Hi from Oklahoma!

New Missionary Follow-Up Conference. Elder Wold is in the very back on the right. Happy Missionaries!

Elder Lloyd

Hey there AZ people! How's the heat? Heh heh. It's actually been
raining here quite a bit so it hasn't been too bad!
These past two weeks have been so great and way interesting. From
meeting and giving a Book of Mormon to some people who were stranded
at subway to going on two different exchanges with two different
greenies to getting told to get off this guys porch because he's a
baptist, he doesn't like cults, and he worships God and not satan like
the Mormons do. This mission just keeps getting more interesting!

Highlights from this week are definitely Tracy and Bobbi.
Tracy was a woman who while sitting on her porch, was waved at and
given a hello from a dopey looking 6 foot 6 missionary, who still has
no idea what he is doing. As we approached her and started chatting
with her, she opened up and told us about her life, she had recently
gotten divorced and had a couple of boys, all who were about High
school age. We learned that she had been struggling with faith
throughout her life and that she was just starting to come back. We
explained to her a little bit about what we believed in and she agreed
with most of it. We asked her if we could come back and teach and she
said yes! So we will see how this goes in the next couple of weeks!

Bobbi is someone that we actually met a couple of weeks ago. She is
something special. It just took me until yesterday to realize it.
Bobbi is in her 60's, she is divorced and lives with her son and
daughter in law (or so we think that's the relation). She is a member
of the church but she cannot attend due to her cancer and other
various medical problems that I cannot remember the names of. She has
the most funny personality ever! She is very subtle in her jokes and
witty sense of humor so you really have to listen to her, but once you
catch it, it's pretty hilarious. She has been through so much in her
life and truly has every reason to hate God. But she is so strong.
Even among her piles of stuff she has all over her room, her disabled
appearance and the circumstances in her life, you can truly feel the
Spirit with her. I know God loves her so much. She is not willing to
give up her testimony for anything and that is why she is such an
example to me. Her life is truly in the Lord's hands.

The best thing I learned this week was actually at the temple. We got
permission to go on Thursday because Elder Kilmer taught a family that
was getting sealed and since I was his companion, I got to tag along!
What an experience that was. I had no idea who they were but I felt so
close to them. The promises and blessings that the sealer mentioned
were so powerful. The spirit in that room was so profound and there
was so much joy there. All I could think about was how I wanted to be
there someday, making the same covenants and receiving those same
blessings. After the sealing, I got talking to Elder Kilmer about it.
I said something along the lines of, "man isn't that so awesome that
they got sealed. That is what we are working for right there in every
person we teach". Elder Kilmer actually disagreed and what he said
stuck with me. He said that yes the sealing was awesome and that it
was amazing, but that is not what we are working for and it is not the
best part. The best part of all of this is seeing people progress, to
make the changes they need to no matter how difficult it may be to do
so, and to see them become something much more than they were. I
realized that we are not here simply to just get them to the temple.
We are here to help them to change and progress, to become temple
going people, not just merely qualified to go.

I really do love this work with all my heart and I recognize that
Heavenly Father is not just a Father to only the people who believe in
him but also to the people who don't believe, even to the people who
despise him. I know he wants them to change, that he wants me to
change and that he wants us to progress and become something much more
through Christ. I love you guys all so much!

-Elder Wold

Oklahoma Weeds

 

                      

Here's Adam at a service project for a less active member in the Guthrie 2nd ward. He says that Arizona weeds don't compare to Oklahoma weeds! He's doing great and another ward member, Sam Goodrich, who is from St. George and is now living in Guthrie, is in the picture on the right. Bro. Goodrich sent a text about Adam: "He's a great young man. I've had him over a couple of times and really enjoy he and Elder Kilmer."  Those weeds were like trees, but everyone came in to help and chipped in with maximum effort and we got it done in a few hours. The Guthrie 2nd ward is so awesome. 

           

 

We caught about 85% of the solar eclipse today. We watched with President and Sister Mansell. It was pretty impressive.
Pres. Mansell did get a much needed nap in as well!

Also, this week, some of our members brought their friends to church for the first time. Afterwards, the husband commented that he really liked it, especially how much he felt that everyone was genuine. He said that he hadn't been in a church in years because it had always seemed to him like no one lived what they preached and it was all about keeping up with the Jones's. He said he felt like everyone here was there because they wanted to be.

Having fun at a member's house playing a game with their boys

2nd week in Oklahoma!

So how ya'll doing? No I did not get a new bike helmet, but I borrowed
another guys. We biked like 20 miles in one day on Thursday, so I'm glad he could lend me one.
 This week I got to go on a lot of exchanges since my companions are zone leaders (4 exchanges to be exact, but who's counting). It was super cool though because I was able to 1. see how other companionships work and do missionary stuff and 2. I got to
meet a lot of new missionaries (aka I have a lot of friends now).

Missionary work was great this week! We met with Ethel and talked to her about the Restoration and she started to tear up! That woman is so special, she really has a gift for discerning the Spirit.
We also got to meet with Sis. Greenwood, a recently moved in less active who has been struggling a bit with a lot of different things. I love her to
death though! She has two kids and we have been able to go
over, teach her and play with her kids, and helped her to feel loved.
We did some service this week too with painting some stuff in Sis.
Greenwood's and also cleaning out a garage of a part member family with the young men in the ward. It's just been a fun week! The ward is awesome and very loving of us, and the area itself is quite beautiful in it's own way.

 I saw fireflies for the first time the other night when meeting up with our potential friend Dom. Those things are so pretty! Ahhh there is so much to say but it's so hard to say! The mission is hard, tiring,
discouraging, encouraging, fun, different, interesting, busy and
spiritual. so far.

 Today is zone pday so we are
playing some gator ball and some other game that I have no idea what it is. No I can't explain the game, never played gator ball.
 We actually had a thunder storm last night which was pretty
cool! Sure do love you guys!

Love,
Elder Wold

Driving with Elder Lloyd

Elder Kilmer and Elder Lloyd (not sure what Elder Lloyd is doing...)

Who is this guy????

Cheesy smile!

Now we know who it is!

Elder Lloyd getting in some exercise!

Guthrie 2nd Ward

 Look who was spotted in the Guthrie 2nd ward yesterday?!!!

Hiding in the back at transfers...

Waiting...

Turn the camera around...

HELLOOOOOO AZ PEOPLE!!

OKC is awesome! These last couple of days have been amazing! My companions, Elder Lloyd and Elder Kilmer are fantastic! The people here are super nice and quite interesting to say the least. So many churches here too, from baptist to masonic stuff, you name it, it is here! 

 I did feel that earthquake, it was cool and quick! Definitely the first time that has happened for me!

While I have been here I have learned a lot of new and important lessons. These include trusting my trainers (they are both veterans), relying on the Lord (best way to teach and minister), have fun (part of the mission motto), use the members (waaaay better than tracting) and don't put your bike helmet in the back of the truck when driving down the freeway or said helmet will be obliterated by 15 cars going 75 mph (all that was left was the box and a plastic strap haha). Don't worry about the last one mom, I'll get a new bike helmet. Eventually. The work has been so much fun here! We have met 3 investigators, 4 less actives and a lot of members in the ward who are all so loving and fun! The greatest part of that all, we haven't knocked a single door. We have been solely focused on the members and getting them to get us referrals. And to be honest, I was very skeptical of this approach when I first got here but it has really worked out. In fact, I believe it is the best way to find people who are ready to receive the gospel. Not saying knocking doors doesn't work, but utilizing members is way more efficient. 

Now to me. During district council, we talked about goals that we should set to accomplish before our next transfer. Even though I was, (and still am) a greeny and I didn't have any idea of what was going on, they still had me make a goal. So until next transfer and for the last couple of days, I have been working on being humble. Now I know I am not cocky or full of myself at all but this has been especially hard because of one aspect of being humble. This aspect is my will and reason for doing things. Am I turning outward? Am I not talking to that guy because the Spirit tells me not to, or am I just too afraid of what he will think of me? Am I not answering this investigators question about Joseph Smith because I don't know what to say, or I am too worried about offending? Am I more worried about man's approval or God's? Am I being the best I can be? Am I looking for praise from others or am I earnestly trying to do God's will? This has been the focus of my day to day activities and it has helped me so much in coming closer to Christ and really being an instrument in his hands. As I was doing personal study I came across a talk in the ensign with all the general conference talks from last spring in it that talked about precisely what I was trying to do better at. It was Dieter F. Uchtdorf's "The Greatest Among You". In it, he has a profound quote that helped me so much. It reads "Let us follow the example of our Savior, who was meek and lowly, who sought not the praise of man but to do the will of his father". As a missionary, this is something I need to really focus on for myself, follow the example of Christ. I have come to the conclusion that as I do so, and humble myself, then missionary work will become less of a burden and more of a part of me. Love you guys!

-Elder Wold

A quick pic!

We didn't get a letter from Elder Wold today, since his P-days are on Mondays now. But we did get these pics from some members of the church in the Guthrie 2nd ward which said:
"Hello from your missionaries"

                            


Adam’s address now is: 2500 Thomas Dr #1822
Edmond OK 73003

Elder Wold's first area in Guthrie, Oklahoma!

Got a picture last night from a Sis.Merkley and Sis. Katie Kregger from the Guthrie 2nd ward. Adam is assigned to Guthrie, Oklahoma, which also takes in everything down to North Edmond, and his companions are Elder Lloyd, who goes home in 2 weeks, and Elder Kilmer (from Santa Margarita, CA) who goes home in 6 months. Elder Kilmer was called to speak Marshallese, and has been in Enid for the last year speaking that language. Sis. Kregger told me that there are several big groups in Oklahoma from the Marshall Islands. The stake that Guthrie 2nd ward is in has 3 wards/branches that have many, many people in them from the Marshall Islands.

Transfer Day! Adam's first transfer and you can see him in the back!

 

Elder Wold with Elder Kilmer and Elder Lloyd at Sis. Merkley's home in Guthrie, Oklahoma. It sure is green there!

He looks so happy! Glad he loves us since he knew this picture was being sent to us!

Adam arrives in Oklahoma!

Adam's group of 27 Elders and Sisters boarding the plane for Oklahoma City!
Elder Jaden Taylor's uncle is a pilot and was in the Salt Lake City airport and took these photos!

Adam arrived in Oklahoma today!
He is with Elder Landon Otten who is from Utah and Elder Jaden Taylor who is from St. George.
The picture was taken by a lady who was boarding the flight they had just gotten off of. She is from Blanding, Utah and her name is Mindy Taylor and her son is good friends with Mason Bethea, our step-cousin who lives in Blanding. Such a small world and I'm so glad she took this picture!

Mom received these pictures from Elder Taylor's mom, Karen Taylor. She sent a text to Mom that said:

"Elder Taylor has loved being in the MTC with Elder Wold and Elder Otten!  They were all roommates and Elder Otten was one of my son's companions.  We set up a site for friends and family to keep up on the latest from Elder Taylor at mymission.com.  We noticed Elder Wold was on there a little, too.  If you search for the Oklahoma city mission  and look at Elder Jaden Taylor, you may see your sons in some of the photos Elder Taylor sent.  You may even have some of the same photos.  We enjoyed the laundry photo on Elder Wold's page!  My name is Karen Taylor.  I am Elder Taylor's mom." 

So, Mom and Karen decided to stay in touch and here are some pictures off of Elder Taylor's my mission site that had Adam in them. These are of the big group once they arrived at the Oklahoma airport and then went to lunch with the Mission President and his wife.

President and Sis. Mansell at the Oklahoma City Airport with all 27 new missionaries! Adam is in the middle!

Elder Wold with President and Sis. Mansell 

Here are all 27 new missionaries eating pizza with the mission president and his wife in Oklahoma City, right after arriving from the MTC.