The Book of Mormon is true, and Joseph Smith IS a prophet.

 

What's up Mama,

This week was pretty good. It started out pretty dang slow, but the past couple days have been pretty good. We are going around to different members of the ward and teaching them a new idea on the members' role in missionary work. We used this idea in Sunnyside and it worked there, so it should work here. It's going to be awesome to see the change that happens in this ward!

Speaking of the weather, it's been hot, hot, hot. That's Tri-cities for you. Basically not a cloud in the sky so it's always blue sky but it's still pretty hot. I am doing okay in the heat. I really like the shirts you sent, but holy crap. $50??? Those were expensive Mama. {Mama's note: two shirts plus tax & shipping, just under $50. Not THAT bad. :) } I literally laughed when I opened the package of the soap. It probably will last the rest of my mission. Not even kidding haha. It's good soap, though, so thank you very much for the shirts and soap. You're da greatest.

In the package for 4th of July just send some snacks. I am almost out of money on my mission card, and I will have to buy stuff for a week and a half because next week p-day is on Wednesday. We are going to the temple that day. I'm going to a sealing for a RC in Sunnyside who we worked with a lot, and that will be this Saturday. It will be awesome to see what a sealing is like. I'm excited for it.

Sorry Mama that you are sick! I hope you get better soon. Those dang summer colds suck. They are the worst.

So Nicole got some bling bling, aye?! That's exciting. I haven't looked at her email yet if I even have one. I will look soon though so I can find out what happened.

I like your thought on the scriptures. It is amazing that you can read it millions of times and still learn. I have read the Book of Mormon three times on my mission so far, and it's amazing each time. I learn new things. The scriptures are amazing.

That's funny that there's a Tri-cities elder down there again. It really is like they do a swap with Washington and Utah.

Time is flying by and it's crazy. I still can't believe it. Next year this time it will be almost done. I want to keep learning as much as I can every day so it helps me for the rest of my life. Missions are amazing! I am glad that you had a great week too. You're awesome mama!

What's up Dad,

This week was pretty dang good. It started out really slow, but it ended pretty good. We dropped all of our investigators, except for ____ and _____ because they weren't progressing. They both are doing really good though. We had a sit down lesson with _____ and invited him to be baptized. He said he would if he got an answer that is was what he needs to do. That was a miracle since we haven't had a real sit down lesson with him before. FB was feeling sick this week so we weren't able to teach him. 

 

Yesterday was a really good day. We found a new investigator! His name is S and he lives in the apartments in our area. He just graduated from college and he had Mormon friends all through out school, so he was interested in learning more. He told us in the beginning of the lesson yesterday that he wasn't really interested in converting, but he is interested in us answering his questions. We will see what happens as time goes by. It was cool because during the lesson I got a prompting to show him "Testimony of the Book of Mormon" video by Elder Holland and he really liked it. He said that the leaders in his church don't seem to have the conviction that the leaders in the LDS church do. That was awesome to hear and I know he felt the Spirit. It was a super good lesson. Those are the people we are teaching at the moment investigator-wise. We are going around to members of the ward and teaching them how to fulfill their purpose as member missionaries. It is going well and I think it's going to really help the ward. That is one thing President Ware told me straight to my face at transfers--I need to take the member lesson we used in Sunnyside and use it in Pasco, so I have been doing that. I think the ward is really going to get excited about missionary work here soon. 

Sounds like girls camp was really fun for you and the girls.

Lately for P-days we have been just hanging out at the local stake center and playing games as a zone. I haven't really been able to see anyone I know. This mission is HUGE and we just got approved to go up to 270 missionaries. That is going to be insane. I hope to be able to serve around some of the Elders who were super fun. I get to meet new people though, and there are some cool missionaries in this zone. Our zone is pretty cool and our district is just crazy haha. We have fun though. Elder J is in our district so that's kinda fun. He's still pretty goofy haha.

Well, I did have a great week and it sounds like you did too. Good luck with the work week and all that. You're awesome dad! I love my mission and all that I learn every day. Missions truly are the greatest thing. I love the gospel. I know the Book of Mormon is true and Joseph Smith IS a prophet. Keep up the good work at home! Love you!!!

-Elder Sedlacek

Everyday I learn new things. I love my mission!

What's up Mama,

This week, turns out we decided to email first and it is working out good so far. I am glad that you guys had a good week.

 

My week was pretty slow but it's been good anyway. We really weren't able to have many lessons because summer is a pretty busy time for people haha. Elder R and I are doing good though. We are really trying to figure out a way that we will be able to work better with the members. That is the key to missionary work--as serving in Sunnyside taught me. Sometimes it's just kinda difficult to get the members to be more proactive in missionary work. 

I bet Jared had a blast at the ranch. I always wanted to go up there for a camp, but it never worked out when we planned it out. Oh well haha.

So Dad was able to have a good Father's Day? That is awesome. Did he get my card?

That is a super cool story from Elder B.  I bet he was blown away. Does he leave this Wednesday? He's going to be an awesome missionary.

So are you going to buy the shirts and the soap today? I am out of the soap now, so just send it soon haha.

Tell dad thanks for the info :)

You guys are awesome. Thanks for all that you do, even though I say that every week. I still mean it!

I am glad that you are doing good. Thanks for everything you do, like sending me stuff and paying for me to be out here. It truly is a blessing. I KNOW this gospel is the true church of Christ. I KNOW the Book of Mormon is the word of God. The gospel WILL bless our lives if we apply it with real intent of heart. I love my mission!

Love you guys!

-Elder Sedlacek

What's up Dad,

It was good to hear that you were able to have a good Father's Day. That took forever for my card to get there but at least it did. Glad you liked it.

I am settling in well. This week was kinda slow, but I got through it. We are going to start focosing on the members this week, hopefully to get more referrals and assistance from them. I can get myself around Pasco now, not that I will haha. It's different here with lots more LA we are teaching than investigators. Some of the people you guys can pray for are FB, FA, and D for our investigators, and as for LAs  you can pray for the S family, the Ds, and a few others. FB is a super cool guy. D is a guy who we talked to outside his house and we started teaching him. He isn't that open to the ideas of the church, but he's willing to listen which is a start. Just pray for him to have an open heart to the gospel. The LA families I really don't know much about. A lot of them just got out of the habit of coming to church. Those are some people you can pray for right now. 

I left a pair of the gold toe socks back home? Hmm. I didn't know that haha. Mine are holding up great though. They will probably last my whole mission. My problem is my shirts. I will probably have to get them all replaced, but that can wait for now. I'm going to try to make them last the rest of my time out here.

That is exciting that the Spurs were able to win it this year. They are one of the only teams in the NBA that actually play like a team, so it's kinda cool they won.

I bet it would have been super cool to hear the B's and Elder B's farewell talks. I am sure the Bs will be an awesome mission president and his wife, and RB will be a great missionary as well. That is a super cool experience that RB had. Talk about God answering our prayers. That is awesome that he was able to recognize that.

Well dad you are awesome! I am so grateful for your example and your advice on things I can do to be a better missionary. I am always working on ways to improve and so it's great to get some of those ways from ya. You're awesome dad! Thanks for all that you do for me and the rest of the family too. Sorry I didn't have any way cool experiences to share this week with you guys, but everyday I learn new things on my mission. I just wanted you to know that. I love my mission!

Love ya,

-Elder Sedlacek

First week in Pasco

What's up Mama,

In Pasco I will probably be emailing way late every week. Hopefully, it works out. It's really frustrating, though, because we don't have a car, so we have to work with everyone else to get stuff done like our shopping and stuff, and we usually get pushed to the back. I'm not too happy about it, but oh well. Hopefully email works for you this week. 

So far in Pasco, it has been really, really hot and tiring. I have never been so tired in my life, pretty much. Walking around in the heat all day really does that to ya! It was a pretty good week though. I am just trying to get the hang of the area and all the members. 

I am glad that you liked all the pics I had people send. Hopefully they are good ones haha. Tell Nicole thanks for "friending" people for me.

We live with some members and we have one of their bedrooms, which is pretty dang small. It's not too bad for living conditions though. I am happy to have it.

The soap I need is Cetaphil. The container I have has a pump on it.  I am about out of that stuff so it would be good to send it as soon as possible.

It is crazy that Jared is 17 now! I realized that while looking at the calendar this morning. Tell him happy birthday for me. That is also crazy that Sam, Nate and Jeremy are all leaving so soon. Time is flying by for me now that the  guys a year younger than me are coming out.

Hopefully, again, email works today! 

What's up Dad,

Happy Father's Day this week! I will send you something in the mail, but I wanted to make sure to tell you.

This week has been pretty good. It has been sooooo hot. Being in a walking area when it's 90 degrees outside is pretty dang tiring. I am making sure to drink plenty of water though. 

I am also still trying to get the teaching pool down. There isn't much of them, but I don't really know anything about any of them  because I haven't met any of them yet. Pretty much nobody answered the door this week. This ward hasn't had much success in the past couple months. They have had two baptisms since the beginning of the year. I really hope I can help to make it more productive while I am serving here. It's kinda different here because there are so many Mormons already. It's like a mini Utah and everybody else who isn't Mormon already knows about it. I am thinking service would be a good idea to offer. The ward is pretty good. It's pretty small attendance so I think there are a ton of LA. So it's a lot of a different kind of missionary work. Instead of investigators it seems to be alot of  reactivating members. If you want to keep praying for the investigators up in Sunnyside, that would really help them. They are getting pretty close. You can also pray for me and Elder R to be able to have a baptism this transfer.

It is so crazy that Jared is 17 now. It's pretty cool though that he has found that he likes weight lifting. He is going to be solid it sounds like haha. He's going to be able to beat me up haha. On whether he goes before I come home or not, I would love to see him after my mission but if he is already gone I can't really do much about it haha. He can go when he wants. I don't really mind.

I think it's kinda funny you're back in scouts. Really though, in the HC you were involved in some of scouts with the Blue and Gold Banquet and cub scouts haha. You just can't get out of scouts can ya haha. It's alright though, because that is what you like and you're good at it. The Lord knows that, obviously.

Finally the Jazz got a new coach. Hopefully it works out for them better than Corbin did. They don't seem to be having very good luck with that. Is Jerry Sloan still on the coaching staff? He should have stepped up and taken the job. That would have been so sick! Oh well, I am sure he will get involved as like assistant or something. I really hope the Spurs win by the way. The Heat can go away for all I care haha. That is funny though that the ac went out during the game. I bet it's heck in that arena with all the people in it. I would not want to be in there haha.

Well, I really hope you have a great week. I love ya! You're an awesome Dad!

-Elder Sedlacek

Seven months in Sunnyside come to an end.

What's up Mama,

I am doing well. Let's just say this next transfer is going to have the theme of "I will go where you want me to go, Dear Lord." I am going to Pasco and guess what? I am assigned to Elder R AGAIN! I really couldn't believe it. I have no idea how it's going to go, but I hope it's going to go well. I'm going to be in the Pasco 6th ward and it's a walking area so that should be interesting. It's pretty dang close to Richland, so maybe I will be able to see Bishop.

That is exciting that Nicole got to go through the temple. I am sure she loved it. The temple is awesome. I have been able to talk to Pres. Johnson a lot and have learned some awesome stuff as well. Knowing temple presidents is awesome! They know so much.

It's weird that all these movies are coming out and I haven't seen any of them. I will have to catch up on the good movies when I get back, if I can force myself to sit through them haha. I don't plan on being too awkward though, hopefully so maybe I will be able too. You never know haha.

Today for p-day we are just going to chill. I will probably start packing and stuff, but it should be fun. Our DL Elder Corum is going home today so that's why. We are just chilling with him for the last day he's got in the mission field. It's weird to send missionaries home. It will be awesome though next July.

Thanks Mama for all that you do. You're awesome. So I am getting the package today? What is in it if there isn't shirts? How expensive are Costco shirts?

What's up Dad,

I am doing great. I did have a good week. I am glad that you guys did, too. 

I am going to be back serving with Elder R. Out of all the 250 missionaries in this mission, I go back to my first companion. It wasn't easy the first time, and we are in a walking area of the richer part of Pasco this time. Thankfully, I am sure it will make me stronger, but thank goodness for my testimony of the gospel! I really have had a tough couple transfers. It's really like Elder Bednar's talk this past conference about the more load we have, the more traction we gain. I will probably get to see that in action this transfer. Pray for me to be able to do it. I know I can though,  through the Savior and the gospel. 

I am really glad that you guys liked my last letter. I really do want to grow more and more in the gospel while I am on my mission. I think that's part of what missions are for.

That is a really good thought about the triangle between God and Adam and Eve. I have never thought of that before. That is totally true though. They do follow that plan. That is one thing that I will definitely do when I get married in the future. Pres. Ware is the man for advice like that haha.

I like that your week is sooooo exciting haha. Work, eat, sleep, work some more and all that. Sounds like a mission schedule to me. It's good to be so busy though. It is like your letter that you sent this week. If we aren't staying busy building up the kingdom of God, then that allows Satan to step in and influence us.

Speaking on the thought of what will future generations read about us? I have no clue. That is a good question. It will probably be everything that is going on right now, like the Ensigns and the stuff compiled into some file of our brain that we can read whenever and wherever. Who knows what technology will be like. I don't even think that there will be legit plates or records of our generation. It's all technological. They will have access to everything we did and do, I am sure.

That is crazy about the Suburban. Man, that would have been insane haha. Just threw it in neutral and coasted down the canyon then I guess is what you did. Grandpa D is the best. It's nice that he was willing to help out like that. That is a pretty good drive to do with towing somebody. Thank goodness for Christlike people!

 

I have been working on getting as many of the members here to friend me on Facebook as I can, and I have gotten some addresses too. I really do want to stay in contact as much as possible. It will be pretty easy living close in Utah but still. It should be fun. 

 

I would tell you about the teaching pool but I am leaving on Wednesday. Just know that everyone we had is doing great. There should be some more baptisms in Sunnyside after I leave, so hopefully I will be able to attend some of them.

Thank you all for all that you do. You do a ton for me, so I am glad that you guys can see the blessings coming to you. I love you guys too! Have an awesome week! 

-Elder Sedlacek

"I want my mission to change me forever."

What's up Fam and Mama,

 

Hopefully it works to email today, but if it doesn't, I will be okay haha. I figured you guys would be doing something fun for Memorial day. 

That is good that the week went by super fast for you guys. It was super slow for me. Really a humble week as I will call it too.

One family contacted us early this week saying that they are done investigating and so they dropped us. That really really, really sucked. We also had to drop ___ because she wasn't willing to change. That kinda sucked too. All of them just decided they don't want it, which is hard. Like it says in my blessing though, people who are looking for the truth will accept my words. I guess it just wasn't time for either of them.

The rest of our investigators are doing good. They all have their own concerns and trials, but they can get through it with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

There really isn't much new with me and my comp. I have been trying to be more patient and understanding. Zone conference was this week and Pres. Ware really talked a lot about changing our own personal desires and applying the gospel into our own life so we can have an amazing change of heart. He used the story of Enos in the Book of Mormon. Enos had the desire to  be forgiven and he acted on it and was able to have that change of heart. That is what I want for my life. I don't want to go home the same man I was before. I want to be changed, and changed for the better. I have been praying for that change of heart and I really think it is helping me become more involved in the work. It's awesome.

That is crazy that school is over basically. I bet summer will go fast for the kids though. What are you guys going to do for the end of the school year?

Oh no, Homework for when I get home????? haha {Mom has a book for him to read}. I have a couple books I want to read already when I get home. Should be awesome.

That is exactly what I would have expected from Laurie that she would bear her testimony in the language even before going out haha. She is a genius. She has been her whole life.

Hopefully email works a little bit today. Well, if it doesn't thanks for everything Mama. You da best

Love ya

-Elder Sedlacek

What's up Dad,

That is great that you had a good week and that work is going good for ya too. That is crazy though that they prepare the 2015 curriculum already. I guess they would have to, with all the stuff it takes. Lots of work I am sure.

This week for me was pretty hard. It was a humbling week, that is for sure. It was great though because we had zone conference on Friday and it really helped me to learn a lot I think, being all humbled and stuff. Mainly the thing I learned is that I want to have a change of heart on my mission. I don't want to just float right through it and have great experiences and never learn from them. I want my mission to change me forever. I think that is one thing that I really needed to hear at Zone Conference. Basically everything Pres. Ware said was an answer to my prayers. It was really kind of cool. I know I was sent to Pres. Ware for a reason. I learn so much from him.

Anyway, definitely the highlight for the week was having Zone Conference. Like I said in my email to Mom, the D's dropped us and we also had to drop M. It was good to teach them, but it isn't the purpose I am out here for. We are to find, teach, and baptize. It was hard to give them up but they will come around sometime. 

We picked up a new gator named E. She is the mother of one of the members of the ward. She had some interest in the church so she started to read the Book of Mormon. Turns out she picked it up a couple weeks ago and is already to Alma! That was GREAT to hear. She is solid. I was glad to start teaching her. F and A are doing great too. They are reading the Book of Mormon every night together and it's really starting to help them out. Our other investigators are doing good. They are all working towards keeping their commitments.

How are you guys doing as a family at having daily missionary experiences? That is one thing that is super important that I have come to realize.

That's way cool the Braves won state in baseball. It's been a long time since that happened so that's cool. They did pretty good this year it sounds like.

That is good you guys will get the package sent off. Just remember that this next upcoming week is transfers, so just make sure it gets here before then.

Thanks for all that you and the family do for me. I love you guys! I will try to get a letter sent off this week. I have been bad at that. Well, thanks for all the compliments you gave me. I am glad that you guys are in mi familia too. Have a great week!

-Elder Sedlacek

Dang--missions go fast!

Just realized that I didn't post Elder Sedlacek's emails from last week, but that's probably because we Skyped with him the day before and there wasn't as much to email about as usual. Anyway, he's doing great and we're so proud of him! 

What's up Mama,

Today I emailed pretty late obviously. I kinda like it better though. Hopefully it works for you too. Glad you are doing good. That is crazy that school is already over. That went super fast. Probably not for the kids, but it did for me. Just think, I was out when school started and now it's pretty much over. That is crazy too.

That is great that Nicole did so well on her marathon! She looks good at the end too. I like her shirt she's wearing in the pics. It looks pretty cool.

You will have to tell Bro. H. thanks for the Conference Ensign stuff. He's awesome. On the package, I wanted a couple short sleeve shirts if you could. Don't buy nice ones though because they get destroyed. Just the regular shirts are perfectly fine. Then the soap for my face and that's about it I think. Thanks for all that you do for me Mama. You're the best!

How long has Jordan B been home? That is crazy, but I knew it was anytime now that he was going to be coming home. I bet he was a great missionary. Now he gets to the fun part in life haha. So did Nate speak with Jordan like I did with Nick? I bet that is the way it's going to be when I come home. I will probably speak with someone going out while I am coming home. That will be weird.

Well, I am doing good. I will give more of an update in the email to dad probably. It seems to work out that way most of the time anyways haha.

Hopefully it works out to email today!

What up Dad?

Funny that you mention that it seems like forever since we last talked, because it does for me too haha. This week was pretty slow. Yesterday was really good though with church and everything. We invited a lady who showed up at church to take the discussions, and she accepted so we will have a new investigator. We also put our investigator Felicia on date for June 14th. That was a pretty good lesson too. The D family is doing great, but they still are working on coming to church. That's what patience is for. I just really hope they will come to church eventually. That's what they need. We are also teaching Denise's daughter and that is going really well too. She is really starting to progress and it's awesome. We have given her a blessing and it really helped her. We also gave one to Denise and her daughter got to watch so she really knows the power of the priesthood. She is going to get baptized on the 31st so that is a little less than two weeks. Its going to be sweet!!!!!!! 

We are also teaching our RC Sydnie's sister. She is going to be baptized, too, and she is really starting to realize that the church is the true church. She felt something different at the baptism and she really liked it. You can pray for us to find new investigators, pray for the D family to have the desire to come to church, Felicia that she will be able to get married, and Denise and her daughter that they will be able to stay healthy and strong in the gospel, that Lexi will continue to feel and know that the church is true, and also for the baptism goal for the district of 15 by May 31st. The prayers I am sure will help out each one of them and will also help us to find new people to teach. That's basically the main people of our teaching pool in a nutshell.

Thanks for the sports updates. The ones you threw in are just fine for me.

What does the journal you picked up look like? Is it a good quality one that is going to last? That is really the biggest thing I want. It would be nice if it matches my other one, but we will see.  Thanks for picking it up for me.

That is funny that you like my stories better than the other RMs from our ward haha. I am sure they are both pretty much the same. It's the same work, just different places. I bet it was cool though to hear Jordan speak. He seems like he would have been an AP or something like that, or in other words an awesome missionary. 

It is crazy that the boys a year younger than me are already starting to give their farewell talks. It does seem like yesterday when I was giving mine. Dang missions go fast! haha. I never believed people when they said things like that, but it's really true. It does go super fast.

I am glad that work is going good for you Daddio. Keep up the good work!

Thanks for everything you do for me. It's really awesome what all you guys do for me. It means a ton to me! I love you guys and its super fun to be able to email you and hear what's going on back home. Keep on keeping me in the loop. Again, I Love you guys!

-Elder Sedlacek

Learning some new tricks

What's up Mama,

I didn't get your letters yet so maybe today I will. I did have a good week. Sadly, J.D. can't be baptized for a couple weeks but Becky is having an interview for baptism tonight and Sydnee is still on for Saturday too. It is going to be at least two baptisms on the 10th hopefully. That will still be awesome! 

 

The ward is great up here. Sunnyside, for me, has been very successful. It has been great! Things with Elder A are doing good. He is stubborn, so it's his way or no way, but I just cope with it and we get stuff done. It is not easy, but we have to get along if we want success. I have just been working on my individual relationship with the Savior, and it has been helping a lot. 

That is awesome Nicole is graduated now! You guys need to watch the Princess Bride soon. That seems like a good movie to watch right now for you guys haha. 

 

That is crazy that Alyssa and Liz are getting married and are. That went fast!

 

On Mother's Day I will get to call home. I get to call on Saturday, too, to set it up with you guys. It will be in the evening, probably around 7:00 Utah time. It is going to be fun!

 

I do like the pics you sent. Thanks for all that you do, Mama. You da best!

 

 

What's up Pops,

I didn't even realize that date yesterday haha. {May the Fourth be with you!}  Being on the mission just makes you forget that stuff haha. Oh well, it is Cinco de Mayo here and Sunnyside has had a big party the past couple days. It was fun to walk around and talk to people. There is good food there too haha. Sounds like you had a good week though. I did too. 

 

For this Saturday, we have two people on date for baptism. Sydnee and Becky. Sydnee is really pumped to get baptized and so is Becky, she just needs to have her interview tonight. I am sure it will work out for the best. It is going to be awesome to have multiple baptisms on the same day again. I really love when that happens. The rest of our teaching pool is doing okay. Only Eric came to church so he is doing good, he just won't commit to a date yet. Marie is doing good too. She wants to come to the baptism on Saturday to check it out. I think we can get her baptized this transfer, hopefully. We have been working to find some new investigators and have some good potentials because of it, but I will tell you about them once I know a little more. That is really our focus right now is finding new people who are solid to teach.

 

With planting season going on up here I have been learning some tricks for gardens, one of which I think we could use on our fruit trees. They have what they call bird scare tape that you put in trees, and the birds don't eat the fruit because of it. It is pretty cool stuff. It just is super shiny and that is what they use on all the fruit up here. It seems to work well, too. Another trick is when you pick the apples, make sure that the stem is on the apple, otherwise it hurts the tree and it won't have as much fruit the next year. So there's a couple tricks that I though you would like haha.

 

That is funny that they have you doing the food for Dirt and Dogs! You must be good at it or something. You will have to let me know what new calling you get when you get one. 

 

You will have to get your head in the game haha. Geeze dad, haha just kidding. You're doing fine with the updates. It's fun to hear the latest news on the sports stuff.

 

Sprinklers are a pain and believe it or not I have done some on the mission haha. Lots of fun every year. I bet you will have loads of fun mowing the lawn. You should get a riding lawn mower and then it would be super easy.

 

Today for p-day should be pretty fun. We are going to a member's place up in Yakima and playing all sorts of games. It is going to be awesome. They have all sorts of stuff like air hockey and ping pong, really just a ton of stuff to do. It should be fun.

 

I hope you guys have a great week. You are seriously the best. Thanks for all that you do for me! Keep praying for our baptism goal of 15 baptisms before May 31st too. Love you guys!

-Elder Sedlacek