Another one joins the fold! -Week 19

Hey fam! This was such an AWESOME week! 

We started off Monday evening going to the wonderful family of Collin and Ashley Smith again. The snowball fight people. Well, we had awesome breakfast for dinner, I take my plate to the sink, look up, turn around, and see people holding high tech nerf guns. IT WAS ON!! I got wrecked. hahaha Their 4 yr old son Nolan is such a pro. He has awesome hiding places, and shot me more than i could handle. We also had an ugly face contest...I think i won, but I'll leave that for you to
decide below. 

Tuesday was good, we tried to find some new gators, but ended up unsuccessful. But we passed out like a ton of Book of Mormon copies. So #SeedsPlanted. 

We went on exchanges with the Zone Leaders Wednesday night for learning purposes. I was with Elder Vehar. He is super awesome. Ww taught Jan and had a great conversation about baptism, it was really open, which was good, because we haven't been able to talk about it for a while.  She is definitely getting way close! She stopped going to her old church, and is making baby steps to the Church of Jesus Christ! Also, Elder Vehar and I threw some glow sticks around the apartment later that night..it was fun.

The next day, we had lunch at a place called Jazz. Apparently they give free food to missionaries, it's been 2 miles away from our house the whole time and we had no idea. So hooray! That's fun. Its really good! and they played a Curtis Stigers song! 

That night we went on exchanges with the District Leader, and Elder Ili came here with me! He's so fun and so cool! We sang non stop, and went to see a lot of people! 

The next day was Theresa's Baptism! Which was really stressfully AMAZING! We have been searching for weeks for a baptismal jumpsuit that would fit her...to no success. We finally had to settle with a 5x that she was just swimming in. LUCKILY, we finally got permission from the temple to borrow one of their jumpsuits, that day!!! haha, so Brother Reynolds went and grabbed it. It all worked out! We spent about 2.5 hours filling the font, which was just ridiculous. haha. So we did that, and got everything ready to go. The time finally came and we started! I gave a talk about baptism, and then we went to baptize her, (which bishop Bebel did)

Well...we opened the curtain aaannddd HALF THE WATER DRAINED OUT IN
ABOUT 13 MINUTES!! HOORAY!!  Well, I panicked, kind of a lot...President and Sister Vest were there and it took so long to fill up in the first place! ssooo, it turns out that we have a leaky plug, the
plug is built into the font, and something was messed up. So we grabbed a TV and throw on the 20 minute restoration video while it is filling back up.  I definitely had my testimony grown this week that
everything happens for a reason, and the reason is usually preparatory for bringing people into the gospel. 

Like i said before, I definitely panicked when we learned that a lot of water had drained out of the
font. I was embarrassed for us, and was worried that we made things stressful for Theresa.... Well, It filled back up in about 15 minutes, and we ended up just ending right after the first vision. She was
baptized and it was one of the most amazing things ever! The spirit was so strong, and I know that it happened just as it needed to. Then Elder Kolacz gave a talk and we were done!  

On Sunday, a sister who Theresa works for came up to me at church. She said that at the baptism, she went back during the restoration movie that we put on to go talk to Theresa. She said she found her on the bench, crying and smiling. Theresa looked at her, nodded her head and said "It's true!" Theresa had a confirming witness that what she was making was the right choice, and gained a testimony of the Book of Mormon. To me, that is the most rewarding thing that I was able to see as a missionary. Yes the baptism was amazing, but the fact that she now has for herself that testimony, tells me that she is more likely to stay very active and endure to make more covenants and that I have done my job as a missionary. 

I KNOW that the water had to drain for a reason. So she could have that time to ponder. And there is no way it could've filled up again that fast, save it were only God's will. (Because it took like 3 hours to fill the first time.) I know that it happened for a reason, and it's such an amazing feeling to be a part of that. 

Then, i got the opportunity to Confirm her a member of the church!!! It was so awesome!! I'm so  grateful that she asked me to do that. and the spirit was SO strong!! Anyways- definitely an awesome week. 

So, Elder Kolacz got another training call that day, so it is for sure that one of us will be transferred. We aren't sure who yet, but it will most likely be me, but you never know. So transfers are this week. So probably don't send anything until next week if your going to. :) 

I went to the WW1 museum today!! It was so sick!!! It took like 5 hours to get through, but totally worth it. It's the only one in America of that caliber, and is definitely world class. I learned a lot!! 

Thanks so much for everything you guys do!! Have a great week! Talk to you soon!

~Elder Samuel LaVar Ward

Baptism day!

Downtown KC!

I spent 3 hours scrubbing the font with Comet- there was some moldy alien substance there. 

Selfie at the WWII Museum- Model T Ford Ambulance!

Ugly Face Contest! Did I win?

Fun at the Smiths!

"Bust the Windows out Your Car"

 HARRY POTTER and the CHOCOLATEY MILK!

Thanks Gretchen for the fun gift! haha!

The Filthy Font -Week 12

Hello everyone!
It has been a fantastic week! We have done a lot of service as usual and ended up actually teaching a fair amount of people! We taught Ron on Tuesday! He's been wondering about kicking his roommate out because they got in a huge fight about a precious gallon of milk. He asked what we think and we were just like...uuuuuuihhhhhh. I didn't know what to say. He wasn't sure how to make a decision. So we kind of told him about the story of the brother of Jared. How sometimes we just have to make a choice and then take it up with the Lord. Which he thought was interesting. He decided to kick him out, we prayed, and so far he has decided that that is the way to go... I guess it was just meant to be. 


But a few weeks ago he said that if our purpose was to baptize him, we may as well leave. Which is partially true. But not. Our purpose is to invite him to come unto Christ, but that can only be done through baptism. So the last couple weeks we have just been reading scriptures and such with him. Kind of taking it easy. But this week we are going to start easing back in to things. So wish us luck! 

We also saw Cedric this week! We taught him the plan of salvation! He loved it! He seemed truly interested! So we invited him to go on a church tour with us. And so he did! We got to scrub the filthy font and make it pretty, ew! There was so much mold and hair, it definitely hasn't been used for a while. We really should've just filled it up and surprise baptized him. But we decided against it. haha! But the tour was SOO spiritual! We showed him the nursery, primary, family history center, spent a solid half hour in the chapel talking about the sacrament and music. And then went into the foyer, showed the picture of the beautiful temple, and ended up in front of the font. 
We talked about the importance of baptism, and priesthood authority. He really understood and we invited him to be baptized when he finds his answer. He accepted! So he better read and pray this week! I am so excited for him! 

We also raked Brother Black's lawn and he wants to take us to Cables for lunch this week! So that will be way super awesome as well! 

We also met with Sheryl. Who is probably one of my most favorite ladies ever! She's not a member but her husband is! We talked to her about family history. She is going to come to the family history center next week and learn more! She also committed to taking her family to the Independence visitor center this week for the Christmas lighting and spoken word program! It will be so cool! The Lord has and is blessing us all! 

I'm so grateful to be out here! It's so beautiful to see the way the gospel touches lives! I couldn't be more excited for these people! Thanksgiving this week is going to be awesome! We have like 4 dinners, so that will be interesting, but good! I love you all! Thanks so much for the love and support! All is well! Love you!

-Elder Samuel Ward

I took some model pics.... enjoy!

  We met someone obsessed with legos.

   Someone loves X-Files as much as I do!

#service #buildingbricks- Week 8

Hello Hello! This was a very good week! We had lots going on! We did a ton of service! We helped out a partial-member family a few times, the Pehrsons. The husband is a member, but the wife is a strong Catholic. They are very nice. They are finally selling their old house after

keeping it for like 20 years. We went and chopped down some trees and are going to build a stone wall tonight. They also took us to an awesome Mexican restaurant last week and we gotta see a smidgen of the Royals game while there... I restrained from watching more than 5.3 seconds... Royals won though! I guess they are going to the World Series or something? NBD. So it's going to be CRAZY here soon. We also did some service for members of our ward, we did some street dimming and brick stacking....reminds me of my old Job! I even saw a couple goat heads I GOT to

pull. haha. 

Also, pretty much all of our appointments cancelled on us this week. 😔 Ron had to take care of his friend who just had major surgery, and Derek Flint cancelled. But we popped by Derek's House and

gave him a Spanish Book of Mormon and Spanish Plan of Salvation pamphlet, his brother just died and he was wondering what we think goes on there. It was good though! We are going to try to take him to the awesome visitors center in Independence this week. That's ALWAYS a great place to really get investigators to progress. 

We also met with our Burmese investigator Van and his family this week. Unfortunately

we didn't get to play Cheen, but we had a great lesson about the restoration.  The parents don't really speak English very well. But Van and his sister Khin do, and they liked it. They are going to try to

come to trunk or treat as well as church! I'm excited. We also got an appointment set up with their Burmese Neighbor. Unfortunately the Book of Mormon is NOT translated into Burmese yet. So that needs to get figured out ASAP. It causes a bit more difficulty for sure. But nothing we can't handle. 

Our investigator Cedric has pretty much ignored us all week. Which is really depressing. But we will pop by and see what's up.

Overall a really Really good Week! Lots of service and teaching! It's what we do! The work here is amazing. I never realized how important member present lessons were until recently. It

just always makes things go better. An example:

 We went on a team up with our new ward mission leader Brother Tady. We went to go see potential investigator Teresa. She wasn't home so we called. She was around the corner helping her best friend move in, so we went and helped! It only took about 40 minutes so we shared a brief message about service and how it is the Lord's work and benefits both people. We showed a message, testified, and they were in tears. They are also going to come to trunk or treat and church! They seem prepared and we have an appointment scheduled with each of them this week. Had Brother Tady not been there it wouldn't have been the same. They now have a member fellowship in the ward for when they come to church. It's also a great way to see how normal people are part of the gospel as well. That is not all just full time missionaries. How members also want to share their love for this gospel, and how important it is. It was awesome! A great week! It went by really fast! 2 month mark next week! Holy monsters! It's going by quick! Aargh. 

The Lord is our Savior. He knows what we are going through and that is what prepares us to see Him! Make sure you share what you know! Go with the missionaries! They will be blessed from it, so will you, so will the investigator. Love you all! Thanks for the packages and letters! Until next week!

-Elder Samuel LaVar Ward

(P.S. If you are going to send Christmas packages I've been asked to ask you to send them to the mission office by November. 20th. They want them at the mission office because transfers are right before Christmas and that could get REALLY confusing haha.) 

I'm hoping to not get transferred until after Christmas, but you never know, I'd imagine because I'm new and opening an area I wouldn't be transferred. But I guess president is very unpredictable, so that's what I was asked to ask you! Thanks for your cooperation! I love you all! 

Also. We are going to have a missionary car for trunk or treat, details and pics next week, buckle up!

Hard at work: 

Elder Kolacz's amazing sweater

BEFORE 

AFTER

TEETER TOTTER

#Blessed - Week 3

HOOOLLLLYY CCOOOWWW, Missouri is awesome. We woke up at 3:45 am on Wednesday and flew out to good ole Missouri at about 9. The airplane was SO COOL!! I can't wait to ride one again. President Vest is super nice, not what I expected, but very nice. The first thing we did was go to the temple and take pictures, we didnt go inside :( But it was cool to be there anyway. We then went to Historic Liberty Jail. Yeah, the Joseph Smith one. They have a wonderful visitors center there, and the presentation was amazing. After that, we went to the Independence visitors center...directly across the street from the Community of Christ Temple hahaha, I thought that was funny. What an interesting building! The visitors center was amazing though! You could definitely feel the spirit, and know that the things there were true. After that, we went to the Mission Home and had further instruction about missionary stuff. We spent the night there, I got really sick of all the weird and annoying Elders that came out with me. There's only like 3 normal people in that group. So I was definitely glad to wake up and meet my new companion. Speaking of which. He is TOTALLY AWESOME!!  His name is Elder Kolacz, (Pronounced "Kolaz" th c is silent) he is an awesome trainer, and has helped me a lot with homesickness. I think he really cares about me and has given me tons of great counsel for that. Also, pretty much all of my favorite things from home are in my mission. We have a full time car in our area... A 2015 VW JETTA BABY!!! Although I dont get to drive it yet, it's still stellar. Also.......IPADS!! IPADS!! IPADS!!! #APPLE AAHH!!l Literally the best thing ever. They had a shipment come out last week... but they weren't church configured... so they had to send them back :( But I think I should get mine either today or tomorrow!! SO THAT WILL BE SUPER AWESOME!! Also, we get to keep them when we go home!! AAHH!!!! so pumped!! Elder Kolacz and I were assigned to open up a brand new area to Elders. We are actually in a place called Lenexa Kansas, in the Chapel Hill ward. Its a great ward, but its HUGE!! Luckily we have a full time car for this area, there is a ton of work to do here...LOTS of less actives that need reactivating. We went tracting and have 2 potential investigators, and a few referrals, so we will see how that goes, nothing solid yet though. We did some service! I got to use some of my farming and treeing skills! We chopped down a tree! I was going to ask for a hunk of wood to send to Doc, but i figured shipping may be a little hard. We met a lot of really nice people...we have dinner scheduled every night of the week for two months, so thats good! We haven't even had to eat spaghetti yet!  The ward Mission leader, Brother Reynolds is super involved, and I really like that about him. The sisters in our area have helped us out a ton, and have given lots of names. We will be sure to go see them all this week. I'm really good at not being homesick when i'm seeing and meeting people, but the last couple hours before sleep, and the first few after I wake up are excruciatingly hard. But I LOVE the scripture study, being able to read and study whatever I want at my own pace has been really helpful and relaxing. UUUMMM the music thing is a BUST. Only hymns and EFY music is allowed...BUT after thanksgiving, we can listen to ANY Christmas we want, including T Swift! So be ready to send some CD's!! Also! if y'all want to send different arrangements of hymns, that would be super awesome as well! Anything a Capella is great or even like upbeat funky hymns are swell too! I do miss SOME things about the MTC, but compared to the field, I really don't miss it at all. and thats ok! It definitely trained me well!! We get to go to the temple once a quarter, so i'll go in January sometime...i'm excited for that! I can see the Lord's blessings already, I know it will definitely get harder in the area and people wise over the mission though, so i'll appreciate what I have now. I'm kind of in the rich part of the mission, so that's a plus haha. We live at a members house right now with the last name of Lee, they are really nice, we do our studies on a screened in porch, which I LOVE! MOM if you could see this place, I have no doubt you'd move here in a heartbeat, the homes are beautiful, and all the green is amazing, but I do personally miss the mountains. but I have really cool hills!! Thats about all I have for this week, i'll try and load some pics. Thanks so much for the Emails!!!! They help a lot!! I'll be able to read them whenever I want once I have my ipad, but will only be able to reply on Pday. I hope everthing and everyone is doing well!! The temp here is not hot, and the humidity is low, so it feels good. :) I can't wait to get some investigators and be able to make people happy! This week alone has greatly improved my testimony of Joseph Smith and Jesus Christ. I love that. I've read a lot of the Samuel the Lamanite story this week, and I hope I can be like him. Thanks for all that y'all do! I'll give the address, but beware, I may have to move in this next week or two because the Lees may move to Arizona, but for now, the address is 5702 Alden ct. Shawnee Kansas 66216 Also, if you send a package, make sure you send it priority! Because it will only go to my house directly that way, others it will just go to the mission office and it may be weeks before I get it. I don't know why though haha. Anyways, I love all of you! I Love the gospel, and I love the mission! Keep in touch! #Blessed #LDS #Mission #Ipad #VW #Missouri/Kansas #Zion

~Elder Samuel LaVar Ward

                                                  On my flight over here!

                                                       Historic Liberty Jail

                                                      The Community of Christ Temple.

                                                    We found Bronco fans!

                                  The only picture Elder Kolacz and I have taken so far.

                                                          I found Boise!