Sunday, January 24, 2016

Alvin Texas, Week 62: November 24, 2015 - November 29, 2015



Monday, November 30, 2015
 

Haha I'm glad you enjoyed all the birthday buzz!! That cracks me up about Sis. Perry and you. I love how she is obsessed with elders' moms. Its like two worlds colliding. I have not picked up my treat package yet. I will be getting that and the belts this Wednesday because... I WILL be finally exiting ALVIN. I get transferred on Wednesday and will find out where I'll be that same day. Just got the call this morning to report to the meeting. Its scary. I haven't had to move in a loonnnggg time. Just have received people.

Tyler's came to church this week right after their cruise. Also John and Crystal a couple we teach are progressing more and we have spent lots of time over there. Tyler's won't make baptism this weekend, it'll probably be bumped to next week or two. Too much to teach and we need to talk to each of them and see where they are at spiritually. Then we will get a new date, hopefully in a week or so. I can go to the baptism whenever it is. I'll get a ride down to it. Wouldn't miss it!

Thanksgiving was great this year!! We had three appointments for food. We only made it to two because of overlap timing. We actually had a miracle at the first one. We got invited to a girl named Suzanne's house, who is a recent convert living here in Alvin. Her parents are anti LDS, but willing to have us over. First missionaries accepted to be over. So, I was nervous and wanted to do everything just right. We had a great dinner! We helped cooked dessert, talked plenty, and they respect us. We even got to share a message with a Christmas video. We showed the initiative from last year and then talked about it. IT was such a blessing and Suzanne was very grateful. We ate turkey, corn, stuffing, rolls, pecan pie, pear crisp. The other place we went to was John and Crystal some investigators that we have. They weren't so good at first when we met them a month ago. But now they are doing swell and keeping commitments and learning more. They gave us plenty of good food. The other elders went to the 3rd appointment at the church.

I definitely reflected on what I am grateful for. My mission president asked me via email and I told him I'm grateful for who the Lord has turned me into. I'm grateful that I teach powerfully and simply. Im grateful for the place I live and the atmosphere here. Lots of amazing people all around. Thanks for sharing what you're grateful for.

We actually got to go to the temple this week as well!! That was incredible. We went with Austin, he's the member that just got back from a mission and is a total rocker kid. He likes RED and Breaking Benjamin. We had such a good time. I did work for Ansel Lamb who is on the Deans' side. I found him a while ago doing family history. I'll send some pictures home soon. Got some good ones. I am way excited for the Skype home in 26 days. I'll get details soon and it'll be who knows where and what time that day. Love you tons!

Adios,
Elder Deans


Janz with fellow Elders at the Houston Temple - Nov. 2015
 

Alving Texas, Week 61: November 16, 2015 - November 23, 2015

Week 61

Monday, November 24, 2015


We had a really good week. We were busy and not just in a "lots to do" way. We actually had great contact with people, developed better relationships with both the Bishop and a few members of the ward and had an exchange with the Assistants to the president. I got to leave the area and go into their area for a day. That went awesomely. I was with Elder Tautu who actually will be going home with me I found out, that's always crazy but fun to think about.

The Tylers are currently on their cruise. Did I mention that last week or before? They are on a cruise in Mexico till Saturday or Sunday. Haven't heard anything from them but they took their scriptures and pamphlets and said they would study a little. Wyatt, the 14 yr old boy took charge and said he would pack it all and make sure everyone does the reading. Proud of him. He's like a little brother to me. New baptismal date for them December 6!! that'll come way soon and we think they WILL make this one.

The new Eric is swell. Should've had some contact with him this week but it was hard, couldn't quite get a hold of him. But we took a member over on Wednesday and taught the whole Restoration and it went incredible. It was a fun lesson. He was so intrigued and thoughtful. His catch phrase and what often comes out of his mouth when things are powerful is either "Man!... that is DEEP" or "OKAY, OKAY this is new!" He makes me laugh. Great guy.

Otis is doing better. He is almost ready to come to church. He has missed every Sunday but this week he agreed to a church tour that we will do either tomorrow or Wednesday. We also cleaned his apartment. Sometimes he gets too tired or in pain to do his chores. We had a good lesson last time though. Taught about the mercy of Christ and how that is applied to his life and especially to his potential baptism. He liked that. He also asked about the baptism of fire and enjoyed that discussion. Haven't heard much about other areas. Don't know how the recent converts are, which is sad. I don't have their info, but I should make the effort and talk to them.

Transfers are a week from yesterday. Yikes. I feel like I will leave. Find out the news next monday and ill let you know. Pretty sure ill miss the Tyler baptism unfortunately. Just seems like I gotta get on with the mission and see new areas and people. But who knows. Things are strange at transfers. I don't know what to think anymore.

We are spending Thanksgiving with some members of the ward. Their house is too small for all of us, so we have a big dinner planned, at the church actually. We're excited. Hope ya'll have a terrific Thanksgiving with family. Thanks for everything!

Love ya tons,

Elder Deans



Dinner Appointment this week, Bird Chow



 


 
 

 

Alvin Texas, Week 60: November 9, 2015 - November 15, 2015

Week 60

Monday, November 16, 2015

We had a really good week over here. Last Monday we had the Tylers over at the Flakes house again for a dinner and lesson. We taught tithing and used candy as part of an object lesson for the kiddos. The kids names and ages are: Wyatt-14, Kyrsten-13, Emily-11, Isabella (we call her BB) -5. We got to see them again later in the week and watched Joseph Smith the Prohet of the Restoration with them. We got to just kind of hangout but yet feel the Spirit by learning about the restoration of the gospel. The kids really liked it and it helped them understand more of why God's church is so important. Then they also came to church yesterday which was stake conference and I think they enjoyed that... not sure yet. waiting to hear back. They will probably be baptized in a couple weeks. They are going out of town for a cruise this week. They are in great shape for baptism though. We had some good lessons and they are studying every day. The set backs always come. President Ashton once said this and it always sticks with me " you know when people are getting close when the storm clouds roll in" Very true and you just be patient and take it for what it is and keep going.

We weren't able to teach Ashli this week. We just stopped by and said hi at work. No news on the Erics. Buuuuttttt we actually found ANOTHER one. Theres too many in Alvin. This guy is black though and hes like 50 or so. I met him by hearing a bunch of 50 Cent rap songs coming from the house. Then walking by him, I was like "hey! do you like 50 cent?" And then an hour later we had showed him and taught about the Book of Mormon and he's excited to do research, he says. He's a way cool guy. We also had a miracle with an investigator named Otis. He likes having us over but hasn't had faith or intent to act yet. But that all changed this week when we went over and taught about baptism and by the correct priesthood authority. For him, he finally understood that that is why we were teaching him so much, because he can receive remission of sins and receive the Holy Ghost by Christ's priesthood. He said he would think and pray about it. He also asked if we could give him a blessing. He has had some pain that never went away after a surgery. The blessing was super powerful and we think it softened his heart even more. SO that was absolutely sweet.

We also had zone conference this week for a big group of missionaries. That was great. President Hall had some good trainings and discussions with us. He even ended by having the sisters leave the chapel and the elders stayed and we had a personal
talk on the Law of Chastity. Man... so glad im living the law of chastity. that was nuts. but good. We just had a fun ol week. We are loving the blessings that have been given to us. The Lord is merciful to all. We will just notice more if we live for Him and call out to him.

Love ya'll,
Janz