Zone Conference

So on Tuesday, we had surprise exchanges with our district leader, Elder Ronald. Elder Ronald and I were tracting, and he asked me how often I made phone calls. Apparently not enough cause we stopped tracting to make some. We didn't set up any appointments, so we continued tracting. We tracted into a Filipino lady. She answered, and I started the approach. She was acting almost like she didn't understand us, but then another guy walked up to the door. They started whispering to each other, and then she turned to us, "Come in." Elder Ronald and I didn't hesitate at all we were so stoked. I guess the guy, Aly, met missionaries in the Philippines. His cousin, Irma, actually lives in the house, and I guess it was a miracle we got them both there at the same time cause they are both super busy! They were very receptive, and we set an appointment with them for tomorrow!

On Wednesday, we traveled to Saskatoon for zone conference. Zone conference was on Thursday morning. It was incredible! President and Sister Thomas are amazing! We had a testimony meeting at the end, it was incredible to hear all the testimonies of the missionaries in our zone. It was a great experience. I'll write about it in a letter.

We traveled with the zone leaders. Elder McDaniel told me to give him a fiber one bar, so I did. I asked Elder Perkins if he wanted one, and he said he did. A while later when he took a bite, he pointed at it and said, "huh, bird seed?!" He started laughing uncontrollably. He was like, "this is bird food, man. Come on." When he had about one bite left, he was like, "this is actually pretty good." So funny.

I think that for sure the highlight of the week was our lesson with Carol on Friday. She doesn't have a phone, so we have to drop by to set up appointments. She said she was available at 5 and it was about 2. So we had to scramble to get fellowship, and we didn't really have a lesson plan. But we found fellowship 10 minutes before 5, so we were in the clear. We were going to teach the Restoration, but we started teaching and plans changed. We started teaching about the plan of salvation. It was a brief lesson, but maybe the most spiritual lesson I've ever been in. Every time Elder Call would begin to introduce a scripture, I was already turning to it. Without any communication from him. We both knew what scripture to share. It was amazing!

I think that's good for email. I can't really think of anything else. It was really a great week. Definitely built me up a whole lot! I love you all and hope that you have a great week (some of you a great week in France!)

Love,
Elder C. Lyons

Another Long Week

Chris modeling his new suit

Chris in his apartment in his new suit

So this week was also pretty long. We had a lot of lessons fall through which was really disappointing. Kinda at the peak of the poop, when a lesson on Saturday fell through, Elder Call and I were sitting in the truck wondering what on earth we were doing wrong. We talked for quite a while with little progress and not too many ideas. Then, the Zone Leaders called us and asked us what we were doing. We told them what was going on, and they told us to keep our heads up and keep trying. From the truck, I could see this family playing baseball at the park. I really had to go out of my way, but I told Elder Call, "Let's go talk to them." We walked over and started talking to them. We had a good conversation and got their phone number. I really hope we get to teach them. I haven't taught a family since I taught the Thomas's in Prince Albert.

Sunday, we planned to have a couple more lessons, but at the start, they were already falling through. It looked like we weren't going to hit our goals again. But then we tracted into another member and got invited in to teach. We keep finding less-active members it's ridiculous. We actually stopped by one we found last transfer, and it turns out her son is not a member. We talked to him for a minute, and we will be calling him to set up a time to meet. He had forgotten his mom was a member. As we were walking away he said, "Oh, yeah. My mom did grow up Mormon."

I got to go on exchanges with Elder Perkins on Thursday. He's a zone leader. And he's 6'2" 300 lbs. Yeah he's huge. So street contacting with him was fun! I think everyone he looks at becomes a potential! But we were trying to get into the Kramer building where the YSA ward meets, and we could get in; however we could not figure out how to keep the door unlocked. So Elder Perkins is on the outside trying to test it, and I would let him in when it didn't work. Finally he's all, "huh, maybe you got to be smarter than the door, eh? And I'm not." Then he just looks at me, hands me the keys, pulls me with one arm out the door, "Your turn." And shuts the door. Clearly, it was my turn. I couldn't do it either, but we got it figured out. I guess we were turning it the wrong way. But it was fun to teach the YSA investigators. Most of them are Chinese. It was a good experience.

I'm really trying to remember all that happened this week. I can't really think of anything else. Basically this week is going to fly by because we'll be in Saskatoon for 2 days for Zone Conference. I'm really excited for Zone Conference. I think it will be great. Hopefully, I don't have to talk like last zone conference. I'm pretty content with listening to people who know what they're doing.

I hope everyone has a great week. I love you!

Love,
Elder C. Lyons

Rough Week

So this week was pretty rough. On Friday, we only had one lesson. We had some lessons fall through, and we just couldn't find anyone to teach! So what that means is that we had full days of tracting. Which wasn't really bad. I feel like I've gotten better at finding. The only thing is we were just running into people who aren't interested. We went on exchanges with the ap's on Friday, and Elder Galbriath and I taught a lesson. But we still didn't even really find any potential investigators. The lesson we taught was crazy, though! The man was Muslim and from Pakistan. He had such a thick accent, it was extremely difficult to understand him! His name is Aziz. Maybe we'll see more of him, I don't really know. It's hard to say when you only catch about half of what the man said.

The reason the ap's were up in Regina is cause we got to meet Pres and Sis Thomas on Saturday. It was really great! They are really great people. They're both originally from Aberdeen, but they have been living in Alaska. I really like them! At the end of the meeting Pres Thomas said, "go baptize some people!" It was pretty great. I get to see them next week at zone conference, so that will be fun.

And...guess who's ward Pres and Sis Thomas chose to go to. Ours of course. And guess who had been asked Sat afternoon to give a talk. Me of course. So I got to give a talk with Pres and Sis Thomas there and the assistants and almost the zone leaders (but they didn't make it). Yeah, so that was kinda fun. Pres and Sis Thomas said it was good, so I guess it wasn't completely miserable.

It was kinda fun, we were eating at the Waugh's yesterday, and they were still getting dinner ready. I asked if I could help, and the next thing I know I'm grilling burgers! Usually when we ask people just say no. But I think Sis Waugh appreciated it cause she's pregnant, and Bro Waugh was working on a crib or something.

I know this is big news for our family: We played Frisbee today for p-day activity! It was a lot of fun! My team destroyed! I think that everyone thought since I was awful at all the other sports we played that I would be awful at ultimate. But guess what, I've pretty much got my masters in ultimate I've played it so much! No just kidding. I'm just miserable at basketball and stuff, so it was nice to play something that I kinda know how to play.

I can't really think of much else to write, so I hope everyone has a great week. Have fun at girls camp!

Love,
Elder C. Lyons

Happy Birthday, Meagan! You're old, that's pretty weird.

So this week has been kinda crazy. We're in the process of rebuilding our teaching pool because, well...Kerry's baptized, so she's no longer an investigator. (She was pretty much our only progressing investigator). Which means we've been doing a whole lot of tracting! We have also been walking all over the place cause we were out of k's. Yeah, I've been pretty much exhausted! On Thursday, we walked all the way across town, and I was pretty much sick and tired of moving! Elder Call had the bright idea to stop by a potential that was another 2 or 3 blocks away. I have to admit that I wasn't thrilled about the idea, but we're a companionship. So I went with it. Carol had never been home when we came by, but she was actually there! And she asked us to come back later that day! We brought a recent convert with us named Frank. It was the best 1st lesson I've ever had! She said that she'd give up everything to know and follow the truth! And Frank was amazing at answering her questions! Oh, by the way, he's only been a member for 6 months, and he's the ward executive secretary! He's the best!

Friday we had exchanges with Moose Jaw. We found a few new investigators and set up some appointments for this week. It was really a great day because it's been a LONG time since we've even found any potential investigators. So Elder Call and I are pretty excited about our week.

Haha...we were walking on Saturday and we got stopped by a drunk guy. He was hammered! Completely gone! He rapped to us and everything! It's funny, but I really feel for the guy. It reminded me of Prince Albert. That kinda stuff went down basically every day. So that was a good reminder :)

Yesterday was Canada Day. And it's nothing like the 4th. I thought there would be all sorts of crazy stuff happening, but there wasn't...it was just sorta dead when we were tracting. Either the party was some where else, or they don't have one. We did sing 'O Canada' and 'God save the Queen' in sacrament meeting, though. Don't worry I got the whole 1st verse of 'O Canada' memorized. Sis Paulson had us memorize it. I think we know it better than some of the Canadians! However, I guess Albertan people have a tradition of making rhubarb cake which sounds disgusting, but it's so good! We had some yesterday, it was amazing!

It was pretty funny, during some lady's testimony she said that she had a tough time in the past, that she was in a rough state. The guy sitting next to me leans over and whispers, "must've been Idaho." I was laughing so hard! He was like that the entire time. He leaned over and said, "if the gospel was really true they'd have comfy couches for old, fat people to sit on." I told him it was only good if I qualified. I'm fat, right?

Oh speaking of being fat, Elder Call and I are starting to go running. We gotta work off all the ice cream sandwiches and baptism blizzards we're going to have! Anyways, that's all I got. Have a great week. I love you!

Love,
Elder C. Lyons

Elder Lyons, Kerry, and Elder Call

My District!

Alright so the baptism was amazing! Kerry was in tears as she stepped in the font, and she was so happy afterwards! It was incredible! It's a really neat experience to see someone take those steps and progress in their relationship with our Heavenly Father! The service went really well. The ward did a great job accepting assignments and organizing. We still had some crazy running around setting stuff up moments, but the ward definitely did their part! It seemed much less hectic than Shicona's baptism!

Confirming someone is just as terrifying as I remembered. But I think it went better than Shicona's cause I was more prepared this time. It was kinda insane, though. Elder Call and I only got to church 5 minutes before sacrament meeting started. Yeah, I don't recommend it! To make things worse, Kerry wasn't there yet! So we were sweating, but she walked in just as bishop opened the meeting. Whew!

Oh, another neat experience. Sister Anderson in our ward gives out pass along cards to pretty much everyone. Yeah, the Anderson's are basically full-time missionaries. But anyways, she gave a card to a man at a gas station. He just says,"you gave me one already, and I can't find your church." So we talked to him. And the Anderson's brought him to church. He really liked it! Our ward really took him in.....but he lives in the Lewvan ward. However, he is from Pakistan, and a man from India who lives in the Lewvan ward is going to take him to church. So I guess it works out! AND the Anderson's invited him over for dinner!

For the baptism, we brought a bunch of ice cream sandwiches, but pretty much no one ate them. So we have 2 boxes of them. When we brought them home I said, "these will last us 2 weeks!" Elder Call just says, "or 2 days." I'm pretty sure he's already eaten about 10 of 'em, so they may not make it 2 days.

Today, a Chinese investigator from YSA played bball with us. Yeah, he crushed every single stereotype. He got passed the ball, and no one really went out of their way to guard him. Next thing we know he drives it in for a reverse layup. It was out of control! Everyone was just kinda like, "Whoa!' The man had never thrown a football in his life, within 5 minutes he could through it the length of the basketball court! It was a lot of fun!

I can't really think of much else to write. Most of this week was getting ready for the baptism. I sent a couple of pictures. Hopefully you get them. I should probably get better at sending pics. Sorry

Well, I love you all!

Love,
Elder C. Lyons

June 11, 2012

This week has been pretty intense. We started off pretty busy on Monday evening. We had a lesson with Kerry. It was sort of to help her be prepared for her baptismal interview. We really focused on the Book of Mormon and why it is important. It was a really solid lesson. I was struggling trying to find out what to share, but we eventually got there. So now we have no doubt that she is ready for her baptism! Plus she passed her interview with flying colors! Elder Duford said she was one of the best investigators he's ever interviewed!

We actually had some of my first service opportunities this weekend. On Friday, we got to help out at the Relay for Life. I was so excited! I had no idea that was what the service was going to be. We were just told by Pres. Walton to go to this park. Turns out it was this amazing track, and there were loads of people helping out. It was the best! We got free shirts and sunglasses. It was neat, for most of the time I was directing people to the survivors registration. I was really great to see all the people who had overcome cancer. Then, we also got to help set up the memorials for all the victims. It was great. Definitely one of the highlights of last week!

We helped for a little bit on Saturday morning taking stuff down at the Relay for Life. And then we helped Bro Schroeder set up his pool. (He's Kerry's boyfriend.) It was pretty funny, Elder Call and I were trying to set up the filter, and Elder Call was trying to screw it on. But it wouldn't catch. He was starting to get frustrated, so of course I started to tease him! He just looks at me, "Yeah, then why don't you do it yourself there, Heman!" It was hilarious. Basically, that's how that whole service opportunity went. It was fantastic.

We tracted a whole bunch this week and found some pretty good potentials. I'm pretty excited cause I called this headquarters referral named Olakunle. Yeah, he's African, and basically I can't wait to teach him tomorrow! He just really, really wants to learn more about Jesus Christ. It was great cause that's what I'm here to teach people about! We'll see how that goes.

We have a pretty busy week planned with a lot of lessons. It will be the last full week of this transfer. Sorta crazy. I have no idea where this transfer has gone! Anyways, I should find out on Thursday or Friday what will be the plan for next transfer.

I love you all, and I hope you have a great week!

Love,
Elder C. Lyons

 

6/4/12 It's already June?

First off, how on earth is it already June? This year is flying by! I feel like this transfer just started. It sounds like you all will have a really busy summer. That's exciting that a new family moved in. I'm sure Natalie's excited, and probably Mom, too.

Well, I legitimately thought I was dying this week. I had some really bad chest pain on Monday, I thought it was just heartburn, but it just got worse and worse throughout the week until I was starting to get shooting pain from my chest to my shoulder. I was eating antacids like they were goin out of style, but it still hurt. So I called Pres Walton (1st councilor in the mission presidency) on Saturday, and he came to see what was up. Turns out I did something to my ribs, so basically, the antacids wouldn't be very helpful. And I also didn't need to be eating just plain white rice. But now I've been on ibuprofen, and I'm no longer dying. But it hurts like crazy to laugh! So it may be a boring week.

Even though I was a little out of it this week, we were able to find 2 new investigators! It's pretty great. Cole and Sean are seniors in high school, and pretty much they just want to know that God is there. It's going to be really great teaching them!

And also, Kerry's baptismal interview is this Thursday. We'll see how that goes down. I know that planning baptisms is stressful, but definitely rewarding! Speaking of baptisms, I actually found out this week that one of the investigators that I was teaching in Prince Albert got baptized on Tues! Mary Ann from the Philippines. Also, 2 other investigators told the elders in Prince Albert that they got their answer, and they got baptized on Friday! That was pretty great news. 

I really can't remember this week too much. I know we were walking a whole bunch cause we were low on k's. That's probably why I don't remember much cause all I could think was, 'ouch.' When I'm in pain that tends to dominate my thoughts.

Anyways, Cole and Sean are a neat story. We had planned to meet with Cole on Monday. We had set the appointment when we found him on Friday. We even called and confirmed. But he wasn't there on Monday. Turns out he loaned his car to his friend's dad, and he couldn't walk back to his house on time. So he rescheduled and asked if he could invite some friends, too. We thought that was OK, so Sean came along. We're really looking forward to meeting with them again.

We also have a really solid appointment with a referral tomorrow. Joy was referred to us by her brother who is a member. She's kinda having a rough time, and she's really appreciated the guidance her brother's given her. So she's agreed to meet with us. Yeah! It's pretty great! Now basically we just can't do something green and mess it up! It should be a great lesson!

I know this is pretty short, but I really can't think of anything else. I hope that everyone has a great week. I love you!

Love,
Elder C. Lyons