We just heard from Elder M and it's one more transfer in Naperville 4th! I thought for sure he'd be transferred after so long, but Elder Ahlman was transferred instead. So, Brad continues into his 5th transfer as Zone Leader of the Naperville Zone. That will be, what, 7 months in one area by the end of this transfer! He's thrilled. Here is his email:
HELLO FAMILY,
It's good to hear from you. I'm glad things are going pretty well. I'm especially glad to hear about the scripture study you're doing! What a perfect thing to do as a family. I can promise that you will find your burdens lifted by the Lord as you can continue to do so. The Lord truly has lifted me up, and helped me grow as I've studied the scriptures. I can testify they are true, and serve as a modern day Liahona. I appreciate you giving me an update on your studies. I'd love to hear one thing each of you learned through the last week if that's ok! Here's one thing I've started doing within the last week or so:
I've started a dictionary of "the Lord's definitions." (Examples: Intelligence = "Light and Truth" [or "Light of Truth"]; or Truth = "knowledge of things as they were, as they are, and as they will be") Whenever something is defined in the scriptures, you can replace whatever the phrase is with the definition when it is mentioned anywhere in the standard works and it fits perfectly. Gene R Cook pointed that out on the CDs you sent me. It's pretty cool. I've found some neat things in the Doctrine and Covenants, and am going to put some syllogisms together from it when I get the time.
Things are going well. This has been a pretty crazy week though. We got transfer news last night. Elder Ahlman is going to Joliet to be a Zone Leader there, and Elder Boyer (who came out with Elder Wiser, and has been in Hyde Park for quite some time) is coming here with me! I'll be here for a 5th transfer! I'll officially have been here for a long time. Things are great though, so I'm happy.
Elder Ahlman and I have had 2 of the best transfers here together, and I'm going to miss him. We've learned a lot, and have seen a lot of miracles. I'm grateful for all he's done for me, and helped me do for others. He's an exceptional missionary, and will do a great job in Joliet. He'll be back on Saturday for Nikita's baptism though, which will be a perfect way to end our service together. It will also be awesome to have the main part of Zone Conference with him next transfer.
Ok, so here's some of what's happened throughout the last week:
We went to Denny's for Zone Activity after emailing last week. We had a Zone Brunch, and all bore our testimonies of the Book of Mormon to be recorded. It was nice. After that, we went to a hill to go sledding for a while. One missionary wasn't feeling well in the evening, and was in the hospital for a little while. He'll be completely fine, but we had to take his companion with us for the evening.
In the morning, we went to an appointment for the missionary that was with us. We then went to a baptismal interview for his investigator that was to be baptized. After this, his companion was released from the hosptial, and will be ok. We then went back to our area and went to Maple Terrace. Maple Terrace has become a major focal point of our service. We talk to Mike about the Maple Terrace Ward. Too bad they're going to tear it down in the summer. We found a new investigator there named Lisa. She's pretty involved in gang prevention and other community service groups. She's interested in the Restoration, and we hope she'll progress well. After this, we taught Nikita with Mike. She's doing great! We had some time to find, but didn't find anyone. You were right, it has been quite cold. There aren't as many people outside when it's cold, so finding is a little bit slower. We're still finding quite a few people though, so it's good. We later went to the Christensens for dinner. They invited Nikita over, so we were able to teach her a second time that day, which is pretty unusual for anyone. We talked about the Prophet and Tithing. The family taught most of the lesson, and it was perfect. Nikita told us she already knew about tithing, and had actually been frustrated at church because she couldn't find where you pay it! After this, we went over to the Drebenstedt home, and taught a lesson there. We gave Sister Drebenstedt a copy of the special All About Christ Ensign of a year or two ago. She's been reading the Ensign, and is progressing slowly but surely.
It was pretty crazy to end my one full calendar year of missionary service. I ended up with 1 extra page in my journal after December 31st, so I wrote a year in review. This really has been a great year. I've learned a lot and grown a lot. I'm truly grateful for the Lord changing my heart so thoroughly. I really am a different person, and hope to improve much more before coming home.
Anyways, Friday was a pretty good day. We took some things out to the missionaries we had spent time in the hospital with. They're doing well. We then went to the Adams' home to get something printed off for our Stake MCM meeting. After this, we went to Maple Terrace again and were able to teach Nikita and also Gail. Mike helped us teach them. After this, we went to pick up a young man named Jonathan. He came with us to Nancy's home for a lesson and a dinner, and also to the Langstons. They both went very well. I believe I also made some goals for 2010 on Friday. I've made some specific ones in quite a few different categories. I'll mail them home soon.
Saturday was a good day. We had MCM, which was excellent. Mark Pope came, and was productive. He's going to have Nikita and Chiquita over for dinner tonight, and the Hwangs over for dinner the following week. He's an awesome Ward Missionary. We later went to a baptism for another Ward, and had Nikita there too. She got a ride from Brother Eldrege, who's done some great missionary work. He took us over to the Zacas for us to begin teaching them, and has helped out Nikita too. We also stopped by Javier's home and Sister Akrongs home. We went to the Houser's home for dinner. We made our own pizzas. We had a neat experience preparing for the lesson we shared with their non member daughter, Nikki. We ended up praying 5 times to receive the revelation necessary for us to have the Lord's lesson plan. The lesson went great, and really got Nikki thinking. She should progress. After this, we came back for planning, and preparations for Stake MCM.
Sunday was a good day. We had an excellent Stake MCM. The Naperville Stake / Zone ended up with 48 baptisms for the year. We had time to study after Stake MCM, which was nice, because church got changed to start at 11! We had a great fast and testimony meeting. Elder Ahlman really felt like he was going to get transferred, so he bore his testimony. Nikita was really touched, so she yelled out "AMEN! You go Ahlman!" really loud. It's still hard not to laugh even thinking about it. She is one of the funniest people I've ever met, and is doing so well. After church, we had one fall through, and a couple of good appointments. We had one with the Richards to help them focus on their missionary work. They've got 5 people they're working with, and are making some good moves to help them come unto Christ. They do a good job at fellowshipping their home teaching families too, which is great. We also had our monthly break the fast with the Petersons. They're also doing great missionary work. They gave out a copy of the Book of Mormon last month, and are developing a family mission plan for this year.
Monday was a great day. We had Zone Leader Council in the morning until the afternoon. We learned a lot and had a good time. After this, we went to teach the Langstons and ended up teaching their dad. He's a deep thinker, and is going to begin investigating. After this, we went to Maple Terrace, and ended up teaching someone new - Carolyn. We took Mike out to dinner with us to Outback because we had an Outback card. We helped him develop his mission plan there. His goal is to have 3 baptisms this year. He's having his first one on Saturday, and has some others that are progressing well! After that, we went to visit Sister Akrong.
Tuesday was good. We had the Hesed House after studies, like we always do on Tuesdays. We took down Christmas decorations. After this, we went to teach Lisa Wade. The Spirit really bore witness to her of the Book of Mormon, and she got it. We read the scriptures with Mike too. He invites everyone to come unto Christ. He sees people and sets up appointments for us to teach them. What an excellent member missionary. After this, we went to read the Book of Mormon with Jeremy. He's doing great too. Caden Hwang was born on the 30th, and is a healthy baby. Now that the baby is here, Jeremy wants to get his wife to church! We're really excited for that. We then went to teach the Beans, who are doing well. After this, we went to the Matucks for dinner, and a lesson for Nikita and Chiquita. Nikita is excited for her baptism, and Chiquita is happy too. The Matucks are doing well, and are working towards getting their patriarchal blessings soon! They're going to have investigators in their home every Tuesday evening for us to teach. They are such great member missionaries. We really appreciate what they do for us.
Today should be good!
Well, there you go. I'm happy to be out here serving the Lord, and am grateful for all He's done for those I love.
Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Bradley E McMullin
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