***Here is Ben's email. I will explain a few things. When he talks about the music andMOTAB, he is talking about some church music I sent him. The college class he refers to is: He and his companion got to speak at a world religion class at a nearby college. I asked him about his plans to call me for mothers day and how the rim of his bike got bent. Nate also told Ben about how he had a birthday party for his Asian special needs buddy, Jon. Ben refers to a few pictures we sent him: One of Nate and his date for Senior Ball and One of Nate wearing Ben's Dixie State clothing he left behind. He also pasted some numbered answers to questions that his Mission President sent him. He figured if he pasted them in our letter we could hear more about what he has been doing. ENJOY!
Family!
I'm really starting to love the calling. Another awesome week for me! I always cherish your emails and hearing all about your lives! Thank you so sooo much for the package! It was exactly what I needed!!! I LOVE the pictures! That first CD is awesome but it's almost like you made it with the goal in mind to come back home to you mom!!! Nothin like a little Celine Dion! I love it put it on the flash drive! The mo-tab on the other hand....... Is that from like the 1800's? I mean we have some mo-tab that I really really enjoy, but that stuff was just awful! I thought for a while you asked Nita to make me some mix tapes or something! Hahaha
Life is good! This week we found another family that is just temple worthy right now! It's crazy when you find the elect because the pressures on to get these people the gospel! Not much more to it but prayerfully seek the best way to teach these people! Probably the biggest miracle of the week though was the move! I don't remember how much I filled you in on or not but so Andy Sr. quit his job as a trucker and came home to be with his family. They moved on Saturday into one of our ward members old house and luckily closer to the church. Four months ago when I met Andy Sr. he was very anti and even a little venomous towards his kids, for them wanting to join the church. We had worked to recruit people for the move, at 8 AM Saturday no one was there, and Brother D. was like "I guess no one’s coming" but at like 8:05 there was like an army of 20 trucks and trailers that came for the move all at once! Long story short we had everything out of that house and into their new house by 9:30. Needless to say it was an amazing fellowship opportunity and later that night I decided I was going to have a man to man with Andy Sr (Intense Puerto Rican) because I knew he had been touched. In our conversation he confessed that "YOU PEEPS ROLL DEEP" and lots of other compliments. He told me he would give the church a shot, and listen to us, and that he had never seen another church like ours. Well let me tell you, that is a miracle, that is an answer to the prayers of many people and I know you guys back home have been praying for him as well. The ward stepped up big. What a blessing for Aida and the kids. I have seen real change in that man.
The college class went well! We were blessed and it was easier than I thought it would be. We were on time constraint because we had interviews with President Hall, but we taught it well and answered questions well. We even saw two people whose doors we had knocked on in the class! That was pretty funny! I told them that God must really want them to hear this message; once they saw how normal we were they felt bad they had slammed the door on us! I wore your tie mom! You definitely were on my mind that day. President Hall told me in my interview that he had been praying as what to do with me, and he told me the Lord needs me training his missionaries, and soon. Wow. I just got trained myself! I have a lot of stepping it up to do! I have learned a ton from Elder Fina'i! If I we're to train next transfer though, that means I would either stay in Clermont and be here for 7 and 1/2 months, which I wouldn't really mind, but that is super long for 1 area, or I would White-wash train. Considered the most difficult combination of responsibilities possible for a missionary, because you're in a brand new area where you don't have anywhere to start with a brand new companion with no experience at all, you have the obligation to make or break his mission. So either way if I train next transfer it's gonna be intense. It's very possible he could have meant soon in the next couple transfers though so it could be a little smoother than that. Just my thoughts, it's all up to the Lord!
I'm sorry but they haven't told us anything about mother’s day! We try not to think about it! I can't really help except just to assure you we'll be in touch(:
The bike just broke a spoke out of nowhere. I was riding it slowly and it just popped and bent a little. I hated using money from home but I used my mission debit card for bike repair, dry cleaning, and packages, so I used my home debit card for food.
Nate I'm not gonna lie you and Ashlee look pretty sharp all ready for Sr ball! Sounds like a way fun group! Ashlee is a way funny girl! This week for a service project we played baseball with the special needs kids! There was an Asian kid and he was funny and looked a lot like Jon! He gave me a big slobbery kiss on the cheek! Lots of fun! With your decision about basketball vs. trip, I would really study it out in your mind and pray about it. God will let you know. You need spiritual growth. You also need a state championship. It's like all these young women these days who are asking other people if they should go on missions. Its like did you pray for an answer? Did you work for an answer? Let us not stereotype certain decisions. Read conference talks in deciding whether or not to go. One thing is for sure The Lord needs you and the Warriors need you. Hahaha you also look good Repping D-STATE! We could be like the Provo all-stars gone Dixie!
Matt I am glad to hear you are crushing it on the basketball court! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMORROW! You're the man!!! I hope all your wishes come true! I hope you like my presents! What do think of the picture of Christ? What should I get momma for mother’s day? Is anyone wearing that black cowboy belt or that brown ranger belt I sent home? You gotta be my eyes and my ears big dawg! Time is flyin' by and me and you are gonna be having some good times! I hope you guys aren't planning an Alaska trip without me!!!
One way you can know more is if I copy and paste my letter to president
President Hall,
1. As a missionary I am progressing, but I'm working on progressing at the rate I want to/need to be progressing at without involving negative stress. I have been blessed with great companions, experiences, and vision far beyond that of which I deserve, but I am trying to keep up with the blessings, and looking for ways to better magnify my priesthood.
2. Our companionship is going very well!!! I love Elder Fina'i and he has taught me a lot about the spirit, the calling, obedience, happiness, he's just an awesome guy! I am very blessed to have been his companion! We get along fine and are starting to teach well together!
3. The area is awesome! I love it out here! You get a little bit of everything here in Clermontand you can never stop finding here! The area is huge so logistically we have a hard time with miles, but spiritually, we have been blessed by the Lord to find the elect that I didn't even know were here!
4. The Ward is truly inspiring. Some of the men magnify their priesthood so relentlessly it has truly been inspiring for me. I have come to the conclusion that there are 3 kinds of members. Members who are doing missionary work, members who are willing and capable of missionary work, but don't have the resources available (people), and members who have resources available, but are unwilling or incapable of missionary work. We are working on teaming them up in a way to get the members going, but overall they are very supportive of us and truly love the gospel.
5. Our investigators are coming along. We have 2 families who are temple ready right now that we are very delicately working with. Both husbands of the respective families coincidentally are going out of town for 2 weeks, so we are approaching the situations prayerfully. These families would be tremendous for the Lord! We are also teaching a man named Steve who will also lead his family to the gospel if he receives a witness for himself. We set baptismal dates with our two respective 18 year old investigators last week. One bailed, and one doesn't have the faith to resist her mother. We are teaching our next door neighbor who we have been serving a lot, and a family in which the father was very cold against the church, but extremely touched by the support they have given his family. We have several potentials and formers we are cycling through as well.
6. My family is the best family. Both of my little brothers are getting ready for football season! My dad is working hard and my mom just had a foot surgery. They are truly the biggest sacrifice, inspiration, and most of all blessing for me. I can feel of their love and appreciate everything they have done for me!
I'm really starting to love the calling. Another awesome week for me! I always cherish your emails and hearing all about your lives! Thank you so sooo much for the package! It was exactly what I needed!!! I LOVE the pictures! That first CD is awesome but it's almost like you made it with the goal in mind to come back home to you mom!!! Nothin like a little Celine Dion! I love it put it on the flash drive! The mo-tab on the other hand....... Is that from like the 1800's? I mean we have some mo-tab that I really really enjoy, but that stuff was just awful! I thought for a while you asked Nita to make me some mix tapes or something! Hahaha
Life is good! This week we found another family that is just temple worthy right now! It's crazy when you find the elect because the pressures on to get these people the gospel! Not much more to it but prayerfully seek the best way to teach these people! Probably the biggest miracle of the week though was the move! I don't remember how much I filled you in on or not but so Andy Sr. quit his job as a trucker and came home to be with his family. They moved on Saturday into one of our ward members old house and luckily closer to the church. Four months ago when I met Andy Sr. he was very anti and even a little venomous towards his kids, for them wanting to join the church. We had worked to recruit people for the move, at 8 AM Saturday no one was there, and Brother D. was like "I guess no one’s coming" but at like 8:05 there was like an army of 20 trucks and trailers that came for the move all at once! Long story short we had everything out of that house and into their new house by 9:30. Needless to say it was an amazing fellowship opportunity and later that night I decided I was going to have a man to man with Andy Sr (Intense Puerto Rican) because I knew he had been touched. In our conversation he confessed that "YOU PEEPS ROLL DEEP" and lots of other compliments. He told me he would give the church a shot, and listen to us, and that he had never seen another church like ours. Well let me tell you, that is a miracle, that is an answer to the prayers of many people and I know you guys back home have been praying for him as well. The ward stepped up big. What a blessing for Aida and the kids. I have seen real change in that man.
The college class went well! We were blessed and it was easier than I thought it would be. We were on time constraint because we had interviews with President Hall, but we taught it well and answered questions well. We even saw two people whose doors we had knocked on in the class! That was pretty funny! I told them that God must really want them to hear this message; once they saw how normal we were they felt bad they had slammed the door on us! I wore your tie mom! You definitely were on my mind that day. President Hall told me in my interview that he had been praying as what to do with me, and he told me the Lord needs me training his missionaries, and soon. Wow. I just got trained myself! I have a lot of stepping it up to do! I have learned a ton from Elder Fina'i! If I we're to train next transfer though, that means I would either stay in Clermont and be here for 7 and 1/2 months, which I wouldn't really mind, but that is super long for 1 area, or I would White-wash train. Considered the most difficult combination of responsibilities possible for a missionary, because you're in a brand new area where you don't have anywhere to start with a brand new companion with no experience at all, you have the obligation to make or break his mission. So either way if I train next transfer it's gonna be intense. It's very possible he could have meant soon in the next couple transfers though so it could be a little smoother than that. Just my thoughts, it's all up to the Lord!
I'm sorry but they haven't told us anything about mother’s day! We try not to think about it! I can't really help except just to assure you we'll be in touch(:
The bike just broke a spoke out of nowhere. I was riding it slowly and it just popped and bent a little. I hated using money from home but I used my mission debit card for bike repair, dry cleaning, and packages, so I used my home debit card for food.
Nate I'm not gonna lie you and Ashlee look pretty sharp all ready for Sr ball! Sounds like a way fun group! Ashlee is a way funny girl! This week for a service project we played baseball with the special needs kids! There was an Asian kid and he was funny and looked a lot like Jon! He gave me a big slobbery kiss on the cheek! Lots of fun! With your decision about basketball vs. trip, I would really study it out in your mind and pray about it. God will let you know. You need spiritual growth. You also need a state championship. It's like all these young women these days who are asking other people if they should go on missions. Its like did you pray for an answer? Did you work for an answer? Let us not stereotype certain decisions. Read conference talks in deciding whether or not to go. One thing is for sure The Lord needs you and the Warriors need you. Hahaha you also look good Repping D-STATE! We could be like the Provo all-stars gone Dixie!
Matt I am glad to hear you are crushing it on the basketball court! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMORROW! You're the man!!! I hope all your wishes come true! I hope you like my presents! What do think of the picture of Christ? What should I get momma for mother’s day? Is anyone wearing that black cowboy belt or that brown ranger belt I sent home? You gotta be my eyes and my ears big dawg! Time is flyin' by and me and you are gonna be having some good times! I hope you guys aren't planning an Alaska trip without me!!!
One way you can know more is if I copy and paste my letter to president
President Hall,
1. As a missionary I am progressing, but I'm working on progressing at the rate I want to/need to be progressing at without involving negative stress. I have been blessed with great companions, experiences, and vision far beyond that of which I deserve, but I am trying to keep up with the blessings, and looking for ways to better magnify my priesthood.
2. Our companionship is going very well!!! I love Elder Fina'i and he has taught me a lot about the spirit, the calling, obedience, happiness, he's just an awesome guy! I am very blessed to have been his companion! We get along fine and are starting to teach well together!
3. The area is awesome! I love it out here! You get a little bit of everything here in Clermontand you can never stop finding here! The area is huge so logistically we have a hard time with miles, but spiritually, we have been blessed by the Lord to find the elect that I didn't even know were here!
4. The Ward is truly inspiring. Some of the men magnify their priesthood so relentlessly it has truly been inspiring for me. I have come to the conclusion that there are 3 kinds of members. Members who are doing missionary work, members who are willing and capable of missionary work, but don't have the resources available (people), and members who have resources available, but are unwilling or incapable of missionary work. We are working on teaming them up in a way to get the members going, but overall they are very supportive of us and truly love the gospel.
5. Our investigators are coming along. We have 2 families who are temple ready right now that we are very delicately working with. Both husbands of the respective families coincidentally are going out of town for 2 weeks, so we are approaching the situations prayerfully. These families would be tremendous for the Lord! We are also teaching a man named Steve who will also lead his family to the gospel if he receives a witness for himself. We set baptismal dates with our two respective 18 year old investigators last week. One bailed, and one doesn't have the faith to resist her mother. We are teaching our next door neighbor who we have been serving a lot, and a family in which the father was very cold against the church, but extremely touched by the support they have given his family. We have several potentials and formers we are cycling through as well.
6. My family is the best family. Both of my little brothers are getting ready for football season! My dad is working hard and my mom just had a foot surgery. They are truly the biggest sacrifice, inspiration, and most of all blessing for me. I can feel of their love and appreciate everything they have done for me!
http://www.mormonchannel.org/
http://www.mormonchannel.org/
http://www.mormonchannel.org/
http://www.mormonchannel.org/
Watch these. PS I didn't get the letter from dear elder yet. I don't think it worked. I'll label the pics and send them back some time.
I sure do love you guys! Thank you so much for this opportunity to serve the Lord! I love it. Time has flown.
You guys are awesome! keep up the good work. There is nothing I love more than you guys!!! This work will go forward D&C 35 Thrash the nations. I am super pumped for Braydon andKallan! Brazil and San Diego have some beasts headed their way as well! I love everything about this work.
Love you guys,
Elder Gottfredson
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