Family,
This week has been an exhausting, stressful week. But easily one of the best of my mission so far. We've discovered that Elder Holbrook and I have a lot in common, he's the only one I've met in the mission that has seen The Dark Krystal, Flash Forward, Samurai Jack and loves Zelda as much as I do. It's uncanny how much we have to relate to one another. So of course we get along great, Elder Holbrook wants success just as much as I do, and is willing to work just as hard as I am. Which is as much as possible. And the results of this is that we have doubled our teaching pool, finding 5 new investigators in 1 week. In this one week we have surpassed half of our goals for the Month. The Holy Spirit is being poured out upon Abitibi and miracles are happening. Our main investigator, who dropped us last week, has decided to return and continue the lessons with us, he'll be dunked soon, as well as a couple other people. If Elder Holbrook and I continue to work as hard as we did this last week, we will gain similar results and will be leading our Zone as well as the Mission in Baptisms and Lessons. This is truly a miracle as well, because we are working in an area that holds three large towns, Rouyn-Noranda, Amos, and Val d'or. Altogether there are about 95,000 people in our rather large area, but we only have time to work in Val d'or which is about 34,000. And our numbers are steadily increasing to the point where we are surpassing the work of other missionaries who have access to millions of people on the Island of Montreal.
I made one of the biggest decisions of my life on Sunday. We had a big meeting, with all the leadership in the branch (all the active members in the branch, minus two or 3) 10 people, in the Branch President's small office, and we discussed the future of Rouyn-Noranda. The discussion grew heated, members started shouting, one had to excuse himself before he got too angry. Both sides want 2 branches, but Rouyn-Noranda doesn't have enough priesthood, and to split the branch now would be devastating to the work and everything would collapse. But on the other hand, it would increase the work in Rouyn-Noranda as many members there would like to go to Church every week but don't want to drive to Val d'Or every week. But there is more success in Rouyn-Noranda, more people willing to join the church.
At the end of the meeting, the 1st counselor and the Branch president turned to me, because Elder Holbrook hadn't been here too long, and because I'm senior comp. and asked "Elder Holm, you are the missionary here, you have jurisdiction over this area. What are your feelings on this. What should we do?" Since the room was pretty evenly split, I got to make the final say. This was very nerve wracking. I had had some warning of this, and had prepared a response, but obviously it was not what the Lord wanted because I ended up saying the opposite of what I had planned on saying.
That we need to stay together in Val d'Or. That, as missionaries, we are posted in Val d'Or and that's where the Mission President believes we need to be. And that we really only go out to Rouyn-Noranda when members have referrals and lessons for us, but (and I can't believe I said this in front of everyone) None of the members of this branch are making the cut when it comes to referrals and introducing us to people for us to teach. That they all need to do better, even the lady who provided our investigator that is close to baptism. They then asked Elder Holbrook what he thought, he agreed. It was nice to have someone to back me up.
We decided the future of missionary work in Abitibi. The future of the Branch.
It was a very stressful meeting. But it was good. We already have some members who have committed to do better. It's very strange to me that all these adults would listen to a 19 year old guy. But, the Spirit gets his message across, one way or the other.
We've also been improving our cooking skills, and as result of that was what Elder Holbrook and I call "Val D'orritos". Basically, meat, home made refried beans, lots of spices, rice, pasta sauce, more rice, more spices, all with home made tortillas. Whenever we were running low, we would just pull out the left overs and add a little more meat and rice and have another huge meal. It sustained us for the week, it was quite amazing. Like bread and fish, it was just never gone, it kept collecting mass each time. It was missing a certain taste, but nothing salsa can't fix. We planned out some meals for next week, which is good, because I never want to eat Val D'orritos again.
Well family, that's about it, we are working hard and will have more miracles to talk about in the near future. A couple baptisms within next month. Keep up the good work at home and remember genealogy.
Love,
Elder Holm
March 31, 2011
March 21, 2011
March 21st, 2011
Family,
Well it's that time again. Time to read of Elder Holm's crazy adventures. We had transfers down in Ottawa, and we spent P-day there. All we did all day on P-day was play "Settlers of Zarahemla." About six games, it was mind-numbing. I won 4 out of the six. I usually always win, but the last two games everyone jumped on the Holm-Hater-Train and shut down my corporation. It seems that I will never be able to escape the name of "Satan" whilst playing such boardgames. The first time my district leader called me "son of the Morning" I thought, HUH. What a coincidence. In an emotional world, logic never wins out.
Also, while we were in Ottawa, We did splits. I went with Elder Shen, to the Guenther Family. Does that name sound familiar? It should, because I ate dinner with the brother of Elder Guenther, who the Holm family had over for dinner around a year ago. Elder Guenther is from Medicine hat and plays the saxophones, has glasses? Yeah, his brother had Elder Shen and I over for dinner, he's down in Ottawa for school. What are the odds, I mean really? So never turn down an opportunity to feed the missionaries, one day their family might be returning the favor.
I got my new companion and we began the drive up to Val D'or. He is an avid Zelda fan, so inherently we get along very well. This is his first area in french, so it will be interesting to see how this goes. Elder Holbrook is a great missionary and a hard worker, I'm excited to serve with him.
We had a committed investigator on Friday. This was our 3rd lesson with him and we laid out everything he needed to do in order to be baptized, and extended a commitment for April 15th. He accepted and was excited, as were we. On Sunday, however, a sister, our fellowshipper with the investigator, Informed us that he no longer wants to meet with us. Hmmm... With time he'll come around, this happens to everyone who commits to enter into rest with God, they must face terrible opposition first. Elder Holbrook and I are not worried, he'll pull through. We'll have a baptism soon.
The work continues in Val D'or, nothing new really. Just more work. Anyhow, good luck with all the stuff that you guys have this week.
Peace be the journey,
Elder Holm
Well it's that time again. Time to read of Elder Holm's crazy adventures. We had transfers down in Ottawa, and we spent P-day there. All we did all day on P-day was play "Settlers of Zarahemla." About six games, it was mind-numbing. I won 4 out of the six. I usually always win, but the last two games everyone jumped on the Holm-Hater-Train and shut down my corporation. It seems that I will never be able to escape the name of "Satan" whilst playing such boardgames. The first time my district leader called me "son of the Morning" I thought, HUH. What a coincidence. In an emotional world, logic never wins out.
Also, while we were in Ottawa, We did splits. I went with Elder Shen, to the Guenther Family. Does that name sound familiar? It should, because I ate dinner with the brother of Elder Guenther, who the Holm family had over for dinner around a year ago. Elder Guenther is from Medicine hat and plays the saxophones, has glasses? Yeah, his brother had Elder Shen and I over for dinner, he's down in Ottawa for school. What are the odds, I mean really? So never turn down an opportunity to feed the missionaries, one day their family might be returning the favor.
I got my new companion and we began the drive up to Val D'or. He is an avid Zelda fan, so inherently we get along very well. This is his first area in french, so it will be interesting to see how this goes. Elder Holbrook is a great missionary and a hard worker, I'm excited to serve with him.
We had a committed investigator on Friday. This was our 3rd lesson with him and we laid out everything he needed to do in order to be baptized, and extended a commitment for April 15th. He accepted and was excited, as were we. On Sunday, however, a sister, our fellowshipper with the investigator, Informed us that he no longer wants to meet with us. Hmmm... With time he'll come around, this happens to everyone who commits to enter into rest with God, they must face terrible opposition first. Elder Holbrook and I are not worried, he'll pull through. We'll have a baptism soon.
The work continues in Val D'or, nothing new really. Just more work. Anyhow, good luck with all the stuff that you guys have this week.
Peace be the journey,
Elder Holm
March 18, 2011
Picture Update!
March 16, 2011
March 14th, 2011
Family,
So I forgot to tell you, last week on P-day we took a trip to Parliament, since we were in Ottawa. We got to sit in at the House of Commons and listen to parliament debate a little. We even saw Stephen Haper, the Prime Minister. They were debating the C-42 bill, that America Passed a while ago, which states that all Canadians who fly over United states airspace have to give all their information to the CIA, all the information they give to the airlines...where they are going, credit card, address, phone number.
The whole time, the liberals are dissing the Conservatives and the conservatives are shouting "Oh grow up, Charlie! Come on, Grow up!" And the judge, "Madame Speaker" Wasn't even paying attention, she was talking to someone the whole time.
The best part is, they are arguing a law they cannot change, because it's the United states. And Canada already agreed to it. I'm proud to be an american.
This week we got transfer calls. Elder Johnson is heading to Greenfield Park, I was called to go to McGill..I don't know how to spell it. As District Leader. This was soul-wrenching. I felt as if I'm leaving half a house built in Abitibi, I was not prepared to leave this place, still so much to do. Anyhow, I was called to be District leader in the YSA branch in the University of McGill, english speaking. I would be District leader over Zone leaders and the AP's, and Mission president would come attend my branch every other week. Shoot me in the face. I'd much rather stay in Abitibi. After a sleepless night, President called Sunday morning to tell me that he was tired of wrestling with God on this decision and decided that I should stay in Val D'or, Abitibi.
DODGED THAT BULLET.
So I'll be in VAl D'or for a while longer, and the work with roll forth. I know it will. I'm not leaving until something changes.
Well that's about it. Have a good week everyone.
Love,
Elder Holm
So I forgot to tell you, last week on P-day we took a trip to Parliament, since we were in Ottawa. We got to sit in at the House of Commons and listen to parliament debate a little. We even saw Stephen Haper, the Prime Minister. They were debating the C-42 bill, that America Passed a while ago, which states that all Canadians who fly over United states airspace have to give all their information to the CIA, all the information they give to the airlines...where they are going, credit card, address, phone number.
The whole time, the liberals are dissing the Conservatives and the conservatives are shouting "Oh grow up, Charlie! Come on, Grow up!" And the judge, "Madame Speaker" Wasn't even paying attention, she was talking to someone the whole time.
The best part is, they are arguing a law they cannot change, because it's the United states. And Canada already agreed to it. I'm proud to be an american.
This week we got transfer calls. Elder Johnson is heading to Greenfield Park, I was called to go to McGill..I don't know how to spell it. As District Leader. This was soul-wrenching. I felt as if I'm leaving half a house built in Abitibi, I was not prepared to leave this place, still so much to do. Anyhow, I was called to be District leader in the YSA branch in the University of McGill, english speaking. I would be District leader over Zone leaders and the AP's, and Mission president would come attend my branch every other week. Shoot me in the face. I'd much rather stay in Abitibi. After a sleepless night, President called Sunday morning to tell me that he was tired of wrestling with God on this decision and decided that I should stay in Val D'or, Abitibi.
DODGED THAT BULLET.
So I'll be in VAl D'or for a while longer, and the work with roll forth. I know it will. I'm not leaving until something changes.
Well that's about it. Have a good week everyone.
Love,
Elder Holm
March 7th, 2011
Kin,
This past week was spent in Ottawa, down at a zone study, we were there from Monday to Thursday, got back here Thursday night. Ottawa was lots of fun. I was able to go on splits with Elder Shen, and I got to teach a lesson that was one of the best lessons I'll ever teach. A couple less active members in Ottawa had a friend meet us who is a "seeker of truth" and a scriptorian, basically has the bible memorized. When we walked in he greeted us by calling us brothers--easy dunk. He's been "saved" and randomly shouts Hallelujah and is Glenn Beck's Biggest fan. And you know, he looks exactly like Glenn Beck, just a little larger.
We started out by explaining a little about the book of mormon. He said he only had one question so far, that he has been pondering about. He picked up his bible.
"I take this to be the Word of God, every word in it. This is God's Word to us. So I'm puzzled when I read about the apostles saying that Thou shalt not add onto this book, on to this gospel. Can you answer this question?"
Now, this problem is common, and just a simple misunderstanding in most occasions. Every missionary knows the scriptures in the bible that show contradictory statements about adding on and taking off, and that is what usually missionaries will jump to.
Well I went to open my bible and as I did so I said "You know, I have the answer to your question. There is a promise..." And suddenly I decided to flip to the book of Moroni. Elder Shen was quiet, and a little confused, because that's usually the END of the First lesson, where I was beginning.
I shared with him Moroni's promise, and Elder Shen told him to ask God if it's from Him or not. The "seeker of truth", heaved a grand sigh and said very sincerely.
"Thank you, that has brought great peace to me, you've answered my prayers right there, thank you so much. It has to be good, because it says ask God, in the name of Christ, whether or not it's true, and that's exactly how you should pray. That book must be of God"
NOT REALITY.
I decided to run with it.
"Okay, so we've discovered the validity of this book, yes? We know it's of God, the question is, where did it come from?"
Flipped to the introduction, flew from there. Joseph Smith History. Bam.
By the time we had read of the first vision, the deal was sealed. I know this because as soon as we finished, the investigator looked at Elder Shen and I and said, "Well, what do we do?"
As they say in Quebec, BON SOIREE, ELLE AS PARTI!
GOOD NIGHT, SHE'S OUTTA THERE!!
It was nice, to have an investigator actually ask me what to do after receiving the truth.
So I asked him, "What DO you do now?"
"Well I guess I better read this book and pray about it!"
Magic. Now, the trick will be to find someone up here in Val Dor to teach like that. It will be amazing when we do.
Well, transfers calls are this saturday. I sure hope I stay, I want to turn 20 here, that's a long time, but I ain't leavin till somethin changes up here.
It's good to hear that Carlie's baby has good taste and a good appetite...that kid's gonna be a spastic little child...That's too bad to hear that Carter didn't get the scholarship, but that's just God's way of telling him that he don't need it.
Anyways, keep up the good work at home, hopefully Chandler and Noah haven't gone mad with Hayden and Carter gone.
Love,
E. Holm
This past week was spent in Ottawa, down at a zone study, we were there from Monday to Thursday, got back here Thursday night. Ottawa was lots of fun. I was able to go on splits with Elder Shen, and I got to teach a lesson that was one of the best lessons I'll ever teach. A couple less active members in Ottawa had a friend meet us who is a "seeker of truth" and a scriptorian, basically has the bible memorized. When we walked in he greeted us by calling us brothers--easy dunk. He's been "saved" and randomly shouts Hallelujah and is Glenn Beck's Biggest fan. And you know, he looks exactly like Glenn Beck, just a little larger.
We started out by explaining a little about the book of mormon. He said he only had one question so far, that he has been pondering about. He picked up his bible.
"I take this to be the Word of God, every word in it. This is God's Word to us. So I'm puzzled when I read about the apostles saying that Thou shalt not add onto this book, on to this gospel. Can you answer this question?"
Now, this problem is common, and just a simple misunderstanding in most occasions. Every missionary knows the scriptures in the bible that show contradictory statements about adding on and taking off, and that is what usually missionaries will jump to.
Well I went to open my bible and as I did so I said "You know, I have the answer to your question. There is a promise..." And suddenly I decided to flip to the book of Moroni. Elder Shen was quiet, and a little confused, because that's usually the END of the First lesson, where I was beginning.
I shared with him Moroni's promise, and Elder Shen told him to ask God if it's from Him or not. The "seeker of truth", heaved a grand sigh and said very sincerely.
"Thank you, that has brought great peace to me, you've answered my prayers right there, thank you so much. It has to be good, because it says ask God, in the name of Christ, whether or not it's true, and that's exactly how you should pray. That book must be of God"
NOT REALITY.
I decided to run with it.
"Okay, so we've discovered the validity of this book, yes? We know it's of God, the question is, where did it come from?"
Flipped to the introduction, flew from there. Joseph Smith History. Bam.
By the time we had read of the first vision, the deal was sealed. I know this because as soon as we finished, the investigator looked at Elder Shen and I and said, "Well, what do we do?"
As they say in Quebec, BON SOIREE, ELLE AS PARTI!
GOOD NIGHT, SHE'S OUTTA THERE!!
It was nice, to have an investigator actually ask me what to do after receiving the truth.
So I asked him, "What DO you do now?"
"Well I guess I better read this book and pray about it!"
Magic. Now, the trick will be to find someone up here in Val Dor to teach like that. It will be amazing when we do.
Well, transfers calls are this saturday. I sure hope I stay, I want to turn 20 here, that's a long time, but I ain't leavin till somethin changes up here.
It's good to hear that Carlie's baby has good taste and a good appetite...that kid's gonna be a spastic little child...That's too bad to hear that Carter didn't get the scholarship, but that's just God's way of telling him that he don't need it.
Anyways, keep up the good work at home, hopefully Chandler and Noah haven't gone mad with Hayden and Carter gone.
Love,
E. Holm
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