Monday, October 28, 2013

My First Time as a Chili Cook-off Judge

This past Friday night, our ward had its annual Chili Cook-Off and Trunk-or-Treat party for Halloween. We didn't have any investigators come, but a couple of less-actives we've been working with were able to make it! And of course, who else to judge the chili but the Elders? There were 23 different pots full of chili that people had brought, and we sampled all of them, and then went back to our favorites, having just a spoonful each time. I think I ate enough chili just in judging it to fill me up for the night! It was a great time though, and I enjoyed it.
We've been able to get bikes and helmets from members in our ward, and so we've used those a couple of times this week! That's been fun, and humbling...I'm definitely out of shape. Let's just say my mission has made me a little more "cushy" as I've only been in areas that have cars. My legs are still a little sore.
We went on splits with members of the ward twice this week, and have two more nights for splits lined up for this week! Lots of work to be done in this area, and lots of potential as well! A couple of weeks ago, President and Sister Packard went to a conference with the mission presidents and their wives in the region. Several general authorities were there, including Elder S. Gifford Nielsen ("EXCLAMATION POINT!" from this last General Conference) who will be coming to our mission next month, and Elder Russell M. Nelson. President and Sister Packard shared a cool quote from Elder Nelson: "The day of members and missionaries working in different orbits is over." What an exciting time to take part in the work of salvation as the Lord is hastening His work! 

I'll close with a wonderful experience from this weekend. We went on exchanges with our zone leaders on Friday, and I've got to say, I really love Elder Moat and Elder Carvalho. They're fantastic leaders, full of love and a desire to help each of us in the zone succeed in the work. Elder Moat especially has become a great friend to me as we cope with nearing the ends of our missions. I had let him and Elder Carvalho borrow one of my CDs that they wanted to listen to, and so he let me borrow a CD of his that he thought I might enjoy; it was a burned disc, with the title "Uplift" written on it. I figured it was probably a collection of inspirational and uplifting hymn arrangements, and I thanked him for it. That night and the following morning, I was more depressed and upset about our lack of success and about my inevitable return home (and all fears associated with that) than I had been in a long time. Elder Gibson noticed that I was having a hard time, but as he has said, he doesn't really know how to help people when they're struggling emotionally. It came time for us to leave the apartment for the day, and I thought maybe some beautiful music would cheer me up. I put in the CD that Elder Moat had given me to listen to, but to my surprise it was a collection of audio tracks from several Mormon Messages, quotes from prophets and apostles, etc, each focusing on a quality such as diligence, priesthood duty, patience in trials, feeling the love of God, and service to others. It was exactly what I needed to hear that day, and there's no way Elder Moat or I could have been able to tell I would need it. I felt spiritually revitalized, encouraged, and filled with a new-found determination to contribute to the work of the Lord. I'm grateful for Elder Moat, for the words of modern-day prophets, for the Spirit, and for a loving Father in Heaven who knows me and reaches out to me in my times of need.

Love,
Elder DeLong

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

The Not-So-Obvious Blessings

This week has been challenging in some ways, and rewarding in others. We may not have any progressing investigators, but progress is being made in other ways. We've finally gotten splits up and running with the priesthood brethren in the ward, usually once or twice a week. We visit less-actives, help the members with their home teaching, or take them to our own appointments with us. The reaction has been pretty positive so far, and we're putting in a lot of hard work. The Lord is working miracles here, even if they're not in ways one would expect. 

Quick sum-up of the major events of the week! We helped a family pack up their U-Haul and then worked at a local soup kitchen one of the days this week. We had a couple of really great visits with part-member families that are showing some real potential. We dropped off several invitations for the Primary program throughout the week to less-active families who have children. We helped out at a memorial service that was being held at the church this weekend (I was asked to sing for it the night before - it turned out well even without a whole lot of planning or practice). Yesterday was the Primary program, and the Spirit was beautiful and powerful. I was touched as the children sang and shared their simple, sweet testimonies. Through many personal spiritual experiences this week, I have come to learn anew that the Lord is mindful of me and of each of us in our times of difficulty as well as our times of joy and plenty. 

Working hard and loving every moment! 

Love, 
Elder DeLong

Monday, October 14, 2013

Elder Upchuck

Well, I have to say that I'm pretty excited about things for this area. I've got just over 5 weeks left and I'll be making the most of it! All of our current investigators have been "too busy" to meet with us the past couple of weeks, so we're going to try and get short appointments with them all to explain our purpose and see if they're really serious about going forward with baptism. Until that can happen, we're looking elsewhere and working hard to help the ward as well. I love this area, and I love the people. The weather is cooling down, and the trees are truly a magnificent sight every day.

Thursday was weekly planning day - while we planned I made banana bread, using my aunt's recipe. It turned out awesome! We also went down to the marina for lunch that day. They have this little shack by the water called "Lobster Landing." We got fresh lobster rolls, which were delicious.

We helped an elderly member of our ward move this weekend - she was living in the spare room of her brother's house for a couple of years, and never let her cats out of there. I swear, it was like the cat hair was another layer of carpet to the room. I've never known if I was allergic to cats or not, but by the way I was hacking and coughing (got close to puking a couple times!), maybe I am. Oh well, despite the physical symptoms and the smell, it was good to help someone in need. Now she's in her own space, but the members won't stop calling me "Elder Upchuck"...

After district meeting on Friday, we took our lunches and went up to Castle Craig to eat them. Castle Craig is located at the top of the highest point along the east coast (within 25 miles of the shoreline), from Florida to Maine. 967 feet, or something like that...it was kind of funny to think that THAT'S the highest we'll get. It was cool though, because you could see to Hartford in one direction and to New Haven in the other.

The Lord has been showing me His hand each day, helping me to build my faith and be more grateful for the little miracles that take place each day. Things are going well in the ward as we're working with the members, and I know that He is preparing people to accept the gospel here! We just have to find them. A less-active, single-mom member we've met with a few times came to church yesterday, and the Relief Society sisters "swarmed" her and made sure she was taken care of. It was heartwarming to see her making the friends she needs as she's dealing with some tough things in her life right now. It was awesome to see her in the right place, feeling the love that others have and that God has for her.

I'll close today's letter with an exciting announcement: today I received notification that I've been accepted to BYU for Winter 2014! I'm thrilled about that, because I know that the Lord has answered my prayers. For now, though, I'll have to show Him my thanks by my dedication in this sacred work. Time to get back out there! =]

Love,
Elder DeLong

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Dying in Madison




Receiving my final transfer paperwork (coming home)
That's right, folks. Neither of us got transferred, so I'll be spending my last 6 weeks in the field in Madison! This makes me happy, because I see great potential in this area. I hope to help the members here to take part in this great work and find progressing investigators. We've had some difficulties in those departments this past transfer, but I can just feel that we're on the verge of something big! We've had some success with a few less-actives recently, and the ward is really starting to trust us. We had some great experiences this week, including getting caught in the rain after zone meeting in New Haven and having to walk all the way to the train station! Hahaha...we've really been having a blast here though! Working hard and giving the Lord our all. Elder Gibson and I are doing very well together. General Conference was awesome this past weekend! My favorite was President Uchtdorf's in the priesthood session: "You are stronger than you realize. You are more capable than you can imagine. You can do it NOW." I'm sorry that I don't have more to write this week - I could tell you more stories, but we don't have much time today. I apologize for a short email; just know that I'm doing well and that I love serving the Master each day. =]

Much love,
Elder DeLong