stop calling me so much! You're like a bill collector! STOP PUSHING ME!" and so I was pretty upset, all I could say was sorry. He cancelled his appointment for that day and was mad coming to church the next day. But we had coordinated people to take him to classes so he didn't leave right after sacrament. As he came to each class his demeanor changed and his heart softened. 

We met with him last night and he told us he was excited to be baptized on the seventh of December and understands the church now. We taught him the law of Chastity and had desert. PRAY FOR HIM!

We started teaching Angie again after she kind of dropped us, or more like we dropped her. Something has changed in her too and she is excited to be baptized on the 7th as well. When I first met her she was super hesitant to come to church. But she has been to church the last 3 weeks and has been dragging her less active husband to baptisms and over to bishop's house for dinner. 

Ben, a ten year old is getting baptized on the 14th! He is a little more hesitant but pray for him! He'll get there!

Ashley's brother Julian and his mom Dawn are both working to be baptized at the end of the month! Please pray for them! 

Love you all!

11/18/13

Bom dia meu fimilia amada,

For Elizabeth, Mom, Erik, or whoever else is helping me to register for schooling after my mission, President Eaton gave me permission to get on there and I did it. I got as much information as I could and sent to Elizabeth with 30 minutes to spare to write all of you. 

This week kind of started as just another week. In fact a terrible week numbers wise. By thursday we had 1 person comitted to baptism, 1 member present, and zero other lessons. We worked hard for the rest of the week and made great daily paths using very little gas and were super efficient and within three days we went from 1 to 5 member presents, but only 1 other, and 2 new investigators. We're cranking it up down here. I was rebuked by the Zone Leader pretty badly for the poor numbers, and I apologized, but then he said "You know what you did well Elder?" and I said, "Not really, sorry." he said "You taught 5 Member Presents! I taught one!" The mission is struggling because President Eaton put a more specific rubric for what you can and cannot count as a lesson. 

To teach a lesson you must

Begin with a prayer (unless its a first contact.)

Teach one or more gospel principle.

Close with a prayer. 

That is always how I have done it so my numbers can be much lower from other missionaries who teach a small gospel principle and end with a prayer and count it as a lesson. So this week a lot more of the mission had numbers that looked like mine. But there's still a lot more room for improvement, so it's natural to get chewed out. 

Miracle for the week, I went on Exchange with Elder Cairo in my district (a brand new greenie) and also asked the zone leaders if I could take Elder Richards (Also a brand new greenie, Brazil visa-waiter and close friend) with us. While we were going throughout the day, I got lost and so we ended up in a neighborhood that I kind of recognized and we began tracting. 

We came to a door in paticular that Elder Richards said "Ok, Elder, this is going to be a family waiting for the Gospel and they're going to let us in and we're going to baptize them!" Suddenly, a young woman, Rachel openned the door. Rachel is easy to remember! Ha! Anyway, we began teaching her the Restoration. Elder Cairo recited the First Vision and I asked her "How did you feel Rachel?" she said "Well the information is kind of overwhelming." and I said "but how did you feel." she said "Well, I felt like I was sitting in front of a warm campfire. It was peaceful." My jaw dropped. Elder Richards said "I like that! I'm going to have to steal that phrase!" To which she replied, "its all yours..." Then we told her that the evidence is in the Book of Mormon to which she said "I am currently reading that! I was also thinking about how much I love the focus your church has on family! By the way, I've gone there with the Molens in your ward!" (Paraphrased) So her mom gets home and tells us, "I like you guys but I am sick so you'll need to come back later." she was somewhat cold about it. So that made us nervous. So the next day, (yesterday) we returned and came with a member to ask her parents for permission to teach and baptize her. Her father, Jeremy, Ha! answers the door. I think he really liked how we spoke to him about teaching her, he was very very friendly. I said "She will be invited to be baptized, is that ok?" He said "Yes of course, thats fine if thats what she wants to do. I can't force her to be Mormon, in fact I would hope she joins the Mormon church, but if she doesn't I won't force her." (Jaw Drop) So we're going to stop by again this week! 

Anyway, I need to go pick up the other missionaries to go shopping. I love you all! Thank you for your prayers and love and support! 

Love you!!!!!!

11/11/13

To my dear Family.

 

Whew, I bore my testimony this passed week in Zone Conference as a "departing missionary." Gross. We won the gold plates for our car though! That was nice! I get 100 extra miles for the rest of my mission.

 

Glen came to church this week! Thank you for all your prayers about him! He loved it. We took him on a church tour right after sacrament meeting but then he had to go to work. So he'll likely be baptized on the 30th of November! He plans to come to all 3 meetings this coming week.

 

Angie and Pete also came to church yesterday! I gave a talk and apparently they were there for the talk! They had to leave right after unfortunately. A less active named David also came to church yesterday! He was welcomed so well. ELDER NEWMAN CHALLENGED DAVID'S MOM TO COME TO CHURCH WITHOUT ME EVEN HAVING TO TELL HIM TO!!!! AHHH! IT WAS GREAT!

 

That's scary to hear about Uncle Gary. Has anyone put him on the rolls of the temple? I'll be praying for him. Please tell him that I love him. He's doing ok now though? When are all of the proceedures going to happen for him? Please keep me posted!

 

Thanks to you mom, and Elizabeth and Dad for emailing/writing me this week. Dad, I did get your letter on Thursday this last week. Thank you! I hope all is going well for you.

 

I love you all!

11/4/13

This week was pretty exciting. Of course the most exciting was Ashley's baptism. I'm still a little astounded that she actually chose to be baptized! She chose Elder Butt to baptize her which was even more exciting because he was able to come to the baptism. EVERYONE CAME. President Eaton came, President Nelson (Stake President), President Mckinney (Second Counselor in Mission Presidency), Bishop Johnson, and four investigators plus probably 6+ families from the ward. One of those families has 8 children. Then there were 8 missionaries each set with an investigator and then there was Ashley and her mom and grandmother. Her grandmother is a member. Her mom is not. But she agreed to meet with us tommorrow to learn more!

 

The other great thing that happened this week was when we taught Glenn and his family after the baptism. He has been kind of flakey lately, even though his member wife tells us "No, really, he loves you guys and he really feels inspired every time you come over." I usually don't buy that. But yesterday he said "Elder Lovell, when do you go home?" and I told him I went home at the beginning of January. He said "Elder, you can bet I'll be baptized before then. I felt something tonight at you spoke. It's hard to describe." He told his wife "Its just not good for us to be in two different churches."

 

Our ward council turned around! Wow! The goings on in this ward council are the same ones that happened in Dash Point just before the work took off! Plus we're cleaning our appartment again today which is really nice. I feel like I had the most clarity of mind when the appartment was clean.

 

I love Bishop Johnson. He is awesome and stays in close contact with us. He told us "Elders I should be being the fellowship you bring to every new investigator for the first time!" Woah! I cannot believe how willing he is!

 

We found two new investigators this week. Please pray for them.

 

- Jeremy (yes I told him I have a brother with that name)

and

- Aerin. She is trying to get an answer about the book of Mormon! Pray for her. Especially that she'll come to church this week!  

 

I love you all!

10/28/13

Thank you for all your prayers about Ashley. You know, as I mentioned before, it's really nice having Elder Butt as a Zone Leader for many reasons, but one of the main reasons is that I can talk to him about the area since he served here last transfer. We have a weekly planning meeting every Thursday. It's usually just in a companionship, but at the beginning of the transfer, I asked the Zone Leaders if they could be part of this passed weeks weekly planning so that I could talk with Elder Butt about the area. I was looking forward to it this whole week so I could just jokingly say to Elder Butt, "I am going to 'drop' all your investigators! None of them are progressing!" But the Lord works His miracles and great things happen. So it was with Ashley:

 

I haven't done much with Ashley except say to her "Did you read yesterday?" and if she says "Yes." I ask her about what she read and we continue. Then I say "Did you pray about the book of Mormon yesterday?" and she usually replies "No. I don't know enough about it yet." So then I just testify about prayer and how it helps and we leave. I am pretty sure she was getting sick of hearing about prayer.

 

Well, it turns out, we had dinner set up with President Mckinney (2nd Counselor in the Mission Presidency) and his wife on Tuesday. Sister Mckinney felt that she was going to be outnumbered if there were two other males plus her husband so she invited Ashley and her member grandmother over. Could things become any more perfect? I texted President Mckinney and said "May we come 15 minutes early and plan a lesson with you to teach Ashley?" He agreed. I told President Mckinney, "Ok, the only thing we really need you to do is bear testimony when we ask you to, and then it would be most helpful if you could extend an open invitation to have Ashley and her Grandma over for the rest of her lessons." He agreed to do that.

 

We taught again about prayer. And asked both Ashley and her Grandmother to read and pray as a family. The Mckinneys testified about how reading and praying together has strengthened them, and how they found time to do it in their busy schedules. Ashley said the closing prayer.

 

I was still very cynical at this point, thinking she just wasn't going to put her heart into this. So I told Elder Newman "We have got to teach her why the church is different than any other church! She needs to feel more driven to find this stuff out!" So we set to work the next morning. I drilled him on teaching the Restoration until he got sort of frustrated with me and didn't want to role play anymore. I let him relax for a little bit and then we set back to planning for Ashley. He was going to teach "God is our loving Heavenly Father" and "The Gospel blesses Families" which are the first two points of the Restoration. I told Elder Newman "Remember, she already knows those two points so you don't need to explain them in great detail." Those were the only two points we role played during the role plays I previously mentioned and I could see why just doing those two points could easily frustrate anyone. Anyway. Elder Newman got them down pat and that would have let me have be able to teach about prophets after. Anywho. We get to the Mckinneys that day and we start teaching Ashley the Restoration. Elder Newman clearly and simply tells her that God is her loving Heavenly Father and explains how the Gospel Blesses our families. We then asked the Mckinney family to bear their testimony about how the Gospel blessed their families. Ashley then said something totally unexpected,

 

"I actually can really relate to that." Her face turned red and she started to tell us a story about her brother that was really touching that happened just days before. She started to cry. I was in shock. She concluded her story by saying,

 

"And it's all thanks to you guys for telling me to pray. God answered my prayers."

 

I said "Is it alright with everyone if we end the meeting now?" and we did. Ashley left with the spirit. On the way out, Elder Newman asked, "How are you feeling about your baptism on November 2nd?"

 

"I am feeling pretty good about it!" She replied. We then set up another return appointment and left."

 

I was baffled! "I didn't even do anything!" I thought to myself and laughed. "I didn't even get to talk about prophets!"

It was a great experience. She came to church and even attended sunday school, but now we have to get her to attend releif society. 

Your prayers work! Please pray for Glenn! He's an investigator that we invited to be baptized this passed week. He is scheduled for the 16 of November! 

If you can also pray for Angie, that would be great. 

Other than that, our appartment is clean! And I am loving that! It's actually really nice as long as it is clean! The only memorable but humorous negative is that I had a dream this week, in fact last night, that I was in our living room in our apartment, and some people broke in and kidnapped me. Their boss was the twin of President Eaton, and they sat me down in front of this twin and he described to me, just as politely and calmly as President Eaton would, that they were going to make me study anti-mormon material and have me send home an essay of each book I read. The dream never actually came to that. But what I do remember is that I was still to e-mail home every monday and still use myldsmail.net

 

. In my mind I was thinking "I cannot wait to e-mail my family and let them know whats going on! Not only am I scared out of my wits, but this is a REAL missionary story! Who else has this happen?" 

I love you all. Have a great week! I'll send reply your e-mails now!

10/21/13

Dear Family,

Thank you again for the great e-mails. 

This week, Elder Newman and I totally cleaned out the appartment, Gross. It was gross. I had the biggest trash pile in my whole mission. it looks so much better now and it doesnt make me feel clausterphobic. Or however you spell that. 

This ward is a tough one. I have to totally change my style of missionary work to adjust to this one. Usually, I'm kind of a hybrid to a "Go-get'm" missionary and a "Planning missionary," The "Go-get'm" Missionaries through planning to the wind. I don't like that. But I also don't like spending all my time in the appartment looking at member names all day and wondering if they're active. In this ward, you're lucky if a house isn't in a gated community or the spacing between two houses isn't an acre. So you're spending a great deal of time working with members and trying to find out who is inactive and has nonmember family. 

My zone leader, Elder Butt, (terrible name, but I'm not kidding.) is great because he served here. What's even better is that he's on Trazadone. He gets it! He called me today after I went to LDS Family Services and we talked about the weird thoughts we both have had and we were dying laughing. He's great. 

Elder Newman gets frustrated sometimes, but it's only a hint of frustration. Most of the time he is just so happy-go-lucky. When he smiles it is such a perfectly happy smile that it looks like a character off of a cartoon. There's nothing fake about him. He is totally, 100% genuine. 

 The neat thing about Lake Tapps is that it surrounds a nice big calm lake. I just want to throw a rock in it and see how far I can watch it ripple. 

Please pray for Ashley. Her Grandma is LDS. She has no hold ups and could be baptized on November 2nd. She just for some reason doesn't see why it's necessary or perhaps doesn't know why religion is necessary. She is mostly waiting to read more in the Book of Mormon to actually pray about it specifically. 

Unfortunately, I have to go soon, I'll respond to each of you in your own letters! Love you!

10/16/13

Mom, no worries, I am ok. I am now in Lake Tapps in Sumner Washington. I am here with Elder Newman, who will pleasantly and politely tell you "I have Asburgers." And he'll make sure you pronounce it just right. I is very high functioning. In fact, I told President Eaton in my letter today that I feel he could easily make a great senior companion next transfer, but hopefully I can help him be ready to train.

I have not seen much of Lake Tapps yet. But the work here is booming. Elder (excuse me for laughing) Butt was Elder Newman's previous companion and is now a Zone Leader here in Puyallup. I love Elder Butt. He is great, he is probably a little less nervous to be Zone Leader than I am to be district leader again. 

I really really really miss Elder Basilius and Elder Garner. 

I'm going to attempt to answer all of your questions. Thank you for the many E-mails today! Never before have they been so needed! 

Dad, I got your E-mail and your note thank you. The weird thing about the Trazadone is that it makes me really tired, but... it doesn't seem to help me sleep. Where as if I take an Ibuprofien for leg pains, I sleep like a champion. I love you so much. Thank you for taking such good care of me. How is work and the yard and your home teaching families? How many home teaching families do you have? Are any less-active? Who is your companion? I am pretty excited to go home teaching when I get home. Who are the missionaries in the Ward now? When was the last baptism? Are they happy? Where does their area cover? Is one of them a district Leader? Sorry lots of questions.

Mom, I think you have the most questions: I did recieve the gloves. Not the two white shirts. Now that I am transferred here, I cannot follow up with Bryson Lovell. I will write Elder Basilius when I can and see if he'll keep going over to try and get into contact with Bryson and see if he will let us help him with Family History. Ok, so that name I sent home, here is the chain:

David Thomas Cates Jr.'s Mom (Ruth Carter) has a mom named Effie Geneva Liscomb Who's Mom is Martha Estes who's Dad is Irvin Estes, Whos dad is Canada Estes, Who's Dad is Thomas Estes who is the one that I sent to you in the mail. So what is that? your Greatx7 Grandfather? I have no idea. 

I did recieve the halloween stuff in Enumclaw! Thank you so much! We put it up and I have pictures of it! Love you!

10/7/13

Dear Family,

 

That was a great conference. I left inspired for myself and investigators. One thing that I liked about my note taking, that I have never done before, is marking distinct impressions that came from the spirit. Afterwards, I compiled all those impressions into one of my small notepads from lizzy. I now have two pages packed full of revelation from the spirit. I then took what I learned from the spirit and extracted action items from now until next conference. It is an encouraging thing because it makes me feel like a doer of the word and not a hearer only. Thats just an idea that I found helpful.

 

I have a quick thought I'd like to share with all of you. Here is a bit of revelation that came to me while listening to Elder Eyring's talk during the General Priesthood session (This is just as exciting as it is sacred):

 

I wrote: "Does all this counsel seem overwhelming? That's why loving the Lord thy God is the First commandment, Loving the Lord will draw you towards fulfilling your calling and as such you will grow closer to him and apply what you've learned."

 

It is extremely important to hold a calling in the church. I don't know of any better way to apply the teachings we learn from the Savior, Prophets, Apostles, and Local Leaders than by recieving and magnifying a calling in the church.

 

This revelation the Holy Ghost sent me was esspecially exciting because President Eyring spoke in conference the next morning spoke about the first commandment in the law and about how having a calling helps us to do that. 

Friday Evening, we spoke to many people to no avail. At last, at long last it was time to go in to plan. But Elder Basilius saw a man just getting out of his car down the street, not even a block away. We walked up to him and Elder Basilius introduced himself "Hi, I am Elder Basilius." 

"I'm Elder Lovell." I said. 

"Lovell?" Said the man. "How's that spelled?"

"Love with two 'L's' on the end."

"That's my last name too!" He said. 

"Woah, where are you from?" I asked.

"South Dakota."

I dont think there's any close relation but it is pretty cool. That's not the only thing that was cool about that though. He told us that he was so confused about religion, he has been searching and doesn't know what to believe. He said he really appreciated us stopping by. I asked if he would come on a church tour with us. He said, "Sure, stop by in a few days and set something up. Can I bring my family too? They will probably want to come." We told him we would be back very soon. Elder Basilius and I then raced to the car to get home on time. We both got in the car with our jaws dropped. 

I broke the silence "What was that? The bone the the teachers throw you in the MTC when your life is going terribly?" 

"Seriously!" He said, "That was so weird. I have NEVER had any experience like that. I just cannot believe that happened. Weird. That was so weird! His name is Lovell, he is confused, he has a broken arm that keeps him from going to work, he wants to bring his family on a church tour? Wow. You're going to attend a family member's baptism." 

We laughed all the way home. 

We got back in contact with Denise. We have an appointment with her on Thursday at 1:00. PLEASE PRAY FOR THAT. And pray for Brother Lovell!

9/23/13

Dear Family,

 

Kayla Ton was baptized on Saturday! I got to baptize her! Thank you for your prayers! It was probably the most smooth baptism I have ever experienced on my mission. I don't know how many of you remember the last time I baptized someone. It was done four times. The font had a leak and was slowly draining. The suit for the baptizee was to small for her to bend the legs. She ended up having to kneel down so I could baptize her face first into the water. You might ask how that was possible. I am still not sure to this day. However, with Kayla's baptism, I just remember praying for the baptism to go smoothly and then choosing to believe that God would answer my prayer and exhibit faith by not talking about how much I was worried about it. It went perfectly.

 

Did all of you know that I am the last of my kind? The way each of you did missionary work, along with me, is coming to an end. It is anticipated that at the beginning of next year, we will begin to recieve digital devices. From rumor, it sounds like Ipads will be one of those devices. From President Eaton, what I know is that we will actively be using Facebook and update our own page. From church headquarters, I understand that church buildings will be open during most of the day and missionaries will be posted in them to conduct church tours for passers-by. During those early morning hours, I assume that that is when missionaries will do finding through facebook. It is exciting to be the last of my kind that tracted for my full mission. 

The Maple Valley Zone Rises! It has been fun to be a Zone Leader here. I feel very close to the District Leaders. I feel like they're really begining to understand what we expect from them. There is a senior couple missionary companionship, Elder and Sister Logan, who taught 20 other lessons aside from lessons taught with a member present or Recent Convert/ Less Active. Unfortunately, it is their last week in our zone and they will be moving to Graham Stake by next Monday. Hopefully we're seeing a net increase of numbers in the zone due to greater determination from the missionaries, and our strong relationship with the district leaders and that is not just a "flash in the pan" as President Eaton would say. 

I was listening Second-Hand to the Becomming A Missionary talk by Elder Bednar while Elder Basilius watched the program on the DVD player in the living room. It has some great points in it. In face I just sent a link of it to Spencer, a friend of mine in our stake who e-mailed me and is preparing for missionary service. I'd recommend each of you watch it. It made me realize even more that my missionary service is not over after I am released, nor should it have begun when I entered the MTC. I should have been, and I think I had a pretty good handle on, becomming a missionary before I became a full-time missionary. Do all of you remember our investigator Ken Harmon? His experience and conversion is a prime example of why we should be a missionary and not just serve a mission. I challenge each of you to watch it this week. 

9/16/13

I'm a little bit sensative this morning. I've been getting more and more that way. I guess it happens with age, and I am quite over the hump. Missions are hard. Mine certainly hasn't been easy. There have certainly been struggles I have faced and struggles I have seen other missionaries face and they are hard. They really are.

Elder Holland gives probably the best talk that I could listen to for days. My love for the Savior just swells within me as I listen to it. 

"Mission President, you'll have occassion to ask, and your missionaries will have many occasions to ask, "Why is it so hard? Why doesn't it go better? Why aren't more people joining the church? Why is it so difficult President? Why do they reject us President? Can't they see this? These are questions that a nineteen, a twenty, a twenty-one, and a twenty-two year old will ask themselves. They're questions I've asked myself. I have thought about it a great deal. I have a feeling, it's not church doctrine per-se it's just my feeling. I'm convinced that missionary work is not easy because SALVATION IS NOT A CHEAP EXPERIENCE! Salvation was never easy... If the could go to the Garden, falling on his face saying 'Abba, Father, Pappa, remove this cup from me...' Why would we believe - Why would we think that salvation would be easy when it was never ever easy for Him! This is the Son of the Living God saying 'isn't there some other way?' ... So Presidents, if your missionaries ask, then they should remember that they aren't the first ones to ask that. Someone much greater - someone much better asked if there wasn't a better, less excrutiating way. I believe that in order come to the truth, to come to salvation, to come to know something of the price which hast been paid, we will have to know something, a little of what the Savior felt. So maybe, since there wasn't an easy way for the Savior, perhaps for us, in token symbolism only, it won't be an entirely easy thing either. So Presidents, you tell your missionaries, when they're discouraged, when they are cast out, when they are spit upon, when they are made a hiss and a byword, they are standing shoulder to shoulder with the best blood this world has ever known! The only true and perfect missionary. They have every reason to stand tall! And if they can learn to appreciate it. The atonement will carry them. Perhaps, even more imporant than it will carry their investigators..."

If there is anything closer to a tear-jerker in the world I don't know what is! I want you all to know something. I have a testimony of the Book of Mormon. I have a testimony that Joseph Smith saw what he said he saw and that he and the other witnesses handled the plates! I testify of the grace of Christ! It has truly carried me thus far through my mission! I have learned to appreciate it. Not completely or perfectly but definitely more than ever. 

Please keep Kayla in your prayers. She is scheduled to be baptized this weekend! She is doing fantastic! 

We also met a lady named Adrianna who was deeply touched by the message of the restoration on our first contact. She had tears in her eyes after the First Vision and we are going to try and get in contact with her this week. 

We recieved a referral from the Zone Leaders in Auburn. Elder Ballard's great grand niece! She wants to be baptized this upcomming week and we still havent met her yet! 

We also recieved another person as a referal whos name is Eden and he is great as well! He is striving to gain a testimony about the Word of Wisdom! Please pray for him! He is so great. 

Well I sure love you all and am so grateful for all you do! And your prayers!

9/9/13

Please pray for Kayla Ton! She is doing great! She is the only investigator we have. She is excited to come to church! She is probably getting baptized in two weeks! 

My times up! gotta go!

9/3/13

Well, This week we sure met with Ken a lot. We helped his ex-wife move and then he went up to help her, and he decided he is going to stay up there with the rest of his family. I got pretty emotional about that. Some of it was selfish, some of it was out of pure love. But Ken is a good man. We are sure going to miss him. He had quite a connection with the ward here. I hope he gets a connection up there. 

Quick note. Mom and Dad, I dont know if you know, but my area covers two stakes. I work in the Maple Valley and Auburn stakes. So we were driving from Enumclaw to Auburn which is about a thirty minute drive and we decided to stop at Taco Bell. Well, I enjoyed the soft tacos so much that I left about half on my shirt and tie. It soaked through all the way down to my undershirt. I looked at Elder Basilius and just said "I cannot represent the Lord like this." to which he replied. "Well, we can't just go back to Enumclaw." and I said, "Well I do need another shirt." So we went down to Fred Myer and bought a new shirt and tie. I had to use the funds from home to do that. Sorry. But there's another good reason for that messenger bag I have; I used it to cover my shirt and tie as we hustled through Fred Myer to buy a shirt. Then I got back in the car and had to lower the seat really far down and change my shirt. Embarassing! But funny. 

Please continue praying for Kayla. She is in the YSA ward and is pretty sincere. It has been great to work with her. She realizes from our last visit that she needs to spend more time learning about God. 

I'm not getting transferred! I dont think I will transfer for the rest of my mission. Which by the way is very likely over on the 7th of January. That is scary. But in talking to President Eaton, he feels that is a good time to end. He holds the keys and I'll follow that advice. 

I love you all! Thank you for all your prayers and all you do! 

Love,

8/26/13

Dear Family,

 

HERE IS THE MISSIONARY MOMENT FOR THE WEEK!

 

*Elder Lovell and Elder Basilius bike down a mainstreet in Enumclaw. Talking with everyone. Suddenly, we spot: A man running down the street. We bike up to him. Elder Basilius makes first contact. Man says "I have a daughter who is mormon, I'm already in a walk with God right know. I go to [Insert church name here] and I am going to be baptized there."

 

Our Response: "Ok, we aren't here to take away from the faith you do have. But we are here to build it up in Christ. Have you been to church with your daughter?"

 

Him: "Yes"

 

Elder Basilius: "Perfect. We'll talk more about that after we sing a song... Can you stop running for a minute?"

 

Him: "Ok, but... I gotta keep my heart rate up."

We introduce ourselves and find out his name is Ken.

 

We sing: I am a child of God.

 

He loves it.

 

Him: "Ok, I like it, but remember I go to [Insert Church name here] and I dont want to be Mormon."

 

Me: Just come on a church tour and give it a chance. We can meet you tommorrow? What are you doing tommorrow?

 

Him: I can do tommorrow.

 

We schedule a tour and he comes.

 

We go through the tour. We finally get into the baptistry. I talk about baptism and issue the invitation.

Ken: "I don't think you understand... I'm going to [intert church here] and I want to be a minister and I don't want to be Mormon. 

Me: Ken, you know the bible, so I know you know about prophets. Can you name me some prophets? 

Ken: Yeah sure, like Moses, Abraham, Noah, I know all them. yeah. 

Me: Ken, those men had authority from God to run his church. They gave other men authority to minister. Tell me what it would mean to you to know that you could get a divine calling from a prophet of God?

*Ken gets wide-eyed* Ken: THAT WOULD BE SO COOL! 

Me: Alright, well, I can promise you that you can know that there is a prophet on the earth again today. You have to be a member of God's true church to have a calling in His kingdom though. Will you let us help you get that answer? 

Ken: Yes.

Elder Basilius: Ken, remember that lady friend you were telling us about at the beginning of the Church Tour? 

Ken (smiling): Yes.

Elder Basilius: Is marriage in the future for you two?

Ken: Yeah man, I don't shack up, are you kidding me?

Elder Basilius: Well, like Elder Lovell said, the authority of God is here on the earth again. If you would get married in another church you would have a minister say "Do you take [so and so] to be your lawfully wedded wife... until death do you part." And then you would say......

Ken: YES! I'd say YES!

Elder Basilius: God intends your marriage to last a lot longer than death do you part. Because He intends that, in this true church, with the right authority, you can be married to your wife for time and all eternity.

Ken's eyes widen again: Ok, keep talking. What else do you want to show me! 

We get in the chapel. The spirit is strong. We explain sunday services and he is just so at peace. We finally start wrapping up.

Ken: Ok, I need to know that this is true. How do I find out? Do you have one of those Books of... whatever? 

Me: Of course, Ken! 

We say a prayer, give him a book and he commits to read and pray about it. 

Next day the phone rings at 2:00 pm - its Ken

Ken: Guys, I can't wait until 7:00 tonight, I have to meet right now!" 

Elder Basilius: Ok we can meet you at the church at 2:30?

Ken: I'll be there.

We get to the church, sit down, say a prayer, sing a song.

Ken: Ok, you ready? 

Me: Hit it. 

Ken: Ok, as I was walking around Enumclaw the spirit told me to pull the Mormon book out of my bag. I wanted to be obedient so I did. I started walking and reading. Then a girl stops me on her bike and says "HEY! I know that book! I belong to that church! Keep reading it, I know it's true!" and Im like... 'uh... ok?' So then I get to the store and I see this lady with a red haired child and she keeps looking at me. Well I leave the store and I'm just walking around Enumclaw and this Escalade pulls up in front of me and its this same lady gets out of her car and says "The spirit was telling me that I needed to talk to you. Now I know why! You're reading the Book of Mormon." She points to the church "This is my church! I know its true!" Then she pulled me into a hug and I just knew after that that this is where I need to be. I felt so good I just couldn't wait to call you guys. I was weirded out, scared, and happy all at the same time. I dialed the wrong number like five times last night because my hands were shaking so bad and I just had to give up. I called my daughter later and told her how weirded out I was and she just laughed. So... tell me about baptism. 

We just smiled. Ken is now working towards September 19th to be baptized! We are so excited! Anyway. I have 24 seconds left. 

I love you all! Have a great week!

Love,

12/19/13

This week was kind of bland. But it was good. We have a meeting with President Eaton every third sunday in our appartment. It is good to see him, every time. 

We are unfortunately letting Emily know that we just cant keep stopping by to visit if she won't keep any commitments. We prayed about it this morning and felt at peace with it and if we see her outside on our way around today, we'll let her know. 

We haven't been in contact with Joseph lately but I think we have an appointment tommorrow. We aren't doing to too well at staying in contact with investigators on a daily basis. 

Elder Basilius asked a great inspired question to this guy named Dean yesterday! Dean openned up and was sobbing and saying that he just didn't understand how to let God take his pains away. He wouldn't let us return but the spirit was strong. 

OUR INVESTIGATOR IN GREEN VALLEY CAME TO CHURCH! Kayla, came to church yesterday. Which was great. She is really taking responsibility for her own conversion. She searches the scriptures and she is getting to know people in the ward. She wants to make sure this is where God wants her. There are quite a few of great people who are fellowshipping her very well! 

I was so impressed with the Cook family in Enumclaw 3rd yesterday who had us for dinner. They were very missionary minded and knew all of their neighbors. They have a small Jesus Chirst statue in their hallway to immediately bring up religion as a guest enters. 

Anyway, thats the news from here, hope you all are doing well! I love you!

8/12/13

Dear Family,

THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY!

Jeremy! I didn't say anything about you! I forgot to wish you happy birthday! HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY DEAR JEREMY! 

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

I contacted a guy on his porch yesterday and I offered to say a prayer for him and I was constantly wanting to call him Jeremy in the prayer, even though his name was Jeff. So I was thinking about you, even if I was too selfish to even recognize you on your birthday last week. 

I really enjoyed the letters and the gifts, esspecially the CD! Wow, what a treat! thank you! Elder Basilius and I were listening to it and we both were laughing and even rolling our eyes at some of the jokes, but when James got on there and impersonated Jimmy, we both just started cracking up. It was pretty funny. 

I loved the pioneer stories! Wow, if that doesn't give someone strength listening to those stories, I don't know what will! I love our family! 

I'm confused about the David and Goliath pictures. I think mom said there are supposed to be 9 total? I recieved only 5 I think. Does that mean there's more on the way? One favor, can I get a scripture case for my new scriptures? I have been really careful with them so far, but I don't know how much longer my clumsy self can keep them in great condition without a scripture case. Thank you so much! I am probably the most doctrinally up-to-date missionary in the mission! I keep telling everyone: "I got the new version of the scriptures! It has an alternate ending!" Sometimes its funny how the missionaries get a little perplexed at that.

Elder Basilius is really jealous of the missionaries on the bikes. I have them on my desk now, right next to the geneological Moroni figure. They are pretty cool!

Thank you so much, family! 

President and Sister Eaton called me up out of the blue on the way to Zone Meeting and sang me happy birthday. That was the coolest! I felt like my grandparents were calling or something - don't tell them that! Elder Basilius then had the whole zone sing to me at zone meeting. Yikes! I turned really really red. 

Elder Basilius made breakfast for me. That was awesome. He cooked two slices of bacon into a full egg! It was delicious. But I dont think he did it on purpose. 

I sure love you all so much. I have some kind of depressing news and kind of happy at the same time: It seems to me that my release date got moved to be a little earlier. I will be coming home on January 7th. 

I am happy to hear that Rachel and Ryan found a house that is MUCH CLOSER TO HOME! YAY! That will be great. Unfortunately, and Fortunately, I will not be playing James Bond anymore when I return home, sorry Ryan, we'll just have to watch Doctrine and Covenants DVD's all day. I know you won't mind. Can someone please sell those games? I am so scared to get back into that stuff and I really don't want to. 

Oh! Mom, I just got your e-mail! I will print it off, it was beautfiful thank you. 

By the way, I don't know if I told anyone, but we have a hymn that has been adopted as the mission hymn. Can any of you gues what it is? HARK ALL YE NATIONS! My favorite! 

So, this week, Joseph still hasn't come to church. But he did read and he did pray and suddenly he got a job! Random job opportunity came his way! He told us we both remind him of his best friend who is also a mormon so he likes us a lot. I sure think a lot of him. I am very impressed with how he's dealing with life. Hopefully we see him tonight. His mom likes us because of the help and friendship we give him, but isn't too interested in investigating. Joseph told us, that the day we came by he had just been praying for someone to come into his life that can really help him.

We also got a text from the Zone Leaders in Game Farm area, yes its called the Game Farm ward: and it the text had a referral for a young man who wanted to come to church. Well, Church was in 2 hours! Anyway, he came. And he wants to be baptized ASAP! His name is Nicholas. Pray for him. He's great. 

President Eaton is great. Everytime we have a meeting, we always have a question and answer section and he always tries to steer it to be something doctrinal, rather than a question about mission rules. Elder Basilius asked a great question: "Why do we pray?" Which I am glad he asked because I've had that question many times. President Eaton said, "I still wonder this sometimes: God knows what we need, but he still wants us to ask him. And, he still wants us to pray for other people. I don't know all about why, but I do know there are many blessings that he is willing to give us that are contingent on us asking for them." He also said this "I love hearing sister Eaton pray. She says effective prayers. She kneels and she pleads with Father in Heaven. Did you know that the spirit can and should direct our prayers? I have often been praying for myself and been directed not to. For instance, one time I lost my scriptures. A brand new, nice set of scriptures. I looked, and I looked, and I looked some more for them and I could not find them. Finally I said a prayer and asked for Heavenly Father's help in finding my scriptures. Just then, the spirit whispered 'Wrong prayer.' So I felt I should pray for someone else. Later on that night, the very person I had been praying for felt inspired to stop by the church, and found my scriptures in a lone room that he had no reason for going into. He called me and let me know, and I was astonished." 

I loved that! I'll be listening much more for the times I can hear 'wrong prayer' and just for the spirit in general. 

I love you all so much!

8/5/13

So this week, we met a young man named Joseph! He is great. He is struggling with a former drug addiction and he is trying desperately to overcome that. He talked about needing a new group of friends so we told him we'd get the YSA involved in friendshipping him. Oh my goodness, I love those Young Single Adults. They are so fun! We have two that just got off their missions and are extremely excited about missionary work - Mike Link, and Nick Allen. Oh they're great! We just recieved a fantastically solid referal from the Zone Leaders in Auburn. We are going to meet her this week. Her name is Kayla. She is vietnamese and found the church through the pass along cards. Pray for her.

 

Christy is not investigating anymore which is sad. Keep praying for her.

 

Denise is still trying to find time in her schedule to meet with us. The bishop in Enumclaw 3rd ward is the best. He told the Young men and young woman to get a work crew to go and do service at denise's house and he is going to visit with Denise perso bnally at the service project and I'm pretty sure he'll do some work too! :)

 

We meet with the stake president, President Rodarte, every week. He is great. He wants all the bishops to visit all of our new investigators.

 

I absolutely love our new Ward Mission Leader! HE GETS THINGS DONE! D-O-N-E! His name is Brother Vanderhooven! He is going on splits with us every week and he tries to feed us every monday, but that's just not able to happen, even though we're grateful for it. He went to a member lesson with us the first week in his new assignment and he and his wife are always so willing to help. We had a great Ward Council this passed week and he was our spokes person. Oh! It was heaven!

 

I sure love Elder Basilius, even though he looks over my shoulder while writing...

 

He is pretty cool. He just keeps reading my letter.

 

He's also trying to make me feel uncomfortable and make me hurry up67yt6b <---- and he just did that.

 

5th677iy < again.

 

Well family. I love you so much. You're the best!

 

Love,

7/29/13

Dear Family,

This week was stressful, and hard. But it still had miracles. 

We had a baptism this passed week. It was Shayleen White Eagle. Elder Fukuyasu baptized her which was good. I was glad to see him have a baptism. What a faithful Elder. He was hardly hardly trunky at all. I am sure going to miss him. He leaves at 7:00 PM tonight. 

Please include Christy in your prayers. We met her this passed week and she is great. She has been outside her house several times as I passed by on a bike with Elder Fukuyasu. We always waved and said "Hi" to her but I never had the chance to meet her. So Elder Basilius and I pulled up to talk to her two days ago and started up a conversation. She explained that she just never really found a church home. Her husband is in Kuwait right now in the military. She is a strong mom raising a recently born child and an older child all by herself. She seems really interested. She said she'd work for August 30th to be baptized! 

Ok, a couple of favors I have to ask before I forget. For those of you that don't know, Enumclaw is very secluded from everywhere else in the mission. And... unfortunately about 5 weeks ago, I lost my button-snap quad. I honestly think it fell out of my backpack and I just was too much in a hurry to notice. I am pretty sad. Sorry I lost it. But I could really use another one. In fact, I think the new editions come out in August? Could I ask for that as a birthday gift? Preferably the small, really small kind. As small and light as you can get. Instead of the quad, could I get them seperate? If they dont come seperate and small then I'll just take the quad. Preferrably in green. With my name being printed ELDER WILLIAM LLOYD LOVELL? in that font? Not the cursive. Could I get a case with it too? 

Also, Something that headquarters is ridding missions of is... Backpacks. Yes. They really are. We are expected to not have backpacks as soon as possible. Instead, we are asked to have a shoulder bag. I am sure more info can be found on LDS.org. It makes us look more professional and is said to reduce back problems. I dont know if the shoulder bag I used for my saxophone stuff will do. But I'll give you an idea of the stuff I'll carry around in it:

* 4-7 Copies of the Book of Mormon

* Preach My Gospel mini version

* A Binder (optional)

* 10-20 Pamphlets

*100+ Passalong Cards (That will need a nice pocket for it.) 

* Pens and Pencils (Will need a pen and pencil holder)

* Small Hymn Book

* Missionary Quad, or something like it

Now I dont want a big bulky bag. So maybe something in between my saxophone bag and a big bulky bag. But if you can fit all that stuff comfortably and organized in my saxophone bag, that'd be great and I'll take it. Thank you. I hope that is not too much. 

Quick Spiritual thought:

I remember in my Sophmore year of High School going to The BYU Music Festival. I l learned quite a bit about music and theory. But I think the memory that comes back most to me is when we hiked to the Y on the Mountain. I remember looking out over the beautiful Provo Valley at night and seeing the dazzling lights of the city just a little ways off from the surrounding tree sillouettes. It was beautiful. And I felt the spirit. The song "Heavenly Father Loves Me." Immediately came to mind. I felt much love for my Heavenly Father for giving me this beautiful world. 

I heard David Gow passed away. It hasn't quite hit me yet. I'm still a little bit in shock. I will miss him so much. I don't know why his passing made me reflect upon that time I was in the mountains, but this much I do know: David feels the love of his Savior right now and it warms my heart slightly. I love David. I know God loves David. I am certainly in shock that he's passed. I didnt even know he had cancer. I will miss him so much. I hope I let him know how much he was loved sometime in his existance here. I am grateful for his family. To his family directly: You're in my prayers and I love you. Thank you for giving me such a great friend, even though I didn't always treat him like one.

I wish I had more words to express. 

I love you all.

7/23/13

Family!

Well this week was a tough one. But I would like to tell you about the experiences I had at Edrianne's baptism. But first, let me tell you about Edrianne. 

Edrianne is a sweet African American Grandmother. She likes to sit quietly, and may I emphasize, ONLY QUIETLY, on her bench outside her appartment. During one of our meetings, little kids began circling around our appartment on their scooters and skateboards and made quite the rucus. While I was giving part of the lesson, Edrianne suddenly tensed up and yelled at these kids: "You all better knock it off, or I'm going to hit you in the head!" 

On another occasion, we were delivering a lesson when suddenly a bee flew by my face and I moved violently out of the way and said "Woah! That bee came so close!" 

"Those bees wont hurt you, you know." Edrianne said.

Her outspoken neighbor then cried out "THAT AIN'T KNOW BEE! THAT THERE IS A FLY!"

"No... That's definitely a bee." replied Edrianne.

"NAH! I TELL YA IT'S A FLY!" retorted the neighbor

Edrienne then sits straight up with dignity and growls "ITS A BEE!" 

Silence.... and then Edrienne nods at her neighbor with a "that's what I thought" kind of look. 

I love her. She is usually so serious. But when she saw me at her baptism she just ran up to me and gave me the biggest hug... and I awkwardly just patted her on the back twice. She said "I am so glad my friend is here!" 

I was honered to sing at her baptism. And to see Bishop White and my old Ward Mission Leader. My goodness I miss that place. 

Shayleen is getting baptized this weekend! I dont even know if I have mentioned her before. She's a member of a Part member family and she's nine. Elder Fukuyasu will be baptizing her. It will be two days before he goes home. 

Transfers were today. I now have a third companion. It is Elder Basilius again. I am extremely grateful for that. Even though he might not be. 

We got our hairs cut at the Butler's house today. Thats bishop Butler's family. They are great!

I got some insight from Elder Holland's talk this morning. I have never considered that the size of our faith does not matter. Elder Holland says this about the size of our faith.

"The size of our faith is not the issue. It is holding true to the knowledge and faith you do have until additional knowledge and understanding comes." (Paraphrase)

Oh! ONE MORE STORY!

So yesterday, Elder Fukuyasu and I get out of our car to see people moving into our appartment complex. We help them out and see that the work is too much for ourselves so we call 2 other companionships from the zone. At the end, I spoke with one of the louder and less interested guys, while Elder Fukuyasu and Elder Mclaws spoke with the loud guy's friend. Their contact listened intently and accepted a book of mormon and asked great questions! Service works!

I sure love all of you and I am grateful for the letters and e-mails you all sent!

7/15/13

Dear Family,

Well, actually, dear Dad! I hope you're feeling better! Mom said it was the first time you've ever really been the patient. It's always good to grow in patience. You know, I've realized that patience doesn't really come by virtue of the attribute being tested, it comes from the attribute being practiced. What better way to have to practice the attribute than to be THE patient. Know the patient, Feel the patient, BE the patient! That kind of corniness reminds me of a joke that you would often bring up whenever we were sick and we had to blow our nose into a tissue. You would always say "Wow, you almost blew your your nose!" Well, forget the nose dad! You blew your appendix! Yikes! 

I really love you dad. I will keep you in my prayers. I hope you are a little less loopy today than yesterday!

This week was nice. Remember Edrianne? I asked you all to pray for her while I was in Skyway. She is great. She lost contact for two weeks with the missionaries and they thought she was a gonner. But I just got a call from Elder Basilius on Saturday and he said "Elder Lovell, just guess what happened." I had no idea, I couldn't even guess. In skyway a whole bunch of things could have happened. Trageties, parties in the streets, car accident... But after not answering Elder Basilius finished it for me. "Edrienne's getting baptized next weekend!" (Which is now this weekend!) "Elder Orr is going to sing a song, but he wanted to know if you can come and sing with him!" I called up the assistants right away and they said if I could get an investigator to go with me, I could go to the baptism! EDRIANNE! She's getting baptized! I cannot believe it! 

Please pray for Denise. I don't know if I told you about Denise. I think I did. Oh well. Elder Fukuyasu and I were walking down this road in the sticks of our area. (We try to go on foot or bike as much as we can so we can talk to more people. Many of the houses were kind of like our ranch - a long trail leading off the main road into the distance. The only difference many of these houses had was the fence that kept anyone from entering the driveway from the main road. I did not know what we could do to get to these houses. So I just began waving at a house from the fence. I saw someone come to the window and then move away. "... Are they coming?" We thought. The door then opened and Denise came walking all the way from her house to meet us at the fence. She told us how she has a very open mind. She read from the Book of Mormon twice but never thought to pray about it. Well she is now! She has a baptismal date set for August 10th! 

President Eaton came teaching with us from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm last night. We first visited a less-active lady's house who is in our ward. She came to church earlier that day. She smokes and is trying to turn her life around! So we sang her "Come, Come, Ye Saints" because the congregation sang that at church and she really liked it. All three of us started singing the chorus for the first line, then broke into harmony on the second! President Eaton sings great saprano. It was a lot of fun. We then took him to see Denise, and he connected really well with her. He told her, "I'll keep on these missionaries until the day you're baptized!" and she said "Ok!" President Eaton's spanish is pretty good, even though he served in Germany. (Did I tell you that, Mom and Dad?) So we contacted a spanish hermano getting out of his car. President Eaton immediately started talking about how we are men of God and talk about things of eternal value. I don't think he knew I could understand him. He was pretty suprised when I testified of what he spoke about. It was fun. There were times when the guy spoke back to us and President Eaton would look at me and mutter... "What did he say?" and I'd whisper, "I dont know..." and then we both said "We dont understand." and we'd all laugh. Poor Elder Fukuyasu was just sitting there out of the joke. 

We took another investigator of ours on a church tour. Her name is Emily. We had a fantastic tour with her. She understood things very well and asked perfect questions that were relevant. The best part was when we entered the chapel and sister Brownell started playing "I Am A Child of God." and we all sang to it. Wow. Such a spirit of peace and love filled the air and the veil of my mind was lifted slightly and I beheld this investigator for who she was. A child of God. He loved her so much. I testified that He wanted her at church and she said "Oh my goodness, I have no doubt about that. This is definitely where I belong." She unfortunately didn't come and hasn't answered the door since. So please pray for her. 

I learned something pretty valuable in personal study today that I wanted to share. The first book of Nephi teaches us some pretty important things about being a good companion in missionary work. It outlines Three types of companions:

1. Laman and Lemuel: Laman and Lemuel have no desire to change. They may not know it, but they desire to halt the work of God. They rely on the things of the world to determine how they act. They do not act, they are acted upon. Nephi has to drag them, and convince them to do the work. Sometimes we jokingly refer to these companions as "the lepers." 

2. Sam: I often find myself in this category. Sam, he is obedient and he listens. But, by personal interpretation, he also is acted upon. When Lehi recites the will of the Lord to his family, Sam depends on Nephi. Nephi seeks confirmation of his father's vision from the Lord. Sam is not recorded as one who bodly stands for truth in difficult circumstances. Although he is sometimes persecuted for following Nephi, records do not show he is persecuted for defending Nephi. He doesn't build Nephi. Nephi builds him. He is left outside the walls of Jerusalem with Laman and Lemuel while Nephi experiences the miracle of retrieving the plates. 

3. Nephi: I have had companions like Nephi. Elder Garner, Elder Basilius, Elder Cox, etc. These people never let circumstance, esspecially the circumstance of a new, different, or difficult companion, determine their spiritual progression or the progression of those they serve. They can reprove where it is needed, even if you are their close friend. But most the time they encourage people to be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord. They have a personal testimony of the vision of the Lord for the work they are doing. They testify of the reality that God has an authorized servant in the mission who holds keys and that we will be blessed for following him. 

I've seen myself in all of those categories before. I'm sure we all have. I sure hope that by the end of my mission, I countinually move away from Sam, to be more like Nephi. Esspecially since this is Elder Fukuyasu's last full week. I want to help him finish Strong.

Thanks Elizabeth for the pictures.

Yes mom I did get your letter. I will write you back today.

Dad I hope you get better. Sorry I am rushed! I have to go!

Love you all!

7/8/13

I'll admit. I've been through the refiners fire this passed week. I pray that the spirit will guide my words to give something really positive to all of you.

You know, Lehi must have been perfect in Nephi's eyes. I hope that I'd have the courage to get up in front of Jerusalem and proclaim their wickedness and command them to repent. I think often about how discouraging it must have been for Nephi to be going through all that he was going through in the wilderness, getting beaten by his brothers, breaking his bow... then what. He finds Lehi in a tent murmuring to the Lord. Nephi might have wondered... "Uhm... Do you not remember your vision about the iron rod? Hello? You're not clinging to it when you murmur." But I don't think he did. He doesn't even write about how discouraging that was. He could have broken down and said "Oh my goodness. My dad isn't trusting in the Lord, how in the world am I ever going to be able to understand if my inspiration is true." But he didn't. In fact, he didn't even disreguard his leader and do it his own way. He went to him and asked him for guidance on what to do about the situation. 

Later on, he'd go on to write some of the most inspiring words I have read. "I know in whom I have trusted. My God hath been my support... and cursed his he that putteth his trust in the arm of the flesh and maketh flesh his arm..."

Keep in mind, Lehi didn't stop loving his dad after his dad made a mistake. Lehi's lament happens right after his dad dies. 

I have often stood in awe as I hear about people leaving the church over a new Prophet. Yikes! That's the way it has worked all the time! Why would you go? But how many times have we been insulted by the imperfections of a bishop or stake president? Those can be faith challenging times for many of us, and unfortunately they are just as ridiculous. In fact, President Eaton was talking just the other day about the #1 reason people leave the church. Can you guess? BOUNDRY CHANGES! Can you believe that? 

Imagine Nephi if Lehi said:  "Well, we're going to need to split up: I'll be in charge of group 1 and Ishmael you'll be in charge of group two. Nephi, you go with group two." 

Nephi: "Hmph! I'll show him! I'm going back to Jerusalem! That can't be the Lord's will, he said I was supposed to be a ruler over this people!" 

I finished the Book of Mormon this passed week and now I am restarting. Look at all that I've learned in just the first few chapters! It's pretty neat!

May the Lord bless us as we follow Nephi's example. Not only did he follow what he thought the Lord wanted him to do, but he followed his representative on earth. There's sure been a lot of people on the mission that have gotten insulted about leadership in the church, and they're ripening for apostasy. There's no other way around saying it. It's becoming such a big problem, that even Elder Aidukitis from the seventy had to talk about it when he came to visit our mission. 

Paraphrased...

"Resolve now," he said, "to never speak ill of anyone. Esspecially in leadership at church. So often this is the case in latter-day saint homes. We come home from an uplifting sunday service and instead of talking about what we learned, we begin to critisize those we don't like. How sad." 

I love you all so much! I hope all is well!

7/1/13

The sun has been out in the Washington, Federal Way Mission! I don't know if I'll be able to survive back at home when I face that grueling sun. I have nearly died out there as of late.

Joe didn't get baptized. We ran to his house and he told us to leave immediately in a pretty unkind way. But boy did we still see miracles. 

I had a rough week. It was a lot of pressure with President Larkin leaving. I miss him a lot. But dispite those things the Lord blessed us with a great meeting of our Former Investigator. Her name is Brandi and she is having so many struggles. She was shown some unfavorable material about the church long ago and it has challenged her growth of faith. But most recently she realized a change happening as she read the book of Mormon. She said to us "I've never had so much perserverence in life. Usually I just get so depressed that I just want to lay in bed and wait for the day to pass. But I've been optimistic through my challenges." I got a little emotional. I told her, "From here on out, Brandi, if you don't read and pray about the Book of Mormon every day, I'll be devestated. You are already experiencing its truthfulness for yourself!" She was going to come to church yesterday but never got up. Ugh! Agency is not fun! 

Other than that, we had a child get her permission for baptism signed last week! We will for sure be holding a baptism this month! Her name is Shayleen and she is an awesome 9-year old girl! 

We are extremely excited. Hold on Comp is shutting down! 

The sun has been out in the Washington, Federal Way Mission! I don't know if I'll be able to survive back at home when I face that grueling sun. I have nearly died out there as of late. 

Joe didn't get baptized. We ran to his house and he told us to leave immediately in a pretty unkind way. But boy did we still see miracles. 

I had a rough week. It was a lot of pressure with President Larkin leaving. I miss him a lot. But dispite those things the Lord blessed us with a great meeting of our Former Investigator. Her name is Brandi and she is having so many struggles. She was shown some unfavorable material about the church long ago and it has challenged her growth of faith. But most recently she realized a change happening as she read the book of Mormon. She said to us "I've never had so much perserverence in life. Usually I just get so depressed that I just want to lay in bed and wait for the day to pass. But I've been optimistic through my challenges." I got a little emotional. I told her, "From here on out, Brandi, if you don't read and pray about the Book of Mormon every day, I'll be devestated. You are already experiencing its truthfulness for yourself!" She was going to come to church yesterday but never got up. Ugh! Agency is not fun! 

Other than that, we had a child get her permission for baptism signed last week! We will for sure be holding a baptism this month! Her name is Shayleen and she is an awesome 9-year old girl! 

We are extremely excited. 

President Eaton came to our companionship study this morning. I sure love him already. He is a really nice man. He told me that the Lord is pleased with what I've done on my mission. My goodness, I just started to cry. He cried. We all cried and he gave me a hug. He told me we think very much alike. Which, my prideful self really liked. 

Is dad getting these e-mails? I keep getting a notification that it doesnt get to him. 

So, please pray, if it be the Lord's will that I stay in Maple Valley for as long as it takes to see this place turn around. I know our stake president is in desperation. This place is the struggling place of the mission and it used to be called Miracle Valley. We need all the help of the Lord that your prayers can muster! 

I love you all so much!