Sounds like another week for you all! Busy as always. Yeah, as for me, more of the same. You know the drill: Find, teach, baptize, etc. It gets hard to figure out what to share! It's just more of the same!!
I did in fact receive a package from you... at least, well, MOST of one. I think it was the one that Mom intended on sending music in, though it didn't make it. There was some half-eaten cheese inside, so that may be the cause of the missing items. I did get the sandals and the sweatshirt, both of which are greatly appreciated. I don't think I need any more money or any more packages from here on. Thanks! Send them to Josh instead. I'm sure he'd need them more than I do!
I got a couple letters too... It's funny though, because they've stopped being the highlight of my time here. The highlight of every day is when we are out teaching. I can honestly say that it's the first time on my mission that I've LOVED every minute of being out and about. It had been pretty hard in the past, but nowadays, I love EVERY SECOND!
For the record, I'd love to go to some trade shows with Dad when I get home. It sounds like my kind of thing. Well, I guess ANYTHING with my dad is 'my kind of thing.' ;-)
Yes, to answer your questions, President Roggia usually emails me each week. If nothing else, it's usually a one-liner of some kind. The encouragement and support is wonderful. I think the most treasured one from this transfer is when he said "I can feel the fire of your area all the way here in Freetown." Ha ha, yeah, we're blowing this place apart! We (at the moment) have nearly 50 investigators, 40 of which have accepted baptismal dates. Yeah, sick right? We teach ALL DAY LONG, and then there's STILL not enough time to see everyone we need to see!! I'm thinking about moving our personal and companionship study to the evenings so that we have two more hours out in the day. We really need it!
Yeah, as far as companions go, Elder Willis and I are tighter than any companionship I've ever had! Since he'll be going to USU the winter after I do, we're basically planning our college lives together. It's interesting because we're so different in terms of interests and background, but we're so alike in a thousand other ways. I've got him just about talked into being an EFY counselor with me the summer after he returns up in Washington. We're just never getting sick of each other! I can honestly say that he's been the best thing that's happened to me since Elder Kenner left (that one was hard...). He's my best friend, and we're so excited to our lives ahead.
I think I remember Dad talking fondly of Kevin Hart... Is that right? If I remember correctly, he was one of your fondest companions. I guess that's basically how Elder Willis and I are right now. We're fighting the good fight, and loving every minute of it! We never have an idle moment. Good grief, I just can't even express how much of a blessing it is to have a companion who is as committed to the work as I am! He is such an inspiration to me, that at his relatively young age as a missionary (he's reaching 6 months soon), he's driven to do the work, and it's fully satisfying for him. For that, and many other reasons, I cherish our time together.
Well, my time's about up. I hope you guys have a wonderful week in Sin City! That place is child's play after what I've been through out here. I don't think anything will ever phase me again, ha ha ha. Most of my mission scars will be found on the INSIDE (although there are also a great many on the outside too! Ha ha ha!). Love ya Mom and Dad!
Regards to all who actually remember me... ?
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Monday, March 26, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Powerful Friends, True Conversion & a Dream
It's funny Mom and Dad that you mention preparing for missions yourself. Sister Krumm (one of the senior couples here in Liberia) reminds me of Mom a lot. She's really exuberant and loving. I can't help but picture Mom there someday. The couples work REAL hard here, and they are so greatly loved! I can't wait for that to be my Mom and Dad! It would suit our family well to quote Elder Holland in our home: "In this family, we serve missions!" It's the way to be! The work is so wholly satisfying and joyful that it makes it very hard to miss home, especially as my time is steadily drawing to a close. Some seven-odd months or so still seems like a long time, but it really isn't. I remember being with Elder Lancaster when he was where I am now. He's been home for nearly a year! It's so insane how fast the time flies.
I think I'll get in the habit of sending you excerpts from President's letter:
Hello President!
This week has been an interesting one. It went so darn fast that I don't even remember anything all that specific about it... It was nuts.
We've spent the majority of the week teaching exclusively on the Book of Mormon, which has been both amazing and incredibly discouraging. We have so many people that will do anything to avoid the book; they just want us to 'Bible' them to death. Elder Willis and I refuse, and we put it on themselves to find out that the book is true. It's very encouraging when people read and find out that it's true, but SO discouraging when they don't do it. I couldn't believe my ears when an investigator asked "Can I be a member of your church and NOT believe in the Book of Mormon? I really like the church, but I can't accept the book." I was nearly shouting when I replied that the church he is interested is founded upon the book he professes to not accept. Regardless of our obstacles, it's our number one priority to help people know about and come to know the book is true.
As pertaining to things within our companionship, we are doing great. Elder Willis and I love each other so much, and work so hard. He keeps me up and running when I'm starting to run down. Just like everything else in the gospel, 'enduring' is the hardest part. It's easy to get physically tired in this area with so much walking in deep sand. At any rate, we work hard, and we love being here.
This week also brings an exchange with Elder Opuene, which I'll report on next week. Until then, we look forward to seeing you again. We miss you lots over here in Liberia!
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Things are really sweet here, you know. Elder Willis and I are powerful friends, so no matter what happens, we're happy. To be honest, things are getting harder now that people are openly fighting the Book of Mormon. When we teach them briefly about the Book for a short time, and then never mind it again, we can baptize a lot more people, because many more people don't know what it is. They think of it more as a Bible study guide, not knowing that it's something different. So, when they find out that it's another book of scripture, and they hadn't accepted it (or their old pastor convinced them that it's a demonic book, something like that), then they fall away. Well, we're preventing that step and making sure that the revelation from the Spirit of the truth of the Book of Mormon is the primary focus of our teaching. As we've done that, many people have been threshed and blown away as chaff, and some have been gathered unto the garners. I guess it's the way it should be, right?
This week is going to be interesting... I have an exchange with Elder Opuene in Gardnersville branch on Wednesday, leadership training in Paynesville on Friday, and our Easter Program rehearsal on Saturday in Sinkor. It's going to be a bit hectic, and I think I'll feel like I haven't seen much of my area, but it'll be alright.
One cool experience happened with a woman named Garmai this week. We have been surprised by her repeated appearances at church after she had beforehand told us that she'd be attending her old church. We met her and asked her why she had so suddenly changed her mind. She told us that she had been really thinking about what our church claims; that is, to be the only true church upon the earth. She was also thinking about the Jehovah's Witnesses, who claim the same thing. She said that as she thought deeply on these things, she prayed to know what the true way was, and she went to sleep. She explained that she had a dream, in the which she felt a hand grip her wrist. She couldn't see the hand, but she felt it, and knew that it was Jesus Christ. She said that she was laying down, and the hand moved her outstretched finger to point in the direction of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She said that since then, she's never dared to go to any other church, because she knows that none of them are true. We're now working with her on some commandments, and as soon as they're resolved, she'll be baptized. Of course, baptism isn't the victory we're looking for. She's CONVERTED, and that's why we're already celebrating!
Could I be doing anything better for my life right now? Unlikely. I pity those who feel that they don't need or want to serve missions. I pity even more those that are unable to complete the two years. It's the best labor in which one could be anxiously engaged! I really love being here, and I dread the day that I must return.
Regardless, I love you all so much! Thanks for your love and support. :-)
Love,
Elder Vaughan
I think I'll get in the habit of sending you excerpts from President's letter:
Hello President!
This week has been an interesting one. It went so darn fast that I don't even remember anything all that specific about it... It was nuts.
We've spent the majority of the week teaching exclusively on the Book of Mormon, which has been both amazing and incredibly discouraging. We have so many people that will do anything to avoid the book; they just want us to 'Bible' them to death. Elder Willis and I refuse, and we put it on themselves to find out that the book is true. It's very encouraging when people read and find out that it's true, but SO discouraging when they don't do it. I couldn't believe my ears when an investigator asked "Can I be a member of your church and NOT believe in the Book of Mormon? I really like the church, but I can't accept the book." I was nearly shouting when I replied that the church he is interested is founded upon the book he professes to not accept. Regardless of our obstacles, it's our number one priority to help people know about and come to know the book is true.
As pertaining to things within our companionship, we are doing great. Elder Willis and I love each other so much, and work so hard. He keeps me up and running when I'm starting to run down. Just like everything else in the gospel, 'enduring' is the hardest part. It's easy to get physically tired in this area with so much walking in deep sand. At any rate, we work hard, and we love being here.
This week also brings an exchange with Elder Opuene, which I'll report on next week. Until then, we look forward to seeing you again. We miss you lots over here in Liberia!
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Things are really sweet here, you know. Elder Willis and I are powerful friends, so no matter what happens, we're happy. To be honest, things are getting harder now that people are openly fighting the Book of Mormon. When we teach them briefly about the Book for a short time, and then never mind it again, we can baptize a lot more people, because many more people don't know what it is. They think of it more as a Bible study guide, not knowing that it's something different. So, when they find out that it's another book of scripture, and they hadn't accepted it (or their old pastor convinced them that it's a demonic book, something like that), then they fall away. Well, we're preventing that step and making sure that the revelation from the Spirit of the truth of the Book of Mormon is the primary focus of our teaching. As we've done that, many people have been threshed and blown away as chaff, and some have been gathered unto the garners. I guess it's the way it should be, right?
This week is going to be interesting... I have an exchange with Elder Opuene in Gardnersville branch on Wednesday, leadership training in Paynesville on Friday, and our Easter Program rehearsal on Saturday in Sinkor. It's going to be a bit hectic, and I think I'll feel like I haven't seen much of my area, but it'll be alright.
One cool experience happened with a woman named Garmai this week. We have been surprised by her repeated appearances at church after she had beforehand told us that she'd be attending her old church. We met her and asked her why she had so suddenly changed her mind. She told us that she had been really thinking about what our church claims; that is, to be the only true church upon the earth. She was also thinking about the Jehovah's Witnesses, who claim the same thing. She said that as she thought deeply on these things, she prayed to know what the true way was, and she went to sleep. She explained that she had a dream, in the which she felt a hand grip her wrist. She couldn't see the hand, but she felt it, and knew that it was Jesus Christ. She said that she was laying down, and the hand moved her outstretched finger to point in the direction of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She said that since then, she's never dared to go to any other church, because she knows that none of them are true. We're now working with her on some commandments, and as soon as they're resolved, she'll be baptized. Of course, baptism isn't the victory we're looking for. She's CONVERTED, and that's why we're already celebrating!
Could I be doing anything better for my life right now? Unlikely. I pity those who feel that they don't need or want to serve missions. I pity even more those that are unable to complete the two years. It's the best labor in which one could be anxiously engaged! I really love being here, and I dread the day that I must return.
Regardless, I love you all so much! Thanks for your love and support. :-)
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Two Little Chickens, Two Oranges & a Banana
Because of time, here is my letter to President Roggia again:
Hello President!
Things are awesome around here, to be brief. Elder Willis is a stud of a missionary. We're working hard and doing great things.
Our focus this past week has been on the Book of Mormon, which has met a great deal of resistance. People will be otherwise friendly with us until we INSIST on them receiving a revelation that the Book of Mormon is true, and then they give us a great deal of resistance and generally avoid the topic. On the other hand, there are those that are receiving the revelation, and these are they that shall inherit eternal life. We are so happy for them!
I went on exchange with the zone leaders this past week. In summary, it was good, I learned much, and gained a great deal of trust in our divinely-appointed leaders. They also expressed gratitude to our district for not being "cumbersome" on them. For that, I'm proud of my Elders.
I'm thrilled to be doing so well. It's my intention that you receive such great reports every week. Thanks for your love and support!
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Yeah, we're busy like crazy. At the moment, we have like 45 investigators, 35 of which have baptismal dates. More will be added this week. It's nuts!!! We work real hard, then play real hard.
We bought two chickens today to raise. These ones are small, so it'll be a while til you hear of their demise. *Thinks of cutlass* Oh yeah... ;-)
Well, I'm real sorry for the brevity of this letter. The servers here are murder, so it's a slot machine as to what'll happen each time you browse. Today is two oranges and a banana.
I love you all so much! Congrats to Josh for surviving the endowment. ;-)
I can't wait to go back to those sacred halls!!
Love ya!
Elder Vaughan
Hello President!
Things are awesome around here, to be brief. Elder Willis is a stud of a missionary. We're working hard and doing great things.
Our focus this past week has been on the Book of Mormon, which has met a great deal of resistance. People will be otherwise friendly with us until we INSIST on them receiving a revelation that the Book of Mormon is true, and then they give us a great deal of resistance and generally avoid the topic. On the other hand, there are those that are receiving the revelation, and these are they that shall inherit eternal life. We are so happy for them!
I went on exchange with the zone leaders this past week. In summary, it was good, I learned much, and gained a great deal of trust in our divinely-appointed leaders. They also expressed gratitude to our district for not being "cumbersome" on them. For that, I'm proud of my Elders.
I'm thrilled to be doing so well. It's my intention that you receive such great reports every week. Thanks for your love and support!
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Yeah, we're busy like crazy. At the moment, we have like 45 investigators, 35 of which have baptismal dates. More will be added this week. It's nuts!!! We work real hard, then play real hard.
We bought two chickens today to raise. These ones are small, so it'll be a while til you hear of their demise. *Thinks of cutlass* Oh yeah... ;-)
Well, I'm real sorry for the brevity of this letter. The servers here are murder, so it's a slot machine as to what'll happen each time you browse. Today is two oranges and a banana.
I love you all so much! Congrats to Josh for surviving the endowment. ;-)
I can't wait to go back to those sacred halls!!
Love ya!
Elder Vaughan
Monday, March 5, 2012
A New Era, a Cutlass for Defense & Real Life with a Capital "R"
Since you liked the last one, here's part of my letter to President from this week:
Hello President!
I think my arrival at the New Georgia district marks the beginning of a new era for the work for our respective branches. I've made it my intention and design to make New Georgia known throughout the mission as the most strictly obedient district in the mission. No worries President, you'll be hearing lots from us.
This week opened a lot of doors for us as missionaries and we made a lot of progress with our investigators. We found that doing what PMG teaches us, that is, bringing people to church, is very helpful to increase the compliment of investigators in church. As you can see, we had 13 this week, which is a vast improvement. On top of that, we have 10 new investigators to work with. Elder Willis and I do our best to knock out lessons all day long so that those people can receive the attention that they need, and occasionally, people are falling by the wayside, so short are the hours that we're allotted. We do our best, and this week we'll be getting our branch missionaries on board to help. With that, I see no reason why our investigator count can't keep climbing at the insane rate that it's going. Quite honestly, I anticipated that the new investigators would decrease this past week, but as you can see from our numbers, it's been rather steady.
As you can also see, our goals for the coming week are lower than that of the actuals from the past week. Well, we're simply having unexpected amounts of success! While our original goal for this week may be to reach 30 investigators with a baptismal date, we may more realistically try to reach 35. We're really reaching our upper limit though. If we acquire too many more investigators, we will no longer have time to see them all in the space of a week. Again, we'll be getting our branch missionaries on board to lighten the load. We'll take what the Lord gives us and be grateful!
All of our success here can be attributed to obedience. Elder Willis is a very obedient and dedicated missionary. 95% of our daily chit chat is about the work, and seldom do we reminisce of home. It's awesome, because we are outstandingly focused as a companionship. We work so hard day in and out that we can hardly stay conscious the moment we stumble through the door. I love Elder Willis so much for his strength as a humble servant of the Lord. I can see him becoming one of the sharpest arrows in the Lord's quiver. His dedication is a great support for me in my own weaknesses of flesh. I don't think we would be doing so well were it not for this divinely appointed and aided companionship.
I think that's all for this week. You can be sure to expect marvelous things from us President. It's a promise I'll give. Thanks for your support!
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Things these days have been so awesome for us!! New Georgia is hands-down the best branch I've served in. It's definitely coupled with the best companion I've ever served with (well, we just have the best UNITY anyways.), and the members are awesome. The work has never been sweeter for me. I've never had such a craving to proselyte. When the Zone Leaders told us that we'd be conducting a two-day exchange this week, I was pretty upset. I don't want to be away from my area or my companion. I'm enjoying it way too much! I'll be in Paynesville branch with Elder Buckman for a couple days, so we'll see how that is. I hear they have the best apartment in the mission though, so I'll be enjoying that!
No, I haven't received the package yet. The couples usually let us know when stuff comes. Since the mail to Liberia has been heretofore untested by you, I'm slightly nervous as to how reliable it will be. Elder Willis says that he's never lost a package, so I think we'll be okay. It just takes time.
New Georgia is a little like Bo in that we are in the bush a little. Sure, ten minutes on the road takes you downtown Monrovia, but we really are living in the bush again. And the place is SANDY!!
Oh, I bought Dad a sweet present today: A CUTLASS!! Well, it's what you'd know as a machette, but they call them cutlass' here. It's pretty dang cool. Since I guess he still goes camping with Jesse (I'd assume?), it might come in handy for fighting bears and lions and things. ;-)
I bought a cutlass for myself too to defend us from thieves. Our apartment was broken into Saturday afternoon. They busted through the plywood ceiling of the back porch and kicked through the roof in the kitchen and climbed down inside the house. Scary, right? They made off with about $300, a phone, an mp3 player, and Elder Willis' sweet knife. Fortunately for me, nothing irreplaceable was taken. Just $185 of district funds, but that'll be taken care of. It amazes me that they took the envelope of district money and left my personal money and subsistence money in the envelope right next to it! This guy was a crappy thief.
In consideration with what happened, we have 24-hour watch on the house until the mission can complete the wall and put barbwire on it. Really, it's a highly-needed improvement for our security, so I'm pleased with it.
It can be hard for me to find things to share when my mind is so tired... Elder Willis and I are treating ourselves to some much-needed R&R and TLC when we go home today. We bought two whole chickens and a bag of fries to enjoy to ourselves. Oh man, sweet times. We're just having fun all blessed day long, and at the end of the day, we look back and realize the work that was done. I've never been happier on mission.
Elder Willis and I are so productive these days that it's just blowing my mind. In the 13 days that I've been here, we've found 24 new investigators who have accepted baptismal dates. We've knocked out dozens of lessons, and we had 13 people in church. Our teaching pool has roughly 40 people in it, and there simply aren't enough hours in the week to see them all. The number is increasing. Our goal for baptisms this month is 13 people (There's been lots of 13's recently... Skaven??) and we may even have more than that. I've never served anywhere like this in my whole mission. It's so sweet. I could, and happily would, finish my mission here if I were called upon to do so. In fact, I'll pray and fast for it to come to pass so.
I like what you said about gospel living. It's what I've committed myself to do to the day I die. I'm going to live like a missionary my whole life, because, as Elder Holland said, "This is as close to 'real life' as you're gonna get. Capital 'R', capital 'L'." It's made me happy, and it makes life meaningful. Just like it says in The Other Side of Heaven, "There is a connection between heaven and earth. Finding that connection brings meaning to everything, even death. Losing that connection makes everything meaningless, even life." Or something like that. It's how I'll live forever. :-)
Love you all so much!
Love,
Chris
Hello President!
I think my arrival at the New Georgia district marks the beginning of a new era for the work for our respective branches. I've made it my intention and design to make New Georgia known throughout the mission as the most strictly obedient district in the mission. No worries President, you'll be hearing lots from us.
This week opened a lot of doors for us as missionaries and we made a lot of progress with our investigators. We found that doing what PMG teaches us, that is, bringing people to church, is very helpful to increase the compliment of investigators in church. As you can see, we had 13 this week, which is a vast improvement. On top of that, we have 10 new investigators to work with. Elder Willis and I do our best to knock out lessons all day long so that those people can receive the attention that they need, and occasionally, people are falling by the wayside, so short are the hours that we're allotted. We do our best, and this week we'll be getting our branch missionaries on board to help. With that, I see no reason why our investigator count can't keep climbing at the insane rate that it's going. Quite honestly, I anticipated that the new investigators would decrease this past week, but as you can see from our numbers, it's been rather steady.
As you can also see, our goals for the coming week are lower than that of the actuals from the past week. Well, we're simply having unexpected amounts of success! While our original goal for this week may be to reach 30 investigators with a baptismal date, we may more realistically try to reach 35. We're really reaching our upper limit though. If we acquire too many more investigators, we will no longer have time to see them all in the space of a week. Again, we'll be getting our branch missionaries on board to lighten the load. We'll take what the Lord gives us and be grateful!
All of our success here can be attributed to obedience. Elder Willis is a very obedient and dedicated missionary. 95% of our daily chit chat is about the work, and seldom do we reminisce of home. It's awesome, because we are outstandingly focused as a companionship. We work so hard day in and out that we can hardly stay conscious the moment we stumble through the door. I love Elder Willis so much for his strength as a humble servant of the Lord. I can see him becoming one of the sharpest arrows in the Lord's quiver. His dedication is a great support for me in my own weaknesses of flesh. I don't think we would be doing so well were it not for this divinely appointed and aided companionship.
I think that's all for this week. You can be sure to expect marvelous things from us President. It's a promise I'll give. Thanks for your support!
Love,
Elder Vaughan
Things these days have been so awesome for us!! New Georgia is hands-down the best branch I've served in. It's definitely coupled with the best companion I've ever served with (well, we just have the best UNITY anyways.), and the members are awesome. The work has never been sweeter for me. I've never had such a craving to proselyte. When the Zone Leaders told us that we'd be conducting a two-day exchange this week, I was pretty upset. I don't want to be away from my area or my companion. I'm enjoying it way too much! I'll be in Paynesville branch with Elder Buckman for a couple days, so we'll see how that is. I hear they have the best apartment in the mission though, so I'll be enjoying that!
No, I haven't received the package yet. The couples usually let us know when stuff comes. Since the mail to Liberia has been heretofore untested by you, I'm slightly nervous as to how reliable it will be. Elder Willis says that he's never lost a package, so I think we'll be okay. It just takes time.
New Georgia is a little like Bo in that we are in the bush a little. Sure, ten minutes on the road takes you downtown Monrovia, but we really are living in the bush again. And the place is SANDY!!
Oh, I bought Dad a sweet present today: A CUTLASS!! Well, it's what you'd know as a machette, but they call them cutlass' here. It's pretty dang cool. Since I guess he still goes camping with Jesse (I'd assume?), it might come in handy for fighting bears and lions and things. ;-)
I bought a cutlass for myself too to defend us from thieves. Our apartment was broken into Saturday afternoon. They busted through the plywood ceiling of the back porch and kicked through the roof in the kitchen and climbed down inside the house. Scary, right? They made off with about $300, a phone, an mp3 player, and Elder Willis' sweet knife. Fortunately for me, nothing irreplaceable was taken. Just $185 of district funds, but that'll be taken care of. It amazes me that they took the envelope of district money and left my personal money and subsistence money in the envelope right next to it! This guy was a crappy thief.
In consideration with what happened, we have 24-hour watch on the house until the mission can complete the wall and put barbwire on it. Really, it's a highly-needed improvement for our security, so I'm pleased with it.
It can be hard for me to find things to share when my mind is so tired... Elder Willis and I are treating ourselves to some much-needed R&R and TLC when we go home today. We bought two whole chickens and a bag of fries to enjoy to ourselves. Oh man, sweet times. We're just having fun all blessed day long, and at the end of the day, we look back and realize the work that was done. I've never been happier on mission.
Elder Willis and I are so productive these days that it's just blowing my mind. In the 13 days that I've been here, we've found 24 new investigators who have accepted baptismal dates. We've knocked out dozens of lessons, and we had 13 people in church. Our teaching pool has roughly 40 people in it, and there simply aren't enough hours in the week to see them all. The number is increasing. Our goal for baptisms this month is 13 people (There's been lots of 13's recently... Skaven??) and we may even have more than that. I've never served anywhere like this in my whole mission. It's so sweet. I could, and happily would, finish my mission here if I were called upon to do so. In fact, I'll pray and fast for it to come to pass so.
I like what you said about gospel living. It's what I've committed myself to do to the day I die. I'm going to live like a missionary my whole life, because, as Elder Holland said, "This is as close to 'real life' as you're gonna get. Capital 'R', capital 'L'." It's made me happy, and it makes life meaningful. Just like it says in The Other Side of Heaven, "There is a connection between heaven and earth. Finding that connection brings meaning to everything, even death. Losing that connection makes everything meaningless, even life." Or something like that. It's how I'll live forever. :-)
Love you all so much!
Love,
Chris
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