Saving Those Doomed To Destruction‏ Email - January 31, 2011

Hello Friends and Family,

 

 I've had another interesting week. As most of you know, last Saturday I got the "Call" to be a Trainer. With all the excitement from family and all the helpful advice over the past few weeks, I still found myself being a little overwhelmed.  President gave an amazing talk at the Training Meeting on Wednesday which I have entitled "Angels Lift Us Up!" It was about when we stay obedient, we will always be ministered  to by angels. The atmosphere in the room was crazy and the spirit was so strong there wasn't a dry eye in the place.

 

Well, you are probably wondering what the new guy is like.  His name is Elder Sommers, from Ririe, Idaho. Yes, that's near Rexburg, Megs.  He has three sisters and one brother. It was quite weird to look at him and work with him, because he reminds me so much of me when I was "green" and it shows me how much I have changed in the last six months. We are both doing fine and working hard.

 

In other news, we had a visit from a General Authority. Patrick Kearon, he spoke at Gen. Conf. about the scorpion stinging his foot. Our meeting was totally sweet and I got a lot out of it.  Just to share a few things: I first learned that he described missionaries as people who intervene on peoples lives doomed to destruction. He also spoke on the spirit of conversion, and how, even though, as Elders we have the spirit we can never convert someone fully without the spirit. Which was sweet. The biggest thing I learned though, is we are the most corrupt  when we are idle. When we sit back and do nothing, that is when Satan has us. We need to always be bettering ourselves.  If not, we are lost. I heard a great explanation of this by a baptist (anyone can see this, not just members).  He said, look at life like a football game;  the score is tied,  you have the ball and you are on the goal line. What's the defense going to do?  Throw everything at you. That is our life right now. Satan is the defence and he's scared because we have him on the line. Satan is going to throw everything at us!!  If we stand idly by he's going to get us at the legs and take us out.  We need to push back with everything we have, and score that final touchdown!

 

I send you all my love and my prayers.
--
Elder Zachary David Daniel

P.S.  Meaghan you will never know what I do til you serve!!!  :}

ELDER DANIEL A TRAINER Email - January 24, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

I know what you're probably thinking, and yes I'm a Trainer. It all started Friday morning when I got a text from my Zone Leaders telling us that transfer calls were tomorrow, and I thought no big deal: the only good thing is I get a real companion. Then my District Leader reminded me of leadership calls and I was kinda nervous (don't feel that I'm good enough for that yet).  Well, leadership calls are from 6:30 am to 8:00 am so I knew if I didn't get a call in that time frame I was good. So Saturday I spent all morning waiting and at 8:05 I jumped up and shouted with joy; doing my happy dance, when the phone started ringing and Presidents name came up.  So I answered and he asked if I would Train. I said yes (try saying no to him, I dare you) so I will get my new companion on Wednesday.  I'm super excited.  Until then, I will be with Elder Reynolds for the next few days.

 

Well, I am going to get going.  I have lots to do. Next Monday will be a lot longer, I promise!!!!

Love,

Elder Zachary David Daniel

Just Another Week ! E-mail January 17, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

 

Wow what a week you had, mine was no where near as crazy.  I have the same companion and the same issues. My communication is very low on Friday I thought I lost my mind!!  I had started a mini-journal and the entries get kinda weird. The ward is doing good.  It seems like we get a new family every week.  We actually did get into teach four families that we had been trying to meet with, but never could. They all have kids and I'm using Johns' idea, by using lollipops. 

 

Now my story for this week is a little scary, but mom, I was being careful. So, I was riding my bike and was going to take this turn.   I checked to see if a car was coming and there was none.   I took the turn and about halfway through I noticed a car coming towards me going super fast. There was no way to avoid him and  I had to make a decision.   So I grabbed my brakes.  I don't know if it was my natural reaction or what, but that's what I did. When I grabbed my brakes nothing happened.  I was so scared I just waited for the car to hit me and enter the next world. But immediately I felt as if something gave me a push and I went faster.  I missed the car by an inch.  Then the car came to a screeching halt and said; "I'm sorry I never saw you."  I told him  it was "OK".  Then I checked my brakes, and all were good.   They worked!!!!  I have no explanation except the Lord needed me safe.   If  I would have stopped I definitely would have been hit.

 

Well, I have to get going.  Talk to you later!

 

Love,

--
Elder Zachary David Daniel

Another Week - An E-mail January 10, 2011

Another crazy week in the life of Elder Daniel. I had my second mini missionary of this transfer and  I am soon going to meet my third. The Ward has been extremely helpful especially since  Iwas all alone last Sunday!!! That's right, no companion.  I spent all church with random Priesthood holders. My Bishop said it was the weirdest thing he ever saw when  Iwas walking down the hall all by myself. It was weird for me too; being alone for the first time in almost 6 months.

 

We had a multi-zone this last week and  I got to see one of the guys I roomed with for the first time since we left the mission home.  It was cool seeing how much he's changed and that made me wonder if  I have changed much.   I don't feel much different. I know I've seen some crazy things and I know that my testimony has really increased, but have I really changed, and for the better?

 

I have spent the whole weekend with the other Elders; Burton, Cothran-Draper, Walker, and Reynlds.  I have started thinking about life after the mission, because three of them are going home this spring. It makes me really nervous thinking that my whole life will change when I get home.  These 5 and a half months have flown by and that scares me a little, thinking the whole two years can fly by, and I don't want that to happen. I love the mission so much I don't know if I will be able to go home.  I know this seems weird; me saying this, but it's true. 

 

Well, I'm sorry this letter is a little bit of a downer, but  I will be fine.  I will work till I cannot work anymore.  I will not stop no matter how hard the persecution or hatred.

--
Elder Zachary David Daniel

This Ones For You... Email - Monday, December 3, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

 

It has been one of the toughest weeks of my mission. I don't remember if I told you but Elder Bates was ETed, or Emergency transferred. The Sandovals did remember James and Natasha (the members home that I got to call from on Christmas).

 

So,  last Monday I recieved my mini-missionary, at first it was strange, but we soon got along. The first night we were together he was really homesick. I had no idea what to tell him;  how do I get his mind off of home. I had no idea what to say. So, I said a little prayer and almost immediately I knew what to do. I entered into the room totally ignoring him lying on the couch with a depressed look on his face; walked over to my desk and started making a pile. First, I put down the area book,  then the missionary binder, then Preach My Gospel and then all my mission talks from Prophets and Apostles, then my mission library, then my scriptures. I looked over at Elder Catenata and said I cannot get your mind off of home, but in these four weeks I can help you learn the area and how to be a missionary, the churchs history, the Lords gospel and how to teach it, and eventually all the knowledge of a missionary.  It will take a lot of work but it will be worth it. "He never said it would be easy, He only said it would be worth it!" (thanks Brooklynn). Lets get to work.

 

At that point Elder Castana and I began to work harder than ever. I learned a lot. I started teaching better, but Elder Castanata couldn't get his mind off home. I could feel something was still holding him back. Well, on Wednesday night we were riding in a part of the area I wasn't to familiar with.  We found ourselves totally lost.  Inside I was flipping out, but I kept my calm and tried my hardest to find a way out. After biking what seemed like forever, the Spirit hit me and told me to ask Elder Castanata what was wrong. So I looked at him and asked as the Spirit had just directed me to do so. Then Elder Castanata told me of his problems and truly opened up.   I did my "therapist"  thing I learned in Redlands and tried to understand.  We talked about it and decided it was just too much for us to deal with and we needed to call President Reeves.

 

 Needless to say the next day he went home and I was companion less. They recently put me with two other Elders until they can find a place for me. I just learned that I will be getting a new mini for a week,  than after that I'm not sure.

 

The Lord has truly tested me this last week, and sadly I don't know if I passed or failed, and that scares me a little. I do know however I will not quit working because the Gospel is a thing that changes lives. I love you all and miss you all, and Elder Castenata wherever you are remember... this one was for you.
--
Elder Zachary David Daniel

PS  I just wanted to thank everyone for keeping me in your prayers.  I'm so grateful for the cards, letters and Christmas gifts I  have recieved. It was greatly appreciated.  Thanks!!!