I have been changed

Change it seems is one of the great adventures of life, It is ever present and always surprising us. The change seen in self as we learn and grow Physically and Spiritually is amazingly slow but yet once we pause for just a moment we see how far we've really gone. This week was full of change for me here in Ohio and for all of you back at home from what I hear.

This week was different for me as I am with a new companion and still learning about the area I am doing my best to lead.

Starting off with Tuesday evening Elder Larsen said Goodbye to Kyle, his mom was there and she broke down in to tears. She expressed how much she loved us for bringing back her Son. I was touched deeply by that statement and it gave me a perspective I didn't have before. That we as missionaries aren't just here to Start eternal families but rather to bring members of ancient families back together, to forge that "Chain in the Generations" to not only earthly relations but rather to lasting eternal ones. I am so grateful for all I learn from those I teach. I have seen such a dramatic change in Kyle since the first day I met him to today. He has been changed by God though the Spirit and I am so grateful I am a part of that in any small fraction.

Wednesday: 

We got to watch a World Wide Missionary Broadcast, one that hasn't been held in over a decade. They taught the simple teaching to "teach repentance and Baptize Converts"  as we teach repentance people change, hearts change, and desires, dreams and hopes become focused on an Eternal plane. I have seen this change in Kyle and I am so excited for the day (however delayed it may be)  that he will be baptized. I know that all will work out in the Saviors timing and that this opportunity for Kyle to build his testimony is a great one. I also Met my New Companion Elder Fifield there. He and I are going to work hard to get to know this ward well so we can have a solid trust that hasn't really been in this ward.

Thursday:

We were invited to Dinner at a members home, The Dotsons are really nice and loved talking to us! We also stopped by Brother Baughman in the Rehab center, I don't know if I've mentioned him before but in case I haven't he was in a car crash and is possibly permanently paralyzed from the waist down. He's Less active but this event has helped him see there is much more to life than what we see here and now.

Friday:

Went with Brother Jones teaching, naturally our appointment for the night fell though and we instead met with a Part-member family. We really have been trying to meet with the ward to build those friendships and trust that has been eroded between missionaries and them. We had a good lesson with Sister Crabtree and her two sons (well one was 18 months and the other was 5  so really it was just her :P) 

Saturday:

Met with Brother Luevano who is only on the less-active list because his Job which he is trying to change. he's a really great guy and is from Las Vegas so the ward here is a LOT more spaced out to him. we talked about what we could do to help bring the ward together and he has a lot of good Ideas.

Sunday: 

Not much happened after church just biked about trying to met with Members and other Less actives. Met the Watson Family and that was nice. 

Love you all an keep Moving Forward 

Elder Bone

OCM

Photos on their way (Yoshi and Broski you'll like these ;)

Second Nephi 28:30

 30 For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept,here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say,We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.

Hahahahaaa And you thought it was cold LAST week

YEP its Cold and dropping fast I feel like I need an IV of Hot Chocolate to stay warm.. theres a thought...

So yeah while winter was snoozed for December it woke up and is in full swing for the New year! 
Kicked off the week with a Bang, Literally.

SO for the last 3 weeks I have been hinting at what our preparation days have been spent doing. 
Elder Ravsten got 4 small Nerf pistols for Christmas and from there he had an Idea. 
A stop to Home Depot for some 1/2 inch PVC pipe and the dollar store for some cheap darts gave us some Blow guns where which the game begins. 

The Bang in question was me running for my life as I was being chased down by Elder Jones and well lets just say I missed my turn... 

One rather Bloody nose later and some super glue and all was well ( I may have a scar to match My brothers that I gave him so long ago.. karma right XD)

Tuesday:
Too be Honest not a lot happened til Thursday soooo

Wednesday: 
see I thought I had learned by now how to spell that day right the first time and I am sorely wrong,
Had the first real snowfall (so it was like 3 inches on bikes it might as well be 3 feet though
Went with Kyle to shovel walks for some older ladies in his Neighborhood and had a Good fun time serving!

After that met with Brother Bunts a sheep that has lost his way and we are striving to help him find it back. Please Pray for him he has been ensnared in the false ideas of the Devil and the imitation of pleasure in his addictions. 

Thursday:
HALF MISSION CONFERENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got to see my dad (Elder Parris) and we heard from ELDER GONG it was awesome and really cool to hear from him right before this weeks big training Brodcast. 

Friday:
Pretty average had Weekly planing and did some tracting just trying to get outside and work well.

Saturday:
We had a Baptism in the Ward, Some of the Other Elders had them there and we had some of our Less actives show up so we could attend as well. it really was pretty amazing to see the change it brings on people.

Sunday:
Church and more tracting for now, seeing some progress with our Potentials but no real investigators as of yet but I am sure we will find someone soon

Also Got transfer calls and Elder Larsen is leaving the area so I will be leading the Area for the first time. I am excited and nervous but I know all will be well.

Love you all and STAY WARM XD
Elder Bone
OCM 


John 15:16 
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Cold and Icy

♫ Slip and slide on 2 wheels when that's all you've got to riiiide ♫

its actually not THAT bad but its a little sketchy at times.

Monday: return to Dart wars.. 

Tuesday:

Met with Kyle and Read the Book of Mormon with him, still loves the gospel and we are hoping to rope his Mom into it as well. 

Wednesday:

See Children's songbook page 219 substituting Knocked for Walked , basically sums up the day.

Thursday:

Met with Kyle again and this time with a Member, Bro Snyder. He suggested the excellent idea to help Kyle plan ahead. to get him a calendar where he could plan his deadlines to do projects. 

side note doing missionary work drives me so much to want to do so many things when I get home.

Friday:

see Wednesday. look it was a big finding week with not a whole lot found and it was FREEZING COLD

Saturday;

Met with Kyle and set up goals both temporal and spiritual for him to work toward. 

Met also with Sister Bland again and she is doing well, trying to get her back to church, which is less of a desire problem and more of a logistics problem so hopefully we will figure it out.

Sunday:

ever biked in a snow storm...

not the smartest thing

but hey we are missionaries so we do this kinda stuff all the time XD

(don't worry mom we took it slow )

Love you all 

Elder Bone 

OCM

Alma 62:45

Therefore, Helaman and his brethren went forth, and did declare the word of God with much power unto the convincing of many people of their wickedness, which did cause them to repent of their sins and to be baptized unto the Lord their God. 

There are somethings a Missionary should NEVER have to do

Depressing title but it will make sense soon

Week started out with Nerf + 1/2 PVC = elders having too much fun XD 

that was Monday 

Tuesday: 

Exchanges with Elder Jones which was cool (he's the District leader) So he and I went and taught Kyle about Missionary work which he is already Boss at (did I mention he has read over 200 pages of the Book of mormon in 2 weeks and UNDERSTANDS it all?! He quoted Jacob 5 when we talked about the Gathering of Israel in church like HE'S awesome!)

Wednesday: 

Not much happened, Met with the Kliens a severly less than active couple who we see weekly then got Flamed a bunch typical missionary day :P)

Thursday:

Found out Kyle was put on Probation because of something He did 6 months ago... we called president about this new information and My heart dropped... He can't be baptized until august when his Probation ends.... 

so yeah that bites. 

a lot

Friday:

Zone training took up most of the day and then we went to visit Brother Baughman (a returning sorta less active) at the Rehab center. He was in a terrible accident and he is possibly paralyzed from the waist down. Keep him in your prayers 

Saturday:

Met with Oz a sort of investigator and taught her the Restoration but she still struggles to understand who Christ is and even when we've tried and born testimony she still won't accept him. 

also met with Sister Bland a really nice less active that is super into Provident Living so win!

Sunday: went tracting after getting Flamed and walked right into Peter who welcomed us in from the cold wet snow to share the Restoration. we gave him a Book of Mormon and he even accepted the Invitation to be Baptized! we are so happy and sure that good things are happening here in Tallmadge!

Love you all so much and Have a good 2016!

Elder Bone

OCM

 10 For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.