30 Mar 2015 "Amish Country"

Hey Ya'll!

 

    This week has been a blast.  Trying to get going with my New companion.  His name is Elder Levitz.   He is from California and likes all the same things I do. He has been on a trial Mission for 3 months, before I got him as a Companion. He is 21 years old. His Family Moved to Hurricane Utah when he entered the MTC. Well, other than that the week was pretty normal. We went to the Castle again!

 

    Oh ya, Amish Country. Got some good pics.  All is well in Missouri.

 

       We moved a theater this week.  It's incredible how much theaters have. Lots of stuff.  It was a blast, though, and we got fed pizza buffet! I'd say it was a good day!!

Love

Elder Caldwell

Elder Levitz in Amish Country.

23 Mar 2015 "Hey ya'll"

 Transfer calls came...I am staying another Transfer in Marshfield and I am Training again. I don't know his name or nothing.  Ya'll will find out next week.

    We should be having a baptism pretty soon, DS, who is soon to be DG, will be getting baptized once she quits smoking and gets married.

     We have been teaching the K Family.  They are a Part-Member family and they are so incredible. Last night Sister K told us that J, her husband, would not even let the missionaries in the house before us. She also said he has opened up more to us than to anyone church related prior. She said "I don't know what you did for him, but thank you." I love that family.  I dont know if I did anything other than follow the spirit and not preach. The first time I met J, we just talked cars and fireman stuff and now he will talk gospel to us.

     "No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care."

       I have found that quote very useful in all Missionary aspects. It is Gods work and God is loving, so if we want to do his work we have to Love. Its a really simple concept but it means more than anything else to me. Love those we associate with and they will see us and notice the difference in our lives.

     Here is the last time this District will be together or this big.  They have combined another area in Springfield. The Springfield Zone now has 3 two congregation areas. Marshfield, Springfield 1st, and Willard. As the Mission grows and the Missionary numbers go down, it has made for quite an interesting Mission. I love it.  Keeps us on our toes and continuing to grow!

                                                   Love ya'll,

                                                           Elder Caldwell

My Springfield Zone before the split.

16 Mar 2015 "Tender Mercies"

Hey ya'll!  The title is so fitting when I think of this week. First off, we were asked to write a talk on Tender Mercies of the Lord for Zone Conference. I started to write mine Monday morning.   I did not put much thought into it.

     We went bowling as a District at a place called Lighthouse Lanes. the T was raised up more like a cross (we are in the Bible Belt). We walk in and the lady at the desk told us we could bowl then pay after. I thought that was super cool!! I told Sister Ratto that I missed a few things about home and I am just a tad trunkie. All I know after that is she said something so simple to the effect of: wow you're trunkie you have 9 months left. Boy, did that one get me thinking!  Next thing I know, I am relating everything I did at home to the Gospel and everything is now a positive.

     I was fine until I got transferred here, what changed? The only real thing was my Attitude and it was because I was not being as diligent as I could be. I later told Sister Ratto of the experience I had. She said something that became my Tender Mercy. Then I got to thinking, how often am I a Tender Mercy for someone else? How often do I say something that could change someones thinking so much? How often do we lift others and have no clue that we have done it?

     Needless to say I re-wrote my talk and put a lot more thought into it. God is real.  He often works through others when we are too stubborn to see it. God loves us.  Are we going to be the ones that keep his commandments and love him?

    I have learned a lot about myself and also about the work this week. We have been teaching a part-member family.  Last night we met with them and one of the kids had a girlfriend over. We just read from the Book of Mormon.  It was really cool. At the end, she handed the Book of Mormon back and when I told her she could keep it, she smiled and walked into the kitchen. As we were driving away, I look in the rear view mirror to see the Girlfriend dancing on the lawn with the Book of Mormon held over her head. I can't imagine myself dancing over any book, but who knows. I think it was the coolest reaction I have seen on my Mission.

                                   Love, 

                                        Elder Caldwell

District Conference March 2015

Zone Bowling!!

Zone Bowling...we are a great zone!!

09 Mar 2015 "Another Week"

  Well, I don't have much to write about today other than it was a great week.  We started the stop smoking workshop with a few people and it is going really well. I am kinda tired of Missionary Exchanges, but other than that its been a good week.

    I was sitting in Sacrament Meeting and I realized how amazing some of the Children in the area are. I learn so much from the kids. These Kids know the meaning of a Time and a Season for all things under the Heavens. Sometimes I feel a little funny running around playing with the kids, while companions are looking at me like I have lost my mind. But I am these little kids best friend. Staring contests are always appropriate.

    I had a great time doing a sample family home evening with this investigator named Danielle. She and her boyfriend and daughter played some Chutes & Ladders with us. It was so much fun.  They are as close to family as it gets.

    I don't really know how to describe my experiences through the week. Between the snow and seeing 4 semi's rolled on the freeway, I am super glad that we have managed to stay safe through it all.

    Well thats about all sorry there is not more.

                 Love,

                      Elder Caldwell

2 Mar 2015 "Wow! Shut down due to snow..."

  I have been reading in the Bible a lot lately and I am just amazed at how much the Old Testament talks about the things in the world, such as Jealousy and Pride and Perverts and odd things!!! I started to ask myself why do they talk of such things all the time?  I came to the conclusion that it had to do with a contrast. When Jesus Christ comes, it looks so much brighter than in the times of the Old Testament where the term an Eye for an Eye and a Tooth for a Tooth was common.

     I have learned a lot this week.  If you have a problem with anyone, just serve them and forget the problem.  It goes away. I have never truly been perfect at such a task, but I have found it easier to serve than to complain about it. I also found that if you serve thenm then the problem that you once faced is gone.

     We got 6 inches of snow on Saturday and it made for a pretty long couple of days.  All appointments canceled. My companion does not like to play in the snow.  Normally I would just go out and throw some snowballs, but it's not fun by yourself. I had one more option, I studied for 3.5 hours on Sunday and 2 hours on Saturday. I read all of 1 Samuel in 5 days and am half way through 2 Samuel. I read Ensigns and New Eras. I found some amazing stories and learned so much.  It turned out to be a great day for me. I also made some fun card towers just for fun.  You got to have a break, otherwise I would have been asleep. My companion on the other hand just moped around. I did not see that being much fun.

    In Missouri, the world shuts down for a snow dusting. When they get 6 people just looking at you like you're Crazy walking out in it. I found that the funny part of them thinking I was crazy is that they were driving in it haha. I think driving in it, when there are no plows, is pretty funny.  I can walk faster than the car is moving.

    We went to the Senior Center and volunteered to cut up vegetables. I love it there.  The two girls that work in that kitchen are hilarious to me. I dont know, if you ask others..they might say they are angry and unapproachable. We had a good laugh about that little compliment that someone gave her. She is one happy lady.

                               Love,

                                   Elder Caldwell  

My fun card tower!