Monday, January 25, 2016

Annapolis, MD - January 25, 2016

Guess what? I'm actually staying in Annapolis! Crazy right?! Everyone thought I was for sure gone. That is going to be six months in my first area. I like Annapolis a lot. I think we'll be able to get some baptisms up and running if the weather will permit in the coming weeks.

The snow has been crazy. We've been able to open our front door thank goodness. So Friday we borrowed the car so we could hurry and get to an appointment before the blizzard hit which was a really good lesson to a member's daughter's friend. Then we hurried home and yesterday was the first day we were able to really get out and proselyte. The past weekend we have been sleeping over at the zone leader's apartment so we had five missionaries (because one elder in our district got sent home with a brain tumor) all hanging out cooped up inside.

We played risk, monopoly, and did a LOT of shoveling. Church was canceled and we had to buy some extra food for the storm and it was packed in Sam's club. We had some sweet snowball fights. Went to the mall, built a snow cave. When we were shoveling it was crazy how much money people tried to give us. Then this funny guy drove up in a hummer and was like I got the transportation I'll drive you around and we'll make so much money. Then we said we don't do it for money and he said oh I don't want to talk to you then and drove off haha. It's crazy how little service there is in the world even in times of crisis. It was really awesome to help people and it made them really curious about our church.

We had a worldwide missionary broadcast which was pretty great. Then we had interviews with president and so we didn't have too much time to teach before the STORM. It was crazy! It snowed for two days straight. Hey be grateful for the road system in Utah because out here it's terrible. Everyone is freaking out so bad. School is still canceled and people just stop working. It's been hard not doing anything. We have tons of food and my clothes are keeping me dry and happy.

I learned the spirit is not a teaching tool it's the teacher and we're the tools ;) I like Ether a lot. I've been reading "Jesus the Christ" in my free time, and cross referencing it with the four gospels.

Elder Ressler

Monday, January 18, 2016

Annapolis, MD - January 18, 2016

This last week has been pretty cold. It's supposed to snow on Friday and Saturday and it's a mission rule when snows on the ground we all walk no cars either. We had some snow this week for the first time, but it didn't stick. Those sweaters you sent have been awesome. I was feeling a little sick, but my companion had some "Canadian cold medicine" that has more drugs in it than they allow in America and so I got better real quick.

We actually picked up four investigators this week which is crazy because two is good at least for our mission. Hopefully we'll have some baptisms coming up. I know that a part-member family will get baptized for sure. It's weird recently because I'm pretty sure I'm going to get transferred.

I've really loved STUDYING the scriptures more instead of just reading them. I feel like I had a really sheltered childhood, but now it helps me know how things should be. There's no grey lines you know?

My companion was surprised at first how I never let anyone past me on the streets without talking to them or at least saying hello. I've loved being a missionary because I've really been able to focus on one thing- the gospel and how I can share it. They have a worldwide broadcast for all missionaries because I guess Elder Oaks is taking over missionary work. I also get to be interviewed by the mission president this week.

It snowed this week for the first time! This week has been one of the best ever. We followed up on like all the people we found and taught so many lessons. It was awesome. We've also gotten a lot more member involvement and the ward is super pumped for missionary work. I'm pretty sure this is my last week in Annapolis and it's a little sad because some of these members are super fun and ideal to have, but I'm also excited to go to a new area.

Love you all.

Elder Ressler

Monday, January 11, 2016

Annapolis, MD - January 11, 2016

This week was super productive we found a lot of people I think will accept the gospel and had some outstanding less active lessons that I'm hoping will help them want to come back to church, plus we're talking a lot about it in ward council.

This week we saw a lot of miracles out riding bikes in temperature from 17 to 66 degrees. We found a lot of people that are prepared and ready to learn about the gospel. I have really learned a lesson on the power of prayer and how God requires faith of us to work miracles. When I try to let the spirit guide me I can do it, but doing in Ether 12:6-7 it talks about how Christ showed himself to those who had faith in him and how it was the main role of his miracles on earth. Faith can be hard, but the gospel is simple, not complex. I love the scriptures and one of my biggest regrets is taking my reading for granted. God can really help us and guide us through the scriptures.

We found a lady who had met with missionaries previously and was really close until she moved. She was awesome. We're meeting with her this week. I'm pretty excited. Chapter 5 in Preach My Gospel is probably my favorite chapter! The page that answers questions of the soul and some other scriptures really help in street contacts. Using the Book of Mormon really shows how the gospel can apply to their lives. Inviting more people to other activities so in other words social conversion goes a long way because if they don't feel comfortable they won't come or try to learn more.

I think it's always important to talk about inner worth because the world portrays worth differently. Matthew 26:8 about considering the lilies of the field and how they are beautiful without trying too hard. Also I think 1 Peter 3:3 maybe. We have had a drought, but we had the most street contacts and like solid return appointments I've ever had in Annapolis! Also we've had some outstanding lessons with members, but mostly less actives and helping with concerns about coming to church.

Love You

Elder Ressler

Monday, January 4, 2016

Annapolis, MD - January 4, 2016

This week was super great. We were able to bring Albert who was recently baptized to the temple and to see the Washington DC Temple lights. They also had nativities from tons of countries there in the visitor center. It was good for him. It's been hard to find people to teach in Annapolis during the holidays and in the cold, plus we haven't been able to proselyte much because of holidays and preparation days, but it's all good. New years eve and day we had a blast hanging out with all the missionaries.

I'm so excited to get back to work! I came out here to work and baptize not hang out with a bunch of guys in white shirts playing basketball and awesome board games and hanging out at the mall. But seriously it's been fun. 2015 was an awesome year. 2016 is going to be even better because I'm a missionary the whole year! I'm going to miss Annapolis. We helped our neighbors move and we might start teaching them we'll see. An investigator that we're working with really enjoys church and sits next to me every time, but she indirectly avoids talking about the book of Mormon and stuff. She'll accept it in time. I've been playing racquetball every week.

I know Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet and the apostles are also called of God. It makes sense. Ephesians 2:20

Hey love you.

Elder Ressler