Mother
Our week was super super good.
Monday we met with Denise and she just broke down and started
crying as we were teaching The Plan of Salvation. As we listened to
the spirit and let her talk we watched Mountains to Climb with her, a
Mormon message and then we testified to her that God loves her. After
that meeting with her she has been on fire! She is changing so much and
her life is going so much better. Her son Chris is still excited for
baptism. This Saturday is destiny's baptism and I will be baptizing her :)
Other than that we were just super busy. We found a family to teach through a less active member and we wile be seeing them this Tuesday. On Wednesday
we had a bunch of appointments fall through and so we went out in faith.
We contacted a bunch of people and taught lessons on the
street. One of the persons we contacted was Filipino so I got to speak to
her in Tagalog :) she was impressed and would like to meet with us. It
was a really good day.
The next day was zone conference and I gave my farewell
testimony...... its was weird and sad for me. Mom this has been the most
exciting and most rewarding 2 years of my life. I love my mission.
We
played basketball with Chris and Julian again and we were able to teach
Chris the rest of The Plan of Salvation. He remembered all of it,
hes a smart kid. And then on Saturday
we taught a Filipino man named Manny and we taught him the first couple
of principles in Tagalog and then switched to English because he could
speak English. Still fun and we will be meeting with him Friday,
life is good and the gospel and this church is indeed true :)
love ya mom :)
-Elder Clark
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Week #96
Hello mother,
Well where to start with my week. Elder Simister and I are having so much fun.
This week we played basketball at the steinbach Mennonite church. And once we left we had every ones respect from that church. Elder Simister is insanely good at basketball. So it was neat to see the change after we left. We walked a lot this week to our activities or service and along the way we talked to people on the streets. We found 3 people that we are meeting with on Tuesday. Now that the snow is gone and its summer people are starting to walk, its perfect for us to be outside.
We taught Denise and Chris and we taught the plan of salvation. We set a baptismal date for Chris on July 5th. And destiny is also getting baptized (the other elders investigator) on the 21st of June. She asked that I baptize her. I first started teaching her in Steinbach.
We played a lot of basketball outside this week. It was perfect. The courts are just full of our Filipino friends and so we went and played them in basketball ( Elder Simister is pro at basketball) and so they like us and want us to come more and play. So that will be a great opportunity to find people. We also met with a guy out in Lorette, which is 30 min out of town. We taught him.
Last Monday we got a media referral for a guy who wants to get baptized, We contacted him and he really wants to get baptized. He is driving truck right now, so we are going to either call and teach him over the phone or Skype and then just baptize him when he gets home. So yeah things are going good.
well the church is true!
-Elder Clark
Well where to start with my week. Elder Simister and I are having so much fun.
This week we played basketball at the steinbach Mennonite church. And once we left we had every ones respect from that church. Elder Simister is insanely good at basketball. So it was neat to see the change after we left. We walked a lot this week to our activities or service and along the way we talked to people on the streets. We found 3 people that we are meeting with on Tuesday. Now that the snow is gone and its summer people are starting to walk, its perfect for us to be outside.
We taught Denise and Chris and we taught the plan of salvation. We set a baptismal date for Chris on July 5th. And destiny is also getting baptized (the other elders investigator) on the 21st of June. She asked that I baptize her. I first started teaching her in Steinbach.
We played a lot of basketball outside this week. It was perfect. The courts are just full of our Filipino friends and so we went and played them in basketball ( Elder Simister is pro at basketball) and so they like us and want us to come more and play. So that will be a great opportunity to find people. We also met with a guy out in Lorette, which is 30 min out of town. We taught him.
Last Monday we got a media referral for a guy who wants to get baptized, We contacted him and he really wants to get baptized. He is driving truck right now, so we are going to either call and teach him over the phone or Skype and then just baptize him when he gets home. So yeah things are going good.
well the church is true!
-Elder Clark
Monday, June 2, 2014
Week #95
Hello mother,
My new companions name is Elder Simister. He is solid. We have already known each other for a while so we are pretty good friends. Elder Erickson and his parents came to take us out to eat lunch in Steinbach. It was really fun to see and meet his parents, and then later that night we went to the Peter's home with the Ericksons and had a big supper.
So far things are going good with Elder Simister. We are really trying hard to establish this church here even more by finding more people to teach. We are literally seeing miracles.
Other than that we cooked for our German friends from Germany a steak dinner last night and they loved it. We were able to share a message with them and we will be going back to see them next week.
This week is busy and full of great activities. Don't worry about me not being focused. I signed up for these 2 years because I came to love god, and now on my mission I have grown to understand and love god with all my heart so I will finish these 2 years strong for him. I am doing it for him, and that's how it has been my whole mission and it will stay that way until the badge comes off.
Love you and all of you with all my heart
-Elder Clark
My new companions name is Elder Simister. He is solid. We have already known each other for a while so we are pretty good friends. Elder Erickson and his parents came to take us out to eat lunch in Steinbach. It was really fun to see and meet his parents, and then later that night we went to the Peter's home with the Ericksons and had a big supper.
So far things are going good with Elder Simister. We are really trying hard to establish this church here even more by finding more people to teach. We are literally seeing miracles.
Other than that we cooked for our German friends from Germany a steak dinner last night and they loved it. We were able to share a message with them and we will be going back to see them next week.
This week is busy and full of great activities. Don't worry about me not being focused. I signed up for these 2 years because I came to love god, and now on my mission I have grown to understand and love god with all my heart so I will finish these 2 years strong for him. I am doing it for him, and that's how it has been my whole mission and it will stay that way until the badge comes off.
Love you and all of you with all my heart
-Elder Clark
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Week #94
Mother,
Well the week has been good and weird at the same time. Its been good we have kept busy. Its just weird because Elder Erickson is saying good bye to a lot of people. I am staying super focused though. So my new companion is Elder Simister!!!!! He is a great missionary. I know him really well and we are pretty good friends. I am so excited. We are going to work work work. Elder Simister had a scholarship for basketball he played basketball for Dixie state University. There is a huge group of Filipinos that play basketball outside around 7:00 they will be amazed! Ha.
We met with Denise Freisen who is a returning less active that we have been working with. We taught her on Friday and we had Brother Larson with us. We watched the restoration with her and then we got in the topic of God, and heaven and hell. And the lessons was kinda of going all over. But then Brother Larson mentioned about temple work and why we do it, so everyone can be taught the gospel and receive the ordinances as well. And her eyes got all big and she started balling and balling. She said she was struggling about the temple. She didn't know why it was important she said she felt the spirit so strong!! It was an amazing experience for all of us. Her and her son came to church and the spirit is really working on her.
Speaking of church......One of our companionship goal before Elder Erickson left was to have 30 people at out meeting. Well yesterday WE HAD 30 PEOPLE ATTEND OUR MEETING. We had 6 investigators and a less active family. The stake president heard the news and is making an appointment with Brother Valdez to start talking about Steinbach and where to go from here and what the next steps need to be.
the work is real
Love all of you so much:)
-Elder Clark
Well the week has been good and weird at the same time. Its been good we have kept busy. Its just weird because Elder Erickson is saying good bye to a lot of people. I am staying super focused though. So my new companion is Elder Simister!!!!! He is a great missionary. I know him really well and we are pretty good friends. I am so excited. We are going to work work work. Elder Simister had a scholarship for basketball he played basketball for Dixie state University. There is a huge group of Filipinos that play basketball outside around 7:00 they will be amazed! Ha.
We met with Denise Freisen who is a returning less active that we have been working with. We taught her on Friday and we had Brother Larson with us. We watched the restoration with her and then we got in the topic of God, and heaven and hell. And the lessons was kinda of going all over. But then Brother Larson mentioned about temple work and why we do it, so everyone can be taught the gospel and receive the ordinances as well. And her eyes got all big and she started balling and balling. She said she was struggling about the temple. She didn't know why it was important she said she felt the spirit so strong!! It was an amazing experience for all of us. Her and her son came to church and the spirit is really working on her.
Speaking of church......One of our companionship goal before Elder Erickson left was to have 30 people at out meeting. Well yesterday WE HAD 30 PEOPLE ATTEND OUR MEETING. We had 6 investigators and a less active family. The stake president heard the news and is making an appointment with Brother Valdez to start talking about Steinbach and where to go from here and what the next steps need to be.
the work is real
Love all of you so much:)
-Elder Clark
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Week #92 & 93
Mother,
Well this is the last week for Elder Erickson and then he goes home to Alberta. It is pretty insane how fast it has gone this transfer. I will be driving him to transfer meeting on Thursday the 28th. I don't know who my companion will be but I am really trying to pull some strings so we can get a strong missionary down here to keep things going when I leave.
Things are still going great for us. We had our meeting on Sunday we didn't have the best attendance but that's because it was May long weekend so it was to be expected.
On Friday we met with this German couple they are not Mennonite they are from Germany and speak high German. It was fun but confusing at times because there was a bit of a language barrier, but it all worked out. We are seeing them this Thursday so it will be good.
Anyway not much new has happened. We are going to a Filipino BBQ today so it will be really fun I am excited.
This week has been just a blur sorry if my letter is short. I will have more to say next week.
love ya lots :)
-Elder Clark
Well this is the last week for Elder Erickson and then he goes home to Alberta. It is pretty insane how fast it has gone this transfer. I will be driving him to transfer meeting on Thursday the 28th. I don't know who my companion will be but I am really trying to pull some strings so we can get a strong missionary down here to keep things going when I leave.
Things are still going great for us. We had our meeting on Sunday we didn't have the best attendance but that's because it was May long weekend so it was to be expected.
On Friday we met with this German couple they are not Mennonite they are from Germany and speak high German. It was fun but confusing at times because there was a bit of a language barrier, but it all worked out. We are seeing them this Thursday so it will be good.
Anyway not much new has happened. We are going to a Filipino BBQ today so it will be really fun I am excited.
This week has been just a blur sorry if my letter is short. I will have more to say next week.
love ya lots :)
-Elder Clark
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Weeks 90 & 91
Week #91
Mother,
The week was super good. All we do everyday is teach. We are so so busy it is incredible. We found a new investigator this week her name is Carrie. We have known her from The Pat Porter Centre where we do service some time. She's a really good lady. Her concern was why are there so many churches in this world and why do they all teach from the bible but interpret it differently and put their own wisdom in it. So we shared the restoration with her and her exact words were; "I was put to ease as you shared this with me." The spirit was really strong in the lesson. I just made a lot of sense to her. We will be teaching her again this week.
We were also able to teach Kevin and our lesson was really good he is really starting to understand a lot and bring up more questions. We see the Peters through out the week and we are able to share messages with them too.
We saw Denise Freisen this week and her family. Denise is less active and her son is not a member. We had a good lesson with them and so we are going over this Friday to visit, and we are going to skateboard and play basketball with her son and we are getting the son involved for this Friday. It will be a way to soften Denise's heart and get her to feel welcomed and loved by the members.
Things are really happening here. I am so grateful that I was able to to be in this area it has been a huge roller coaster, but it has been worth it.
We had church in our apartment this Sunday. We had a total attendance of 27 PEOPLE!! we had four investigators there as well and Denise Freisen and her family came as well. We had Renate Peters give a talk too! And it was super good we assigned her a topic to speak on how a relationship with Christ had helped her. It is growing! We are really establishing the church. President Thomas told us we were his heros. He said that there is not many missionaries who get to establish the church like this anymore. After our good news that we told him he said he would immediately talk to the stake president about renting a building and getting the sacrament out here. No hand can stop this work.
We went out to the Peters on Saturday and we had a wonderful Mennonite meal. We cooked ribs and pork chops over the fire and had some German soup that I forget the name of.
My heart if full.
Love you mother :)
-Elder Clark
Week #90
Mother,
The week couldn't have gone better. Elder Erickson and I have really changed this area into something. We started at scratch and were asked to establish the church in the city of Steinbach. And we have really done it. This was like the most frustrating time and hard time of my life... we tried all we could, couldn't tract, or even street contact. Walking and talking with people in our path was pointless because it was -50 or -40 all the time and everyone was inside. We just kept going at it and sticking with it, and now we are having like 16-24 people coming out to our little cottage meeting in our apartment.
Sunday we had 4 investigators, and we are going to have a non member be one of the speakers for our cottage meeting this Sunday. When the stake president heard about our first meeting in Steinbach "His eye-brows raised in shock."This whole week all we have been doing is teaching. We are still trying to work with the Peters. They love us so much and have taken us in as family and have defended us in the community. They are reading The Book of Mormon and coming to church.
But anyway we are teaching a lot. we are teaching our next door neighbor Matt, he is a really good guy and we always talk in the parking lot when he pulls in. We taught him in his apartment the other day. He is receptive. We were also able to meet with Denise Freisen a less active member of the church. she is super nice, but is struggling with finding her way back so we are going to try and help her. she has a son who is 12 years of age and is not a member he wants to learn as well so we will be teaching him too. Other than that we are doing really good here. We are seeing miracles. We have a standard in our mission for new investigators and investigators attending sacrament, and Elder Erickson and I have been hitting standard 3 times in a row now. God is really blessing us.
I cannot explain what I have learned so far in Steinbach. I logically and spiritually know that the church is true. God will have his church established. The community is 70% Mennonite and and the rest of the population is really strong christian, and only 2 member families in the city of steinbach.....and we are still teaching and having people attend our meetings.....Gods church will be established. We visited a less active Filipino this week. His name is Hennu and his wife is not a member. When ever we stop by their home the kids always run to the door and say, "the elders are here! the elders are here!" the kids love us and they want to come to church. So there is a great opportunity there.
I got some brown Italian shoes for 2 dollars at the thrift store the other day. They are as nice as dads shoes. They are made in Italy. I will send some pictures of a Mennonite drink that we have you will get a kick out of this. Things are going wonderful. I really do know that the church is true.
Love you so much mom :)
-Elder Clark
Mother,
The week was super good. All we do everyday is teach. We are so so busy it is incredible. We found a new investigator this week her name is Carrie. We have known her from The Pat Porter Centre where we do service some time. She's a really good lady. Her concern was why are there so many churches in this world and why do they all teach from the bible but interpret it differently and put their own wisdom in it. So we shared the restoration with her and her exact words were; "I was put to ease as you shared this with me." The spirit was really strong in the lesson. I just made a lot of sense to her. We will be teaching her again this week.
We were also able to teach Kevin and our lesson was really good he is really starting to understand a lot and bring up more questions. We see the Peters through out the week and we are able to share messages with them too.
We saw Denise Freisen this week and her family. Denise is less active and her son is not a member. We had a good lesson with them and so we are going over this Friday to visit, and we are going to skateboard and play basketball with her son and we are getting the son involved for this Friday. It will be a way to soften Denise's heart and get her to feel welcomed and loved by the members.
Things are really happening here. I am so grateful that I was able to to be in this area it has been a huge roller coaster, but it has been worth it.
We had church in our apartment this Sunday. We had a total attendance of 27 PEOPLE!! we had four investigators there as well and Denise Freisen and her family came as well. We had Renate Peters give a talk too! And it was super good we assigned her a topic to speak on how a relationship with Christ had helped her. It is growing! We are really establishing the church. President Thomas told us we were his heros. He said that there is not many missionaries who get to establish the church like this anymore. After our good news that we told him he said he would immediately talk to the stake president about renting a building and getting the sacrament out here. No hand can stop this work.
We went out to the Peters on Saturday and we had a wonderful Mennonite meal. We cooked ribs and pork chops over the fire and had some German soup that I forget the name of.
My heart if full.
Love you mother :)
-Elder Clark
Week #90
Mother,
The week couldn't have gone better. Elder Erickson and I have really changed this area into something. We started at scratch and were asked to establish the church in the city of Steinbach. And we have really done it. This was like the most frustrating time and hard time of my life... we tried all we could, couldn't tract, or even street contact. Walking and talking with people in our path was pointless because it was -50 or -40 all the time and everyone was inside. We just kept going at it and sticking with it, and now we are having like 16-24 people coming out to our little cottage meeting in our apartment.
Sunday we had 4 investigators, and we are going to have a non member be one of the speakers for our cottage meeting this Sunday. When the stake president heard about our first meeting in Steinbach "His eye-brows raised in shock."This whole week all we have been doing is teaching. We are still trying to work with the Peters. They love us so much and have taken us in as family and have defended us in the community. They are reading The Book of Mormon and coming to church.
But anyway we are teaching a lot. we are teaching our next door neighbor Matt, he is a really good guy and we always talk in the parking lot when he pulls in. We taught him in his apartment the other day. He is receptive. We were also able to meet with Denise Freisen a less active member of the church. she is super nice, but is struggling with finding her way back so we are going to try and help her. she has a son who is 12 years of age and is not a member he wants to learn as well so we will be teaching him too. Other than that we are doing really good here. We are seeing miracles. We have a standard in our mission for new investigators and investigators attending sacrament, and Elder Erickson and I have been hitting standard 3 times in a row now. God is really blessing us.
I cannot explain what I have learned so far in Steinbach. I logically and spiritually know that the church is true. God will have his church established. The community is 70% Mennonite and and the rest of the population is really strong christian, and only 2 member families in the city of steinbach.....and we are still teaching and having people attend our meetings.....Gods church will be established. We visited a less active Filipino this week. His name is Hennu and his wife is not a member. When ever we stop by their home the kids always run to the door and say, "the elders are here! the elders are here!" the kids love us and they want to come to church. So there is a great opportunity there.
I got some brown Italian shoes for 2 dollars at the thrift store the other day. They are as nice as dads shoes. They are made in Italy. I will send some pictures of a Mennonite drink that we have you will get a kick out of this. Things are going wonderful. I really do know that the church is true.
Love you so much mom :)
-Elder Clark
Monday, April 21, 2014
Week #89
Mother,
We had a huge mission conference is Regina. Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the quorum of the twelve apostles was with us. He met with us as missionaries it was sooo neat! What an experience I will never forget. It was really amazing.
Monday was pday and we taught over Skype it was actually pretty normal. Tuesday was busy and good we met with Renate. And well I am not sure if she is reading The Book of Mormon to know if its true, I think she is just reading it to read, so we are going to invite her to pray about it and to read it to come to know if its true.
Wednesday I was sick! :( it was horrible some missionaries in our ward gave the flu to everyone, and I got it. I had already had the flu this year I wad told you couldn't get it again????....well sure enough I was throwing up and everything. I was sick as we traveled to and from Regina. The only time I wasn't sick was in the meeting with Elder Christofferson.
We didn't have a meeting in our apartment this Sunday because of Easter, a lot of members were busy and investigators were busy with Easter dinner and stuff with family. So....we will be having a meeting this Sunday in our apartment. We should be able to get 30 people we are hoping.
Mom I am so tired. We are still going to the gym in the morning at 5:30. I watched my companion bench 315lbs....... guy is insane lol.
I love this work so much I feel like I am running out of time. This is Elder Erickson's last transfer in Steinbach. So we are going to make it a good last transfer.
love you and all of you :)
-Elder Clark
We had a huge mission conference is Regina. Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the quorum of the twelve apostles was with us. He met with us as missionaries it was sooo neat! What an experience I will never forget. It was really amazing.
Monday was pday and we taught over Skype it was actually pretty normal. Tuesday was busy and good we met with Renate. And well I am not sure if she is reading The Book of Mormon to know if its true, I think she is just reading it to read, so we are going to invite her to pray about it and to read it to come to know if its true.
Wednesday I was sick! :( it was horrible some missionaries in our ward gave the flu to everyone, and I got it. I had already had the flu this year I wad told you couldn't get it again????....well sure enough I was throwing up and everything. I was sick as we traveled to and from Regina. The only time I wasn't sick was in the meeting with Elder Christofferson.
We didn't have a meeting in our apartment this Sunday because of Easter, a lot of members were busy and investigators were busy with Easter dinner and stuff with family. So....we will be having a meeting this Sunday in our apartment. We should be able to get 30 people we are hoping.
Mom I am so tired. We are still going to the gym in the morning at 5:30. I watched my companion bench 315lbs....... guy is insane lol.
I love this work so much I feel like I am running out of time. This is Elder Erickson's last transfer in Steinbach. So we are going to make it a good last transfer.
love you and all of you :)
-Elder Clark
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