Week 24 - Happy New Year

Shalom y'all

Welcome to the wubulous world of Modesto California, known for George Lucas and car egos.  It's been a runaround of a week, but that ain't no problem.  Monday, we got a bunch of food in preparation for this week, not realizing how many dinners we would have, and left-overs we'd take home.  The bright side is, today we don't have to buy hardly any groceries.  We had a visit at a friends home, we read out of the Book of Mormon and taught some of the commandments, and showed him a book of Mormon video online, he likes them a lot!  It was a super awkward one but he still enjoyed it!  And he understood the point it was trying to make!!  We're trying to help him progress as much as we can, he feels intellectually underprepared for baptism, so we're reading with him and helping him build his spiritual confidence and self-reliance.  Tuesday was district council, it was the first one in the new area, but it was a good discussion and we had some cool role plays.  There's lots of good teachers in our district who really know how to explain hard doctrine simply, it's motivating to work with them.  We spent the rest of the evening hopping from house to house, eating dinners and desserts at members and friends homes, including members from my first ward, so it was cool to reconnect and say hello.  Christmas day was a busy one, we started the morning at a members home, and her inactive husband taught us a bunch of pool techniques, so we practiced for an hour and then he challenged us to a 2 on 2, elder Leishman and I felt prepared but we still lost to him and Elder Falke, mostly to the other guy's credit.  He was really cool, and they let us call home from their place, which was nice.  We went again from home to home, eating, visiting, and leaving.  The first appointment we had was in an old folks home, a lady in the ward wanted to feed us so we came over, she would lose track of her conversations a lot so we'd listen to her go on about some 4 topics, interrupt herself, and start over.  Conversation was easy, and the food wasn't bad!  We saw a few more friends and ended the night at bishops house, where we had one last dinner and got to choose an animated Disney movie.  We watched Atlantis, and whether the movie is better than I remember, or that any movie I watch out here is gonna be 10 times better, me and the companions were laughing the whole time.  Thursday morning we spent doing administrative work for Elder Falke as he prepares to go home in January, but later that night we got to go out and teach.  Elder Leishman got sick on Christmas and for the next few days he was knocked down, so we had to split with missionaries frequently to make our appointments and so Elder Leishman wasn't alone in the apartment.  It was fun to go out with a bunch of different missionaries, I always see something new or learn something useful when I'm with someone new.  Saturday night, we're winding down and getting ready for bed, we get a call from President.  We kinda freak out, thinking we had done something wrong, but he asked to talk to Elder Falke.  He told him he needed to come down to Fresno for the departing ceremonies on Monday, and that he'd spend the last couple weeks of his mission in the Fresno area.  It was crazy, so the next day we spent packing and saying goodbye to more friends and members.  It's gonna be weird going back to a normal companionship, but it's been fun, and it's time we take the area over.  And I get more time to shower!  He's a good friend and it's been awesome working with and learning from him.  I wrote in my journal a lot this week and was thinking about potential, and the importance of remembering our potential with the eternal perspective.  When you set goals, when you want to get better at something, when you want to change your life, it's important to remember the comfort that comes from our divine heritage.  Heavenly Father is watching over us, when we makes mistakes we can make it right, and no matter how hopeless things look or how difficult a trial may seem, when we trust Heavenly Father and press forward, keeping the commandments and working with a righteous purpose, everything will work out.  Life does get hard, but that's what makes the easy times easier.  It makes us smarter, and we can handle situations better.  I love Heavenly Father and am so grateful for the Plan of happiness.  I hope y'all had a good week, and that as you set goals for the upcoming year, you make them with the eternal perspective in mind.  All things can be accomplished through reliance on Jesus Christ and personal determination.  See y'all next week.

Elder Gneiting

I'm distantly related to the player who signed this volleyball.

  

Week 23 - Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas y'all,

It's been an exciting and busy week.  I've been on a million exchanges because of various things the dinner lady has been trynna fix in the district.  Dinner lady is code for District leader, one of my companions. 

Monday night, a member friend took us to Kobe's, a Japanese sushi restaurant.  I ate a ton of food, we sat at a sushi bar and there was also a buffet dinner side in the back.  I'm only in Modesto, but I ate soft shell crab, octopus, salmon, yellowtail, tuna, eel, ahi, it was insane.

We've visited a ton of members and also found a bunch of new friends to start teaching.  A lot of them came to church yesterday too!  I ate at olive garden on one exchange with a Spanish missionary who is in training right now, he likes their breadsticks, so we biked over there before we went finding that night. 

One night this week, we were visiting a family and while we were there, a pizza guy showed up and we got a bunch of pizza to take home.  But while we were visiting, I was impressed to share a scripture from my personal study that morning.  It was an obscure scripture that seemed out of context, but the family started crying and talking about their meaning of Christmas since they had a child who passed away a couple years ago.  It was very emotional, and the spirit was strong.  I was blown away by their openess.  Heavenly Father loves all his children, and this season is the time to remember the sacrifice he made, that of his Son, Jesus Christ.  Though we have trials and struggles in our life, he knows how we feel, and we can place all our guilt, regret, and pain in him.  He can carry our burdens if we carry our cross and follow him. 

At another part member home, a nonmember husband of a lady in our ward had some intense questions about the hereafter, and about the various perspectives of different religions.  He used to be very involved in the Catholic faith until a mentor of his insulted him, and other doctrine that he didn't agree with made it a little easier for him to distance himself.  It was awesome talking to him and communicating our perspectives to help him build his faith and to encourage his search for truth.  

We had dinner with a family on the weekend, they are very musically talented, so they had a bunch of instruments.  Including guitars, so I got to play a few songs again, we'll have to go over on a preparation day to play again.  They all showed off their skill at our Christmas service here in the Modesto second ward, it was awesome to here them sing and play various instruments.

We also had the privilege to attend a Christmas zone conference, we had present exchanges and fun games.  I dressed like a Christmas tree and got a Lego set.  We also went to the temple Saturday, we did baptisms with a recent convert from my training area.  He was taught by a lot of missionaries so a lot of us were there, including my trainer, so we took a multi-generation pic.  It was sweet to do baptisms again.

Overall, it's been a busy week, lots of teaching, lots of eating, lots of biking in the rain, I wish I had more time and more space for detail.  Have a merry Christmas and enjoy some pictures of me and the companions enjoying each other's company.

Love,

Elder Gneiting

        

Week 22

Hey y'all

It's been a blast of a week.

I honestly didn't realize how much fun I could have in a trio in a city I already know, but it's actually awesome.  Ceres was cool, but I wasn't finished with Modesto.  Tuesday morning, I drove down to Fresno and met up with Elders Falke & Leishman.  They are from Germany (Hamburg area) and Canada (Cardston, Alberta area) respectively.  We drove the 2 hours back up to Modesto, and when we got to the apartment, it was ill-kept.  We spent most of the day throwing away trash, cleaning out the fridge, the bathroom, the kitchen, and the bedroom.  There's only 2 beds in the missionary apartments, so we got a mattress from some other zone leaders and it's on the floor and that's my bed for now.  We live in a duplex thingy, and we have a grill in the back, and we used it on the first night. 

Wednesday was a good day to settle in, we got used to having 3 elders and also got to drive around the area, not too much success that day but definitely a good day to settle in and check stuff out.  Thursday, we went out and contacted some members and formers, and we ran into a member I had already met in my training.  He's got some issues so we were able to bounce outta there while staying cordial.  I had been studying in the kitchen so we boonked a table from some sisters in our zone that night.  Friday was a runaround, we met with members and people we're teaching, and that night we had a Christmas party with the ward.  The ward is small and old again but it's okay cause I know how to work with that now.  Saturday we met with the Elder's Quorum president, and got more information on how to work with them to help build up the ward.  Things are kinda slow with the climaxing of the Christmas season, but we're planning on continuing momentum after the new year.  We also helped load a piano and deliver it to a members home from a donut shop that she frequents.  It was the first time I moved a piano like that, and I hope I don't have to again soon, but she gave us cookies so maybe it was worth it.  We also had a lesson with a recent convert and he bore his testimony on the gospel and the friendliness of members which is awesome.

Sunday, we went to our ward meetings, we talked with our ward mission leader, and we scheduled to meet with our members for the next transfer.  We had member visits, meals, contacts, and then that night we met up with a friend from my training area, Elder Falke also served there previously, and we visited another member who is housing a German exchange student, so Elder Falke was able to talk to her and while we were there the member realized her dog was missing, so we prayed right then and like 10 minutes later we went out and found the dog.  We decided we'd get their missionaries to come over soon and to get the exchange student in contact with German missionaries when she goes home. 

It's been a good week, and I'm happy to be back in Modesto.  I'm excited to do work and I like being in a trio.  I hope y'all are having a good holiday season, whatever holidays you might celebrate, and I hope you have opportunity to share charity and good will with your friends, family, and neighbors, as Christ would.  Drive safe in the snow for me!

Elder Gneiting

   

Week 21

Dear friends and family,

It's been quite the week.  The transfer is ending, and it's hard to believe it's already a week into December.  Though, not a whole lot has happened.  The weather has been changing, which is exciting.  It's been kind of a coast of a week, but I guess that happens sometimes.  I wish I had some progress to report on, but that's alright.  We had some exciting activities to do, there were a couple parades the missionaries were invited to, we made it to the first one Friday night.  We walked along side a float and wore Christmas lights on our shoulders, and then we would run into the crowds on the sidewalks and talk to people and show them Light the World.  That was pretty fun.  Saturday night, we opened our Christmas Tree Lane booth, but we lacked some supplies and we ended up putting it down and walked around the neighborhood, handing out invitational cards and getting to know people from Ceres, kinda like the night before.  I enjoy walking around, seeing people, and talking to people who make eye contact.  It's crazy how bad people are at talking, everyone is so awkward and they just walk away from you.  Now maybe it's 'cause I'm walking around in a shirt and tie in the rain with a badge that says "JESUS CHRIST" that's turning some people off, but then again, I saw some weirder stuff out there, like drunk elves stumbling over Christmas hymns and Grinch fanatics blasting ranchero music.  It's safe to say a card from a skinny teenager could be more appealing.

Later that night, we got our calls for transfers.  I'm leaving!  I spent Sunday waiting to find out where exactly I would be going, as part two of transfer calls is Sunday night.  During sacrament meeting, the speakers referenced The Beatles and U2, the lines they said were "All You Need Is Love" and "You can't throw anything that I haven't already heard", talking about following the example of Jesus Christ to find happiness in this life, and also looking at Christ's atonement as a reminder that he's been through every pain conceivable.  When we rely on the Savior, all things are possible.  Not only his example, but his sacrifice, paved the way to heaven.  

Anyway, I'm getting transferred back to Modesto.  LET'S GOOOO!!  (I'll be serving with my trainer's trainer and an elder from my training area... trio?) 

I've been thinking about the Lord a lot, and also about myself.  Christmas time is a good time to think about the relationship I have with him.  All the blessings I have because a child was born in a humble stable over 2000 years ago.  Jesus Christ was willing to come down to this fallen earth and suffer the pains of the world, to be mocked, betrayed, and crucified for my sake.  Pray we don't forget these simple truths as we approach the celebration of our Savior's birth.  I love you all and am trying my best to make you proud, I wouldn't be out here without the influence I've had from you wonderful people.  Stay safe in the snow!!

Ya boi

Elder Gneiting

The carts don't haunt me anymore

Week 20

Life is good. I'm still thinking about that talk I mentioned in my last email. An absolute truth is that happiness is a choice. It's a state of mind. Happiness comes from doing what happy people do, and I'm really working on being happy. Working really hard. And that's okay. I hope y'all are also trying to be happy. Or, if you feel happy enough, that you're trying to make those around you happy.

We had a good couple days, we taught a bunch, we invited a bunch, including our Jewish friend, he actually went to Salt Lake and checked out Temple Square. He also checked out the Cathedral and Synagogue downtown, and we had a good talk. We've been getting real with teaching which is sick, I just told my comp that we were gonna get on the list of former people, less actives, and part member families, knock on their doors, and ask if we can teach them. So far we've had pretty good lessons. I wish our ward was younger, because I feel bad dragging around the same 4 guys aged 60+ from Elder's Quorum to try to "fellowship" with the single mothers and teenaged boys we're teaching. I'm hoping to find a family with Melchizedek Priesthood potential, because then it'd be less awkward. Either way, the people who want to come to our church will, and maybe we're meant to cook a new batch of members to take over the existing ward.

We did service this week, Wednesday morning we helped a lady pick persimmons, they're super wack fruit that I had never heard of before. They taste super wack too. We helped a member and his family move, with various packing and moving projects. On Saturday, we helped set up decorations at a members home, because on their street is a big Christmas celebration, everyone decorates or has booths, so the population here has something to do every night leading up to Christmas. We will have a Light The World booth, which will be fun. Thanksgiving was good, not many people wanted to talk to us that day, which was okay. We ate at a members home, they had lots of classy Thanksgiving food just like home, no chicken feet or cow intestines, so I was stoked. After we ate, I taught their family how to play pirate dice, and then they let us play Battleship, it was nice to stay in and have a small break. 

Saturday morning, after service, a friend in our teaching pool who I hadn't met took us to breakfast at this sick small town diner. We caught up with him and invited him to church the next day. It was a good start to our weekend. Later that afternoon, a member called and asked if they could take us to pizza. Heck yeah! Two meals in one day? It's been a fat minute since I had pizza, it was fantastic. That night, we visited some cool people, and this former who hadn't been seen in a while. We talked with their whole family, Elder P let them all know that I play guitar, so they grabbed one for me and huddled around. It was nice to play again. Then they made us hot chocolate, gave us some Mexican pastries, and we showed them the Christ Child! We hope they start to soften up soon.

Sunday was good. Not a lot going on, our friends didn't come to church, but it was fine. We met with some members, brought the sacrament to the bed-bound, and gave a light the world lesson. I also got to read some crazy books by Elder McConkie, my companion got from a member. Just a regular day. 

I found a verse this week that just recently appealed to my mind. When Abinadi prophecies about Christ and explains the concept of redemption to king Noah and his priests, to dissuade them from their weak attempts to comprehend the law of Moses, he beautifully relays the infinite power of Christ. "He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death" Mosiah 16:9

Because of him, "death is swallowed up". I know the Savior paid the price for all mankind from ancient to contemporary. I know that the purpose of life is to better ourselves and to follow the example of Jesus Christ. I know that, despite our imperfections, we can live with God again. That it really isn't that hard to live righteously. We can make a good choice every day. We do it over and over until we make lots of good choices, and then hopefully, almost always good choices. Remember Christ, remember that he loves you. I love you all too. 

Smiles and prayers,

Elder Gneiting

By the way, it's been raining all week here in Ceres. Enjoy some pictures from the crazy weather & service.