Elder DeLong Pukes on the Chapel Floor

...yeah. I did. It wasn't very fun. Storytime! Monday evening, I made dinner for Elder Johnson and myself. I think there may have been a bad can of cream of mushroom soup, but whatever the cause, Elder Johnson woke up Tuesday morning with food poisoning. He had bad diarrhea and when I asked him how he felt, he staggered back into the bathroom and threw up. I felt fine, and we had zone conference that day, which I didn't want to miss. The Spirit prompted me to stay back and take care of my companion, but I rationalized myself out of it. The APs had asked me to play the piano, plus, I love seeing old missionary friends and being spiritually fed. So, in a moment of selfishness, I called our district leader and asked for an exchange so that I could go. He and I went to zone conference, and his companion stayed with Elder Johnson as he slept. I was doing well, played the piano for prelude and everything, but towards the end of the first speaker, I felt a light wave of nausea. I panicked, realizing that I was probably sick, too. But again, my selfish desires demanded that I NOT miss this meeting. I fought it down, and was fine for a few minutes. A second rush of nausea came, and I again triumphed over it with will power. The third time, though, the Spirit nudged me as if to say, "You should probably get up now." I finally humbled myself and listened - I got up and calmly walked out of the chapel...but didn't make it to a trash can in time. I was behind the last row of pews, on my way out the door, when I vomited the contents of my stomach onto the floor...twice. A fellow Elder jumped up and grabbed my arm, yanking me down the hallway to the bathroom, puking as I went. Several senior missionaries cleaned up my mess and one of them (the mission doctor) helped me clean myself up. Let's just say that my suit had to get dry cleaned, but only after it got "wet" cleaned. I was more embarrassed than anything else, to be honest. The meeting went on after a brief pause as if nothing happened, and I laid down on the couch at the request of Dr./Elder Aldous. My district leader and zone leaders gave me a blessing, and then took me back home, where we switched back and the 4 of them went back to the meeting after giving Elder Johnson a blessing. He was amused by what had happened to me, and I got over the embarrassment. However, I was greatly humbled that day. Not only had I puked in front of my mission president, his family, the chapel's ward's bishop, and about 100 other missionaries, but I ignored a prompting from the Spirit and instead followed my own selfish desires. I knew they would have someone else to play the piano, but I wanted to do it. I knew I would be able to hear about the zone conference later, but I wanted to be there for it. I knew I would be able to see my fellow missionaries another time, but I wanted to go anyway. I didn't listen, and I paid the price for it. Elder Johnson forgave me, and we spent the rest of that day and part of Wednesday sleeping. We recovered enough to eat toast and then later some Ramen noodles in the afternoon on Wednesday, and felt better by 5 or 6 PM, so we went out to our appointments. The Lord will always find ways to humble us, even if it has to be through food poisoning. =P

That all being said, we actually had a really great week after the "gastrointestinal illness" episode. We had a fantastic lesson with Sopheak on the Plan of Salvation, and we got a brand new investigator for the YSA ward. Her name is Meredith, and she's been coming to church with a couple of her friends in the ward. She's definitely one of those "gift" investigators! She's been so prepared and is very ready for the gospel. I'm very excited to be teaching her, and I'm happy for the changes she's already making in her life. She expressed her excitement to read the Book of Mormon, she prayed at the end of the lesson, she accepted a baptismal date, AND she showed her faith by asking us for a blessing. It was an awesome experience. I've said it before and I stand by it still: feeling the love of our Heavenly Father for another one of His children is a life-changing thing. =]

This weekend, we moved the Portuguese Elders into our apartment, so now, there's 4 of us living there. It was comfortable with 2, but with all 4 of us there, it's cramped. It hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be, although my snoring (which hasn't bothered the heavy sleeper, Elder Johnson) has driven Elder Maldonado to buy ear plugs. I've also developed a cold within the past couple of days, which doesn't help with the whole breathing-through-my-nose thing. I'm not about to let some sniffles and sinus headaches hinder the work of the Lord, though! =D

As of Friday, I've been in the mission field for an entire year. I can't decide if it feels longer or shorter than that...either way, my time in the mission field is slowly dwindling away. However, I still have quite a bit of time left, and I'm determined to give the Lord all I have and more in that time. I'm so thankful for this opportunity to serve as a full-time missionary, for the chance to help others, and for the transformations that are occurring in my own life.

With love,
Elder DeLong

Our Heavenly Father can speak to us through anyone or anything...including dish towels. Yes, dish towels.

The Lord always teaches us in the most interesting ways. We had a lesson on receiving personal revelation with one of our investigators this week, and we each shared examples from our own lives. One of the stories our investigator shared with us, actually, had to do with something very unexpected - dish towels. She has dish towels that say "Faith, Hope, Love" on them, and there was one day when seeing those towels was an answer to her prayers. I wouldn't have ever thought that dish towels could be that special and sacred for someone, but we can't limit the ways in which God will speak to us. It was a very good reminder of the answers I've received in my own life.

While on the investigator note, I want to tell Sopheak's story (pronounced so-pay-uk). He's a Cambodian man in his 20s, and is the grandson of a member of the Lowell ward. He moved to the United States from Cambodia in October, and is in the process of learning English. He's doing a great job at it, and most of the time we speak English in our lessons. He's had an interest in the Church ever since he moved in with his grandparents (who are both members), and even though it was initially an intellectual interest, all conversions start somewhere! We've taught him 3 times now, and we're taking it slow, since Christianity is vastly different from Buddhism. This last week in our lesson with him, we watched "Finding Faith in Christ" and talked about following Him as our Savior. The Spirit was so powerful, and Sopheak accepted a baptismal date! He then prayed for the first time in his life, and it was incredible to me how real it was to him. He's not sure yet if he believes, but he has real intent to find out for himself. It was an amazing lesson! I can't wait to see how he progresses.

We had the chance to go to the temple this morning. I always love going to the temple, even if I'm utterly exhausted. There's always, ALWAYS a special Spirit that permeates every inch of these sacred buildings, and each time I seem to gain some sort of personal revelation or at the very least a manifestation of my Heavenly Father's love for me. For that, I am grateful - I definitely needed it today.

A couple of days ago, the city finally starting trucking away all the snow. It's been sitting around since Nemo hit, just mounds of frozen snow everywhere. Bulldozers have been loading the snow into the beds of dump trucks, and those trucks have been taking the snow somewhere else. Good riddance! Hahaha.

We're ALMOST done with the YSA contacting project...it's been a work in progress for a couple months now, and we only have 30-something names left to contact. I'm pretty happy about that! There may not be a whole lot of reactivation that comes from that, but I know it's part of what the Lord wants us to do for this ward at this time. He's preparing people here to receive the gospel as well, and I know we'll find them as we look for them according to His will.

That's all I've got for this week, I think. I love being part of this great work! Godspeed, everyone!

Much love,
Elder DeLong

Last Minute Transfer Changes and the Reign of Winter Storm Nemo

Justin found a stuffed Nemo in his apartment- how fitting!

"Where's the car??!!!"

My new companion, Elder Johnson

I have never seen this much snow in my entire life. For those of you who aren't aware, a blizzard hit New England this weekend, and it hit HARD. Winter Storm Nemo took its toll, and Lowell now looks completely different. In short, the city is practically buried. It snowed a good 2 feet or so, and then with the plows clearing the roads, there are monstrous piles of snow everywhere. I took plenty of pictures, no worries. Maybe my mom will put them up on the blog she's keeping up about my mission once I can get this memory card sent home. I don't think I've ever experienced anything like that blizzard in my entire life. Digging the car out afterward was its own adventure!

The four of us Elders here in Lowell bunked together for the storm in our apartment and had a great time. We were under lockdown and weren't allowed to leave the apartment from noon on Friday until 8:00 AM on Sunday. It was a good opportunity for the four of us to get to know each other better, since both of the companionships have changed with this transfer. We hung out, studied the scriptures, talked, played tons of board games, wrote letters, took naps, etc. It was a fun couple of days, but I'm glad to be back out and about, tending to this portion of the Lord's vineyard.

Transfer meeting was this last Thursday, and I've missed Elder Butters, but my new companion and I are getting along well. Here's the surprise part...it's not Elder Ban. On Thursday morning, Pres. Packard made a last-minute change in transfers. Elder Ban is now in Franklin, MA. As the APs (assistants to the president) read the "mission adjustments" (basically, how the entire mission will be with leadership, companionship assignments, designated drivers, etc.), they go by zone, and typically in alphabetical order of the zones, from what I've noticed. The 11 zones are Boston, Cambridge North, Cambridge South, Hartford, Hingham North, Hingham South, Nashua (my zone!), New Haven, Providence North, and Providence South, and Springfield. Franklin is in the Hingham South zone, and when they read off Elder Ban's name in that area, I was VERY confused. I was sitting in the front row, and Pres. Packard must have seen my puzzled look. He got my attention, and signaled me to come and sit next to him on the stand as the APs continued to read the list. He whispered to me, "That happened this morning." I later found out, as the Nashua zone was read, that my new companion is Elder Tory Johnson, from West Point, Utah. As I talked with Elder Johnson on the ride back up to Lowell, he told me that he got a call from Pres. Packard at 7:00 AM that morning, telling him that he was being transferred. He had about an hour or so to pack, and still made it to transfer meeting on time.

I was also asked to sing at this transfer meeting, and I wanted to share with you an inspiring story about choosing the piece I sang. It's called "You Have Nothing to Fear" and it's by Rob Gardner. When Elder Reber (one of the APs) called me and asked me to sing at transfer meeting, he asked that I sing "Make Me Whole," the song I sang at the mission's musical fireside last week. I was very happy to do so, but it occurred to me to sing "You Have Nothing to Fear" instead. My mom had emailed me last week about that song and I indicated to her that I had been thinking about it also and wanted to sing it for something. Sister Jordan played the piano for me (she played "Make Me Whole" for me at the fireside) - she's very talented and this was a simple piece. We only practiced once beforehand, about 5 minutes before the meeting! Of course, she played perfectly, and I felt really good about my singing. I wasn't sure why I wanted to sing that song so bad until after the meeting - many people, youth missionaries and senior couples alike, came up to me and told me how much that song touched them. Several people asked for the name of the piece. One non-missionary sister, a member from the area, who was in attendance told me that her friend was battling cancer, and that my song really meant a lot to her. She wanted to know the name so that she could share it with this troubled friend. Her eyes shone with gratitude and emotion, and it then hit me that the Spirit had gently prompted me to change the number I'd be singing. I'm grateful for that direction from my Heavenly Father to do so, and to have been able to touch the lives of others as an instrument in His hand, through the Spirit and through music.

Elder Johnson and I are excited to get to work now that the storm is past. Our companionship is off to a great start, and he's already proving to me that he truly is divinely called to be here in Lowell at this time whether he realizes it or not! He's contributed fantastic ideas to help a couple of our investigators who just can't seem to progress. I'm excited to see what this transfer has to hold.

Love,
Elder Justin DeLong

Another transfer in Lowell for Elder DeLong

Shaham and Dan DiRocco (She is Cambodian, but grew up in America- she speaks and cooks Cambodian!!)

Elder Mitton, who is going home this week

Well, transfer texts came in - I'll be in Lowell for another transfer. Elder Butters is going to Oxford, and Elder Griffin is going to the young single adult wards in Cambridge. Elder Ban is my new companion - he's from Cambodia (Justin told me he was called to the Boston mission to speak English). I'm sad to see Elder Butters being transferred, but I know that he is going on to greater things. He has grown so much since we've been together, and he's gained experience, confidence, and a joy for this work. I'm grateful to have been his trainer and to have taken part in his journey of becoming a powerful servant of the Lord.

We got our car back on Friday, which we were VERY grateful for. We also found out this week that the Portuguese Elders will be moving in to our apartment with us after transfers...it's going to be packed in there! I can't even imagine it, but I won't have to imagine soon enough. =P

This past Saturday, we had the first of several musical firesides that the mission will be doing, and which I am honored and very happy to be a part of. I really loved this weekend's "performance" - I felt the Spirit so strongly, and as a whole the program went very, very well. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to bear my testimony of the Atonement and of my Savior's love through song. There are about 10 participating missionaries who sang or played, and about 8 who bore testimony. It was almost like a "Music and the Spoken Word" format. I had a couple of very special and meaningful spiritual experiences while there that evening. That fireside wasn't just for the members and investigators of the Boston area, but it was for the participating missionaries as well. Pres. Packard and his 12-year-old son Michael sang "A Child's Prayer," and the Spirit hit me like a sack of bricks. I cried because of the strong emotion I felt as I thought of the simple truth of the song, but also because I couldn't help thinking of me and my future children. I saw myself singing with my future son or daughter, and I think that's how that song should be. That's what it really means, that's what it's about. There were many other musical numbers and testimonies, all of which were very inspiring. I played piano for Pres. Packard as he sang "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul" (by Rob Gardner) with his daughter Natalie, and I played for Sis. Jordan for the song she sang. I also sang a piece myself: "Make Me Whole" (also by Rob Gardner). I felt the Spirit testify to me of the truth of the words that I sang, it was a very powerful moment for me. Pres. Packard came up to me after the fireside and told me that the Spirit was with me that night. He also said, "You have a gift, and you magnified it. Or rather, the Lord magnified you." Life as a missionary is beyond difficult, but the Lord knows me and is helping me along the way. He supports and sustains me in every thought, word, and deed, and I truly do feel my Savior's love each day.

Also on Saturday, we had the baptism of Dan DiRocco, the newest member of the Billerica ward. I'm so excited for his family - they're well on their way to entering the House of the Lord to be sealed for eternity together.

Speaking of sealings, we had a lesson with an "etern-igator" this week that was incredibly spiritually powerful. Her husband is a member, as is her daughter. Her husband is in jail right now for a crime he committed prior to his baptism, and his wife (our investigator) began taking lessons shortly after her husband and daughter joined the Church. We felt prompted to talk about why the Restoration was important, focusing on the restored priesthood authority. Our discussion turned to eternal families and temples, and our investigator commented that she had heard about "being sealed" before, and asked her daughter if she had been sealed to her father yet. The member-present we had with us responded with just the right amount of boldness and love: "No - she can't. Children must be sealed to a parental unit. The mother and father must be sealed first." Our investigator simply said, "oh," and you could practically see the Spirit testify to her heart. She got emotional and the Spirit filled the room. I feel like she finally realized why we've continued to come over and see her. She loves having lessons, but she lacked the understanding of why the priesthood is so important. Our member-present went on to bear powerful testimony of the Restoration and of temple ordinances. It was a "perfect" lesson, and I'm excited to see where things will go for this investigator!

With love,
Elder DeLong