Hello Everyone,
We had a good week. Nothing too amazing or exciting happened out of the ordinary but it was a good solid week of work. We were able to get into a lot of people's home which is nice...and somehow (I think the Lord had some pity on us) we had a meal at a member's home every day this week but saturday! And usually its only twice a week. So that was amazing.
We got out and about in the country visiting some of the smaller towns in our branch to do some tracting, since we hadn't been getting any success in Watertown proper. We didn't find any new people to teach but we found a less-active man whose records aren't on our rolls so hopefully we can start working with him. He was really friendly and said he'd like to talk with us but he was just walking out the door for work, dang, but at least we found him!
Other than that we got to do a lot of service this week which was a lot of fun. We helped a member couple plant some 250 flowers along their driveway and also help them plant some onions, tomatoes, carrots and beans in their garden, which was good. We also got a nice meal out of it. But it was nice doing some physical labor, it makes want to have a garden when I get back!
But we're still searching searching searching for those who the Lord is preparing. We'll find them, or him, or her, eventually, but its on the Lord's time. But the Lord is directing this work, I know that to be true. It is such a blessing to be a part of it and to have wonderful experiences every day to reconfirm my faith and strengthen my testimony. I know this church is true, and so do you, so go out and share it!
Love,
Elder Fitt
Monday, May 24, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
May 17, 2010
Hello Everyone,
I hope you had a pleasant week. Mine was interesting. On thursday as I was getting ready to take a shower in the morning I bent over real quick and...my back went out! It dropped me to the ground and I could barely get up or move around. It took a couple minutes to finally get back on my feet and I hobbled out of the bathroom to better assess the situation. I was in pretty bad shape and could barely support myself. Soon after I talked with the mission presiden't wife and the church doctor over the area and I probably only tweaked my back, which learning about some of the alternative explanations which gladly I didn't show symptoms for. So for that whole day I stayed mainly in bed barely being able to move, but since it has gotten better quite fast and I'm getting around pretty well now. I still is difficult to bend over and actions that take a lot of lower back strength still trouble me, but I'm recovering and am able to get back to work.
So that was a fun experience for the week! The day after I threw it out my district leader and his companion came to Watertown to help us work the area. His companion, Elder Lindstrom has a foot problem that he's being sent home for tomorrow that is really debillitating. So him and I rested in the apartment while Elder Johnson and Macneille worked the area, it worked out kind of nice.
We also got to go visit some members down in Brandt and Astoria, SD a good 40 miles away and that was nice. We talked with our branch president out there about how we can get the work rolling and we have some ideas we're going to work with. So we're optimistic about this coming week and see some good things in the future. We're praying and hoping to find someone to baptize this week.
Well I hope all is well with you and that the Lord is blessing you with missionary experiences and you are taking advantage of those experiences and helping bring those the Lord has prepared to the waters of baptism and to the doors of His temple. Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Fitt
I hope you had a pleasant week. Mine was interesting. On thursday as I was getting ready to take a shower in the morning I bent over real quick and...my back went out! It dropped me to the ground and I could barely get up or move around. It took a couple minutes to finally get back on my feet and I hobbled out of the bathroom to better assess the situation. I was in pretty bad shape and could barely support myself. Soon after I talked with the mission presiden't wife and the church doctor over the area and I probably only tweaked my back, which learning about some of the alternative explanations which gladly I didn't show symptoms for. So for that whole day I stayed mainly in bed barely being able to move, but since it has gotten better quite fast and I'm getting around pretty well now. I still is difficult to bend over and actions that take a lot of lower back strength still trouble me, but I'm recovering and am able to get back to work.
So that was a fun experience for the week! The day after I threw it out my district leader and his companion came to Watertown to help us work the area. His companion, Elder Lindstrom has a foot problem that he's being sent home for tomorrow that is really debillitating. So him and I rested in the apartment while Elder Johnson and Macneille worked the area, it worked out kind of nice.
We also got to go visit some members down in Brandt and Astoria, SD a good 40 miles away and that was nice. We talked with our branch president out there about how we can get the work rolling and we have some ideas we're going to work with. So we're optimistic about this coming week and see some good things in the future. We're praying and hoping to find someone to baptize this week.
Well I hope all is well with you and that the Lord is blessing you with missionary experiences and you are taking advantage of those experiences and helping bring those the Lord has prepared to the waters of baptism and to the doors of His temple. Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Fitt
May 10, 2010
Hello Everyone,
I hope all is well and that everyone had a great Mother's Day! I know I did being able to talk with my family. But unfortunately I don't have too much to report this week. Things are going well. We had a great bi-zone conference up in Fargo, ND. But other than that things are going a little slow. We haven't had any luck this week with finding new investigators, every door has been a no or an emphatic NO! Haha, its fun. We're going to be visiting several families down in Brandt, SD this weekend and hopefully we can get somethings going down there with them and their friends.
We did get to start our volunteer work at the Jenkins Living Center and help out in the Alzheimer's/Dimensia ward playing bingo with the people there. It was pretty fun. This sunday we will also help wheel them to their mini-church service held in the building. Other than that James is still reading, but not getting an answer or coming to church again. But we're working on him. The older gentleman we started teaching a little while ago has seemed to disappear which is unfortunate, but we're still trying to get a hold of him.
But I am grateful for this opportunity to serve. I am learning a lot and enjoying the work. It is difficult sometimes but the Lord has a plan for us and it is wonderful to be an instrument in his hands. I hope you all are active in fellowshipping your friends and family to help them find the happiness that the gospel brings. Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Fitt
I hope all is well and that everyone had a great Mother's Day! I know I did being able to talk with my family. But unfortunately I don't have too much to report this week. Things are going well. We had a great bi-zone conference up in Fargo, ND. But other than that things are going a little slow. We haven't had any luck this week with finding new investigators, every door has been a no or an emphatic NO! Haha, its fun. We're going to be visiting several families down in Brandt, SD this weekend and hopefully we can get somethings going down there with them and their friends.
We did get to start our volunteer work at the Jenkins Living Center and help out in the Alzheimer's/Dimensia ward playing bingo with the people there. It was pretty fun. This sunday we will also help wheel them to their mini-church service held in the building. Other than that James is still reading, but not getting an answer or coming to church again. But we're working on him. The older gentleman we started teaching a little while ago has seemed to disappear which is unfortunate, but we're still trying to get a hold of him.
But I am grateful for this opportunity to serve. I am learning a lot and enjoying the work. It is difficult sometimes but the Lord has a plan for us and it is wonderful to be an instrument in his hands. I hope you all are active in fellowshipping your friends and family to help them find the happiness that the gospel brings. Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Fitt
May 3, 2010
Hi Mom!
Thanks for the email, it was great to hear from you. My week went pretty well. My new companion and I get along really well. His name is Elder Johnson, he's from Fresno, CA. So we've been able to talk a lot about Cali which has been nice. We are having some good experiences and he wants to work so I'm grateful for what a great blessing that is.
It sounds like everything is going well with you, it was good to hear that you had a good trip. Hopefully Dude does well in OK and make a ton of dough. So you got some snow huh? We've been having a ton of rain these past few days which has been really nice, I've enjoyed it alot. But it hasn't been cold enough for snow, thankfully. But I've been enjoying the overcast weather.
That IMAX movie sounds pretty cool. G-bob's observation was pretty smart for a boy his age, man. In the new gospel art book the first picture his of outer space and it always boggles my mind when I look at it. Especially since every swirling looking system is a galaxy of stars and when you count over 30 of those just in that one pictures along with everything else its mind blowing. I always get lost in that picture. There definitely is order to all of this creation!
We had a pretty good week. Elder Johnson and I are getting along really well and have been working hard to get this area going. Unfortunately not much has changed...but we're working at it! Though we have been blessed with some new opportunities. We volunteered at a rest home called Jenkins Living Center and will be going there 1-3 times away. Twice to help the people play bingo, or we'll read to them or write letters for them. Then on sundays after church we'll go over there and help wheel them to the church services that are held in the living center. We hope it will be beneficial to the area. The people will see we want to serve and at the very least we'll be able to brighten up the days of people who probably seldom get visitors (and maybe that will lead to the missionaries in the spirit world being able to teach them easier once they pass on!)
Well thanks for all that you do! I'm looking forward to talking to you and being able to wish you a happy mother's day, because you are the best mother there is! Have a great day!
Love,
Elder Fitt
Thanks for the email, it was great to hear from you. My week went pretty well. My new companion and I get along really well. His name is Elder Johnson, he's from Fresno, CA. So we've been able to talk a lot about Cali which has been nice. We are having some good experiences and he wants to work so I'm grateful for what a great blessing that is.
It sounds like everything is going well with you, it was good to hear that you had a good trip. Hopefully Dude does well in OK and make a ton of dough. So you got some snow huh? We've been having a ton of rain these past few days which has been really nice, I've enjoyed it alot. But it hasn't been cold enough for snow, thankfully. But I've been enjoying the overcast weather.
That IMAX movie sounds pretty cool. G-bob's observation was pretty smart for a boy his age, man. In the new gospel art book the first picture his of outer space and it always boggles my mind when I look at it. Especially since every swirling looking system is a galaxy of stars and when you count over 30 of those just in that one pictures along with everything else its mind blowing. I always get lost in that picture. There definitely is order to all of this creation!
We had a pretty good week. Elder Johnson and I are getting along really well and have been working hard to get this area going. Unfortunately not much has changed...but we're working at it! Though we have been blessed with some new opportunities. We volunteered at a rest home called Jenkins Living Center and will be going there 1-3 times away. Twice to help the people play bingo, or we'll read to them or write letters for them. Then on sundays after church we'll go over there and help wheel them to the church services that are held in the living center. We hope it will be beneficial to the area. The people will see we want to serve and at the very least we'll be able to brighten up the days of people who probably seldom get visitors (and maybe that will lead to the missionaries in the spirit world being able to teach them easier once they pass on!)
Well thanks for all that you do! I'm looking forward to talking to you and being able to wish you a happy mother's day, because you are the best mother there is! Have a great day!
Love,
Elder Fitt
April 26, 2010
Hello Everyone,
Thanks so much for the birthday wishes all you that sent them! I wish I could email all you back, but alas...there are rules. But it was so wonderful to hear from you, it really made my day!
So we had transfer calls on Saturday and the area is staying open, Elder Jones is getting shipped out to Sheridan, WY -- cowpoke country, and I'm getting an Elder Johnson, from Fresno, CA. He's only been out for 3 months and he's still got that greenie fire a burnin' so I'm way excited to start working with him. His trainer is also one of the hardest working missionaries in the mission so he's been taught well. I'm really optimistic for this transfer and so is President Layton.
Yesterday as well as earlier last week we met some more with James and he's coming around a little again. He seemed to have some barries put up, possibly from things his church told them, but we successfully knocked them down and built him up in correct doctrines. And he actually read from the Book of Mormon, which was awesome. We assigned him to read Moroni 10 but instead he read all of Moroni, haha. But we had a great lesson with him on the last 3 verses of Moroni 10 (read them if you aren't familiar with them, they're some of the most powerful verses in scripture, in my opinion) and he's still praying and waiting for answer. So things are looking up for him.
We had stake conference yesteday and that was good stuff. The focus was on the family and how to guard it against the troubles of the day. The Dakotas are really beautiful right now with all the moisture from the melted snow and some rain we had this weekend, so everything is nice and green green green! Its great. So I'm doing well out here and am enjoying the blessings of the Lord.
I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve the Lord and what a powerful impact it has had in my life. I have a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is His work and He is directing it. What a blessing it is to serve the people out here and find those who are lost. I love this opportunity the Lord has given me and cherish it with my whole soul.
I hope this email finds you all well! Share the gospel with your friends and family -- they need it! We are selfish when we don't share. Sometimes its tough, sometimes its scary, but like my last mission president always said, "There's no growth in the comfort zone and no comfort in the growth zone." It takes effort...but the joy and blessings that come far outweigh the possible discomfort of the moment. I love you all, have a great week!
Love,
Elder Fitt
Thanks so much for the birthday wishes all you that sent them! I wish I could email all you back, but alas...there are rules. But it was so wonderful to hear from you, it really made my day!
So we had transfer calls on Saturday and the area is staying open, Elder Jones is getting shipped out to Sheridan, WY -- cowpoke country, and I'm getting an Elder Johnson, from Fresno, CA. He's only been out for 3 months and he's still got that greenie fire a burnin' so I'm way excited to start working with him. His trainer is also one of the hardest working missionaries in the mission so he's been taught well. I'm really optimistic for this transfer and so is President Layton.
Yesterday as well as earlier last week we met some more with James and he's coming around a little again. He seemed to have some barries put up, possibly from things his church told them, but we successfully knocked them down and built him up in correct doctrines. And he actually read from the Book of Mormon, which was awesome. We assigned him to read Moroni 10 but instead he read all of Moroni, haha. But we had a great lesson with him on the last 3 verses of Moroni 10 (read them if you aren't familiar with them, they're some of the most powerful verses in scripture, in my opinion) and he's still praying and waiting for answer. So things are looking up for him.
We had stake conference yesteday and that was good stuff. The focus was on the family and how to guard it against the troubles of the day. The Dakotas are really beautiful right now with all the moisture from the melted snow and some rain we had this weekend, so everything is nice and green green green! Its great. So I'm doing well out here and am enjoying the blessings of the Lord.
I am so grateful for this opportunity to serve the Lord and what a powerful impact it has had in my life. I have a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is His work and He is directing it. What a blessing it is to serve the people out here and find those who are lost. I love this opportunity the Lord has given me and cherish it with my whole soul.
I hope this email finds you all well! Share the gospel with your friends and family -- they need it! We are selfish when we don't share. Sometimes its tough, sometimes its scary, but like my last mission president always said, "There's no growth in the comfort zone and no comfort in the growth zone." It takes effort...but the joy and blessings that come far outweigh the possible discomfort of the moment. I love you all, have a great week!
Love,
Elder Fitt
April 19, 2010
Hi Mom,
It was good to hear from you...you're the only one who emailed me this week (so far at least)! Haha, but thats alright. Its good to hear things worked out with the van. So is it being repaired or are you gonna try something different? Man I bet you're having a blast with the kiddos, and I'm sure Cam and Julie are relieved to have some help. Their rat babies sound pretty dang cute. I bet Virginia is really pretty this time of the year too!
So is Grandma Louise still planning on moving into the basement? Or is that what she just did when she arrived with Kenny? Is the basement all finished up?
Man I bet that was a really neat stake conference, too bad you didn't get to see all of it. It would be neat to hear from some of those speakers. Elder Ballard seems to have a lot of speaking assignments. About 2 months ago I got a missionary newsletter from President Bangerter and it had an extra sheet that told about 2 missionaries who died (from asphyxiation by a carbon monoxide leak in their apartment, while they were asleep) while serving in Romania I believe (one of which left from our old stake). It was way sad to see because the Elder who died was one of the first kids who befriended me when I just got to Lone Peak. He was awesome. But Elder Ballard talked at their funeral and made a lot of really good remarks. It seems like he does a lot of speaking around the Utah Valley Area.
But the talk who quote reminded me of that a little, thanks for the insight and spiritual boost! Its tough for missionaries to really live the law of sacrifice while we're out here, because there isn't much to sacrifice. We're here and everything is our duty and calling, so it isn't a sacrifice to get up on time or follow all the rules, that's what we're expected (and covenanted) to do. The sacrifice was already when we came out. But we were told the way we can live the law of sacrifice is through a broken heart and contrite spirit continually. But like always, that can be tough and is a life long process of being able to be continually humble and teachable.
In Sacrament meeting our high councilor related a story of a missionary who had the assignment in a central american mission to drive his mission president and wife as well as Elder Spencer W. Kimball (when he was still in the Q of 12) around the mission for a mission tour. Well they were driving on a narrow mountain pass and Elder Kimball tapped the elder on the shoulder and told him to stop the car. The elder looked for a place to pull over but couldn't find one. Elder Kimball a little louder told him to stop the car. The elder looked a little hard and tried to figure out how to do that but still drove on because he couldn't find a logical place to stop. Finally Elder Kimball told him to stop the car right now! The elder slammed on the brakes and a few seconds later a semi came driving down the other side of the road and over turned and tipped, following all over the other lane. Had they kept driving they would've been involved in a very bad wreck.
Well afterwards conversation picked up on why Elder Kimball had the inspiration and the rest didn't. The missionary was living a clean, worthy life and the mission president and his wife were as well, and seemed to be entitled to guidance of that sort. Elder Kimball told them they all received the prompting, but he was the only one who heard it. Making the point that we need to get in the habit of actually trying listen for the Spirit at all times. He's constantly speaking to us but most of the time we have our ears closed unfortunately, at least a lot of us do.
Anyway, I'm just kind of rambling now, but thanks for all that you do mom! I'm excited for the package. I'll see if I have a good birthday...it might be kind of lame because theres a possibility of President Layton closing down Watertown for missionary service so we'd be doing a lot of packing and cleaning and moving stuff out of the apartment next monday. Haha, we'll see.
Anyway, I hope you have a good time in Virginny! Tell Cam and Julie and the babies I say hi and I love them!
Love,
Elder Fitt
It was good to hear from you...you're the only one who emailed me this week (so far at least)! Haha, but thats alright. Its good to hear things worked out with the van. So is it being repaired or are you gonna try something different? Man I bet you're having a blast with the kiddos, and I'm sure Cam and Julie are relieved to have some help. Their rat babies sound pretty dang cute. I bet Virginia is really pretty this time of the year too!
So is Grandma Louise still planning on moving into the basement? Or is that what she just did when she arrived with Kenny? Is the basement all finished up?
Man I bet that was a really neat stake conference, too bad you didn't get to see all of it. It would be neat to hear from some of those speakers. Elder Ballard seems to have a lot of speaking assignments. About 2 months ago I got a missionary newsletter from President Bangerter and it had an extra sheet that told about 2 missionaries who died (from asphyxiation by a carbon monoxide leak in their apartment, while they were asleep) while serving in Romania I believe (one of which left from our old stake). It was way sad to see because the Elder who died was one of the first kids who befriended me when I just got to Lone Peak. He was awesome. But Elder Ballard talked at their funeral and made a lot of really good remarks. It seems like he does a lot of speaking around the Utah Valley Area.
But the talk who quote reminded me of that a little, thanks for the insight and spiritual boost! Its tough for missionaries to really live the law of sacrifice while we're out here, because there isn't much to sacrifice. We're here and everything is our duty and calling, so it isn't a sacrifice to get up on time or follow all the rules, that's what we're expected (and covenanted) to do. The sacrifice was already when we came out. But we were told the way we can live the law of sacrifice is through a broken heart and contrite spirit continually. But like always, that can be tough and is a life long process of being able to be continually humble and teachable.
In Sacrament meeting our high councilor related a story of a missionary who had the assignment in a central american mission to drive his mission president and wife as well as Elder Spencer W. Kimball (when he was still in the Q of 12) around the mission for a mission tour. Well they were driving on a narrow mountain pass and Elder Kimball tapped the elder on the shoulder and told him to stop the car. The elder looked for a place to pull over but couldn't find one. Elder Kimball a little louder told him to stop the car. The elder looked a little hard and tried to figure out how to do that but still drove on because he couldn't find a logical place to stop. Finally Elder Kimball told him to stop the car right now! The elder slammed on the brakes and a few seconds later a semi came driving down the other side of the road and over turned and tipped, following all over the other lane. Had they kept driving they would've been involved in a very bad wreck.
Well afterwards conversation picked up on why Elder Kimball had the inspiration and the rest didn't. The missionary was living a clean, worthy life and the mission president and his wife were as well, and seemed to be entitled to guidance of that sort. Elder Kimball told them they all received the prompting, but he was the only one who heard it. Making the point that we need to get in the habit of actually trying listen for the Spirit at all times. He's constantly speaking to us but most of the time we have our ears closed unfortunately, at least a lot of us do.
Anyway, I'm just kind of rambling now, but thanks for all that you do mom! I'm excited for the package. I'll see if I have a good birthday...it might be kind of lame because theres a possibility of President Layton closing down Watertown for missionary service so we'd be doing a lot of packing and cleaning and moving stuff out of the apartment next monday. Haha, we'll see.
Anyway, I hope you have a good time in Virginny! Tell Cam and Julie and the babies I say hi and I love them!
Love,
Elder Fitt
April 13, 2010
Hi Ashby,
I love you too sweetie. It sounds like you had a fun trip eating cookies, making peacock's, playing playing playing, having club and tea parties and getting all wet in the ocean! I hope you gave mommy and daddy a big love and told them thank you for bringing you on such a fun trip! I love you and miss you Ashby, be good for the parents!
Love,
Elder Fitt
Dear Gentry,
Elder Fitt Speaking. How are you doing? I'm doing good on my mission. We're working with a nice guy right now who is excited to learn about our church, pretty cool huh? He might get baptized within the next month, we'll see! Ya the Jelly Belly factory is pretty need huh? I remember going there when I was around your age.
So it sounded like you had a fun time hunting with Dad. You're a dang good shot too it sounds like. The squirrel didn't even know he had it coming. That must've been a big lizard to get at 30 yards, or you have really good eyes. Cool beans, I wish I could've gone hunting with you guys too! But I'm out fishing for people out here...so similar...but really different.
Well I'm glad you had a good spring break. Now its time to buckle down and work hard at school so you'll make mom happy (and yourself happy) and you can enjoy your summer to the fullest! I love you bro!
Love,
Elder Fitt
Hi Mom!
It sounds like you all had a pretty eventful trip to California! You should've taken some pictures of the scenery...though that might've made me trunky looking at them, haha. It was too bad to hear about the van, hopefully thing's will work out.
Man I didn't know Julie hurt her shoulder a while back, hopefully the surgery goes went well! Anything else exciting happening?
I'm doing pretty good. I'm healthy and happy and striving to do a little better every day. You might like to hear this: I was on exchange this weekend and at the other Elder's apartment I was looking for something to eat and I was horrified at what I saw. Basically the only food one of the Elders had was comprized of potatoe chips, pop tarts, candy, Lucky Charms, Little Debby treats and whole milk......scary! Luckily I found some carrots and an orange that had been neglected in the fridge and made a good meal of that and a loaf of bread I bought. But geez...I'm glad you taught me to eat healthy, I've really tried to do that out here. The biggest problem is its more expensive...oh well, my health is worth it.
Anyway, thanks for the advice and stories, they help! Some things are looking up in the area and hopefully we'll be able to do some good. Thanks for sending the package...I'm looking forward to it. I've got a lot of lasts coming up, and/or recently just had: last General Conference, last B-day, and last phone call home! Its crazy, but exciting and I hope I can make the most of it. Thanks for all that you do mom! The church is true!
Love,
Elder Fitt
Hello Everyone,
I hope you all had a good week. I'm emailing a day late because we weren't able to email yesterday. I had been in Huron, SD on exchange for the weekend, and we had a district P-day in Brookings, SD for most of the day so we by the time we did that and exchanged back and got home to Watertown there wasn't much time to do all the emails. Anyway, things are going good!
We had zone conference on Friday and it was awesome, as always. The focus was on the Atonement and that is always worth learning more about. It was good to be able to learn more and feel of the strong spirit the Layton's bring with them. After that I went with the district leader back to his area in Huron and worked with him for the weekend. It was a lot of fun. He's a spanish speaking elder so we visited some spanish speaking people. I mainly played with the kids but I got to help out one to learn english a bit. I'm suprised that I still remember as much spanish I do from taking it in high school, but it certainly helped out this weekend.
We also had an amazing lesson with one of their investigators. After teaching about the gospel we taught about the priesthood and its removal and restoration and she said we hit her with a ton of bricks. She was the first person I've ever taught that has so fully grasped the concept we were teaching. It took her aback and remarked how she never thought that that was even a possibility. For the next 30 minutes of talking and asking questions she was still shocked at the doctrine and thought it very interesting. Almost as we were about to leave she made the observation that now that we had gave her this knowledge she "only had 2 choices left." She didn't say what they were but we believed her to mean to accept the fulness of Christ's gospel or reject it. So hopefully she'll choose the former and get baptized soon!
Anyway, the work is going slow still here in Watertown but that isn't a problem...it just means we have a lot of time to find more people to teach! James isn't progressing the best but is still interested in learning. We think he might have gotten some negative vibes from people at home or at his church. He just needs to read and pray, its so simple...yet remarkably hard for a lot of people.
Anyway, thats about it for now. Today is dang hot and we've been sweating a lot. I can't wait for it too cool off again. Its 80 degrees! Man...hopefully I can acclamte quickly..not fun. But ya, the church is true! Thanks everyone for your support, have a great week!
Love,
Elder Fitt
I love you too sweetie. It sounds like you had a fun trip eating cookies, making peacock's, playing playing playing, having club and tea parties and getting all wet in the ocean! I hope you gave mommy and daddy a big love and told them thank you for bringing you on such a fun trip! I love you and miss you Ashby, be good for the parents!
Love,
Elder Fitt
Dear Gentry,
Elder Fitt Speaking. How are you doing? I'm doing good on my mission. We're working with a nice guy right now who is excited to learn about our church, pretty cool huh? He might get baptized within the next month, we'll see! Ya the Jelly Belly factory is pretty need huh? I remember going there when I was around your age.
So it sounded like you had a fun time hunting with Dad. You're a dang good shot too it sounds like. The squirrel didn't even know he had it coming. That must've been a big lizard to get at 30 yards, or you have really good eyes. Cool beans, I wish I could've gone hunting with you guys too! But I'm out fishing for people out here...so similar...but really different.
Well I'm glad you had a good spring break. Now its time to buckle down and work hard at school so you'll make mom happy (and yourself happy) and you can enjoy your summer to the fullest! I love you bro!
Love,
Elder Fitt
Hi Mom!
It sounds like you all had a pretty eventful trip to California! You should've taken some pictures of the scenery...though that might've made me trunky looking at them, haha. It was too bad to hear about the van, hopefully thing's will work out.
Man I didn't know Julie hurt her shoulder a while back, hopefully the surgery goes went well! Anything else exciting happening?
I'm doing pretty good. I'm healthy and happy and striving to do a little better every day. You might like to hear this: I was on exchange this weekend and at the other Elder's apartment I was looking for something to eat and I was horrified at what I saw. Basically the only food one of the Elders had was comprized of potatoe chips, pop tarts, candy, Lucky Charms, Little Debby treats and whole milk......scary! Luckily I found some carrots and an orange that had been neglected in the fridge and made a good meal of that and a loaf of bread I bought. But geez...I'm glad you taught me to eat healthy, I've really tried to do that out here. The biggest problem is its more expensive...oh well, my health is worth it.
Anyway, thanks for the advice and stories, they help! Some things are looking up in the area and hopefully we'll be able to do some good. Thanks for sending the package...I'm looking forward to it. I've got a lot of lasts coming up, and/or recently just had: last General Conference, last B-day, and last phone call home! Its crazy, but exciting and I hope I can make the most of it. Thanks for all that you do mom! The church is true!
Love,
Elder Fitt
Hello Everyone,
I hope you all had a good week. I'm emailing a day late because we weren't able to email yesterday. I had been in Huron, SD on exchange for the weekend, and we had a district P-day in Brookings, SD for most of the day so we by the time we did that and exchanged back and got home to Watertown there wasn't much time to do all the emails. Anyway, things are going good!
We had zone conference on Friday and it was awesome, as always. The focus was on the Atonement and that is always worth learning more about. It was good to be able to learn more and feel of the strong spirit the Layton's bring with them. After that I went with the district leader back to his area in Huron and worked with him for the weekend. It was a lot of fun. He's a spanish speaking elder so we visited some spanish speaking people. I mainly played with the kids but I got to help out one to learn english a bit. I'm suprised that I still remember as much spanish I do from taking it in high school, but it certainly helped out this weekend.
We also had an amazing lesson with one of their investigators. After teaching about the gospel we taught about the priesthood and its removal and restoration and she said we hit her with a ton of bricks. She was the first person I've ever taught that has so fully grasped the concept we were teaching. It took her aback and remarked how she never thought that that was even a possibility. For the next 30 minutes of talking and asking questions she was still shocked at the doctrine and thought it very interesting. Almost as we were about to leave she made the observation that now that we had gave her this knowledge she "only had 2 choices left." She didn't say what they were but we believed her to mean to accept the fulness of Christ's gospel or reject it. So hopefully she'll choose the former and get baptized soon!
Anyway, the work is going slow still here in Watertown but that isn't a problem...it just means we have a lot of time to find more people to teach! James isn't progressing the best but is still interested in learning. We think he might have gotten some negative vibes from people at home or at his church. He just needs to read and pray, its so simple...yet remarkably hard for a lot of people.
Anyway, thats about it for now. Today is dang hot and we've been sweating a lot. I can't wait for it too cool off again. Its 80 degrees! Man...hopefully I can acclamte quickly..not fun. But ya, the church is true! Thanks everyone for your support, have a great week!
Love,
Elder Fitt
Sunday, April 11, 2010
April 5, 2010
Hello Everyone,
I hope you all had a wonderful Easter sunday! And I hope you had the opportunity to watch all the sessions of conference. They were great! It was a very spirtually innervating conference. Its neat how there is always a theme in the conferences, this one seem to focus a lot on each aspect of the family especially in strengthening it spiritually. There was a lot of warning in this conference whether they said it out front or eluded to it in the talks, but they seemed to have a sense of urgency about them. This life is the time for us to prepare to meet God, and if we don't prepare swiftly we may loose our ability to prepare.
We had a decent week though. It was a little slow but we did get to have some good appointments with people. We're still struggling to find new people to teach and are about to get into our plan to visit all the members in the branch. We did have a great lesson with James last week and we committed him for baptism on the 24th of April! We may have to move it back because that weekend is Stake Conference. The biggest problem was he didn't make it to conference, so hopefully when he had attended his church that morning for their meetings he didn't get any negative messages about our church, and hopefully he just got caught up in the Easter festivities.
Other than that we're doing good. I'm really enjoying the spring weather, its been beautiful here. In the 60's mainly with a nice breeze and almost all the snow is gone. Except for 2 big piles in town. On is probably about 30 feet high and 150 feet in circumference. Its a ton of snow mixed with dirt that they've piled from the course of the winter, and it will probably take another few months to melt.
Other than that things are going good. Not too much to report this week besides being harassed by a drunk. We were teaching a lesson to one of our investigators on his door step and the drunk guy comes up and apparently our investigator knew him and backed up and went inside after a few seconds. They guy tried to talk with us for about Jesus while dropping the F bomb right and left. I tried to leave as quick as possible because I've dealt with enough of these guys before but my companion talked to him a bit, trying to be courteous. I know we're supposed to love one another...but in situations like that you don't care about common courtesy, you tell the guy you have to go and you get the heck out of Dodge, because you have no idea what he is trying to do or wants to do with you. Luckily, our investigator had called the cops so in a few minutes a trooper pulled up and got the guy in his car. He knew the drunk by name...so I'm guessing he has a long history in the area. But that isn't too exciting news because it happened a lot in Rapid...OBEY the word of wisdom! Thats all I have to say, alcohol, drugs, tobacky, baddd stuff.
Anyway, I think I'll end on that beautiful note. The church is true! I testify we are being led by a prophet of God and that as we follow the counsel we have been so richly blessed with this week we will find pure joy and peace in our lives.
Love,
Elder Fitt
I hope you all had a wonderful Easter sunday! And I hope you had the opportunity to watch all the sessions of conference. They were great! It was a very spirtually innervating conference. Its neat how there is always a theme in the conferences, this one seem to focus a lot on each aspect of the family especially in strengthening it spiritually. There was a lot of warning in this conference whether they said it out front or eluded to it in the talks, but they seemed to have a sense of urgency about them. This life is the time for us to prepare to meet God, and if we don't prepare swiftly we may loose our ability to prepare.
We had a decent week though. It was a little slow but we did get to have some good appointments with people. We're still struggling to find new people to teach and are about to get into our plan to visit all the members in the branch. We did have a great lesson with James last week and we committed him for baptism on the 24th of April! We may have to move it back because that weekend is Stake Conference. The biggest problem was he didn't make it to conference, so hopefully when he had attended his church that morning for their meetings he didn't get any negative messages about our church, and hopefully he just got caught up in the Easter festivities.
Other than that we're doing good. I'm really enjoying the spring weather, its been beautiful here. In the 60's mainly with a nice breeze and almost all the snow is gone. Except for 2 big piles in town. On is probably about 30 feet high and 150 feet in circumference. Its a ton of snow mixed with dirt that they've piled from the course of the winter, and it will probably take another few months to melt.
Other than that things are going good. Not too much to report this week besides being harassed by a drunk. We were teaching a lesson to one of our investigators on his door step and the drunk guy comes up and apparently our investigator knew him and backed up and went inside after a few seconds. They guy tried to talk with us for about Jesus while dropping the F bomb right and left. I tried to leave as quick as possible because I've dealt with enough of these guys before but my companion talked to him a bit, trying to be courteous. I know we're supposed to love one another...but in situations like that you don't care about common courtesy, you tell the guy you have to go and you get the heck out of Dodge, because you have no idea what he is trying to do or wants to do with you. Luckily, our investigator had called the cops so in a few minutes a trooper pulled up and got the guy in his car. He knew the drunk by name...so I'm guessing he has a long history in the area. But that isn't too exciting news because it happened a lot in Rapid...OBEY the word of wisdom! Thats all I have to say, alcohol, drugs, tobacky, baddd stuff.
Anyway, I think I'll end on that beautiful note. The church is true! I testify we are being led by a prophet of God and that as we follow the counsel we have been so richly blessed with this week we will find pure joy and peace in our lives.
Love,
Elder Fitt
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Hello from Sunny South Dakota!
Hello Everyone,
We had a pretty good week this week! Transfers were pretty crazy though. The vehicle that was transporting my new companion ran quite a bit late, so I got a fun opportunity to spend some time working in the zone leaders area of Brookings, SD with them. My companion didn't get to Brookings until about 10 pm and they were supposed to be there about 6 hours earlier, but it was good spending time with a bunch of Elders and not feel so isolated.
Well Elder Jones and I have been working to find some new investigators, and we actually were able to get one this past week. His name is James and seems like he could be pretty promising providing his minister doesn't find out that we're visiting with him and feed him some anti material. Hopefully that won't happen. But other than that tracting hasn't been too effective, so we're working with our Branch mission leader to get into every member's home in the branch to share a missionary lesson with them. Hopefully we can get that accomplished but it will be a difficult feat because the branch boundaries spread about 60 miles each direction from Watertown. So it'll be a lot of driving.
We also were able to go home teaching with a member and got to see a lot of the outlying towns in the area. This faithful member's route takes about 5 hours for him to drive to all his appointments... and thats without even visiting the families. Luckily we only did half of it, but man, no one is allowed to complain about their hometeaching route after hearing that! And, almost all of the families are less-active too. But he gets it done every month- what a stud!
Other than that we're enjoying the wonderful spring weather with the sun shining and the temperature which has been in the 50's. Hopefully it'll stay around for a while.
I'm so grateful for this opportunity to serve and the challenges that come with it. What a blessing it is to have trials and to learn from them and overcome them with the help of the Savior. I am grateful for the gospel in my life and know it to be true!
Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Fitt
We had a pretty good week this week! Transfers were pretty crazy though. The vehicle that was transporting my new companion ran quite a bit late, so I got a fun opportunity to spend some time working in the zone leaders area of Brookings, SD with them. My companion didn't get to Brookings until about 10 pm and they were supposed to be there about 6 hours earlier, but it was good spending time with a bunch of Elders and not feel so isolated.
Well Elder Jones and I have been working to find some new investigators, and we actually were able to get one this past week. His name is James and seems like he could be pretty promising providing his minister doesn't find out that we're visiting with him and feed him some anti material. Hopefully that won't happen. But other than that tracting hasn't been too effective, so we're working with our Branch mission leader to get into every member's home in the branch to share a missionary lesson with them. Hopefully we can get that accomplished but it will be a difficult feat because the branch boundaries spread about 60 miles each direction from Watertown. So it'll be a lot of driving.
We also were able to go home teaching with a member and got to see a lot of the outlying towns in the area. This faithful member's route takes about 5 hours for him to drive to all his appointments... and thats without even visiting the families. Luckily we only did half of it, but man, no one is allowed to complain about their hometeaching route after hearing that! And, almost all of the families are less-active too. But he gets it done every month- what a stud!
Other than that we're enjoying the wonderful spring weather with the sun shining and the temperature which has been in the 50's. Hopefully it'll stay around for a while.
I'm so grateful for this opportunity to serve and the challenges that come with it. What a blessing it is to have trials and to learn from them and overcome them with the help of the Savior. I am grateful for the gospel in my life and know it to be true!
Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Fitt
Monday, March 15, 2010
Hello from Watertown
Hello Everyone,
So we had transfer calls this weekend and my companion, Elder Wilson, is going to be leaving me. He's headed off to Dickinson, ND and I'll be getting Elder Jones. Elder Jones was in my district in the MTC so it'll be neat getting to serve with him. We actually had the same room in the residence halls at the MTC, we should get along well.
The work here is going well, though this week was kind of slow like we predicted. Most all of our callbacks from tracting were on spring break last week so it was hard to contact anyone, but hopefully this week will be better. We have been getting some new people to visit and are starting to work with some part member and less active families which is a lot of fun, they're awesome. Its just hard to get them to come to church!
Other than that I don't have too much to report on this week. We're buzzing around today for Elder Wilson so he can say his goodbyes so I'll try to write more next week and share some stories of what is happening. The church is true!
Love,
Elder Fitt
So we had transfer calls this weekend and my companion, Elder Wilson, is going to be leaving me. He's headed off to Dickinson, ND and I'll be getting Elder Jones. Elder Jones was in my district in the MTC so it'll be neat getting to serve with him. We actually had the same room in the residence halls at the MTC, we should get along well.
The work here is going well, though this week was kind of slow like we predicted. Most all of our callbacks from tracting were on spring break last week so it was hard to contact anyone, but hopefully this week will be better. We have been getting some new people to visit and are starting to work with some part member and less active families which is a lot of fun, they're awesome. Its just hard to get them to come to church!
Other than that I don't have too much to report on this week. We're buzzing around today for Elder Wilson so he can say his goodbyes so I'll try to write more next week and share some stories of what is happening. The church is true!
Love,
Elder Fitt
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Hello From Rainy! South Dakota
Hello Everyone,
Its been raining here, YA! I'm way stoked about that, its washing away all the dirt and snow from the winter and cleaning up the place...though I bet we'll get more snow...it is the Dakotas. But I'm doing good. I'm emailing today because we had our P-day moved this week to tuesday from monday because of the district meeting we had today in Brookings, SD, which is 45 miles away.
So I wish I had more time to email now but we got to get heading soon. The work here is progressing and we're starting to get some investigators in our teaching pool which is way exciting.
It was great to hear about Cam & Julie's new baby!! Third grandbaby- way cool, I bet you're excited to go visit them.
I'm really grateful for the wonderful emails you write me. They really give me a boost each week. I love hearing about the family too, they're growing up too fast those fetchers. Oh well. I wish I had more time to write tonight. We had our p-day moved from yesterday to today for just this week because we were having a district meeting in Brookings, SD and it worked better for everyone to work yesterday and have P-day today. But we don't have much time left in the library tonight.
But I just want to tell you how much I love you and appreciate you all. Thinking about it, I'd say one of the most important attributes parents should have is that they help you to feel the love that your Heavenly Parents have for you. You always do that for me. I have always know that you love me and I think I took that for granted for a long time. Being out here has really shown me how incredibly blessed I am to have the family that I have, who cares about each other and isn't always arguing and fighting and backstabbing each other. Thank you so much, you're the best!
I want to testify that this Church is true. At District Meeting today I gave a training on how we can continually improve as missionaries (and it applies for non-missionaries) as well. I got a lot of my ideas from a talk called "The Fourth Missionary" by Elder Corbridge of the 70 when he was a mission president. Its way awesome. But one of the principles that is so crucial to our growth in the gospel is that we follow the common saying "What would Jesus do?" But really thinking about that and applying it in our lives will bring tremendous blessings. At every choice of right or wrong...just think that in your head and I bet 9 times out of 10 you'll pick the right choice. I'd like to write more but we need to head.
I hope you all have a good week!
Love,
Elder Fitt
Its been raining here, YA! I'm way stoked about that, its washing away all the dirt and snow from the winter and cleaning up the place...though I bet we'll get more snow...it is the Dakotas. But I'm doing good. I'm emailing today because we had our P-day moved this week to tuesday from monday because of the district meeting we had today in Brookings, SD, which is 45 miles away.
So I wish I had more time to email now but we got to get heading soon. The work here is progressing and we're starting to get some investigators in our teaching pool which is way exciting.
It was great to hear about Cam & Julie's new baby!! Third grandbaby- way cool, I bet you're excited to go visit them.
I'm really grateful for the wonderful emails you write me. They really give me a boost each week. I love hearing about the family too, they're growing up too fast those fetchers. Oh well. I wish I had more time to write tonight. We had our p-day moved from yesterday to today for just this week because we were having a district meeting in Brookings, SD and it worked better for everyone to work yesterday and have P-day today. But we don't have much time left in the library tonight.
But I just want to tell you how much I love you and appreciate you all. Thinking about it, I'd say one of the most important attributes parents should have is that they help you to feel the love that your Heavenly Parents have for you. You always do that for me. I have always know that you love me and I think I took that for granted for a long time. Being out here has really shown me how incredibly blessed I am to have the family that I have, who cares about each other and isn't always arguing and fighting and backstabbing each other. Thank you so much, you're the best!
I want to testify that this Church is true. At District Meeting today I gave a training on how we can continually improve as missionaries (and it applies for non-missionaries) as well. I got a lot of my ideas from a talk called "The Fourth Missionary" by Elder Corbridge of the 70 when he was a mission president. Its way awesome. But one of the principles that is so crucial to our growth in the gospel is that we follow the common saying "What would Jesus do?" But really thinking about that and applying it in our lives will bring tremendous blessings. At every choice of right or wrong...just think that in your head and I bet 9 times out of 10 you'll pick the right choice. I'd like to write more but we need to head.
I hope you all have a good week!
Love,
Elder Fitt
Monday, March 1, 2010
It's March in South Dakota (and everywhere else too!)
Hello Everyone,
We had a pretty awesome week in Watertown, I hope you all had good weeks. First off we're healthy so we've been able to work, what a blessing that is! We've been able to work a lot with less-actives and members and have been having a lot of success. Its exciting to meet with these people and try to get them back and active in the church. Its a blessing to be a missionary because the less-active members seem to allow missionaries into their homes a lot more than members of their branch because we don't know them and don't have and prior opinions of them. So it allows us to get into places where the members can't.
Next we were able to do a lot of finding this week and we got a lot of people who said we can come back and have a lesson with them so we're way excited about that. I've been praying hard that they their hearts will be open to the promptings of the Spirit and actually let us inside their homes when we visit them again.
Also, its been warming up here!!! Its been 30+ degrees for the past few days and boy has it been nice. Some of the snow is melting and the sun is warm, boy am I ready for spring. Though I am grateful for the cold...because generally it means the summers are as dang hot. You can always put on more layers...but can't keep taking them off, especially as a missionary. Those missionaries in Mexico and South America and such are studs dealing with that heat.
Yesterday we had stake general priesthood meeting and the stake president shared a neat story about his brother and his brother's wife. They were in a laundromat, around 11pm, washing their clothing and all of the sudden two men ran in with guns pointed at them. They ordered the couple to get on the floor and put their hands behind their back. There had been reports of two men doing armed robberies followed by other atrocious and despicable acts. Well one of the men very briefly put his gun on the floor to check the wife's purse and the brother felt the Spirit whisper to him "you need to act now or else you will soon lose the ability to act." So he grabbed the gun that the man set down and had a gun battle with the other man, killing him, while the unarmed one ran out the door. The stake president told us this story to illustrate the point that the Priesthood is the power and authority to act and that as members and missionaries we have that ability. We are not in a position where we are unable to act. What a blessing it is to be able to help those around us and bring them closer to the Savior. I'm grateful for the opportunity that I have to act out here in the name of the Savior to help bring souls to safety. I testify that this work is true! Hopefully I'll be able to get as worn out as my shoes are at the moment...the tread has been gone for the past several months!
Well I don't have any crazy personal stories that has happened this week, but just the continuing conviction that Christ is leading this work and the Spirit is constantly directing us and whispering what we should do. It is such a blessing to have that guidance, because I know I couldn't do any of this without it. I am also grateful for a companion who listens to the Spirit and takes over when it stops whispering to me and starts whispering to him. It is so important to be worthy of that Spirit and I try harder every day to qualify for it more and more.
I hope you all are doing well and are reading and praying and asking Heavenly Father for opportunies to share the gospel. This church is true and it brings such joy to my soul.
Love,
Elder Fitt
We had a pretty awesome week in Watertown, I hope you all had good weeks. First off we're healthy so we've been able to work, what a blessing that is! We've been able to work a lot with less-actives and members and have been having a lot of success. Its exciting to meet with these people and try to get them back and active in the church. Its a blessing to be a missionary because the less-active members seem to allow missionaries into their homes a lot more than members of their branch because we don't know them and don't have and prior opinions of them. So it allows us to get into places where the members can't.
Next we were able to do a lot of finding this week and we got a lot of people who said we can come back and have a lesson with them so we're way excited about that. I've been praying hard that they their hearts will be open to the promptings of the Spirit and actually let us inside their homes when we visit them again.
Also, its been warming up here!!! Its been 30+ degrees for the past few days and boy has it been nice. Some of the snow is melting and the sun is warm, boy am I ready for spring. Though I am grateful for the cold...because generally it means the summers are as dang hot. You can always put on more layers...but can't keep taking them off, especially as a missionary. Those missionaries in Mexico and South America and such are studs dealing with that heat.
Yesterday we had stake general priesthood meeting and the stake president shared a neat story about his brother and his brother's wife. They were in a laundromat, around 11pm, washing their clothing and all of the sudden two men ran in with guns pointed at them. They ordered the couple to get on the floor and put their hands behind their back. There had been reports of two men doing armed robberies followed by other atrocious and despicable acts. Well one of the men very briefly put his gun on the floor to check the wife's purse and the brother felt the Spirit whisper to him "you need to act now or else you will soon lose the ability to act." So he grabbed the gun that the man set down and had a gun battle with the other man, killing him, while the unarmed one ran out the door. The stake president told us this story to illustrate the point that the Priesthood is the power and authority to act and that as members and missionaries we have that ability. We are not in a position where we are unable to act. What a blessing it is to be able to help those around us and bring them closer to the Savior. I'm grateful for the opportunity that I have to act out here in the name of the Savior to help bring souls to safety. I testify that this work is true! Hopefully I'll be able to get as worn out as my shoes are at the moment...the tread has been gone for the past several months!
Well I don't have any crazy personal stories that has happened this week, but just the continuing conviction that Christ is leading this work and the Spirit is constantly directing us and whispering what we should do. It is such a blessing to have that guidance, because I know I couldn't do any of this without it. I am also grateful for a companion who listens to the Spirit and takes over when it stops whispering to me and starts whispering to him. It is so important to be worthy of that Spirit and I try harder every day to qualify for it more and more.
I hope you all are doing well and are reading and praying and asking Heavenly Father for opportunies to share the gospel. This church is true and it brings such joy to my soul.
Love,
Elder Fitt
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Happy Valentine's Day From Watertown SD!
Hello Everyone,
I hope you all are well. We've gotten a good amount of snow here in South Dakota this week, enough to cancel church on Sunday. That was too bad, but most of the branch lives out of town so there was no way for them to make it.
Elder Wilson and I were sick for most of last week but we're both on the mend. So last week was a little slow not being able to work as much, but I'm excited for this week, especially since we have zone conference on Thursday! I'm way excited. Except for the fact that 12 missionaries will be staying the night in our apartment, say goodbye to all our food! It'll be fun though...because I'll have my own bed, haha.
I wish I had more to report on this week but not too much happened. We did some good ol' deep cleaning in our apartment, and a member that is realy close with the missionaries came over and helped a little so we offered to help him clean his apartment. Lets just say that hes a 39 year old bachelor living in an old, apartment. Ya it was crazy. We filled up our vacuum in about a 10 square foot area. It was nuts, luckily its the kind that doesn't use a bag and you just empty the container. We still aren't done at his place but we're going to keep helping him and help him be more clean. The place reminds me somewhat of Aunt Toda's...though most you won't know what that means.
Anyway, I am so grateful to be able to serve. The Lord has so many blessings in store for us but we have to want them, and we have to strive for them. Action! Action! Action! The gospel is all about action and the Lord helps those who help themselves. Some people out there aren't able to help themselves, either they're too tired, or lost, or whatever, so we must help them as well. We're all in this together. Now let us go out and be the answer to someone's prayers!
Love,
Elder Fitt
I hope you all are well. We've gotten a good amount of snow here in South Dakota this week, enough to cancel church on Sunday. That was too bad, but most of the branch lives out of town so there was no way for them to make it.
Elder Wilson and I were sick for most of last week but we're both on the mend. So last week was a little slow not being able to work as much, but I'm excited for this week, especially since we have zone conference on Thursday! I'm way excited. Except for the fact that 12 missionaries will be staying the night in our apartment, say goodbye to all our food! It'll be fun though...because I'll have my own bed, haha.
I wish I had more to report on this week but not too much happened. We did some good ol' deep cleaning in our apartment, and a member that is realy close with the missionaries came over and helped a little so we offered to help him clean his apartment. Lets just say that hes a 39 year old bachelor living in an old, apartment. Ya it was crazy. We filled up our vacuum in about a 10 square foot area. It was nuts, luckily its the kind that doesn't use a bag and you just empty the container. We still aren't done at his place but we're going to keep helping him and help him be more clean. The place reminds me somewhat of Aunt Toda's...though most you won't know what that means.
Anyway, I am so grateful to be able to serve. The Lord has so many blessings in store for us but we have to want them, and we have to strive for them. Action! Action! Action! The gospel is all about action and the Lord helps those who help themselves. Some people out there aren't able to help themselves, either they're too tired, or lost, or whatever, so we must help them as well. We're all in this together. Now let us go out and be the answer to someone's prayers!
Love,
Elder Fitt
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Hello From Watertown South Dakota!
Hello Everyone,
I hope all is going well. SO we had a pretty good week here in Watertown. It was fun meeting a ton of new people and terrible having to start driving in a grid based town, I hate grids! Anyway, I got to Watertown late Tuesday night because the transfer train was about 3 hours late. Actually I had to drive the truck that was following the transfer train, which turned out to be at least another hour late. So then I had to drive from Fargo to Sisseton, SD and drop off a greenie and pick up the guy he was replacing. Then we drove down to Watertown and got there about 10pm. It was a long day.
The apartment here is nice. Its good sized, but its always hot and we're in the basement! But its good. The weather is a bit warmer here than MN, but still cold. Its 0 degrees today but it has been in the 30's. My companion is a lot of fun. We get along well. His name is Elder Wilson and he's a convert of a few years, pretty awesome. I am missing people from Detroit Lakes but I have their information and will keep in touch with them.
I'm glad everyone liked the pictures...probably because they never see any so when the finally get some its awesome! Haha. Hopefully sharing the photobucket account will be helpful for others.
Man its hard to start talking about what happened because so much did! Hmm well we helped a part member, less active family get their house in order because of some stuff that is going on with them. It was pretty interesting, I cleaned so many dishes! It was nuts. They have a totally ghetto fireplace...it's just two 57 gallon drums that are attached together with a 1 foot tube. It's sitting right in the middle of their kitchen...ya totally not safe. But it puts out ridiculous amounts of heat.
We also went out teaching with a member named Walter, he was pretty cool. We found some new investigators in the process which could turn out to be pretty good. Their names are Rod and Theresa.
What else happened...we both got sick! Elder Wilson, my new companion, has been coughing and hacking for the past 4 days or so and I recently have had a really bad sore throat and things don't seem to be getting much better. We'll see what happens, I hope it goes away soon. And if not I guess I'll have to take advantage of that new-fangled stuff called medicine... psh who uses that anyway? Oh wait I do... since I've been getting massive headaches all week. Ibuprofen is amazing. But I'm not complaining, headaches are the norm.
Back to missionary work, church on Sunday was awesome! The members here are really cool. I'm excited to start working with them. The area is really neat. Watertown is the 4th largest city in South Dakota with a whopping 21,000 or so population! Thats smaller than EDH.
Anyway, I hope all is well and that you all got to see those pictures I sent out. The church is true!
Love,
Elder Fitt
I hope all is going well. SO we had a pretty good week here in Watertown. It was fun meeting a ton of new people and terrible having to start driving in a grid based town, I hate grids! Anyway, I got to Watertown late Tuesday night because the transfer train was about 3 hours late. Actually I had to drive the truck that was following the transfer train, which turned out to be at least another hour late. So then I had to drive from Fargo to Sisseton, SD and drop off a greenie and pick up the guy he was replacing. Then we drove down to Watertown and got there about 10pm. It was a long day.
The apartment here is nice. Its good sized, but its always hot and we're in the basement! But its good. The weather is a bit warmer here than MN, but still cold. Its 0 degrees today but it has been in the 30's. My companion is a lot of fun. We get along well. His name is Elder Wilson and he's a convert of a few years, pretty awesome. I am missing people from Detroit Lakes but I have their information and will keep in touch with them.
I'm glad everyone liked the pictures...probably because they never see any so when the finally get some its awesome! Haha. Hopefully sharing the photobucket account will be helpful for others.
Man its hard to start talking about what happened because so much did! Hmm well we helped a part member, less active family get their house in order because of some stuff that is going on with them. It was pretty interesting, I cleaned so many dishes! It was nuts. They have a totally ghetto fireplace...it's just two 57 gallon drums that are attached together with a 1 foot tube. It's sitting right in the middle of their kitchen...ya totally not safe. But it puts out ridiculous amounts of heat.
We also went out teaching with a member named Walter, he was pretty cool. We found some new investigators in the process which could turn out to be pretty good. Their names are Rod and Theresa.
What else happened...we both got sick! Elder Wilson, my new companion, has been coughing and hacking for the past 4 days or so and I recently have had a really bad sore throat and things don't seem to be getting much better. We'll see what happens, I hope it goes away soon. And if not I guess I'll have to take advantage of that new-fangled stuff called medicine... psh who uses that anyway? Oh wait I do... since I've been getting massive headaches all week. Ibuprofen is amazing. But I'm not complaining, headaches are the norm.
Back to missionary work, church on Sunday was awesome! The members here are really cool. I'm excited to start working with them. The area is really neat. Watertown is the 4th largest city in South Dakota with a whopping 21,000 or so population! Thats smaller than EDH.
Anyway, I hope all is well and that you all got to see those pictures I sent out. The church is true!
Love,
Elder Fitt
Thursday, January 28, 2010
A Short Hello From Minnesota!
Hi Everyone!
So the library was closed again on our P-day so I don't have much time to email today unfortunately. A storm hit us on Friday and lasted until yesterday, it seems to be cleared up now. We got a good amount of snow and it blew around a lot so travel wasn't advised...but that didn't stop us! However, it did slow the work down a lot, and church was even cancelled, which was lame. The biggest problem was most of the side roads weren't plowed, but we could get around town just fine. Since the library was closed yesterday and the town was shut down, we went to the Valdez's and played with the kids in the snow. They were working on an igloo and it was a lot of fun. I got some good pictures.
We did have a pretty good week, well interesting would be a better word. Lots of good things happened. And yes, I'm staying warm. Luckily when I got to DL some missionaries had left a nice pair of warm boots and some good gloves, so I've been blessed. I'd like to tell more about the family with 4 kids but we weren't able to get in with them last week unfortunately. Hopefully we can this week. The Perez's are doing well but Sister Perez got bronchitis...I think, so we haven't seen them for a few weeks. Keith kind of same story, haven't got to get in with him because of weather and work. But we're trying! We did get to meet with some less-actives though and a couple that I have been working with since I got here finally committed to come to church at least twice a month. So hopefully they'll be able to follow through.
We had zone conference this week and it was awesome. We had a lot of good trainings, rebukings and lovings, so it was great. President Layton gave a really awesome training on the importance of the phrase "will you" and how to use it effectively. Basically...thats all you do, haha. President Layton showed us a video of a talk that was given by V. Dallas Merrell (I think his name was) about "will you" and it was really powerful. He told about experiences where he used that phrase with people he didn't know and many baptisms, reactivations, priesthood ordinations and temple recommends resulted. It was awesome. We were also challenged by our zone leaders to commit everyone we teach for baptism, at the first lesson.
Mom, I liked the story about the baby horse you related from your Stake RS Enrichment meeting. Our Father in Heaven truly looks out for us. I heard a similar story on the Joseph Smith lectures CD by Truman Madsen. He's telling a story about when the Prophet and others were meeting in the 'School of the Prophets." Well they were all going around and giving their dissertations and knowledge on faith. The last person to get up and speak his mind was Heber C. Kimball. He said how he couldn't add anymore scriptures or insight to what had already been said, so instead he told a story. It was about his little daughter who was told by her mother to not touch the china plates on the table. Her mother told her if she broke the plates she'd whip her. Her mother left for a little while and the little girl didn't obey her mother. She played with the plates and broke them. She was scared and sad and ran outside and prayed to Heavenly Father. When her mom got back, she was furious. She grabbed the girl and got her into position to give her a whipping and then she broke down and started crying. The daughter took her mother by the face and looked into her eyes and said, "Oh, Mommy, I prayed to the Lord that you wouldn't whip me, I'm sorry, I'm sorry I broke the dishes!" My typing doesn't do the story justice, but after Heber C. Kimball told that story he sat down and Joseph Smith stood up and told the brethren that was the kind of faith THEY needed to have. It was a powerful story.
BTW, President told me in our interview that I'm most likely leaving next transfer- a week from today, unless the Lord says otherwise. So all you that are planning on sending me packages or letters this week (haha) do so through the mission office address:
2525 W Main #311
Rapid City, SD 57702
Well, thats about all I have time for today, I hope you all are well! The Church is true!
Love,
Elder Fitt
--------------------------------------
(From Gina's letter to Elder Fitt) The highlight of my week was Saturday. There was a Stake RS Enrichment meeting for all the women with keynote speakers and breakout sessions followed by lunch. It was awesome! There were a couple of things that really touched me. One old gal spoke. She's single and has never been married. She was a professor at BYU and executive assistant to the president for over 25 years and she is quite the scriptorian- well she got paid by BYU to be one for 25 years! Anyway, she talked about when she was 9 years old growing up on a horse ranch in AZ. One of the mares was pregnant. The foal was going to be her very own horse. A month before the foal's birth the mare was struck in the eye by a rope on a gate and blinded. The day the foal was born, the girl's father called her home from school to be present at the birth. After the foal was born, the father left the barn to get some hot water leaving the girl alone with the mare and foal. The mare rolled over to try to stand up, but because she couldn't see, she rolled on top of the baby horse and crushed it. When the father came back, he helped the mare off the baby. But it was dead. Father left the little girl alone with the foal's body to mourn. The gal said "I picked up that little warm wet body in my arms and cried my eyes out. I prayed with ALL my heart that Heavenly Father would bless that little foal to return to life. In a few minutes it started moving in my arms. The foal lived. My father said there is nothing as powerful as the prayers of the faithful." That experience really touched my heart because it helped me to realize that Heavenly Father really does know each one of us and He does love us and longs to bless us. It helped me to understand the importance of caring deeply enough to pray with complete earnestness and sincerety. The deepest heartfelt longings of our souls are the prayers which reach the highest towards Heaven. God truly blesses us as we diligently seek Him.
So the library was closed again on our P-day so I don't have much time to email today unfortunately. A storm hit us on Friday and lasted until yesterday, it seems to be cleared up now. We got a good amount of snow and it blew around a lot so travel wasn't advised...but that didn't stop us! However, it did slow the work down a lot, and church was even cancelled, which was lame. The biggest problem was most of the side roads weren't plowed, but we could get around town just fine. Since the library was closed yesterday and the town was shut down, we went to the Valdez's and played with the kids in the snow. They were working on an igloo and it was a lot of fun. I got some good pictures.
We did have a pretty good week, well interesting would be a better word. Lots of good things happened. And yes, I'm staying warm. Luckily when I got to DL some missionaries had left a nice pair of warm boots and some good gloves, so I've been blessed. I'd like to tell more about the family with 4 kids but we weren't able to get in with them last week unfortunately. Hopefully we can this week. The Perez's are doing well but Sister Perez got bronchitis...I think, so we haven't seen them for a few weeks. Keith kind of same story, haven't got to get in with him because of weather and work. But we're trying! We did get to meet with some less-actives though and a couple that I have been working with since I got here finally committed to come to church at least twice a month. So hopefully they'll be able to follow through.
We had zone conference this week and it was awesome. We had a lot of good trainings, rebukings and lovings, so it was great. President Layton gave a really awesome training on the importance of the phrase "will you" and how to use it effectively. Basically...thats all you do, haha. President Layton showed us a video of a talk that was given by V. Dallas Merrell (I think his name was) about "will you" and it was really powerful. He told about experiences where he used that phrase with people he didn't know and many baptisms, reactivations, priesthood ordinations and temple recommends resulted. It was awesome. We were also challenged by our zone leaders to commit everyone we teach for baptism, at the first lesson.
Mom, I liked the story about the baby horse you related from your Stake RS Enrichment meeting. Our Father in Heaven truly looks out for us. I heard a similar story on the Joseph Smith lectures CD by Truman Madsen. He's telling a story about when the Prophet and others were meeting in the 'School of the Prophets." Well they were all going around and giving their dissertations and knowledge on faith. The last person to get up and speak his mind was Heber C. Kimball. He said how he couldn't add anymore scriptures or insight to what had already been said, so instead he told a story. It was about his little daughter who was told by her mother to not touch the china plates on the table. Her mother told her if she broke the plates she'd whip her. Her mother left for a little while and the little girl didn't obey her mother. She played with the plates and broke them. She was scared and sad and ran outside and prayed to Heavenly Father. When her mom got back, she was furious. She grabbed the girl and got her into position to give her a whipping and then she broke down and started crying. The daughter took her mother by the face and looked into her eyes and said, "Oh, Mommy, I prayed to the Lord that you wouldn't whip me, I'm sorry, I'm sorry I broke the dishes!" My typing doesn't do the story justice, but after Heber C. Kimball told that story he sat down and Joseph Smith stood up and told the brethren that was the kind of faith THEY needed to have. It was a powerful story.
BTW, President told me in our interview that I'm most likely leaving next transfer- a week from today, unless the Lord says otherwise. So all you that are planning on sending me packages or letters this week (haha) do so through the mission office address:
2525 W Main #311
Rapid City, SD 57702
Well, thats about all I have time for today, I hope you all are well! The Church is true!
Love,
Elder Fitt
--------------------------------------
(From Gina's letter to Elder Fitt) The highlight of my week was Saturday. There was a Stake RS Enrichment meeting for all the women with keynote speakers and breakout sessions followed by lunch. It was awesome! There were a couple of things that really touched me. One old gal spoke. She's single and has never been married. She was a professor at BYU and executive assistant to the president for over 25 years and she is quite the scriptorian- well she got paid by BYU to be one for 25 years! Anyway, she talked about when she was 9 years old growing up on a horse ranch in AZ. One of the mares was pregnant. The foal was going to be her very own horse. A month before the foal's birth the mare was struck in the eye by a rope on a gate and blinded. The day the foal was born, the girl's father called her home from school to be present at the birth. After the foal was born, the father left the barn to get some hot water leaving the girl alone with the mare and foal. The mare rolled over to try to stand up, but because she couldn't see, she rolled on top of the baby horse and crushed it. When the father came back, he helped the mare off the baby. But it was dead. Father left the little girl alone with the foal's body to mourn. The gal said "I picked up that little warm wet body in my arms and cried my eyes out. I prayed with ALL my heart that Heavenly Father would bless that little foal to return to life. In a few minutes it started moving in my arms. The foal lived. My father said there is nothing as powerful as the prayers of the faithful." That experience really touched my heart because it helped me to realize that Heavenly Father really does know each one of us and He does love us and longs to bless us. It helped me to understand the importance of caring deeply enough to pray with complete earnestness and sincerety. The deepest heartfelt longings of our souls are the prayers which reach the highest towards Heaven. God truly blesses us as we diligently seek Him.
Monday, January 11, 2010
January 11, 2010
Hello Everyone,
How's it going? Things here are pretty good. The weather was pretty dang chilly last week but its supposed to get warmer this week for a January Thaw. Too bad it won't last though, it'll all just refreeze shortly after, but the warmth of possible above freezing (32 degrees) weather will be nice. Thats short sleeve weather (provided theres no wind)!
Lets see, not too much happened this week out of the ordinary. It was slow like usual, which is unfortunate. A lot of people that we work with are having their schedules changed around because of people quitting and other reasons so it has been tough to meet with them. But we're gonna keep trying, obviously. We were able to make some more progress with Keith, and he's been reading from the Book of Mormon! Way awesome, not many investigators actually crack it open, at least in my experience (maybe thats my fault?). But he's been taking it to work becasue his supervisor told him to stop bringing his bible because it influences other people to be Christian (he works at a group home) SOO he's been taking the Book of Mormon to read during breaks because it ISN'T the bible so they can't tell him to stop, haha ya pretty cool. He's doing well though.
We were also able to meet with the Perez's a bit and they said they still want to hold off on baptism, which is fine because they still are considering it but are waiting for a solid spiritual confirmation. But they really want to learn and we finally have some spanish speaking support which helps lot. So thats good and we're gonna keep working with them, thats all you can do.
So crazy story this week. The garages for our apartment building caught on fire this week! Some dodo was trying to heat his engine up by putting a propane heater underneath it and he left it unattended. Something caught on fire which ended up torching 3-4 of the garages and not only destoying his car but badly damaging 2 others. Luckily there was fireproof sheetrock installed which stopped the fire spreading further down the row. Our garage is at the very end so we still had 5-6 garages inbetween ours and the fire, which is nice, though most of the stuff in our garage got badly smokedamage so we'll have to trash them. But luckily it was mostly just papers and pamphlets. My bike got a nice new black finish to it though!
So thats the exciting news for the week. But I did have a really neat experience at church. I won't go too much into detail but I had an overwhelming feeling of God's love for all of us and that came through observing and interacting with some sweet little children. I couldn't stop smiling all through Sacrament meeting because of all the little children, especially a little or 3 year old girl that was playing peek-a-boo with me. It made me think about the Savior and his love for little children. Then it made me think about the Prophet Joseph Smith and his love for little children. They are embodiments of purity, innocence and love. No wonder we are told to become childlike. And that also made me remember a talk I was listening too. The speaker remarked on how little children completely trust their parents. I think that's something we lose as we grow older, and one of the most important things we should to strive to develope, complete trust in our Father in Heaven. There is much to be learned from little children that we sadly unlearn as we grow up. But thats why we have this time to learn and grow our testimonies and help others do so as well.
Well I'll get off my soapbox and hope you all have a great week!
Love,
Elder Fitt
How's it going? Things here are pretty good. The weather was pretty dang chilly last week but its supposed to get warmer this week for a January Thaw. Too bad it won't last though, it'll all just refreeze shortly after, but the warmth of possible above freezing (32 degrees) weather will be nice. Thats short sleeve weather (provided theres no wind)!
Lets see, not too much happened this week out of the ordinary. It was slow like usual, which is unfortunate. A lot of people that we work with are having their schedules changed around because of people quitting and other reasons so it has been tough to meet with them. But we're gonna keep trying, obviously. We were able to make some more progress with Keith, and he's been reading from the Book of Mormon! Way awesome, not many investigators actually crack it open, at least in my experience (maybe thats my fault?). But he's been taking it to work becasue his supervisor told him to stop bringing his bible because it influences other people to be Christian (he works at a group home) SOO he's been taking the Book of Mormon to read during breaks because it ISN'T the bible so they can't tell him to stop, haha ya pretty cool. He's doing well though.
We were also able to meet with the Perez's a bit and they said they still want to hold off on baptism, which is fine because they still are considering it but are waiting for a solid spiritual confirmation. But they really want to learn and we finally have some spanish speaking support which helps lot. So thats good and we're gonna keep working with them, thats all you can do.
So crazy story this week. The garages for our apartment building caught on fire this week! Some dodo was trying to heat his engine up by putting a propane heater underneath it and he left it unattended. Something caught on fire which ended up torching 3-4 of the garages and not only destoying his car but badly damaging 2 others. Luckily there was fireproof sheetrock installed which stopped the fire spreading further down the row. Our garage is at the very end so we still had 5-6 garages inbetween ours and the fire, which is nice, though most of the stuff in our garage got badly smokedamage so we'll have to trash them. But luckily it was mostly just papers and pamphlets. My bike got a nice new black finish to it though!
So thats the exciting news for the week. But I did have a really neat experience at church. I won't go too much into detail but I had an overwhelming feeling of God's love for all of us and that came through observing and interacting with some sweet little children. I couldn't stop smiling all through Sacrament meeting because of all the little children, especially a little or 3 year old girl that was playing peek-a-boo with me. It made me think about the Savior and his love for little children. Then it made me think about the Prophet Joseph Smith and his love for little children. They are embodiments of purity, innocence and love. No wonder we are told to become childlike. And that also made me remember a talk I was listening too. The speaker remarked on how little children completely trust their parents. I think that's something we lose as we grow older, and one of the most important things we should to strive to develope, complete trust in our Father in Heaven. There is much to be learned from little children that we sadly unlearn as we grow up. But thats why we have this time to learn and grow our testimonies and help others do so as well.
Well I'll get off my soapbox and hope you all have a great week!
Love,
Elder Fitt
January 4, 2010
Hello Everyone,
I hope you're all excited for this new year as I am. Its a time to start changing for the better. This year is going to be great! We had a slow week last week but the holidays are over with and the people here have no more excuses to dodge our appointments...unless we're snowed in or something. But we're looking forward to a new slate.
We were blessed to able to to soft commit the Perez family for baptism on sunday. That means that they are going to pray about it and we'll see how that goes when we visit them next. They seemed excited to do so and began asking questions and what they have to do to be baptized and what is required of them. The only problem might be coffee for the husband, Alvaro, but we're praying that they'll be sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit and that they'll accept the Lord's will for them.
We found out that Stephanie's mom kinda intimidating her out of asking for permission for baptism. She still wants to be is scared to ask. So we told her to keep praying about it to see if the Lord wants her to ask now or wait until she's 18. But she still loves coming to church and has been really consistent.
Other than that we're trying to contact and work with the callbacks that we've gotten recently. Its been tough with the holidays but hopefully we'll be able to find them home now.
I hope everyone is working hard to have missionary experiences to help move this work along. Some of the members were thinking about ways to help us do our job better and some were saying that they should make a goal to go teaching with us more. Though that is good, we already have a good support with that. What the full-time missionaries want, and what we told them, was that rather we'd have them make a goal to have a family or friend taught in their home by the missionaries. So I'm going to challenge each of you to pray and ask the Lord for guidance to find an individual or family to be taught in your home by the missionaries by the end of March. That gives plenty of time to figure it out, fellowship them and break the ice to invite them to listen to the missionaries. I can promise you that the Lord will pour out his blessings upon you and that you will feel a greater love in your homes, families, and individual lives as you help another child of God along the path that leads to eternal life. So I'm challenging you all do that and would love to hear of any experiences you have regarding that in the future. I know this work is true and the Lord is guiding it. All we have to do is follow the Spirit and have the courage to open our mouths.
Love,
Elder Fitt
I hope you're all excited for this new year as I am. Its a time to start changing for the better. This year is going to be great! We had a slow week last week but the holidays are over with and the people here have no more excuses to dodge our appointments...unless we're snowed in or something. But we're looking forward to a new slate.
We were blessed to able to to soft commit the Perez family for baptism on sunday. That means that they are going to pray about it and we'll see how that goes when we visit them next. They seemed excited to do so and began asking questions and what they have to do to be baptized and what is required of them. The only problem might be coffee for the husband, Alvaro, but we're praying that they'll be sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit and that they'll accept the Lord's will for them.
We found out that Stephanie's mom kinda intimidating her out of asking for permission for baptism. She still wants to be is scared to ask. So we told her to keep praying about it to see if the Lord wants her to ask now or wait until she's 18. But she still loves coming to church and has been really consistent.
Other than that we're trying to contact and work with the callbacks that we've gotten recently. Its been tough with the holidays but hopefully we'll be able to find them home now.
I hope everyone is working hard to have missionary experiences to help move this work along. Some of the members were thinking about ways to help us do our job better and some were saying that they should make a goal to go teaching with us more. Though that is good, we already have a good support with that. What the full-time missionaries want, and what we told them, was that rather we'd have them make a goal to have a family or friend taught in their home by the missionaries. So I'm going to challenge each of you to pray and ask the Lord for guidance to find an individual or family to be taught in your home by the missionaries by the end of March. That gives plenty of time to figure it out, fellowship them and break the ice to invite them to listen to the missionaries. I can promise you that the Lord will pour out his blessings upon you and that you will feel a greater love in your homes, families, and individual lives as you help another child of God along the path that leads to eternal life. So I'm challenging you all do that and would love to hear of any experiences you have regarding that in the future. I know this work is true and the Lord is guiding it. All we have to do is follow the Spirit and have the courage to open our mouths.
Love,
Elder Fitt
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