July 31, 2006

Howdy,
Well... not much to write about because this week has been boring, and you forget to write me soooo...
Ken Demers came to church! that was cool! he called at like 6:45 and was like "hey, will you come up here this morning and take me to church?". we were stoked.
We had a great lesson with Linaya, and she has been reading the Book of Mormon! she says she feels the spirit when she reads it; like "everything is oging to be all right". its pretty cool!
The Pabsts go home on the 4th of September, so we are having a blast with their last transfer. It was Elder Pabst's b-day, so we got him a sympathy card. it was funny to say the least.
Its been hot and nasty, but nice to not be freezing in the snow.
How is eveyrhitn back home? i hope everybody is alright! Did anybody melt? i heard there were fatalities in Cali because of the heat :/ this world is in bad shape
Well... i guess thats it. Im giving a training in Zone Conferance tommorow. wish me luck. I gotta run. talk to yall later! love ya miss ya! peace!
Elder Onken

July 25, 2006

Mom,
Yah, DL... we have calculated that in the missionary scheme of things, I am 5 steps from the Prophet. We actualy did that from Elder Lang (whose b-day is today), but now the lot has fallen on me. Its cool being able to work with the Zonies though. To tell you the truth, the potential of North Adams is making me so excited that it would be great to stay; a part of me is being selfish and not wanting to trust the investigators into the hands of anyone else. However, i have found that im becomming too "attatched", and the stress, and anxiety have been at an all time high, probably because of this "attatchedness" (is that a word? probably not, but i can make it up). So overall, yes its time for a trasnfer... but transfers were just last thursday so ive got some time to finish up here.
Hrm, Training is a weird thing. I know Nick liked it as i recall. Its tough, and stressful, but quite an honor and opportunity. Im going to write to Jimmy this week, so ill make sure to mention it.
Where are Blair and Rachel going to? Im sure it was hard for everybody to see them leave. they are a huge part of the ward. Did they roast Blair at the FHE? that would be funny lol. How was Clark's talk? what was his topic? I always think back to Seth and Clark and their mission stories. I think about Nick's stories also, but its different to know some other state-side missionaries stories. How is Zak? Im psyched for him sooo much. i hope he comes to the MBM!! THATD BE SICK!! Since he read these... "Whats up dude! the Mission is the best!". thats for him. k? lol. oh, and read Preach My Gospel.
Lora and Adam finaly got married eh? was it nice? im sure it was. Hahaha oh great, thats all we need, more crazy parties witht he Onkens and Doolans.
One of the ladies at service always tells me the news from back home. 115 i heard. crazy. Humid eh? its not too bad when you get used to it... T-Storms are the coolest. i have some recorded that ill send home. its the coolest thing, and (former) Elder Thrall said its the thing he misses most about the E.Coast.
This past week has been fairly standard. Linaya is doing great, and so is Meg and Ken. We have a lot of hope for them. Im trying to kick our teaching up to 40 lessons a week, but its been burning me out, and leaving dry. Its tough to find the good median, yet maintain that level of performance that should/is expected from me.
There has been a lot of stuff going on in the mission with missionaries and Coach. Its sad to see what has happened, but at the same time, accountability and responsibility is a fact of life, and an irrevocable law of heaven.
The Lord's hand is everywhere in the work. It is honestly remarkable to see how he magnifies your strengths, and lifts up your weaknesses. Miraculous is all i can say. Ups and downs, ups and downs. 2 steps forward, 1 step back. Its never easy, but you know, and can see the inevitable growth and progress. I guess thats the key to not getting burnt out or stressed. Remembering to focus on the fact that "no unhallowed hand can keep the work from progressing". it shall "sweep every climb", and "sound in every ear". Its a marvelous thing.
Thansk for everything you do. I love you all, and hope all is well back home. Take care, love you, miss you. peace!
Elder Onken

July 19, 2006

Howdy!

Im talking like a cowboy, because yesterday Ken Demers taught us how to put up hay. We are pretty much professionals now. He said he would endorse us as professional farmers. He is always making fun of us being city folk. I told him about G-ma and her ranch and he liked that. He always says "everybody is entitled to be foolish about somthing... and im just about as foolish about horses as they can get."

I cant believe Chelsea left her rag of a blanket!! Its a miracle!! or perhaps more accuratly defined as divine intervention.How is soccer going for Natalie? i wrote her an e-mail, but havnt gotten a response yet. should i just write a letter to her? is that better? Michael who? like Michael Natalie's friend from high school? hes cool.

I like that little improv party! How is Austin?! Tell Heather congrats! i dont think i have her email. Mikey is getting?! To whom? thats intense! Seth is getting hitched? Seth Hannaman? wow! who is the lucky lady? I dont remember Clayton's cell phone number for Rasmussen... i know there are 4's and 7's in it.... David Toone (jr.) should have it. Any of the group should have it. You will have to ask them. Tell Congratz to all the people getting married! thats so cool!

The B-Vista Memorial sounds cool. While we were haying the other day we saw a lot of monarch butterflies. Big ol beutiful ones. Sounds very "new age". Like you said, sounds like a movie. Music therapst? Elder Lang and I went to Brookestones and listend to this special music stuff that has been specificaly designed with "new age medical technology" to help you sleep/concentrate/relax/stress control. etc. it was cool listening to it. you could feel it in your stomach.

Okay, so randomly you got lasik surgery! Bad part is that now you cant do high altitude sky diving!! you will regret it, trust me.

Disneyland eh? Everybody here thinks Disneyland is like some far off mysital land. It still feels like a backyard summer activity to me.

6 months... crazy isnt it? It goes fast when i think about how long ive been out, but if i look back and outline where ive been and what ive done, it seems like a long time. Its crazy to think that Steven is comming home soon, Dave is over the hump (i think), and Nick is just about comming to his. Jimmy has been out for 9 months... CRAZY! It goes by so quickly.

I loved the video. Me covering my face was a reaction to the horrific sights of my poor, mutilated, and desanctified room! Not to mention that even Jamie looked a bit spooked, lost and confused while giving me a video "tour" or my former sanctuary. I think the whole district was finaly excited to see that there were actualy faces to all the crazy stories i tell. It was so good to see everybody. I miss everybody so much. I have to admit thought, that seeing Kolin, Clayton and Phil all sitting there polishing off the food was the best.

Today one of our investigators invited us to go play paintball this weekend. thatd be cool, but not sure how likely Coach will go for that. yes yes, Aerosmith for the 4th. . Sounds like your 4th was lame, but it was doomed to be such w/o me there anyway. How was texas? im very jealous. what did yall (Note farmer lingo) do?

What is Nick, and Jamie up to? havnt heard from them in a while. I know they are busy, so no hurry.I got a letter from Chelsea the other day, which was cool. Now that i think about it.. i dont remember if i wrote her back... oh geeze, im losing it. its crazy. We have an investigator who just moved here from Riverside, and she will talk about Cali, but i find myself already forgeting things... mostly just streets and such, but geography is becomming more hazy!!! egads!!So David Toone got his Mission call?! IM SO EXCITED!!! WOOT!! thats SO cool. im stoked for him!!

It has been nasty hot lately, and the humidity makes it disgusting. Today is the last day of the heat wave though, and we are supposed to get T-Storms this weekend. that will be a nice relief. Last week was intense. We worked our tails off to try and break our goal of 40 lessons. We managed to get 47 and 17 or those with a member present. This week we have the goal of 40 again, but we have been doing so much service that we probably wont get it :(

Transfers are tommorow, but alas, i am staying in N. Adams for antoehr x-fer, probably just to finish Egberts training. This will probably be my last one, so im gearing up to get baptismal dates for Linaya (feminist that has opend up a lot to the church), Shirley, Larry Miller (Flo's son), and Ken. Those are our primary focuses.

I got a call this morning from Coach, and he has asked me to be the District Leader. Kinda iffy about that, but whatever. It could prove to be interesting i guess.

This last sunday we have 6 investigators to church. The funny this is that Shirley and Flo have some bad history together. The night before we were at Flo's and met with some of her friends + larry and sue, and although they said they didnt want a lesson, we ended up having to split off to answer everybodys questions. Anyway, when we told Flo that Shirley was comming to church she said that she could never forgive her, and would "quit" if she came. We (and her non-member friends) gave her a hard time about saying that, and we decided enough prayer would prevent any harm. The next day, Sis. Gagne gave a great talk in sacrament about Gratitude, and although i got nothing about forgivness from the talk, Flo came up afterwards and said that "I guess i can forgive Shirley for whatever has happend in the past." Its amazing to see the spirit work in the lives of those around us. The Lord is truely blessing this area, and im blessed to be here to help.I cant recall anything else real exciting or interesting to talk about... If you have any talks you can burn or send me to me, id apprecaite it. Ive extinguished my talks collections 2 times over. Anyway. I love you and miss you. thanks for everything, and i hope youll keep praying for me and the people in North Adams.

Love ya, talk to you later!
Elder Onken

July 13, 2006

Mommy,
Oh so much to talk about. Sorry i didnt get a chance to write last week, but everything was hectic with the 4th, and the new mission pres.
Thank you so much for the "Birthday in a Box"! it was the best thing ever! I watched the video with my district, at the pabsts place, and we all laughed together. It was good to see everybody. Some people look different! Abbie, and Maddy especially! and Samuel looks like a gangsta or somthing! I was jealous of the Texan extraviganza, but i figured im in the better of the 2 places (not Mass, but being on a mission!). I had a super long birthday kinda. On friday had dinner at the Greenalghs, and they gave me a sweeet tie. The Lowthers came over, and gave me a picture of the Sacred Grove, somthings ive always wanted. We enjoyed ice cream cake ::yumm:: my favorite. On Saturday we worked hard, and taught tons of lessons. That night, dinner and party at the Pabst's of course. More ice cream cake, i was in heaven. On Sunday Elder Egbert and I gave talks. That night we had a dinner at the Van Uiterts, with the Pabsts and the Laws, and alas, more ice cream cake!! i was beyond myself. Oh yah, and on saturday, Ken took us up to whitingham to the birthplace of Brigham Young. its some small random pillar behind a baseball diamond. nothing to fancy, but very random.
Sunday was awesome. A New family moved in from Flordia. Linaya came to sacrament meeting, and we almost got Ken to come. I gave a talk on Agency, Accountability, and Liberty! it was amazing. the best talk i had ever given. Afterwards, Linaya (who usually has issues with young missionaries. them being so young) said somthing to the effect of ' i was worried at first about your sermons because you are so young, but your mother should be proud. I have heard ministers give sermons for years, and the one you just gave was the best i have ever heard'. It was amazing, the spirit really touched her heart and made her think my talk was somthing special! Things are going well, and she even told me that she has gotten rid of all her anti-mormon books! woohoo!
So some random retreat? the Zen center? Compassionate Care of the Dying? that had to have been interesting. Im glad that you enjoied it, even if you had to sit on the ground for 2 days.
for the 4th of july what did you all do? we went to Boston and saw fireworks, and Aerosmith at the Esplinade. it was intense! we stopped by Sasha's appartment to see if i could suprise her, but she wasnt home. i figured she was back in Cali anyway. while we were waiting in Boston Commons before going down the the Charles river, we contacted some lost German girls, and taught them abou the restoration! it was funny, i wonder if they understood. We also taught, and contacted a group of Christian evangelists. It was pretty funny when they found out we were mormon missionaries (we wernt in Pros). Its alwasy funny to see people's demeanors change. kinda sad, but entertaining none the less.
The new mission pres is awesome! President England! he is such a loving man. i already love him, and am excited to be working in the same mission with him.
We have been working super hard, and this week we will actually break our goal of 40 lessons in a week. Everybody said "yeah right", and i guess this week we will prove them wrong with a ton of help from the Lord.
Im sure there is more for me to write, but i cant even remember it now. the weather has been crazy , and the thunderstorms intense, but its fun. 6 month mark!! woohoo! it was fun to have Elder Foley in my district to celebrate together. 18 more months... the time goes so fast!! well, i love you all, and miss ya. take care, talk to you soon!
Elder Onken

July 8, 2006

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SKYLER!!

We received this email and these photos from the Pabsts:

Here's your missionary!! The video was a big hit! Most of these were
taken while watching it. We sure enjoy him. He's doing a great job!