Daniel vs the 4th

Date: Mon, 9 Jul 2012 10:31:25 -0700
From: eric.feller@myldsmail.net


This week was kind of slow. It seems like everyone in Arionza leaves in the summer at one point. So there's always a good chunk of people missing. Elder Schick and I are "having a good time" just like President instructed us. Sis. Howes loosened the music policy a little bit, (now were allowed to listen to everything that used to be approved when I came out, and the new rule of thumb is anything that can be reasonably played at a baptism) So Elder Schick and I have been jamming out to Christmas music, under our new tag-line, "I'll be home for Christmas"


The 4th of July was a good day. We went outside in the morning and it was actually cool outside. There was a ton of cloud cover and it was about to rain. So we went out in the morning to try and talk to people, and ended up getting soaked in the only rain storm all year. And it only rained for like an hour or so. The streets were so gross, because they never get washed off, so you could see and smell the dirt and oil and stuff going into the drains. Gross.

We also taught a new investigator, AJ, that day. We met him on sunday in the singles ward, when he was there with his ex-girlfriend, and no one has ever seen her before, and she didnt come this week. But he did, by himself. AJ is awesome. He told us he grew up Catholic, but wasnt happy with it, and his girl-friend talked to him a lot about the church. He didnt really know anything about it, and when we were talking about the restoration, and how we have a prophet today, I seemed to really hit him, and he said, "I did not know that." It was a good lesson. And like I said, he was at church this week. He came by himself, and sat down before we could get a seat. We talked to some guys in the ward and they went and talked to him. He was really made a part of the group right away. One of them is coming to our lesson this week.

We met with the Boccella's again on friday. They are back from vacation, and doing great. We had to eat two dinners that day becase we had lessons at both of them. But we lived... We talked to them about the Priesthood, mostly towards Al. He told us he's going with the flow right now untill he gets used to everything in the church. He has in own  hymn book now so he can sing the songs in "Elder's Corner" with everyone else. Haha.

On sunday we taught Lance the plan of salvation. He is making progress. He says he starting to believe the things he learns more, which is good. He struggles with praying, and receiving answers to prayers. He has never really prayed before this time in his life and things are moving quick for him. He agreed to be baptized on the 11th of August if he's ready by then.

I'll be home for Christmas,

Love,

Elder Feller

Daniel vs Time

Date: Mon, 2 Jul 2012 10:55:06 -0700
From: eric.feller@myldsmail.net


This week was crazy.


My travel plans have just changed again, and so I'll be coming home on August 14th. A lot of crazy things have happened with this extension and I'll have to wait and see how everything will work out. President mentioned in my interview letting a few of us who are going home in the middle of the transfer go out and do something fun and special. I don't know what that means. We'll have to find out. But I would prefer to stay here in my little zone and work here. But what happens happens and I was asked to stay for a reason, so we'll see.


Tuesday we had to stop a district meeting and correct the district leader. I don't want to get too much into the story of everything, but our new district leader is causing a ton of problems. And we had to stop his district meeting and set him straight. He definitely got a talking to, it was not pretty. He was using the meeting as a way to correct his companion for something that was not even wrong. And we had been feeling like there was something going on in their companionship that was not right. He's treating him like a problem child, which he isn't, even though he has a lot of time on him and is only in his  current situation because of a small mistake that someone blew out of proportion. The district leader is crazy. He is very prideful, and full of how "good he is", but he's really not that good. Yeah, he's probably never broken a mission rule, but he also has never lived up to the commandment to love his neighbor. Which is a much bigger issue than "law of Moses" mission rule obedience. There's a powerful lesson to learn here. But I'm going on exchanges with him tonight, so we'll see. 


On Tuesday we also taught a guy named Patrick. He had been taught by Elder Howard before, but had recently returned to being interested in church. He's a typical collage aged person. Very logical. But he's getting it. His faith has increased alot. One huge deal breaker last time was that he did not want to live the law of chastity... So we'll see how everything goes this time. But he's very sincere so it will go good. 


Also, Tuesday night we tie-dyed shirts with the singles ward. I now have a tie-dye dress shirt. It was an old one anyways. It had a whole in it. Like most of them do. I'm losing shirts fast! I lost another one after interviews, and got a ton of ink on another one! I'm holding on tight until the end. 


Wednesday we had a weird day preparing for interviews the next day, getting our car clean, and making a training and stuff. Our house was super clean from the P-day before, but a little lived in. We got a 65% on our cleaning inspection from the new housing coordinators. The whole zone failed. Except the Sisters (duh). Needless to say, everyone was pretty mad. She wrote "No Cleaning Done" on the form! It was ridiculous.


Thursday was interviews. Elder Schick made Pancakes for lunch for everyone. And we trained the zone on planning and stuff.


Sunday we taught Lance again before church. It went really well. We had a lesson on faith, and Alma 32, and how to build our faith. He struggles with a basic belief so we felt this would be a good topic to discuss. Then at church there was another guy we met who was not a member but agreed to meet with us. That's 1 new investigator a week from the singles ward! We have high hopes for that ward.  

Love,
Elder Feller

Daniel vs Singles

Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2012 10:44:46 -0700
From: eric.feller@myldsmail.net


We had a pretty good week. It was mostly slow. But it ended really well. We taught a guy, named Brandon, that Elder Schick was teaching in his last area, that is going to be coming to the singles ward pretty soon. And we had to bike 7 miles to get there because it was no drive day. But it was good. 


The bad news this week, Megan got spooked when we extended a baptismal date on the second lesson (which, by the way, is what we are supposed to do). So were not going to meet with her until part way through July when her friend gets back in town. Which is too bad because she is an awesome investigator. But that's ok. We did what we're supposed to do and she'll be back. 


The really good news, I don't know if I mentioned this before, but we've been asked to focus on our Singles ward for our work. So we have made a lot of steps and progress there. We met with our Ward Mission Leader, Matt, and made a lot of plans. On Sunday we went to Ward Council and talked about a lot of things we can do there. We've been going to all of the activities and talking to people to get to know them and see if they have friends. Its fun, but, of course, kinda awkward. Its weird being in a singles ward for a few reasons. The first, its hard to talk to single girls as a missionary. Second, I dont remember what its like to be normal! I dont remember what normal people do or what its like. And I think working in the singles ward gets us close to that. Its a line we have to stay on the right side of, for a lot of reasons. But the people in the ward are awesome, and its a ton of fun. We're doing great. Just since we decided to start focusing on it, we have had a non-member who was coming to church every week invite himself to meet with us, since he said no the first time we offered. His name is Lance. We met him last night at the church building. He's really sincere and wants to know the truth for the right reasons, not for his girlfriend. 


Also, in Priesthood meeting on Sunday, we were introduced to Pattrick, a former investigator from before I was here. He told us he investigated the church for a while, and then disappeared for a few months, but now he is back and is thinking about being baptized. We set up an appointment for later this week. 


Love,
Elder Feller

Elder Schick and I at the Gilbert Temple

Daniel vs Elder Schick

Date: Mon, 18 Jun 2012 10:46:14 -0700
From: eric.feller@myldsmail.net

 

My new companion is Elder Schick! I've known him for a long time, we lived in the same house in Queen Creek for a transfer, and he's been in the San Tan zone for a while. We're super excited to get things going in our area and the zone. The Zone has been doing great! We should end June with 13 which is awesome for this zone. 

 

Elder Jackson's last few days were good. On Monday night we taught the Boccella family about the tree of life. They are on vacation right now, but they are doing so good. Its so awesome to see the change in their lives, even from the day before the baptism.

 

Tuesday we spent a lot of time packing and stuff. But in the evening we ate dinner with President Riggs, he used to be the stake president but he's leaving this week to be a mission president in DC. We ate Joe's BBQ, a famous place here in Gilbert. It was good. He had a lot of questions about the mission. He's going to be a great mission president. Then we walked out of his house, to his next door neighbor, ate a second dinner, (ribs and potatoes) and taught this family's neighbors. They are moving to Maricopa AZ, but we taught them about the Book of Mormon to try and get them interested. They said they'll read it! So that was good. 

 

Wednesday was the transfer day. I was so scared! My options for companions were not looking good when I got there. I wont go into that though, because when President Howes read "In San Tan, Elder Feller and Elder Schick" I was waaay too happy. It was one of those transfers that makes everyone laugh or gasp or something. It got loud and Elder Schick Jumped on me and I carried him to the bench.  

 

Thursday was Zone Leader Council. All day meetings! Yaay. It was good though. We talked about a lot of good stuff. President told a story about how when he got hired at this company he sold a ton of this one medicine that was supposed to be terrible, but no one told him that, and he sold a ton of it. He related it to faith, because someone mentioned that they didn't feel like they could reach the success they used to and President basically asked him who told him that. It was cool. That's been something I've been thinking about a lot, being in this zone. Some people get down for no reason... But we're putting a stop to that. 2 Nephi 29:7-9.

 

Nothing really eventful happened the rest of the week. We had a few lessons cancel due to fathers day.. But that was it.

 

Love,

Elder Feller

 

Elder Parrott and I in the Palm Tree Farm on exchanges



I was trying to catch the dust storm that was coming in. You can kinda see it.

The Temple in Rear View

Daniel vs Living the Dream

Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2012 10:33:52 -0700
From: eric.feller@myldsmail.net

I know since you're all dying to hear the transfer results: IM STAYING!! Elder Jackson is going to go train and be a district leader somewhere else. We'll see. Some weird stuff happened across the zone, but it will all work out. It always does. I'm going too miss a lot of these guys. I'm losing a lot of friends this transfer. We'll see how it works out. Some really cool stuff could happen...

This last week was a blur. Most of it was getting ready for our baptism this week. Organizing a whole thing between two wards is stressful. Especially because everyone in Arizona tries to get their summer camps done fast before its gets too hot. We had to deal with Girls camp in one stake, and Aaronic Priesthood camp in the other. But it all worked out.

We taught them twice in the week before the baptism, and had their interview a different day too. We tried to keep them busy so they wouldn't get nervous, and Bro. Smelser did a good job helping. They played softball almost every day. The lessons and interviews went really well. The baptism was amazing also. We got there early and set up. We soon realized that there would not be enough room in the relief society room. So we moved to the chapel. They came and everyone got ready. Al laughed at us because we were waiting for them in our white clothes. I think that relieved some nerves. Sis. Smelser gave a talk about baptism that was really good, and then we went back to the room where the font was. They had four different people baptizing all four of them. It was crowed. But awesome. I baptized Avery, the 14 year old daughter. We all did it on the first try, except Elder Jackson, on the very last one, her toe popped up! But it was ok. Then Bro. Smelser gave an emotional talk on the holy ghost. The bishops both spoke, the ward they've been going too, and the ward they will go too soon. The bishop of the other ward handled it very well. He referenced Elder Halstrom's talk from conference and talked about how the gospel and church are different. He said, "the church draws these funny little lines all around Gilbert." It was funny. He did a great job, and they will do great in their new ward. The confirmation on Sunday was good too. I confirmed Avery as well. After sacrament meeting I called Al "Bro. Boccella" and it was pretty funny. They are so great. They have really made the gospel part of their lives, and I believe they will stay on that course. Pictures bellow.

That night we had a lesson with Aubrey. We kept it short because he was busy and we wanted him to pray on his own. So we left, and then finished mowing his lawn.

That's all for this week. Expect big news next week. Like I said, theres a chance some really cool stuff could happen soon. We'll see.

Love,
Elder Feller

    Us, the Boccella's and the Smelsers

    Back Row: Bro. Smelser, Elder Jackson, Al Boccella, Elder Feller

    next row: Richard, Avery, Heather, Bailey, Kelly (Smelser's daughter, Richard's wife)

    next row: Kimball, Carmella, Cameron, 

    front row: Kayleen, Sis. Smelser

Elder Jackson & I, and the Boccellas

Mowing the Lawn

Still going.

I punched a car! 

Untitled

Date: Mon, 4 Jun 2012 11:13:58 -0700
From: eric.feller@myldsmail.net

I talk a lot about how things are going on here but I dont often talk about how I feel. As some people know, the plan right now is to extend my mission until september. I dont really know why, but I feel like that is what I need to do. Its really inconvient with school and a break and everything, but I have faith that it will all work out ok. I really do love my mission, but I have been out a really long time, and some days when its really hot and we have nothing to do, I just really want to go home... Its hard, but I just really feel like I need to do it. Things are tough right now, I'm not going to lie. I'm in the most notorious zone right now, and even though we have a few good things going on, theres not a whole lot of work in this area. We're working on it, as always. We're trying to make work. But at the same time we're trying to help the whole zone. Its time consuming to do both. But the zone is doing awesome as a whole. Two of our stake are making massive changes and improvements. Last week we had a record number of teaching opportunites. And not that the numbers matter all that much, but it paints a picture of whats going on. Busy missionaries are happy missionaries, and happy missionaires get even more good work done. I really believe you have to be happy to be a succesful missionary. To have faith you have to be positive, and happy, and put out that engery. Thats why I always try to be friends and make people happy.

I've shared with a few people my thoughts and frustrations with a lot of things that are happening within the mission right now. I dont want to go into that, its really not important. But if the other leaders were actually leading in a Christ-like way, and following what it actually says in D&C 121 things would be a lot better. And I'm trying to do all I can to solve problems and help the misisonaires. I love them. All of them. From my best friends to the goobers. I love the people here in Arizona, and I'm so greatfull for all the things I've learned from them. From the greatest church leaders, to the people I've taught. I love being a representative of Jesus Christ.

(That being said, I am pretty trunky. Haha. I still do work of course, so its not a bad thing. and as always, I joke a lot. I miss music the most. Not anything else, besides relaxing... I do miss relaxing. I havent "chilled" in soooo loing. And tts fun to sing old songs to my companion and try to make him trunky too. Life is good.)

Enough of that, lets get to the good stuff.

I dont really know how to describe the last few weeks. We've been teaching the Boccella family a lot. They are doing awesome, and thier baptism is scheduled for this saturday, June 9th. They are so awesome. We had a lesson last monday where we shared our conversion stories, and talked about the restoration. And then last saturday we went to their house and talked with them about the baptismial interview questions. Funny story: So, we text them a scripture to read everyday as a family, and we forgot one day so the next day my companion wrote: "sorry we forgot yesterday, we need to repent" and sent them two scriptures. Well, on saturday Al asked us what we were talking about. He thought we meant we were busy repenting, and he was like "oh man, they did something bad!" He thought we were in trouble, and was going to call us to see if we needed help. But he didn't. It was really funny.

The only other big thing that has been going on is Aubrey. We missed him last week, but this week we went by and he was working on his shed. We offered to help and he said no a few times, but we kept on him, untill he let us mow the lawn. So Elder Jackson went to mow the lawn and I just went and helped him fix his shed. We switched later and I mowed untill it was out of gas. Then the power saw they were using quit on us and he said, "well, why dont you come inside, and I'll give you some dinner and then you can preach to me." So we ate a second dinner, and then had a really good lesson with him. I think I've talked about before, how Aubrey will throw the missionaries off by saying he needs to be baptized, but he really doesnt understand some basic things, like prayer and his relationship with God. And he cant progress untill he gets that. So we had a really good lesson about that, and he finnally got it! So he commited to do that, and hopefully he will progress soon.

We also have still be teaching Danielle. She is doing so awesome! We had a confusing lesson on sunday in gospel principles, because we ran out of time, talking about the Priesthood, and we went over it again in our lesson that night. At the end she said, "Oh my gosh! This is amazing! No other church has this!"  It was really cool.

So things are good. I know I complain a lot, but dont listen to me.

Love,
Elder Feller

Daniel vs Sleep

Date: Mon, 21 May 2012 10:47:47 -0700
From: eric.feller@myldsmail.net

I have two weeks to catch up on! 

Last monday we put the Bocella family on date for May 26th. We have another lesson with them tonight, and we might move the date to June 9th. Depending on them. They are doing awesome, but we feel that they might need just a little bit more time. Its really cool to see all the things in their life that are moving thing forward in their spiritual progression. I guess this random person came to priesthood last week and shared a testimony that really helped Al. We mostly worried about him and about the younger daughter Bailey. They are coming a long, but aren't quite there.  

Last week the pedal on my bike stripped out! So I had someone fix it but in the mean time I rode a tiny 12 year old girl bike around all day. Picture below! But my bike is all better... for now... 

We also had a lesson with Carly last week. It went really well, she is doing great. But we talked a lot about her mom and how that is holding her back. Her mom is concerned about her, which is understandable. So were trying to help her be more open with her mom and try to help her see what she sees. We're working on it!

Danielle is doing well. We've still been teaching her every week. She loves the ward, and all the friends she now has. They've really helped her out. She keeps going back to coffee and then feeling really bad! So we're ironing that out as well. But she is really solid. She is really trying to learn. 

This week was a lot more boring. We got to teach Alex again. His mom is still crazy. She called us and asked if we really thought he was ready for baptism. We of course said yes, and explained it to her. She was planning on meeting with the bishop of their ward, and she wanted to be ready for the meeting. But at the end of the conversation she asked how she sets up the baptism, and so hopefully that will come about soon!

We finnaly taught Aubrey as well. He is having a hard time. Bad things keep happening in his life, and he knows its a test. So we asked him how he was going to pass that test, and then talked alot about prayer. Turns out, Aubrey never really askes for things when he prays. He used the excuse "I just do things myself" and so we talked about how its a commandment to ask for things, and theres some things he cant do without God. So we're going to follow up this week. 

They put Moroni on top of the Gilbert temple! There were crazy Mormons everywhere! It was really crowded all around the temple so we hid in this gated community and watched them put it on. It was cool. 

We got almost no sleep this week. I feel asleep early last night and slept well, but I needed it. 

Saturday we did a service project out on the Indian reservation. It was pretty cool. Elder Schick is doing a good job out there. The native attendance to the branch has really gone up. We cleaned another cemetery. Picture of the church building below! They also gave us a new car on Saturday! I miss our old one, a 2011 Chevy Malibu, but our new one is turning out to be way better. Its a 2011 Ford Fusion. 

Sunday we had to wake up early again to go to a Ward Mission Leader training. Staying awake in church was difficult...  Then that night we had two dinners because the other elders told people from the singles wards that we're not getting fed... Which is definitely a lie. But a funny one. It was cool, we went to dinner with the Elder Cox and Elder Wilhelm, but they told them they already ate a first dinner, so they kind of threw us under the bus! But it was ok, we paced ourselves and didn't end up too full. We ate with this family from England, and she knew us because we got a ride with them to the temple, and her daughter is in our singles ward. But it was a really funny dinner. Then at night we had to go to another meeting with the same guy as in the morning. Bro Hazelgren is awesome though. He's doing a fantastic job, and the missionary work in the stake is really turning around. 

love,

Elder Feller