May 7, 2012 - Email
We are having one great week after another here in Harrison, AR and I have to admit that it feels good! We have been continuing to make progress with the Masters, a part member family we've been working with. We have also started teaching another family, the Pottorffs (pronounced Put-off) which is great! Tuesday we went over to the Pottorffs and we were sharing a lesson on the Restoration by way of review for Sis. Pottorff (who is a member) when Bro. Pottorff came in and we were able to teach him as well! I was trying really hard to listen to the Spirit and we were able to connect with his beliefs and find that they matched in a few areas! For instance, I asked if he believed that Christ would want his followers to be united or if he would want the confusion that comes from having so many churches and he said that he believed that He would want them to be united. He agreed to read the Book of Mormon and to pray about what we had taught so hopefully all will go well with that. We have another appointment with them on Friday and their children should be there this time so that will be awesome! I was able to go on missionary exchanges this week and so I went with Elder Startup to his area in Mountain Home on Wednesday. That ended up being quite an adventure! We did service for a guy and since we came straight from District Meeting we had to change into our service clothes at the guy's house and I ended up leaving my white shirt in his bathroom... It wouldn't have been such a big deal if it wasn't for the fact that it was my only one that I had with me and it had my nametag on it! Also, the guy lived fairly far away and so we didn't have time or means to drive
there to get it. We were helping with the mutual activity that night and so, needless to say, I had to go to Wal-Mart and buy another shirt. I also had to explain who I was and why I didn't have my nametag the rest of the night. haha Good times. That's okay, I ended up getting it back the next day and I can never have too many white shirts! Sunday was the dedication of the Kansas City, MO Temple! We were asked to help with ushering and such and so we were able to see all of the sessions! It was a really great experience and it truly strengthened my testimony of the Holy Temples and of their importance. It also strengthened my testimony of Thomas S. Monson as a Prophet of God! Also, it made me a bit trunky haha I do miss going to the temple. As of this last Sunday I only have about 14 more months left until I get to go to one. haha As I mentioned before, the Masters family is continuing to progress
toward their baptism date of the 26th of May! They all have such a desire to be baptized and the only obstacle left to overcome is that of Bro. Masters' addiction to smoking. However, on Sunday we had a really great lesson and he has committed to quit tomorrow! I believe that he definitely has the faith and the resolve to do it! All in all, things are going great here in Harrison! Elder Peterson has really grown into a great missionary and a great companion! I know that if we keep working hard that the area will continue to
grow as it has been. We could potentially have 4 new investigators this next week and a ton of baptisms next transfer if things all pan out! (knock on wood) Thanks for the prayers! They have really helped! Love you! Elder Holmes
there to get it. We were helping with the mutual activity that night and so, needless to say, I had to go to Wal-Mart and buy another shirt. I also had to explain who I was and why I didn't have my nametag the rest of the night. haha Good times. That's okay, I ended up getting it back the next day and I can never have too many white shirts! Sunday was the dedication of the Kansas City, MO Temple! We were asked to help with ushering and such and so we were able to see all of the sessions! It was a really great experience and it truly strengthened my testimony of the Holy Temples and of their importance. It also strengthened my testimony of Thomas S. Monson as a Prophet of God! Also, it made me a bit trunky haha I do miss going to the temple. As of this last Sunday I only have about 14 more months left until I get to go to one. haha As I mentioned before, the Masters family is continuing to progress
toward their baptism date of the 26th of May! They all have such a desire to be baptized and the only obstacle left to overcome is that of Bro. Masters' addiction to smoking. However, on Sunday we had a really great lesson and he has committed to quit tomorrow! I believe that he definitely has the faith and the resolve to do it! All in all, things are going great here in Harrison! Elder Peterson has really grown into a great missionary and a great companion! I know that if we keep working hard that the area will continue to
grow as it has been. We could potentially have 4 new investigators this next week and a ton of baptisms next transfer if things all pan out! (knock on wood) Thanks for the prayers! They have really helped! Love you! Elder Holmes
May 14, 2012 - Email
This week has been pretty exciting! We got a couple new investigators, the Masters came to church, I spoke in sacrament meeting, and I got to call my family on Mother's Day! First, about our new investigators. One I may have mentioned before, Sister Golden (yes, that is her real name). Elder Perkes and I found her at the park and then later on she called us up to ask for help with moving into her new apartment. After giving her a few weeks to settle into her new place, she invited us over for dinner and to teach her a lesson. At first I don't think that she was super interested but as we started teaching she really warmed up to the to the message and I can definitely see her progressing quite well. We also started to teach Sis. Pence who is Sis. Masters' niece. She is really interested and has already felt that the LDS church is right and feels good. She was actually able to make it to church on Sunday with the
Masters which was really sweet! Speaking of church, I found out Friday morning that the bishopric wanted me to speak on Mother's day. I agreed even though it was short notice and I thought it was a bit ironic and cruel that I was asked to speak about mothers when I don't get to see mine for two years (a fact that I made sure to point out at the beginning of my talk. People thought that was pretty funny.) I spoke about Mothers and how important of a role they have in missionary work both their own work and the work that they do to prepare their children to serve missions as well. Of course, I started crying in the middle of my talk but I didn't feel bad because everyone else did too. haha All of the Relief Society sisters came up to me after and told me that I gave a great talk and told me that my mother should be really proud of me. All of church was really great and spiritual which was especially great because the Masters family was at church! They had a really great experience and it really helped in their conversion. The other exciting thing, and the reason that this email is pretty short, is that I got to talk to my family on Mother's Day! It was so awesome to be able to do that. I do miss them all a lot! Love you all! Elder Holmes
Masters which was really sweet! Speaking of church, I found out Friday morning that the bishopric wanted me to speak on Mother's day. I agreed even though it was short notice and I thought it was a bit ironic and cruel that I was asked to speak about mothers when I don't get to see mine for two years (a fact that I made sure to point out at the beginning of my talk. People thought that was pretty funny.) I spoke about Mothers and how important of a role they have in missionary work both their own work and the work that they do to prepare their children to serve missions as well. Of course, I started crying in the middle of my talk but I didn't feel bad because everyone else did too. haha All of the Relief Society sisters came up to me after and told me that I gave a great talk and told me that my mother should be really proud of me. All of church was really great and spiritual which was especially great because the Masters family was at church! They had a really great experience and it really helped in their conversion. The other exciting thing, and the reason that this email is pretty short, is that I got to talk to my family on Mother's Day! It was so awesome to be able to do that. I do miss them all a lot! Love you all! Elder Holmes
May 21 2012 - Email
Another great week in the mission field! (mostly) On Monday we went up to Springfield to say goodbye to Elder Rich and play some basketball with some other Elders at the Stake Center. I had a really good time and a lot of fun but I ended up hurting my back playing basketball which was lame! (no pun intended) I couldn't stand up straight for a few days and had trouble walking as well
which definitely put a damper on the missionary work this week. Just so you don't worry, it is a little sore still but it is just about better. Despite my physical malady, we were still able to make it out to see the Masters a few times which, as always, is great! They are so ready to be baptized this Saturday! The zone leaders came down and interviewed them yesterday and so they are all set and ready to go! It seems like every time we go over there they are just growing happier and happier and stronger in their faith in Christ! It
is truly a blessing and a miracle to witness such a conversion. On Friday and Saturday night they invited us to eat dinner with them and check out Crawdad Days, a festival they hold once a year here in Harrison. I was privileged to have my first taste of Crawdad, which was quite delicious. I do realize that "Crawdad Days" probably sounds like the most back-country, redneck celebration
to have... and it is. haha But I love it. We had three appointments fall through this week, one with Sister Golden, one with Sister Brandenburg, and one with the Pottorff family, which was sort of a downer. I'm not sure if it was bad luck, or if it was God being merciful and letting me rest my back a bit. Either way, Sister Brandenburg still made it to church on Sunday even though she had to
cancel our meeting with her on Saturday. The last time she was at church was my first Sunday here so it was really great to see her there, along with the Masters family of course who were also there! Needless to say, having 5 investigators at church and having the Masters pass their baptism interview made Sunday a pretty good day! Oh, and the Masters also fed us a dang good roast to
top it all off. Elder Peterson and I continue to get along quite swimmingly! One thing that we are going to start to focus on is finding new investigators. The experiences we have had lately with finding, especially the Masters, has really built my faith in finding and so I know that this area can, and will, continue to see a lot of success! Of course, I thank you for all of your prayers on my behalf, it definitely helps! Make sure that you are all praying for experiences to share the gospel as well! Also, do me a favor and, in
addition to praying for me to find people to teach, pray for the members in my area to have missionary experiences as well! I want everyone to see the miracle of someone's conversion because throughout my mission it has truly built my testimony of the Savior and His Atonement! Love you all! Elder Holmes
which definitely put a damper on the missionary work this week. Just so you don't worry, it is a little sore still but it is just about better. Despite my physical malady, we were still able to make it out to see the Masters a few times which, as always, is great! They are so ready to be baptized this Saturday! The zone leaders came down and interviewed them yesterday and so they are all set and ready to go! It seems like every time we go over there they are just growing happier and happier and stronger in their faith in Christ! It
is truly a blessing and a miracle to witness such a conversion. On Friday and Saturday night they invited us to eat dinner with them and check out Crawdad Days, a festival they hold once a year here in Harrison. I was privileged to have my first taste of Crawdad, which was quite delicious. I do realize that "Crawdad Days" probably sounds like the most back-country, redneck celebration
to have... and it is. haha But I love it. We had three appointments fall through this week, one with Sister Golden, one with Sister Brandenburg, and one with the Pottorff family, which was sort of a downer. I'm not sure if it was bad luck, or if it was God being merciful and letting me rest my back a bit. Either way, Sister Brandenburg still made it to church on Sunday even though she had to
cancel our meeting with her on Saturday. The last time she was at church was my first Sunday here so it was really great to see her there, along with the Masters family of course who were also there! Needless to say, having 5 investigators at church and having the Masters pass their baptism interview made Sunday a pretty good day! Oh, and the Masters also fed us a dang good roast to
top it all off. Elder Peterson and I continue to get along quite swimmingly! One thing that we are going to start to focus on is finding new investigators. The experiences we have had lately with finding, especially the Masters, has really built my faith in finding and so I know that this area can, and will, continue to see a lot of success! Of course, I thank you for all of your prayers on my behalf, it definitely helps! Make sure that you are all praying for experiences to share the gospel as well! Also, do me a favor and, in
addition to praying for me to find people to teach, pray for the members in my area to have missionary experiences as well! I want everyone to see the miracle of someone's conversion because throughout my mission it has truly built my testimony of the Savior and His Atonement! Love you all! Elder Holmes
May 28, 2012 - Email
This week would have been an amazing week no matter what else happened. Not just because I'm serving the Lord and it is always great to do that, but because I was able to participate in bringing four of God's children into the fold. The Masters family's baptism was Saturday and they were Confirmed on Sunday! They had asked Elder Peterson and I to baptize them, he performed two and I performed two, and it was such a wonderful experience to do that. It was Elder Peterson's first time ever baptizing anyone and so he had to redo his a couple of times. Here's what happened, he did the first boy and the boy's hand didn't go into the water. The two witnesses didn't notice and so I said something but the just went with it. Then, the second boy came and the same thing happened and this time the witnesses noticed. So, they had him redo that ordinance and then they had him redo the first boy as well. Well, the first boy has vision problems and was already wet and ended up slipping on the stairs into the font. I didn't see it because I was in the back room waiting to baptize my two people but I heard the crash. My baptisms went a lot more smoothly, although it took two attempts to baptize Bro. Masters because he forgot to bend his knees. What was amazing to me, however, was that even though there were those mishaps, the presence of the Holy Ghost was still strong during the service. We also had a great turnout from
the ward especially considering the fact that it is Memorial Day weekend and there was a father/son outing the night before. And to top it all off, Sis. Masters ordered pizza for us all to eat after the service! Definitely the best day of my mission! The following day we were able to confirm them a member of The Church and give them the gift of the Holy Ghost! Elder Peterson and I
performed that as well, we each confirmed the ones whom the other had baptized. The work is going really well! I'm still alive and trying to do my best to keep up the great work that has been going on here. The members have really become missionary-minded and have done a great job of supporting us and fellowshipping our investigators, especially the Masters. I hope that all is well back home! I love you all so much! Thanks for your prayers and support!
the ward especially considering the fact that it is Memorial Day weekend and there was a father/son outing the night before. And to top it all off, Sis. Masters ordered pizza for us all to eat after the service! Definitely the best day of my mission! The following day we were able to confirm them a member of The Church and give them the gift of the Holy Ghost! Elder Peterson and I
performed that as well, we each confirmed the ones whom the other had baptized. The work is going really well! I'm still alive and trying to do my best to keep up the great work that has been going on here. The members have really become missionary-minded and have done a great job of supporting us and fellowshipping our investigators, especially the Masters. I hope that all is well back home! I love you all so much! Thanks for your prayers and support!