Well 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!
Love Elder Schvaneveldt
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
January 18, 2012 E-Mail
Well 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.
Love, Kade
Love, Kade
January 16, 2012 E-Mail
It'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.
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.
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.
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!
Love Elder Schvaneveldt
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.
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.
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!
Love Elder Schvaneveldt
January 9, 2012 E-Mail
Well 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.
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.
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.
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
hour and a half to talk to us. So next Saturday we get to go to Spokane and be taught by Elder Holland.
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.
Love Elder Schvaneveldt
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.
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.
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
hour and a half to talk to us. So next Saturday we get to go to Spokane and be taught by Elder Holland.
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.
Love Elder Schvaneveldt
Thursday, January 26, 2012
January 2, 2012 E-Mail
We 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.
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.
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.
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!
Love Elder Schvaneveldt
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.
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.
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!
Love Elder Schvaneveldt
Monday, December 19, 2011
December 19, 2011 E-Mail
We 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.
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.
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!
Love Elder Schvaneveldt
PS. My new address is:
10821 Grace Lane NE
Moses Lake, WA 98837
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.
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!
Love Elder Schvaneveldt
PS. My new address is:
10821 Grace Lane NE
Moses Lake, WA 98837
December 12, 2011 E-Mail
We 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.
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!
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.
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!
Love Elder Schvaneveldt
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!
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.
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!
Love Elder Schvaneveldt
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