October 13, 2010

I am now in an area without a car. Iis kind of funny how that works out. But I did get transferred. I am in this ward called Bible Park (its called that because there is a park in the ward boundaries and near the church named after James A. Bible.) And we are on foot cause my companion can't ride a bike due to an injury. We share the ward with two other Elders and it is a pretty big ward area. They have the south half, we have the north half. I guess our area also isn't too far away from downtown Denver also. But I am also a district leader this transfer. It is a lot different. There are two other sets of Elders in the district besides me and Elder Nicholls, and then one set of sisters. we had our first district meeting on monday and the district meetings this transfer are suposed to be all the district leaders teaching. whereas last two transfers it was all the Zone Leaders teaching. But there are a lot of changes going on in the Mission. At transfer meeting President Maynes anounced the new standards of Excellence. And we are no longer going to be keeping track of tracting hours. and qgc's instead we are only going to be keeping track of results. And we arnt suposed to have tracting as our main source of finding. they want us to do a bunch of different things. Which have been proven to be more effective in finding ppl to teach. So it is a little different, and it is hard to make this adjustemnt when we already do so much tracting but I have faith it will work and the results will be amazing. Also did you know that our Mission, the Colorado Denver south Mission has the highest on average, baptism per month ( For an English Speaking mission), but the provo mission have more per year. Or atleast this is what it used to be. With these changes it will be interesting to see how things go.

September 29, 2010

Yes my week was fantastic. Yes we have had some absolutely awesome lessons with Louisa. and yes she has quit smoking and she is doing really really good! she is so awesome. I am really happy for her. She is getting baptized tommorrow night. And it is Elder Tongas first baptism, and it is on his six month mark/mission birthday. We spend time tracting but we spend more time teaching than tracting. We are suposed to go for twenty lessons a week. Elder tonga and I got 25 last week. not all of those were with Investigators, a bunch of them were. We had a lesson with President Maynes yesterday. we had interviews last week with him on thursday. And he told us he wanted to go to a lesson with me and Elder Tonga to go see how we teach. So he went with us to go teach Rodric and he was a half hour late cause he had to drive a ways. But he was with us for two hours. it was pretty cool I'd never gone to a lesson with President before. I was a little nervous but we had a good lesson Rodric asked President the same questions he asks us and everyone we bring with him. And he likes to look stuff up online and stuff but we were telling him and kind of pounded into him that the only way he is going to find out if the Book of mormon is true and if Joseph Smith is a Prophet, is by realy studying and reading the book of mormon and taking the time to pray, and pray with faith and sincereity and real intent. And he wants to get baptized and he wants to believe and Find out he just hasnt made the effort yet. But we arnt going to give up on him. we read with him and we are trying to help him. But that sounds like things are going pretty good. I didnt know that is when everyone was going to be done in school. Wow its crazy. But good to hear the news. I hope you enjoy your weekend. Travel safely! and dont forget to "watch conference." Tell Liz I said to study hard and do good. And tell her I also said to pray for help and Heavenly father will help her. If she really puts in the effort. So did you ever find those addresses? like Jared's address for example? did you get my letter? Thank you Mom I Love you too. And I appreciate the support very much. I am trying to continually improve myself as a servant of the Lord. I am an tool in his hands, but I need to become a precision instrument. In helping to bring His Children closer to Him. I dont think I need anything at the moment. I dont need candy, I dont really like eating that much candy anymore. Every now and then but not too much. But thank you. I Love you Mom, tell everyone I love them too! Take care I will tlak to you later.

September 22, 2010

Oh good news! We have a baptism coming up next week! WOOT WOOT!!!!!!!! Her name is Louisa. Her Husband has been a less active member for years but he had home teachers come by often and they referred us to her. She is Catholic. they are both around their fifties. And she is absolutely awesome. She reads the Book of Mormon everyday for atleast an hour if not two. They gave her the first lesson b4 i came here. And then me and Elder Tonga have tught her the rest. But we have been teaching here all according to her needs and by the spirit at every visit which is really good. Elder Tonga was with His Trainor two transfers now he's with me. His trainor liked to do things a little differently and Elder Tonga really didnt get to teach very much. But I try to always give him plenty of room to teach cause he is really good. But she is quitting smoking and then we are teaching her the rest of the commandments and she is ready! She is so solid. She loves the Book Of Mormon she knows its true, and she really wants to be baptized more than anything. And I am realyl glad I was able to be able to be an Instrument in God's hands in helping his wonderful Daughter. It is so amazing. I feel very blessed. things are going awesome over here Hannah. And I love Elder Tonga and missionary work. I am changing my life forever, while I am in the service of the Lord.

September 1, 2010

Sorry, I didnt find out where I was going until transfer meeting on thursday last week. But I kind of had a feeling that I was going to go out to the other side of the mountains, or go metro. And I did haha. I am in Lafewood Colorado, its basicly a city branch off of Denver. I have an absolutely amazing companion now, his name is Elder Tonga and yep he is from Tonga. We get a long really really good. He has been out two transfers previous and this is his third transfer, and my goal is for him to train next transfer cause he is really good and could totally do it. But Im sorry I didnt talk about training very much, I have been busy, and I started writing you a letter a couple weeks ago but I havent been able to finish it yet cause I've been really busy especially last P-day but I will try and get it done now. Elder Galenzoski is an outstanding Servant of the Lord. He was a mini Missionary back in his home town for about three weeks cause a missionary went home three weeks early to get to school on time or something like that, but he was trained well in the Mtc, I didnt really have to do that much. I mostly just shared a little advice about missionary work and stuff with him that I know works good and yeah. I know he will take care of Fruita and the Investigators we were seeing. I am a little disapointed I didnt get to stay with My Son longer but I didnt need to, he is all trained and learned up, he'll do awesome. So you can just send the driving record to the mission office address and they'll give it to me. The address is 999 E Tufts Ave Cherry Hills Village, CO 80113 I think that is right. and yes I did get the package gma and gpa sent me, I am sorry Ididnt get to write them back yet, so busy, and I dont write that fast. But Mom you should'nt be worried cause I am having the time of my life. Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it, and I doing fine. Better than fine, Im doing Aweome! I had never ever really thought about or realized how much of an Impact I can have on peoples lives as a missionary, or how much serving a mission can have such a big impact on my life. it is amazing. But i am running out of time to email so I'll see ya later.

August 25, 2010

Transferrs are this week. Tomorrow (thursday) so today is my last full day here in Fruita. But yeah we got the call last night telling us that I was going to be leaving and that Elder Galenzoski was going to be staying. It feels kind of crazy, cause this has been my only area in the Mission so far so it is kind of weird. But I have made some friendships that will last a long long time, I have had more incredible and spiritual experiences here in fruita than I can remember. And I will always remember Fruita and what the Lord has done here using me as an instrument in his hands. And i am totally coming back here to Visit in the future.
Thank you so much for the prayers I really really apreciate it. My Son(Elder Galenzoski) is really really an awesome missionary and servant of the Lord. I havent really done any training, he was already trained and prepared before I got him. And I had an awesome transfer with him, He will do great, He has love for all of the investigators and knows how to teach. It will be awesome to hear about the success I know he will have after I am gone. But I gotta Go I will talk to you later. Love you

August 18, 2010

Hey thanx, glad you like the emails. I absolutely Love being a missionary. Last night we had a baptism! it was pretty awesome. It was the first convert baptism that I had actually gotten to teach the people being baptized and see them get baptized. We had another baptism earlier this transfer but they got baptized in Utah cause they have a bunch of family over there, and then they came back and got confirmed in sacrament meeting. So this was pretty special to me, I have been working for a while here in fruita now and I have finally gotten to see some frutis of our labors which brings huge and incredible Joy and satisfaction.
No I dont think you did tell me about yellowstone, other than that you were going to Yellowstone with Dan and Jen. Oh I was wondering how you were going to go since you were working. How long of days do you work? Well I'm really glad to hear you had such a good time.....
I've found Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% of how you take it. Its true there are people around, that sometimes act unkindly to us or do something offensive (even within our own families). Such is the nature of humans, cause we are all imperfect. But Christ taught us to forgive all men (and women). And also Brigham Young once said a fool takes offense when there is no offense intended (or something to that point, I may have not gotten the wordage right) . I dont mean to preach, rebuke, or offend or anything like that. I am simply trying to share what I know with love to try and help. There has been a couple times where my old companion really got on my nerves and I just had the strongest urge to punch him in the face as hard as I could. But I knew this was not the best thing to do, and also I would get into a lot of trouble. But what I did is I prayed each time with all my Heart to God asking him for help to help me have strength to resist temptation and Love Elder Rambo no matter what, just as God Loves us even when we are stupid, errogant, selfish, wicked, or prideful. And one of the things I learned at these times is how important it is to forgive somebody just as fast as they do something wrong or offensive. Cause when we are angry we do not have the spirit with us. And as missionaries it is extremely important to have the spirit with us always. But I know that this is not a principle that applies only to missionaries but to all of us. In Christ's Sermon on the Mount (both in Matthew 5-7 and 3 Nephi 12-14) part of his sermon he teaches us that we need to Love our Enemies and "turn the other Cheek".
But anyways next week is transfer week so I may be getting transferred. And I think I will get transferred because Ihave been here so long already. But i would really like to stay another transfer but we will see I guess. Also how is the blog going? Has it been working? Does anyone read it? or what? haha let me know, thanx Hannah! I love you! Take care.

August 4, 2010

Haha thanks Hannah, you know I am really glad to have you as a sister, cause you are really spiritually strong and you have awesome faith and trust in God and in Jesus Christ in which you are a great example to everyone around you. As for myself I try to contually remember that I am nothing without God. Only through him have a recieved all of the gifts and blessings that I have and can I do mighty things. And I am Eternally Grateful for everything God blesses me with. And this oppurtunity I have to serve him, and be an instrument in his hands in this great and marvelous work. But thank you Hannah, I appreciate it. And I really appreciate your prayers for me. You're awesome. (high five)...(airmail)....... haha but I'm trying to follow the example of Ammon in Alma 26, its a good one.
Im sorry you're having trouble with your pets in the new home. Hopefully you guys can train them right in the new house pretty easily and soon. Im sorry I forgot your bday, I remembered it was around the same time as Dad's but I am really really bad about remembering dates. But I am glad you had a really great birthday. Shane got you a pot and pan set and you're excited eh? haha that just sounds funny to me but Im glad you are excited. When is your bday? tell me so i can write it down for next year and remember better. But Happy Late Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will try and send you a card! \m/, (rock on)
Well that is good about the radiation. I was just wondering about that. So is it a lot more to the job than you thought or is it more simple or what?
So we had a baptism last saturday it was awesome. Did I tell you about it already? Well his name was Dustin Christenson, and his younger brother got baptized too. And then last sunday My companion Elder Galenzoski confirmed Dustin, and I got to confirm Cody his brother which was awesome! I had never confirmed anyone b4. And I've only given two priesthood blessings so far. So i was pretty nervous, but the spirit took over just as everytime and I was given exactly what i needed to say evertime which is awesome. But the family was so happy and so was Cody and Dustin. It was just so wonderful. I really want to stay in fruita for atleast another transfer so i can help Elder Galenzoski get trained even further, in being an awesome servant of the Lord. And also because there is so much potential in Fruita 1st ward and 4th ward. We got three new investigators last week. Two of which are younger boys but they have both expressed an interest to be baptized before shcool starts. And also there is this lady named Raqelle who we tracted into and have been teaching for a while. And she is probably pretty much one the awesomest people and investigators I have met. She reads the Book of Mormon a lot! and she really notices the peace and comfort that comes from God when she reads it, and she has been sleeping better and dealing with Stress better because of it. And also the other new investigator is an older guy in 1st ward, but he is absolutely awesome! he is pentecaostal, has a really strong faith in God and has been through a lot in his life that has led him to have faith. He really likes talking to us and he really likes me, he says I remind him of himself when he was young. He did concrete work and construction work also. And he had a best friend who was a member and gave him a Book of Mormon right before he lsft on his mission so he would know what he was going to be sharing with ppl for two years. But he unfortunately didnt get the chance to read it before he lost it. He got divorced a while after he got it and hasnt found it since. So I gave him a book of Mormon and I really think he was really glad to get another copy, and I really think he will read it. But Since sunday night I came over to Denver with the Zone leaders for a special trainging by President Maynes and the Assistants. so past couple days ive been in Denver with a all of the ZL's and trainors. And what the training ws about was helping us become better teachers. It was 8 lessons sent from the first presidency and apostles putting a greater emphasis on things out of preach my gospel that if we follow exactly and do all the time, we will have much greater success, and we will be able to help even more children of God come to Christ through the resotred gospel. So i am pretty excited about following these things and seeing the changes that will follow! but You may want to fwd this to mom so she can here all this too. But thanx Hannah! Love you! Take Care!

Your Brother
Elder Benjamin Walker Sherman