January 25, 2006
[Editor’s note: Skyler’s handwriting is abysmal and so deciphering things, especially names, is a challenge. This letter arrived with a cassette tape. If you want to hear it, you have to come over!]
Family,
How is everybody? Thanks for all the letters and packages I’ve gotten. I tried to write as many people as I could, but the Branch President announced that letters may only be written on P-Day. While I’m here at the MTC that day will be Wednesday, but I leave on the 1st and then P-Day will be Mondays. Yah, so expect a call at 4:30 a.m. on the 1st. I have a bit of time to use the phone while at the airport. Only a week left! It’s so intense. It is rough being the District Leader. Always having to be the good example and obeying the rules as conservatively as possible, even when my brain is telling me to do the easier thing.
I think I told you about my district. My comp Elder Foley is a hardcore hunter and redneck from Vernal. Through him and a few others here I have tried so many types of meat jerky I didn’t even know existed (deer, buffalo, etc.) He likes to show me pictures of him and his “kills.” Elder Mataele is our Tongan Elder from Mesa Arizona. He reminds me of Seth Hannaman in many different ways. Last night he did the Haka for the whole Zone. It was sweet. His comp Elder Walker is an ex-star football player from Sugar City, Idaho. He is kinda like the “cool” kids, but he still fits in with the rest of us dorks. He gets a letter at least once a day (sometimes twice) from his girlfriend/fiancé. We hate him for it, but not the fact that she writes him everyday, but the fact that he likes to share with us her countdowns in days, weeks, months, hours, minutes, and Fast Sundays, which makes us all trunky. Elder Johnson was born in Stockton, CA, but has lived in Bountiful most of his life. He is the class clown. He is the one always making dry, sarcastic remarks and loves to break rules just for the sake of breaking them (which would be fine if I weren’t the DL). I like to quote 2 Nephi 33:15 for him, “I must obey. Amen,” Nephi’s last words in the BOM [Book of Mormon]. His companion is Elder Chowpimmah [sp.] he is a convert of two years. He went to BYU-I but came from Maritius, a small island off of Madagascar. He is the maturity and sincerity in the group. He was sick the other day, and he asked me to give him a blessing. That was an amazing experience. The Spirit was so strong in the circle as we all exercised priesthood authority. Elder Darrah is from Portland Oregon. He is going to the Indianapolis mission. He is all into martial arts and stuff. Not much else to say except that him and I do an awesome Elder Connery and Elder Schwartzenneger impression. I’ll send a clip of it on the tape. Elder Marchant is Darrah’s companion. He is going to the same mission. Marchant is such a nice, quiet and sincere Elder with a love for the gospel. He did have some trouble though . . . he wants to be here, but last week he decided he was to ohomesick and left in the middle of the night! I was frantically searching for him, but later the police found him like 20 miles away. He lives here in Provo, I’m still not sure where he was going. He’s back and alright now, I just worry about him still. Elder Zollinger is a short plump firefighter from Hungerman, Idaho. He is the nicest guy ever, but you can tell he didn’t have many friends back home. We love him though, even when he acts weird. He wrote a poem that became our District theme. His companion Elder Goodrich is from Price, Utah. He is a small geeky looking choir kid (much like myself). He is always in a good mood, even when he is complaining about mail. Our teacher Brother Card is the nicest guy ever. When he just walks in the room the Spirit comes with him.
A lot of people have been asking about what life is like at the MTC . . . here it is: wake up at 6:00, shower, dress, clean your room (there are random inspections), write in your journal. At 7:00 we are in our classroom (you have the same one all day everyday), every class is opened with a hymn, which can be good . . . sometimes. We also have a kneeling prayer which is taking its toll on my knees. Then we study the BOM until 7:30 when we go to breakfast. The food is good . . .. they stuff you like a turkey here, although I’m still at about 210 lbs., which is the same as when I left. After breakfast we have a class period, which is either with a teacher, or what is called Missionary Directed time, basically a personal study time. We do that, then lunch, class again, dinner, class again until 9, then we plan until 9:30. After planning we close, go back to the dorms and goof around until 10:30. As DL I spend most of the time checking up on the other Elders. Then we do it all over again. However, we do have other activities to do. For instance, the RC. We call people and follow up on their requests for Church media, and try to send the missionaries to them. It’s kinda lame because you feel like you’re “selling” the gospel. I’ve had good experiences there though. I got one guy to have the Elders over to help him read the Bible and BOM. Another lady I talked to for 45 minutes and gave her the 1st and 2nd lessons (restoration and POS [Plan of Salvation]). It’s amazing how many people really need to the gospel, but refuse to accept it. Another thing we do is the TEC, where you teach teachers and they critique you. Usually you teach other Elders so this is a good thing.
My favorite is the TRC. It’s a simulation of a real tracting contact. You knock, present, familiarize, pray, teach, invite, etc. It’s a lot of fun. BYU students and others will volunteer to come and be the investigators. One time, we went to the TRC and had an AMAZING experience. We were supposed to teach about the POS, but as we started talking to this sister, she kept asking us about the Holy Ghost and receiving answers from the Spirit. We attempted to get back on track a few times, but the Spirit was so strong we soon became engulfed in the topic of the Spirit. I don’t remember much of the discussion. I remember opening to scriptures I didn’t even remember knowing (D&C 9:8, D&C 8:2-3, Galatians 10, etc.). I felt like I was speaking, but the words coming from my mouth were definitely not coming from my brain. As we neared the end of the lesson, Sister Watts began to cry. She told us of a big decision she had been trying to make, and how this was exactly what she needed to hear. Elder Foley and I pray for her every night. I love that experience, it came at a time I needed.
It’s amazing how the Lord works. I know from that experience that as a missionary I would literally be used as a mouthpiece for God to share what he needs to say to anybody who needs it. It is dependent upon my faith in which the Lord can use me to bless those who are struggling. Proverbs 3:5-6 “trust in the Lord with all thing heart; and lean not to thine own understanding. In all they ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” To be a missionary is to be so humble that the Spirit is the only thing you trust to guide you. We sometimes can get discouraged when the Spirit isn’t there but whenever I feel down because maybe I’m not staying focused or whatever, I always remember Nephi’s words, “And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of the temptations that do so easily beset me; nevertheless I know in whom I have trusted” (2 Nephi 4:18-19). I’ve learned that having weaknesses is actually a blessing. In Corinthians Paul pleads to the Lord to remove a “thorn” from him, but he learns that if he had no weakness, then he would have no need of God, and might forsake him . . . weakness turn us to God . . . that’s why we need them. 2 Cor. 12:10: “I take pleasure in my infirmities . . . for when I am weak, then am I strong.” And he later says this in Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me.”
I guess it all comes down to faith. Nothing else has the power to make you act when all other sources as telling you not to. Faith has that power. Faith is the power on which God created all things. All things are second to faith. Many want “proof” or “tangible evidence” of God. I know that those things won’t make you believe. I can scholarly prove the BOM with logic and biblical text, but that will not create faith. Faith is above all that. Why else would faith cause you to act when your body and mind tell you to stop? It’s because faith resides in the soul. I love in the Book of Mark how the man brings his son to Christ, even though the man doubts, in his heart he is exercising faith. He says “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24). I believe that acting in faith, when all other things are telling you otherwise is a true display of testimony. It’s easy to be faithful when you desire to be. It is an act of miracles to do it when you don’t want to. Faith . . . here is the best way to describe it “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). That’s why faith is the 1st principle of Christ’s Gospel. Without it you have nothing, with is nothing can stop you.
Wow, didn’t mean to preach. Don’t know where that came from. I should be at the gym now, but I bruised my sternum wrestling (shhhh, don’t tell) some kid from Wyoming. He needed a lesson in humility . . . 3 times . . . LOL. New missionaries came in today. We like to eat our bag lunches next to where they walk by so we can greet them and help them with their bags. On and I’m getting a haircut today. MTC food makes hair grow fast. My hand is all cramping so I think I’ll wrap up the letter. I’m trying to get back to everybody who writes, but it may take time. My address will change next week, but then I think I’ll have email. Is Nick posting my letters? If not, just put a MySpace Blog entry with a link to the Blog Mom set up for me. I hope you enjoy the tape. Much love, stay safe.
Elder Onken
P.S. When times are tough just remember, Chirst said his load is light and his yoke is easy. Rely upon him, he wants you to. He will succor (def. run to the aid of) you if you ask. I love this song: “Gird up your loins, fresh courage take, our God will never us forsake.”
Peace, talk to you soon.
Family,
How is everybody? Thanks for all the letters and packages I’ve gotten. I tried to write as many people as I could, but the Branch President announced that letters may only be written on P-Day. While I’m here at the MTC that day will be Wednesday, but I leave on the 1st and then P-Day will be Mondays. Yah, so expect a call at 4:30 a.m. on the 1st. I have a bit of time to use the phone while at the airport. Only a week left! It’s so intense. It is rough being the District Leader. Always having to be the good example and obeying the rules as conservatively as possible, even when my brain is telling me to do the easier thing.
I think I told you about my district. My comp Elder Foley is a hardcore hunter and redneck from Vernal. Through him and a few others here I have tried so many types of meat jerky I didn’t even know existed (deer, buffalo, etc.) He likes to show me pictures of him and his “kills.” Elder Mataele is our Tongan Elder from Mesa Arizona. He reminds me of Seth Hannaman in many different ways. Last night he did the Haka for the whole Zone. It was sweet. His comp Elder Walker is an ex-star football player from Sugar City, Idaho. He is kinda like the “cool” kids, but he still fits in with the rest of us dorks. He gets a letter at least once a day (sometimes twice) from his girlfriend/fiancé. We hate him for it, but not the fact that she writes him everyday, but the fact that he likes to share with us her countdowns in days, weeks, months, hours, minutes, and Fast Sundays, which makes us all trunky. Elder Johnson was born in Stockton, CA, but has lived in Bountiful most of his life. He is the class clown. He is the one always making dry, sarcastic remarks and loves to break rules just for the sake of breaking them (which would be fine if I weren’t the DL). I like to quote 2 Nephi 33:15 for him, “I must obey. Amen,” Nephi’s last words in the BOM [Book of Mormon]. His companion is Elder Chowpimmah [sp.] he is a convert of two years. He went to BYU-I but came from Maritius, a small island off of Madagascar. He is the maturity and sincerity in the group. He was sick the other day, and he asked me to give him a blessing. That was an amazing experience. The Spirit was so strong in the circle as we all exercised priesthood authority. Elder Darrah is from Portland Oregon. He is going to the Indianapolis mission. He is all into martial arts and stuff. Not much else to say except that him and I do an awesome Elder Connery and Elder Schwartzenneger impression. I’ll send a clip of it on the tape. Elder Marchant is Darrah’s companion. He is going to the same mission. Marchant is such a nice, quiet and sincere Elder with a love for the gospel. He did have some trouble though . . . he wants to be here, but last week he decided he was to ohomesick and left in the middle of the night! I was frantically searching for him, but later the police found him like 20 miles away. He lives here in Provo, I’m still not sure where he was going. He’s back and alright now, I just worry about him still. Elder Zollinger is a short plump firefighter from Hungerman, Idaho. He is the nicest guy ever, but you can tell he didn’t have many friends back home. We love him though, even when he acts weird. He wrote a poem that became our District theme. His companion Elder Goodrich is from Price, Utah. He is a small geeky looking choir kid (much like myself). He is always in a good mood, even when he is complaining about mail. Our teacher Brother Card is the nicest guy ever. When he just walks in the room the Spirit comes with him.
A lot of people have been asking about what life is like at the MTC . . . here it is: wake up at 6:00, shower, dress, clean your room (there are random inspections), write in your journal. At 7:00 we are in our classroom (you have the same one all day everyday), every class is opened with a hymn, which can be good . . . sometimes. We also have a kneeling prayer which is taking its toll on my knees. Then we study the BOM until 7:30 when we go to breakfast. The food is good . . .. they stuff you like a turkey here, although I’m still at about 210 lbs., which is the same as when I left. After breakfast we have a class period, which is either with a teacher, or what is called Missionary Directed time, basically a personal study time. We do that, then lunch, class again, dinner, class again until 9, then we plan until 9:30. After planning we close, go back to the dorms and goof around until 10:30. As DL I spend most of the time checking up on the other Elders. Then we do it all over again. However, we do have other activities to do. For instance, the RC. We call people and follow up on their requests for Church media, and try to send the missionaries to them. It’s kinda lame because you feel like you’re “selling” the gospel. I’ve had good experiences there though. I got one guy to have the Elders over to help him read the Bible and BOM. Another lady I talked to for 45 minutes and gave her the 1st and 2nd lessons (restoration and POS [Plan of Salvation]). It’s amazing how many people really need to the gospel, but refuse to accept it. Another thing we do is the TEC, where you teach teachers and they critique you. Usually you teach other Elders so this is a good thing.
My favorite is the TRC. It’s a simulation of a real tracting contact. You knock, present, familiarize, pray, teach, invite, etc. It’s a lot of fun. BYU students and others will volunteer to come and be the investigators. One time, we went to the TRC and had an AMAZING experience. We were supposed to teach about the POS, but as we started talking to this sister, she kept asking us about the Holy Ghost and receiving answers from the Spirit. We attempted to get back on track a few times, but the Spirit was so strong we soon became engulfed in the topic of the Spirit. I don’t remember much of the discussion. I remember opening to scriptures I didn’t even remember knowing (D&C 9:8, D&C 8:2-3, Galatians 10, etc.). I felt like I was speaking, but the words coming from my mouth were definitely not coming from my brain. As we neared the end of the lesson, Sister Watts began to cry. She told us of a big decision she had been trying to make, and how this was exactly what she needed to hear. Elder Foley and I pray for her every night. I love that experience, it came at a time I needed.
It’s amazing how the Lord works. I know from that experience that as a missionary I would literally be used as a mouthpiece for God to share what he needs to say to anybody who needs it. It is dependent upon my faith in which the Lord can use me to bless those who are struggling. Proverbs 3:5-6 “trust in the Lord with all thing heart; and lean not to thine own understanding. In all they ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” To be a missionary is to be so humble that the Spirit is the only thing you trust to guide you. We sometimes can get discouraged when the Spirit isn’t there but whenever I feel down because maybe I’m not staying focused or whatever, I always remember Nephi’s words, “And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of the temptations that do so easily beset me; nevertheless I know in whom I have trusted” (2 Nephi 4:18-19). I’ve learned that having weaknesses is actually a blessing. In Corinthians Paul pleads to the Lord to remove a “thorn” from him, but he learns that if he had no weakness, then he would have no need of God, and might forsake him . . . weakness turn us to God . . . that’s why we need them. 2 Cor. 12:10: “I take pleasure in my infirmities . . . for when I am weak, then am I strong.” And he later says this in Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me.”
I guess it all comes down to faith. Nothing else has the power to make you act when all other sources as telling you not to. Faith has that power. Faith is the power on which God created all things. All things are second to faith. Many want “proof” or “tangible evidence” of God. I know that those things won’t make you believe. I can scholarly prove the BOM with logic and biblical text, but that will not create faith. Faith is above all that. Why else would faith cause you to act when your body and mind tell you to stop? It’s because faith resides in the soul. I love in the Book of Mark how the man brings his son to Christ, even though the man doubts, in his heart he is exercising faith. He says “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24). I believe that acting in faith, when all other things are telling you otherwise is a true display of testimony. It’s easy to be faithful when you desire to be. It is an act of miracles to do it when you don’t want to. Faith . . . here is the best way to describe it “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). That’s why faith is the 1st principle of Christ’s Gospel. Without it you have nothing, with is nothing can stop you.
Wow, didn’t mean to preach. Don’t know where that came from. I should be at the gym now, but I bruised my sternum wrestling (shhhh, don’t tell) some kid from Wyoming. He needed a lesson in humility . . . 3 times . . . LOL. New missionaries came in today. We like to eat our bag lunches next to where they walk by so we can greet them and help them with their bags. On and I’m getting a haircut today. MTC food makes hair grow fast. My hand is all cramping so I think I’ll wrap up the letter. I’m trying to get back to everybody who writes, but it may take time. My address will change next week, but then I think I’ll have email. Is Nick posting my letters? If not, just put a MySpace Blog entry with a link to the Blog Mom set up for me. I hope you enjoy the tape. Much love, stay safe.
Elder Onken
P.S. When times are tough just remember, Chirst said his load is light and his yoke is easy. Rely upon him, he wants you to. He will succor (def. run to the aid of) you if you ask. I love this song: “Gird up your loins, fresh courage take, our God will never us forsake.”
Peace, talk to you soon.
posted by Queen Bee at 6:02 PM
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