I'm a trainer!

This is Elder York not Elder Lancaster.  :)

I have been asked to train a new missionary named Elder Lancaster and I just got back from picking him up at the trainer's meeting. We lost the truck, but are still in the Arvada 4th ward. I am excited and nervous all at the same time and could use a prayer or 2. It will be a time of big growth and big challenge but I know that I can do it and that the Lord will help us to finally get things rolling here the way that I know they can go.

It seems like yesterday that I was a junior companion and now I'm a trainer...oh wait, that was yesterday. (^_^)

Backpack update!

Reid sent pictures today. He has his backpack more tricked out!

Reid is very happy not to always be on his bike anymore...but I think he is envious of this truck! Now THAT is a truck!

Brian's mom wants him to wait until he turns 16 in September to be baptized. I am not going to roll over and just say that is fine for them to make him wait, but I don't think he will be able to go through with it very soon. I am going to push for his family to take the lessons and understand what this is really about. Hopefully they will accept the invitation and  the 6th ward elders will be able to get the job done. 

In other news, it has been a good week for me here in Arvada. We played 18 holes of disc golf for p-day, and as I have said before, any p-day that you don't have to play basketball is a victory. (^_^) We also got to meet with Sarah this last week. We talked for a long time and it was the most intelligent conversations I have had in a long time. I plainly asked her if she was willing to do more than just be curious and actually commit to finding out if what I said was the truth. She said that she would. I am going to enjoy this opportunity.

Surprise Pictures!

Jim and I were watching March Madness when I received a text with these pictures of Reid and his companion! What a nice surprise! I have no idea who sent them because they did not respond to my text. All it said was. "Enjoying my mission. A day of service." Notice Reid has his tag hooked on his t-shirt right in the center. I like the rice pyramid! Frankly, I am pleased Reid remembered my phone number...he probably has it written down in his wallet. :)

I am pleased to report more good things are happening in the Arvada 4th ward. We have been sharing a message I developed to help get the members of the ward engaged in the work. We are asking them to pray to help the ward missionaries find the elect and be united in prayer as it instructs in D & C 29:6-7. As a result, finding is getting better ans we are actually seeing referrals (for other wards, but referrals none the less). The bishop is all for it and with his support I think things will turn around here. So we have found a family  called the Clabreses and when we asked them why they let us in they said that they are looking for a new church and are open to hear what others have to say They accepted the BoM with a charge to read and pray about it. I asked if they feel like God answers prayers and they responded with yes. I told them to take the knowledge and apply it to understanding if this is the Lords's church and they said they would. They are going to try to make it to church next Sunday and we still need an appointment but I have a good hope for them.

Well that is what has been going on but I could use a prayer in this regard.  It has been super hard to get up in the mornings of late and I find myself exhausted in the mornings. Once I get going I am fine, but mornings are a drag.

Arvada District

March 8th, 2011

Brian is still on track to be baptized March 26th and is doing well. His parents are planning on coming. Which is great news. We tracted into Sarah. She is very intelligent and says she is mostly curious about our faith. She likes the idea of a church that is alive and not tied to unneeded traditions like kosher and such. When we asked what it would mean to her if she found out if this is the true church her answer didn't exclude the possibility of finding out, but was hesitant. Her open mind will serve her well if she really looks for the answers we are going to ask her to seek. Our new mission leader is very dynamic and awesome to be around. He is very supportive and will be a major asset in my opinion. Brother Carlston is the man!
Reid is having trouble with his companion. His companion is extremely unmotivated and doesn't communicate very well. Reid could use your prayers. He is feeling very frustrated and unhappy.

Tractorific!

"Well, it has been a tractorific week here in the Arvada 4th and I'm not sure there is much more to say about it than that... We have knocked on a lot of doors to say the least and we are still finding an occasional somewhat interested person but so far appointments that are actually kept are yet to be forthcoming. It is a bit draining on on me.. On the plus side, Brian is still on track and we have a new enthusiastic mission leader."

March 1, 2011