tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59376895395446588752024-02-02T11:23:19.600-07:00Elder Kaden SchvaneveldtKristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545718297323168323noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937689539544658875.post-81970162030718335362012-03-12T18:49:00.000-06:002012-03-12T18:49:40.266-06:00March 12, 2012 E-Mail (His last one!!!)To be honest this week was a tough one. I really tried working hard knowing that it's one of my last weeks and I felt like I worked hard, but we didn't see much come from it at all. I think it's satan just trying to get me to think that I can be lazy and not do anything. But that's not true. So this week will be a good one. We did do a lot of tracting and met some good people that hopefully we can start teaching soon. We have a lot of set appointments already for this week which is always a good thing. Saturday night we decided to go and try to see an investigator to invite her to church. Well there were about 4 cops in front of her house searching the cars outside. We decided to turn around and take off. She's been really flaky as we have been teaching her. We will see what happens when we go back to see her. Really I don't have much more to say. I'm sort of in a blank because I can't believe my time is almost over. Thank you so much to everyone for the love and support I have received. I know that the gospel is true and that it was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith. I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father and that His son is our Savior. I know that through Jesus Christ we can overcome anything. Whether it be a sadness or a sin or whatever it is. I know that the book of mormon is true and that it guides us closer to our Savior as we read and study it. I'm so grateful to have been a missionary and experience the things that I've experienced. I hope you all have a great week. And I'll see you soon!<br />
Love Elder SchvaneveldtKristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545718297323168323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937689539544658875.post-21353102246972648652012-03-12T10:54:00.000-06:002012-03-12T10:54:25.753-06:00March 6, 2012 E-Mail<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This e-mail will be a short one. Our p-day is today because we went </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">to the temple. It was a great experience as usual. I've only got to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">go 3 times since I've been in the field. I'm looking forward to going </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">more often. A member here took us. There is also a Costa Vida in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Spokane now. Man it felt good to go to Costa Vida again. We also </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">went to Spokane last week. It was sort of interesting because it was </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">for our zone leader council. Well we always have a ride meet us and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">drive us. He forgot about us so we had to drive our own car and we </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">got there 45 minutes late. Luckily President Palmer understood. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">As far as missionary work goes, really not much happened this past </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">week. It was sort of a tough week. But Sunday we had some good </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">things happen. In singles ward to non -members just showed up with a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">friend and they said that they're interested in learning more. Then a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">couple of members in our family ward came up to us and asked us for </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">some copies of the Book of Mormon to give to some friends. So I </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">really think that our teaching is going to pick up. We are teaching </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">some really good people right now, but they just seem to be stuck in a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">rut. A lot of them have some problems with some commandments and that </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">really keeps them from progressing. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Sorry this is so short. I know that this church is true and that true</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">happiness comes from living the principles of the gospel. When we are o</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">bedient, we are blessed. I know that God loves all of us and is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">aware of everything we go through. I hope you all have a great week!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Love Elder Schvaneveldt</span>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545718297323168323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937689539544658875.post-84657773711593629712012-03-01T15:10:00.000-07:002012-03-01T15:10:28.944-07:00February 27, 2012 E-Mail<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I know that you're probably getting really sick of short e-mails, but this one will be pretty short too. This week was another way fast one. First off I guess I'll talk about Larry. I told you about him last week. Well we are no longer teaching him because he moved back to Yakima. We had a few different appointments with him this past week and he bailed on just about all of them. I guess he had to go to the hospital a couple of times and that's why he couldn't meet us. Then on Friday we went to see him because we had an appointment and he wasn't there again. We called him and he told us that he was in court but that he was on a 5 minute break and asked if we could meet on Saturday. We were just standing in the parking lot of the motel where he lives talking to the person that came with us to teach him and he called us back. He told us that someone had called him and told him that we were waiting for him outside his door. So he called because he didn't just want us waiting for him because he wouldn't be home for awhile. Then about 5 minutes later he walked up. And told us that he had a 30 minute break and that he was just there to get something to eat but that he still wanted us to come back on Saturday. At that point it was obvious that he was lying to us about something. So we went back Saturday and no one was there and the person at the motel told us that he moved back to Yakima. We aren't sure if he really was interested in the gospel or just in welfare help from the church. Luckily we got his information of where he lives in Yakima so we can send the missionaries down there to see him.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We met another lady who we thought had a lot of potential but she is being extremely flaky as well. I just wish people would be honest with us and tell us if they really wanted us there or not. She keeps telling us that she wants to come to church and had so many questions. And then she never goes through with her appointments. It's just frustrating. It's not always their fault though. Satan does everything he can to stop something good from happening. I was thinking about that last night. We were reading through Joseph Smith history with a recent convert and that part really stuck out to me how it talks about how Satan tried so hard to stop Joseph from saying that prayer. Because he knew that it would lead to the restoration of the true church.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This week is going to be crazy because we have our zone leader meeting in Spokane. Plus I think we will be doing exchanges with the assistants which means we will make a couple trips up there. Also we are going to the temple next week, so I probably won't e-mail until Tuesday.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Things are going great here. I'm grateful to be a missionary and to share the truth with others. I'm so grateful for the gospel in my own life and the blessings that have come from it. I know that this is the true church. Thank you so much for your love and support. Have a great week!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Love Elder Schvaneveldt</span>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545718297323168323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937689539544658875.post-79241528944542165212012-02-21T09:00:00.002-07:002012-02-21T09:00:41.394-07:00February 20, 2012 E-MailIt was another crazy week. We stayed really busy, and whenever that happens the time just really flies by. And we were even able to find a few new investigators. We tracted into a pretty old guy a little over a week ago and then we took him on a church tour this week. I don't think he's really interested in what we are teaching, but more interested in the building itself. But he's a really nice guy. And then we met a kid named Larry. Larry seems very prepared for the gospel at this time. Some other missionaries met him at the library and gave us the referral. He's only 19 years old and he has a girlfriend and a 1 year old daughter. But they aren't living together. I think their may be some arguing going on between them right now. Well he's pretty much homeless and living in a motel room. He started on drugs when he was about 13 and just got clean about 3 months ago. And he also just got out of prison recently. When he decided to quit doing drugs he pretty much had to turn his back on all of his family members. Because they all do drugs. So right now his life pretty much sucks. We taught him a couple of times this past week and took him on a church tour and he loved it all. The spirit was very strong. Yesterday morning he called us so we could get him a ride to church. We had it all set up and then he called right before and told us he had to go to the hospital because he has some heart problems. And that's the last we have heard. Hopefully we will make contact with him today or tomorrow. The sister missionaries also told us about a lady that just showed up to church yesterday. It turns out that she lives in our boundaries. We should start teaching her soon. We tract quit a bit and it doesn't always work, but I think it shows our faith and then we are always blessed with finding people in different ways. A few non-members came to the singles ward yesterday with their friends too. I think we will teach at least one of them this week. So things are going great. I'm sorry this is so short but this computer is messed up. I feel like Nick in Argentina. I can type a lot faster than it can think. It has taken me a very long time just to get this much written down. I know this church is true and I know that we are blessed as we are faithful and diligent. We can have the guidance of the Holy Ghost just as Nephi had the Liahona. We just need to apply our faith and do our part. I love you all! I hope you have a great week!Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545718297323168323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937689539544658875.post-30053509955690911662012-02-13T18:20:00.002-07:002012-02-13T18:20:43.479-07:00February 13, 2012 E-Mail<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Things are going well. My new companion is Elder Jensen from South Jordan. He's a really cool guy and has been on his mission for about 18 months. So far we seem to work really well together. It's always a good sign when the week goes by so fast that you can't remember any of it. Pretty much I can only remember what happened yesterday. Ashley got confirmed. It was really neat. Her in-laws came, and her father in-law is the one that did the confirmation. It was fast Sunday for us because the previous Sunday was stake conference. Later on in the meeting Seth, her husband, got up and bore his testimony. It was really awesome and the spirit was so strong. So she is now a member of the church with the goal to be sealed in the temple in a year.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">On Saturday we had a lesson with a girl who was baptized right before I got here. She is young, 19, and faces a lot of the temptations and trials that people our age face. Well it seemed like she was sort of doubting some things. She had a lot of questions to ask us. Well the whole time I felt prompted to do a couple of things, number one was to give her a priesthood blessing, and number two was to help her understand what she does believe in. We had a team teacher with us and he felt some of the same promptings. So I simply asked her if she believed in God, Jesus Christ, the Book of Mormon, the Bible, and Joseph Smith. Her response to all of those questions was yes. She got a big smile on her face and just said wow that made me so happy. I told her as long as she believed in those things that everything was alright and the rest would come with time. I love when the spirit works through us to help our Heavenly Father's children. I also gave her a blessing at the end and that helped a lot. Things like that help me realize that God is real and that he can communicate with us.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">In that same lesson, the team teacher was talking about his mission and how they would pray that people would just show up to church to be taught. So I decided I would pray for the same thing. And yesterday two non-members showed up to church! One is a 9 year old in a part member family who was being taught previously. We were able to set up an appointment with their family. Then the other guy just came with his girlfriend. She didn't want us to push him yesterday but she said if he comes next week that we could ask him to be taught. It was a tender mercy from the Lord and an answer to my prayers. And that is all that I can remember from this week. I know that this church is true. I'm so grateful for prayer. I know that we can establish a relationship with our Heavenly Father through prayer. He listens. And he answers. I hope you all have a great week!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Love Elder Schvaneveldt</span>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545718297323168323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937689539544658875.post-55817303153758788432012-02-13T18:02:00.003-07:002012-02-13T18:06:22.361-07:00February 6, 2012 E-mail<div class="adn ads" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 8px;"><div class="gs" style="margin-left: 44px;"><div class="ii gt adP adO" id=":c6" style="font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 15px; margin-top: 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; position: relative; z-index: 2;"><div id=":c7">This week was another crazy one and it just flew by. And I don't have my companion here by my side to remind me of everything that happened. He left yesterday for the mission home and is probably getting on a plane right now to head to Vegas. He worked all the way up to the end and was excited to go home. I'm really grateful that I had the opportunity to be his companion. We worked really well together. Transfers this time aren't to exciting because I already knew that I was staying. And my new companions name is Elder Jensen. I don't know who he is. I will meet him tomorrow. He served with Elder Soderberg and he told me that he is really cool. So I'm excited.<br />
The good news is, we had a baptism! Ashley got baptized on Saturday and it was awesome. Everything went well. Her husband Seth was able to baptize her. He was really nervous but I could tell that it meant a lot to the both of them. A lot of ward members came as well as their family members. Even her family came, her mom isn't a member and her dad is very less-active. We have been trying to pick up the work in the young single adult ward. We have found a couple of new investigators recently but they are just all so busy with school and work and things that they struggle to find time to meet with us. We had a church tour with one this week and with his girlfriend as well. Ithink they will get baptized. I'm just not sure when. Young single adults can be hard to work with because of all the temptations that are out there such as drugs, sex, alcohol, etc. It's sad how satan can just tear people down. And his target is either to destroy the family, or make it so that people can't start families. That's why everyone needs the gospel! That is for sure something that I've learned on my mission, if you want happiness, then live the gospel. It won't wipe our problems away, but it will help us deal with them. I'm so grateful for the gospel in my life and all it has done for me. I'm grateful for my Savior. I know that he died for our sins. Through him we can be cleansed and return to live with our Heavenly Father and our families. I know that this church is true. I love you all! Have a great week. Thanks for everything.<br />
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</div></div><div class="hi" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #f2f2f2; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"></div></div><div class="ajx" style="clear: both;"></div></div><div class="gA gt ac5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: initial; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: auto;"></div>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545718297323168323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937689539544658875.post-31554614383340351562012-01-31T14:52:00.000-07:002012-01-31T14:52:07.178-07:00January 30, 2012 E-MailThis week really flew by so I can't remember much that happened. We are excited for this Saturday because our investigator Ashley should be getting baptized. She is really excited and is getting a lot of support from her husband's family as well as the ward. This ward doesn't have very many convert baptisms, so when there is one. They get very excited. The last baptism before this one was last January if I remember right. <br />
Yesterday we went to our PEC meeting and the Bishop called on my companion to say the opening prayer. After he said well the reason why we picked on Elder Soderberg to say the prayer was because.... Well I thought he was going to say because that will be his last meeting in that ward. But that's not what he said. He said because I'm going to ask his companion Elder Schvaneveldt to speak in sacrament meeting. And I hate speaking! Especially at last minute. But it went really well. I spoke with some old guy and he told me he could take up anytime that I couldn't. But I took up my 12 minutes and it went alright.<br />
We had a pretty neat experience this week. Our appointments had fallen through and we didn't really know what to do because it was later at night and our teaching pool is really small right now. Well we felt prompted to go see a guy we have been working with. We got there and he was just completely drunk. At first he was being sort of comical and he invited us in. Well then he got really sad and was even crying on my companions shoulder. That part was pretty funny. but he has been through a lot because he has a couple of kids and doesn't get to see them often and he's been to Iraq and stuff too. So his life has been tough. Well he told us he just wanted to kill himself because he had nothing to live for. All I could really think of doing was to give him a blessing. So we gave him a blessing and right after he was different. He asked us why we came over and we told him because we felt prompted to. He told us that if we wouldn't have came over that night that he probably would have killed himself. I'm not sure if he really would have or not, but it was neat to see how the Lord works. Either way it was obvious that he needed our help that night.<br />
Last night I also found out that one of my investigators in Wenatchee is going to get baptized this coming Saturday. Her name is Kathy, you may remember me talking to her. She was really strong in another church and was actually the reason why the Christian Orthodox church went to Wenatchee. Well Elder Kurtz called and told me that he saw her on Saturday at a baptism and he went to say goodbye to her because he goes home soon. She told him how she wished she would have been on the ball earlier so that she could get baptized while the first missionaries that taught her were still there. Well that night at 2 in the morning she woke up and she couldn't sleep and all she could do was think about the conversation she had with Elder Kurtz. So she texted the missionaries and asked if their was any way she could be baptized before Elder Kurtz went home. That made me really happy. I was hoping she would get baptized when I was in that area but she was having some health issues and other road blocks. It's so great to see people accept the gospel and receive all of the blessings included with it.<br />
I'm so grateful for the Gospel and the comfort it has given me during rough times. And also the happiness it has given me during good times. I know that this gospel is true. I know that God is our Father in Heaven and that Christ is the Son of God and our Savior. I know that this church is true and that it was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith. I hope you all have a great week! And thanks for everything!<br />
<br />
Love Elder SchvaneveldtKristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545718297323168323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937689539544658875.post-41397661294332003392012-01-31T14:50:00.000-07:002012-01-31T14:50:22.948-07:00January 23, 2012 E-MailWell it sounds like it was a long stressful week for everyone. I'm glad that Grandpa's graveside service went well. Was he buried in North Ogden? It makes me sad to know that he is gone, but happier to know that he's not suffering and that he's with those loved ones that passed before him. I'm sure he's happy as well. It was a pretty slow week for us as far as teaching and finding go. The weather hasn't been the greatest and that always slows things down. It's been snowing and doing ice rain. Luckily we have a car and are not on bikes. Our investigator Ashley is still doing very well and looking forward to the 4th to be baptized. Her husband also found out that he will be able to baptize her. They're accepting all of the commandments with no problem and living all of them. We taught them the word of wisdom a couple of weeks ago and she hasn't smoked since. We also taught them about tithing and as soon as we mentioned it they told us that is what they had talked about while they were eating dinner, and yes, that they were willing to pay it. And that's about the most exciting thing of the week. We got to shovel some snow for people which I always like doing because I really miss the physical part about work. The emotional part seems to be harder on my body than the physical part. Before I forget, a couple of weeks ago I was at a stake meeting in Ephrata because that is a stake in our zone as well. I met a guy in the stake presidency, his name is President Yates and he is from Quincy. Anyways, he said that he knew Grandpa Schvaneveldt quite well. I guess His dad worked with him or something. I didn't quite catch the whole story of how they know each other. But I'm sure that Grandpa Schvaneveldt will remember him. I've decided that if I ever was a bum or homeless that I would easily be able to survive. Yesterday we went and decided to knock some doors after our dinner appointment and before our next appointment. Well the third door we knocked on some lady came out and told us that they were having a dinner party and invited us back another time. As we were walking off we heard the door open again and she hollered for us to come back. So we did and they invited us in for dinner. I'm not sure that has every happened to me before with an american person. None of them were members or anything. But they were just nice people. And a few of them were a little intoxicated. They may or may not have had something to do with it. But that let me know that if I was every a bum I would just go door to door and get some good home cooked meals. Well that was pretty much our week. Things are a little slow but still going well. I love this gospel and I'm so grateful for it in my life. I'm so grateful for the plan of salvation and the knowledge that we have that we will see our loved ones again. I love Grandpa so much but I know he is happier and that we will get to see him again. Have great week! <br />
<br />
Love Elder SchvaneveldtKristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545718297323168323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937689539544658875.post-32083844405425928922012-01-31T14:48:00.000-07:002012-01-31T14:48:27.163-07:00January 18, 2012 E-MailWell yesterday right after lunch I got a call from Sister Palmer letting me know that Grandpa wasn't doing well. As you can imagine, that was something very difficult for me and I didn't really know what to do. We just happened to be at the church doing some paperwork so I just sat for a long time in silence. My companion has been very loving and understanding through the whole deal because he lost his aunt about 6 months into his mission. It also was very unexpected. Things were going great because after receiving e-mails on Monday I thought that he would be okay and that he would get to go home. I guess I just didn't realize how bad he was. To this point I still don't realize and it's hard to understand that he is gone. The Grandpa I know is 100% healthy. It was a long day yesterday and a long night last night not knowing if he had passed or if he was just suffering. This morning I got a call from the Mission President letting me know that he had passed. I was sad but at the same time comforted. I know he is in a better place. I also know how bad he missed Mike. Well now he is just hanging out with him having a good old time. This morning all I could really think of doing was to read the scriptures. So I opened up to Alma 40 and just started to read. I was very comforted as I came across a few verses, mainly 11 and 12. I now know that Grandpa has gone back home to the God that gave him life. I also know that he was one of the most righteous persons that I know. While reading verse 12 I realized that he is in a state of happiness, rest, and peace. He is happier now than he ever has been. To be honest I'm probably dealing with this a lot better here than I would if I were there. After talking to President Palmer this morning he helped me realize that it's better to remember someone when they are strong and healthy rather than when they are weak and suffering. He also told me that Grandpa has just gone on a mission. Similar to how I can't just pick up the phone and call you all, Grandpa can't pick up the phone and call us. But he is still there. He is just participating in a greater work. And better yet, he's doing it with Mike. I'm so grateful for the close relationship I was able to develop with him. As you all know, he is my hero and means so much to me. He taught me so much and I'm grateful for that. I will never forget those things. Many people don't get the chance to know their grandparents. I am extremely blessed with the grandparents I have and all they have done for me. I know that the gospel is true. I know that Heavenly Father has an eternal plan for all of us. And I know that Grandpa lived up to his potential and that everything will be okay. I'm so grateful for the temples and the priesthood power here on the earth today that was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith. I'm so grateful that I'm sealed to all of you and that we will all be one big happy family in heaven. I'm extremely sad, but at the same time I am very comforted in the atoning power of our Saviour Jesus Christ. He didn't only pay the price for our sins but also for our pains and sorrows. Through prayer and study of the scriptures I have felt that work in my life at this difficult time. I'm grateful that he is not suffering anymore and that he left peacefully. We were sitting in a meeting last night with the stake presidency and one of them is on chemo. I was so grateful that Grandpa didn't have to experience any of that crap and that he went quickly. I'm also grateful for getting to see him and talk to him on Christmas. Take good care of Grandma and I'll be there soon to help. Understand that as we live the gospel and follow the plan of salvation that we have nothing to worry about. As we are worthy, we will be accepted into the celestial kingdom. Our time here is but little. Our time there is for eternity. You're in my thoughts and I pray that you may all be comforted at this time. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers in my behalf. I'm doing well. I love you all so much and appreciate the love and support I get from all of you. <br />
<br />
<br />
Love, KadeKristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545718297323168323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937689539544658875.post-41548457122912181952012-01-31T14:07:00.000-07:002012-01-31T14:07:10.687-07:00January 16, 2012 E-MailIt's been a pretty good week but things have just flown by. We had a lot of meetings and trainings again this week so we really weren't able to work in our own area a whole lot. But things are going great. Seth and Ashley that I talked about last week are doing really well. They came to church yesterday and really enjoyed it. They even announced her baptism. They never do that the first week that they come to church. We were able to teach them a few times this week and one of the times was about the word of wisdom. They both have a little problem but quit right then and there. It was really neat to see that. There is no doubt in my mind that I was transferred to this area partially just for them. It's nothing that I did, but it's just the way that God works. <br />
As you can imagine, Grandpa has been on my mind quite a bit. It was neat because I got to teach the plan of salvation last night to Seth and Ashley. While teaching them I just felt the spirit telling me that the things I was sharing were true. As I related how I had never really worried about the plan of salvation in my own life because I've never been around birth really or death. Being the baby of the family and Tydan not being born until after I was gone. Well I told them how the plan of salvation had been on my mind more than ever over the past week. As I testified of it, I was very comforted in knowing that God does what He does for a reason. Sometimes we don't know why. I was also able to be with the Mission President a lot this past week because of different meetings that we had and he gave me a blessing of comfort and I know that helped.<br />
On top of all this, on Saturday we went to Spokane and listened to Elder Holland of the twelve and Elder Bussey of the seventy. That was a wonderful experience and we even got to shake their hands. They talked about many things such as remaining active in the church after the mission, revelation, and the book of mormon. But really what I learned is that we just need to go on with faith regardless of what stumbling blocks fall in the way. We don't have the answers to everything, but that's where faith comes in. If we had answers to everything then there would be no point in being here. It's all part of our progression. At the end Elder Holland left us with a blessing. He talked about how regardless of what is going on at home, God would take care of it. And that's really what caught my attention. That's sort of my week in a nutshell.<br />
I know that these things are true. I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father. He has a purpose for all of us. As we continue on with faith and follow the gospel of Jesus Christ, we will be able to return to live with Him and with our loved ones forever. I hope you all have a great week!<br />
<br />
Love Elder SchvaneveldtKristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545718297323168323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937689539544658875.post-25650550125572254082012-01-31T14:04:00.000-07:002012-01-31T14:04:10.752-07:00January 9, 2012 E-MailWell I was a little sad to hear that grandpa is in the hospital. I'm glad he's improving but that's a little scary that he's in the icu.<br />
We had fast Sunday yesterday because of the New Year the week before. I was debating what to fast for. I was obviously going to fast for Grandpa but then the letter I got from mom made me think that everything was fine. For some reason I still felt prompted to fast for him. I'm glad I did. I will continue to pray for him.<br />
We had a really good week here. In fact I think I found out the reason why I was sent to this area. We got a referral from some Elders in a different area. A kid who lives in our ward boundaries who isn't active called his dad and said he wanted the missionaries to come over to give him a blessing because he has been sick. So his dad told the missionaries and they told us. The guys name is Seth. I gave him a call and set up an appointment. His voice sounded really familiar but I didn't know where from. Then we went over for our appointment and I saw him and he looked so familiar but I still wasn't sure where from. So I wasn't going to say anything. Well he then told me that I looked really familiar. We got talking and realized that I met him in Warden, my first area. It would have been in my first or second area. I know it wasn't coincidence that I met him forever ago and now we crossed paths again. In the mean time he has gotten married to a non-member named Ashley and they want to come back to church. We took them on a church tour last night and asked why they came. Well they didn't really have an answer so we started the tour and right when we started his wife said... "oh yeah, I'm thinking about getting baptized." It was awesome to see that miracle. By the end of the tour she accepted the date of February 4th to be baptized. They are super prepared people. And it's great to see a husband that is supportive of what his wife wants to do when it comes to the gospel. A lot of the time a spouse gets in the way.<br />
Something else really cool happened this week. We had a couple days of training and on the last day, President Palmer told us that Elder Holland would be in our mission next Saturday and that he will take an<br />
hour and a half to talk to us. So next Saturday we get to go to Spokane and be taught by Elder Holland.<br />
My testimony this week was really strengthened in revelation. Just thinking how our mission president is inspired on where he sends us. I think I have seen in all of my areas that I was there for a specific person. I know that God still speaks today. To us individually, and to those that have the priesthood keys for certain people. I love this gospel and I know that it's true. Have a great week.<br />
<br />
Love Elder SchvaneveldtKristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545718297323168323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937689539544658875.post-37130582755845400272012-01-26T18:36:00.000-07:002012-01-26T18:36:42.800-07:00January 2, 2012 E-MailWe had a great week but nothing really exciting happened. New Years Eve was great. We were given permission to watch one of a few movies. So we chose to watch 17 miracles. It's a great movie but quite the tear jerker. There was also a baptism for some other missionaries that night and my companion spoke at it so we went there. After we went home and fell asleep. I can't believe it's 2012! We went on exchanges this week with the spanish elders in our zone, it was nice to be able to speak all spanish again. Our personal area has really struggled with finding and teaching, but the day of exchanges my companion and another elder found a couple of investigators. So that was a miracle for us. I'm really excited that the holidays are over. Now people will have to come up with another excuse to not listen to us. Even our investigators told us that they were to busy to meet with us for the week. We spent a lot of time just trying to meet members on the ward list. My companion was only here for 5 weeks before me so he doesn't know people to well. One of the best ways recently in our mission to find new investigators is to take active members on church tours and then ask them if they have any friends they can invite. Well church tours started here in our ward about a year ago so a lot of the active members haven't been on one for a long time. We are going to start doing those again and hopefully that will help our work pick up.<br />
This week is going to be a crazy one. We have our zone leader council meeting in Spokane tomorrow and then a couple more training meetings later on in the week here in Moses lake. I think we will be in meetings for about 20 hours this week. It should be good to help uplift us and increase the work.<br />
One investigator we are working with named Dean is doing well and progressing. But he has a hard time with the word of wisdom. He has been to Iraq a few times and has a hard time sleeping because of nightmares and things. So a little alcohol helps him sleep at night. We are trying to help him strengthen his faith in Christ so that he can let Christ take that away from him and help him. He's a great guy he has just been through a lot and is going through a lot still. And honestly that was pretty much our week. Hopefully things will get better. Things are actually going great and the time is flying by so fast that a lot more probably happened this week I just can't remember it.<br />
This week we have talked a lot about the plan of salvation in many lessons and also in church and things. I know that God has designed a perfect plan for us. He has done it all just so we can be happy. I know that he sent His only Begotten Son to the earth to atone for our sins. I am so grateful for that. I love you all so much. Thanks for everything. Have a great week!<br />
Love Elder SchvaneveldtKristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545718297323168323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937689539544658875.post-41631504437906042532011-12-19T18:23:00.001-07:002011-12-19T18:27:03.993-07:00December 19, 2011 E-MailWe had a really good week. This transfer was sort of weird because it was only 5 weeks instead of 6. Usually the last week of the transfers is a little tough for all the missionaries. But this past week was great! The bad news with transfers it that I will be going to Moses Lake. It's a mixed emotion thing. I've come so close to so many people here. But I'm excited for the change as well. I will be doing all english work now. But it's in a place where there are a lot of hispanics. So I will still speak it while tracting and doing baptismal interviews and stuff. But I won't attend the spanish ward or teach spanish people. My companion only speaks english as well. His name is Elder Soderberg. He is on his last transfer so I will send him home then most likely end my mission in Moses Lake. Or as big D would say, the prophets puddle. I've heard a ton of good things about serving there.<br />
Honestly I can't think of much that happened this week. We had one day where all of our set appointments went through. I don't think that has ever happened before. We have some investigators that are doing really well. We also found a couple of new ones. Jennyfer is still doing amazing. They are trying to get there divorces taken care of so they can get married and baptized on December 31st. I'm sad I won't be here for that one. But it's ok. She has come to church like the last 5 weeks in a row and is just soaking it all up. We watched the big long Joseph Smith movie with her and her boyfriend this week because it shows all of the trials that Joseph Smith goes through and what he does to deal with them. They were both able to relate to him. We also read Doctrine and Covenants section 121 with them. It's a great section as it talks about the prayer that Joseph offers while in Liberty Jail.<br />
My testimony this week has just really been strengthened in the restoration of the gospel. As we watched that movie, or taught the restoration to various people I really felt the truth of this church. Then yesterday in church they talked a lot about the Book of Mormon. It has to be true! I know it is. Because that, I know that Christ is our Savior and that we have a modern day prophet. I'm so grateful for that. I love you all and hope you have a great week and a very Merry Christmas!<br />
<br />
Love Elder Schvaneveldt<br />
<br />
PS. My new address is:<br />
10821 Grace Lane NE<br />
Moses Lake, WA 98837Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545718297323168323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937689539544658875.post-56896272297172073442011-12-19T18:18:00.003-07:002011-12-19T18:26:36.374-07:00December 12, 2011 E-MailWe had a great week! Last Monday right after our p-day was over we went and had family home evening with some members and also our investigator Jennyfer who is dating the less-active Victor. They are doing really well and we actually saw them quite a few times this week. They both are currently living the word of wisdom which is a huge step for them. It was awesome because they threw out all of the cigarettes and also the coffee so that they wouldn't even have the temptation. They also will be able to live the law of chastity before her baptism date. They should be able to at least. They are both waiting for divorces to go through before they can get married. Well they should both be taken care of by like the 27th. As of right now they are planning on getting married then her getting baptized. It's been so great to see the changes and the happiness come from living the gospel of Jesus Christ. It's a happiness that anyone can experience regardless of where you're at in life. They have had some ups and downs between all of the trials they are having as well as the withdrawls from the smoking and drinking coffee. But over all, the quality of their lives has improved a bunch.<br />
Tuesday morning we went to Spokane for our zone leader council. That's always a great experience to be uplifted by our mission president. It's sort of tough on us though because we are the furthest away from Spokane. Which means we have to get up at about 3:30 on those mornings. I think it really slows us down sometimes for the next few days. But we're doing well now! We talked a lot about patience. That really stuck out to me. I feel like I have become a little more patient throughout the mission. But I still have a long ways to go!<br />
I had another experience that I've never had before. The sister missionaries called and said that a member of their ward needed help giving a blessing. Well it turns out it was to a guy with terminal cancer and he didn't have much time left. They caught it to late. Well I was the one who got to give the blessing. It was interesting because in a situation like that you pretty much either heal the person or let them know they are leaving this world. As I was giving the blessing I was not receiving any promptings that the guy was going to live. His whole family was there as well and I'm not sure if any of them are even members of the church. So I didn't want to say what I was prompted to say but knew I had to. As I told him he would be in peace and comfort as he shortly passes from this world the whole familly started to sniffle a lot harder. But I got a very warm feeling letting me know that's what needed to be said. It was an interesting experience.<br />
And I think that was pretty much the highlights of our week. I know this church is true. I know that this is the true and restored gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ here on the earth. I know that by living this gospel that we will simply be happier. Thank you so much for everything! I hope you all have a great week!<br />
<br />
Love Elder SchvaneveldtKristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545718297323168323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937689539544658875.post-6436783652768604972011-12-19T18:15:00.002-07:002011-12-19T18:15:59.850-07:00December 5, 2012 E-MailWe had a great week but it was a tough one for teaching. It seems like every door we knock on after four they just tell us it's late and cold and to leave. It's starting to get dark pretty early and it has been really cold but no snow. I find it funny that people complain about how cold it is but then they don't let us in. It's also funny when people tell us it's late so we tell them it's only 5 then they don't really have anymore excuses. But the truth will always be rejected. It has been since the beginning of time. <br />
We had a great week starting last p-day actually. We went on a crazy hike up to this giant cross on top of the mountain that lights up at night. Well we didn't take a trail, we just went straight up. It was intense. After we got down we got a call from a less active that we have been working with and his son was in the er and he wanted us to go give him a blessing. We changed our clothes and got up there as fast as we could. It turns out he was in a bunch of trouble and the cop was there waiting for him to be released so he could take him to jail. The cop waited for us to get there and give him a blessing so that was cool. He had gotten into some trouble earlier that day and the cops were looking for him. Then he got in a car wreck so it was pretty easy for the cops to find him. His two friends just ran from the scene. Well he had a concussion and wanted a blessing. We gave him a blessing then took off and they saw immediate results on his recovery. We are also teaching the less actives girlfriend and she was there and that really helped her know that the church is true. The next day we went over to there house to teach them and it was a very powerful lesson. I was on exchanges so Elder Kurtz wasn't able to be there with me. Before I left I gave both of them a blessing of comfort because of the hard times they are going through. It was one of the most spiritual times on my mission that I can remember. It was so good to be an instrument in the Lord's hands to help others feel His comfort. Then on Saturday we went with Victor, the less-active, to the jail to visit his son. That was an experience that I have never had. It was good to see him and to see him feel so much better. He understands he is in a bunch of trouble but is trying to make the best of a bad situation. Victor and Jennyfer both came to church yesterday and Jennyfer loved it. That's like her third time coming in a row. Victor struggled during church because all of the topics were things that he is currently struggling with. But he completely understands that it's going to be that way to help him improve. Last Friday he told us he couldn't quit smoking yet and he didn't know when he would. Then last night he told us that he feels in order to really progress that he needs to quit smoking today. It's such an amazing experience to see the spirit work with people like that. That was by far the highlight of the week.<br />
We also had zone conference which is always good. It was here in Wenatchee which was nice because then we didn't have to travel. We learned all about the Doctrine of Christ. That is a very popular topic for us in zone conferences. I love it though because that's truly how we help others have happiness in there lives. We help strengthen there faith so that they can repent and be baptized and receive the give of the holy ghost to be a constant guide in our lives. The gospel is the best thing! I'm so grateful to be a missionary. I'm grateful to help others come unto Christ. I know that this church is true. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that he restored the church through the power of God. I know that the true evidence of that is the Book of Mormon. I love you all and hope you have a great week!Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545718297323168323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937689539544658875.post-87946775837576837482011-11-29T16:18:00.001-07:002011-11-29T16:20:02.538-07:00November 28, 2011 E-Mail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_7WoF3skglE-UOzkkUQyisKq216Jm2v22pKe3CNOcVaWPh0JOUQyta6G1f6BRKkK9qnJ3q4-e5FQG2V63ESXkAiMj08EC8nPccVAlQlDhha6OpQpKvUs45Ll95zB-TDW7kWLSSFWk_ut/s1600/P1020461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_7WoF3skglE-UOzkkUQyisKq216Jm2v22pKe3CNOcVaWPh0JOUQyta6G1f6BRKkK9qnJ3q4-e5FQG2V63ESXkAiMj08EC8nPccVAlQlDhha6OpQpKvUs45Ll95zB-TDW7kWLSSFWk_ut/s320/P1020461.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>We had a great week. But with the Thanksgiving holiday everything sort of just went by to fast. And as usual, I can't remember much of what happened. The coolest part of the week was that we had a baptism! John got baptized into the young single adult branch here. It was awesome. It happened on Wednesday night and was a great service. We were a little worried that not many people would show up since it was the holidays. But we had a great turn out. He had one of his really good friends baptize him. He was already practically a member. It was great to see how the branch fellowshipped him. The only bad part about the baptism was that while they were changing we watched the first vision. When they came out my companion got up to shut off the tv and some random guy there started to boo. That really killed the spirit. But over all it was great. I ended up giving one of the talks because the kid that made the program called us about a half hour before the baptism and said, "Hey Elder Schvaneveldt I asked you if you could give a talk on the Holy Ghost right?" He didn't, but that meant I had to. It went well.<br />
Our turkey day went great as well. We had to do a lot of planning and paper work and that was a good day to do it since we couldn't really go out and knock doors. It was still a proselyting day, just not knocking. After all of our paper work and things we went and had dinner at the Pedersen's. As usual, that was really good. Then we decided to go to the hospital to see an investigator we have up there. We spent some time with him and shared a good lesson. After about an hour we decided to leave. As we were leaving a lady from behind us yelled, "Are you mormons?" We turned around and she could clearly see that we are mormons. He dad had just been admitted in the hospital and she was looking for someone that could give him a blessing but they are from Moses Lake so she didn't know anyone from up here. That was a good opportunity to be in the right place at the right time.<br />
We have one investigator that is doing really well right now. Her name is Jennifer. I talked about her last week a little bit. Her boyfriend is a less active who I have been working with for a while. The both of them have come to church the last two weeks and really enjoyed it. Last night we had a lesson and as we were testifying of the atonement, the both of them got some watery eyes. The spirit was really strong. She wants to be baptized but they have a lot of changes that need to be made. But through the gospel of Jesus Christ they can do it.<br />
That's about it for this past week. My back is doing a lot better this week. It helped after getting cracked back into shape by that chiropracter. I'm so grateful to be on a mission and to experience everything that I have. I know that we all have trials, members of the church, and non members. But through Jesus Christ we can overcome any trial or temptation that is thrown in our path. I love the scriptures and the teachings that they contain. Thank you for all you do for me! Have a great week!<br />
<br />
Love Elder SchvaneveldtKristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545718297323168323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937689539544658875.post-47720225631912488602011-11-29T15:47:00.000-07:002011-11-29T15:47:27.561-07:00November 21, 2011 E-MailOur week started off great. Last p-day we had a church tour scheduled that went really well. Her name is Tabitha. I can't remember if I talked about her or not last week. Well she really enjoyed it and plans on coming to church. She wasn't able to make it yesterday because she went to a baptism at a different church for a friend of hers. We also gave a few more church tours. I love giving them because the majority of the time the spirit is really strong. Another one was to a young couple named Stefanny and Rodrigo. She is 17 and he is 18. They just barely had a baby about 2 weeks ago. Stefanny is a member and somehow the bishop got there number and passed it onto us. So we got in contact with them and started to teach them. Stefanny wants to come back and Rodrigo seems some what interested but you can see the fear he has of what his family might say because they are all catholic. They also were going to come to church yesterday but they hate going out in the cold with the brand new baby. And the weather the last few days hasn't been the best. It finally snowed! There is a guy here named Victor and he is a less active. I have been visiting him since I got to the area and trying to help him return to activity in the church. Well he has picked up some bad habits and gone through a lot of things and feels bad about coming back. So we went to see him the other night and he has a girlfriend living with him and he told us that she was interested in the church. We took them on a church tour as well and they came to church yesterday and seemed to really enjoy it. She wants to be baptized but has some things they need to take care of first. Then another church tour we had was with two girls and both of there names are Olivia. We had talked to one of there moms a long time ago and felt like we should go back to the house. Saturday night we went back and met Olivia and set up a church tour for last night. She said her whole family would be there. So we went to the house on Sunday to have them follow us to the church, I had very little faith that it was actually going to go through. Well the girl was there and said that her family had actually gone out of town but she wanted to come and her friend Olivia wanted to as well. We were glad to finally find some young single adults. That has been something that we have been struggling with since we were put to work in that branch as well. They might not come to church this week because of the holiday weekend. But they did want to come another time. <br />
We should be having a baptism this week as well. I think I told you about John. Well he is a really cool 21 year old. He has now read all of the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants. He is planning on being baptized the day before Thanksgiving. He should have been baptized a long time ago!<br />
Now for the crazy story of the week. The sisters had met this guy and invited him on a church tour but they didn't really feel comfortable around him. So we took him on the tour. He came to the church and the sisters introduced us to him and then they left. We took him over to start the tour and we always ask the people why they come on tours. Well his reply was one I had never heard of before. He told us it was because one of the sisters was so beautiful and how that was his dream girl. This dude was like in his 40's or 50's. Pretty creepy. Well we continued with the tour and didn't even get done because there was a stake dance going on and the music was really distracting. Anyways he said he would come to there church services Sunday morning. So we had to go to the sisters sacrament meeting and tell them to go to a different one. He came in late and had his coffee and we were in the foyer because it was during the sacrament. I was really hoping he just wouldn't come. We waited out in the foyer and the guy was making some rude comments about some disabled children in the foyer then the deacon came out and offered him the water and in return he offered the deacon some coffee.... So we went in after the sacrament and about half way through the talk he got up and went out. We followed him out and he said it just wasn't for him. He told us his intentions of coming were to make that sister his wife... So I had to un invite him to church. That's a first. We just told him he was welcome there to learn more of Christ. But that was not appropriate if he was coming to see the sister and then asked him not to come back if that was his intentions. So I don't think he will be back.<br />
Saturday morning we were moving firewood for a family that I moved firewood for last year. Well I was carrying the first box and it didn't weigh much at all. Maybe like 30 pounds. Well I set it down and threw out my back. It hurt like heck. I couldn't even bend over at all. It still hurts pretty bad but I went to a chiropracter last night and he adjusted me. We will see if that makes a difference over the next couple of days. I sure hope it does. And right after we moved the wood the sisters called and asked us to come help and move an investigator. So that didn't help out at all. But other than that it was a great week! Dad asked if we find out about transfers early as zone leaders. We find out on Saturday night usually and everyone else finds out on Sunday night.<br />
I'm so grateful for this gospel in my life and for all of you. I'm grateful for all the blessings that God has given me. I'm so grateful for His plan that He has for every single one of us. I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!! Hopefully this gets to Jared because I wanted to tell him happy birthday! Have a great week!Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545718297323168323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937689539544658875.post-92058572096929378772011-11-29T15:38:00.000-07:002011-11-29T15:38:49.785-07:00November 14, 2011 E-MailAnother crazy week is gone. I don't have a ton to write about because I just wrote on Wednesday. I guess I'll start off with transfer information. I'm sure Sister Pedersen already told you. But I'll be staying here again with my same companion. I'm really excited about that. We are able to work really well together. <br />
We've had a couple of good things and a couple of bad things happen this week. I guess I'll start with one of the bad. It was probably the worst lesson I have been in my whole mission. It was with a couple who believes only in the bible. Well we thought we had been making a lot of progress with them helping them understand that if they want to know if we are right then they need to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. Well we went over with the stake president and we had planned to read a talk about the Book of Mormon with them. It would have answered a lot of the questions that they had about it. From the start there was a little bit of a different feeling than our other visits. And he mentioned a few times that all they needed was the bible. Well we began to read the talk and he got really upset. He began to raise his voice and totally reject everything we had been teaching. I think he got into some more anti material about the church. It sucks how much there is of that. But I had the worst feeling I have had my whole mission in that house that day. And it's because the spirit was not there at all. He began to reject truth and the spirit just took off. It was horrible! After he had been talking for a while my companion and I were just speechless. We teach by the spirit, so it was very very hard to say anything when the spirit was not there. The guy recognized that and offered to say a prayer. After the prayer the stake president said a few things then they invited us back next week.... I can't really figure that out but we will go and see what happens. It's sad because they just don't understand the happiness that we have received through living the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I know we can't force anything on them, and I know that they are happy people who have a lot of faith. There is no doubt in my mind about that. But they just can't see that we are offering more and that we are doing that because we love them. So that was discouraging. I don't think I have prayed so much for my investigators.<br />
But on the bright side we did see a miracle this week. There is a lady in our area who has a friend who is a member of the church who lives in a different area. Well he invited her to a bbq and she went and really enjoyed it and met the missionaries there. She invited them down to her place for dinner. They went and explained how we work in different areas and that they would give the information to us. It turns out that this lady lives really close to where we live. Well she called us and asked for a priesthood blessing. Our first lesson started off great and the spirit was felt. Then the second lesson was a tour of the church and she really enjoyed that. She has been to tons of different churches and actually is the reason why the orthodox church is here in Wenatchee. But she is really open to us. She told us that she has recognized that God has been putting mormons in her path for a reason and she wants to know why. I guess over the last 6 months she has had a lot of contact with the church and that has stuck out to her.<br />
Another sad/funny story. We met a new spanish family this past week and taught them a couple of times. Well on Saturday we taught just the guy. He seemed to really enjoy what we were teaching. We told him we would come by on Sunday and that he could follow us to church. We went by and found a note on the door saying thanks for bringing the word of God to there home but they were not interested in any other church than the catholic one. That is like the first written out note that me and my companion have gotten.<br />
I'm so grateful to be a missionary and to have the experiences that I've had. I know that faith precedes the miracle. We have seen that over the last couple of weeks as our investigators have dropped us but we have been led to more. I know this church is true and that Jesus Christ is truly the head of it and that He is our Savior. Thank you so much for all of your love and support. Have a great week!<br />
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Love Elder SchvaneveldtKristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545718297323168323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937689539544658875.post-71038513180378759682011-11-29T15:15:00.001-07:002011-11-29T16:19:23.402-07:00November 9, 2011 E-MailSorry I am so behind!<br />
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It seemed to be a good week but I can't remember much. I apologize I'm e-mailing today. We went to the temple so we had to change our p-day. It's about 5 pm here and we have been up since a little before 3. It was good going to the temple though. I miss going. It was also good because we got to meet Elders Garcia and Peterson there. We spent part of the day with them in Spokane then we just got back into Wenatchee.<br />
It was sort of a tough week because I was sick a few of the days but still got out and worked everyday. Last week we were up before 6:30 almost day. One day at around 3:30 because we had to go to Spokane for zone leader council. So between the lack of sleep, weather changes, and just not feeling well I got a really bad fever and started to get pretty dizzy and had a really bad head ache. But Brother Pedersen and my companion gave me a blessing and I'm feeling quite a bit better this week. I'm trying to blame my fever on those new socks you sent me mom. Those things are nuts, I'm pretty sure they do raise my body temp. So thanks for those.<br />
Our investigator in the wheelchair was the only one who was able to make it to church this week. A lot of our investigators have dropped us or sort of disappeared. We are going to be focusing on finding. We know that as we continue through the trial that we will be blessed to find those who the Lord has prepared for His gospel at this time.<br />
Sorry this is so short! I love you all so much and thanks for everything. I'm so grateful for temples and the chance to go and get away from the world and feel of the spirit so strong. I know this church is true!! Have a great week!<br />
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Love Elder SchvaneveldtKristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545718297323168323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937689539544658875.post-71598667947910016352011-11-07T10:24:00.000-07:002011-11-07T10:24:48.830-07:00October 31, 2011 E-MailSo far this transfer has gone by faster than any other transfer. Although we still have a couple of weeks left but it feels like it just barely got started. Last Tuesday I spent the day in Spokane. We drove out early on Tuesday morning and got back really late on Tuesday night. That's the first time I have done exchanges with the assistants. We should do move, but we are just so far away from them that it's hard. But it was a really good day. We taught some really good lessons. I haven't really taught anyone without somewhat of a christian background and we taught one girl who was buddhist. That was really neat. Especially to watch her say one of her first prayers ever to God. I love watching baptisms and things, but there is nothing to me as spiritual as watching someone say a sincere prayer for the first time ever. On our way back to Wenatchee, Elder Eardley took me by one of the mormon.org billboards in Spokane. I told him he would have to point it out to me and all he told me was that no he wouldn't have to. We came around the corner and there it was just huge. It definately sticks out more than anything else. And the crazy part is that it has a special light about it. There are many other billboards by it with lights on them and everything, but they do not light up like that one. It was awesome to see that. Then on Wednesday morning we got to go do some service. I think I already talked about the member who had open heart surgery and can't do much so we have been going by to help her. Well her husband is a none member and we got to help him some more on building his shed. He has met with the missionaries tons of times and has never really progressed. But his home teacher had a very loving and bold conversation with him the other day and told him that he just needs to make a decision because he basically already knows that the church is true. We will see what comes of that. But it was really fun getting to help him. Then on Thursday we got to help a lady move. I love doing actual physical labor every once in a while. <br />
Yesterday was a great day at church. Jeff, the guy in the wheelchair, finally made it and loved it. But man, were we stressing. His ride was having vehicle problems and was about 40 minutes late. So we were sitting in sacrament meeting just waiting and waiting. Sundays as a missionary are not days of rest. They finally showed up and he stayed for all three meeting and loved it and wants to come back. It felt really good to finally be able to help him get to church. We also had another investigator there named John who will be baptized within the next couple of weeks. We were teaching him for a while and lost contact for about a month. He had moved and things. He is 21 and goes to the young single adult branch. Well we called him the other day and got to go back and see him. He has read all of doctrine and convenants and is in 4th nephi of the Book of Mormon. A month ago he wasn't ready to be baptized. But after reading that much he changed his mind. We are just waiting for him to get his work schedule to actually set a date. He is an awesome guy. The sad news it that Chris didn't come to church yesterday so he can't be baptized on the 12th anymore. But we had an awesome lesson with him last night and his date got changed to Thanksgiving day. So all is still going well here. You might not get an e-mail next week. And if you do, it will probably be on Wednesday. We are going to the temple so our p-day is going to be changed.<br />
I'm so grateful to be a missionary and to help other's come unto Christ. We have really tried to raise the bar a little bit the last couple weeks and have been working so hard. It's been so great to see the changes that others are making in there lives. I know that the Spirit is real and that it is everything in this work. I know that it leads and guides us to the places that we need to be. I love you all and thanks for everything!<br />
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Love Elder SchvaneveldtKristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545718297323168323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937689539544658875.post-21002314766297646032011-10-24T17:36:00.002-06:002011-10-24T17:36:28.085-06:00October 24, 2011 E-MailWe had a great week this week and we are finally seeing some progression. Yesterday was another tough Sunday. Jeff, the guy who has been paralyzed and really wants to come to church, almost made it yesterday! We had a ride to go get him and everything. Well he was a little to big for the van that we had to go pick him up. So he didn't quite make it again. But we are going to try again next week. We did have some great lessons this week. One of them was with a lady named Idalia. We met her a while ago tracting and went back to see her. It was a really spiritual lesson about the restoration of the gospel. She really enjoyed what we were teaching and she actually understood it. She accepted a date to be baptized but that might be changed because she is working in the harvest right now picking apples. That makes it really hard for people to get to church. A guy in another area asked his boss for a Sunday off so he could be baptized and confirmed. His boss almost fired him on the spot. But the harvest should shortly be coming to an end. Another great lesson was with Chad and Melissa. They have found a lot of anti material and when we were there they pulled out the computer and brought up a website that said, "50 questions to ask a mormon." The things were so untrue but they had no idea. Anyways, the spirit was not real strong while we were talking about those things. Then we had them go to mormon.org instead and look up a video. As soon as they did, the spirit came in the room so strong. It was awesome. Then again that is the job of the spirit, to testify of truth. And it for sure did that as we watched a clip on that website. Speaking of that, my profile has finally been accepted. Those were probably the two main lessons. We got to do some service too. A lady in the ward had a heart attack so we went and cleaned out her chicken coops for her and also helped her husband rip down an old shed. That was pretty fun. He's a crazy old guy and I thought he was going to kill himself.<br />
Sounds like things back home have been pretty crazy. Dad being in Japan, Seth and Sierra trying to get into there house, all the dogs since Sis and Justin were in Barbados, then Ty and Bree being in Arizona. Maybe things will calm down soon. I couldn't believe that story you sent about the neighbors. That's to bad the girl wasn't living when they found her. I'm curious to hear more about that. This week I decided to have my messed up toe nail taken off. It wasn't really bothering me, but every so often I would have to basically do my own surgery on it and that wasn't to fun. And there is a pediatrist here in one of the wards so he just ripped it off and killed the cells. It didn't really hurt much but he did it on Saturday evening so he didn't want me working anymore that night. We had a great church tour set up, so I went to the Pedersen's and watched church movies with Bro. Pedersen and my companion went and did the church tour with another member. I'm excited to meet the guy because Elder Kurtz said he is really cool. This transfer is going by so fast it's nuts. I think in a couple of weeks we are going to go to the temple. I'm excited because it will only be my second time my whole mission. I miss it. I'm also going to Spokane tomorrow. Because we are Zone Leaders we go on exchanges with the Assistants. They are coming out tomorrow and then I'm going back with on of them for the day. It's a pretty far drive just to be there and work the area for the day, but I'm excited. Considering I was called to the Spokane mission and haven't been near there my whole mission. But I know the Lord puts us in the areas we need to be in for a reason. At our dinner last night we were talking to the member about that. It just made me really think about how there is no such thing as a coincidence. God knows what He's doing. That's something that my testimony has been strengthened in. I love this work and I love this gospel. I know this is the only true church. Thanks for everything!! Have a great week.<br />
Love Elder SchvaneveldtKristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545718297323168323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937689539544658875.post-31960963201134858892011-10-17T20:53:00.000-06:002011-10-17T20:53:38.520-06:00October 17, 2011 E-MailWell the exciting news for this week is that we had a baptism. I can't remember if I told you anything about this one previously. His name is Andraez. He is an 8 year old boy and has been coming to church pretty much his whole life with his Grandma and Uncle. But neither of his parents are members. Which makes it a convert baptism. It was really cool. And his uncle was the one who got to baptize him. That was the coolest part. His uncle is only like 16. It was a great experience for all of them. Although it was one of the most stressful baptisms I've had. You would think that with an 8 year old it wouldn't be that big of a deal. Well about 45 minutes before it started the branch presidency informed us that none of them would be able to make it to preside over the meeting. So we had to call a member of the stake presidency at the last minute to come over. We also had a very hard time finding people that could help with the program, such as talks, prayers, etc. The harvest time right now is just killing the spanish branch. Hopefully it will shortly be over. The attendance on Sundays is really bad during the harvest season. <br />
I think I told you about our investigator who is in the wheelchair who was paralyzed from the chest down. Well he was supposed to come to church yesterday but he had some health complications and wasn't able to make it. But is planning on coming next week. It was a tough day yesterday with investigators at church. We had many people give us a definite yes that they would be there and none of them made it. It's horrible to see the stumbling blocks that are put into someones life when they are only trying to do what is right. I appreciated the talk in conference about how satan is real. It's true. I see it everyday that he just tears people down as far as he can. Luckily God is way more powerful and through faith we can overcome anything that satan puts in the way. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way that we can receive true happiness in this life.<br />
Another cool thing that happened this week is that we got a legit media referral. My companion nor myself had ever received one that the person actually wanted us to come over. Usually different people just send them in for family and friends. Which is great. But when we get them we go over to the house within 24 hours and then we have to call in and update them. I have never had a positive update. Well we received the text telling us to take a together forever dvd to this ladies house. So later that afternoon we went over. Her husband answered the door and told us to come in. They were actually the ones who wanted us to come over!! It was a miracle. His wife was actually gone, but he said she was expecting us. Through playing phone tag for a couple of days we finally made an appointment. The problem is that they are going out of town for a while. But as soon as they get back we are going over. It turned out that she went to Hawaii to visit her aunt who is a member. They went to the temple and things and she wanted a together forever dvd. But they were out. So through the missionaries there we got the referral. We heard that she had been reading in the Book of Mormon and everything. Her next door neighbor is a strong member so they had talked about it before we even went over there. We are very excited to see what comes of it.<br />
Well all is going great here. I know the church is true. We watched Elder Hollands talk the other night, "safety for the soul" and it just made me reflect on the beauty of the Book of Mormon. I know it is the word of God. I know that it is true. And I know that it is the keystone of our religion. I'm so grateful for the prophet Joseph Smith and the faith and endurance he had. I love doing what I'm doing. Have a great week!!!<br />
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Love Elder SchvaneveldtKristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545718297323168323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937689539544658875.post-7906701659498894722011-10-11T12:15:00.000-06:002011-10-11T12:15:59.385-06:00October 10, 2011 E-MailSo my new companion and I get along great. His name is Elder Kurtz from Prescott Arizona. But it seems like we haven't got a whole lot of work done this week because of our different meetings and transfers and things. On Thursday we had to go to Spokane for our zone leader council. That always takes up about a whole day. We are up at about 3:45 and get back to Wenatchee at about 7:00. But we learned a lot on how to improve the things in our zones. <br />
The mormon.org campaign has been really cool. They started showing the commercials and things on October 3rd and we had quite a few people tell us they saw them. Members and non-members. One lady was not interested in listening to us at all. But after seeing a commercial she at least promised that she would check out the website. So if you haven't made profiles yet, do it! It doesn't take very much time at all. I made one, but I'm not sure if it's up yet or not. Tons of people are making them so it takes awhile for them to get approved.<br />
Our investigator Chris accepted a date to be baptized for November 12th. He's the one who has a girlfriend who is a member. We got there and he told us how he wanted to wait like a year to get baptized. So my companion and I taught him a lot about how that is not something you want to wait for. By the time we were done he said yeah, I think I'll wait. I was pretty frustrated. We had a team teacher with us who bore his testimony and then talked about receiving the priesthood and stuff. Then after, Chris was like oh yeah I agree I get what you're saying. Maybe I shouldn't wait. Then he set the goal of November 12th.<br />
We are also working with a couple who the missionaries were working with in the past. They just have some problems with the word of wisdom that they don't want to give up. They are really nice good hearted people though. They came to watch a baptism this week. That was really cool. I know this is pretty short but things are going great. Sometimes things aren't quite as exciting as Jared who is a branch president, or Weston who has to deal with typhoons. But I love my mission. I know the church is true! I love the Book of Mormon and the Bible. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. Through him, we can live with God again. I love you all! Thanks for everything.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545718297323168323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937689539544658875.post-67642616205883200702011-10-08T22:12:00.001-06:002011-10-11T12:16:23.829-06:00October 3, 2011 E-MailThis e-mail probably won't be to long because nothing crazy happened this week. No weddings or anything stressful like that. So I'll start out with transfer information. I will be staying here again. My companion, Elder Jones, will be leaving. He is going to Othello to be with my MTC companion. And an Elder named Elder Kurtz will be coming to be my companion. I'm really excited. I've served around him a little bit, in fact he was my zone leader when I was in Mattawa, and I really enjoyed him. He has only been out 6 weeks longer than me. <br />
Basically the highlight of this week as you all know was General Conference. I really enjoyed it and I was even able to stay awake this time! I need to review my notes again to remember it all, but the one talk that really stuck out to me was that one yesterday morning about the Book of Mormon. That talk was sweet. The whole time I was just thinking about some investigators that we have that won't read in the Book of Mormon. If they could have just heard that talk! I loved how he said that it's either of God, or of satan. There are no inbetweens at all. As we read it, if it makes us feel better and closer to God, which it does, then it is of God. If it makes us feel closer to satan then it's of him. But it clearly won't do that. I love how he quoted a few scriptures. It testifies of Jesus Christ and brings us so much closer to Him. And it's the keystone of our religion. If it's true, then the rest of it is. I can't wait to get that talk printed off and read it with a few people we have been working with lately.<br />
I just thought of this awesome guy named Jeff that we met this past week. He is paralyzed from the chest down and has been since last May. He had a 19 year old son that had passed away and they were at the funeral home getting his funeral set up. Well on there way home his wife fell asleep driving and rolled the car and it paralyzed him. This was all out in Iowa and due to finances he had to move out here to live with his mom. He had the most positive attitude for all that he had been through it was amazing. He is stuck to his wheelchair and wants to come to church but has no transportation because they can't afford a wheelchair accesible van yet. We are working on finding a way for him to get to church. He is a really cool guy.<br />
Jesus and Desiree are still doing really well. Jesus has been really busy working because it's right in the middle of apples and pears up here. So a bunch of the hispanics are really busy. Hopefully as the fruit season dies down, our work will pick up. Alma is also doing great. She came to conference yesterday and all she could say was, "awesome!".<br />
I love the gospel and I know it's true. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet of God. I know without a doubt that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know the church is true! Have a great week. I love you all!<br />
Love Elder SchvaneveldtKristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545718297323168323noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5937689539544658875.post-88936337397326197532011-10-01T13:41:00.001-06:002011-10-01T13:42:14.849-06:00September 26, 2011 E-Mail and Pictures!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFNyXmWpYUIsl3JqWAkLwQWogaqhVM401jgvSVrDrc13imgPNAvjyd-vpvovZC6D0_xm3ix8SWrNDL84OBDXWqZhoVPl5JFyapBiYdM59yPkPS5MiD4-aQr_gD74GeBqLiICYN1a_f6zu/s1600/P1020405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFNyXmWpYUIsl3JqWAkLwQWogaqhVM401jgvSVrDrc13imgPNAvjyd-vpvovZC6D0_xm3ix8SWrNDL84OBDXWqZhoVPl5JFyapBiYdM59yPkPS5MiD4-aQr_gD74GeBqLiICYN1a_f6zu/s320/P1020405.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4MkrhrfFtKF_2UKr30LuJFXDad7_jgj0bydFXTX-f2Eg4So2ZsHekh6fPCaNl-p4DYly7o_Mfm3dHWBhwhE7i6WASQBjMf_QvrlvvARPVFW7NvEpTmO5G5rrw_bFrL4mTCznst-3eGyK/s1600/P1020424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4MkrhrfFtKF_2UKr30LuJFXDad7_jgj0bydFXTX-f2Eg4So2ZsHekh6fPCaNl-p4DYly7o_Mfm3dHWBhwhE7i6WASQBjMf_QvrlvvARPVFW7NvEpTmO5G5rrw_bFrL4mTCznst-3eGyK/s320/P1020424.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>What a crazy week!!! The first really cool thing that happened was that we had a visit from a seventy, Elder Lynn G. Robbins. It was awesome. He didn't just focus on things here in the mission, but things for life. It was all about how we have 100% agency for all we do, which means we also have 100% responsibility of all of our actions. He talked to us about being good parents and stuff, that part was sort of weird. It was really cool though because we got to be with him almost all day. Because all of the zone leaders and district leaders met with him for a few hours before the rest of the missionaries did. We have been really blessed to be in the presence of general authorities recently. It has been awesome! I think it has lifted the mission quite a bit.<br />
Now for some more exciting news, we had a wedding this week! And a baptism! It was crazy and I'm never going to plan another wedding as long as I live. The fun started last Monday night when they went to get there marriage license and they showed up about 10 minutes to late. Well in Washington there is a three day waiting period between the time you get the license and the wedding. The day they were going to get married was Friday. So that meant the only day they could get there license was on Tuesday or else it was to late. But Jesus works about 40 minutes away and stays up there all week long because he can't afford gas to come down to Wenatchee. And Desiree is currently out of a car and she lives about 20 minutes from the courthouse where you get the marriage license. Thank goodness for awesome church members!!! We were able to make it all happen. Sister Olson, an awesome Sister of the ward went and picked up Desiree and the kids and took her to the courthouse. Then the one and amazing Brother Pedersen saved the day again. He drove my companion and I up to where Jesus was working and we picked him up then brought him back to Wenatchee then Brother Pedersen drove him back up after. He also saves us I swear. Well we were at the courthouse waiting for Sister Olson and Desiree to get there. They told us that they had to be there by 4:30 and they showed up at like 4:31. It was a close one, but they got the license and all went well. God had his hand in everything we did this week. So Monday night they had there baptismal interviews and all was well, Tuesday they got the license. So we thought we had jumped the main hurdles. We were wrong. Thursday night we were setting up for the wedding and it was getting late and we needed to get home. We had a member there helping us, but we didn't just want to leave her hanging on her own. It just happened to be that a bunch of young single adults were there who could help set up. So we were able to leave and they set it all up. Friday we had everything planned out. We had a lady going down to pick up Desiree at 4:30 then go to the church to do her hair and do all that girl stuff. Well at 4:35 we were in a meeting with our bishop and we got a text saying she couldn't do it. So 2 hours before the wedding we had to find someone that could do her hair and go get her. We were freaking out and didn't really know what to do. And Desiree was also starting to have like a nervous break down. We were calling everyone and it just wasn't working out. Then we drove by the church and saw a ladies car there who we thought could do it. We drove up and she wasn't even there, but it turns out that another guy was there and he was like oh just call my wife she could do it. So she came straight to the church. Now we just needed a ride for Desiree. She had asked a member to get her some shoes and bring them to the church. Well the member just felt prompted at that exact time to go and take the shoes to Desiree. She got there right as Desiree was starting to worry and not know what to do. She also surprised her with a sweet wedding dress and she drove her to the church. That was Sister Olson again saving the day. Then we got a call saying that Jesus needed a ride from there house to the wedding. So we called everyone we could think of and no one could do that. Right as we hung up with the last person, a couple showed up to the wedding about 45 minutes early. They had gone and got dinner and felt for some reason that they should just go to the church and eat it. Well the guy was able to take us to pick up Jesus. We went down and took him the tux that someone let us borrow and then we came back. By the time we got back there were tons of people just helping Desiree and taking care of her kids and everything. Everything worked out!!! It was amazing it all came together. Without the spirit working in members lives, it wouldn't have happened. Then they were baptized on Saturday, and confirmed on Sunday. This week wore me out more than any other week I think! But it all happened and it was all because of the great members here. We had members from all of the wards helping. And that was our week!<br />
I love the mission! And I love the people, including members and investigators. I'm so grateful for this gospel and for repentance. It has been great seeing people's lives change, including my own. I know that Christ is our Savior and that through him we can be cleansed. Through reading the Book of Mormon we can come so close to him. I love you all so much and thanks for everything! Have a great week!Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01545718297323168323noreply@blogger.com0