Tuesday, November 25, 2008
November 17 - 23, 2008
The time flies. We are amazed at how fast our weeks go, being filled more and more with productive time spent with good nonmembers & in service. We love it and the fact that we are becoming more confident in areas that we have been so weak. It is such a good feeling. We love it even though it is harder in that we haven’t been able to exercise because of the ice & haven’t managed to get the exercise ball inflated yet! Definitely this weekend! We love watching the deer under our tree just outside the door. A mother & three babies eat the acorns at night. It is SO pretty when it snows and this week we have had record low temperatures , in the teens!
Monday was a good day. We studied and took Joe’s quilt to be sent finally! Then we visited in Hartford, visiting teaching Darlene & a sick friend that had had brain surgery. Then we went & visited Steve and Gerry gave him a blessing in preparation for his shoulder surgery on Tuesday. Then in the huge snowfall we visited Dannielle, good messages from Conference. We also called and scheduled a missionary lesson with Tara.
Tuesday, I baked and studied all morning. Whole wheat bread, cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling and chocolate chip cookies. Then Myra & Bob came for a visit for a couple of hours, I sent home a loaf of bread with them. Wrote love notes to investigators and took cinnamon rolls to Tara, Henry & Candy and a loaf of the bread to Joyce. Good excuse to visit for a few moments. In the evening we went to teach Candy & Henry.
Wednesday, we had district meetings in Allegan. Then I went to the chiropractor. A good visit. Then we came home and prepared notes to investigators and had dinner. That night we Home taught Cory, his wife had gone shopping. But we got acquainted, found we had a flat tire when we left!
Thursday, after study, I had a RS meeting with Marian in the afternoon for a couple of hours. Then home to finish the dinner we were taking with us when we went to tend for a bishopric member as a service project. A nice evening with nice children. Beautiful snow and lots of it this evening.
Friday, we began by studying and then we went with Marian to assess the needs of a destitute man. Then we went grocery shopping with him and got him squared away with a couple of weeks worth of food. Then I finished shopping for the baby shower I was putting on the next day for Dannielle. Home and then got my nails done. We went to home teach that evening with Myra & Bob. A good evening.
Saturday we had the elders and the quorum president for breakfast meeting and then I got ready for the baby shower. We had about 25 plus 6 children stuffed in my living room but all seemed to enjoy the fun and Dannielle got some much needed things for her baby. I was tired after that so Gerry took me to see “Twilight” that evening. Fun.
Sunday was an easy day for me, no special assignments and we napped after lunch. That evening we had our first book of Mormon reading class with new members and investigators. It went well even though one new member forgot his glasses, hearing aide and scriptures. It was sort of humorous as we worked with him, but all went well.
Monday was a good day. We studied and took Joe’s quilt to be sent finally! Then we visited in Hartford, visiting teaching Darlene & a sick friend that had had brain surgery. Then we went & visited Steve and Gerry gave him a blessing in preparation for his shoulder surgery on Tuesday. Then in the huge snowfall we visited Dannielle, good messages from Conference. We also called and scheduled a missionary lesson with Tara.
Tuesday, I baked and studied all morning. Whole wheat bread, cinnamon rolls with apple pie filling and chocolate chip cookies. Then Myra & Bob came for a visit for a couple of hours, I sent home a loaf of bread with them. Wrote love notes to investigators and took cinnamon rolls to Tara, Henry & Candy and a loaf of the bread to Joyce. Good excuse to visit for a few moments. In the evening we went to teach Candy & Henry.
Wednesday, we had district meetings in Allegan. Then I went to the chiropractor. A good visit. Then we came home and prepared notes to investigators and had dinner. That night we Home taught Cory, his wife had gone shopping. But we got acquainted, found we had a flat tire when we left!
Thursday, after study, I had a RS meeting with Marian in the afternoon for a couple of hours. Then home to finish the dinner we were taking with us when we went to tend for a bishopric member as a service project. A nice evening with nice children. Beautiful snow and lots of it this evening.
Friday, we began by studying and then we went with Marian to assess the needs of a destitute man. Then we went grocery shopping with him and got him squared away with a couple of weeks worth of food. Then I finished shopping for the baby shower I was putting on the next day for Dannielle. Home and then got my nails done. We went to home teach that evening with Myra & Bob. A good evening.
Saturday we had the elders and the quorum president for breakfast meeting and then I got ready for the baby shower. We had about 25 plus 6 children stuffed in my living room but all seemed to enjoy the fun and Dannielle got some much needed things for her baby. I was tired after that so Gerry took me to see “Twilight” that evening. Fun.
Sunday was an easy day for me, no special assignments and we napped after lunch. That evening we had our first book of Mormon reading class with new members and investigators. It went well even though one new member forgot his glasses, hearing aide and scriptures. It was sort of humorous as we worked with him, but all went well.
Monday, November 17, 2008
November 10 - 17, 2008
This has been a great week. We are filling our days with more & more worthwhile missionary efforts. We have been privileged to be taught by inspired teachers and have felt an increase in Spirit as companions. We love it here and love the work more and more (if that is possible). This gospel is so very wonderful, and Jesus Christ is truly leading it.
I began the week very tired after having spent the night until 2:00AM at the hospital with a very sad woman who has no family and is very unhappy. Spent the day resting and studying and then went to friends with the Elders for dinner & FHE.
Tuesday, we taught Tara the lesson on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that went very well. She had kept one of her commitments, so that was good and asked us to return to read the B. of M. with her later this week. She also committed to come to a baptism that is being held Sunday. Then we studied & exercised then went to do some contacts in Fennville. While there we went to that great restaurant and orchard “Cramers” and had great pie & herb tea. Fun to be back there again., and I learned about cinnamon rolls with pie filling! We met a great couple while in the area and found several people to have moved away.
Wednesday , we had wonderful district meetings and were instructed on having better planning meetings and goal setting. Good info that we need to improve on. Then to Red Robin with the elders and home for errands and studying and exercise. Our teaching appointment had to be postponed so we went and saw a great movie called “Fireproof”. We were the only ones in the theatre and it was a Cinema 5!!
Thursday, we studied and exercised then went to work in Lawton. Looked about 7 people up, and found a few who had moved.
Friday, after studying and exercise I ran some errands for RS and visited Joyce. She had to postpone her teaching appointment a week, a very sweet lady. Then I went to Coloma to VTeach and get my hair cut. I had struggled all day with unexplained depression. Had a great and lovely surprise when I got to the hair salon, an old friend from 30 years ago was there to visit with me. It was so great to catch up and she is good friends with Chris, the owner, and the gal I visit teach. Chris is also married to an old friend. It was so fun and I got to know Chris a lot better than if we’d been alone. My depression was gone when I left, of course. HFather is SO good to me! That evening was the branch talent show. I got some good pictures of various branch members. It was a great show and everyone had lots of fun. I am especially happy that I got great pictures of Gerry doing his “talent”.
Saturday we had our traditional Saturday pancake & buttermilk syrup meeting with the elders. Such nice young men! Working very hard & having success! That night we went to Kalamazoo for our Saturday meeting for stake conference. While Gerry was in his early meetings Marian & I had a mini meeting for Relief Society and shopped. Then the branch members went for Chinese. It was a great restaurant and fun time. Then we had wonderful meeting with the area seventy, Br Clayton Christensen. He was fantastic!!! We learned heaps. Saw good friends. Then home.
Sunday, we were up & on our way with Angela to Vicksburg for stake conference with Br Christiansen. Another wonderful meeting, we learned so much and the Spirit was fantastic. A great meeting for Angela. Then home for dinner and nap then to the fun baptism for the Osbon twins. Later a family asked us to come to their home to administer a blessing. We had a great visit with them., a wonderful family.
I began the week very tired after having spent the night until 2:00AM at the hospital with a very sad woman who has no family and is very unhappy. Spent the day resting and studying and then went to friends with the Elders for dinner & FHE.
Tuesday, we taught Tara the lesson on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and that went very well. She had kept one of her commitments, so that was good and asked us to return to read the B. of M. with her later this week. She also committed to come to a baptism that is being held Sunday. Then we studied & exercised then went to do some contacts in Fennville. While there we went to that great restaurant and orchard “Cramers” and had great pie & herb tea. Fun to be back there again., and I learned about cinnamon rolls with pie filling! We met a great couple while in the area and found several people to have moved away.
Wednesday , we had wonderful district meetings and were instructed on having better planning meetings and goal setting. Good info that we need to improve on. Then to Red Robin with the elders and home for errands and studying and exercise. Our teaching appointment had to be postponed so we went and saw a great movie called “Fireproof”. We were the only ones in the theatre and it was a Cinema 5!!
Thursday, we studied and exercised then went to work in Lawton. Looked about 7 people up, and found a few who had moved.
Friday, after studying and exercise I ran some errands for RS and visited Joyce. She had to postpone her teaching appointment a week, a very sweet lady. Then I went to Coloma to VTeach and get my hair cut. I had struggled all day with unexplained depression. Had a great and lovely surprise when I got to the hair salon, an old friend from 30 years ago was there to visit with me. It was so great to catch up and she is good friends with Chris, the owner, and the gal I visit teach. Chris is also married to an old friend. It was so fun and I got to know Chris a lot better than if we’d been alone. My depression was gone when I left, of course. HFather is SO good to me! That evening was the branch talent show. I got some good pictures of various branch members. It was a great show and everyone had lots of fun. I am especially happy that I got great pictures of Gerry doing his “talent”.
Saturday we had our traditional Saturday pancake & buttermilk syrup meeting with the elders. Such nice young men! Working very hard & having success! That night we went to Kalamazoo for our Saturday meeting for stake conference. While Gerry was in his early meetings Marian & I had a mini meeting for Relief Society and shopped. Then the branch members went for Chinese. It was a great restaurant and fun time. Then we had wonderful meeting with the area seventy, Br Clayton Christensen. He was fantastic!!! We learned heaps. Saw good friends. Then home.
Sunday, we were up & on our way with Angela to Vicksburg for stake conference with Br Christiansen. Another wonderful meeting, we learned so much and the Spirit was fantastic. A great meeting for Angela. Then home for dinner and nap then to the fun baptism for the Osbon twins. Later a family asked us to come to their home to administer a blessing. We had a great visit with them., a wonderful family.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Letter to our YM &YWomen @ home
November 6, 2008
Dear Young Men & Young Women,
You made me cry for the first time on my mission!!! What an unexpected and sweet gesture!! We love the book & photos. You have all gotten prettier and handsomer!!! How can that be??
I wish we could adequately express our happiness here on our mission but it is impossible. We love it and love everything about it. We love Michigan, the people, our two little branches and the people in the community. We are so happy too because we are becoming confident as to how to approach people well, recognizing those “coming at us”, and at giving the lessons. For so many years we stumbled around trying to get it right. Now we are.
It is so very wonderful meeting people and seeing that they are drawn to us somehow. We get to know them and try (with the Spirit) to sense their hearts desire. When we do we have opportunities to teach them. That is the best. When you have the prayer at the beginning of the lesson the Spirit comes into the room like a cloud. Wow!!
We get to work with 2 sets of elders. Like Cody, they are so committed to the Lord and so eager to have His Spirit that it just gets your heart. By the way we saw Cody several times at the MTC. He was doing so great. He had already memorized the first lesson in Spanish. I am sure he is having a blast and enjoying it as much as we are.
When we go to district meetings the district leader teaches us. And he is a good teacher. Then the other elders share and help teach us how to do better. It is so neat being taught by these young men!! I also loved it this last two weeks when we got to find our two sets of elders better apartments. It felt so good getting them nice places. (But not too nice guys, cuz we don’t want them tempted to hang out there all day. At least these had decent paint jobs and heat.
The weather here is fantastic. We have the most gorgeous Falls. Today is supposed to be the last nice day and then the cold will really hit so I went for a walk and the leaves swirled all around me and the warmth felt so good. We have already had a brief snow swirling too. Now we stop having warm pumpkin donuts & fresh cider available down the street. It is rather foreboding, EVERYONE is preparing for winter, on their roofs putting the heat cords up to keep ice cycles melted, raking leaves & putting snow barriers, checking tires and waxing cars. Makes us a little nervous.
We are teaching 2 families right now. We committed another lady today and are working to get to teach a wife of a member. Her husband is a relative of the famous gangster Al Capone. The “family” offered him opportunities to join the “gang” and he said “NO.” He is older than us but became a prosperous farmer and joined the church 3 years ago. He is a super kind and good man and wants to be sealed to his wife of 56 years. So we enjoy them and hope to be teaching her soon. Our others are a young single girl who has had a hard life but is a very sweet spirit and wants something better. The second family is a young couple with two little children. The lady that we committed to take the lessons today is the new landlord at one of the new apartments we got for the elders.
Finally, I must say that I have the best companion. I haven’t once asked for a transfer! :)
If you would like to see some pictures or learn more of our mission go to our blog.
http://gretchengerrysmissionyear.blogspot.com/
Thanks again for your thoughtful messages and pictures. Please remember to pray for us, it really helps.
The gospel IS true and Heavenly Father helps us each day to find His lost children.
Remember, He has asked each of you to be missionaries and He always puts people in your path that He has prepared for you to share the Gospel with. All you really have to do is ask Him daily to help you recognize them. He will tell you what to say. But remember too, unless you bear your testimony about something, the Spirit won’t come to testify to them. If they don’t feel the Spirit it is hard for them to respond as well.
WE love you. We miss you but that’s okay. The time is flying. If you see Danny Boy, pet him!!!
Love, Sister Opdahl
P.S. I LOVE wearing my missionary tag!!!
Dear Young Men & Young Women,
You made me cry for the first time on my mission!!! What an unexpected and sweet gesture!! We love the book & photos. You have all gotten prettier and handsomer!!! How can that be??
I wish we could adequately express our happiness here on our mission but it is impossible. We love it and love everything about it. We love Michigan, the people, our two little branches and the people in the community. We are so happy too because we are becoming confident as to how to approach people well, recognizing those “coming at us”, and at giving the lessons. For so many years we stumbled around trying to get it right. Now we are.
It is so very wonderful meeting people and seeing that they are drawn to us somehow. We get to know them and try (with the Spirit) to sense their hearts desire. When we do we have opportunities to teach them. That is the best. When you have the prayer at the beginning of the lesson the Spirit comes into the room like a cloud. Wow!!
We get to work with 2 sets of elders. Like Cody, they are so committed to the Lord and so eager to have His Spirit that it just gets your heart. By the way we saw Cody several times at the MTC. He was doing so great. He had already memorized the first lesson in Spanish. I am sure he is having a blast and enjoying it as much as we are.
When we go to district meetings the district leader teaches us. And he is a good teacher. Then the other elders share and help teach us how to do better. It is so neat being taught by these young men!! I also loved it this last two weeks when we got to find our two sets of elders better apartments. It felt so good getting them nice places. (But not too nice guys, cuz we don’t want them tempted to hang out there all day. At least these had decent paint jobs and heat.
The weather here is fantastic. We have the most gorgeous Falls. Today is supposed to be the last nice day and then the cold will really hit so I went for a walk and the leaves swirled all around me and the warmth felt so good. We have already had a brief snow swirling too. Now we stop having warm pumpkin donuts & fresh cider available down the street. It is rather foreboding, EVERYONE is preparing for winter, on their roofs putting the heat cords up to keep ice cycles melted, raking leaves & putting snow barriers, checking tires and waxing cars. Makes us a little nervous.
We are teaching 2 families right now. We committed another lady today and are working to get to teach a wife of a member. Her husband is a relative of the famous gangster Al Capone. The “family” offered him opportunities to join the “gang” and he said “NO.” He is older than us but became a prosperous farmer and joined the church 3 years ago. He is a super kind and good man and wants to be sealed to his wife of 56 years. So we enjoy them and hope to be teaching her soon. Our others are a young single girl who has had a hard life but is a very sweet spirit and wants something better. The second family is a young couple with two little children. The lady that we committed to take the lessons today is the new landlord at one of the new apartments we got for the elders.
Finally, I must say that I have the best companion. I haven’t once asked for a transfer! :)
If you would like to see some pictures or learn more of our mission go to our blog.
http://gretchengerrysmissionyear.blogspot.com/
Thanks again for your thoughtful messages and pictures. Please remember to pray for us, it really helps.
The gospel IS true and Heavenly Father helps us each day to find His lost children.
Remember, He has asked each of you to be missionaries and He always puts people in your path that He has prepared for you to share the Gospel with. All you really have to do is ask Him daily to help you recognize them. He will tell you what to say. But remember too, unless you bear your testimony about something, the Spirit won’t come to testify to them. If they don’t feel the Spirit it is hard for them to respond as well.
WE love you. We miss you but that’s okay. The time is flying. If you see Danny Boy, pet him!!!
Love, Sister Opdahl
P.S. I LOVE wearing my missionary tag!!!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
October 27 - Nov. 2, 2008
This has been a good week of service & teaching and contacting.
We enjoy every minute of what we are doing. The frustration comes when our days aren’t filled and when we don’t have enough people to teach.
Monday was good for studying & exercise and service. We spent hours at Darlene’s moving & sorting to make space for the Elders to live there. That evening we held our first FHE for branch members & nonmembers. One member family came and it was good. We helped him learn to administer to his daughter who was sick. He had been a member 3 years and had never done it. That was very good. Also the moody teen got over her mood and enjoyed joining in. A decent start.
Tuesday we studied then I ran errands for Relief Society and picked up Joe’s quilt from the nice quilting lady. Then we rushed back to Darlene’s to move & clean some more even though the elders no longer will live there. We had to make sure we left her better off than before we started. Then we took her to dinner. Our lesson for that night with Henry & Candy failed. They “shined us”.
Wednesday we had great district meetings and worked on our callings for the branch. Lots of stuff to do for Enrichment and our RS president is practically living at the hospital. Her husband has almost died. That evening I worked at the church & finished preparing the lesson I’m giving Sunday on the scriptures.
Thursday we started off with good study time and a glorious walk in this fantastic weather. We saw and fellowshipped the landlady for the elders, went to eat with the Elders & Marian & did some final work for Darlene & Angela. Angela is always angry with everyone & the world. Bless her heart.
Friday we had breakfast with some members and then cleaned the church. That afternoon we taught Tara her first discussion and it went well. Tony committed again to prepare to go to the temple and get his act together. We are very hopeful. We scheduled another lesson for Tara on Tuesday. That evening we had the district to dinner, gave out trick or treats & watched the Glenn Beck conversion DVD with them. A nice day.
Saturday we had breakfast and the branch mission meeting and then came home for study. We then went to Bangor and sought out members and LA’s there. A beautiful day and we came home exhausted. But happy.
Sunday went well. We had a great testimony meeting, my class went well in RS and the gospel essentials class went well. This afternoon we host the “Mix & Mingle” activity here. I’m serving Mississippi Mudd. I still have to prepare FHE for Monday.
We enjoy every minute of what we are doing. The frustration comes when our days aren’t filled and when we don’t have enough people to teach.
Monday was good for studying & exercise and service. We spent hours at Darlene’s moving & sorting to make space for the Elders to live there. That evening we held our first FHE for branch members & nonmembers. One member family came and it was good. We helped him learn to administer to his daughter who was sick. He had been a member 3 years and had never done it. That was very good. Also the moody teen got over her mood and enjoyed joining in. A decent start.
Tuesday we studied then I ran errands for Relief Society and picked up Joe’s quilt from the nice quilting lady. Then we rushed back to Darlene’s to move & clean some more even though the elders no longer will live there. We had to make sure we left her better off than before we started. Then we took her to dinner. Our lesson for that night with Henry & Candy failed. They “shined us”.
Wednesday we had great district meetings and worked on our callings for the branch. Lots of stuff to do for Enrichment and our RS president is practically living at the hospital. Her husband has almost died. That evening I worked at the church & finished preparing the lesson I’m giving Sunday on the scriptures.
Thursday we started off with good study time and a glorious walk in this fantastic weather. We saw and fellowshipped the landlady for the elders, went to eat with the Elders & Marian & did some final work for Darlene & Angela. Angela is always angry with everyone & the world. Bless her heart.
Friday we had breakfast with some members and then cleaned the church. That afternoon we taught Tara her first discussion and it went well. Tony committed again to prepare to go to the temple and get his act together. We are very hopeful. We scheduled another lesson for Tara on Tuesday. That evening we had the district to dinner, gave out trick or treats & watched the Glenn Beck conversion DVD with them. A nice day.
Saturday we had breakfast and the branch mission meeting and then came home for study. We then went to Bangor and sought out members and LA’s there. A beautiful day and we came home exhausted. But happy.
Sunday went well. We had a great testimony meeting, my class went well in RS and the gospel essentials class went well. This afternoon we host the “Mix & Mingle” activity here. I’m serving Mississippi Mudd. I still have to prepare FHE for Monday.
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