March 14, 2016 - Saginaw, Texas

Dear Family,

I really need to stop saying stuff like, "Hey, it's starting to look like spring!" because something always happens. On Tuesday morning we're sitting there studying and watching the nice gentle rain outside when suddenly the wind picks up and we can barely see ten feet outside our window! We then start listening closely for tornado sirens and all we hear is the wind howling really loudly at consistent intervals. Meanwhile the rest of our district is sitting in their bathtubs quite aware that wind does not howl like that--it was indeed a tornado siren. You live and you learn I guess... I'm completely fine though, no worries! The worst this area got was a few bent signs and leaning fences. Oh, and the beautiful blossoms I mentioned last week, yeah, they're now covering the ground.

That was the first storm this week. The second one is more figurative and began on Saturday before Chris' baptism. The baptism was scheduled for 7pm and at about 6:10 we got a text from his mom saying, "I am Chris. I'm not coming because I'm not ready to be a Mormon." We texted back and asked to come over but he didn't respond so we started getting the word out that the baptism was cancelled. We waited about a half hour before we took everything down and drained the font. That sound when the font started draining was painful, I'm telling you! Not 5 minutes after the plug was pulled both literally and figuratively, Chris walked in. At that moment I just gave him one those "Wait... What?!" looks.Turns out he was super nervous and didn't feel ready but some members convinced him to come. We asked him firmly if he wanted to be baptized and he said yes so we got as many people back as possible and the baptism went on! I didn't even know what to feel afterwards. I don't have the pictures right now but I should be able to get them from Chris' mom this week.

So, another random fact. Last week I forgot to mention that I met a member in the Fossil Ridge ward that served in the Canada Calgary mission and finished in Stirling. His last name is McClure and he was one of the missionaries that got Mark Clayton baptized. Small world! He remembers staying with the Laquas and everything!

Also, tonight all my dreams are going to come true because the bishop's family is hosting a Pi Day party and we're invited! #Hallelujah! His wife said they're going to feed us pizza pie at 6, then dessert pie at 6:30 when everyone else (neighbors, ward members, etc.) come. I cannot even express how happy that makes me! It's one of those situations when your prayer is answered even though you didn't say it because it seemed like such a silly thing to pray for. The Lord truly knows how to succor His people! I've been feeling a little down lately so in all seriousness, it was an answer to my prayers. I think we sometimes forget that the Atonement is truly infinite and that Christ will make things happen to cheer us up, no matter how silly. I'll leave you with that thought and talk to you next week! Happy Pi Day!! 

Love,

Elder O'Brien (the younger)

March 7, 2016 - Saginaw, Texas

         Chris and companion at Zone Conference 

Hello Family!

This was one of those weeks when the Texan weather just blew my mind! It's barely March and all the trees and stuff are already blossoming. I've never seen even a hint of spring this time of year. Anyway, that's your weather update for the week.

Sounds like ya'll have seen the zone conference pictures on Facebook. They always make the week a little better. We started out just going over tons of rules for a while (probably to prepare for the new mission president) then moved into learning to teach more effectively. I found out that I can only attend the temple once a quarter and that to do even that we have to live about an hour away, have to be taken by a member, and it can't be in the evenings or on weekends. Hopefully Elder Wade and I can work something out soon because I really want to go! I should be able to take some recent converts for baptisms soon though. That'll be exciting!

After discussing all the rules we talked about how to fulfill Elder Christofferson's Apostolic blessing to our mission "that in our teaching we can be more persuasive, more powerful and that our testimony will be accompanied by the Holy Ghost, as well as our teaching, that our teaching will reach people more than ever before. They have the right to choose how they will respond to our teaching and testimony but our witness can be strong enough that they cannot disbelieve it, whatever they choose to do about it." Basically, it came down to being obedient, becoming converted ourselves, and having honest conversations with people.

For me personally, I feel that means that I have to believe in myself more. I pondered a little during the role-play portion about how I always leave these meetings with a determination and ability to teach more effectively but my teaching hardly ever changes because of it. I felt that it's really just me holding myself back and telling myself I can't actually teach in the way I want to. I'm determined not to let that happen again. I've improved my teaching a ton in the last six months and I just need to remind myself of that. There's nothing more fulfilling to me as a missionary than asking an inspired question or sharing a scripture that just makes something click in people's minds.

I learned a lot more than what I wrote so I'll just send some of my notes in a separate email. Other than that, this week we taught one of our investigators, Chris, all the commandments and got him interviewed for baptism. He's getting baptized this Saturday so I'll send pictures next week. Take care!

Love,

Elder O'Brien (the younger)

February 29, 2016 - Saginaw, Texas

Dear Family,

I don't really have a whole lot to say for this week. I'm slowly getting more used to Saginaw. Yesterday Elder Wade got sick and slept all afternoon and evening so I took over answering phone calls and such. Let me tell you, there were a lot of them! Elder Wade is also the district leader so I had to call the whole district for numbers too. I was freaking out a little but came out alive in the end. Elder Wade could barely sit up so I figured it was least I could do.

I'm really starting to see that Satan does not want any of our investigators getting baptized. All four of our progressing investigators decided not to come to church for various reasons. Mainly it was because none of their fellowshippers were able to come. It's super frustrating but I know they'll get baptized even if we have to move a couple dates. We're definitely going to be emphasizing the sacrament this week.

On Thursday I was in River Trails on exchange with Elder Griffin. It was super weird because I read his blog before I came out. I felt creepy knowing about his mission and stuff when this was the first time he met me. The ward is really weird too because it covers the sketchiest part of Fort Worth. Luckily I didn't see anything too weird and/or illegal.

Oh, and according to a guy at the seniors' home, my health care career is ruined because I let hallway bowling happen.

Well, have a good week and stay away from hallway sports.

Love,
Elder O'Brien (the younger)

February 22, 2016 - My First Week in Saginaw, Texas

Dear Family,

It's hard to believe I've officially been out on my mission for six months. It's flown by but at the same time I feel like it was forever ago that I was in the MTC. My time in Joshua was well worth it. I learned and grew a ton there so it's definitely a sacred place for me. I really want to take ya'll back there sometime after my mission. 

When I first got to Saginaw, I have to admit it was a little weird. We live in a nice apartment complex along with two other sets of missionaries. My apartment feels like a mansion compared to the barn I was living in for almost six months. It honestly made me uncomfortable at first to have so much room. On top of that, we see other missionaries almost every day with most of the rest of the district in the same complex. The only ones not here are of course the sisters in Highland Station. Funny enough we actually all live in their ward. Anyway it's been interesting.

The work in Saginaw seems to have been booming the last few months. Currently we have two investigators with a baptismal date and another that will have one next week. People actually want to hear what we have to say here! Imagine that! I'd say I want to stay here for a while but then I'd probably be transferred in April. Which reminds me! This will be a seven week transfer to compensate for the MTC changes recently.

I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I didn't talk about the service we do here. Imagine for a moment that you're sitting in a room with the guy who invented twist-off caps among other things. Crazy right?! Now, imagine that he's asleep with a long string of snot hanging from his nose. Yep, we spend 10 hours a week at an old folks home. A memory care center to be exact. One lady told me on Friday that another resident was a jewel robber and that the Chicago police sent her here so that we can catch her. It takes some getting used to but I'll let you know how it goes for the next while.

I guess you're probably wondering about my new companion. I think I mentioned this last week, but it's Elder Wade. He's been out for eighteen months so together we add up to a full mission! After a day or so we both realized that President Ames may have very well put two of the quietest missionaries in the mission together. Both of us are experiencing having a quiet companion for the first time. It's been going pretty well considering! I think the Lord is trying to teach us something this transfer though... Anyway, I have to go shopping and stuff. Talk to you next week!

Love,

Elder O'Brien (the younger)

February 15, 2016 - Following in Elder Simmons' Footsteps - Joshua, Texas

Hello Family!

You're probably wondering what's happening with transfers so I'll get to it. First of all we were waiting for a call all last Monday to see if either of us got leadership calls and nothing came. We assumed we were good until we got a call from the Assistants on Friday. They said, "So hey, you probably didn't get our message but Elder Balser, you're training and we need you at the leadership meeting that just started. How fast can ya'll get to Hurst?" Our barn-encircled apartment gets atrocious reception so somehow we missed 3 calls and a message from them. Long story short, we dropped everything, put our suits on, and started the hour drive to the Hurst stake center. We missed the first meeting but made it for the trainer-specific meeting. I just kinda sat in because I really had no other choice. Plus, I'm still technically training...

Fast forward to today. We got a call from the zone leaders this morning and they told me I'm going to be serving with Elder Wade in Saginaw (right above Fort Worth in the Hurst Stake.) The same exact place Elder Simmons was transferred to when he left Joshua! I can't help but laugh at that one. For some reason President Ames likes putting new missionaries in Joshua, having them train a new missionary, transferring them to Saginaw, then having their trainee train. All jokes aside, I'm excited to serve there and I'm definitely glad I get to be in a car at least another transfer. I'm also excited that Elder Balser gets to train in Joshua. Who would've thought that I'd be a "grandpa" after only six months in the mission? I'm really hoping we can get a 5-generation picture sometime.

The rest of the week consisted of the regular missionary stuff. There's one lesson that really stands out in my mind this week though. It was with the wife of the Jehovah's Witness we were teaching. We had a member with us to teach just her and at first she was not into the lesson at all. After a few minutes she started to gain interest and asked some good questions. One of them was why God would let one of his children die. Once again, I had that covered and the lesson was super awesome. She had already started reading the Book of Mormon but was feeling unsure about it so we committed her to pray before and after reading which she hadn't been doing. At the end of the lesson we asked her to pray and she gave one of the most sincere prayers I've heard on my mission. It was beautiful. Unfortunately, her husband decided they both needed to move out from the member's house they were living in. We have no idea where they are now but at least they had a good opportunity to accept the gospel. I wouldn't be surprised if the wife did some day. The husband too but that may take a little longer.

It'll be a little tough to leave Joshua behind and especially the resident poochies (Jack, Murphy and Sam) but I'm excited to experience a little more of the mission. Being in the Hurst Stake will definitely be different. For one, I checked the weather and it's supposed to get up to 29 degrees Celsius on Friday. I don't know how to feel about that in the middle of winter... Wish me luck and have a good week!

Love,
Elder O'Brien (the younger)

February 8, 2016 - Joshua, Texas

Dear Family,

I don't have any weird or crazy stories for you but it was a good week. On P-Day we went to the Fort Worth Zoo as a zone. There was a Texas Town exhibit near the end with cows, geese and stuff which I found funny. I'd seen every single animal there at some point while tracting in Joshua. I'll be sending a few pictures.

We actually had a pretty successful week as far as lessons go. I think I set a personal record for most in one week. It's encouraging to actually see more happening in the area right now. We still don't have any progressing investigators and we didn't have anyone we're teaching come to sacrament but that'll come soon enough.

Unfortunately I may not get to see it since I've been here four transfers and I'm almost done training Elder Balser. This means I'll most likely be leaving Joshua next week. It'll be weird to leave here; Joshua is all I've known a mission to be. At least I'll be finished with my 24 weeks of the 12 week program! I definitely got more out of it the second time but it does start to drag on a little. They should really think of filming some of those Preach My Gospel videos in Joshua sometime. They would be a little more entertaining then. Anyway, Joshua's treated me well the last few months but I'm excited to see what it's like elsewhere in the mission.

The only story I have for ya'll this week comes from  a lesson we had with a less-active on Saturday. These people live way out in the middle of nowhere Godley and you have to drive up a long, narrow, and terribly bumpy dirt road to get there. Once we meandered our way up the full length of this road we sat down for a lesson with the husband who is a member and his wife who is not. We started talking about building faith then moved to the Book of Mormon. The husband rather gripingly asked us what makes the Book of Mormon any better than every other religious book so we explained that it's a second witness and that the bible is still completely necessary. They weren't really having it and the wife explained that her in-laws gave her a Book of Mormon which she got about half way through. She didn't really feel the need to pray about it or anything but somehow, after some more conversation, it came out that their toddler has a brain tumor. I jumped on that opportunity by using my experience with Ayla's passing to testify of the Book of Mormon and Plan of Salvation. By the time I was done speaking the wife said, "I guess we'll try praying about the Book of Mormon." It was a neat experience. That was probably the first time I'd ever used that experience to actually teach a principle of the Gospel and it felt good.  I know they felt something they can't ignore so we'll be following up with them soon.

Other than that my week was pretty uninteresting. I'll let you know what happens with transfers next week! Take care!

Love,
Elder O'Brien (the younger)

February 1, 2016 - Joshua, Texas - Missions are weird sometimes

Dear Family,

I'll just get right to it. The last couple days have been a little weird. I'm not sure if I've mentioned more about those girls in Godley who we tracted into a month ago but we've been back a couple other times. Once the father answered and said, "We're not interested and my daughters aren't home." He didn't tell us not to come back so we did and got the younger girl. We gave her a Book of Mormon and said we'd come back next week. Yesterday we went back again, knocked, and heard someone coming to the door. It went like so:
*steps*
*man mumbles*
*girl mumbles*
"You may not answer that door"
"Dad!"
"You will not answer that door!"
"But, DAD! Please!"
*more dad yells*
"DAAD! PLEEASE!!!!"

From the sound of the girl screams, I would've thought someone was murdered. But yeah, I think she wants to meet with us. It makes me happy to know that but pains me to know that her dad won't let us. I wish everyone we talked to wanted the gospel that badly. Or any other child, teenager, or adult in the church really. We're looking at other options to get someone other than us to contact her and tell her to go to Mormon.org. Possibly through mail... We'll see.

The second weird experience came that night. Suffice it to say that we gave a church tour in which the words "I am [insert full name] and I am a prophet of my Lord." He then showed us a Facebook message from a random lady who claims to have had a dream about him preaching to hundreds. Sadly, this seems to happen a lot on missions. There's a guy in Waco known as the "Waco Prophet" who blesses the traffic as it goes by. Apparently President Ames has had dinner with him. Fun stuff.

Lastly, we were knocking doors in a new neighborhood yesterday and one guy was outside saying goodbye to whom I assume was his child and grandchildren. He motioned for us to come over after they left, met us halfway and said, "Before we start let me tell you: I've got God, I've got a security system, I've got insurance, I've got a 40 caliber automatic, and I've got an attitude!" Elder Balser then said, "Can we--" and he shouted, "No! Now leave!"

I'd like to know what he'd do if someone said that to his grandchildren. All Elder Balser was going to ask was what kind of gun he had but we left anyway.  The rest of the street was super nice in contrast though. None of them wanted to hear from us, but they were nice about it.

Missions are weird but the ups make up for the downs. Have a good week!

Love,
Elder O'Brien