OKC

Man oh man what a week!

SO Elder Murset and his companion moved back to their apartment so it's been 100% go time for Elder Washburn and I. It's been great doing all the work out here. Lot's of fun members and great people I'm really starting to become close with! 

Thanksgiving was cool. It was treated as an all day p day and we just spent time with a bunch of members and our best friend investigator Ben. We actually didn't eat as much as one would think. Especially with me and trying to watch my figure... just kidding, my companion hates me when I say stuff like this. Quick metabolisms rock!!

We had the super neat experience of having a baptism in the area on Saturday! A child of record named King and his mom's boyfriend, Brandon, got baptized. Brandon is a total stud, he is so worthy and so awesome. He lives in Edmond to be worthy to be baptized and is willing to do all the things he's asked, including paying tithing and keeping the word of wisdom and law of chastity. He's got a sweet testimony too, the guy is just on fire! Way neat to see him take steps in the gospel like he is. We had the baptism that day and then were able to see them confirmed in sacrament meeting on Sunday. It'll be really cool to see them progress and grow in the ward.

Other than that, just a bunch of talking to people and meeting ward members. Teaching is pretty good as well, I've learned so much this transfer about myself and about this gospel. Still going strong!

Love, 

Elder Wold

With Elder Murset

 
Elder Washburn with his hard boiled eggs & toast.
         

The mission (feat: Elder Wold)

I hate subject lines. I try to be creative...

Iakwe! What a fantastic week it has been! It was all kind of similar to the past couple, driving, some proselyting, lots of administrative stuff to do yata yata yata. UNTIL FRIDAY!!! 

Friday we had interviews with President and let me just say, President Mansell is the best. Although I'm not going to say all we talked about, I will say he reminded me of a couple of things, placed a lot of confidence in me and helped me to realize that I've been kind of going through the motions on this mission. Yeah, I know, weird right. But it's actually possible to go through the motions on a mission. Not saying I'm like apostate or anything, but he's helped me realize there is more I can do and that I kind of need to "step it up" on my part. That I need to come out of my shell and really go all out, doing everything I know how to, withholding nothing. So that's what we've been doing and it has been awesome!

Friday: went to some media referrals and made appointments with part members, less actives and some recent converts. We then went and did this special kind of tracting where instead of just knocking every door-which is kind of uneffective in our area-we would just try and pay attention to our thoughts and feelings as we approached houses. I know it sounds weird and all but it was awesome. We now have 3 potentials on that street and we were only there for 45 minutes. 

Saturday: Formers, Recent converts, Less actives and Part members all day! We set up times to visit and made a bunch of arrangements to teach this week. We got to teach an 8 year old (which is a whole different style of teaching by the way) the plan of salvation before her baptism on the 2nd and it was so much fun! I love teaching kids, although it can be hard trying to super simplify the lesson. But it's fun because it ends up being truly testimony based, which is the most powerful in my opinion. We met with some investigators as well and were able to teach them basic principles and set some return appointments.

Sunday: Great sacrament meeting focused on missionary work! The ward is so cool and all through out the day, I noticed how I am truly getting close to them. I got thrown under the bus in priest quorum and ended up having to teach the first lesson in 10 minutes in a role play because I'm a missionary haha. But it ended up being super fun and good for me! It was totally super quick and I didn't teach all the points perfectly at all but the spirit was felt when Joseph Smith's vision was brought up and we were able to talk about how important that was. It was fun too because one of the Priests was convinced he could never teach like I did, and I was able to tell him first hand that he could because I felt the exact same way four months ago! We also got to visit some Recent Converts and taught our investigators Ben and Nathan that night.

Now why do I tell you all these things? I promise it isn't to brag or make myself sound awesome. It's because I want everyone to realize something that I actually learned at church. 

It's that although we're not perfect, that we're not the best out there and that although we may be struggling with things and there are way more qualified people out there, God wants to use us in His work. Why? 1 Corinthians 1:26-27 (heck yeah I read the bible out here, it's the Bible belt)

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

We may not be the best when compared to others, but God still has us do His great callings for us to learn and grow. He will qualify us. I love Enoch's story, perfect example of this. (Moses 6:26-34)

I know that all these great things that have happened this week were all because God decided to take me-a foolish young man compared to the world- and has qualified me for the work. It's cool to see that although I'd like to claim all this as my own work, it's really the Lord working through Elder Washburn and I. I've learned that I do not work alone out here. And I love that fact. 

Love you all! Not quite sure who gets these emails but you're welcome for making you read a lot!

Love, Elder Wold

Companionship study with Elder Washburn

After arm surgery, Elder Murset is healing up.

Tall Elder Wold

Elder Washburn

?????

This week is best described with those question marks! What in the world kind of week! So Elder Murset's companion, Elder Erickson is now with us in our area and in his. We've had to go to doctor's appointments, had a bed bug scare (didn't have them), Elder Erickson had some kind of crazy allergic reaction on his hands, I got introduced to metaphysics and logic, and we went to a Nazarene church.

So the Nazarene church was interesting. Ben and Nathan, our two super smart and factual investigators agreed to do a church swap. So we went to BFN, Bethany First Nazarene church and watched as they gave a sermon, had live music with a  drummer and everything, and got a bunch of weird looks from the members of that church. We then went to our church where we had a cool experience. Ben is not religious and believes in metaphysics and other weird stuff (that's probably not the name, but I can't google and find out what it really is, so deal with it). He believes God is everything, and explains it through math and logic. He gave me a logic book to study as he studies the Book of Mormon. But while we were at our church he liked how the testimonies were sincere and impromptu and everything, not this giant production like the Nazarene church where it was rehearsed and stuff. I think he felt the Spirit so that was special.

I really don't have much else to say, other than I know this is the true church of God. That Christ is our Redeemer and suffered for us all. He's been through all and I know I can turn to him in time of need.

Love you!

Elder Wold
           

           

                                                                           

Short but sweet!

Here’s Elder Wold with his companion at his dad’s 2nd cousin’s house in Oklahoma City! Another family was supposed to feed them dinner but had sick kids and had to cancel at the last minute, so this cousin stepped in to feed them! ❤️ It’s a small world! 

I think the best part of this week was the exchanges I was able to go on with Elder Wood. It was fun because I learned that we have actually come a long way from the MTC (Missionary Training Center)  and that I really am progressing. I don't mean to say that in a prideful way, I just am happy to see progress after weeks of feeling like I was stuck in a rut. I really do love this gospel and I am excited to be out here.

Love,

Elder Adam Wold