Hello,
I can’t believe Christmas is coming so soon. I will be calling around 1 I think but I can’t be on the phone forever so everyone’s got to be there. I want to talk to everyone and don’t want to wait for a long time. Lots of missionaries will talk for hours but we're supposed to keep it reasonable so if you can try to get everyone there at one time at least by 1:30 .Well this week has been fast, It flew right by. I honestly don’t even know what I did. Our baptismal commit Gomez didn’t go through. He was doing so well and then got all sketchy. We just had a weird feeling about him. We went over to check up on him and he had been smoking. He told us how he stopped smoking after the word of wisdom lesson but started up again due to many problems he is facing. His autistic kid in Puerto Rico is in the hospital and he has no job and no money. He can’t go back or the gangs will kill him. He’s thinking about suicide and is really depressed so he turned to smoking again; It’s terrible. We tried to help him, gave him a blessing, and did all we could. He wants to get baptized so badly but is struggling right now. It’s frustrating but its life I guess. We had the ward Christmas party on Friday, it was so cool. We had a few investigators there and they loved it. We had a huge dinner like always with Hispanics, and then the primary kids acted out the nativity scene. After that Santa came. Yeah no joke he came to our wards activity crazy huh? He had 2 snowman helpers instead of elves and they gave wrapped gifts to all the children there. Even the ones that never come to church, only the activities. I hate that by the way. There are always so many people at the activities that are never seen at church. Its only cause there's free food. So I’m pretty sure you’ve all heard about the snow here in the east. Oh boy it’s been fun to do missionary work in. Saturday it snowed all day. We got about 2 feet by Sunday morning. I got a call at 1130 Friday night from a counselor in the bishopric saying church was cancelled. Isn’t that weird? First time in my life I didn’t go to church and I wasn’t sick. It was so weird though, just another day doing missionary work. We were able to visit lots of people so it was really nice. It has been so cold and my feet have been wet for the past couple days but I’m too lazy to carry boots around and I don’t think snow storms are too frequent. It’s not bad after a couple days; most of it starts to melt. I got your package this week. The office elders drove it over to me thankfully. But thanks so much for all the gifts. I loved them; I couldn’t wait to open them. Just kidding, I haven’t opened any yet; I’m waiting till Christmas so I have something to open. We have a mission conference this Thursday which will be fun. Friday I have no idea what to do. It’ll definitely be a weird day but its ok life goes on. It’s the only holiday that I haven’t been gone for, besides new years.I’m kinda bummed out I don’t get to go snowmobiling though. I hate being in the snow now all day and not snowboarding or snowmobiling. It’s hard, but this is the last winter. I got everyone’s Christmas cards this week. Thanks so much everyone. Its nice getting mail again ha-ha. Everything is going well with the work. We're still working hard and trying to get a few of our good investigators to make the leap towards baptism. There are a couple really close ones. It stinks we didn’t have church cuz a couple investigators that needed to come were going to but its ok there’s always this week. Even though Christmas will be different not being home and all but I know I’m doing what needs to be done.I’m celebrating the real meaning of Christmas sharing the story of Christ's birth.
I love you all and hope you have a great Christmas.
Elder Breinholt
Monday, December 21, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
December 14, 2009
Hey everyone,
This week has flown right by, we had transfers Tuesday morning and I received my Nuevo companero, Elder Lee. He’s Chinese but is actually from Washington State and speaks only a little Chinese. The Spanish people marvel at how he’s Chinese and speaks Spanish. They can’t believe it but its funny how they react. He has 3 months left, so it’s nice having a companion for once who is older than me that can help do the work. It’s nice to have, especially after training.He has had an interesting mission. Is very open to tell me all the stupid things he’s done on the mish but we agreed on working hard this transfer. It’s been great so far.We might have a baptism this Sunday; Gomez. He’s the guy from Puerto Rico that wants to change his life. We just have to get him an interview with president so I don’t know if he'll be going down this Sunday or the next. We helped him this week get some food. We got the bishop to fill out a food order from the bishop’s storehouse so he’s got food for a couple weeks. He came from Puerto Rico a month ago. He can’t go back or he'll get killed. He came here trying to get away from his old life and old ways. He looked for the church but couldn’t find it so he went to another church and was confessing his sins to the pastor. Ends up the pastor falls asleep on him so he gets mad and walks out. When he walks outside he sees the missionaries pass by. It also happens to be the only other Puerto Rican missionary we have that walked by. He stopped them and told them everything. They called me and he started to be taught. He has told us everything of his past and it is crazy. He’s got 18 tattoos, and all of which are satanic. He has 666 engraven on his back and lots of other bad things. He’s been shot a couple times and also stabbed. Rough life I’d say. He reads the book of Mormon everyday and wants to go to the temple to get sealed with his family. He’s looking for a steady job so that his family can come here soon. He keeps telling us he’s going first class to the celestial kingdom. He knows the only way is to get baptized and go to the temple; he’s a funny guy.We have a few other really good investigators. One of them is Dominican and the coolest guy ever. He’s in his 20's and his wife is a member but she works on Sundays so he comes by himself now. We just started teaching him but hopefully we can set a date with him this week or something. He’s so good and needs to be a member. The elder’s quorum president brought a guy to church yesterday. He just moved from Chicago and is Mexican. He loved church and I can see him getting baptized. Only problem is he starts working this week at a restaurant and doesn’t know if he has to work on Sundays yet. Most cases at a restaurant he will have to, but I’m praying that he doesn’t. We can have a lot of success this transfer but, most of it is out of our hands. I guess it lies on faith and prayers. This week we had a great district meeting. Almost everyone is new in the district; it’s nice to have a changeup. We are focusing on the fourfold endeavor that Gordon B. Hinckley spoke about. We need to find, teach by the spirit, baptize worthy converts, and strengthen converts and less actives. I split each category in the 6 weeks of the transfer and we read lots of scriptures and stuff to support each point. It went really well. I then taught some things about the book of Mormon and did a Preach my Gospel practice.We read the talk from Elder Holland that he gave in conference about the book of Mormon, and it strengthened my testimony once again of the power of the book. If only I can get people to read they will get baptized. If people only get the desire to read the book of Mormon then that will lead them to pray and they will receive an answer.I’m going to focus on the B.O.M more this transfer and push people to read it. It’s so important and since I’ve been out here the words of Joseph have become truer. He states that in the introduction that the book of Mormon is more correct than any other book on the earth. I try to explain to people that the bible is the word of God. However, it’s not sufficient. We can see that almost every church reads the bible but every church teaches something different. It’s frustrating when people object it when they haven’t even attempted to read it. My comp and I were walking Friday night and an acidic Jew stops us. (The ones with the curls and the big fur hats and gowns). He told us it was the Sabbath and asked us for some help. We went into his building and Jews were everywhere. It was a Jew only building and you could tell everyone was wondering why there were a couple gentiles walking around. We went into the guy’s house and he had us turn heaters on in every room and move them around. They can’t use electronics on the Sabbath. I don’t really understand why they think they have to keep the Sabbath but other people can do things for them? It doesn’t make sense.It was the first day of Hanukah and they had all the candles lit and like 15 Jew kids looking up at us like they’ve never seen normal people ha-ha. It was so cool though. Jews are never nice to us non-Jew people, but this guy was really nice.It has been really cold lately. I busted out the thermals under my pros. It’s in the 20's usually with lots of wind. There’s never a day without wind and It’s hard to find Spanish people when it’s freezing, but we're doing great right now. I was a little stressed and down at the start of the transfer but I read proverbs 3:5. Trust in the lord with all thy heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. It’s helped me out a lot and I’m actually excited about the transfer and my comp is a good guy.I can’t believe Christmas is coming up. It’s so weird, you would never know it if you lived here. Ha-ha nobody decorates or puts up lights but then again everyone hates their lives here ha-ha jk but seriously. Well I hope you all have a great week.
I love you.
Elder Breinholt
This week has flown right by, we had transfers Tuesday morning and I received my Nuevo companero, Elder Lee. He’s Chinese but is actually from Washington State and speaks only a little Chinese. The Spanish people marvel at how he’s Chinese and speaks Spanish. They can’t believe it but its funny how they react. He has 3 months left, so it’s nice having a companion for once who is older than me that can help do the work. It’s nice to have, especially after training.He has had an interesting mission. Is very open to tell me all the stupid things he’s done on the mish but we agreed on working hard this transfer. It’s been great so far.We might have a baptism this Sunday; Gomez. He’s the guy from Puerto Rico that wants to change his life. We just have to get him an interview with president so I don’t know if he'll be going down this Sunday or the next. We helped him this week get some food. We got the bishop to fill out a food order from the bishop’s storehouse so he’s got food for a couple weeks. He came from Puerto Rico a month ago. He can’t go back or he'll get killed. He came here trying to get away from his old life and old ways. He looked for the church but couldn’t find it so he went to another church and was confessing his sins to the pastor. Ends up the pastor falls asleep on him so he gets mad and walks out. When he walks outside he sees the missionaries pass by. It also happens to be the only other Puerto Rican missionary we have that walked by. He stopped them and told them everything. They called me and he started to be taught. He has told us everything of his past and it is crazy. He’s got 18 tattoos, and all of which are satanic. He has 666 engraven on his back and lots of other bad things. He’s been shot a couple times and also stabbed. Rough life I’d say. He reads the book of Mormon everyday and wants to go to the temple to get sealed with his family. He’s looking for a steady job so that his family can come here soon. He keeps telling us he’s going first class to the celestial kingdom. He knows the only way is to get baptized and go to the temple; he’s a funny guy.We have a few other really good investigators. One of them is Dominican and the coolest guy ever. He’s in his 20's and his wife is a member but she works on Sundays so he comes by himself now. We just started teaching him but hopefully we can set a date with him this week or something. He’s so good and needs to be a member. The elder’s quorum president brought a guy to church yesterday. He just moved from Chicago and is Mexican. He loved church and I can see him getting baptized. Only problem is he starts working this week at a restaurant and doesn’t know if he has to work on Sundays yet. Most cases at a restaurant he will have to, but I’m praying that he doesn’t. We can have a lot of success this transfer but, most of it is out of our hands. I guess it lies on faith and prayers. This week we had a great district meeting. Almost everyone is new in the district; it’s nice to have a changeup. We are focusing on the fourfold endeavor that Gordon B. Hinckley spoke about. We need to find, teach by the spirit, baptize worthy converts, and strengthen converts and less actives. I split each category in the 6 weeks of the transfer and we read lots of scriptures and stuff to support each point. It went really well. I then taught some things about the book of Mormon and did a Preach my Gospel practice.We read the talk from Elder Holland that he gave in conference about the book of Mormon, and it strengthened my testimony once again of the power of the book. If only I can get people to read they will get baptized. If people only get the desire to read the book of Mormon then that will lead them to pray and they will receive an answer.I’m going to focus on the B.O.M more this transfer and push people to read it. It’s so important and since I’ve been out here the words of Joseph have become truer. He states that in the introduction that the book of Mormon is more correct than any other book on the earth. I try to explain to people that the bible is the word of God. However, it’s not sufficient. We can see that almost every church reads the bible but every church teaches something different. It’s frustrating when people object it when they haven’t even attempted to read it. My comp and I were walking Friday night and an acidic Jew stops us. (The ones with the curls and the big fur hats and gowns). He told us it was the Sabbath and asked us for some help. We went into his building and Jews were everywhere. It was a Jew only building and you could tell everyone was wondering why there were a couple gentiles walking around. We went into the guy’s house and he had us turn heaters on in every room and move them around. They can’t use electronics on the Sabbath. I don’t really understand why they think they have to keep the Sabbath but other people can do things for them? It doesn’t make sense.It was the first day of Hanukah and they had all the candles lit and like 15 Jew kids looking up at us like they’ve never seen normal people ha-ha. It was so cool though. Jews are never nice to us non-Jew people, but this guy was really nice.It has been really cold lately. I busted out the thermals under my pros. It’s in the 20's usually with lots of wind. There’s never a day without wind and It’s hard to find Spanish people when it’s freezing, but we're doing great right now. I was a little stressed and down at the start of the transfer but I read proverbs 3:5. Trust in the lord with all thy heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. It’s helped me out a lot and I’m actually excited about the transfer and my comp is a good guy.I can’t believe Christmas is coming up. It’s so weird, you would never know it if you lived here. Ha-ha nobody decorates or puts up lights but then again everyone hates their lives here ha-ha jk but seriously. Well I hope you all have a great week.
I love you.
Elder Breinholt
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
December 7, 2009
Well hello,
The winter has really come. It’s freezing now! It started snowing on us Friday night and has been raining too, but the wind is pretty rough. The week has been awesome but stressful.I heard before transfer calls who will be my next companion starting Tuesday and it has been weighing on me. He’s an Asian and he doesn’t speak Chinese and is coming from that program. He doesn’t speak Spanish too well from what I hear but will be finishing the last 2 transfers of his mission here in Midwood. From all the stories I’ve heard from everyone in the mission that’s called me, he’s probably the most disobedient missionary in the mission and will be junior companion ending his mission. It will not be easy but I guess I’ll take it as a learning experience. There are 4 missionaries that just got here last transfer that are leaving already. One of the zone leaders and I are the only ones staying. Another sign language companionship are coming in to our house with the other ASL Elders so I’m getting kicked out of my room and going in the hall of the workout room. The ASL Elders are there to stay for their whole missions so it makes sense. It will be a very interesting transfer though. We had interviews with president last week and he said he trusts me so he’s putting me with this companion to push him along. Even though I'm not in the mood to do that for another transfer as I just did that last transfer, life goes on.We have been teaching some great people lately and I think will have a baptism in 2 weeks. Not totally sure yet, but he’s the most amazing guy. Has a terrible past in Puerto Rico. He was in gangs, did every terrible thing you can imagine and watched his friends kill many people. He's the most repentant person that there is and wants to be baptized as soon as possible. His wife and daughter are members in Puerto Rico so he knows the church a little. We have a couple other people that are progressing but it’s difficult to get them to church. Most of the Spanish people struggle with the economy and it’s hard to get work being illegal. They work 7 days a week or work for the Jews which mean they work Sundays. Its rough, but the Lord does prepare people. We had the confirmation of Ashley Garcia yesterday which was awesome. I don’t have much time do to the internet conditions today. Everything is going great. I got the package mom, thanks so much, can’t wait to decorate....ha-ha it’ll be fun right? We're still working hard, or at least I'm trying and my companion follows ha-ha but I’m just gonna go into next transfer with a good attitude cuz I know at the end I’ll learn something from it. I love you all and thank you for your support. I hope everyone was able to watch the Christmas devotional yesterday. It was really good. Don’t stress out, just enjoy the spirit of Christmas.
Love, Elder Breinholt
The winter has really come. It’s freezing now! It started snowing on us Friday night and has been raining too, but the wind is pretty rough. The week has been awesome but stressful.I heard before transfer calls who will be my next companion starting Tuesday and it has been weighing on me. He’s an Asian and he doesn’t speak Chinese and is coming from that program. He doesn’t speak Spanish too well from what I hear but will be finishing the last 2 transfers of his mission here in Midwood. From all the stories I’ve heard from everyone in the mission that’s called me, he’s probably the most disobedient missionary in the mission and will be junior companion ending his mission. It will not be easy but I guess I’ll take it as a learning experience. There are 4 missionaries that just got here last transfer that are leaving already. One of the zone leaders and I are the only ones staying. Another sign language companionship are coming in to our house with the other ASL Elders so I’m getting kicked out of my room and going in the hall of the workout room. The ASL Elders are there to stay for their whole missions so it makes sense. It will be a very interesting transfer though. We had interviews with president last week and he said he trusts me so he’s putting me with this companion to push him along. Even though I'm not in the mood to do that for another transfer as I just did that last transfer, life goes on.We have been teaching some great people lately and I think will have a baptism in 2 weeks. Not totally sure yet, but he’s the most amazing guy. Has a terrible past in Puerto Rico. He was in gangs, did every terrible thing you can imagine and watched his friends kill many people. He's the most repentant person that there is and wants to be baptized as soon as possible. His wife and daughter are members in Puerto Rico so he knows the church a little. We have a couple other people that are progressing but it’s difficult to get them to church. Most of the Spanish people struggle with the economy and it’s hard to get work being illegal. They work 7 days a week or work for the Jews which mean they work Sundays. Its rough, but the Lord does prepare people. We had the confirmation of Ashley Garcia yesterday which was awesome. I don’t have much time do to the internet conditions today. Everything is going great. I got the package mom, thanks so much, can’t wait to decorate....ha-ha it’ll be fun right? We're still working hard, or at least I'm trying and my companion follows ha-ha but I’m just gonna go into next transfer with a good attitude cuz I know at the end I’ll learn something from it. I love you all and thank you for your support. I hope everyone was able to watch the Christmas devotional yesterday. It was really good. Don’t stress out, just enjoy the spirit of Christmas.
Love, Elder Breinholt
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