Happy Belated Valentines/Presidents day!
We were snowed in yesterday so we couldn’t do much of anything. We didn't get much snow, but it was all the ice that kept us in. So that’s why we get to email this morning.
Sounds like everyone there is doing well, and working hard.
Congrats Andrew on playing basketball, and scoring! Yeah, for someone who doesn’t play basketball sounds like you make a good player. You probably never thought you’d play, but I just want to say I told ya so! :) 12 pts, pshh I wish I could score that many in a season :)
Speaking of basketball I threw out my back yesterday playing....I feel like a 50 year old man, but good news is I’ve lost about 10 lbs :), so I should be more healthier :) My back is just stiff this morning. I probably need another back adjustment, good thing our ward mission leader is a chiropractor.
LOTS of SUCCSESS this past week. I have basically put Murfreesboro "back on the map" according to President and the Assistants. For a while this area was not seeing much of anything, even when I first got here a couple months ago there was not much to look forward to. But the Lord has blessed me and my companion TREMENDOUSLY. We set baptism dates back to back, one on Sunday and one last evening. The first one is indeed a miracle. We did not do much of anything. His name is Sidney Sandstrom. He and his soon to be family have been waiting for 4 years to get his adoption finalized, and they will be finalized next Monday!
They called, actually we called her because Sister Sandstrom has been on my mind for the past couple of weeks, so I decided to call her, and she told me that their adoption was being finalized on the 22nd, and then she said Sidney wanted to be baptized that night! So we taught them what they needed to be taught after church on Sunday. And the amazing thing is they will be sealed together as a family for ALL time and eternity that weekend. So blessings and miracles are happening.
The other date we set was with a new investigator that we found last Thursday. Which for the mission was "NO FEAR DAY" where we talk to everyone and find as many as potential investigators as possible. Anyways last night was the first time that we taught her, her name is Tammy. She is very receptive and humble. What was awesome is she had no idea there was another testament of Jesus Christ, so that already sparked her attention, taught her the 1st lesson, and she loved it, had little difficulty trying to understand authority, but that is the main concern here with everybody in the South, no one seems to understand it but we have to explain it simply enough for them to understand it.
Tell Oma Viv that I wrote her a letter and to be expecting it in the mail within the next week. I have ALOT of catching up on letter writing. I’ve been slacking on that a lot lately. But tell everyone I appreciate them writing to me, and when I have the time, which is very little then I will write them. Being District Leader is very time consuming, more so than I thought, but let everyone know that I love them and appreciate their support, and will try to find time this week to write everyone back :)
On Saturday we had the opportunity to go talk with a pastor at another church. World Outreach Church, one of the largest churches in Middle Tennessee. He actually was a very nice guy. We have been told by other people that they kick Mormons out if they find out who we were, but when they asked, they to my surprise accepted us in, the pastor actually tried to invite us to be rebaptized. Which I thought was strange, but they got to do what they got to do. We also went to their church services, and it pretty much was like a rock concert, so I see why people like to go there now though.
Our week has been a good week, can't believe how fast time goes by though. I’m trying to slow it down, but it doesn't seem to work...so whenever you find out how to slow it down PLEASE let me know.
Well I can’t think of anything else I need, other than a Reese’s valentine heart :), you know that’s my favorite. My new companion is Elder Johnson. He's from Chandler, Arizona. We get along great. We are very unified, which is even better.
That’s all from me this week
Love yall
Elder Edgell
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Latest Update
Hope everyone is staying warm and not having to dig out anymore snow....I heard yall got some snow this weekend from members yesterday at church. And I was shocked when I heard yall got that much. Hope you have fun for me. Nope we just got rain, rain, rain. It was actually quite nice yesterday and Saturday, surprisingly though.
We are expecting some snow I hear tonight and tomorrow, but we shall see.
WHAT!? Andrew got his permit? He’s gettin too old on me. Was that his first time? He beat me I’ll tell ya that much. Congrats Andrew! I am proud of you. Keep workin hard. Now all he has to worry about is finding a job :). How is soccer going? I take it he hasn’t had any school/practices because of all the amazing snow yall are gettin up in good ole VA.
Elder Perry actually got his Visa last week :). He was excited to finally be able to use his Portuguese that he learned. He left last Monday morning, so me, I have been companionless for the past week. Well not really, I have been on exchanges for the past week with some other Elders that are in my district. Speaking of which, sleeping on the floor, and on couches for the past week, is not fun.....I will be getting a new companion this evening. I have to go pick him up with a member tonight at the mission home. His name is Elder Jump, not sure where he is from, but I will give you details on all that next Monday :)
I heard the Saints won yesterday...only because I was in a college town last night and everybody and anybody were having a party and you heard screams when they won.
The people we are teaching are doing well. We had 3 of them at church yesterday. And a big surprise to me - President Hutchings and the assistants showed up too! I was shocked when I saw them walk in the church building. But it was a good fast and testimony meeting yesterday. All of our baptism dates are doing well too. 2 of the 3 set for this month and March where at church yesterday. It was really good to see them. It’s amazing to be able to see the change people are willing to make in their lives to join Christ’s church. It truly is a blessing to be able to witness that. Speaking of church, I had the wonderful opportunity to teach the Gospel Principles class. It went well, considering that I didn't have a companion to teach with, which was really WEIRD.
Our baptism dates names are Whitney House, Arianna Naylor, and Michael Perry..for when you pray, since you wanted to be more specific. I can definitely feel the prayers from everyone.
I can't believe I turn 21 next month! That’s so crazy! I’m getting old :/, but ya can’t stop time.
Ummm other than that I will definitely have to play catch up this week in my area. It will be good to finally be able to work in my area. I know that Heavenly Father will bless me this week for my hard work and dedication.
Apartment pictures....I will send you some in a bit :). [Here they are]
Well can’t think of anything else. I am doin well, staying warm, and healthy. I love each of you and thank you for the support you give me :)
LOVE YOU LOTS
-Elder Edgell :) :) :) :) :) : ) : )
We are expecting some snow I hear tonight and tomorrow, but we shall see.
WHAT!? Andrew got his permit? He’s gettin too old on me. Was that his first time? He beat me I’ll tell ya that much. Congrats Andrew! I am proud of you. Keep workin hard. Now all he has to worry about is finding a job :). How is soccer going? I take it he hasn’t had any school/practices because of all the amazing snow yall are gettin up in good ole VA.
Elder Perry actually got his Visa last week :). He was excited to finally be able to use his Portuguese that he learned. He left last Monday morning, so me, I have been companionless for the past week. Well not really, I have been on exchanges for the past week with some other Elders that are in my district. Speaking of which, sleeping on the floor, and on couches for the past week, is not fun.....I will be getting a new companion this evening. I have to go pick him up with a member tonight at the mission home. His name is Elder Jump, not sure where he is from, but I will give you details on all that next Monday :)
I heard the Saints won yesterday...only because I was in a college town last night and everybody and anybody were having a party and you heard screams when they won.
The people we are teaching are doing well. We had 3 of them at church yesterday. And a big surprise to me - President Hutchings and the assistants showed up too! I was shocked when I saw them walk in the church building. But it was a good fast and testimony meeting yesterday. All of our baptism dates are doing well too. 2 of the 3 set for this month and March where at church yesterday. It was really good to see them. It’s amazing to be able to see the change people are willing to make in their lives to join Christ’s church. It truly is a blessing to be able to witness that. Speaking of church, I had the wonderful opportunity to teach the Gospel Principles class. It went well, considering that I didn't have a companion to teach with, which was really WEIRD.
Our baptism dates names are Whitney House, Arianna Naylor, and Michael Perry..for when you pray, since you wanted to be more specific. I can definitely feel the prayers from everyone.
I can't believe I turn 21 next month! That’s so crazy! I’m getting old :/, but ya can’t stop time.
Ummm other than that I will definitely have to play catch up this week in my area. It will be good to finally be able to work in my area. I know that Heavenly Father will bless me this week for my hard work and dedication.
Apartment pictures....I will send you some in a bit :). [Here they are]
Well can’t think of anything else. I am doin well, staying warm, and healthy. I love each of you and thank you for the support you give me :)
LOVE YOU LOTS
-Elder Edgell :) :) :) :) :) : ) : )
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Lots to catch up on
This will be the past 3 week update so read on...
January 19, 2010
" This past week has been a spiritually uplifting as well as a testimony builder week indeed.
Where to start. Well, first off we got locked out of our apartment. Elder Campbell lost the keys, so we couldn't get in yesterday. We of course didn't take the spare keys with us, so we didn't get back into our apartment until this morning. (editor's note: not sure where they slept, I assume at other missionaries apartment). We were able to get another key from the apartment office this morning, thank goodness. So we are fine...other than not getting any sleep...learning experience for sure.
Teaching is going well. We are actually teaching quite a few people. We just got done teaching a lesson at Starbucks to one of our investigators. It went well.
We had the opportunity to go to a Baptist Church on Sunday evening. We are tyring to do the same thing Elder Tanner/Reeder and I did up in Sulphur Well. Trying to get known in the community better and it is working. Church services were interesting. I was surprised that they didn't take the sacrament. I thought most churches did. We plan on going to a Presbyterian church this weekend and back to Church of Christ bible study tomorrow night.
We had Zone Conference last Wednesday. Saturday we had interviews with President Hutchings. Our area/district is the one leading the mission in handing out Books of Mormon :). We get at least 30 every week. This past week we gave out about 28. We got a call from the assistants yesterday, congratulating us. So that made us feel good.
Last Monday I had the opportunity to dedicate a home, and cast out a bad spirit. That was interesting and a huge testimony builder for me that the priesthood is indeed real, and it does work.
The cold splurge or whatever you would call it is over, for now. It's about 60 outside right now, so it's WAY much nicer than a couple weeks ago.
It's President Hutching's birthday today.
Hope yall have a good week."
January 25, 2010
"Howdy!
It's been really rainy and wet here as well. Some tornado warnings were out last Thursday in our area, but thankfully none came down. It's been a wild week.
Transfer calls came in... I am staying, as well as Elder Perry. Elder Campbell is leaving. He will be going up to Foxcroft, Illinois. I am still Distric Leader. Our new companion is Elder Johnson from Utah. He will arrive tomorrow morning.
This week wasn't as eventful as the past couple weeks have been. Thank goodness. Other than biking about 20 miles on Thursday. That was a blast. I was on exchanges with another Elder in my district. He had ALOT of doctor appointments to do that day, so we pretty much biked all over Murfreesboro.
The work here continues. We had an awesome experience on Saturday. We were going to see a member and we were a bit early. I asked Elder Campbell if this street had been tracted yet? Elder Campbell said no, so we decided to tract it. As time went by, the first couple of houses, we had no luck. Then on the next door we knocked on, it was a success. I used the approach...
We're missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, and we are going around and talking about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how Christ's church has been restored to the earth today...then I asked him Would it be important to you to know that Christ's church has been restored to the earth today? He said Yeah, it would, then he let us in. We taught him the first lesson right there, it was awesome. We committed him to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. We have a return appointment for this Friday at 3, so I am looking forward to it.
Thank you for your support and love.
Elder Edgell "
February 1, 2010
"Well to say the least, we survived the winter storm that came through our area. We got a least 5 inches, then it all iced over... that was fun. I wanted to build a snowman, but couldn't before it iced over, too busy.
This week President Hutchings challenged us. Our mission gave a total of about 455 Books of Mormon last week, set about 450 future baptism dates... speaking of which we set 3 dates last week.
One we set with a guy at our second lesson we taught. Another one, is Whitney. She called us and told us she wanted to be baptized, so that was awesome.
The other we set on Wednesday night with one of our investigators we are teaching. It is for the 26th. Please pray for her. Her name is Arianna and her parents aren't too happy that she is taking the lessons. She's 18 though, and doesn't really care what her parents think the moment... she needs lots of prayers.
Sad news, good news. Elder Perry got his visa and is now on his way to Brasil! He left around 11 this morning.
I'm a loner for about a week. Well, I'll be with other Elders for about a week, then I will most likely get another visa waiter. Yay, more training for me!
This past week has been interesting - the weather, me losing my voice for a couple days and finding my BOLD spot. I told a man that not only is he rejecting the Lord's servants, but he's also rejecting Christ's true church. He kinda got mad, but I told him what he needed to hear.
Zone Conference is once again. It's Thursday and luckily it's in our church building so we don't have to go very far. I also have fun, fun meeting on Wednesday night. District Leader Council Meeting. It feels like I'm on the phone all the time now.
We are doing good. Hoping to set more dates this week, and find lots of people this week.
Love yall,
Elder Edgell "
January 19, 2010
" This past week has been a spiritually uplifting as well as a testimony builder week indeed.
Where to start. Well, first off we got locked out of our apartment. Elder Campbell lost the keys, so we couldn't get in yesterday. We of course didn't take the spare keys with us, so we didn't get back into our apartment until this morning. (editor's note: not sure where they slept, I assume at other missionaries apartment). We were able to get another key from the apartment office this morning, thank goodness. So we are fine...other than not getting any sleep...learning experience for sure.
Teaching is going well. We are actually teaching quite a few people. We just got done teaching a lesson at Starbucks to one of our investigators. It went well.
We had the opportunity to go to a Baptist Church on Sunday evening. We are tyring to do the same thing Elder Tanner/Reeder and I did up in Sulphur Well. Trying to get known in the community better and it is working. Church services were interesting. I was surprised that they didn't take the sacrament. I thought most churches did. We plan on going to a Presbyterian church this weekend and back to Church of Christ bible study tomorrow night.
We had Zone Conference last Wednesday. Saturday we had interviews with President Hutchings. Our area/district is the one leading the mission in handing out Books of Mormon :). We get at least 30 every week. This past week we gave out about 28. We got a call from the assistants yesterday, congratulating us. So that made us feel good.
Last Monday I had the opportunity to dedicate a home, and cast out a bad spirit. That was interesting and a huge testimony builder for me that the priesthood is indeed real, and it does work.
The cold splurge or whatever you would call it is over, for now. It's about 60 outside right now, so it's WAY much nicer than a couple weeks ago.
It's President Hutching's birthday today.
Hope yall have a good week."
January 25, 2010
"Howdy!
It's been really rainy and wet here as well. Some tornado warnings were out last Thursday in our area, but thankfully none came down. It's been a wild week.
Transfer calls came in... I am staying, as well as Elder Perry. Elder Campbell is leaving. He will be going up to Foxcroft, Illinois. I am still Distric Leader. Our new companion is Elder Johnson from Utah. He will arrive tomorrow morning.
This week wasn't as eventful as the past couple weeks have been. Thank goodness. Other than biking about 20 miles on Thursday. That was a blast. I was on exchanges with another Elder in my district. He had ALOT of doctor appointments to do that day, so we pretty much biked all over Murfreesboro.
The work here continues. We had an awesome experience on Saturday. We were going to see a member and we were a bit early. I asked Elder Campbell if this street had been tracted yet? Elder Campbell said no, so we decided to tract it. As time went by, the first couple of houses, we had no luck. Then on the next door we knocked on, it was a success. I used the approach...
We're missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, and we are going around and talking about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how Christ's church has been restored to the earth today...then I asked him Would it be important to you to know that Christ's church has been restored to the earth today? He said Yeah, it would, then he let us in. We taught him the first lesson right there, it was awesome. We committed him to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. We have a return appointment for this Friday at 3, so I am looking forward to it.
Thank you for your support and love.
Elder Edgell "
February 1, 2010
"Well to say the least, we survived the winter storm that came through our area. We got a least 5 inches, then it all iced over... that was fun. I wanted to build a snowman, but couldn't before it iced over, too busy.
One we set with a guy at our second lesson we taught. Another one, is Whitney. She called us and told us she wanted to be baptized, so that was awesome.
The other we set on Wednesday night with one of our investigators we are teaching. It is for the 26th. Please pray for her. Her name is Arianna and her parents aren't too happy that she is taking the lessons. She's 18 though, and doesn't really care what her parents think the moment... she needs lots of prayers.
I'm a loner for about a week. Well, I'll be with other Elders for about a week, then I will most likely get another visa waiter. Yay, more training for me!
This past week has been interesting - the weather, me losing my voice for a couple days and finding my BOLD spot. I told a man that not only is he rejecting the Lord's servants, but he's also rejecting Christ's true church. He kinda got mad, but I told him what he needed to hear.
Zone Conference is once again. It's Thursday and luckily it's in our church building so we don't have to go very far. I also have fun, fun meeting on Wednesday night. District Leader Council Meeting. It feels like I'm on the phone all the time now.
We are doing good. Hoping to set more dates this week, and find lots of people this week.
Love yall,
Elder Edgell "
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