Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Letter #8 - Transfers Dodged
It seems like only a few months ago that I came out on my mission... wait...
The blessed land of Belleville Ontario will remain blessed by both myself and my companion for another transfer. Let me update you on the plans we've made thus far for this transfer.
1. We need to walk everywhere and talk to everyone (mine/his)
2. We need bikes (mine)
3. We need to go to more members houses and get them excited about missionary work (his)
As far as things and success we have been having there is a investigator we're teaching who is the most shy person I have ever met in my life. Ever. So this last lesson we taught her she was laughing and contributing and we were praying "I hope we don't get transferred so she doesn't back out" and we didn't! This week we're going to ask her to pray vocally with us, something she's never felt comfortable to do before but we're confident and hopeful that she'll feel the love God has for her and that will make her confident in herself.
We were recently asked to sing in the Christmas program for a branch in our area. We'll need to check up with the Mission President as he is the Head Honcho in these kind of affairs but while I was like 'yeah sure we can do that' my companion turned white and was slightly less enthusiastic about the whole situation. The moral of this story is to be thankful that you went to ward choir and did music things. It helps.
Maybe a few questions for the people back home.
1. What is the weather like? Here it went from a solid seventy to forty in a day. We woke up one morning freezing because we'd decided (because the house was hot) that we'd leave window cracked... Bad idea.
2. Who has their Halloween costume planned? They have Thanksgiving before Halloween here so it's kind of confusing.
3. Best door approach?
Maybe more serious ones.
3. What are you reading in the BoM right now, and what does it mean to you. (if you're reading the war chapters I salute you, those're hard)
4. Does anyone know anything about Porter Rockwell, if so could you please tell me something about him?
I promise I'll have a good story for ya'll next week. We like to keep things interesting here in Toronto Canada.
You're all in my prayers
Elder Wolford
The blessed land of Belleville Ontario will remain blessed by both myself and my companion for another transfer. Let me update you on the plans we've made thus far for this transfer.
1. We need to walk everywhere and talk to everyone (mine/his)
2. We need bikes (mine)
3. We need to go to more members houses and get them excited about missionary work (his)
As far as things and success we have been having there is a investigator we're teaching who is the most shy person I have ever met in my life. Ever. So this last lesson we taught her she was laughing and contributing and we were praying "I hope we don't get transferred so she doesn't back out" and we didn't! This week we're going to ask her to pray vocally with us, something she's never felt comfortable to do before but we're confident and hopeful that she'll feel the love God has for her and that will make her confident in herself.
We were recently asked to sing in the Christmas program for a branch in our area. We'll need to check up with the Mission President as he is the Head Honcho in these kind of affairs but while I was like 'yeah sure we can do that' my companion turned white and was slightly less enthusiastic about the whole situation. The moral of this story is to be thankful that you went to ward choir and did music things. It helps.
Maybe a few questions for the people back home.
1. What is the weather like? Here it went from a solid seventy to forty in a day. We woke up one morning freezing because we'd decided (because the house was hot) that we'd leave window cracked... Bad idea.
2. Who has their Halloween costume planned? They have Thanksgiving before Halloween here so it's kind of confusing.
3. Best door approach?
Maybe more serious ones.
3. What are you reading in the BoM right now, and what does it mean to you. (if you're reading the war chapters I salute you, those're hard)
4. Does anyone know anything about Porter Rockwell, if so could you please tell me something about him?
I promise I'll have a good story for ya'll next week. We like to keep things interesting here in Toronto Canada.
You're all in my prayers
Elder Wolford
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Missionary Letter #7 - Fiery Darts
This past week has been a good one. We've set up a lot of appointments for this week and are confident in the Lord's ability to give us success as we work towards our goals.
So in light of this let me write a little bit about opposition. It comes in many forms, and this last week it came in a rather unexpected one.
Here's the context: The Zone Leaders call us up around Wednesday and tell us that they have someone they need interviewed for baptism. My companion is the District Leader so it's his job to conduct these interviews. So Wednesday evening we drive up to Kingston and spend the night over there. This was the first fatal mistake. Our Zone Leaders are incredible Elders with power and strength and a testimony that stir any soul, but they carried with them darkness. In the form of something called Diablo' Blood. This tiny little bottle was found in the apartment after one of them put this strange substance on his hands and rubbed my companions face. After ten minutes he was in the shower and his face was on fire. I, in a moment in of weakness, put a drop of this stuff on my finger and tried it.
Let me put this in comparison. The Scovil Units measure the spiciness of foods. A normal jalapeno (spelling?) Is around 20,000 on this scale. And the highest known (natural) spicy food is a ghost pepper, which is 1,000,000. Diablo's Blood was 800,000.
My tongue burned for the rest of the night. This isn't the opposition which I speak of though. Recently my prayers have become more thoughtful and meaningful as I commune with my Father. It would stand to reason that the adversary would wish to disrupt this.
I promise I washed my hands, but as I prayed I unwittingly rubbed my eyes with my thumbs. I rubbed something forty times the power of a jalapeno on my eyes.
I can't remember exactly what my thoughts were when it happened. But I think it went something like this... "Please bless that I may be protected from the--AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Opposition in all things.
Also one of the questions I've gotten often is what is the strangest food I've had here. I'm including a picture of what we termed the French Bajeggal. It is an abomination of deliciousness that me and my companion came up with, I'll leave it to the viewer to decide what's in it at their own peril.
My informant back in the States (thanks Tommy!) has told me that Wolford #8 is a girl. This is fantastic, it means our family has a patter of boy girl girl girl boy girl girl girl and Bobo, but we don't talk about him all that often.
Recently the phrase 'disciple of Christ' has come to my attention. And I've been blessed to share this scripture. 3rd Nephi 5:13. Which (paraphrased) says "I am a Disciple of Christ." We've read a talk by President Uchtdorf that because we are all disciples of Christ we must be an example of him. And that means Fearing No Man. As a disciple of Christ I'm working on Fearing No Man. Because it is God who I love, and it is by his power that I am able to do all things. I know that he walks with us each and every day and that if we ever need it he can reach out his arm and lift us up. Not many people know that God is right next to them and is ready to help them if only they reach out, speak up and ask.
So as a commitment to you all, fear no man, for you are a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Keep going, keep dancing and keep singing Bohemian Rhapsody.
Elder Wolford
So in light of this let me write a little bit about opposition. It comes in many forms, and this last week it came in a rather unexpected one.
Here's the context: The Zone Leaders call us up around Wednesday and tell us that they have someone they need interviewed for baptism. My companion is the District Leader so it's his job to conduct these interviews. So Wednesday evening we drive up to Kingston and spend the night over there. This was the first fatal mistake. Our Zone Leaders are incredible Elders with power and strength and a testimony that stir any soul, but they carried with them darkness. In the form of something called Diablo' Blood. This tiny little bottle was found in the apartment after one of them put this strange substance on his hands and rubbed my companions face. After ten minutes he was in the shower and his face was on fire. I, in a moment in of weakness, put a drop of this stuff on my finger and tried it.
Let me put this in comparison. The Scovil Units measure the spiciness of foods. A normal jalapeno (spelling?) Is around 20,000 on this scale. And the highest known (natural) spicy food is a ghost pepper, which is 1,000,000. Diablo's Blood was 800,000.
My tongue burned for the rest of the night. This isn't the opposition which I speak of though. Recently my prayers have become more thoughtful and meaningful as I commune with my Father. It would stand to reason that the adversary would wish to disrupt this.
I promise I washed my hands, but as I prayed I unwittingly rubbed my eyes with my thumbs. I rubbed something forty times the power of a jalapeno on my eyes.
I can't remember exactly what my thoughts were when it happened. But I think it went something like this... "Please bless that I may be protected from the--AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Opposition in all things.
Also one of the questions I've gotten often is what is the strangest food I've had here. I'm including a picture of what we termed the French Bajeggal. It is an abomination of deliciousness that me and my companion came up with, I'll leave it to the viewer to decide what's in it at their own peril.
My informant back in the States (thanks Tommy!) has told me that Wolford #8 is a girl. This is fantastic, it means our family has a patter of boy girl girl girl boy girl girl girl and Bobo, but we don't talk about him all that often.
Recently the phrase 'disciple of Christ' has come to my attention. And I've been blessed to share this scripture. 3rd Nephi 5:13. Which (paraphrased) says "I am a Disciple of Christ." We've read a talk by President Uchtdorf that because we are all disciples of Christ we must be an example of him. And that means Fearing No Man. As a disciple of Christ I'm working on Fearing No Man. Because it is God who I love, and it is by his power that I am able to do all things. I know that he walks with us each and every day and that if we ever need it he can reach out his arm and lift us up. Not many people know that God is right next to them and is ready to help them if only they reach out, speak up and ask.
So as a commitment to you all, fear no man, for you are a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Keep going, keep dancing and keep singing Bohemian Rhapsody.
Elder Wolford
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Missionary Comics for the week
A couple of Anna's experience at the frozen yogurt place, and one of Mary speaking in church today.
All inspired by true events. . .
All inspired by true events. . .
Monday, September 12, 2016
Letter #6 - Last to Know
There is something I think everyone should realize about my sister Anna. She is an amazing person that does incredible things, she's also very bright and has without fail stunned me with her perception. This however, can cause some problems as there are some things she should have told me but didn't.
This event highlights this:
A few years ago when Thomas was (unknowingly) about to be born the family gathered around and announced the news. We were having child number five and that it was a boy. There was quite a lot of shock for everyone, the only one that wasn't surprised or shocked in any way shape or form was Anna, who didn't even bat an eyelash. She just smiled and said 'yeah I knew that.' She has proceeded to do that with every child that has joined the Wolford family, except every time after that everyone seems to know before the announcement. Except me :)
So if you didn't hear the news yet here's the spoiler. Child number 8 is joining the Wolford family and as per usual I'm the last person that realizes it. When I first read the news I though Tommy was messing with me, as his email went something like this. "My first week of school went well, oh and mom's having a baby". I was a little put off, that wasn't news I had been expecting (did you catch the pun?). But I'm excited and I hope that everyone has placed a reasonable sum of money over which gender the baby will be.
Anyways this week has been interesting. Elder Arnolds of the Seventy came and gave a mission tour (basically a fireside for missionaries) which was awesome. For me. My companion had to go to a special conference with Elder Arnolds as he is the District Leader for our area. So while I was doing a book of Mormon read with everyone else waiting to meet Elder Arnolds he was already getting some much needed council from the Seventy. I get in there and he's sweating, I ask him if he's ok and he replies simply "He's intense man, he's intense."
So that was fun.
Canada has a lot of different people. Today we met with a sister in our branch from England who had invited a non-member friend who was from South Korea. It was an interesting chat, especially when you have to translate from two different dialects of English in your head very quickly. It took a bit but when the sister bore her testimony the Spirit descended like a cloud. It's a firm reminder that if you love the gospel and you have love for someone you'll share it with them because you love them. The sister in our branch is a prime example and I'm so glad she could be in our branch (and not only because she got us an appointment).
Once again I'll answer some questions that may or may not seem out of context for some but I hope that others will provide some light.
1 No I wouldn't mind death by glitter, I think that's a very noble way to die.
2. If you can believe it I have not had mac and cheese yet. Nor doughnuts, nor moosemeat, although I do want to try the latter.
3. I do not believe that the child will be a pterodactyl although if it is then I'll definitely pray for mother.
4. I've sang the national anthem of Canada once and enjoyed it, although there isn't much of an opportunity for their to be guitar solos in is as there is in the American anthem.
If those answers make any sense to you that's good, because looking at them makes me happy I know the questions. Once again I'd like to thank everyone both friends and family for sending their support, love and comments to me. It's a blessing to see you all through the lens of a mission and I hope and pray for your continued safety and security in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
So long, and thanks for all the fish.
Elder Wolford.
This event highlights this:
A few years ago when Thomas was (unknowingly) about to be born the family gathered around and announced the news. We were having child number five and that it was a boy. There was quite a lot of shock for everyone, the only one that wasn't surprised or shocked in any way shape or form was Anna, who didn't even bat an eyelash. She just smiled and said 'yeah I knew that.' She has proceeded to do that with every child that has joined the Wolford family, except every time after that everyone seems to know before the announcement. Except me :)
So if you didn't hear the news yet here's the spoiler. Child number 8 is joining the Wolford family and as per usual I'm the last person that realizes it. When I first read the news I though Tommy was messing with me, as his email went something like this. "My first week of school went well, oh and mom's having a baby". I was a little put off, that wasn't news I had been expecting (did you catch the pun?). But I'm excited and I hope that everyone has placed a reasonable sum of money over which gender the baby will be.
Anyways this week has been interesting. Elder Arnolds of the Seventy came and gave a mission tour (basically a fireside for missionaries) which was awesome. For me. My companion had to go to a special conference with Elder Arnolds as he is the District Leader for our area. So while I was doing a book of Mormon read with everyone else waiting to meet Elder Arnolds he was already getting some much needed council from the Seventy. I get in there and he's sweating, I ask him if he's ok and he replies simply "He's intense man, he's intense."
So that was fun.
Canada has a lot of different people. Today we met with a sister in our branch from England who had invited a non-member friend who was from South Korea. It was an interesting chat, especially when you have to translate from two different dialects of English in your head very quickly. It took a bit but when the sister bore her testimony the Spirit descended like a cloud. It's a firm reminder that if you love the gospel and you have love for someone you'll share it with them because you love them. The sister in our branch is a prime example and I'm so glad she could be in our branch (and not only because she got us an appointment).
Once again I'll answer some questions that may or may not seem out of context for some but I hope that others will provide some light.
1 No I wouldn't mind death by glitter, I think that's a very noble way to die.
2. If you can believe it I have not had mac and cheese yet. Nor doughnuts, nor moosemeat, although I do want to try the latter.
3. I do not believe that the child will be a pterodactyl although if it is then I'll definitely pray for mother.
4. I've sang the national anthem of Canada once and enjoyed it, although there isn't much of an opportunity for their to be guitar solos in is as there is in the American anthem.
If those answers make any sense to you that's good, because looking at them makes me happy I know the questions. Once again I'd like to thank everyone both friends and family for sending their support, love and comments to me. It's a blessing to see you all through the lens of a mission and I hope and pray for your continued safety and security in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
So long, and thanks for all the fish.
Elder Wolford.
Letter #5 - Labour Day (September 6)
We Got Rules
First off my P-Day, due to the burdens of Labour, was moved to Tuesday this week and so that is why your regularly scheduled program has been delayed. In other news here are some of the people we've been teaching the past week.
First off (just for fun) we taught some wickens! They told us it was a belief but honestly it was more of a hobby, a really scary and dark hobby. But they expressed interest when we knocked and set up an appointment for the following Thursday. So we walk over to their house and their sitting outside, the first thing they told us was that they hadn't expected us to show. We chuckled about that for a while afterwards. The lesson was not as direct as we would have liked but we got a return appointment and the spirit was felt so WIN!
We're teaching a member named Peggy, whose got a slew of mental problems but is as kind as an angel. Her knowledge of the gospel is limited and so we were asked by the branch president to teach her. Which we're happy to. We're planning something maniacal, we're going to ask Peggy to help fellowship a new convert named Mabel and ask Mabel to help Fellowship a member who needs a friend. IT'S PERFECT...
Our work with the branch is really coming through. We're starting to get some swing with referrals from members and our work with them is really helping. We've got a bunch of interesting characters in the branch which makes it really fun (and sometimes really dramatic) to deal with things.
If you're wondering we've got a branch of about a hundred people.
Here's a little spiritual though for you. After reading the forty day fast the Christ suffered and after he had been tempted by the devil he was physically mentally and probably emotionally drained and exhausted in every way. But even after all he went through instead of turning inwards he turned out, and sent angels to minister unto John, who was in prison. That is something you'll always see in the life of Christ. When everyone else would turn inward Christ turns outwards.
Good luck and thank you for all the letters time and love. I do love every email I get from you all and hope they will continue, even if I'm not able to write to you all every time.
Just keep swimming,
Elder Wolford
First off my P-Day, due to the burdens of Labour, was moved to Tuesday this week and so that is why your regularly scheduled program has been delayed. In other news here are some of the people we've been teaching the past week.
First off (just for fun) we taught some wickens! They told us it was a belief but honestly it was more of a hobby, a really scary and dark hobby. But they expressed interest when we knocked and set up an appointment for the following Thursday. So we walk over to their house and their sitting outside, the first thing they told us was that they hadn't expected us to show. We chuckled about that for a while afterwards. The lesson was not as direct as we would have liked but we got a return appointment and the spirit was felt so WIN!
We're teaching a member named Peggy, whose got a slew of mental problems but is as kind as an angel. Her knowledge of the gospel is limited and so we were asked by the branch president to teach her. Which we're happy to. We're planning something maniacal, we're going to ask Peggy to help fellowship a new convert named Mabel and ask Mabel to help Fellowship a member who needs a friend. IT'S PERFECT...
Our work with the branch is really coming through. We're starting to get some swing with referrals from members and our work with them is really helping. We've got a bunch of interesting characters in the branch which makes it really fun (and sometimes really dramatic) to deal with things.
If you're wondering we've got a branch of about a hundred people.
Here's a little spiritual though for you. After reading the forty day fast the Christ suffered and after he had been tempted by the devil he was physically mentally and probably emotionally drained and exhausted in every way. But even after all he went through instead of turning inwards he turned out, and sent angels to minister unto John, who was in prison. That is something you'll always see in the life of Christ. When everyone else would turn inward Christ turns outwards.
Good luck and thank you for all the letters time and love. I do love every email I get from you all and hope they will continue, even if I'm not able to write to you all every time.
Just keep swimming,
Elder Wolford
Monday, September 5, 2016
Missionary Cartoons
Before Steven left on his mission, I would draw cartoons sometimes in church to make him nervous about missionary service. You're failing in your job as a father if you don't exploit your child's doubts and fears for your own entertainment.
So now I send him one or two (or three) episodes each week as part of my letter to him. I don't know if he likes them or not, but I like doing them. The first ones were hand-drawn but I stink at drawing and can't read my own handwriting. I've graduated to using Google Draw, and I'm sticking with that.
I'll put the ones I've already sent to him up, and then add them as we send them to Steven.
So now I send him one or two (or three) episodes each week as part of my letter to him. I don't know if he likes them or not, but I like doing them. The first ones were hand-drawn but I stink at drawing and can't read my own handwriting. I've graduated to using Google Draw, and I'm sticking with that.
I'll put the ones I've already sent to him up, and then add them as we send them to Steven.
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