I am excited to see what happens

"They actually say 'set' here instead of 'sit'! :) 

Brand new puppies! 

hi Dad, it has been a good week. General Conference was super awesome. i received so much revelation for mission life, and surprisingly post mission too. just some things that i will do to help keep me grounded and safe. we did get a new investigator, named C who came to watch the second session on Saturday. he is super into scouts, like HUGE into scouts. he is 21 and helps out with Anderson's local troop a lot. we are excited to help him see the fruits of the gospel, and he will have many friends for us to teach. he seemed to really like it, and was excited to meet with us again. he even biked to the church to get there because he doesn't have a car. 

we did not find a whole lot this week, but we went back to see M & L, and their husband/Dad is NOT fond of missionaries, so we have to stay clear of there for a while. we were kinda bummed about that. we saw D & K yesterday, and really helped them learn more about the Book of Mormon, so we hope they are reading it. we have not been able to see J, he has been busy and also sick.  we watched all the sessions at the church. 

that is really cool to see all those people from different backgrounds around the world. we really are blessed, i have really come to know this from the areas i have served in. it's so nice to be able to live around so many people with the same standards. 

that is cool you're getting so much finished with the floors and everything. hopefully, you will have fun in San Diego! 

i don't know if i have a favorite talk, i really liked how all the talks flowed from the nature of Heavenly Father and his plan of happiness, to spiritual improvement and listening to the guidance we receive. i will think of a favorite for next week. sorry, i can't think much right now, i have some food poisoning or some bug that i picked up last night. i feel a lot better but i am still really weak. well, thank you Dad for all your support! i love you so much, have a great time on vacation!

-Elder Sedlacek

hi Mom, it was a pretty good week. i wrote about investigators to Dad. we did get one to conference-- that was super cool, especially since we had just barely taught him the restoration a few days ago. 

time is going by so fast, it is crazy! i got a lot of direction for the rest of my mission and some guidelines and rules for myself after the mission. the rules i have won't be easy, but i know i have to have them, 'cause God told me to. my favorite quote: "I never said it would be easy, I said it would be worth it."  

i absolutely loved General Conference, i felt the spirit so much! it is always humbling to feel the spirit confirm that God is proud of me and i am doing the right things. it was an interesting experience. we got to watch all the sessions at the church, it was nice. 

i did get the test strips! thanks so much for the treats! yes, i got the blue pair of pants. i did not have a return address thingy for the other pair, but i have been slimming back down, so they should fit better pretty soon. 

i actually don't have a favorite talk yet, although i really liked  S. Mark Palmer's! i have had a similar experience as those missionaries, just not with obedience issues. the rich young man parable was referenced a lot, i really like that and the story about when Jesus calls his apostles. they literally just dropped everything, and ran. the Bible video of it is amazing by the way. there were a lot of great talks, but the one thing that really stuck out to me from the first, was when Pres. Eyring was speaking. it finally hit me, that i am a true extension of Him to declare the truth. i made me sad to think i will be done soon. it has reinvigorated the missionary spirit in me. i am so grateful to have the opportunity to serve as a missionary and to feel the spirit all the time, and to see so many blessings each day, and best of all to teach the gospel. thank you for sending me on a mission!

that must have been cool to have some food cooked by Carli, i always like the South American desserts like flan and stuff. she's right, it is so important to communicate! the reason me and Elder Payne got along so great was because we communicated so well. 

that must have been really fun to have everyone home for conference. that is always a fun experience. hahaha that is so funny about Molly, she is such a diva, but she is not assertive about it at all except to us hahaha. that is funny. 

Elder Hammond and i are staying put this transfer! i am happy to stay another transfer. in the blessing Elder H gave me to help me early this morning when i was really sick, i was promised success and that i have been prepared for this, it was super awesome. i am excited to see what happens.

well, got to go now Mom, thanks for everything! love you all so much! talk to you later!

-Elder Sedlacek

If we had a bigger teaching pool, we could be running hard core

hey Dad, it has been another petty good week. we were not able to find any one new this week though, which i am sad about, but that's okay, they will come. as for G***, we went over to see him and it finally occurred to my comp that G*** is not interested,  so we pretty much dropped him from our list. it is sad to see that happen. we also had to drop a few other people we have not been able to make contact with, so our teaching pool is almost nothing right now. there are a bunch of part member families we could potentially start working with, so that is a plus side. 

there is not a whole lot to update this week, it is sad but true. i just have to trust in the promise that our leaders have given us and look for the miracles. i loved General Gonference--i took 16 pages of notes in a composition notebook, it was awesome!  hahaha. my "mission brain" makes conference even better hahaha. we watched all the sessions at the church, except for the last which we saw at a member's house, that was super fun. 

that sounds like a super fun duck hunt that you had, that is awesome how well Jake did. i look forward to the new spot. BTW, an Elder who started tanning a squirrel hide is giving it to me half-way done to finish it, so i will be able to have a squirrel hide afterall. hahaha 

yeah, there was definitely a good theme going on with the conference talks. one of my faves was the one about serving Christ ambitiously to find joy. i have definitely found that to be true! it gives me so much joy to be on a mission, i love it. that is cool you could see those miracles at work, that is awesome. 

i too know that circumstances may be tough, but if i stay faithful we will see miracles. i have seen this in past areas, and i know that it is just a test to help me grow. thank you for all you do Dad, i love you Dad! have a great week, talk to you later!

-Elder Sedlacek

hey Mom, it has been a good week, although we don't have much time to email this week, so i wrote Dad about the updates in the area so you will have to read them there. i loved conference, it was so good. i also wrote a little about that in Dad's email too.  i will look forward to the USB with the music on it, tell Jake thanks for me! and i am doing good on all the meds right now, thanks for asking! my A1C was about a month ago, it was in the 7's so it was not too bad. 

the leaves are starting to change, and it has been in the 50's a lot too, with humidity, so it feels a  little cooler at times. BTW, can you look for some brown and grey sweaters? only if you can find them cheap though. that is so funny with Brig being like that! i am excited to see the little boy! 

that is good that you have got so much farther with your knee--that is cool. hopefully you will get the scar tissue taken care of. 

my fave part of the week was conference, that was so awesome, i really liked the story that Carol McConkie shared about that old man in the hospital--hahaha--it made me tear up, and it was a tender mercy cause part of it really spoke to me. i am having all these difficult circumstances in the work because Heavenly Father knows what will make me grow the best. in the MTC, we did an exercise where we wrote down who we wanted to become by the ends of our missions, and what i wrote down is exactly the things that i experience that are shaping me into that person. it was a really cool realization. Heavenly Father truly does give to us what will make us most happy, and what we truly desire. i liked a lot of those talks, a lot were about joy in the gospel and sharing it and coming to know the Savior, which is exactly what i get to do for the rest of my mission. it makes me so happy to be a missionary, it brings me so much joy and i know that sharing the gospel is what brings us true lasting happiness and rapid growth of our testimonies and ourselves. 

that is about it for this week! hahaha i will send some cool pics, i got a cool selfie stick for like five bucks at a flea market, so expect a lot more pics! hahaha

Mom: You got a selfie stick? That's pretty funny.  And I am really proud of you! I know you don't like feeling like you aren't accomplishing what you should, but hang in there. I'm praying for you!

hahaha yep, it's a fun toy, best five bucks i have ever spent. i know that is true as well, thank you for your prayers. it means a lot, it really does, i do notice them.

Mom: So is that picture in the gym from last p-day?

nope that is today, just a few hours ago at a huge gym in New Castle, Indiana. it was fun, and it was HUGE!

Mom: That does look like a huge gym. So what's your favorite thing about Noblesville so far?

probably the ward and how they run it. the members here are awesome, we have splits set up at least 3-4 nights a week with members, so if we had a bigger teaching pool we could be running hard core. just wait though, this area will get there, it has so much potential!

Mom: That's good. Do you get any referrals?

we are trying to, at every meal appointment we leave a commitment and i follow up with them later on down the week. it helps to gain a lot of trust, and hopefully that General Conference talk about missionary work helps.

Mom: Do you need anything?

oh, i could use those shirt collar straighteners, that would be super nice if you can find some, thanks Mom!

ok, got to go now Mom. thanks so much for your support and all you do! i could not do it without you guys! i hope y'all have a great day! and a great week! talk to you later! love you Mom!

-Elder Sedlacek

Every prayer I say includes asking for some more people to teach

Elder Sed likes this license plate, for obvious reasons. :) 

hey Dad, it has been a pretty good week. for the teaching pool, we are really just working with the same people over and over again, so it's kinda frustrating for me. i am trying my best to find new people, but unfortunately, it's really just me trying to find haha. so it's kinda difficult! 

we are still working with the amputee, G***, he is a nice guy and really likes us, but he told us he is only meeting with us for the friendship. my comp is refusing to de-focus from him though, so i am doing my best to be bold with G. hopefully we can help to get him to increase his desire. we are still working with a few other investigators that aren't really progressing a whole lot, so we are in need of a bigger teaching pool pretty badly. it seems like every prayer i say includes asking for some more people to teach! there is not a whole lot to update with the teaching pool. 

one of the recent converts has been struggling to pray out loud, so we have been trying to help her with that. i ran the area on exchanges last week, and on exchanges we were able to have her say a super awesome prayer, so that was super cool. 

it sounds like you have a lot to do at work. that is good you have been getting some exercise in. you couldn't mow the lawn 'cause of rain! hahaha here, when the grass is soaked and it's pouring outside, they still will cut the grass haha! i heard about those Utah tornadoes, that is crazy! of course when i go away from Utah to a place with tornadoes, i get none and Utah has three, that is just my luck. just kidding haha!  

it has been hot here this past week, but today is significantly colder, and they removed the suit season rule, so we no longer have to wear suits unless it's to church or meetings, so that is super awesome, i will be able to stay warmer in the winter i think, because the suit pants are pretty light. that is cool the Utes are doing so well, that is awesome! thanks for the sports updates every week Dad! 

i like that thought from the talk, that is a really good one. i especially like where it talks about how you can't just rely on the Spirit to guide your every decision, the Lord trusts us to make the right decisions by ourselves sometimes. it is pretty special to have the Holy Ghost help us in our lives, those big questions and conflicts can be resolved as we turn to the Lord in prayer and listen to the voice of the Spirit, it will bless our lives immensely if we do so with faith. i can't wait for General Conference, it is going to be super awesome. 

well, thank you for emailing me every week Dad, sorry the update on investigators and teaching is a little skimpy, but i am doing my best to change that. it's just due to some tougher circumstances, but i won't complain, because i have been sent to this area for a reason. thank you for all your support! i hope you have a great week Dad! you're the best, keep up the good work! love you Dad! talk to you later. oh yeah, last p-day we went fishing and i caught a 10-inch Smallmouth, it was awesome! Elder Bischoff was super mad cause he didn't catch anything hahaha! it was funny. well have a great week!

-Elder Sedlacek

hey Mom, i am doing good today! it has been a pretty decent week again. i did get the package, thank you so much for that! i have not been able to use the gift card just yet, but we will have the car this week, so there is a good chance we will get to. i know this month has gone so fast! i can't believe it is almost October. i am excited for the weekend, it will be really nice to watch conference. 

sadly we did not find anyone new. every time i tried to do finding things, my comp strait-up shot them down, so we did not really get to do a whole lot of finding at all. he just wants to work with the same people, who aren't really progressing, and it tests my patience hahaha. 

But one old guy we are working with, J, he lives with his son, and his son has met us at the door a few times. this last time he came out when we were teaching the plan of salvation, and at the end we asked him to do the study guide at the back of the pamphlet, so we will see what he says about it.  

i am getting the lay of the land pretty well, i am getting a pretty good internal compass too lately, like Dad hahaha. i can usually tell which direction is which even without the mountains. that is super cool you got your knee bend to 120, good work Mom! your leg should be good in no time. yep, no more knee problems most likely after i get home! wow, has it really been 10 weeks since your surgery? holy smokes, that flew by. 

did Sarah have a good homecoming date? it sounds like it was a good General Women's meeting. i like the quotes about faith. faith and diligence and hard work can qualify us for the Savior's grace (enabling power) and that makes miracles happen in our lives. faith is the substance of all things. to increase faith, we do good works, which motivates us to do more good works. faith without works is dead. faith is the basis of the gospel of Jesus Christ. everything we do is based upon our faith and willingness to serve and follow the Savior's will. i especially like the one about listening differently to increase faith. you can hear something twice and get two different things out of it. that is interesting to think about, thanks for those quotes Mom! that is a really cool lesson from President Uchtorf's talk {"fourth floor last door"} i have been trying to help Elder Bischoff to learn that. he said he is scared to try and find, because of uncertainty, basically. finding is an act of faith, so i want to help him to increase his faith enough to go finding. that is a super cool story. well, that is the update for this week, how are you doing?

i have interviews with President on the 10th i think, but he is aware of the situation, i have been emailing him and he is in contact with the ZLs. he said some nice things to me. today we are with the Elwood Elders and are going to a fun day in Anderson, and a few flee markets. Elder B wants to go blow all his money, so i'm like "alright." how is Jake doing?

okay, got to go now Mom, i hope you have a great week! love you Mom! talk to you later!

-Elder Sedlacek

The family is a huge gift from God.

hey dad! this was a good week. i loved conference, it was awesome. there were some really good talks. we did get to watch it at the church building, and my favorite session was the priesthood session. it is true--we did the same thing at the same time hahaha. we found a few more people this week. since we didn't have the car, we had to use the bus, which doesn't cover all of our area, so we had to walk a lot and rely on the members for transportation a lot too. on Saturday morning, we had an awesome lesson with the guy (K***) who elder parker and i had found when we had the prompting to give him a pass-along card. we with our ward mission leader before conference and had a super powerful lesson with him. we pointed out the spirit he was feeling after the story of the first vision and he felt it but could not describe it. it was cool. as we were leaving,  he was feeling kind of under the weather with a cold and wanted to go back to sleep, so we left and as we walked out, the JWs walked up to the porch. we just said, "Hey guys, catch you later" and they did not look happy at all hahaha. they meet with him on Saturday mornings, so we just started laughing because he was going back to bed. that was my favorite part of the week other than conference. right now, we are teaching about 25+ lessons a week. it was really sad because our most progressing investigators didn't make it to conference because of work and stuff, so we were pretty bummed out haha. i will write about the two  most solid new we got this week in mom's email. we also had another anti come and talk to us. that is two of them in the last two weeks, we must be doing something right! haha it is starting to amaze me just how much we know about God and His true nature.  I am glad you guys had fun in Moab. I love Libby finding lizards and stuff all the time hahaha. i am glad you had a good time. i bet it was pretty cool to see that Rocky Mountain sheep. the most animals i see around here is a dead raccoon or possum every 100 feet on the side of the road hahaha.  in conference, there was definitely a focus on temples and Lehi's dream a little bit too, and a lot on families. i really liked the talk in priesthood session, i forget who it was, but he talked about being men and standing up to those expectations. i loved Elder Holland's talk too, it was really good, you best believe that his talk is going to end up in one of my mission's pump up videos hahaha. all those new temples will be way cool, thanks for the info! thanks for all the sports stats as well. as usual, thanks for all you do dad! it is nice to be able to hear from you each week, thanks for being such an awesome example to me in showing me how to be a "real man!" thanks for always being there for me as well. I love you dad, have a great week, talk to you later!

-Elder Sedlacek

hey mom! so we had a good week. I loved conference, i wrote a little about it in dad's email. we did get to stay out a little late for the priesthood session, and the ward provided ice cream before it, so i did get my priesthood session treat fix hahahaha.

me and elder sutton get along great, which with my record probably means we won't be together after this transfer, sadly. my favorite part of the week was conference. one of my favorite people was a new investigator we found from a referral--L***. oh my gosh! she is a fun lady who likes to talk about history and tell us stories from her life hahaha. we met her on Friday night.

i have to go back through my notes, but right now it was probably Elder Holland's talk for my fave, but there were some really good ones. i just have to look back through to really decide. i did find a few things i felt like were for me, but i was really focusing on investigators. we also had another referral for some investigators who moved from another ward to ours. supposedly they are infamous eternigators who are young and live together. they are both pretty interesting people hahaha so they were pretty fun to meet. we tried to get them to church, we tried our hardest, but things just didn't work out.

that is super cool that the cincy reds are starting up, sick! that is good you got to avoid all the bad weather when you went to moab. that is cool you got to get all the way up to Delicate arch, i am glad your knee worked out, good job mom! i bet that was fun to be able to go with everyone. i am glad you had a good trip. i will have to try that pizza, it sounds good. i am looking forward to those burgers hahaha.

that is good you had the baby showers, that must really help Jeff & Nicole out. have they named him yet? that is cool everyone was able to come over for conference, i bet that was fun. it was a really good conference for sure, i like all those quotes you liked, thanks mom! i like the Elder Rasband one, that is a good one. that is definitely true, the family is a huge gift from God. i look around, and the family is not always important to everyone out here. it is sad. i am glad i was raised by you and dad to be able to know and learn of such a great family. thanks for raising me right! well, that is pretty much it for this week. 

oh, suit season is over now, and my black suit is done after wearing it every single day for 6 months haha it is down to threads. so i either need to find another suit or tailor that gray one so it'll fit me again. hahaha

well, i have to go now mom. thanks for emailing me as usual. I love you mom, love you all! have a great week! talk to you later!

-Elder Sedlacek

Suit season

thanks dad! that is too bad that you didn't get any duck stamps, oh well, it'll save some ducks for me when i get back! i got to watch all five sessions of general conference. we got permission to stay out late for the priesthood session. i loved pres.Eyrings talk, it was really good! and the talk about the barriers and the sharks. i have no idea how those sisters even know about me, they are way far out past cincinnati just below dayton, that is crazy. i would think it is because of how pres.Porter qouted  me in that email to the mission, but i dont know. hopefully it is good hahhaha. i just try my best to be obedient and to find people to teach. it could also be because of F****'s baptism. they had been trying to get him baptized for two years! 

 

we had an awesome miracle this week, as well as many others. yesterday before conference, we were walking around our area about 20 minutes before our ride was supposed to get there to pick us up. With five minutes left to wait, we saw this guy sitting on his porch smoking; he called us over from the other side of the street and said, "you guys mormons?" and we said, "yeah!" He said, "do you have the book?" as in the Book of Mormon, but we aren't really supposed to carry them around since we aren't allowed to place. so we said, "Well, we can get you one!" and we told him we would be back in 10 minutes. at that point we had less time than that, so we ran back to the apartment and grabbed one, ran back and gave it to him. he said he wants to read through it! and maybe get some lessons! that was awesome! as usual i will write more in the general email, but thanks for all the updates and such, it is so great to hear from you each week! i love you so much, have a great week! I love you!

 

hi mom! it is great to hear from you! this week has been good, we experienced lots of grace and miracles and to top it off, i got a package with awesome treats from an awesome mom! we also got to watch all of conference! thanks so much for the package and everything in it! it really lifts a missionary's spirits! and conference was awesome,  i like those quotes! and my fave talk was pres. Eyring's or the talk about the surfers. those were really good, and the pottery talk was good too. 

 

we feel very blessed. this week, suit season started and so now we have to wear suits till april conference if it is 64 degrees or colder. so luckily this week is in the 70's and we don't have to wear them, which is nice. i already damaged my black pinstripe suit while riding my bike to bro. p's house. i frayed the bottom of one pair of the pants when it got caught in the chain, hahaha luckily it is only the size of half a penny if that. oh well, it happens. but we managed to meet up with JG again, that solid gator and schedule some solid lessons! that was a miracle in itself. he is going to get dunked! just wait! that is so awesome that you got a awesome car for jake! that is so sick!

 

it doesn't look like you are experiencing much fall yet, but we are here. it is beautiful fall here--the trees are turning yellow, still a lot of green though. the cold here is really weird since it is so wet. it really does go strait through you! any exposed skin gets pretty cold hahaha. 50 and below feels like 40's right now. it has been stormy and cold the past week, but this week is really nice. we are going with the C's to Greensberg today to go to the walmart. its about a half hour drive. we are getting winter gear.

here is my letter to pres. porter. I thought I might start sending you those so you have something for the blog:

Hey president! this past week was awesome! we received a lot of grace and miracles! I know it was because we were being obedient. it is amazing to me that all we have to do is live the power triangle and do our best, and he will send down grace to help us further his work. it was great to see that this week. we found a few new investigators and taught a bunch of our others. we are just trying to commit them to church. it is kind of tough when they don't keep all the commitments, they can choose and sometimes that is hard to watch. i am learning to love the people here as the savior does. it can be hard at times though. thanks for all you do! you're awesome!

-Elder Sedlacek

 

Well i have to go now, love you mom! have a great week, i love you all so much! thanks for all you do! talk to you later!

 

This week was slow until Thursday, that's when we received a ton of tender mercies!

Elder Sed II made his own scripture quad and even covered it in leather.

 

 

Hey mom! it's great to hear from you! my comp and i are both staying in Batesville, so i guess we still have things to learn from each other. this week was really slow up until Thursday--that's when we received a ton of tender mercies! we were able to make contact with some investigators that we had not seen for a while! we were able to teach JG, he has already read through 2 Nephi and he is so solid! we then found a new investigator in the park, and i asked her if she would be baptized if she found the true church of Jesus Christ, and she said yes! we made contact with a whole bunch of our other investigators too, it was awesome. other than that it has been the same old Batesville, small town slowness. oh well. things happen on the Lord's timing. last week at a new missionary training, Elder Boden gave me his bike, it is worth $700(!!) but he gave it to me for free! he is so awesome--it is a huge blessing. have you found any suits yet? there isn't really a place to get good used suits out here, and we have to start wearing them on conference weekend. i need another so that i don't just blow through the two i have. please keep an eye out for me. are you sending my next test strips? i don't know when or where i get to watch conference, they have not told us yet. thanks for the quotes you sent, they are all awesome. what else would you like to know?

 

Mom: So tell me how your diabetes is doing? What was the most challenging thing this week? What was the most fun? And who is your favorite investigator? 

 

my blood sugars have been good, but i have already had to adjust some basals. i am fine-tuning them hahaha. the most challenging thing for me has probably been to not get mad at my companion sometimes hahaha. he is a good guy though. the most fun i had this week was the thing i did in this video that i am sending you! you will like it. dad will be like, "oh that is totally jared!"  my favorite investigator is probably JG, he is really quiet but is so solid, and F**** is still F****, i love that guy, they are like a grandma and grandpa to us.

 

i am trying to make the video small enough to send. if i can't send it, it is a video of the miniature quad combo that i made! i will send pics for sure. i took the tiny books of scripture, the new testament, the BOM, and the doctrine & covenants and pearl of great price. it is the size of my hand and wrapped in leather that i pulled off of journal i bought from shopko hahaha.

 

Mom: Well Joj, I am totally not surprised that you made something like that! That's great! Good job! 

 

thanks for emailing me! I know i am not the best at updating you on everything, but heck, i will have more stories to share when i get home, i already have some crazy stories hahaha. indiana is a crazy place! I love you guys so much! have a great week, and everything!

love elder sedlacek II

 

Even though I have limited days left, I am going to make the most of it!

What's up Mama,

Sounds like you guys had an exciting week hahaha! That is crazy that Jared's going to Ohio!!!!!!!! I bet he's going to love it. Is his mission the middle of nowhere areas? Was he pumped to see English-speaking?

 

It was weird to have that member call me to tell me the news about Jared's call. They aren't even in the ward I cover (haha), but they were able to track me down that night and let me know. Thanks for letting me know as soon as you could. You're the best Mama!

 

My week was great!!!!!!!!!!! I probably had one of the best weeks in a long time this week. We put SIX investigators on date for May!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just can't even believe it! This area is on fire. We finally got some Young Single Adult investigators too, who are on date as well! It's been almost a year since anything like that has came along. I am so being blessed by the Lord right now! It's amazing! This is what missionary service is all about!

Man, it sounds like you're going to be one stressed-out mama for the rest of the spring/summer. Good luck! :)

You got my school schedule figured out? What are the details on it? What work-out class is that that you signed me up for?

Mama: Elder!!

It is so awesome to hear from you! I am so happy that those members called you that night and let you know. I so wished you knew what was going on. That makes me feel better that you did know. I told you I had ways!! haha Jared is excited! I think he was a little disappointed about no Spanish (unless his mission Pres modifies it).

 

Your week sounds simply amazing and miraculous! SIX on date for May?? Wow!

 

MWF, you will have a Music class (Music history or something), US History, and Math. I’m not sure if it’s like algebra or something, and it’s subject to change if you want to take a math placement test. After that you’ll have English which is a writing class. Dad and I figured if you got that out of the way right off, it would help you in all your other classes. Tues & Thurs you will have conditioning unless you wanna change that. 

 

Elder Sed: Yea it's good to hear from you guys too. I am glad that you are doing good.

I was kinda guessing that English was a disappointment to him, but oh well. He will get over it. It's where the Lord needs him.

Yep, SIX on date for May!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am giving the update on that right now in my email to dad.

Music history? Is that for an elective? Do I have to take a writing class? I don't want to write a ton of papers if I don't have to. What's the conditioning class?

Mama: Music History, I am sorry to tell you, is one of a few required core classes. So is the writing class. Conditioning is weight lifting.

Elder Sed: Oh okay Mama. I was just making sure you weren't setting me up, or anything like that. I don't want to have you have something funny up your sleeve or something like that. :) 

I have to get going Mama. You're the best! I hope you guys have a great week! Thanks for all that you do for me. Thanks for setting up school stuff for me. Just really thanks for all that you do! Love ya tons!

Talk to you next week!

 

What's up Dad,

This week was GREAT! as I already said to mom. But this week was a great week for finding and inviting! We put a focus on it and it really paid off. We now have a total of 8 on-dates. Seven of those are in the Milton ward, and 1 in the Walla Walla YSA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't even believe it! I will give you a list of them so you guys can pray for them, because I know that's what you like.

Mostly all of our on-dates were found this week. It was amazing. We found three in each area that we cover. It's been a long time since that has happened. They are all awesome. I was on exchanges with the Elders in my district twice this week, so some of them I don't really know much about, but they are all miracles from the Lord!

 

T***** is a new investigator this week. The Elders found her when I was on exchanges in a small town called Weston. They decided to go tracting because Elder G and I had had the thought to go tracting up there. Turns out it worked out really well. At first, it sounded like it wasn't really going anywhere. She was busy, but they kept on just teaching to her. She felt the Spirit and invited them in. She really wants a church for her kids to grow up in and was excited to set a baptism date for the 16th! Talk about awesome!

R**** is a newer progressing investigator. He is doing awesome! He had been around for a long time with missionaries before. Kinda what missionaries call an "eternagator." Not really a good thing. When I got here though, I made sure to have a really frank discussion with him using the Spirit. It worked really well. After that he has really gotten things together. He understands why the missionaries come over. Not just to visit, but to help him build up his faith. He asks really great questions that come from his studies which is awesome! It proves that he is not only reading the Book of Mormon but really thinking about it and praying. He says that it feels good too. This week he asked us a question right when we came in. It went something like this: "Where can I be baptized like Jesus Christ was?"  It was funny because it kinda caught me off guard haha. I wasn't expecting something like that coming from him hahaha. It was awesome though, because we were able to testify of the priesthood authority and put him on date for baptism. He is praying for a solid answer from God that the Book of Mormon is true, so pray that he feels like he will.

L***** was an awesome find. She is basically "golden"!!!!!!!!! So the story on her is that she came to church yesterday. She has a member boyfriend in the branch and he took her to church. Apparently she has had lots of exposure to the church in her life. He is a RM so he's doing some awesome work as you could guess. He already had her reading the Book of Mormon. He took her to GenConf this month and she was speechless when she was listening to the prophets. She really felt the spirit. She grew up baptist and her family is giving her a bunch of crap for dating a Mormon, so just pray that she can stay strong. She really wants to be baptized. It's her family that will be the biggest struggle. 

M**** is a new investigator too. He is from a part-member family in the ward. We found him a couple weeks ago and he had asked us to call him to set up a time to meet with him. That happened to be this week we had set up, and it turned out really great. He had expressed how baptism was something he had been thinking about for a while now. He just didn't know where to go to get it started. Guess what? That was the reason we tracted that street that one day. We had prayed that day that we would find someone prepared on that specific street that we were going to tract, and at first it didn't look like that prayer was answered. Boy were we wrong! hahah. The Lord does answer our prayers! I know that for sure.

The other new investigators are people I really don't know too much about yet because I was on exchanges.

F******, J****, and J******* are all doing awesome. They are all people that I think I've told you about but they are doing awesome! This area is just really blooming right now! It's crazy!

It's way awesome news that Jared is going to Ohio! You guys' plan worked to let me know asap. I found out Thursday evening. Thanks for letting that member know. She was excited to relay the news. It was good to hear too. Jared will be a great missionary over in Ohio. He's going to have fun in that country. He better not come back a Bengals fan hahaha. Don't worry about me though. I am pure blood Chargers and 49ers. haha

I do remember Loren. It's exciting that he's going to Ohio too. They both are going to great things! How many boys is that from our ward that have calls now?

That's a real bummer Sister M is home now. It's too bad but all things happen for a reason. I am sure she did great! It's cool that the #BecauseHeLives worked really well in her mission. Here, I don't really know. I haven't heard anything big come from it yet. I really haven't seen much. We used the cards a lot. As far as the iPads? No clue. Pres Ware said they would come in 2-3 months about that long ago. Really though, I have heard that my whole mission. We will get them when we get them as far as I'm concerned. I'm not going to worry about it.

Well thanks Dad for all that you do for me! You sacrificed a lot to get me out here, and you still do to keep me out here too. I love you Dad. You're a great example!

I am so happy to be serving a mission. Even though I have limited days left, I am going to make the most of it! I know the Lord is very aware of anyone who puts their name right next to His. I have felt Him with me literally every day. I know Christ lives! I know this is His church restored to the earth. What a great comfort that is! I love to serve God's children. I will strive constantly for the rest of my life to do it, too. I love God especially. He blesses me so much. I have tons to be grateful for. You guys and everyone back home who supports me are all part of that. The people I meet everyday, President Ware, people to look to, it's all great things I am blessed with. I am just so happy! I love you guys!

-Elder Jake Sedlacek

 

People do have questions about our church, and they should because it's the true church of Christ.

Milton-Freewater is known for its frog statues.

What's up Mama,

Sounds like your week was awesome! So was mine! I LOVED conference. I really loved all the talks, but my faves were President Eyring's in the priesthood session. (His was all about how the priesthood and the power of prayer are connected.) I also liked Elder Ballard's talk in the priesthood session. It was about raising the bar on RM's. It kinda applied to me haha, sadly enough, since I will be home before the next session in October. I just liked when he made the comment that RM doesn't stand for "Retired Mormon." We need to stay strong in our studies and focus even when we get home. I am going to stay on track. I have already made that decision. My most favorite talk was Jeffery R Holland's talk! Talk about AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just really felt the Spirit during the whole thing. It was just amazing. I am going to get the audio recording on that talk when it comes out so I can listen to it again and again. It was that good. 

Guess what this week entailed? I got the dreaded trunky call that the old missionaries get from missionary travel when they are getting the info together for your flight home. It was funny, because I got mine on Wednesday when I was on exchanges with Elder Nelson. He's the ZL for the Walla Walla zone and we came out the same time, so we both got our trunky calls on exchanges. It was pretty fun haha.

 

That is awesome that Jared's papers are in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is wierd that the calls are coming on weird days like Saturday haha. Makes it unpredicitable.

 

Sounds like you guys had fun on the trip to St. Geezy. That's good. I was assuming you guys would have lots of fun.

 

Easter was fun. This ward struggles with feeding the missionaries, but we did have an Easter dinner. It was some super good hamburgers. Ones like I had with the Hale family. The "juicy Lucys". It was soooooooo good. The miniute I bit into it I said out loud that they were like Juicy Lucys, which is what the Hales call them, and the whole family was like, "what the heck." It was kinda funny. I still remember those things though. They were super good at the Hales' and that was like 2 yrs ago haha. Must have been that good to remember what I ate 2 yrs ago huh? haha.

 

Thanks for the Easter package! I loved it and the shirt! You're the best Mama. Love ya tons!

Talk to you later!

-Elder Sedlacek

 

What's up Dad,

My week this past week was great! I had my first district meeting with the district I am in now. I thought it went really well. I gave a training on how to teach to understanding using the pamphlets that the Brethren have made for us to use. I also focused on teaching to feelings rather than thoughts, because that is a huge help that I have learned in my teaching. At the beginning of my mission when I would teach a lesson, I would find myself asking the investigators questions that were something like "What do you think about that?" The answers were usually nothing inspired and sometimes even went way off in left field, but about a year ago I had an interview with President Ware. He and I were talking about who knows what, but he taught me something that I have never forgotten. He told me "It is always going to be about what they feel, before what they know." He told me the more I focus my questions on feelings rather than thoughts, the better the outcome is going to be. It's really true. I have seen time and time again. I have seen it even in conversation with people on the street who aren't interested, but suddenly you ask a great question and they are talking to you for a while. The power of questions to the feelings of the heart is amazing! When somebody truly ponders on the heart, it always brings the Spirit.

 

Our teaching pool is a bit interesting. This week we dropped basically everyone. We haven't been able to contact most of them and they weren't progressing at all. There are still some that are doing good. We have one on-date for baptism. His name is _____. He is a high schooler who is really cool. He's a Seventh-day Adventist, but is pretty interested in the church. He even came to General Conference and he really liked it. He is on date for the 25th of this month. I can really see him getting baptized that day. It's going to be sweet. 

There are some other people we are working with who are doing pretty good. There was a guy named R*** that we visited this week, and from the looks of the first visit it wasn't going to be much of anything, so when I was sitting in his house I really tried to listen to what the Spirit wanted me to say to him. All of a sudden I had the thought to testify of the Plan of Salvation. It was a complete change of subject at the time, but it was cool what happened. He actually listened. He even said to me "I really believe what you're saying. I really want to believe it, too." This was a guy who didn't want to listen to us and he went from just talking endlessly to really listening to what we had to say. He is reading the Book of Mormon, and he is asking great questions, so I know when he says he is studying, he really is. It's amazing what's happening in his life!

 

I mentioned the girl we had met last week when we got that referral, that turned out to be another referral for a different guy, which really turned out to be us finding the girl. Remember that? Well, we visited her this week and she's doing awesome! She and her boyfriend are looking to get into church. Her boyfriend is a member who hasn't gone in a while, and she is really interested in the message we have to share. She took a Book of Mormon and is reading it too. I hope everything continues to go well with her.

 

Other than those three, we are really trying to find some new investigators at the moment. We are re-vamping the teaching pool. It's going to take some work, but we are going to do it. Just pray for us to be able to find the prepared people in our path.

 

I really enjoyed conference. I shared my fave talks with Mama, so I am sure you're going to hear about it, but we had a lot of the same favorite talks. I really loved Elder Holland's. I loved the visuals he used in the story. I really liked the thought that the Savior is our brother who are the hands hanging down helping us. It's totally true. I also loved President Uchdorf's talk too. He really explained grace in a way that I thought was just perfect. A lot of church members needed that talk. Most don't understand fully how grace works in our lives, so that talk was perfect. I sometimes don't fully understand grace as well, so that's a talk I am going to be reading again soon. Both Elder Holland's and President Uchdorf's. We watched conference from the church building here in town. They like the missionaries to be at the church to watch conference. I like it though because it keeps me focused. It will help Jared to be in a chapel instead of on a couch haha. I guess that when there is a will there is a way with Jared haha. I am sure though that he is going to be too concerned about taking notes that he won't have time to play with toys haha. It's going to be fun to watch conference with you guys in October haha. It will be weird haha.

Hahahaha! Kentucky lost. That is so perfect. I was just waiting for that to happen. Duke made it all the way though. That's crazy. I bet they will win. I hope they do because it will make Utah look better, right?

How are the Jazz playing?

Well good luck with your lesson in primary. I bet you will do good. I bet it's fun being able to teach in there and really simplify the gospel.

 

I know that President Monson is a true prophet. I know the Priesthood is on the earth. The same power Christ used while he was on the earth. It was cool. This morning in Walmart this lady randomly came up to me and asked me if the Melchizedec priesthood was on the earth. I was like "What the heck?" in my mind, but I didn't say that of course. I just know that not everyone knows about that kinda stuff unless they have been really studying something about our church. I just testified right in the middle of Walmart that the priesthood is on the earth and I ended up having a lesson with her while Elder G was printing some pictures off. It was kinda funny. I haven't had that happen to me before but it was good. People do have questions about our church and they should because it's the true church of Christ. As we stand as an example where ever we are, people will be able to recognize that we are members of the church and we will be able to answer their questions. I just love the gospel!!!! I love my mission!!!!!!! Thanks for all that you do to keep this guy out here. I love you guys!!!!

-Elder Sedlacek

 

Transferring to Milton-Freewater, Oregon!

What's up Mama,

The past week went by pretty dang fast. With email on Wednesday it did just throw my head off a little bit. I woke up Thursday morning and I was thinking really hard as to what day it was haha. I remembered once my brain woke up a little bit though.

Transfer news. Over the course of my whole mission, I have had a streak of moving south. I started in Ellensburg, went south to Sunnyside, then I went south to Pasco, and south to Kennewick, and now I am going south to Milton-Freewater Oregon.  Pretty funny haha. 

 

As I mentioned, I am being moved down to Milton-Freewater. It's right by Walla Walla. I am going to be covering the whole city. It's kinda like Sunnyside, so it's rural like that. The ward boundary is the city, which is only two miles square and has 7,000 people, so it is pretty small. I will be covering the YSA ward or branch as well, so my area will be the whole stake for YSA peoples. That will be kinda fun. It's going to be interesting though because the Walla Walla zone is a sister zone, so the only Elders are the ZLs, the DLs and their companions. I think it will be fun though. I am going to be serving with Elder Greenburg. He's just barely finishing up training so I will be a greenie buster. He's from Tooele, and that's all I know of him.

That's awesome that Jared is getting so close on his mission papers, so with his interview on Wednesday, he could have his call pretty dang soon. That's exciting. I am predicting the WYM (Washington Yakima mission). His mission president will be President Taylor. He seems pretty cool.

Did Mia do good on her tryout? Runs to July 18th huh hahaha. I can see why you would want to be busy hahaha. Good one, Mama.

Mama: Milton-Freewater? I will have to look that one up. If it’s by Walla Walla then we will have to sing the Walla Walla Washington song. Have you heard it? haha If all the Elders are are ZLs and DLs, and your comp is a greenie, then what are you?

 

Elder Sed: Yeah, it's in the middle of nowhere I guess haha.I have heard the Walla Walla song if it's the one that you're thinking of.  I don't have a clue if I am going to be a DL again. They haven't told me yet. If I am, they are probably going to tell me tomorrow or Wednesday morning.

 

Mama: I looked up Milton-Freewater, and I see it’s in Oregon. You won’t be able to say you’re in WaRshington for a few months, will you? haha On its city page, it also says it’s called Muddy-Frogwater Country. haha! How does Elder R feel about being in charge after you leave?

 

Elder Sed: I had heard it called Muddy Frogwater haha. I guess they have statues of frogs all over the city. Guess I will have to take some pics with them. I think he is pretty excited. He realized the other day that I am going to be gone and the stuff I usually did, he is going to have to do. It was funny haha. He will do a good job though.

 

Mama: Yes, take some pics with the Muddy Frogs. That will be awesome.

 

Elder Sed: I have to get going now. Thanks for emailing me Mama. You're the best! Thanks for all that you do for me with school and everything. You're amazing! I love you guys!

-Elder Jake Sedlacek

What's up Dad,

The rest of this past week was pretty good. We had a good lesson with Phillip and the wards officially split into the new wards. Now the Union elders are going to cover two wards: Union, and Highlands which is the new ward. Pretty exciting stuff. The work is really hastening. It's super cool to see evidence of it.

Update of the investigators.........

P***** is doing pretty dang good. I was super impressed with him this week. We met with him, and had a really good lesson based off of Alma 32 and faith. We had given him the commitment to read and pray in the Book of Mormon, and he didn't do it. With President Ware's focus on using the commitment ladder, that means if they don't keep the one commitment you don't move on and leave them in the dust by giving them another one they can't keep, so we kept the focus on scripture reading. We had a really good spiritual discussion on how his faith is like a seed and it really applied to him. He made the decision himself that he wants to strengthen his testimony so he's going to talk to his wife and see if they can read as a couple. He also made the comment that he's feeling a good feeling come from the teachings of the Book of Mormon, and he believes it. It's only a matter of time before he gets baptized. I am totally positive about that. It may take a lot of time, but I am positive it is going to happen.

C***** had some great news this week. Guess what? Her family is wanting to take the discussions!!!!!!!! Her dad had been noticing that she reads her scriptures everyday in the car before school, and he asked her why she does it EVERY morning. She then bore her testimony of how much it blesses her and how she knows it's true. She invited him to take the discussions and he said yes. I wish I would be able to be a part of the teaching of her family, but I am going to be moving on. Guess we are going to have to come back and visit haha. She has an awesome family. It's so awesome how the Lord has prepared one person, and in turn it prepared the rest of the family too. The teachings of the church really do bring families together!

This past little while I have been trying to focus my personal studies on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus the Christ has been a huge help in that and it's given me some pretty good insight. I really want to focus the rest of my mission on the primary song "I'm Trying to be Like Jesus." I really want to become the most Christ-like missionary I can be these next months. Christ teaches/testifies so powerfully, with love, for all people. It's amazing. It is the reason he is the best missionary that has ever lived. It reminds me of a quote that I really like from another missionary. It goes like this: "God loves all his children so much! He would LOVE to have all of them return to Him. God sent Christ to this earth to teach us how to teach, lead and live. He was THE best in teaching and leading God's children back to Him. Of course, God would want the best missionary to teach all of His children so they would come back to Him, but Christ has other duties so God sent the next best he had. The next best thing is me, you, mom, and the rest of the family, as well as the church." As we strive to be the "next best thing" to Christ, we are going to be that much more effective in leading others back to the fold. That is why I love being a missionary so much. It brings constant change of good into my life. A constant striving to become like Him  is what everyone needs in this life. Imagine what the world would be like if everyone were like Christ. It would be pretty dang amazing.
 

Well, I am looking forward to working in Milton-Freewater with a new companion. It's always interesting getting transferred to a new area, but it will be fun. It could be my last transfer, too, which is kinda weird. I'm going to keep working hard til the very end. You can know that for sure!

I'm happy for Elder R though. He's going to be taking over the area with a younger missionary. He's going to do great!

Thanks for the bracket. I filled it out and sent it home for you to keep track of for me. You should get it today in the mail. GO UTES!!!!!!!!!! That's all I can say haha.

LOSING HAIR ON THE TOP OF MY HEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My hair is still the same from when I left. I'm betting you're just jealous haha. I didn't get a haircut dad. I got my HAIRS cut haha. My luscious, thick and full hair ;) Baldness is passed down through the mom though, so even if you're bald, I don't have to be...but because grandpa H is bald I guess I will eventually haha. I will just have to enjoy the hair while I have it huh? haha.

You can be sure that I am getting enough to eat haha. I don't really have a clue if I am losing more weight. I would think that I am. It's a good thing though. Working out everyday and walking does the trick I guess haha.

Well thanks sooooooo much for all that you do for me Dad. I like the thoughts of your training you gave. They are exactly right.

I know that this gospel is true. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet. I know President Monson is a prophet in these days and guides Christ's church. I am so pumped to hear from him  in a couple weeks. It's going to be so fun. I know a mission is where I am supposed to be. I love my mission! I learn so much everyday. It's awesome!

You are awesome Dad. Love you and your example of a great Dad and priesthood holder! Love ya dad!

-Elder Jake Sedlacek

 

I know God still speaks!

What's up Mama,
Holy crap 14 months hahaha. That makes me sound like an old
missionary. It feels just the same though, to answer your question. I
just have to focus on the day ahead of me everyday and do my best.
Thanks for praying for B and S. I am sure it has helped. Sadly, we
haven't been able to make contact with either of them. We did
find three new investigators though this week. It was awesome so our week
was really good. We also had lots of lessons with people we had just barely
met. We just hope now that they turn into investigators. That would be
the best ever!

The weather has been really nice here. It has been about 70 degrees all day
and sunny as usual. I wish Utah would send some of the rain up here.
I like the rain haha. Yeah, the apartment is really nice. I
really like it. It's a nice place. And the dishwasher is nice too haha!
All my mission, up to now, it seemed my dishwasher was my hands haha. It's
still kinda weird to use a real dishwasher haha.

I had heard that the meeting was really good from lots of people who
watched it.  It sounds like it was. Lots of people talked about
President Uchtdorf's talk. It must have been a good one.
That is crazy that Abby is leaving on her mission. Does she leave this
week then? Seven missionaries from our ward this year!!!!!!!!! That is
awesome!

Conference is this weekend!!!!! We are going to be watching at the stake
center probably. They don't broadcast it at our ward building. I am
guessing you guys will watch on the TV downstairs. You doing anything
fun besides that with conference?

I have to get going now. My time is up haha. I am glad to hear that
you guys are doing well. Have an awesome week. Conference will be
super fun. I am so excited! I know we have a prophet on the earth
today. He speaks God's word just as prophets in the Bible did. God is
loving and cares for all of his children. I just love the gospel! My
mission is awesome! Love you guys!
-Elder Sedlacek



What's up Dad,
I will start off with the update from my week. It was awesome. It was
one of the best finding weeks I have had here in Pasco. We found three pretty
solid investigators. Their names are B & M and G. They are all really awesome.
When we first met G we talked to him about having a prophet on the earth and
he said that he wants to hear some of  President Monson to decide if he
is a prophet. What a great question with next weekend coming up huh?
haha. B & M are pretty awesome too. They grew up around
LDS kids, and since then have always kinda wondered what it's all about.
They are working on reading the Book of Mormon right now. Awesome!
As far as B and S go, we weren't able to catch either of them home this
week. We are going to try by tonight though so wish us luck.

Another cool story from this week was when we met a potential named CJ.
Some previous missionaries had talked to her and never went back. The cool
part was when were walking up to her house, I got the prompting to take
a copy of the Book of Mormon out of my backpack and carry it in my
hands, which I don't normally do because I like to have my hands free.
Well, I did it anyway. When we knocked on her door and started
talking to her, she wanted a Book of Mormon, and I had it right in my hands.
She is going to start reading it as well. It was awesome! She is solid too, just
kinda busy where she works, so we hopefully will be able to catch her
home this week.

This week we had a super long training from President Ware on planning
and it was awesome. He did give some hints that I will probably
be transferred, but he does that sometimes and it doesn't end up working
out that way so we will just have to see haha. I will find out on Saturday
where I will be headed or if I will be staying.

Are you kidding me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The UItes blew
it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They should have won that game. Sounds like they need some 4th quarter
conditioning. I bet Kyle works them to death haha. I heard Bountiful
lost to WX from Elder C so that sucks too haha. It sounds like
it was a bad week for sports. That is good that the 49ers did good
though haha.

That is a cool story for Abby of how she went on a mission. I bet she
will be able to share that with people and help and bless their lives
where ever she is going. I bet she will be a good missionary. That is
great that the ward has seven missionaries sent out this year. Totally
awesome!

That is totally insane that Utah is getting that much rain. It's almost
like Seattle it sounds like. Tri-cities hasn't gotten any rain.
It's been dry, but it's been like 70s so its been great.
I couldn't ask for anything more right now weather
wise haha. I just wish I could see some fall colors! That would be the
only thing.

Good luck with work this week. Do you think they are going to
announce something at conference? It will be cool to hear
some talks in other languages this year. I just hope President
Uchtdorf speaks English haha. I am, needless to say, excited for
conference though. It's going to be awesome!!!!!!!!

I have a testimony of the gospel. I love the power that the
Book of Mormon brings into our daily life. It is sooo important that
we make the day-to-day decisions to have the gospel in our life.
Conversion isn't a one-time thing. It's an everyday process. I know
Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. It is a blessing to have a prophet
on the earth today. I know God still speaks!
Have an awesome week!
Love ya!
-Elder Jake Sedlacek

The Gospel is Amazing

Email to Dad 4/7/14

 

What's up Dad,

Hahaha that is super funny that you deleted your whole first email by mistake. Did you try the undo button when you deleted everything? That might have helped you haha. 

Sounds like you guys had a good week. Mine was pretty good. Over conference though the adversary really seemed to not want the D family to watch any of it, and they didn't. I was super, super bummed that they didn't watch conference. Really, all hell broke loose on them over Saturday and Sunday. It was not a coincidence I believe. I really feel like if they had watched it they would have gotten an answer, just like you said. Good news for confence online though! They said they will watch confence online, so they better do it haha. But I know it's just like what they said in conference-- "Righteousness cannot be forced. It must be chosen." E was able to watch it though. She really liked it. 

 

Both E and J were on date for this week, but fell off to next week, so hopefully they will be baptized next week. I am really trying to stay patient with our teaching pool. I really needed to hear that quote from conference. It was super good. I think President Eyring said it in his Saturday morning talk. That was one of my favorites. I went through and explained all my favorite talks to Mama in my email to her so you can get them from her haha. I don't want to type it all out again. It takes forever haha unless I copy and paste. 

 

Sounds like conference weekend was fun. It would have been super fun to hang out with all the family. It is crazy to think Grandpa Sed has been gone for a year now. I wish sometimes that I could email back and forth with them too, but I know they are watching over me. I am sure Grandpa comes and helps with the lessons I teach, since he wasn't able to serve when he was my age. I am sure he is helping me out as much as he can. I know he is in a place better than he was at, and you know that too. I really liked when Pres. Uchtdorf said "Death is hard because we aren't made for ends. We are made for eternity. Death sometimes seems like an end but really it's the beginning." You already know that too just as I know that. The gospel is amazing isn't it? The comfort and peace it can bring into our lives is amazing to me. 

 

That is fun about the March Madness. You will have to let me know how the score ends up in the final. That is funny about the Jazz. They just need to stay at the bottom at this point. That is what is going to help them the most in the future. I hope they can get a really good lottery pick and they don't blow it like they have before.

 

Well, I want you to know that I am doing well. The goal we have for 14 baptisms is getting close and we only have 2. We are really searching for that magic solution personally so we can achieve the goal we have set. I know we can do it if our investigators follow through with their comitments. That is what we are really having trouble with right now. Just pray for all of our investigators that they will do what they know and feel is right. Keep praying for the goal of 14 as well. April 22nd is the last day of this transfer. 

 

Good job on fixing Bro. N's machine haha. He called you because he knows you could fix it of coarse. That is funny that it rained over conference just like it always does. Here in Sunnyside it was perfect days. The weather is great up here right now. Not too hot, not too cold during the days and nights. It's great.

 

I am doing great. It sounds like you guys are, too. I am thankful for all that you guys do for me. Thanks for everything. I love you all! You're an awesome family.

-Elder Sedlacek