Transferes - - - A NEW DL! Email - October 3, 2011

Dear Family and Friends,

So as my subject states this weekend was transfers.  It was crazy!  Along with  going  to  Conference.    Neither me or my comp are being transferred which is kinda sad,  but I'll deal. Well, we have a new District Leader here and its sweet because I already know who he is! What's weird is that you know who he is too! Any guesses? Well, if you guessed me your right! It's going to be a really interesting transfer me being a District Leader.

 About John's e-mail,  I really enjoyed it. I got a lot from it, it's interesting how you meet certain people in life and what their outcome is. For example:  I am having some issues here, but it has taught me the value of getting on your knees and talking to the Lord about it. Sometimes we think of prayer as just telling God all of our Problems. It shouldn't  be that way.  We should talk to him about everything; the good and the bad.  A little while ago I was challenged to do thank you prayers by a member. Instead of asking for anything, you only thank God for what he has given you.  Me and an old companion did this for every prayer we said together. Instead of asking for the Spirit we thanked God for allowing us to have His Spirit as we worked worthily toward his goal.

 

We have a Zone goal of 28 baptisms this month and when I heard that I almost fainted.  That's 3.5 baptisms per companionship.  I was like that's impossible!  But now as I look at it, it seems more than possible. We have on date for baptism. John and Merrie, people were going to put on date for this month are: Tony and a pregnant woman. There's our 3.5. When we set righteous goals and show the means by how were going to do it, the Lord will help us accomplish it.

 

The brother of Jared did not just ask God to give him light. He went and thought of a way that it was possible Then  he asked the Lord for His help in accomplishing the task. So what happens? The brother of Jarred's request is not just fulfilled,  but he actually sees Jehovah/ Jesus Christ.  How amazing is his faith. We all need to set righteous goals, then ask God in faith to help us accomplish the task.  We have  a solution and through our faith He will help us receive that righteous desire.

 

I know that God lives! What an amazing statement that is! His Son, Jesus Christ, payed the penalty for our sins, because he loves us. Thomas S. Monson is the  Prophet on the earth today and he holds Gods power and has spoken to us for our times.  I know that the Heavens are open,  God speaks; He will answer your prayers.  He will tell you the truth.  With all the love I muster I hope that everyone will read the Book of Mormon and come to know these things and know of their truthfulness.
--
Elder Zachary David Daniel

LOST! Email - September 26, 2011

Dear family and friends,

 

I really don't know what to say this week. Nothing is coming to mind. I still don't know what to say... ummm... is everyone doing okay?

 

Hmm. so about the stuff I was asking about, the comics I drew,  I  received a free binder and I'm going to put them in there. Also did you listen to those CD's ?  Did you like them? 

 

I sent you some pics of the baptism we just had. Her name is Angel.  It was pretty fun. Everybody was all smiles.  

 

Besides that, things are going good.  Gen. Con. is this weekend!!! We have two investigators on date wohoo!! Ones name is John he's 19 and his whole family used to be Mormon.   His parents died before he could get baptised so he moved in with his aunt who's Catholic, so he grew up Catholic. The other is Merrie her husband died a few months ago and he was a life long member.   She took the lessons and such then he died and now she regrets never getting baptised; how weird! The work here is going pretty well. Life is good and we will keep on track.

 

Love you,

--
Elder Zachary David Daniel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Desert! E-mail September 19, 2011

Hello family, friends, acquaintance's and people I do not know!

Well,  to answer my mothers question Transfers are in two weeks,  however that does not mean I am leaving or my comp is leaving.

So this week was like all the rest, besides the fact that we heard from Elder Christensen of the Seventy. He  spoke of the Atonement and how it works in your life and I noticed something that day that I thought John (my step-dad would find quite enjoyable).  As always E. Christensen spoke first then Sis. Smart then Pres.Smart. after that we took a break and we reconvened with Sis. Christensen (this is what John will like) Sis. Christensen almost took an entire hour!!!!! She had only like 15 minutes and it was so deep doctrine I was so bored!!!!!!

Then E. Christensen got up to give one last training and to do a Q&A session and his first words were "Well since my wife just spoke,  let me simplify it for you". it surprises me that the great heroes of the church are not the ones who spit the deep doctrine but those who share the Simple. Christs Atonement could definitely be taken very very deep, but that's not what E. Christensen did; he gave us the basics and told us to study the basics and learn that because that is what will save you.  That firm belief that Jesus is the Christ. Not that he is Virtue or if he had a wife or kids. That does not matter, all that matters is that the Atonement has taken place and we must accept it. As I think of the greats:  Mormon, Moroni, Peter, Paul, John the Revalator, these men did not give us deep doctrine to question, yet simple principles to lead us to Christ.   

As I look at the pact 13 months I feel amazed to have gone this far.  The road to finishing is not long at all.  I wish you all a good time in Kentucky (or wherever else you may be)!

 All my love,
--
Elder Zachary David Daniel

The Desert! E-mail September 12, 2011

Well hello!!!

 

So life here in So Cal has been pretty uneventful. I did receive my package and enjoyed it tremendously. I'm excited to start getting e-mails from Meaghan although I know they're  gonna be from a different e-mail service.  Is that up yet? Should  I be sending my e-mails to her that way? I might just do it to see!

 

We have this investigator named Chris and we've been teaching him for a while, his wife is a recently re-activated member who just went through the temple, and her husband has been taking the lessons. He has one of the nicest houses Ive ever seen plus a pool that has this rock thing which you can jump off of into his pool. He has given me permission to come back and swim in it (once I'm no longer an Elder)!!  We decided when he is going to be baptized it was going to be in his pool!!!

 

The interesting story however is that his son almost cut his leg off a couple of weeks ago!!! Sis.

Madsen E-mailed us the picks. Wanna see? 

 

Besides that life has been normal.  I have been thinking a lot lately about what I should do when I get home.   I have started creating a schedule ( my first companion Elder Potter told me it was a good idea to do it about  this time) so if you have any suggestions let me know!!!! 

 

We had a multi zone this last week with Pres. Smart  it was really interesting, he spoke on obedience and Sis. Smart spoke on etiquette ( I can't spell) was pretty good.  Someone had called and complained saying our manners were bad!! Who would do such a thing!!  Just kidding... its probably a good thing to have an etiquette (still can't spell) lesson. 

 

 Next week Elder Christensen from the first quorum of the seventy is speaking to us it will be real interesting I'm excited!!!  

 

Love,

 

Elder Zachary David Daniel

Elsid Campeador‏ Email September 6, 2011

"His name is Elsid and he's in room 208." it was a simple statement that would end up being one of those memories you never forget. He was a sick man who wished to get a blessing. the Elders received a call from him and they called us. So,  I looked at my companion "what do you think?" he shrugged his shoulders. He isn't one of many words. So I directed him towards the hospital. Then we arrived and walked up to the desk. "Hey Elders" the security guard knew who we were and seeing the new Elder immediately started telling us he wasn't interested in hearing our message. We go there a lot.

 

"What's the name Daniel" he didn't even have to look on my name tag. While he brought up my record there. It's a nice hospital. "umm... Elsid Campa.. something?" the nurse at the computer laughed and made some comment about how we were usually more organized than that. Then she told us he doesn't exist. That no one by anything like that was staying at the hospital. That was a first for me, usually we have no problems. So we tried to find a solution. We were about to leave when she asked if we had a room number. yep 208.

 

"uh-oh. you guys don't want to go there, let me call for you." she called and asked if there was a patient by that name,said uh-huh a couple of times and said follow me Elders.  We walked through the hospital and took an elevator to the second floor, walked a little down the hall and stopped at a large door with windows in it and a phone right next to it. She told us to pick it up then talk to the nurse.  I looked through the window there were a bunch of people in their rooms and everything looked normal. So why was everyone acting weird. I looked at my comp "you ready for this?" he shrugged. few words that's how he is. So I picked up the phone it rang once "we're coming" that was all the voice said on the other line. So we waited and saw a security officer and a nurse coming towards us.  They asked us why we were here, and we told them.  They asked how the patient contacted us and we told them. They informed us that we could come back in an hour. So we started to leave, then I asked what all the hush hush was about. Then the nurse turned to me and said "honey this is the psych ward these people are crazy they'll hurt you" I almost pooped my pants I was so scared. We came back in an hour and gave the man a blessing.  It really  was ok! 

 

 Well, I love you all and I hope you think its an interesting story. If I had more time I would go into a little more detail.

 

One of  John's former companions is not in the Ward, but his brother is..... more to come. 

 

Much Love,

 

Elder Zachary David Daniel

Elder Christenson E- mail August 29, 2011

Another week has flown by and luckily it wasn't crazy. So, I have a new comp his name is Elder Christensen he's from Idaho (Pocatello) area.   He is very VERY quiet and the last week has been hard for me. As you know I'm a very social person and well I like to talk alot, so it's been hard.  I feel like I'm talking to a brick wall half of the time and I feel like I have tons of stress.

 

Sorry for that,  didn't mean to be all mopey. It's weird thinking that I'm inching towards the single digit months. E. Alexander is only a month or two older and next week he starts his single digit's he is super scared!

 

But that's regular stuff.  I've been thinking what I should say this week and its been super hard to figure out. As some know Elder Fly is now home in Virginia. how weird is that; all my companions who are older than me are home. My trainees trainee is training (say that 5 times fast) and that makes me even feel older. So life's just moving ahead. Alfredo a recent Convert in the ward is trying to hook me up with this Girl he knows from Ohio, but I'm expecting a beautiful Ukrainian wife (remember Meaghan) so we'll see.

 

So, yep we had another baptism this week Caleb and Noah. It's super exciting! They both had to get dunked twice, hopefully the mom will be interested now. That was the first time I ever met her she  does not like Mormons she usually waits outside until we finish a lesson. We will see what happens.

 

So the life of a missionary becomes kind of routine, you just keep going with the flow! 

 

Love,

 

Elder Zachary David Daniel

Craziest Week Of My Life E-mail August 22, 2011

Oh yes it was that crazy let us begin!!

Sometimes parents (Mom's)  feel the need to edit posts... Yes, needless to say Elder Daniel had a "crazy" week.  But he is doing well and with prayer and guidance he continues to make righteous decisions.  I will quote the last paragraph from his e-mail.

 "Well I think it shows you that Satan is out there.  He is not just after the Missionaries or the Investigators he's after everyone  It was  a crazy week,  if it sounds crazy just try living it. As more time goes by I see the  need in learning the basics. I remember being in church or school or band and thinking why the basics;  I think we get it, but as I look back if it wasn't the basics,  I would have got seriously lost.

 BTW,  My Canadian companion, Elder McKee was also transferred to Menifee this week."