The last... melon.
This will be my last email home, until I see you guys! I can´t really believe that it´s already here...gone by way too fast.
I want you all to know that in these last 2 years, I have learned and grown so much, so much so that it surprises me sometimes haha. I´ve never felt so close to the Lord, and I´ve never felt his guiding hand so close to mine.
The opportunity to serve the Lord in the way is a chance that I feel no one should avoid. Had I not come here when I did, I most definitely would not have the testimony that I possess now, which currently and forever will serve as strong roots that hold me planted. It´s amazing to me how much we can learn about within the Gospel. There is no limit, and there is end--just infinite.
I have been taught so much in this time, and wouldn´t trade it for anything. I encourage everyone to serve a mission!
With this heat it kind of makes some parts of the work hard and slow. Hardly anybody is out on the streets when it´s this hot and if you do find people they are in a hurry. We try knocking doors but honestly nobody answers haha--probably all sleeping.
Yesterday for example our one apt. in the afternoon fell through and we were stuck to other methods of finding. We probably crossed no more than 15 people in the whole day, and 4 of those people were lost aisan tourists. But what amazes me is that even with those bad odds, the Lord still finds ways to lead us in the right direction to his prepared sons and daughters. Our endurance and diligence are constantly being tried, and I know that as I do my best to keep pushing forward, the Lord always helps and blesses us in some way.
Kevin came to church today, He´s a pretty interesting guy, and the members are good sports with him. He loves speaking in English even if the person doesn´t know anything in English haha. They´ll sit and listen to him tell his stories or to hear him practice his english. Did I tell you he´s going to be in NY, and flying out the same day as I am?
Church wasn´t actually that bad this week! There were hardly any screams from the kids and not much running around at all. The bishop did crack down hard on the members though with their obedience--thank goodness. Hopefully next week we´ll be able to start sacrament meeting on time and actually with the spirit haha.
I lost my agenda the other day :´( i was honestly pretty sad for a while because it has so much in it! Memories, funny stories, phone numbers...gahh. But there´s not much I can do about it now.
Now as I start my last week, I´ll be sure to work my hardest and do my best in every moment. Thank you so much to everyone one of you, for having supported me, for having prayed and worried for me and other missionaries. I really do appreciate it. Thank you for everything. I owe you guys too much for the countless things you´ve done for me.
I hope you all have a great week, and that you´re able to witness the Lord´s hand in at least one part of each day.
Can´t wait to see you all next week!! So, it´s a goodbye until Tuesday :)
With all of my love,
Elder Franson
Monday, June 29, 2015
Monday, June 22, 2015
strengthening the young womens
This week´s email is also going to be kind of short, I don´t really have much time but also I cut my my finger which makes it quite hard to type normal.
Thank you Leah and Porter for the letters! Loved them, thanks for sending it. I´ve been a slacker lately in writing but I´ll be home soon anyway so we´ll just talk more then haha.
Whenever I talk to Kevin, the Dominican convert, he always asks how Cady is doing in the DR and how she likes it--I´m sure she´s doing great. Thanks Cady for your emails and stories even though you´re busy!
Kevin is doing great, turns out he´s headed to visit his sister in New York, leaving the same day I will be too! We may see each other in the airport haha. His testimony is growing and is really strong, which is amazing for us to see as the missionaries. It´s like a teacher at school, when they see their students finally progress and learn how to do the math problem on their own without struggles.
At church, Kristyna finally came again (she´s the 15 year old that got baptized like a month ago, but then didn't come for a while), such a relief. I was about ready to get more direct with her on having to continue to follow up with her committment.
The funny thing is is that she came with another friend, Maria, 14 years old. And we had another investigator come who was 13 years old. Basically it looked like we are just contacting and teaching the young girls. Which isn´t true, they just all happened to come today. I felt funny walking with them to church though haha, strengthening the Young Womens, yeah!
Found another investigator--Carmen, seems to have a ton of interest! Doesn´t have too much time but has a huge desire to learn more and go see the temple.
All in all, it really was a great week. went and walked through a real and abandoned castle today which was such a cool experience. Each day is a new adventure. A hot one too.
Love you all, have a great week!
Elder Franson
Thank you Leah and Porter for the letters! Loved them, thanks for sending it. I´ve been a slacker lately in writing but I´ll be home soon anyway so we´ll just talk more then haha.
Whenever I talk to Kevin, the Dominican convert, he always asks how Cady is doing in the DR and how she likes it--I´m sure she´s doing great. Thanks Cady for your emails and stories even though you´re busy!
Kevin is doing great, turns out he´s headed to visit his sister in New York, leaving the same day I will be too! We may see each other in the airport haha. His testimony is growing and is really strong, which is amazing for us to see as the missionaries. It´s like a teacher at school, when they see their students finally progress and learn how to do the math problem on their own without struggles.
At church, Kristyna finally came again (she´s the 15 year old that got baptized like a month ago, but then didn't come for a while), such a relief. I was about ready to get more direct with her on having to continue to follow up with her committment.
The funny thing is is that she came with another friend, Maria, 14 years old. And we had another investigator come who was 13 years old. Basically it looked like we are just contacting and teaching the young girls. Which isn´t true, they just all happened to come today. I felt funny walking with them to church though haha, strengthening the Young Womens, yeah!
Found another investigator--Carmen, seems to have a ton of interest! Doesn´t have too much time but has a huge desire to learn more and go see the temple.
All in all, it really was a great week. went and walked through a real and abandoned castle today which was such a cool experience. Each day is a new adventure. A hot one too.
Love you all, have a great week!
Elder Franson
Monday, June 15, 2015
the mission is coming to a close
Hey Mom!
Well I don´t have much time, so I´m only going to really write to you today.
This can be the email you put on the blog if you want. We are more rushed because we spent the day in Madrid, which is about an hour away with my other good buddy and did some good souveneir shopping. I guess you gotta get prepared as the time goes to a close :/ But we had a really really fun time there, we spent a little bit of time at a members house who fed us Ceviche! I hadn´t seen that family for about a year, and we had taught her son and he got baptized then too, so it was wonderful to see them still strong in the Gospel and to see the husband, who´s not a member, warm up more and more to the Church.
Just be prepared for some of the wicked stuff I´m bringing home, you´re going to love it :) But I have to keep it all as a surprise to you´ll have to wait a little bit longer. But I will tell you one thing, that I want to tell Grandpa as well. Spain is famous for its olive trees, and they are everywhere down here. You don´t see them much in Madrid because it´s got to be more south where it´s hot and dry. I had this idea that I´m going to bring home some olive tree wood, both for them to make stuff for themselves but also maybe to make me something haha. I don´t know how easy it´ll be to work with, but I at least want to try.
Tell Kayla and Jess I said Happy 2 year Anniversary! Can´t believe it, and it´s weird that I haven´t even been there for hardly any of it haha. But tell them that I love them and wish them the best :)
Not much more happened here last week...we drank a ton of Morirsoñando with Kevin, the Dominican who got baptized a week ago. He´s actually leaving tomorrow to go to NY to live for a couple of months, and he really wants to talk with all of you. So when I get home we´ll call him and you´ll meet him :)
Jesus, our other really good investigator has been gone to Holland but should be back now, we´re going to pass by his house this evening to see how he´s doing and to confirm the plans for his baptism too.
I´ve been having such a great time, and have been seeing so many miracles. The work here is doing amazing and I´m enjoying my time here so much. I only have 3 weeks left but it still doesn´t feel that weird yet. I´m sure it´ll hit later. But for right now, I´ll just stick with working hard and having a good time.
I love you all so much, I love you mom and Dad. Sorry I´m not being really good at replying lately to everything, but I read every one of your emails and love them so much. Thank you for your motivation that you´ve given me.
Take care! Love you SO MUCH.
Elder Franson
Well I don´t have much time, so I´m only going to really write to you today.
This can be the email you put on the blog if you want. We are more rushed because we spent the day in Madrid, which is about an hour away with my other good buddy and did some good souveneir shopping. I guess you gotta get prepared as the time goes to a close :/ But we had a really really fun time there, we spent a little bit of time at a members house who fed us Ceviche! I hadn´t seen that family for about a year, and we had taught her son and he got baptized then too, so it was wonderful to see them still strong in the Gospel and to see the husband, who´s not a member, warm up more and more to the Church.
Just be prepared for some of the wicked stuff I´m bringing home, you´re going to love it :) But I have to keep it all as a surprise to you´ll have to wait a little bit longer. But I will tell you one thing, that I want to tell Grandpa as well. Spain is famous for its olive trees, and they are everywhere down here. You don´t see them much in Madrid because it´s got to be more south where it´s hot and dry. I had this idea that I´m going to bring home some olive tree wood, both for them to make stuff for themselves but also maybe to make me something haha. I don´t know how easy it´ll be to work with, but I at least want to try.
Tell Kayla and Jess I said Happy 2 year Anniversary! Can´t believe it, and it´s weird that I haven´t even been there for hardly any of it haha. But tell them that I love them and wish them the best :)
Not much more happened here last week...we drank a ton of Morirsoñando with Kevin, the Dominican who got baptized a week ago. He´s actually leaving tomorrow to go to NY to live for a couple of months, and he really wants to talk with all of you. So when I get home we´ll call him and you´ll meet him :)
Jesus, our other really good investigator has been gone to Holland but should be back now, we´re going to pass by his house this evening to see how he´s doing and to confirm the plans for his baptism too.
I´ve been having such a great time, and have been seeing so many miracles. The work here is doing amazing and I´m enjoying my time here so much. I only have 3 weeks left but it still doesn´t feel that weird yet. I´m sure it´ll hit later. But for right now, I´ll just stick with working hard and having a good time.
I love you all so much, I love you mom and Dad. Sorry I´m not being really good at replying lately to everything, but I read every one of your emails and love them so much. Thank you for your motivation that you´ve given me.
Take care! Love you SO MUCH.
Elder Franson
Monday, June 8, 2015
crazy sacrament meetings continue
Dear Everyone :)
We had a really packed week, which made it go by quite fast. Had a couple exchanges with other missionaries, went to the temple (for the last time on my mission :( sad) and we had a baptism on Sunday! Kevin, our Domincan miracle guy got baptized and had a great day. He´s got a funny personality, just LOVES to speak english to everybody, even if they don´t speak english, so Kayla that´s why you got that one message from him haha--his real name is Narciso, or Narcy. He´s going to be in New York for a couple months here shortly and has said something about wanting to visit us there haha. We´ll see, we´re going to stay in good contact by email until I get home then I can talk more with him. I hope he can stay active while he´s there (he´ll be living with his sister and her family who are all members in NY actually).
Another miracle was having a great lesson with a new family, the parents names are Alberto and Marisela. Albert´s uncle is a strong member of the church here, and somehow we were just at the right place at the right time and got their number and an apt. to meet at their house. Found out later that that was the first time missionaries had ever been at the house. They fed us some amazing Ecuadorian food, then we had a really spiritual lessons based on the scriptures, namely the BOM, and how they can have a Christ centered home. They loved it! Then Alberto and Marisela were both so focused and attentive, and their two cute little kids were surprisingly very attentive as well. We´ll be meeting with them this Thursday and hopefully be able to see a big progression in their desire to learn more and progression.
Sacrament meeting continues to be pretty loud with all of the kids running around constantly and throwing things around. I just have to close my eyes and pretend like I´m not seeing it, or else I start having hernias.
Our other really great investigator, Jesus, is now on a trip to Holland for a couple weeks, and when he get´s back he´s getting baptized. We´re really excited for him, he´s doing really really good.
I love you all, never doubt that the Lord can do anything through his soft but powerful Spirit. I´ve seen so many miracles come from following that subtle guidance, and hope you all can feel it too.
Love you all so much!
Elder Franson
We had a really packed week, which made it go by quite fast. Had a couple exchanges with other missionaries, went to the temple (for the last time on my mission :( sad) and we had a baptism on Sunday! Kevin, our Domincan miracle guy got baptized and had a great day. He´s got a funny personality, just LOVES to speak english to everybody, even if they don´t speak english, so Kayla that´s why you got that one message from him haha--his real name is Narciso, or Narcy. He´s going to be in New York for a couple months here shortly and has said something about wanting to visit us there haha. We´ll see, we´re going to stay in good contact by email until I get home then I can talk more with him. I hope he can stay active while he´s there (he´ll be living with his sister and her family who are all members in NY actually).
Another miracle was having a great lesson with a new family, the parents names are Alberto and Marisela. Albert´s uncle is a strong member of the church here, and somehow we were just at the right place at the right time and got their number and an apt. to meet at their house. Found out later that that was the first time missionaries had ever been at the house. They fed us some amazing Ecuadorian food, then we had a really spiritual lessons based on the scriptures, namely the BOM, and how they can have a Christ centered home. They loved it! Then Alberto and Marisela were both so focused and attentive, and their two cute little kids were surprisingly very attentive as well. We´ll be meeting with them this Thursday and hopefully be able to see a big progression in their desire to learn more and progression.
Sacrament meeting continues to be pretty loud with all of the kids running around constantly and throwing things around. I just have to close my eyes and pretend like I´m not seeing it, or else I start having hernias.
Our other really great investigator, Jesus, is now on a trip to Holland for a couple weeks, and when he get´s back he´s getting baptized. We´re really excited for him, he´s doing really really good.
I love you all, never doubt that the Lord can do anything through his soft but powerful Spirit. I´ve seen so many miracles come from following that subtle guidance, and hope you all can feel it too.
Love you all so much!
Elder Franson
Baptism of Kevin
Monday, June 1, 2015
the work is moving forward!
Dear Family and Friends,
Weeks are passing by too fast to be able to give a detailed description of them, you´d have to go back and read my journal haha.
We had a pretty good week, although it for sure had its ups and downs. Lost contact with a couple investigators, then regained it. Had a couple days where all of our appointments and plans fell though and we were scrambling to find other things to do.
We´re definitely gaining the ward´s trust, especially the bishop´s. It´s amazing when you know that the members can rely and trust in you. The best and most productive way to do missionary work is obviously by and through the members, and when I see the members trying their best to present their friends to us, or to see them talking about how they can invite their friend(s) to church, I'm filled with a big feeling of gratefulness and excitement.
Yesterday an American family came to our ward to visit and they have some family here in Toledo who aren´t members. They had visited them the night before and then gave us the phone number to be able to contact them. I´m really excited to open this new door and try to teach them. I think they could really use all of our prayers to help soften their hearts and prepare them to accept the gospel. I hope all goes well!
We had some really small but impressive moments during the week that lead us to find some really great people. One day we were just walking and sweating as we walked on the deserted streets and randomly turned into a park. Once we got in there I saw a woman walking towards us, the only person out in public within a decent sized radius. We of course stopped her and started talking. She´s from the DR, and even though she was on her way to work, seemed very happy and willing to give us her number to call another day. After that I just starting thinking how it was completely the Lord that lead us there, and made sure to offer up a prayer of thanks for such a tender mercy. The same sort of thing happened later that day but with a lady from Nicaragua. And earlier that day we found a very nice and kind Spaniard man who wants to talk another day. Little by little the Lord´s work is moving forward!
I love you all, you mean the world to me.
Love Elder Franson
Weeks are passing by too fast to be able to give a detailed description of them, you´d have to go back and read my journal haha.
We had a pretty good week, although it for sure had its ups and downs. Lost contact with a couple investigators, then regained it. Had a couple days where all of our appointments and plans fell though and we were scrambling to find other things to do.
We´re definitely gaining the ward´s trust, especially the bishop´s. It´s amazing when you know that the members can rely and trust in you. The best and most productive way to do missionary work is obviously by and through the members, and when I see the members trying their best to present their friends to us, or to see them talking about how they can invite their friend(s) to church, I'm filled with a big feeling of gratefulness and excitement.
Yesterday an American family came to our ward to visit and they have some family here in Toledo who aren´t members. They had visited them the night before and then gave us the phone number to be able to contact them. I´m really excited to open this new door and try to teach them. I think they could really use all of our prayers to help soften their hearts and prepare them to accept the gospel. I hope all goes well!
We had some really small but impressive moments during the week that lead us to find some really great people. One day we were just walking and sweating as we walked on the deserted streets and randomly turned into a park. Once we got in there I saw a woman walking towards us, the only person out in public within a decent sized radius. We of course stopped her and started talking. She´s from the DR, and even though she was on her way to work, seemed very happy and willing to give us her number to call another day. After that I just starting thinking how it was completely the Lord that lead us there, and made sure to offer up a prayer of thanks for such a tender mercy. The same sort of thing happened later that day but with a lady from Nicaragua. And earlier that day we found a very nice and kind Spaniard man who wants to talk another day. Little by little the Lord´s work is moving forward!
I love you all, you mean the world to me.
Love Elder Franson
Monday, May 25, 2015
best birthday he's ever had
With lots of things going on today, I don´t have that much time to write my big email, but I´ll make it as best as I can :)
To sum up the week, I could only use the word MIRACLES. We will be having some baptisms soon with some investigators of our that honestly have just been blowing me away with how interested and ready they are. Jesus is the first one, the Venezuelan guy. Our relationship is really growing, I think he likes us a lot. The other day he sent us a text that said ´Hey if you guys are ever around here and want to rest or visit for a bit, just stop on by my house! It is after all your house too.¨ How nice of him!
Taught him the word of wisdom the other day and he accepted it completely, without doubt at all. He did have a question about how to be able to deal with certain doubts with it that his friends might have when he wants to share the Gospel with him, which showed me that this guy is truly feeling the spirit because his desire to share it with others is growing quite rapidly. I´m so excited!! His baptismal date is for the 21 of June, he´s going on a trip between now and then, but it should all work out fine.
Kevin is the other, found him pretty recently. he is Dominican and has family in NY who are members who have been playing a part in preparing him to accept the Gospel now. He came to church on Sunday, although I think he didn´t realize that it was 3 hours long because he left after the first one (elders quorum). But we´ll be meeting with him tonight and teaching him more. He´s doing so great and will be baptized soon as well!
I´m just happier than happy right now. The baptismal date that we set with Kevin, we set on my birthday. That same day was when we had an amazing lesson with Jesus and some other investigators. Honestly, one of the best birthdays I´ve ever had before. Seeing miracles happen in the lives of the investigators and members is so filling. I´m loving every second of life out here.
I hope you all are doing fine and enjoying the rain, you know how much I love that stuff. Take care and be safe.
With all my love,
Elder Franson
To sum up the week, I could only use the word MIRACLES. We will be having some baptisms soon with some investigators of our that honestly have just been blowing me away with how interested and ready they are. Jesus is the first one, the Venezuelan guy. Our relationship is really growing, I think he likes us a lot. The other day he sent us a text that said ´Hey if you guys are ever around here and want to rest or visit for a bit, just stop on by my house! It is after all your house too.¨ How nice of him!
Taught him the word of wisdom the other day and he accepted it completely, without doubt at all. He did have a question about how to be able to deal with certain doubts with it that his friends might have when he wants to share the Gospel with him, which showed me that this guy is truly feeling the spirit because his desire to share it with others is growing quite rapidly. I´m so excited!! His baptismal date is for the 21 of June, he´s going on a trip between now and then, but it should all work out fine.
Kevin is the other, found him pretty recently. he is Dominican and has family in NY who are members who have been playing a part in preparing him to accept the Gospel now. He came to church on Sunday, although I think he didn´t realize that it was 3 hours long because he left after the first one (elders quorum). But we´ll be meeting with him tonight and teaching him more. He´s doing so great and will be baptized soon as well!
I´m just happier than happy right now. The baptismal date that we set with Kevin, we set on my birthday. That same day was when we had an amazing lesson with Jesus and some other investigators. Honestly, one of the best birthdays I´ve ever had before. Seeing miracles happen in the lives of the investigators and members is so filling. I´m loving every second of life out here.
I hope you all are doing fine and enjoying the rain, you know how much I love that stuff. Take care and be safe.
With all my love,
Elder Franson
Monday, May 18, 2015
it's getting hot
I´ve found that screaming children at church really can push my buttons quite fast. It was pretty bad yesterday, and kids running around the sacrament room, playing on iPads with the volume up, getting in fights with other kids, falling off chairs. It´s just too much sometimes.
But the miracle of that was that our amazing investigator, Jesus, came to church and actually liked it! He stayed all three hours, and because the order of the classes is backwards here, we started in the Elders quorum and we were worrried that he was getting bored. But he ended up liking it and we talked a bit after. We´ll be meeting with him on Tuesday, tomorrow, and we´ll make the baptismal plans more concrete.
It´s been so dang hot, I´m just constantly sweating I swear which sounds gross but it´s just what it is now. It´s much hotter down here than it is in Madrid. When I first got here it was quite green, but you can tell that it´s slowly starting to turn a little more brown.
The heat tends to keep people inside or just away from the streets. So we don´t see many people until later in the evening, like 8 or 9 sometimes haha. We´re trying to see if we can find new and better ways to find new investigators for those hours when no one can be found in the streets. Like finding families together in the parks as an example.
So, lets just say these white shirts have been turning a bit off white and I will not be taking them home.
Had zone conference on Thursday, it was a really good one--talked about being more bold in missionary work. Got to see Elder Wilson! Lots of fun to see and talk with him. Weird that he´ll be going home in a week!
All in all, we´re still seeing new miracles and blessings each day, like this new family that we´re going to visit on Friday where the parents are both inactive and the 3 kids haven´t been baptized yet, and we´re super excited to talk with them to see if we can work some magic :)
I love you all so much, thanks for your support and examples. I think and pray for you often.
Love Elder Franson
But the miracle of that was that our amazing investigator, Jesus, came to church and actually liked it! He stayed all three hours, and because the order of the classes is backwards here, we started in the Elders quorum and we were worrried that he was getting bored. But he ended up liking it and we talked a bit after. We´ll be meeting with him on Tuesday, tomorrow, and we´ll make the baptismal plans more concrete.
It´s been so dang hot, I´m just constantly sweating I swear which sounds gross but it´s just what it is now. It´s much hotter down here than it is in Madrid. When I first got here it was quite green, but you can tell that it´s slowly starting to turn a little more brown.
The heat tends to keep people inside or just away from the streets. So we don´t see many people until later in the evening, like 8 or 9 sometimes haha. We´re trying to see if we can find new and better ways to find new investigators for those hours when no one can be found in the streets. Like finding families together in the parks as an example.
So, lets just say these white shirts have been turning a bit off white and I will not be taking them home.
Had zone conference on Thursday, it was a really good one--talked about being more bold in missionary work. Got to see Elder Wilson! Lots of fun to see and talk with him. Weird that he´ll be going home in a week!
All in all, we´re still seeing new miracles and blessings each day, like this new family that we´re going to visit on Friday where the parents are both inactive and the 3 kids haven´t been baptized yet, and we´re super excited to talk with them to see if we can work some magic :)
I love you all so much, thanks for your support and examples. I think and pray for you often.
Love Elder Franson
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