Monday, August 29, 2016

Week 7

Well....

Monday night- We ate dinner at the Mayes' and did service for them. Then we stayed at the Garnett's so we could go to district meeting on Tuesday!

Tuesday- We got up and had pancakes at the Garnett's and then I drove to Borger. We got there early, so we studied and then went to DM. We had DM and then we ate lunch at Benigan's. I got the lunch special, The Monte Cristo. It was so sweet, but good. I had a good time. We left there and stopped by JC Penny to drop my watch off to get fixed. I flew over my handle bars Monday and broke my SEIKO) I thought I had bought it there, but apparently not! We got it at Belk's. So the lady from JCP mailed it to me so I can send it off today! Yay! After that, we drove home and taught some lessons! It was a very good night! I love bearing testimony to my investigators! Just makes me feel like this is my purpose!!

Wednesday- We did service as always at the Senior Center! It was great. Afterwards we got haircuts!!! Thank goodness. PS- they turned out to be free and we taught the hairdressers a lesson!! #blessed! We taught and contacted as usual. It's about the same each day.  

Thursday- Taught and contacted. Saw C and really helped her out. She's having troubles and we shared scriptures to meet her needs and asked her to come to church. She didn't come... bummer! We also taught C. She always is interesting. She's a crazy Hispanic lady that loves us! He daughter is going to be baptized in like 2-3 weeks!! Word up!! We also met a real nice lady, M.  She agreed to learn more and said that she's open to being baptized in the future!!! Also, met a buffer and tanner Adam Sandler! They have the exact same laugh!!

Friday- Was busy. Service at Senior Center and crisis center! Met a lady who use to "be a witch" lol. We taught her and she's interested! You can find all kinds of people here. It's crazy! We also taught a Jehovah's Witness! She was way nice. She told us a joke. "Yeah! We have no windows on our church because we do sacrifices!" lol. I died on her door step!! She was great, very open minded, and wanted to know more! 

Saturday- We had a busy morning of laundry because we had 2 lessons on our laundry time on Monday! But we went shopping and I got some tools and some supplies. Then we held weekly planning after lunch and taught some lessons! We taught this one guy, Eddy R. We taught him about the Book of Mormon but he had to get back to work. But before he left, HE ASKED US WHEN WE COULD COME BACK TO TEACH HIM MORE!!!!!! That never happens!!!! so we are going to teach him Tuesday!!!! Super excited. Also, when we got back to the apt, I saw a moving truck! I ran over and dropped my things and asked how I could help! The man looked at me and said, "You want to work and help?!?!?!?!?" I Said "YEAH MAN! What can i grab?!?" He replied "Grab anything heavy! I don't want to hurt my back..." So I went to work and we unloaded that truck in 15 minutes! We were hustling! They said they are gonna buy us pizza sometime!!! #blessed!

Sunday-  We went to church! I love church. I learn a lot and love listening and learning from the speakers and spirit! Just uplifts me! Church means so much more to me now!!!!! After church we ate at the Garnett's (not Pres Garnett, but his parents!) They were supper nice and they gave us ice cream in waffle cones!! #blessed! lol We left and had to stop by Bro Umphries home to grab some keys. He gave us a ton of food he "didn't need" before we left..... he's the one who's only son died like 2 weeks ago..... his love for us and for service touched me so much. I cried at the apartment!! He's amazing! Reminded me of Steve Potter! We taught some lessons as well. Not many, but again, I bore my testimony and it touched an investigator! I love it!

Monday/today- We studied and then went to our appointments. Now we are emailing.

Elder Nathan Zeagler.  l_l-_-l   <--- Ready to Baptize!






Monday, August 22, 2016

Week 6

Well, well, well.... where to start?

Monday! (after emails)- After emails, we got mail from mom and the young men! I was glad to hear from everyone. We went and saw B (RC) in the hospital and gave her a blessing. Then we had dinner with the Mayes and FHE there. It was a great experience. I love them. They are awesome to us. Brothe Mayes is hilarious. He doesn't mind embarrassing anyone!

Tuesday - We left for Dumas on Tuesday. We had breakfast at the Garnett's. We made us some pancakes and then went to district meeting there. Then we ate at a steakhouse. I got a burger and unlimited rolls!!!!! I still love rolls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I stayed in Dumas on exchanges. We had a few good lessons. I enjoyed it, but their apartment isn't as nice as ours.

Wednesday- I drove back from Dumas and got some pics with the other elders. Later that night we had a good lesson with A (LA). She enjoyed us coming by and our message. It was a short day due to travels. We met a girl in the park who said she was a "stoner"! Best contact of the day by far!!!!!! I died laughing after she left us.

Thursday- We taught a lot!  Each day is amazing. We bike most days and it makes it harder on us, but easier to contact people. Plus when I bike, I feel like an actual missionary. We also contacted an apartment in our complex. The guy answers with a fully loaded rifle! I was like "He must be from NC!" lol. jk. Olmos asked him what his job was and he replied, "I'm a mercenary." Elder Olmos changed nationalities! HE was white for like a minute!!! I died! We taught him restoration while he played with his guns (had like 5 out). Best contact so far! We also set a return appointment. We have to teach everyone!

Friday- We taught a lot as usual.... hahaha. Had a great lesson at the Senior Center with the workers. I showed them the cross story and they were in awe. So then we explained about our religion and taught the restoration. One lady said that we were "The answers to her prayers". It was great! We made some "stuff" for dinner. lol. It was good though! ​

​Saturday- We went to the PARADE! We met like 2 people. Brother Mayes was killing me there! We saw a few of our investigators and got to talk to them. We also got people to see us in public. I caught a football and gave it to Z., one of our investigators. He was sad he had not gotten it so I gave it up. I liked it a lot, but charity never faileth. We also left to Borger to carpool to Amarillo. We had the adult meeting for stake conference that night so it was fun. I learned a lot from the stake presidency there. They gave good talks!!! We stayed with the Amarillo elders that night.

Sunday- We had a missionary meeting in the morning. It was on prayer. I learned so much form Pres. Lovett. He gave such a good lesson. I learned so much about prayer. Then we had conference. It was great. I enjoyed everything. I took so many notes! ha ha ha ha. I see now how important staying awake and taking notes in church is! After conference, we left and went home. We did weekly planning when we got home. That lasted till 8:30. After my prayer, I felt to go visit Brother D. He lives a few apartments over. So we went and asked how his wife was doing and just talked to him. He said that he enjoyed us coming to see him and wanted to know if we wanted to have dinner sometime. It was a good thing that I followed the promptings of the Spirit! It's amazing how well it knows what needs to be done.

Monday (today)- We went to store and bought food. I spent 6 dollars. I bought Ramen noodles. I figured that is one way to save money! lol. I just filled up the cabinets so that I wont have to ever skip a meal. This month has 5 Mondays so I have to be thrifty. But after shopping we put up groceries and came here to email. So that's my update!

Elder Nathan Zeagler.  l_l-_-l   <--- Ready to Baptize!
 

     

 

Monday, August 15, 2016

Week 5

This week has been better! Monday we had dinner with the Mayes family. They are awesome! We had a good time there and had a few contacts and a lesson while in Spearman. There is mainly just fields here.. lol. 

Tuesday was well. We drove to Borger after one lesson in the morning. We got there ahead of schedule so I found a Walmart and got some items that I needed (bike seat, thread, pull-up bar) We had interviews with Pres. Heap and that was great. He showed me some scriptures to read that really helped me with some issues I had been experiencing. He is great. Then we went on exchanges with the Borger elders (Hansen and Cooper). That was fun. After that, we ate dinner at Bennigans. I ate something small because it was a little expensive lol. I don't like using more than I have to. Then Elder Cooper and I played basketball at the church with some members and investigators. I packed Elder Cooper 2 times. HE'S 6'4!!! I was so proud lol. Then we stayed in Borger that night. 

Wednesday- We had zone conference. I took a ton of notes and got to have ice cream! A member brought 4 gallons of ice cream for the missionaries! (He works at blue bell.... lol) We drove home after stopping for me to get my family some gifts. That's a long straight drive! To stay awake, I ate sunflower seeds from the Stainbacks! lol. They are the only thing that kept me awake. We got back and taught some and then retired for the night. 

Thursday- We did our morning routine and then saw C. She is a paralyzed investigator and she was bad off. We knocked on the door to find her crying. We gave her scriptures of comfort and left after about 20 minutes. Then we drove to Spearman to catch a ride to a funeral, from our branch that was being held in Borger, from Brother Pipkin. He's pretty awesome. I wrote letters back on the ride there and back! I am try use my time wisely!!! After the funeral, we came home and ate some chicken that I cooked and then we taught more lessons. We teach about 6 lessons a day, which is a TON for our area!!! That night I did a little extra exercise and then went to bed. 

Friday- We did service Friday for 2 hours at the Senoir center. There we serve food. Then we had 4 total lessons after that. We bike all day to save miles on our car! We have to travel at least 1-2 times a week to far away areas so we can't really drive often in our area! I fixed my seat on my bike so it wouldn't hurt my butt. I have a huge seat now that is crazy soft!!! YAY! We stayed at Branch President Garnett's house. 

I left home a month ago...

Saturday- We got to go to the Temple!!!!!!!!!!!!! We rode with the Mayes family. They are the best! They packed us breakfast and lunch and then bought us donuts and dinner!!! The kids in the family love me! I love teaching them NC habits! (good ones lol) They make me laugh so much. Especially the Dad and Levi! (he prefers Leviathon) hahahaha. Then we came back and planned for week. 

I have been out for a month on this day too... lol

Sunday- We went to Branch council meeting. Church was great. I learned a lot and our less active came! His name is R. Hes pretty cool. He looks rough and mean but is a sweetheart! Unlike me.... jk hahahah. We ended up teaching 6 LESSONS after church!!!!!!!!!! 6!!!!!!!!!!!! That is a record! So we hope to have more solid investigators soon!. 

Monday/Today- We left apartment at 10 to help a family move! They are awesome! I also almost chopped my thumb off! i have about a 1/8-1/4 inch of skin hanging off my thumb that is about 1/2 long..... Its hurts... Especially after typing all of this! But I'm good. We went shopping and all that today. I ate subway for lunch! Had the sub of the day....hahaha. now I'm emailing....Tomorrow is exchanges. So I'll be going to Dumas. I will be checking mail when we get back to apartments. 

Thanks to all of those who mail me letters and packages! It means the world to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elder Zeagler





Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Week 4 Finally in Texas

This week has been a week. I got to Texas and knew I was in for a treat when I saw crop circles everywhere. But I'm alright now. 

The first two days we were with the Mission President and all the new missionaries. That was actually really fun! 

Then I left for my area. I met my companion/trainer at Bell Street Chapel and found out I was driving...not cool! I didn't know where I was going and he didn't either...so, we did get lost. But at 10 pm we made it to the Elders' place in Borger and stayed the night there. 

Throughout the week I've had ups and downs. A few good cries, but I'm alright now. I making do. The branch here has about 25 people. The town is small with about 8k people so...not a lot of people here. The neighborhoods here are sketchy. There are nice neighborhoods too. They give us water when we knock! I like them lol. They give us water and tell us to leave. ha ha ha. 

There have been lots of slammed doors, a few good lessons. I making my comp get set lessons each day. He wanted to just go around and knock all day. I said heck no!! I am not knocking on doors all day. So we teach around 3-5 lessons a day...sometimes more. It is a test of faith and will power but I'm doing good now. Letters are appreciated a lot! lol 

My companion/trainer is Elder Olmos. He is technically from Charlotte, NC, but he is originally from El Salvador. He is not like NC people. NC people are the best. At church on Sunday there was like 25 people.....not cool. But most members speak English. 

I got a free bike. It is a little messed up but it will do. I got it by asking around to Zone Leaders and they helped me out. The front tire is warped, but it rides fine. 

I drive the car for us. It exact same color and model of my car at home. Trainees done usually drive, but Elder Olmos still has a pending ticket on him. So it stinks because I have no clue where we are going usually. 
 
Send money ha ha! Letters! Anything that will help! Cool ties. etc. I bought some vitamins to help me stay healthy. I got your first package finally. A lot of it melted. Don't send chocolate. No one here sends pics of missionaries to their parents like you do... That is saddening. I have been on my knees everyday a lot. I'm doing okay now. I'll make through. I thought about quitting, but that is never an option. I'm a Zeagler. I don't quit!

I have videos on my drive for you and daddy to watch Brandon too. Then you can burn them to a CD and delete them from drive so I can have space for next week on my drive! also... Send a good SD card with plenty of storage. 

Ill write more next week. Not much time left today. 

I love and miss you all so much! stay safe and strong! 

Elder Nathan Zeagler.  l_l-_-l   <--- Ready to Baptize!