"Me and my companion killed it"

Elder Sedlacek's companion, Elder R

Letter dated 8/20/13

Family,

Today was an awesome day! A couple days ago me and my companion were walking down the street, and we stopped this guy to talk with us. His is Dan. We went back to visit him today, and to talk to him about what he wants to learn. We talked about the restoration. Me and my companion killed it. The Spirit was really strong, and he wants to read the Book of Mormon. He even wants to come to church. It will awesome to see if he progresses. It would be like the first guy I found and taught, and maybe even baptize him too! This day was an amazing relief to all the hard work I have been putting in. I so hope he progresses.

Well anyways, I included the picture card from the camera. There is all sorts of pictures on it, just like you asked haha. 

Mama, can you please send some more stamps?
 

The kind of news that every Mom wants to hear

Elder Sedlacek's study area in his apartment.

 Today's email was exactly what every Missionary Mom wants to hear!

Elder Sedlacek: Well this week, we did a lot of tracting. It was really cool. It's funny to see some people who get so tickedoff when we knock on their door. We had a guy yell at us "don't knock on my door like that, and don't ever come back again" then he slammed the door in our faces. It was really funny. I just started laughing and walked away. Some people these days haha. Religion makes them angry, which is the exact oppositeof what it is supposed to do.We alsocame across a guy named David and his girlfriend Meagan. They are awesome people from what I saw of them. We are going back to see them tonight so we will see what happens.They offered to feed us right off the bat as soon asthey opened the door,and they aren't even members. Talk about charity. I don't thinkifsome stranger cameand knocked on my door, I wouldimmediately offer to feed them.We didn't eat from them because we had just ate but still, that was awesome to hear. We are also starting to teach more and more college students which is so awesome. They are all so cool. Its great to be there and see the spirit work in them and change them. the only problem with teaching students is the crazy schedules. Its sometimes really hard to meet up with them. Yesterday we went to a member's house and had the most amazing dinner I have had in the field. Huge steaks, mashed potatoes, and the sweetest corn on the cob I have had in my life. It was so yummy! That is the thing about living in a farming community. The farm food is always really fresh. We are still working with Jim, and Jay and trying to get them to quit smoking. They are making progress though, which is good. Other than that, we are just tracting and teaching investigators. Everything is great here in Ellensburg. I sent a letter with a memory card in it so you should get it today. Hopefully the card isn't smashed though. I would send it in a padded envelope but its like 2.50 every time you send it just for the little card. So I thought I would try to send it in a regular envelope.

Mom: It is so great to hear from you! I am glad you got such a yummy dinner yesterday. I will watch for the SIM card. I hear that JP always sends his in a regular envelope, so it should be fine. Love you tons, tons, tons!  Do you need anything? You sound great! Was there something great that happened this week?

Elder Sedlacek: Thank you love you too. I don't know if I really need anything right now. I am not really sure. I will write you though if I think of something. This week we taught Dave and we taught him about the priesthood. He really liked it, but as to an experience that made my week, really the whole week was great. I can't really think of some specific story to tell you right now. Just the whole week was awesome! I really liked what you said last week, to just take it one day at a time. It really helped me. Before I talked to you last week, I had been praying for comfort because I just felt like crap. I was really overwhelmed with all the things of the mission, all the things I have to remember and I was expecting to learn it so quick, and step into that perfect missionary role right off the bat but it was just overwhelming me. I learned that I was comparing myself to others too much. I need to just be myself and everything would be great. So I did, and now I haven't ever been happier. Its awesome. It was really an answer to my prayers. I had been praying for comfort and I got it. I know Heavenly Father hears our prayers.

 

Mom: You have just made my week! You didn't sound terrible, last week, but you do sound so much happier today. Everybody went back to school today. Jared even drove himself. :)

Elder Sedlacek: Oh believe me I am soooooo much happier.

I remember those days of the first day of school. Never a fun memory haha. Jared is going to wreck old blue haha. Hopefully he doesn't though because that wouldn't be good. Obviously he got his license.

Mom: Yep, he got his license. He didn't get a job yet, but he is still trying. He is following your example in lots of ways. You are really a great example to all of us.

Elder Sedlacek: Well, I am leaving now so I will talk to you later. Love you. Keep me updated about the family. I love hearing about what is happening when I am gone.

Keep praying for all the missionaries

Letter dated 8/17/13

Family,

How is everything going?

Everything is good here in Ellensburg. It is so much harder out here than the MTC. It has been kind of hard, but good.

Ellensburg is a really small town. There is dog and horse crap everywhere, which is kinda gross. I don't think I would ever live here. There are lots of people to teach though! I have learned that success is mainly through members' help. Without members the work would be really slow. I would encourage you guys to help prepare others for the missionaries, because teaching is not exactly the best method. That is why the technology movement is happening. Here in the WKM we will get to use it, which will be cool.

The hardest part about being out here is not knowing what happens anywhere else. It helps keep me focused though, I guess. Keep praying for all the missionaries. It's nice to feel the support of the church behind us. I look forward to reading your emails and letters.

I love you guys so much!

Elder Sedlacek

It's all good.

Right about 11 am MST, I got my very first Monday email! It was fun to email back and forth, because it's almost like talking to him in person. At least, it's as good as I'm going to get at this point in time. :)

Elder Sed: What's up mama? I can email back and forth for about a half hour if you want.

Mom: I'm so happy to hear from you! Tell me everything! :)

Elder Sed: It will be cool to be up here once college starts. Right now there really isn't a lot of people who want to listen. That has been kinda hard. It's all good though. I do need stuff from home. I really need some snacks since I don't have a big budget. I also would like that spiral bound book on the piano with the doctrine of Christ lesson plans in it, a calendar with cool pics like hunting, something to put flavor in my water because tap water is yucky up here, a leatherman knife, and some stuff for my face because I am getting some acne from all the sweating! I don't know if there is anything else but I would appreciate that stuff. Things are good up here but kinda hard. We have 11 investigators that we are teaching, but it is hard to get hold of them. They always have something else it seems. There is an investigator named Jim who we are teaching that I told you about in a letter, but he is going to quit smoking so he can be baptized. He is the most promising one that I have met here so far. Things will get better once school starts. Keep sending me emails and letters. It is what keeps me going haha--literally. I love you guys.

Mom: We love you too! How are you getting along with Elder Rasmussen?

Elder Sed: I like my trainer but he is the exact opposite of me, but we do get along. I have learned some stuff from him which is good. Thank you for all you do for me. You're an awesome parent, same with Dad.

Mom: You are an awesome son! I met a mom in the mission moms group whose son is Elder Parker. I think he is one of the other Elders in your apartment.

Elder Sed: I do live with Elder Parker. He is pretty funny. We live in an apartment with 4 Elders. It's a fun time. We have dinner provided for us most every night. I miss your cooking, though. Some of these small town women don't know how to cook haha! I do have to buy food for breakfast and lunch but my budget isn't that big so can you send me some snacks? I really need some of those.

Mom: What are you going to do for p-day today? Do you have a car?

Elder Sed: We are going to play basketball for p-day. We are in a car area, but with only one car for two companionships so we walk a TON. I don't get to drive yet which kinda stinks. Elder R is not the best driver. I swear I might get killed sometimes haha. He grew up in the country so he isn't used to driving in a city-ish area. We really don't have much in common, but we get along. It would suck if we didn't! Some of the days up here are a struggle and get pretty hard, so I am thankful for your prayers. It means a lot.

Mom: Well, just look for the things you do have common--the biggest one is you have the same goals--finding people to teach! And you are a good cook, so maybe the women need some lessons in cooking. :)

Elder Sed: I wish I could do more cooking up here, but we are very busy all the time so it's hard to find time to do that. I like to cook good food. :) Food is yummy.

Mom: Two families in the ward gave you money this week. I put it in your fund.

Elder Sed: Sweet! Tell them thanks. Our neighbors are awesome!

Mom: We are so PROUD of you! Keep up the good work. There has been a great feeling of unity and peace in our home as we've been supporting you.

Elder Sed: Keep writing letters and emails. I save all the letters. They are a great support. You guys are awesome I miss you all a lot. You are a huge support system to me. I love all you guys so much.

Mom: We love you tons! Thanks for your example to us. Have a great week!

Elder Sed: Thank you Mama! You have a great week too. Tell everyone I love them, and thanks for all they do.

First impressions of Kennewick

I have arrived! 

The airport here in Pasco is so small. We also flew in on a pretty small plane too. 

I like my mission president. He sounds alot like President Murdock {*Note-one of our former stake presidency, and now a mission president himself}. He also looks kinda like him, too. 

One thing that's interesting is that the sun comes up at 5 o'clock in the morning according to President Ware. So hence the growing season starts one month earlier here.

The mission home is really nice. The temple is beautiful!

It is a lot like Utah here, without the mountains. It looks like there should be mountains but there isn't. It's weird. 

I love you guys.

Love,
Elder Sedlacek 

A mystery no more!

Just received our "he's here!" email from the Washington Kennewick mission office! I finally know where Elder Sedlacek is--besides knowing he was in WA or OR.

Dun dun dun dun.......he is in Ellensburg, Washington, about 2 hours NW from Kennewick. 

This is what is being referred to as "the Sacred 37" with President and Sister Ware in the middle. Elder Sedlacek is up on the back row, 6th from the left. What an amazing thing to be part of--the first huge influx of missionaries since the October 2012 announcement from President Monson about missionary age changes. Thus the name, "Sacred 37."

photo credit itooned.com

The Eagle has landed!

Elder Sedlacek is now safely up in Washington, probably at the mission home in Kennewick tonight.

Before boarding the plane, he was able to call us at home, and we got to talk with him for almost an hour! It was really great to hear his voice--especially since we probably won't hear it again until Christmas.

He is doing well and was excited to get going and "start teaching real people."

While we were talking, he mentioned a couple of times that people were walking by and "staring" at all the missionaries. I don't blame them...there were 38 just going to Kennewick. No telling how many others may have been flying out to other locations today. It must have been quite a sight. :)