Memorial City, Week 16: January 5, 2015 - January 11, 2015

Monday, January 12, 2015

The galleria was bomb. It’s not as big as I thought but its large. Its three levels and its a stretch in distance. I got tired just walking around it all. But, i didn’t buy anything …was tempted, but no. I wanted some new fancy socks but resisted. We just looked. We went with Chase who we see all the time and teach with. He’s such a good friend now. We haven’t been able to see a lot of our investigators.  They’ve been busy or not home.  Saw a couple investigators and worked with members a lot this week. The ward is amazing. Finally met the ward mission leader. He’s a funny and cool dude. He’s young and we click. Things are still good in Memorial.

Downtown Houston

Inside The Galleria

Outside The Galleria

Had a wacky week. So, Tuesday was district meeting. I like all these missionaries. All the companionships are working hard. They’re goofy too. That night I went Vietnamese. It was fun. I wasn’t left out at all. I bonded well with the elder. He’s half Vietnamese and is from Arizona. He didn’t speak Vietnamese until his mission. What a day... So my morning Vietnamese started out with a good workout. Then we got ready and had an early appointment with an investigator real close to baptism. He would get baptized, knows its true and is worthy, but he’s on parole so he’s gotta wait it out. He fed us breakfast sandwiches, like what i would eat at home, hot chocolate and cheesecake. Pretty nice of him, made my morning. He didn’t speak much English so my companion taught in Vietnamese the whole time. Then, at the end, I just had him translate my testimony of what we read in the Book of Mormon. I’m glad i was able to still be part of the lesson. Later, we went to the church and got to teach citizenship. Elder Vu, my comp for the day, was going to teach English and I, citizenship. But only one guy came so I taught him citizenship! We went over this packet of questions about American history and government. This guy spoke no English, but he knew this stuff in English, so we figured it out. I had a blast doing it. I even drew stuff on the board and discussed with him and he did well. Later we went to an old folks home and visited a one hundred year old Vietnamese lady. She kept making fun of me and i would just smile and she would hold my hand and what not while Elder Vu read the Book of Mormon in Viet to her. I said a few funny things back to her and my companion translated. That day we also helped an investigator. He was out at a restaurant and came back and his car wouldn’t start. We never got it to start because it wasn’t the battery. We think it was the starter or ignition. So we tried to tell him it’s gotta be fixed. He didn’t really get that and unfortunately replaced the battery.

We got a referral and things are sweet with her, she’s golden. She’s read the Book of Mormon after only one lesson somewhere else. She has a baptismal date for Jan 31. We went and taught the Plan of Salvation and the Atonement with a solid member. He clicked with the husband of the investigator because they’re both post military. Her name is Eva and she speaks decent English and is from Mexico. The lesson went perfect and the spirit was strong so there were many great testimonies from all of us. We decided to set a baptismal date for Jan 31 only because they’ll be out of town for a while. If not, she’s ready to be baptized now. She knows everything is true and is worthy. So that’s an exciting and blessed situation.

Then later we had our weekly lesson and basketball games with the street ballers at the church. We've had two way good lessons. My companion and I teach and it really lets us connect with the guys. A lot of them can recognize the Spirit, and we definitely can too because things come out of our mouths that we wouldn’t even think of. This Thursday one kid even came up to us after the lesson as everyone went to go hoop and asked us some questions. I believe that if we didn’t bear our testimonies so often and sincerely and relate with these guys, who come from not so good situations, he wouldn’t have come up after to talk to us. They need to hear that were not perfect either

Friday, we had a sad day. No investigators were in touch with us. Buuutttt we visited members and had a crazy spiritual experience with an older member named Bro Dopson who lives alone. He went to teach with us and when we discovered that no one was home and not answering the phone we just went back to his place to get to know him better and discuss the gospel. We learned a lot from him. We ended up teaching three members total that day. So, not bad at all. We just thought we would see some investigators, but we taught none the less.

Saturday we had a move first thing in the morning. Some members were moving out and needed lots of hands to load up the trucks. They had a huge house and it was filled with things that were going with them. We had like 15 members, old and young, to help them. It was necessary. It was the largest but yet easiest move I’ve seen. We had another one that we went to at 12. This one was smaller but we stayed a long time because we put together a new dresser for the family moving in.

Sunday was nuts. We had multi stake conference. It was a special one because there were some changes being made in four stakes. Elder Dan Jones from the second quorum of the seventy came and spoke at another building but everyone had the video feed and watched at their own stake center. The big news was that they have changed the stakes and ward boundaries. The first part of the conference was super boring, honestly, because he was describing the process of the new boundaries and stake make up. So I just drew in my handbook for a little. Then, an hour later, they showed the new maps. So now we have Spanish wards in our stake and our ward shrunk. Our area got cut 1/3. We lost two really cool members, the elders quorum president and the guy who ran the Thursday night basketball. He'll probably still do it though. We lost two investigators as well. We'll have to hand them off soon. So, it was boring then sad and then overwhelming. We'll live with it though, It’s the Lord’s call and new opportunities will come forth, even new people to find.

Today we had a district activity at the church. My comp and I told everyone last week and took charge of this shindig. We brought pizza, drinks and cookies. We also brought and played Uno and Telestrations. It was a good time. Never had a district activity before. Brings unity for sure. I’ll send some pictures in a sec. I also wanted to report on my scripture reading... so I finished the Book of Mormon in early December and now I’m in the New Testament, all the way to Acts. Soon I’ll be able to say I’ve read the whole Bible since i knocked out the Old Testament last year. I bear testimony that the scriptures are true. They truly show us how loving God is. They give us strength to believe in him at all times throughout the day. They increase our testimonies substantially if we diligently study. We come to know these things are true personally. But life is good. 

The District - Companion is the one in the hoodie

Love you tons,

Elder Janz

Memorial City, Week 15: December 29, 2015 - January 4, 2015

Monday, January 5, 2015

I live in Memorial City!! It’s by Sugar Land and is a lot more city-like than old League City. This area is pretty close to what I predicted a while ago. It’s so much more city-like. Plus there are so many black people here. It’s at least 80% of the population. I’m lovin it. So, things are different to say the least. I like my companion. His name is Elder Davis. He is 20 years old and about to die in February (end of transfer). He is from Centerville UT. Things are good. Him too. It’s a lot more relaxed and I feel more comfortable around this companion. The apartment is decent. Dirty, but that’s only due to poor missionary maintenance. I had to clean a ton. They kept it a mess. I’ve done all the chores so far. I clean it every day, dishes, vacuum, wipe down, pick up. We bike here. Have a car but we only use it for traveling long distances. We bike every day. The area is big. It’s a big square and its at the top ofthe mission.

It’s been nasty cold. Thanks again for the gloves. I use them every day. It’ll feel weird to bike without them.

NASA was fun. We got to see a space sunrise from a live camera feed looking out the space shuttle in Mission Control, made my day. President Anderson works in the Landing Team and showed us all about his projects and parachutes. We also saw and walked around the old mission control where they ran all the early moon trips. We also went to the rocket park, which just has a few major rockets, one huge one in a hangar, Saturn V, and then smaller ones outside and around it. Great time.

New Years Eve was pretty cool. We froze though. We biked around all night and met some new potential investigators. We also talked to a couple less actives. We had to be in by 8:00pm and then I just unpacked. We fell asleep after a long talk about life, at like 11:00pm.

I bore my testimony in church yesterday. We've met and been fed by some great members. The ward is just a little smaller than ours. And, it’s a lot larger than the last.

We've got two investigators out here. One that’s been off and on for a month or so and the other we just picked up as a media referral. The rest are still potential because we are waiting for a return appointment. But, that’s how it is with lots of them because we OYM them biking and things go well. One we even taught the restoration as we walked out of our apartment complex. Two of these people are from Africa, Congo and the Ivory Coast. They moved here this year. They’ve got good English though. I’m loving life!

In an hour, I’ll be at the Galleria. It’s a huge mall downtown, one of the largest in the US. We’re going with a member named Chase. We’re good friends with him. He's in his twenties. We hang with him quite a bit. He teaches with us. He was baptized this summer. I’ll take some good pictures. 

Tomorrow we have district meeting. Should be interesting. I know one elder in my district since he came out with me. After that we’re doing exchanges and I’ll be going with a Vietnamese elder into his area!! He’s the DL (District Leader) and I’ll be in China Town trying my best to help. He just wants to be with me on exchange. Should be crazy. I’ll letyou know.

Love ya,

Elder Deans 

League City, Week 14: December 22, 2015 - December 28, 2014

Monday, December 29, 2014

Skype was way cool! I thought I would only get a call. That's funny we both cried. I told people and we weren't the only ones. Oh ,I’m way glad you didn't work on Christmas!! I’ve got some serious news though... I’m getting transferred on Wednesday. And, today I’ll be at NASA with a stake president counselor. He’s showing us everything, not just the tour, but like where they actually work and such. I’m excited. But, I’ll let you know next week where I’ll be transferred.

Christmas was good. I told you about some stuff that day but later we had dinner at the Velasco’s and I got to play guitar for them and their extended family. It was kinda scary, but it was good. We ate there for thanksgiving too and we love that family. Garza’s came to church again, that was super cool. I didn't get to see too many investigators this week because they've been busy and we have as well. Hopefully my companion gets on it this weekend.

It was funny last night cause I was in a bad mood, ha ha. It was because President called Elder Ve'e and told him he was training again and that meant I got the boot. I was watching bible videos and seeing Christ go through the atonement, so I guess I was emotional. Plus it shows that I care and have a love for both the atonement and for my area. I’ll get to say goodbye to a few people tonight and the rest tomorrow. But, things are good. I’m happy today and now we'll see what’s ahead of me.

Love you,

Elder Janz

Mini Fussball Table

Christmas Sweater Vest

Brother Knabel

The Garza's

Gifts under the tree

Christmas Lights

Christmas Luncheon

Gas is cheap here!

Posing with the Olsen's

Leage City, Week 13: December 15, 2014 - December 21, 2014

Monday, December 21, 2014

Merry Christmas everyone!!! Hope it's a jolly one!

That’s so fun ya'll went downtown! I miss that, especially this time of year. It’s pretty and lively. That’s awesome Jordan sang as well. Yeah, I get to converse with ya real soon! I can call, Skype or Facetime, its up to you. I’ll have all available I believe. We'll be at Elder Ve'e's aunt’s, who lives down the street. I’ll call around afternoon to evening.  Excited to hear from you or possibly see you on Christmas! I’ve got 40 minutes. I’ll probably be different! So, on Christmas, we have breakfast at some wardies, then lunch with Bro. Knabel at the church and dinner with another ward family. I get to open presents and have a Christmas tomorrow too. We have a mission conference and then a party basically. We'll be there all day. Utah Utes for the bowl win, heck ya!!  Seems early for bowl games. 

This week was exciting! Tuesday we had district meeting! I didn’t have to do anything this time, but I enjoyed it. We lost our dinner calendar last Sunday because the relief society president ran off with it. So on Tuesday, we knew we had dinner, but couldn’t remember who and she had the calendar at her house. I went to pick it up and she wasn’t home. I called her after and no answer. So that was lame and stressful. But we lucked out because each family we ate with this week would call or text us first. It’s funny because they were like "Do we have dinner tonight? Are we doing that?” And we were like ohhhhhh, yep. So, we got fed a lot and just hoped that they would keep letting us know.

We went to Jason’s Deli with some newly weds on Tuesday. They were cool, but too lovey-dovey. It was weird. Also picked up a new investigator who was working with the spanish sisters and now got passed to us. She’s 9 years old and her family is less active in our ward. We taught about baptism and I invited her to be baptized! My first invitation! She accepted and her family wants us to work with all them. Plus we can’t baptize unless the family will help her live the gospel and get her to church. 

Wednesday, we moved in the Janson dude into the ward! He came from Atlanta and has a family of four. He had tons of stuff and the elder’s quorum was supposed to help, but it ended up just being us and them. That family is way sweet. 

Thursday we had an awesome day. We met with Kasey and talked about the plan of salvation. She had some great questions. She told us the family situation. It turns out she  and Dave aren’t married. Dave doesn’t believe in the restoration either. He’s friendly, he just doesn’t believe everything we say and then talks and fights with Kasey after. But, we got to understand more of her life and past. We just listened and then I bore my testimony after her telling about everything she’s been through and putting up with at the house. I told her the gospel just makes life easier and that Christ will make us stronger and make good things happen if we let him. The Spirit was strong and then the baptism invite just rolled off my tongue. She accepted. We just need to figure out the marriage situation, help Dave see that some of  the things he has heard aren’t true and help him understand the restoration. Hopefully Kasey, and maybe even Dave, are baptized by January 31.

We went to see the Albrights on Wednesday too. They are some investigators that were referred to us by bishop. Things haven’t gone too well with them until recently and we've seen them for a month. We have had some more serious lessons and we invited them to be baptized as well! There is a mom, Brittany whos 11 and Loretta whos 12. The daughters accepted. The mom, ever since we met them, said that she could feel the Spirit. Its too bad though because she has that feeling but she could feel it more if she just read the Book of Mormon or came to church. But, they’re starting too. They also get super nervous to pray before we leave and they finally prayed this week! It took a month to get them to pray. It was hard but it was emotional once they did.

I went on an exchange on Friday to Bacliff, which is right by the gulf shore. The elder I was with was a little rowdy and I had to step up and tell him we don’t do certain things. I also lead out the studies in the morning because I could tell he wouldn’t talk about anything spiritual. It’s funny because he’s 24 and been out for 6 months. We had a good day though. We saw lots of people and taught well together. We played guitar for a family too. But, that day was terrible with the weather, it rained and flooded everywhere. It rained for 13 hours straight. I haven’t seen anything like it before. It was like a monsoon.

Sunday, I got to sing in sacrament meeting. We had a group of ten members. I did not know what I was doing because they wanted me to sing the alto line and an octave below. We only had one practice last week and that didn’t help. It was scary but I finally felt comfortable on the third verse. We sang Far Far Away on Judea’s Plains. All of sacrament meeting was music. It was instruments and singing, way neat. Ashely has been out of town for the past two weeks. She’s missed church, but we will try and see her tomorrow. The Garza’s came to church though! They came because they had both of the kids this week. If they start becoming more active, their son can be baptized. He is 9 yrs. old.

Last night was pretty crazy. We had to usher 'The Messiah' Sing Along at a Methodist church. So, we welcomed people and gave them programs. I mostly just told people where the bathroom is. Then, they asked us to collect offerings! Weird, weird. A lot of our stake came because members performed and so the stake president okayed the collecting of offerings if we took off our nametags. But, we literally passed a bowl around in another chapel, it was nuts. But a fun week as you can tell!

Love ya,

Elder Janz

League City, Week 12: December 8, 2014 - December 14, 2014

Monday, December 15, 2014

The Christmas initiative is sweet huh? We use it a bunch. OYM’s (Open Your Mouth, talking to anyone new)), lessons, and of course get referrals. That came out the end of November. The cards are received well. People like them and sometimes we can do more than say hi and wish them a merry Christmas after we give it to them. 

We met Gwen at a gas station on Tuesday and she wanted to come to church and said she liked our first lesson. Then we met her again at the same gas station cuz her friends tell us where she is and we found her outside. She didn’t look too good, smoking a cig and not too happy. We started talking to her and found out that she talked to her pastor, big no no for us. She doesn’t believe in a prophet and isn’t interested anymore. We listened to her concern, tried to explain and we stood on the curb out front for 30 minutes, I swear. She won’t meet with us anymore. We just kept bearing testimony, then thanked her for everything and left. It’s a bummer, but I’m used to it. It just means we have someone else waiting and we can find them.

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. Had an interesting week. Went up and down during the weekdays. Not much progress, but were trying our best. Yesterday and today have been great. The Spirit won’t leave and that’s how it should be. My favorite part of the week was giving two blessings this weekend, both to members that we’re close to. One is going in for eye surgery and other is way sick. I love those. I still get a little nervous, but that’ll go away soon.

I had a spiritual experience by myself during my personal study the other day. I was praying to close  the study and the Spirit overcame me and revealed that I can do better. Iit cheered me up. It testified that everything I was doing was right and it was just what I needed. All week, there were things that got me a little down and I also wanted to feel closer to my Savior, so my prayer was very sincere and repentant. I cried and had a good time, ha ha. But, I know that prayer, when done with full intent, works. We will receive if we pray, have faith and try our best.

I have some musical performances coming up. I’ll be singing in an octet next Sunday in sacrament meeting. We’re singing "Far Far Away on Judea’s Plains".Then, on the 23^rd, I’ll be singing and playing guitar at our mission Christmas Devotional/Zone Conference. I’ll play "Away in a Manger during the week.

Life is good, having a good time. We just need to work a little harder, find and help people come to Christ. We can get lazy or forgetful. I’ll let you know in two weeks if I’m outa here. It’s quite possible. That would be sad.

Love ya,

Elder Janz

League City, Week 11: December 1, 2014 - December 7, 2014

Monday, December 8, 2014

Yeah I’ve spent some money... but the cleats were only 5 dollars. You called it. They’re from Walmart. Elder Ve'e doesn’t play guitar. He just knows a few things. Feels weird to be playing again. Man, I kind of stink at playing now, at least the first night I played. I’m better now.  Oh thanks for the package. Ill probably get it at our mission Christmas devotional on the 23rd. We’re going to be all gathered in Sugar Land. I’m excited. It’s an all day thing too.

This week was unique. I went on a exchange, all the way out of the zone. An elder from the area I’m in had to come down to League City to see a family that connected well with him because they’re not doing so good. I went all the way to Richmond on Tuesday. I got paired up with the elder that I stayed with my first night in Houston. So, I was happy to have an elder I already knew and loved. I drove in that area too. But, we biked that first night I got there. It was the coldest night I had felt here yet. We got lost, saw a member who was ill and then biked back to the car. We drove to the house he stayed at and I was flippin out. It’s in a brand new neighborhood and the house was huge. We had a room right by the entry and he showed me around. I thought it was the craziest thing. Couldn’t believe I got to live there for a day. Next morning, we worked out in their workout room and then went out at 10. Again we drove to a certain point and then just biked around. This time it wasn’t as cold but i brought socks to wear as gloves. Some other elder gave me the idea a week ago. That day i biked more than i ever have. We biked the whole day. My bum had some saddle sore. We mostly just tried to find people because they have hardly any investigators. So, we biked all day and saw two members, one in the afternoon and one had us for dinner. While biking, I had a strange feeling that this area would be where I will be transferred. Not just because its super nice and upper class, but it felt like home for some reason. I told Bro Knabel a couple days after at lunch and he said Ill go to Sunnyside, the most slum like area in the mission …yikes, no thanks. But, I could deal with any area. We'll see. Transfers are on the 30th and, ya, I’ll probably get a new area and companion. My companion will most likely stay since his zone leader companion is going home.

Wednesday, we had zone conference in Friendswood. Usually conferences are in Sugar Land, but we got lucky because Friendswood is a lot closer. We had training on teaching repentance by the APs and then by President and his wife on becoming consecrated. It was a really good conference. We learned how we can give our whole heart to the Lord, just like the Savior did when he performed the atonement. We may not like our challenges or duties, but if were consecrated, we understand that it is for our growth and possibly others. Then we face them. We learned that we should never set limits on our work. Never be satisfied completely or think that we’ve already done this much and we can’t do the rest. It was good. I feel the Spirit so strong when President and his wife talk to us.

We met a new investigator this week using the "He Is the Gift" initiative. Did ya'll see the video and website? christmas.mormon.org. Her name is Gwen and she is a single sister in her 40’s. We gave her a Christmas card from that and started talking. She told us we could come back and share more. So, later we went back with a member and taught the Restoration. She was confused on and off but she learned by us addressing her concerns. The other investigators are good. Dave and Kacey didn’t come to church unfortunately,  but are hopefully still on for the 20^th. Neither Gwen or the other families we work with were there. But, Ashly came and even sat by some new friends. So thankful for their fellowship. Ashley doesn’t like to be social sometimes.

We went to the temple again this week. We went with a recent convert that was taught and baptized in my ward but then moved to another one soon after. We are good friends with him and his wife. The elders for their ward also came and we all crammed into his truck. It was an amazing day there. It was his first time. My comp and I got to be witnesses for some baptisms and even got to confirm his wife and another sister there. That blew my mind and I was so glad that I could do that. We had our ward Christmas party this week too. That was fun. My goal was to meet everyone that I hadn’t talked to or seen before. I’m getting courageous at this now. Then, on Sunday, a new family moved in and I met him in priesthood and his first name is Janson!!!   What the...  So that was super nice I met him, knew I had to. But, things are good. We’re going to help a family move soon.

Love you,

Elder Janz

 

League City, Week 10: 11/24/14 - 11/30/14

Monday, December 1, 2014

Well my week was terrific. It was: Man vs. First Baptism. That was my highlight. Ashley’s baptism went really well. Way spiritual. Elder Ve'e baptized her. I spoke on the Holy Ghost and she and I cried, haha. Then Sunday I confirmed her and also spoke in church. So, pretty nuts. Ya, I loved it. Dave and Kasey are out of town. We'll see them in a couple days. But, they’re good.

Had a great thanksgiving! Played turkey bowl in the morning, which was 2 hours of football with a bunch of people. I bought cleats for it. I had two meals with members that night, yummy, yummy. It was super funny becuase some elders with us had been to a big meal right before the one with us and they were about to puke and couldn’t walk or stand and they were like walking dead. But, it was just so funny how they tried to be polite but were not doing good at all. We can’t watch tv, so no football or anything on the tv, mother. The ward mission leader, Bro. Knabel is fine. He got out of the hospital on Thursday. Alma Laurie is way cool. Yeah i wanna see her again before i get transferred.

I ummmmmm bought something. It’s a new guitar, Fender acoustic. It’s a way cool style. It’s an older more country design. But. It’s new and plays great. I also was given a cowboy hat, so you can say im stylin'. I got a tie and letters from the ward, that was nice.

My card reader doesn’t work on this computer. It needs to be "formatted",  but I cant do it on this computer apparently.  So i’ll do what i can.

That’s way cool Mason spoke and leaves soon. Time really does fly when you look back like that and realize its December somehow. We have zone conference this week, should be pretty cool. Hey check out christmas.mormon.org. It’s a new initiative the church put out for Christmas and it reminds us of how important the Savior is. There’s a sweet video that hits me hard with the spirit every time and there are ton of links to learn other things.

Things are fun out here. I’m doing good, gaining weight and muscle again. Gotta keep it up.  I’m growing up each week. I know that i wouldn’t have fun if it wasn’t for the spirit, obedience or focusing on Christ. These are things we need to enjoy the ups and downs of life.

Love ya,

Elder Janz

Ashley's Baptism day.

Santa hat selfie

Elders strumming some country Christmas Music

Janz' new Fender

League City, Week 9: 11/17/14 - 11/23/14

Monday, November 24, 2014

Another crazy week. Weather is still so dark and rainy. We have a weird thing here... sometimes the clouds decide to tease us and instead of rain just blanket the city with mist. It gets everywhere and you cant see, especially when driving. But yesterday and today have been warm and sunny so it’s good to have both.

Monday, I went out with a member while my companion helped at our FHE activity which was basketball. We went to visit people and the first stop we made was at an old folks home. I met an old lady named Alma Laurie and she has paintings in the Vatican! She’s a renowned painter! She has Parkinson disease and cant talk or remember much but she was an angel. That’s what I kept thinking. She was so happy to have visitors. I gave her a blessing before we left and it was a very spiritual experience.

We also visited other families and i lead out the night. it was good to have responsibility and show that i can be a leader. Tuesday, we did an exchange and I had another major leader opportunity. Elder Walker, my MTC companion, came to my area for the day. So, obviously we’re gaining trust because were just young hooligans. But, we had a super day! We taught 5 lessons! A few weeks ago, Elder Ve'e and I said hi to a guy as we walked around this one apartment complex and just talked to him for a minute. I decided with Elder Walker to go check on that guy because we hadn’t seen him. He had potential and I knew by the Spirit that he could become Christlike. So, we went to his place. He wasn’t home, but his wife answered and said we could come back that night. So later, we called a member to come with us and we taught this family. Their names are Dave and Kasey and they have a 4 year old boy, Levi. The first lesson went really well. Left them with a Book of Mormon and Restoration pamphlet. This family is great. During the lesson, they were so curious and willing to hear everything we had to share. Elder Ve'e and I stopped by again a few days later and they were about to head out to see some family. But, we quickly followed up on the Book of Mormon and what they were thinking. Kasey read the Book of Mormon chapter we gave them, Dave didn’t have time to read,  but just knows it can change his life and loves The Lord. We extended a baptismal invite and they accepted. They”re gonna be baptized Dec 20!  They’re doing really good. We told them about church on Sunday and they came! We had 6 investigators at church. Gotta love these people. This family is golden. It’s what they've been waiting for. They have the faith they just needed to know how to act with that faith.

Thursday, I had another exchange because of MLC for my companion and elder i went on exchanges with companion. We were in his area. That day was a toughy. It was rainy rainy rainy. and we had to bike it all. We made brownies for some families and delivered them in the midst of the storm. I got bugged because i was getting so wet at first. But, then I realized that’s just how it’s going to be and I got so wet it looked like i was swimming is my dress clothes. At that point, we were just having fun with it and kept looking at each other and laughing. The Lord showed me that i can do hard things. I kept thinking how much stronger I would be and how much more love it showed when we arrived at those houses.

Ashley will be baptized in 5 days!! Way exciting. We still haven't got the details for the time, program or who's baptizing. We'll figure it out tomorrow. She’s doing so good. She’s living the word of wisdom, quick cigarettes and coffee cold turkey. Usually, it’s coffee every morning and a few cigs a day. But, she’s doing it, through the Atonement. I text her every morning to check on her. I want to baptize her, just barely decided. My companion is good at blessings, so I want to be in all white with her and do the outward ordinance. She came to church yesterday even though she had a migraine. We gave her a blessing that the pain would go and that she would continue to prepare for the baptism on Saturday.

I was at the hospital last night and this morning. We went to see our neighboring ward mission leader.  We see all the time and drive him around, go to dinner with, he even teaches with us and he runs our FHE activities. But, he had a mini stroke yesterday at church and went to the ER. We didn’t hear about it until nighttime, so we went to see him after our dinner at a member’s. He’s okay. He has lots of pain and his left side and left eye are a little messed up, but it might come back. He looked a lot better today than yesterday. The hospital is doing their best. But that’s my crazy week.

Things are fun. We got dinner at a member’s for Thanksgiving this week. It should be splendid,  time to gain weight while everyone else worries about working it off. I got the package, yes. Thank you for the card reader. I’ll send lots of pics next week, baptism pics included. Way to go Jordan, That’s way fun! I’d love to go to something like that. I’ll be at the Velascos for Thanksgiving. They live close to the church and I know the dad pretty well. So, I’ll have a good week. I miss you too. Holidays are better with family, but whatever, love knows no bounds

Love ya

Elder Janz

League City, Week 8: 11/10/14 - 11/16/14

Monday, November 17, 2014

Man this has been the best week of my mission, honestly. The Spirit is so strong and I’m able to make the most of it. Companion and i are gettin along, so that’s a hoot. And, plenty of food. . Yeah, I’m eating enough. I went shopping this morning and got all my good stuff. We’re fine at home plus members are still feeding us.

My first baptism, with Ashley, will now be on Nov. 29^th.  She’s doing really good.  She just needs to keep working on the word of wisdom, but her faith is totally there. Makes me so happy. We taught her in the chapel a couple days ago. We got 7 new investigators this week! Imagine that... it’s because we exercise faith, obedience and we fast every Sunday to find more of God’s children. Prayer and fasting works, i promise. We found a family on the bay, two sisters came to church, and we just helped an old black lady one day and now we teach her. So, its fun to have people to teach. Our apartment has the most in the zone.

We went to the temple this week. That’s two times in two weeks! We went as a district this time and got a ride from an old Scottish sister who's super funny. One elder, sitting by me, got carsick and puked on the way. That made me relate to him and feel lucky i wasn’t sick. But, we played monopoly that night before so that’s probably why he was feeling nasty. The temple was fun. I haven’t fallen asleep in the endowment unlike other elders. We ate out after. It was good.

So, transfer calls were this morning... jklsdghkoedodogvbnaoipv!!!!!!    I’m safe though. No one in my apartment is going anywhere, that’s a relief. Companion and i are staying together and in our area, so we’re happy. I get a new DL (district Leader ) though, so that’s sad. I’ll miss the old one. We were pretty good friends.

It’s gettin really cold here. Haven’t seen the sun in a week. It’s been cold and rainy for days. But, my hands? C’mon. they’re not that bad. I’m fine. My coat is good and the car and going into houses warms ‘em up. . And.  plenty of food. . Yeah, I’m eating enough. Went shopping this morning and got all my good stuff. We’re fine at home plus members are still feeding us, so I’m eating well. And i made pancakes that you sent mix for. I’m working out more. Kind of got off track because we were busy, but last couple days I’ve been on it. Elder Ve'e and i are gonna make a workout plan and be more serious about it instead of just a "wake up workout".  No worries.

Love ya tons,

Elder Janz

Houston Temple

Elder Deans with his compadres at the Houston Temple

To their dismay, Janzen's got 500 dollars

A very serious game of Monopoly

League City, Week 7: 11/03/14 - 11/09/14

Monday, November 10, 2014

Had a great week last week! The people are awesome down here. We invited Ashley to a baptism last night, but she was covering for someone at work and she’s working a ton. She made it to sacrament and we told her before that that was more important than seeing a baptism, so she chose that one. She has been to church twice now. She is making so much progress. I help her when she comes and I think she loves coming. I invited her to live the word of wisdom in a lesson a while back. She struggles with it, but she'll get help from the Garza’s. They are the family she always hangs with that are members. We always teach her at the Garza’s and they are becoming more active because of it. So, two birdies with one stone is ideal right now. So, we talked to Ashley about how through Christ you can overcome addiction and receive tons more blessings instead. We also had a powerful atonement lesson with her where we looked at the atonement in a whole different way. We talked about how Christ came to suffer and die for us so that we can live a happier life and even partake in eternal glory. But we explained that since he died for us, who killed him? Who killed Jesus Christ? Our message was to show that we essentially killed him since he died for us willingly. We can ease his suffering by being obedient, and when we do mess up, speedily repent because he has already felt so much pain for us and he doesn't need to hold that feeling because of our wicked ways. Interesting huh? We also taught that to members and related it to the sacrament and the Law of Moses and animal sacrifices. It’s a way powerful lesson.

We had the temple this week. I drove down Monday night and we stayed at an apartment closer to Houston. Then, at 4:30 the next morning, drove to the temple and it was way cool seeing downtown, skyscrapers and bright lights. Now I can say I’ve driven downtown and back and know the major freeways. There was one point when I was the only one awake in the car, which is not good at all. My companion and the elders we were giving a ride were out while I’m driving among some psycho drivers and in pouring rain. It was scary, but I just stayed calm and kept my eyes forward, I had to. Later I just laughed because no one even knew. Plus they kept doing the 'head bob'. The temple was a success and we received many blessings throughout the week. That’s way sweet you saw the temple. Looks really good in person. I saw it in the dark and then came out and it was shining in the sun. We had a training after our session, with the temple president. That was way cool. I learned so much and gained more love for the temple. I just rented clothes there. I was worried it'd be a hassle since I didn’t have anything, but it was quick and easy. After, i bought socks and slippers for the temple so i don’t have to wear gross used things on my feet!

I have not had a chance to play guitar. I’ve been singing quite a bit, but that’s it. Surprisingly, I’m not the only Ute fan down here. Members and my companion are big Ute fans. It was lame hearing about Oregon. That’s a hard game though, hopefully they learned and gained experience. Oh, and guess what? We get $140 a month and i only spent half of that last month. What you don’t spend rolls over. I saved the most out of everyone I’ve talked to. I still have $135 after shopping today! It’s so comforting.

So we lent our car to the neighboring elders on Friday night and biked around all night. That was cold but fun. We biked to the Garza’s and to our dinner appointment. That was about 2 miles or so one way. Our area is not biker friendly at all. Not many sidewalks or bike lanes and lots of stuff in our way.  So it makes it more intense, but I like it.

Sorry I haven’t been able to send pictures. I haven’t had a card reader, I just borrow them from elders and none of them have had it for a couple weeks and again today.  So, it stinks. I have good pictures too. So, I’m doing good and glad you are too. Thanks for everything.

Love ya,

Elder Janz 

 

League City, Week 6: 10/27/14 - 11/02/14

Monday, November 3, 2014

I had an awesome week. It didn’t go too fast for me for some reason, more regular speed. But that doesn’t mean it was boring. I had a happy Halloween, yes indeed. I had zone conference that morning then biked around all day. Then we had a way cool ward trunk or treat at the chapel. I took pictures and it was so fun. Met more peeps too. After that, we even had the chance to go see a priest we know play in the school marching band at a big high school football game. I got pics of that too. It was fuh reezing on Halloween and all i wore was a t shirt, jeans and slippers! Oh, and a new Texas beanie i bought.

Its gettin way cold here in the morning and at night but the days are fine. I broke out my stylish sweater this week and got compliments. I hope to stay here for a long time. But transfers are in two weeks so i dunno. I think I’ll stay and my companion will peace out. We’ve been invited to a handful of Thanksgivings and Christmases.  We've been eating with members a lot more now. One of my new grandparents that adopted me out here is the Holt family. They’re so sweet. They feed us almost every week! And, then they get the word out that the rest of the ward should feed us more and people sign up. Its been amazing. I’ll get some thank you cards ready. We haven’t done that, we can though.  And, don’t worry about the stress and working too hard. As long as i can laugh and help others, i stay cool.

Ashley accepted to be baptized and is preparing well! She even came to church with us and sat by me yesterday!  It was fast and testimony meeting so i had to explain a lot,  but it was great.We got to help build a tree house with Ashley and her family. We see them almost every day. Her family is just her aunt, who she hangs with all the time, and her family. They’re inactive but gathering themselves since we’re working with Ashley. They also want a worthy priesthood holding dad in the house. Today we bought lots of food and more expensive things since its the beginning of the month and our funds are filled up again. I bought new t shirts and camo gym shorts!

Last night we had a sweet experience. We were going to drop one of our investigators with a baptismal date because he wasn’t acting and keeping the commitments. Plus, we have never even gone inside his apartment for some reason. We would always just sit on his porch. But last night, the Lord helped him change since the last time and he let us in. He opens the door and my companion and i make a face at each other and get excited. So, we had a good lesson about family and the Book of Mormon. He’s getting married soon and has a baby on the way so were trying to manage all this.We told him he needs to work with faith or else he won’t be able to do all these stressful things. He needs the Lords blessings to carry him. So, we’re not gonna drop him. We’ll figure out the marriage thing and get him baptized right after.

We had our last family history helping session this week. I don’t know if I've told about this, but every Tuesday afternoon, missionaries in the district go to the library and help the elderly work on family history. I’ve helped the same lady every time and we have a hoot. I’m so glad that we learned together because I wasn’t the best helper.  But after the first week, I just learned as i went and then we figured out a plan and the following weeks picked up where we left off. it was cool. 

We leave to the temple tonight and stay close to it for the night and our session is tomorrow morning, pretty pumped. I know some workers that will be there. Oh, and i learned a way interesting thing about sealings.  So, a 15 year old girl who had her family sealed then later parents divorced, asked us who she is sealed to and who could she be sealed to now. We told her we didn’t know and would get back to her. We left and talked to the Bishop, he thought the mother but wasn’t sure. He called the temple, but no one answered cuz it was too late. Then he called the Stake President and without pausing he gave us the answer. And, I’m gonna remember this forever so i can seem knowledgeable when asked in the future. But, he told us that she is sealed to both since when a sealing takes place only the parents are asked if they accept the sealing and not the child since its only a baby. So, hopefully that makes sense. Her parents aren’t sealed to each other, but she is sealed to each of them separately since she was only a baby. I was way excited to go on that hunt for the answer and then to get the right answer that night, great experience.

Love ya and miss ya’ll these days,

Elder Janz   

League City, Week 5: 10/20/14 - 10/26/14

Monday, October 27, 2014

Way cool. You got some mail, that’s sweet! From President Ashton and from Sister Keichler?  Yeah i like em both. Heard about the Utah game a little after they played, how fun. And, Cam is quite the stud these days. I’ve heard good things from his mother as well. Gifts eh? I haven’t gotten any mail or packages yet, but I’d appreciate it. My week has been good though. I extended my first baptismal date. It was so scary cuz we had her appointment in a few mins and my companion told me to pray about the date we should set. He already did and knew. So, i had to have the faith, patience and revelation to get that same date. The investigator is named Ashley and she’s in her twenties, single mom with a little boy. We got invited to see her from her family, who are members. So i got revelation right before we left to tell her about getting baptized on December 6. So i told my companion and we confirmed it was truly from God. Really amazing experience. Check out Doctrine and Covenants 6: 36-37.  It talks about not being scared and trusting the Lord. Thats what i do when things are rough or stressful. But, thats my highlight. I taught her by myself with one of her family members. My companion went into the other room to teach a little cool. But it went well! Grew a ton that day. I finally met my ward mission leader a few days ago. He’s waaayyyy sweet. His name is Matt Brown. He’s in his thirties, cute family, all young girls and lives in a nice neighborhood by our church. I actually got to say the opening prayer and pass the sacrament at church yesterday. So, that’s more exposure to the ward, I guess. They’re great though. I like the ward. We got fed a couple times this week. First time I’ve had a dinner appointment with my companion. The others have been on exchanges. We got to do crazy amounts of service this week. We moved two houses and we worked on this non members lawn for like two or three hours. He had a jungle and a pool in the backyard. So we trimmed and cut that stuff. Wish i would’ve taken a picture. But, I’ll send some pics in a sec. Im doing just fine. Getting along with the companion, but kinda rough cuz we’re way different.  But, who cares, half way through transfers anyway. All the missionaries are going to the temple in a couple weeks. Then my ward is going right before transfers in mid November. Oh, I’ve been invited to a couple Thanksgivings and lots of Christmases We'll have to see what happens! Dang. the weather here is fluctuating. It's humid today, but its cloudy and decent temp. Other days its dry, breezy, or hot. Its changing but definitely cooling down. Time is going by really fast now. Feels like i can email every few days. Oh, i started working out at a professional weight lifters house! He has a garage built just for lifting and he invtited us and our neighboring elders to come whenever. The other elders know him and we got our hook up that way. I'm gaining weight, I think. There's more muscle but i hope lbs too. I try to eat as much as i can, but sometimes we're too busy. It's lame, but I'm doing good.

Love and miss you mucho,
Elder Janz

Elder Deans' hardest decision of the day!

Elder Deans' bike (red) which he hasn't used much.