Elder McBride called home on Mothers Day and we got to talk with him for an hour. I loved to see how everyone reacted when they talked with him, to see the looks of anticipation, then hearing the sound of his voice and seeing the smile on my families faces.
Patrick is a bit homesick right now. He talked with Ryan and Mike about how they overcame this point in their missions. He got emotional a few times, and has realized how much he loved his family since he's been on a mission.
He told us that he's living in a pretty wealthy area, but a lot of people are losing their jobs right now. Although it's such a scary time in the world, he said it's helping people become more humble and teachable.
He also talked a little about the people he is living with and how much he appreciates them.
I (Veronica) think this is actually week 16 - and the family is planning a trip to California in January 2010... I'm sure Elder McBride will love to either be picked up or a chance to go back a few weeks after he comes home. Either way, we can wait to see him! We are so proud of Elder McBride and his choice to serve the Lord!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Week 14: A Californian rollar coaster Ride
Hello Family & Friends!
Hope you are having a great day! Haha, heard it is still cold there... sorry about that - we definately don't have frost on our windows in the morning!!
Can you believe this will be my 100 day mark this week on Wednesday!! haha, I am not counting ... there are just page numbers in my journal.. and that is what page I am on ;) lol. already almost MAY!! wow it's flying by fast!
So this week has been a rollar-coaster of ups and downs!... We have been teaching some people and some lessons go good.. and the others..hummum, don't? lolThe Judds are doing good. Adam had to get a shirt to come to church so we have kind of been bugging him about getting one :) and FINALLY FINALLY.. we got the whole family at church... well I am not going to say 'we'.. because really, yet again when Sacrament started they weren't there.. and so I said a prayer to myself that nothing would stop the whole family from getting there.. and sure enough seconds later I turned around and all of them were coming in and sitting in the back, so I went and sat by them. [My testimony in Prayer is sure getting strenghened!!] Jan and Adam still have their baptism date scheduled for the 9th of May, and Jessica and Jacob are praying about it. So we are excited for them. Brother Teter is even coming with us now to teach them.. he's great!
We taught Darla The Plan of Salvation (and yes, I got the right house now). Haha, so I bought a magnetic board and made some Plan of Salvation cut-outs to stick on there.. haha they are really cool and it makes the lesson funner [yes that's a word] to teach! But the thing with Darla is - she had back problems and can't sit down for too long - so she won't come to church...hmmm.. excuses excuses! lol ... arn't the pues comfortable enough??
We had President Interviews on Thursday. I really love Pres. and Sis. Reeves, they are great! Pres. Reeves talked with me about how he is probably going to move E. Varney this next upcoming Monday to somewhere else and he thinks I can handle this area well enough... so ahhh, we'll see how that goes. There is still a 1% chance he will stay though??? When we get to talk to Pres. Reeves he gives us time to ask questions to him... so I asked him a question about there being "other worlds" and all of that stuff... and if there was a Savior in other plans (and not just Jesus). And he said that there was. That this has always been the Plan - but we only have one Savior for us who is Jesus Christ.... hmmm interesting... and yet uncomprehendable! Then I asked some more questions about the Plan of Salvation - Pres. Reeves seriously knows soooo much!!
So you are probably wondering about Brett Moore and the Baptism... welllllll.... I OFFICIALLY HAVE A BAPTISM NOW!! It was great and such a great day! Brett is such a strong person (E. Varney said he has never baptized someone so strong in their faith). Haha, we are thinking he is most definately going to be a Bishop or Elders quorum pres. soon!! lol
Well I've been doing great and I hope I will have more good news for next week. How have all of you been doing? hopefully well! Well I Love you all! Stay safe, keep the love, keep praying!Love
Elder McBride
Hope you are having a great day! Haha, heard it is still cold there... sorry about that - we definately don't have frost on our windows in the morning!!
Can you believe this will be my 100 day mark this week on Wednesday!! haha, I am not counting ... there are just page numbers in my journal.. and that is what page I am on ;) lol. already almost MAY!! wow it's flying by fast!
So this week has been a rollar-coaster of ups and downs!... We have been teaching some people and some lessons go good.. and the others..hummum, don't? lolThe Judds are doing good. Adam had to get a shirt to come to church so we have kind of been bugging him about getting one :) and FINALLY FINALLY.. we got the whole family at church... well I am not going to say 'we'.. because really, yet again when Sacrament started they weren't there.. and so I said a prayer to myself that nothing would stop the whole family from getting there.. and sure enough seconds later I turned around and all of them were coming in and sitting in the back, so I went and sat by them. [My testimony in Prayer is sure getting strenghened!!] Jan and Adam still have their baptism date scheduled for the 9th of May, and Jessica and Jacob are praying about it. So we are excited for them. Brother Teter is even coming with us now to teach them.. he's great!
We taught Darla The Plan of Salvation (and yes, I got the right house now). Haha, so I bought a magnetic board and made some Plan of Salvation cut-outs to stick on there.. haha they are really cool and it makes the lesson funner [yes that's a word] to teach! But the thing with Darla is - she had back problems and can't sit down for too long - so she won't come to church...hmmm.. excuses excuses! lol ... arn't the pues comfortable enough??
We had President Interviews on Thursday. I really love Pres. and Sis. Reeves, they are great! Pres. Reeves talked with me about how he is probably going to move E. Varney this next upcoming Monday to somewhere else and he thinks I can handle this area well enough... so ahhh, we'll see how that goes. There is still a 1% chance he will stay though??? When we get to talk to Pres. Reeves he gives us time to ask questions to him... so I asked him a question about there being "other worlds" and all of that stuff... and if there was a Savior in other plans (and not just Jesus). And he said that there was. That this has always been the Plan - but we only have one Savior for us who is Jesus Christ.... hmmm interesting... and yet uncomprehendable! Then I asked some more questions about the Plan of Salvation - Pres. Reeves seriously knows soooo much!!
So you are probably wondering about Brett Moore and the Baptism... welllllll.... I OFFICIALLY HAVE A BAPTISM NOW!! It was great and such a great day! Brett is such a strong person (E. Varney said he has never baptized someone so strong in their faith). Haha, we are thinking he is most definately going to be a Bishop or Elders quorum pres. soon!! lol
Well I've been doing great and I hope I will have more good news for next week. How have all of you been doing? hopefully well! Well I Love you all! Stay safe, keep the love, keep praying!Love
Elder McBride
Week 14
Hello Family & Friends,
Hope you've all had a great week! I hear it's getting sunny finally down there.. but hey... it hey it could be bipolar and snowin cats and dogs on ya for all I know... haha.
Well this week has been going great. And I am excited to say that I am going to be having my first baptism on this Saturday (the 25th) for Brett Moore! I am sooo excited! AND IT IS GOING TO GO THROUGH! haha, no really - he is so strong in the gospel and will be a great member of the church! ... although he did say he did kill someone last week and hopes there's no problem with that... JOKEINGLY of course!! haha
The Judds are going to still get baptized on the 9th of May. and Jan even came to church - which I was SOOOOOO HAPPY for! I told her that it would make my day and that I would only except a "yes" out of her for coming to church. haha.. Now we are just working on Adam now... lol
Well how is everything at home... getting warmer.. cause it is down here.. Holy cow - I woke up to like 85 degrees and it is going to get like over 105 degrees today... AHHHHHH... now I'm jeleous of you!! hahaWell sorry this is so short.. had to write my president email..
I love you all, keep staying safe, always have the love, stay close.I love you all so much!
Love Elder McBride
Hope you've all had a great week! I hear it's getting sunny finally down there.. but hey... it hey it could be bipolar and snowin cats and dogs on ya for all I know... haha.
Well this week has been going great. And I am excited to say that I am going to be having my first baptism on this Saturday (the 25th) for Brett Moore! I am sooo excited! AND IT IS GOING TO GO THROUGH! haha, no really - he is so strong in the gospel and will be a great member of the church! ... although he did say he did kill someone last week and hopes there's no problem with that... JOKEINGLY of course!! haha
The Judds are going to still get baptized on the 9th of May. and Jan even came to church - which I was SOOOOOO HAPPY for! I told her that it would make my day and that I would only except a "yes" out of her for coming to church. haha.. Now we are just working on Adam now... lol
Well how is everything at home... getting warmer.. cause it is down here.. Holy cow - I woke up to like 85 degrees and it is going to get like over 105 degrees today... AHHHHHH... now I'm jeleous of you!! hahaWell sorry this is so short.. had to write my president email..
I love you all, keep staying safe, always have the love, stay close.I love you all so much!
Love Elder McBride
Friday, April 17, 2009
11, 12 & 12
To quote Patrick - "I hope you are doing amazing good!" He says the weather is HOT!
One of my favorite things from the past couple letters is how nervous Elder McBride seemed about general conference. He says he has never sat and watched all four sessions. I don't' think I've ever done it either.... Focus.... The next letter he said how much he loved watching it and it was historical because he made it through all the sessions.
The people he is around are taking good care of him, he's eating ribs and sent home a picture of the missionaries in front of wonderful looking pool. He is making plans for returning in couple years so he can actually use the pools!
Patrick has been busy teaching and preparing people for baptism. He had one girl who backed out because she wanted to tryout for America's Next Top Model. Patrick was so disappointed, but has asked us to keep praying for her!
He also wants all of us to focus on our friends and neighbors with missionary work. "Have you guys ever heard of the Perry Plan? All of North America are supposed to be doing it in their wards with missionaries. L Tom Perry went over it briefely in his talk and gave a really good story that applied so good to it - listen to it if you have it recorded. It was about the sheep way up on the Provo Mountain without a way down and rescue workers were trying to get it - but the sheep would probably get scared by them - so he wondered where the sheppard was because the sheep knows him...oh I LOVED it! Us members are the sheppards to the lost sheep (nonmembers and less active members) and us missionaries (the rescue workers who sometimes scare the sheep) it is by the members help that we are going to be successful - so my assignment for ALL of you is to take these words seriously and talk to your friends about the gospel and bring them into your homes and the missionaries too so they can receive a message comfortably with someone they know and trust!"
Each letter Patch puts the week # in his letters, this week should have been 13, but he did 12 again... He's already losing track of time! Go Patch!
One of my favorite things from the past couple letters is how nervous Elder McBride seemed about general conference. He says he has never sat and watched all four sessions. I don't' think I've ever done it either.... Focus.... The next letter he said how much he loved watching it and it was historical because he made it through all the sessions.
The people he is around are taking good care of him, he's eating ribs and sent home a picture of the missionaries in front of wonderful looking pool. He is making plans for returning in couple years so he can actually use the pools!
Patrick has been busy teaching and preparing people for baptism. He had one girl who backed out because she wanted to tryout for America's Next Top Model. Patrick was so disappointed, but has asked us to keep praying for her!
He also wants all of us to focus on our friends and neighbors with missionary work. "Have you guys ever heard of the Perry Plan? All of North America are supposed to be doing it in their wards with missionaries. L Tom Perry went over it briefely in his talk and gave a really good story that applied so good to it - listen to it if you have it recorded. It was about the sheep way up on the Provo Mountain without a way down and rescue workers were trying to get it - but the sheep would probably get scared by them - so he wondered where the sheppard was because the sheep knows him...oh I LOVED it! Us members are the sheppards to the lost sheep (nonmembers and less active members) and us missionaries (the rescue workers who sometimes scare the sheep) it is by the members help that we are going to be successful - so my assignment for ALL of you is to take these words seriously and talk to your friends about the gospel and bring them into your homes and the missionaries too so they can receive a message comfortably with someone they know and trust!"
Each letter Patch puts the week # in his letters, this week should have been 13, but he did 12 again... He's already losing track of time! Go Patch!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Weeks 9 & 10
Two more weeks down, 2 months down, only 22 more to go!
Elder McBride has sent to more letters and he still sounds like he is doing really well. He survived the first round of transfers and stayed in the same place with the same companion, so basically, the changes didn't effect him.
Here is a portion of his last letter - he went with his companion to another church and they had to have a security escort.
So I am guessing you want to hear more about my Cross Roads/Security Guard experience... haha :) (mom: lol, kolten told me I shouldn't ever had told you that I have to have a security guard for something - so sorry if that scared you ;)) But anyway... we went into the building (all great and spacious mind you) and everyone was starring at us! Then we met with our security guard - he was really cool with us. He took us into the room where the thing was going to take place (called Generate) the room was bigger than a stadium! as we walked in, everyone started hugging us and telling us we were at "home" lol - a little weird!
Then he sat us down right in front of the speakers. A couple of minutes later a rock band came out called 'Sex Salon" (hummm, ya weird name for a church rock band - i know!) So they started blasting their music for like 40 minutes with everyone singing along, raising their hands and kneeling in prayer - I was a little freaked out. E. Varney said, "we might as well get up and get into it and clap." So we did and I started getting "into it" and he said, "not that much into it!" haha. But I will have to say I liked the music a lot! Might have to look that up on iTunes! haha But really the whole thing was just a concert and advertising - not at all spiritual! (Never thought I would go to a rock concert on my mission lol)
Then after the music they turned the lights to the corner of the room right where we were be and there was a tank full of water there & these guys and girls walked out and baptized their friends - I was like "WOAH, didn't see that one coming!" then this guy came out and gave a speech about sex and was very very ..specific? haha wow - yet another thing I didn't think I would be hearing on my mission.
After the talk and another concert it was done and while we were walking out, this lady fell down the stairs on us and said she was sorry - but she thought she saw Mormons... then she freaked out when she saw our badges and grabbed our hands and was saying how good it was to see us there and that she used to be Mormon and how we need to change and convert like she did. She said we didn't believe in Christ.. we assured her we did, and she said that we did not -but believed in the "Mormon Christ!" hmmmm??? The security guard then pushed her away so we could get out. haha wow what a fun experience!!
Elder McBride also said they have a few baptisms lined up for the end of this month - and has asked us to pray for them!
He got to help out at the library for book-a-paloza day and had to wear a balloon hat, I'm sure he loved it and hopefully we will get some pictures!
Elder McBride has sent to more letters and he still sounds like he is doing really well. He survived the first round of transfers and stayed in the same place with the same companion, so basically, the changes didn't effect him.
Here is a portion of his last letter - he went with his companion to another church and they had to have a security escort.
So I am guessing you want to hear more about my Cross Roads/Security Guard experience... haha :) (mom: lol, kolten told me I shouldn't ever had told you that I have to have a security guard for something - so sorry if that scared you ;)) But anyway... we went into the building (all great and spacious mind you) and everyone was starring at us! Then we met with our security guard - he was really cool with us. He took us into the room where the thing was going to take place (called Generate) the room was bigger than a stadium! as we walked in, everyone started hugging us and telling us we were at "home" lol - a little weird!
Then he sat us down right in front of the speakers. A couple of minutes later a rock band came out called 'Sex Salon" (hummm, ya weird name for a church rock band - i know!) So they started blasting their music for like 40 minutes with everyone singing along, raising their hands and kneeling in prayer - I was a little freaked out. E. Varney said, "we might as well get up and get into it and clap." So we did and I started getting "into it" and he said, "not that much into it!" haha. But I will have to say I liked the music a lot! Might have to look that up on iTunes! haha But really the whole thing was just a concert and advertising - not at all spiritual! (Never thought I would go to a rock concert on my mission lol)
Then after the music they turned the lights to the corner of the room right where we were be and there was a tank full of water there & these guys and girls walked out and baptized their friends - I was like "WOAH, didn't see that one coming!" then this guy came out and gave a speech about sex and was very very ..specific? haha wow - yet another thing I didn't think I would be hearing on my mission.
After the talk and another concert it was done and while we were walking out, this lady fell down the stairs on us and said she was sorry - but she thought she saw Mormons... then she freaked out when she saw our badges and grabbed our hands and was saying how good it was to see us there and that she used to be Mormon and how we need to change and convert like she did. She said we didn't believe in Christ.. we assured her we did, and she said that we did not -but believed in the "Mormon Christ!" hmmmm??? The security guard then pushed her away so we could get out. haha wow what a fun experience!!
Elder McBride also said they have a few baptisms lined up for the end of this month - and has asked us to pray for them!
He got to help out at the library for book-a-paloza day and had to wear a balloon hat, I'm sure he loved it and hopefully we will get some pictures!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Week 7 and 8
Direct quote " I never really thought how much I would miss you all before I left, (hence the non-emotional part.) ;)
HE HE HE - of course he would miss us -who wouldn't?
We've had two more letters from Elder McBride - he sounds really great! He bought a GPS to aid with his directional skills - and he is loving it.
He is teaching quite a few people. He says the spirit is so strong, and from his letters you can tell he genuinely cares for the people. He has his first baptism lined up for March 14th and has asked us to remember the people he is teaching in his prayers.
His companion, Elder Varney, is a district leader, so Patrick has done several exchanges over the past few weeks while Elder Varney does his other duties. He is really enjoying getting to work with some of the other Elders.
Patch also wanted to let us know that last Friday at 1:20 pm he had is first In-and-Out Burger - which he thought was fabulous! (I'm sure he is now excepting gift certificates, although he did not mention this....)
He also mentioned in his last letter that he was pulled over by some cops - (I'm sure he had flash backs of a recent car accident...) But the officers just wanted to give them a name of an ex-con and told them to go teach some Jesus and Joseph to him.
Hopefully he'll send some pictures soon!
HE HE HE - of course he would miss us -who wouldn't?
We've had two more letters from Elder McBride - he sounds really great! He bought a GPS to aid with his directional skills - and he is loving it.
He is teaching quite a few people. He says the spirit is so strong, and from his letters you can tell he genuinely cares for the people. He has his first baptism lined up for March 14th and has asked us to remember the people he is teaching in his prayers.
His companion, Elder Varney, is a district leader, so Patrick has done several exchanges over the past few weeks while Elder Varney does his other duties. He is really enjoying getting to work with some of the other Elders.
Patch also wanted to let us know that last Friday at 1:20 pm he had is first In-and-Out Burger - which he thought was fabulous! (I'm sure he is now excepting gift certificates, although he did not mention this....)
He also mentioned in his last letter that he was pulled over by some cops - (I'm sure he had flash backs of a recent car accident...) But the officers just wanted to give them a name of an ex-con and told them to go teach some Jesus and Joseph to him.
Hopefully he'll send some pictures soon!
Friday, February 27, 2009
6 Week update
(I would love to say that this was the fasted 6 weeks of my life, but truly, it seems like a lot longer than 6 weeks ago that we took Patch to the MTC.... really 6 weeks?)
We heard from Elder McBride this week and he sounds awesome! He says that he is really really busy - they are teaching members, inactive members and nonmembers - the wards he works with focus on missionary work and it seems like they are very supportive. He says he can't believe he's been in California for 3 weeks already, and has already several spritual experiences already and are hopful for their first babtisim.
He is have a bit of trouble with direction skills, and he is getting (loving) teased all the time about finding places. (Nicole suggested giving directions based on the location of the nearest Chili's...).
He is loving the letters and packagaes (so keep them coming... ;).
We heard from Elder McBride this week and he sounds awesome! He says that he is really really busy - they are teaching members, inactive members and nonmembers - the wards he works with focus on missionary work and it seems like they are very supportive. He says he can't believe he's been in California for 3 weeks already, and has already several spritual experiences already and are hopful for their first babtisim.
He is have a bit of trouble with direction skills, and he is getting (loving) teased all the time about finding places. (Nicole suggested giving directions based on the location of the nearest Chili's...).
He is loving the letters and packagaes (so keep them coming... ;).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
