Another week, another baptism! A wonderful guy named Paul Johnson overcame all the odds and was baptized yesterday! I would send a picture, but I forgot my camera. He has been investigating the church on and off for almost 2 years! Due to recent events in his life, he realized the importance that this message has.
Over the past 3 weeks I have been able to watch his testimony grow and grow! It's wonderful! Speaking of growing testimonies, We sat down with another investigator named Josh this last week, and we watched the Testaments with him (great movie!). We had been teaching him, and though he was a solid investigator, who remembered most things that we told him, he had yet to pray about the Book of Mormon, so he hadn't decided whether he believed it or not.
Before we started watching this movie, he said that he had prayed about the Book of Mormon, and he felt good, but he wasn't convinced that was his answer. So we sat down and watched the Testaments with him. When the movie ended, Brother Capall (our ward mission leader) was in tears, I was (embarrassingly) in tears! But most importantly, JOSH was in tears! Afterwords Elder Sheppard asked him if he thought the Book of Mormon was true, and without a moments hesitation he said "Yes, I know this is the word of God". AMAZING!
I just wanted to take what little time I have remaining, and talk about Cole Kem. Cole Kem was married to a member of the church, but because she married outside of the Church, she had trouble staying active, and eventually gave in to inactivity. When the missionaries started talking to the Kems, Cole had no belief in God. He was convinced there was no God, and the missionaries struggled for two years to convince him there was. Cole Kem was baptized 3 weeks ago, and he has one of the strongest testimonies I've ever heard. He was even asked to speak at Paul Johnson's baptism, and he did amazingly. I have never seen someone so truly converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ than Cole Kem, who was formerly an Atheist. Its really encouraged me to step up my faith, and recognize all the miracles that God has preformed for me.
Well it looks as if I'm out of time, but I love you all!
Elder Keenan Monnett
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Miracles Galore
Our God is a God of miracles, of this there is no doubt. Though as stated in Mormon 9:21 we must "...believeth in Christ, doubting nothing..." And its when we show that faith that miracles happen.
Let me tell everyone the story of Diana. Diana is a 12 year old girl, who is part of a part member family (her mom and her 15 year old sister are members, she's not.) When Diana was 9 years old the missionaries tried to teach her, so she could be baptized, but due to lack of motivation on her parents part, all progress stopped, and the missionaries dropped her. When Elder Sheppard and I had gotten to Salida for the first night, we knew next to nothing about the area, and he felt inclined to go visit this house (as Diana was one of the people he had taught when he was in this area a year and a half ago). When we got to the house, the mother invited us in and called Diana out. Little 12 year old Diana came out on crutches, with her leg wrapped in bandages. Her mother then proceeded to tell us the story about how Diana had been riding her bike to school one morning when a car took a corner to fast and hit her. She was care flighted to a hospital in Sacramento. When the Doctors inspected her leg, they saw it was infected, and told Diana's mom that they would have to remove most, if not all, of her calf muscle, and they would have to perform a skin graft on her leg. They told her it would be a long time before Diana could walk again, and her leg would never be the same.
Diana's mom was crushed, and though it had been years since she had been to church, the first person she decided to call was the bishop. She called the bishop, and in tears told him what was going to happen, and requested a priesthood blessing for Diana. The bishop got in contact with missionaries in Sacramento, and sent them over the hospital, so that Diana could receive that priesthood blessing. I'll likely never meet Elder Walker and Elder Grashong, but because of the faith that they, and Diana and her mother had, what happened next is something truly amazing. The morning after Diana received her priesthood blessing, her Doctor came in to check on her leg, before this life changing surgery was to take place. The Doctor inspected her leg, and, finding no trace of infection, called in another doctor to double check. That Doctor called in another, and another, and another, until there were five doctors standing around Diana's leg, marveling. Finally the lead Doctor turned to Diana's mom and said "Ma'am, do you believe in Miracles?" Diana's mom (who was in tears at this point telling the story) then bore her (incredibly powerful) testimony, and said she wanted Diana baptized as soon as possible. Diana agreed, and she has a date set for April 10th. Way AWESOME!
She even showed us her leg, it looked sweet! I told her to give me a picture of it to send home. But now with Diana we've run into another problem, one that we need your prayers for. Diana recently visited with her Doctor, and he told her to keep her leg out of water until the 24th of April. Diana has been promised that if she prepared herself for baptism, her leg would not be a problem, so we need your prayers! Pray that Diana will be healed for her baptism on April 10th! Thank you!
So along with that, things in Salida are going great. We have found quite a few people to teach, all of whom we've committed to baptism! I wish I could say that this was because I'm such a great missionary, but I can't, because a lot of it is Elder Sheppard, who is infinitely more experienced than I am, and a much better teacher, but even more so is the spirit, the greatest teacher of all. Most people we teach don't remember a thing we teach them, but they do remember the spirit that they felt, and that is what is most important. We've just moved into our new apartment, so no more long bike rides to Salida from Modesto. Not to mention that we currently reside in the most expensive apartment in the mission. I am certainly far from complaining.
Thank you all for your love and support. Those who haven't, WRITE ME! I love you all!
Elder Keenan Monnett
Let me tell everyone the story of Diana. Diana is a 12 year old girl, who is part of a part member family (her mom and her 15 year old sister are members, she's not.) When Diana was 9 years old the missionaries tried to teach her, so she could be baptized, but due to lack of motivation on her parents part, all progress stopped, and the missionaries dropped her. When Elder Sheppard and I had gotten to Salida for the first night, we knew next to nothing about the area, and he felt inclined to go visit this house (as Diana was one of the people he had taught when he was in this area a year and a half ago). When we got to the house, the mother invited us in and called Diana out. Little 12 year old Diana came out on crutches, with her leg wrapped in bandages. Her mother then proceeded to tell us the story about how Diana had been riding her bike to school one morning when a car took a corner to fast and hit her. She was care flighted to a hospital in Sacramento. When the Doctors inspected her leg, they saw it was infected, and told Diana's mom that they would have to remove most, if not all, of her calf muscle, and they would have to perform a skin graft on her leg. They told her it would be a long time before Diana could walk again, and her leg would never be the same.
Diana's mom was crushed, and though it had been years since she had been to church, the first person she decided to call was the bishop. She called the bishop, and in tears told him what was going to happen, and requested a priesthood blessing for Diana. The bishop got in contact with missionaries in Sacramento, and sent them over the hospital, so that Diana could receive that priesthood blessing. I'll likely never meet Elder Walker and Elder Grashong, but because of the faith that they, and Diana and her mother had, what happened next is something truly amazing. The morning after Diana received her priesthood blessing, her Doctor came in to check on her leg, before this life changing surgery was to take place. The Doctor inspected her leg, and, finding no trace of infection, called in another doctor to double check. That Doctor called in another, and another, and another, until there were five doctors standing around Diana's leg, marveling. Finally the lead Doctor turned to Diana's mom and said "Ma'am, do you believe in Miracles?" Diana's mom (who was in tears at this point telling the story) then bore her (incredibly powerful) testimony, and said she wanted Diana baptized as soon as possible. Diana agreed, and she has a date set for April 10th. Way AWESOME!
She even showed us her leg, it looked sweet! I told her to give me a picture of it to send home. But now with Diana we've run into another problem, one that we need your prayers for. Diana recently visited with her Doctor, and he told her to keep her leg out of water until the 24th of April. Diana has been promised that if she prepared herself for baptism, her leg would not be a problem, so we need your prayers! Pray that Diana will be healed for her baptism on April 10th! Thank you!
So along with that, things in Salida are going great. We have found quite a few people to teach, all of whom we've committed to baptism! I wish I could say that this was because I'm such a great missionary, but I can't, because a lot of it is Elder Sheppard, who is infinitely more experienced than I am, and a much better teacher, but even more so is the spirit, the greatest teacher of all. Most people we teach don't remember a thing we teach them, but they do remember the spirit that they felt, and that is what is most important. We've just moved into our new apartment, so no more long bike rides to Salida from Modesto. Not to mention that we currently reside in the most expensive apartment in the mission. I am certainly far from complaining.
Thank you all for your love and support. Those who haven't, WRITE ME! I love you all!
Elder Keenan Monnett
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
"Thou shalt not worship idols"
I feel like I'm breaking that commandment when I pray to the porcelain gods. But we'll get to that in a second.
SO! The exciting days of transfers have come and gone, and I am in my new area, SALIDA!!!! So, a little back history on Salida. The Salida ward used to be part of the Modesto 1st ward. Apparently the members of the Salida ward didn't like this too much, and rejoiced greatly when the Wards where split. However, the Salida area was not considered fruitful enough to have its own pair of missionaries, so the Modesto 1st elders continued to cover the Salida ward. Unfortunately, this proved too much area for just two elders to handle, and after several years of investigators falling through the cracks, they decided to make Salida its own area. That's where I come in, or Elder Sheppard and I. We are Salida's first missionaries dedicated entirely to that ward. I felt slightly like a celebrity when going to church for the first time that Sunday. The members are so excited to have their own missionaries, and hopefully this will translate into better member help, because EVER MEMBER SHOULD BE ASSISTING IN MISSIONARY WORK!
Anyway, so because we're the first Elders to only cover this area, we're a little bit homeless. Since Wednesday, Elder Sheppard and I have been living on the floor of Elder Jensen and Elder Hadley's apartment (our zone leaders), and biking to our area every morning. Hopefully we'll be getting our own apartment soon, as the apartment we're in isn't exactly designed to house four missionaries.
So, on to the porcelain gods. On Saturday I developed a lovely case of the flu. This was incredibly frustrating, not only because it impeded my ability to perform missionary work, but also because I spent $20 on a flu shot in the MTC. However, despite this costly step of prevention, the flu found its way to me regardless, and I spent all day lying on the floor of the apartment, only getting up to expel the contents of my stomach. Lovely.
But despite the trials we've been going through (or because of them) we've been blessed to see a flourish of the work, even since we've gotten here. Since Wednesday, we have managed to commit 5 people to baptism! Elder Sheppard is an absolutely solid missionary. He's Samoan, and learned most of his English here on his mission (he's been out for close to two years) and likes to use phrases such as "I want to keel dat person", but he has a powerhouse testimony, and a store of gospel knowledge, and really knows how to work hard and effectively. I'm really excited to see what I can learn from him during this next transfer.
So, the work continues, and I thank you each for your prayers and support, and ask for it to continue so that the work may!
I love you all,
Elder Keenan Monnett
SO! The exciting days of transfers have come and gone, and I am in my new area, SALIDA!!!! So, a little back history on Salida. The Salida ward used to be part of the Modesto 1st ward. Apparently the members of the Salida ward didn't like this too much, and rejoiced greatly when the Wards where split. However, the Salida area was not considered fruitful enough to have its own pair of missionaries, so the Modesto 1st elders continued to cover the Salida ward. Unfortunately, this proved too much area for just two elders to handle, and after several years of investigators falling through the cracks, they decided to make Salida its own area. That's where I come in, or Elder Sheppard and I. We are Salida's first missionaries dedicated entirely to that ward. I felt slightly like a celebrity when going to church for the first time that Sunday. The members are so excited to have their own missionaries, and hopefully this will translate into better member help, because EVER MEMBER SHOULD BE ASSISTING IN MISSIONARY WORK!
Anyway, so because we're the first Elders to only cover this area, we're a little bit homeless. Since Wednesday, Elder Sheppard and I have been living on the floor of Elder Jensen and Elder Hadley's apartment (our zone leaders), and biking to our area every morning. Hopefully we'll be getting our own apartment soon, as the apartment we're in isn't exactly designed to house four missionaries.
So, on to the porcelain gods. On Saturday I developed a lovely case of the flu. This was incredibly frustrating, not only because it impeded my ability to perform missionary work, but also because I spent $20 on a flu shot in the MTC. However, despite this costly step of prevention, the flu found its way to me regardless, and I spent all day lying on the floor of the apartment, only getting up to expel the contents of my stomach. Lovely.
But despite the trials we've been going through (or because of them) we've been blessed to see a flourish of the work, even since we've gotten here. Since Wednesday, we have managed to commit 5 people to baptism! Elder Sheppard is an absolutely solid missionary. He's Samoan, and learned most of his English here on his mission (he's been out for close to two years) and likes to use phrases such as "I want to keel dat person", but he has a powerhouse testimony, and a store of gospel knowledge, and really knows how to work hard and effectively. I'm really excited to see what I can learn from him during this next transfer.
So, the work continues, and I thank you each for your prayers and support, and ask for it to continue so that the work may!
I love you all,
Elder Keenan Monnett
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
So long Turlock! This is my exit. . .
My MTC teacher warned me about this. He told me they would put me in an area, wait till I loved it, then rip my heart out. I thought he was exaggerating. If only I had listened. Transfer calls came in this last Saturday, and as I'm sure you have figured out by now, I'm leaving. I'm being transferred to the North Modesto Stake, in a place called Salida, which is Spanish for "Exit". It doesn't seem to be a very large town on a map, but I guess I'll find out for sure this Wednesday. Although I know the Lord is doing with me what he deems best, I can't help but be a little depressed at the prospect of leaving Turlock 2nd Ward. I had just gotten to know almost all the members, and come to love them, and had just gotten to know the Area to the point where I wouldn't need a map. But I know as long as I put my trust in the Lord, that he will never lead me astray, so it's time to make Salida my new home!
I'm also a little sad to be leaving Elder Asay. One of my biggest fears when coming to the field was that I would get a Trainer that wouldn't do a good job at teaching me, or that I wouldn't get along with. But Elder Asay is a weirdo (like me), and is more determined to make the best teacher possible, and more concerned for my well being than I though anybody here would be. It's absolutely amazing! But I've been told that my next companion is a really good missionary as well, so I don't imagine anything bad will come of it. I'm sure he and I will see each other again some day. If not in the mission field, then in some later day.
The work is going great. Just the other day we were teaching a part member family, whose Dad is a member, but hasn't been to church in over 20 years! After we sat down and started talking to them, he expressed a strong desire to have his wife and his 12 year old son baptized. That was so amazing to hear! We started teaching him, and we set a baptismal date with his son. It is so amazing to see the miracles that our father in heaven works, and to see the power of the spirit in action.
So unfortunately this week is a transfer week, meaning that I won't get any letters until next week. Oh well, I suppose I'll survive. I love you all (and I promise to send pictures this next week if possible!)
Elder Keenan Monnett
I'm also a little sad to be leaving Elder Asay. One of my biggest fears when coming to the field was that I would get a Trainer that wouldn't do a good job at teaching me, or that I wouldn't get along with. But Elder Asay is a weirdo (like me), and is more determined to make the best teacher possible, and more concerned for my well being than I though anybody here would be. It's absolutely amazing! But I've been told that my next companion is a really good missionary as well, so I don't imagine anything bad will come of it. I'm sure he and I will see each other again some day. If not in the mission field, then in some later day.
The work is going great. Just the other day we were teaching a part member family, whose Dad is a member, but hasn't been to church in over 20 years! After we sat down and started talking to them, he expressed a strong desire to have his wife and his 12 year old son baptized. That was so amazing to hear! We started teaching him, and we set a baptismal date with his son. It is so amazing to see the miracles that our father in heaven works, and to see the power of the spirit in action.
So unfortunately this week is a transfer week, meaning that I won't get any letters until next week. Oh well, I suppose I'll survive. I love you all (and I promise to send pictures this next week if possible!)
Elder Keenan Monnett
Monday, March 1, 2010
Exchanged, exchanges!
The work continues! So far Turlock (or Turdlock, as it's been so graciously nicknamed) has been wonderful. Despite the faint whifts of cow pies and the thousands of bee's on the outskirts of town, I've enjoyed it here.
Honestly, when you hear about California, the first thing you usually think of is palm trees and beaches, but that's a very small part of California. No, the place where I currently reside has the Largest Cheese Factory in the world, and produces 90% of the worlds almonds. In other words, farmlands. Lots and Lots and Lots of farmlands. More than I've ever seen in one place actually. So many dairy's....
Anyway, so as far as the work goes, I had the pleasure of going on an exchange the other day, which is something Trainee's (since we're not supposed to say greenies) don't usually do. But since my companion is the District leader, it was something deemed as neccesary.
So I went on an exchange with Elder Bowman, who is from Oregon. I had absolutely nothing against elder Bowman, other than the fact that he's a spanish missionary. So the 3 lessons that I taught with him (I use the word "taught" loosely) where all in spanish, and I didn't understand a single word. Fun times. But I'm happy to be back in my own area. But with that happiness comes nervousness. Transfer calls happen this Saturday, and I'll find out if I'm staying in this area who's people I have come to love, or heading out to some new mysterious Area, with a companion I know nothing about. The thought scares me a bit. But what's a missionary if you can't adapt to new situations? I'm sure I'll survive.
So, random fact of the day. I discovered the other day that I'm much more natural with Children than I am with adults. I wonder if that should worry me.... Oh well.
I love you all
Elder Keenan Monnett
Honestly, when you hear about California, the first thing you usually think of is palm trees and beaches, but that's a very small part of California. No, the place where I currently reside has the Largest Cheese Factory in the world, and produces 90% of the worlds almonds. In other words, farmlands. Lots and Lots and Lots of farmlands. More than I've ever seen in one place actually. So many dairy's....
Anyway, so as far as the work goes, I had the pleasure of going on an exchange the other day, which is something Trainee's (since we're not supposed to say greenies) don't usually do. But since my companion is the District leader, it was something deemed as neccesary.
So I went on an exchange with Elder Bowman, who is from Oregon. I had absolutely nothing against elder Bowman, other than the fact that he's a spanish missionary. So the 3 lessons that I taught with him (I use the word "taught" loosely) where all in spanish, and I didn't understand a single word. Fun times. But I'm happy to be back in my own area. But with that happiness comes nervousness. Transfer calls happen this Saturday, and I'll find out if I'm staying in this area who's people I have come to love, or heading out to some new mysterious Area, with a companion I know nothing about. The thought scares me a bit. But what's a missionary if you can't adapt to new situations? I'm sure I'll survive.
So, random fact of the day. I discovered the other day that I'm much more natural with Children than I am with adults. I wonder if that should worry me.... Oh well.
I love you all
Elder Keenan Monnett
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