Elder May: Chapter 70

Elder Hayden just completed his 13^th transfer and is in his 3^rd area.  He also just celebrated his 16-month mark.  Getting so close to the home stretch.  The last six month have a tendency to really go by fast.  We as a family have really been thinking about the trials and opposition we have had over the course of the last 2 years.  It is interesting as to where you find your blessings sometimes.  When Hunter was out, we had significant trials of a different nature so as they resolved and we were still goo, it was easier to see the blessings of having a missionary serving.  With Elder Hayden and his brother Elder Bryson being out and gone from our family, the trials have been steady and strong and don’t seem to resolve themselves as quickly but as they did before when Hunter was out.  However, we are able to point to small and simple things as the Lord hearing and answering our prayers.  It strengthens my testimony that Heavenly Father knows us and loves us.  And He will take care of us…in His time.  I love this boy with all my heart.  I miss him even more at times but my heart is very full at how proud and blessed we are to have him.  Enjoy!!

Chapter 70

1.            All the rocks of my mission finished!

2.            Wow I don't know any of these missionaries anymore. 

3.            There is so much rain. AND I LOVE IT!

4.            Elder Shakespeare got sick.  

Hey everybody! This was a weird week. It was the beginning of my thirteenth transfer and I still get to be here in Port Charlotte with Elder Shakespeare! But really weird thing is that most of the missionaries who I have known throughout the mission finished up this week. So that was weird. They were my rocks you know? Crazy stuff. 

Also when we received our organization for our mission it was confirmed to me that I do not know any of the missionaries anymore. Maybe 15 or so. The rest I have no idea because we haven't been getting the organization to tell us who is coming in or leaving so it has been weird. I've never served near the mission Office to see everyone who comes or goes and now I don't know them. Doesn't bother me too much though. Just weird to not know them. 

Third, it has been raining basically nonstop for four days. It is still raining as I write this. It jumps between a constant sprinkles to pouring to sprinkles again. 

The rain coupled with Elder Shakespeare not feeling good has made this a slow week. But we had a few people come to church and we are excited to work this week. I will have more pictures next week. 

I love you all and I pray for you often! Thanks for the prayers being sent back. They are felt and witnessed. Love you!

Love,

Elder May

Elder May - Chapter 69

As Hayden said, this transfer went by quickly…for him!  For me, not so much but what else would you expect?  He had a great week with lots of souls wanting to know the truth of the gospel.  So grateful he is there to teach them.  Love him, miss him, but oh…so proud of him!  Enjoy!!

Chapter 69:

1.            This was a long preparation day

2.            Best District Ever!

3.            Dinner with the Bishop!

4.            Oh yeah I have another referral for you 

On Monday, our preparation day lasted forever. We got haircuts, emailed, went shopping at the mall, bought our food, and still somehow had 3 hours. It was crazy. But it was a much needed slow day seeing that it has somehow been 6 weeks now in Port Charlotte. 

Second is the district down here. We made sure to take some pictures and I only put a couple of them on here but they are pretty great. Not sure it will be the same after transfers this week (it probably won't but I'll keep you updated.) 

"Best District Ever!"

Love our Elder!!

Third, we had a dinner over at our Bishops house because he is awesome and invited his neighbors over for dinner. So we had some dinner and a lesson. It is a couple and they have a college aged daughter, who couldn't make it, and a sophomore daughter. They seemed really interested while we were there and understood everything. Unfortunately they prayed and "aren't ready for this at this point". Luckily they have a rock solid member right next door. 

Last is that on Sunday, we correlated with our Bishop about how we can help our the ward and vice versa and mid-sentence he stopped and gave us a referral of some lady he talked to. He is so cool. This ward is super missionary minded and it is awesome to have such a rock to lead it.

I love you all and will let my mom know transfer news as soon as I get it. Let me know if I can help you out at all.

Love, Elder May

Elder May - Week 68

I have always said that the days go by slowing but the weeks seem to fly by.  I think that Elder Hayden is feeling that as well.  And he is right, you will never hear me say that it is going fast.  I will say, though, seeing the smiling children and the decision to be baptized feels my heart with joy and I know that there is a reason for everything and that Elder May is doing what he is supposed to be doing.  We love him and miss him so much but we are oh, so proud of him!  Enjoy!!

 

**ps- If anyone is interested in sending him anything, he did say he would love any gift cards.  Some of the local restaurants that we both share is Chili’s, Outback, Olive Garden, Chic-Fil-A and Taco Bell.**

Chapter 68

1.            How is it preparation day already?!

2.            Baptismal Interview exchanges

3.            Baptism!

4.            This member missionary work though. 

5.            How is it preparation day already?! 

Hey Everyone! We had an awesome week down here in Port Charlotte! 

This whole transfer has been flying by. (My family will probably not agree) It has just seemed like it has flown by. Did you know I got to Port Charlotte 5 weeks ago? It's ridiculous. But it has been an awesome week even if it was quick. 

Wednesday was a ton of fun because we got to go out of our area on exchange for like two hours so I could interview a baptismal candidate for the zone leaders while they interviewed our two for this past weekend. 

Speaking of baptism: 

Meet Penelope and Alan Bildzukewicz, some of the newest members of the Church. Such a cool family!

Third, in ward council, we are having missionary moments shared and Bishop told everyone about how his neighbor was asking about what church to go to and Bishop interrupted him and said "Your search is over, you found the right church and I am the Bishop of it" then set up a dinner for this Friday so we can teach.

Fourth, this past Sunday we had some members missionary miracles. The three talks were given by a youth, the Bishops wife, and Elders Quorum 2nd Counselor so you can already know they were going to be powerful. Each were the same topic, about "How do I know the gospel is true?" The first two talks given were fantastic and the Spirit was already very strong and the Elders Quorum Counselor talked about he learned the gospel is true by doing missionary work. He said "Brothers and Sisters, if you want to strengthen or gain a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel, Go Share It With Others! That is the best way to learn. Open your mouth, Follow the Spirit, and watch miracles happen through your words!" It was very powerful. 

And now it's preparation day already. Crazy stuff. Love you all and hope you're all doing well! Talk to you all later!

Love - Elder May

Elder May - Chapter 67

I am late in getting this post up.  We had a few issues with Elder Hayden’s blog this past week but are working diligently to get it back up and running.  I had a hard time last week with Elder Hayden being gone and I am not exactly sure why.  Maybe because we had lots of boys leaving that we know and love or maybe because life is hard sometimes… not really sure.  What I am sure of is that he is where he is supposed to be and it is our privilege to support and sacrifice in support of his pure obedience.  We love him, we miss him too – but we are oh, so proud of him!!  Enjoy!

Chapter 67:

1) The Book of Mormon Power!

2) Needs the Plan of Salvation in his life.

3) WILLIAM CAME TO CHURCH!

4) We are good to go for the baptism this weekend.

Hi everybody! I wanted to send this to keep you updated on what is going on! We are just doing the normal here in Port Charlotte but the week started with a good district meeting. 

We have pretty much been on a Book of Mormon high since zone conference last week and this district meeting was basically just bearing testimony on how the Book of Mormon has influenced us and those we have gotten to teach. As part of it we watched the Thomas S. Monson talk from Sunday morning session of this last conference because when the prophet speaks you listen up and do what he says. It has been fantastic to have happen to us at this time and it has sparked the work so much.

Second, we had to stay in the apartment for a bit because we weren't feeling good and while we were in we received a referral for a man that went on mormon.org asking for prayers, ordered a free bible, the referral lady taught him about the Book of Mormon so when we called 10 seconds later he answered and we set up to teach him on Tuesday of this week. That is exciting stuff. He is having a few trials so hopefully he and his family can find peace through the message of the restoration and Plan of Salvation. 

Third, we were waiting to see if anyone would come to church and then a members son actually came that we have been trying to teach without us even being able to talk to them about it and he came and enjoyed church and they are having us over for dinner and a lesson tonight.

Fourth, everything is set up for Penelope and Alan Ottenwalder to be baptized and confirmed this weekend. We are seeing them tomorrow, Wednesday, then they go to their dads and are back on Saturday. Their less active dad is coming to the baptism as well so we are all very excited for it. Pictures will be coming. 

I totally forgot to take any pictures this week so that is my bad. But I do love you all and appreciate the prayers and examples of testimony and faith that you are all to me/ I will talk more next week. 

Love you!

Love,  Elder May