tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37298700604933543082024-03-05T22:56:53.216-08:00This is my joyElder Thomas Durrant Lakeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07727574972888841384noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3729870060493354308.post-56038360515909761452015-01-12T09:01:00.000-08:002015-01-14T09:01:59.279-08:00Goodbye DurhamThis week has been a great week! We had a lot of people there, including some non members! We think other family members will start investigating soon! At the baptism one of the family members proudly announced that he was a "Mormon Jew". We had several
nonmembers and investigators at church this week as well! I expect that there
will be some more baptisms after I leave. <br />
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For my last day in Durham I am
hanging out with some members. The weather has not been bad at all, we walked to church today to write emails.<br />
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I honestly do not know much about this tri-companionship, I was in one for a week in Pembroke and that was it. I still do not know where I am going yet.</div>
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I hear that Harry is opening up an area in a trio so that will be interesting as well. That is great to hear that Carly will be able to extend
her mission, that almost never happens!</div>
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That is great that dad got a new job! <o:p></o:p>It sounds like it will be a great one!</div>
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That is awesome to hear that your prayer was answered! The idea that The Lord blesses us in his own time is something I have seen a ton on my mission! To be honest, as a missionary, it seems that nothing ever works on your time when you want it to work. It will work, eventually, you just have to be patient. It just makes you rely on the Lord even more!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I hope you are having a great week! You may not know what area I will be in until next week, but I will try to update what city I moved too, so it should give you a pretty good idea.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Love,</div>
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Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123479678664165429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3729870060493354308.post-17136782244799348392015-01-05T08:52:00.000-08:002015-01-14T08:53:47.423-08:00Baptism in DurhamThings are going well! We will be having a
baptism on Saturday! She is very excited to be baptized! We may some baptisms in February, but I will not be around to see them. <br />
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I am being transferred next week. I will be in a trio companionship. President Bernhisel said I will be with with 2 seasoned missionaries where we will be focusing solely on proselyting, which will be great! I do not know where I am going. Elder Wion will be training a new missionary. <br />
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We didn't really do anything special for New Year's. But the weather has been nice. It has been rainy, but it has stayed in the 50s. I have enjoyed it, it has been warmer than last
winter. Duke will be starting up again, I believe this week.</div>
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I like that thought about prophets. We got the new manual about Ezra Taft Benson and I have read a bit about it. It seems that President Benson was very bold. And was not very popular for his time, yet the Church and the people of it has been blessed because of him, especially concerning his counsel about reading the Book of Mormon more.</div>
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Hopefully I will have more to report next week, but it probably won't be till the week after.</div>
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I hope you are having a great week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123479678664165429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3729870060493354308.post-87671289047387473942014-12-29T08:28:00.000-08:002015-01-14T09:04:31.197-08:00Christmas in DurhamThis week has been a great week! This week we should have a baptismal interview with one of our investigators. If she passes she will be baptized on Jan. 10. She is the daughter is of a returning less active mother and a non member father. Her father owns a pizzeria in Durham that is really good and he knows a lot of players for Duke really well and has a lot of autographs from previous players, some of whom are now famous NBA players.<br />
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Christmas with the Johnson's was fun! We spent the whole day with them. We don't really have any New year's plans. My jeans do fit. Thank you! Elder Wion had a good time with his
family as well. We don't really have anything special planned for New Year's.<br />
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I am glad that William had a good time for his birthday. It seems that a lot of people have their birthday around Christmas time. I'm
not too surprised that Grandma and Grandpa are heading to Arizona again.</div>
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That is crazy that Brian's mission went over 3 weeks! How
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I love that thought about the scriptures. In 1982 the Ensign made a 7 part series about how the Bible was made. It is a miracle that the Bible actually exists. In all actuality the Bible did not reach the public until the 1600s a mere 200 years until the Restoration began. Something I have learned on my mission is that without the Reformation and the translation of the Bible, there would be no Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.</div>
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I hope you are having a great week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Lakey<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123479678664165429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3729870060493354308.post-50673492210572337602014-12-22T08:18:00.000-08:002015-01-14T08:28:29.889-08:00Skyping for ChristmasThis week has been a good week! We still have
some baptisms lined up for January at the moment. Our investigators are doing alright. We did find a new investigator last week. It snowed on Saturday for about 2 hours and
then it turned to rain and it all melted.<br />
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It sounds like the Christmas party was fun! I will try to
Skype at 11 am my time which is 9 am your time. I will send a short email again to confirm or change it if anything happens. I will send a short email before then to confirm. It will be exciting to see you then!<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is crazy to think Jonathan is in the 7th Grade! It
seems like he should be younger than that!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I really liked that thought, of preparing for the 2nd
coming, we had a member give a talk on Sunday where he compared celebrating
Christmas to preparing for the 2nd coming.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I know this is short but I figured we can talk more in
depth about my week over Skype.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I hope you are having a great week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123479678664165429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3729870060493354308.post-62344409689178444832014-12-15T08:13:00.000-08:002015-01-14T08:18:52.529-08:00Christmas is GivingEverything is going well in Durham. We had 2 investigators
at church on Sunday! We won't have a baptism until January the first one being on
the 10th.<br />
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I am enjoying Christmas a lot! On Saturday they had the Ward
Christmas party and it was well put together! They made the whole place look
like Bethlehem! We got a lot of non members out to it!<br />
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We know where we are spending a part of our Christmas Day but we haven't figured out the whole day yet. We should be Skyping. And we also have a Christmas Zone Conference this Wednesday.<br />
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I'm glad to hear that you got to meet Elder Roberts! He is amazing! Who all was there from the mission? It sounded like a fun trip.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I'm glad to see everyone is doing well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I love that thought, because I think that the BEST way to spend Christmas is giving to others! I still remember very well the time you donated gifts to that family in Ogden. I also remember very well the Holy Spirit being there! That idea of giving back is something I want to continue when I get home!</div>
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I hope you are having a great week!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123479678664165429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3729870060493354308.post-43780851731098940192014-12-08T12:07:00.000-08:002015-01-03T20:52:46.747-08:00Christmas Packages<br />
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This week has been a great week! Thank you for the package it was great! Elder Wion didn't know what a stocking was so he started to open it before I could explain what to do with it. I am sure I will receive one from Grandpa soon. (It seems that every time you ask me if I have received a package and I say no, it appears later that same day). </div>
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I loved the Christmas devotional, I really enjoyed Elder Christofferson's talk, we are having our Ward Christmas party this week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It has gotten cold this week, but no snow. It is suppose to be in the 30s and 40s this week, but I will be fine.</div>
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We had one investigator show up to church on Sunday. She is a daughter of a returning less-active mother and a non-member Jewish father. It looks like I should have
another baptism or 2 before I leave Durham.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It sounds like Mom is busy this time of the year. I know
that Christmas should be simple, but I don't think there is not much you can do
about that if you are the Relief Society President.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I love how you talked about peace in the temples. It
seems to me that peace is the biggest feeling I feel in the temple. It seems
that time stops and that there is no one around you, but God.</div>
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I love you and I will email you again next week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Love,</div>
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Elder Lakey</div>
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Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123479678664165429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3729870060493354308.post-19250810540572895892014-12-01T11:59:00.000-08:002014-12-08T12:00:37.613-08:00Thanksgiving in Durham<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EGMTluy3_UHJEBQ39sZecp7tjx9TgBWDNvB_tGa4d-kI9GkS1dAAXzGTPeL7AUdmn-ak6KF6753zFezMpHJ3oF2KjocVozSZCUGJXjVioGT6qOUiohoR6Os-Yzz2cVsWf63qhlZjA1c/s1600/Thanksgiving+Dinner+2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EGMTluy3_UHJEBQ39sZecp7tjx9TgBWDNvB_tGa4d-kI9GkS1dAAXzGTPeL7AUdmn-ak6KF6753zFezMpHJ3oF2KjocVozSZCUGJXjVioGT6qOUiohoR6Os-Yzz2cVsWf63qhlZjA1c/s1600/Thanksgiving+Dinner+2014.JPG" height="297" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving with the Rangnow Family.</td></tr>
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Thanksgiving was good. It was nice and simple, we
didn't do much that day. We ate with the Rangnow family. It sounds like you had a good Thanksgiving. I guess it is
nice to have both sides of the family living by each other now!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am not being transferred. Our investigators are doing
ok. We did not have any investigators go to church. But, we do have 4 baptismal dates. We do have the Christmas party coming up,
that should be fun!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I love that thought. Christmas is my favorite holiday
because people act differently, they usually act more Christlike. I believe
that is because people think more about Jesus Christ this time of the year.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Christ is responsible for Goodness in the world, that is
why the Church is doing the #SharetheGift
the more that Christ is talked about the better people are going to be. For Christ can only those who are trying to follow him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I hope you are having a week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Lakey<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123479678664165429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3729870060493354308.post-15263509520975433422014-11-24T11:45:00.000-08:002014-12-08T11:52:18.575-08:00A very busy weekThis week was a good week. We had two investigators show to church on Sunday, so we hope they will get baptized either the end of December or beginning of January! It was a very busy week!<br />
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I'm sorry that I haven't posted any baptism pictures lately I will try to do that later. Elder Evans was the one that did the baptism. And Clifton Durham is doing great we have 3 baptismal date with other investigators, that he is being the primary fellow shipper for!! He also passed the sacrament for the first time this week!<br />
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I do not know if I am being transferred yet. So I don't know if I am leaving or staying.<br />
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That sounds like fun for Thanksgiving! We are eating with some members on Thanksgiving on possibly playing some football.<br />
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I like that thought because in all honesty members make
or break baptisms. The best investigators are found through members, the best
lessons are when members teach and bear their testimony and the best church
meetings is when members interact with investigators. There is something
special about when members and missionaries come together.</div>
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That is funny that it snowed and the power went out, I suspect there were some really bored boys.</div>
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I think that other than some Mannheim Steamroller I should be good. Thank you for the package!!</div>
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I love you and I will email you again next week.</div>
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Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Lakey</div>
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<br />Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123479678664165429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3729870060493354308.post-19588470125947954712014-11-17T11:44:00.000-08:002014-12-08T11:45:55.990-08:00Another Great Week in DurhamThis week has been a great week, we have been really busy lately. We hope to have some baptisms around Christmas time! But there are some obstacles in our way (as usual in missionary work). <br />
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The biggest miracle
story this week was that we had an investigator who attended church last week, but
ended up in the hospital this week. So we figured he wouldn't be able to come
to church this week. When much to our surprise he came! He was feeling much
better too! We also set a baptismal date with him yesterday! We also found some
more African investigators to teach.<br />
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It has cooled down a lot in Durham, it is in the high 40s low 50s which is actually colder than it usually is this time of year for NC. I love the weather but Elder Wion who has lived in Vegas for the past 8 years hates it.</div>
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That is a great miracle story of family history! I have looked at the
family search before and so much has already been done that I do not know where
to start. Is this Jonathan first time going to the temple?<o:p></o:p></div>
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I feel bad for Rascal it seems he always is getting
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I guess now that both sides of the family live south of us now, you can visit both of them on the same day. It weird to think that no one lives north of us anymore.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I like that thought, the best way to grow a testimony is to share your testimony. When our testimony is sincere and truthful the Holy Ghost will come upon the investigator and will touch their hearts if they let the Spirit in. That is why 18 year old missionaries who only received 12 days of official missionary training are able to get people to be baptized. It's not the missionaries that convert people it is the Holy Ghost! I do not know any other religion in the world that puts some much trust in some one so young with so little formal training! It is a miracle unto it self that the Church grows,when we live in a day where the biggest Christian churches in the world are shrinking!</div>
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I love you and I will email you again next week.</div>
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Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Lakey<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123479678664165429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3729870060493354308.post-65242901444747377882014-11-10T06:49:00.000-08:002014-11-17T06:57:56.993-08:00Losing Weight in Durham?Things are doing well in Durham. Our investigators are doing well, we had 2
investigators show up to church and we are teaching that retired Liberian
General now. We should be teaching some people from Africa soon! Elder Wion is doing great! The ward is willing to do missionary work but most are really
busy. Half the ward are medical students who are doing residency at Duke
hospital.<br />
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Some of our investigators are referrals some are not, the
more recent investigators have been referrals. We do not have any baptismal
dates, there is one person that wants to be baptized, but we are holding off on
him for a little while (It is a long story).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Duke is amazing!! It looks like a castle, I took a lot of pictures of it. There is a reason why the tuition there is so expensive. They also have a really nice cathedral and gardens as well. </div>
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We do have some plans for Thanksgiving, we will be eating with some members but I don't know the details yet. <o:p></o:p></div>
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That is great you got to clean the temple!! I bet that you did get to see a lot of things that no one else gets to see.</div>
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I don't need any dress pants, ties would be nice but then I would need another tie hanger. I would like a pair of jeans, with the waist size being a little smaller than the last pair you sent. I have to wear a belt with my other jeans right now. And it is a good idea to hold off on a package until after transfers.</div>
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I like that thought, I think that in this mission,
obedience is hit on more than any other gospel topic. I have found that while
missionary work can still move on and baptisms can still happen if you are
disobedient, you can't be as happy as you would be if you are obedient.
Happiness and obedience go hand in hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I hope you are having a great week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Lakey</div>
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123479678664165429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3729870060493354308.post-6577430165942538802014-11-03T06:42:00.000-08:002014-11-17T06:49:44.763-08:00Halloween in DurhamThis week has been a good week, we found 3 new investigators! If it makes Jonathan feel any better Halloween is a bit of snooze for us as well. We were stuck inside our apartment all night because we are not allowed to proselyte Halloween night.<br />
<br />
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Elder Wion has lived in Vegas for 8 years. While he does have an accent, he does not speak any other language but English, because Liberia is the only country in Africa to be colonized by America. We have some Liberians in the ward who say that in Liberia everyone flies 2 flags. The Liberian one (which looks a lot like our flag) and our flag. He remembers Africa very well. I think we should have a lot of different opportunities with Elder Wion here. We may even start teaching a retired Liberian General soon...</div>
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The last week it cooled off a ton. I really enjoyed it but Elder Wion did not. We should be touring Duke today.</div>
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It is getting colder but I like it cold. I
wouldn't mind the general Conference talks. I would also love some Mannheim
Steamroller Christmas CDs. (But I will
not be celebrating Christmas until after Thanksgiving) .<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I really enjoyed Elder Christofferson's talk at General
Conference. It seems like a lot people have been talking about it. We talked
about it yesterday in Elder's quorum. It seems to me, that Satan attacks the
doctrine free agency and the atonement
more than anything else.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
People like the idea that they don't have to change for
Christ and that Heaven "is what you make of it"(a pastor once told
me that), but what people don't realize is that we must change for Christ in
order to be happy in Christ's presence (see Alma 5 and Mormon 9). The Gospel
and The Atonement is meant to change our natures or else we would hate
righteousness which means we would hate Christ and the Celestial Kingdom that is why God in his mercy (yes it's merciful) sends unrepentant and unchanged people to the
other kingdoms of Glory because they would enjoy it more there than they would
in the presence of God.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I love you all and I will email you again next week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Lakey</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123479678664165429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3729870060493354308.post-18420824028735789862014-10-27T15:54:00.005-07:002014-10-27T15:54:47.303-07:00New Companion<div class="MsoPlainText">
My new companion is Elder Wion. He grew up in Las
Vegas, but he was born in Liberia, Africa. He has been on his mission for 6
months. We found some Liberians this week, some of whom knows Elder Wion's family and friends! So that was a miracle! </div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
That is crazy that President Rosenlund is the new Stake President!! He will do amazing!! That is great that Elder Teh came. I bet it was really spiritually powerful.<br />
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That is good to hear that Grandpa is finally home!<o:p></o:p></div>
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As of right now we do not have any plans for Halloween. The ward is putting on a trunk or treat at the church on Wednesday.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I like that thought about prayer! Prayer needs to be a 2 way
conversation. I like the expression
talking to God like someone talks to a friend. Prayer needs to be
personal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I love you and I will email you again next week.</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Elder Lakey</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123479678664165429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3729870060493354308.post-57973202106973378772014-10-20T15:50:00.000-07:002014-10-27T15:51:22.836-07:00Transfer WeekThis week has been a good week. It is also transfer week. Elder Evans is being
transferred. It was a bit of a surprised that he is leaving, he didn't
stay in Durham that long, he is the only non-leader elder that is being
transferred out of the zone.<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I hope the work can continue to go well in Durham, there
is a lot of potential here. Elder Carlson of the Seventy at stake Conference
said that there are 20,000 people in this stake that are willing to accept the
Gospel of Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p>The theme of the conference was Hastening the Work. We did get a new stake president, I don't really know the new one, but he seems to be a very humble man.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I don't know what Elder Robert's plans are when he gets home other than that he will be looking for work.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
That's great to hear that Grandma is now mobile again!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
It is starting to get pretty out here, a lot of the leaves are still green though.</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
It seems like my sports teams are doing well while I am on my mission. I will just have to do a dvr sports marathon when I get
home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I like that thought, we had an investigator this week
that wanted to know how The Church can help her out spiritually. We read Moroni 6 with her. We explained it is impossible to keep our baptismal
covenants without the sacrament.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
I love and I will email you again next week.<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Elder Lakey</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123479678664165429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3729870060493354308.post-37439808787956638792014-10-13T15:37:00.000-07:002014-10-30T09:24:22.796-07:00A Durham Baptism in DurhamThings are going well in Durham. Brother Durham got
baptized! He invited a friend to the baptism and when she came, we found out she was already a member! She was less active member who lived in the ward but wasn't on the ward roster, (you would be surprised how many people I have found on my mission who were members that lived in the ward but were not on the ward roster) and now she is going to church again! So the baptism was basically a 2 in 1!<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
The temple and the movie were amazing! There was another new temple video. Every time I have gone on my mission it's been a different video. I also got to see Elder Roberts that day, that will probably be the last time I will see him while he is a missionary. Meet The Mormons was excellent! I would recommend it to everyone, and now I can say that I have watched South Park on my
mission, because of the movie.</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I'm glad to hear
that Grandpa is doing better! I have been praying for him and so has the
mission President. I know it isn't easy right now, but the Atonement gives us
the strength to face our challenges and grow. I know that is true on a mission,
because I have felt it. I know that Christ lives, because I have felt it and I
know that this Gospel is true, because I have felt the effects of it in my life
and other people's lives as well.</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Elder Robbins talk was excellent! I do not know about the women's conference talk because I never saw it. Stake Conference is this week and we are getting a new Stake President and we are having 2 seventy coming.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That is good that Kiley and Josh are working.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The same day as Brother Durham's baptism on Saturday, my old companion Elder Brinkerhoff got married so that was pretty crazy!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I hope you are having a great week. I love you a ton! </div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Love</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Elder Lakey</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123479678664165429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3729870060493354308.post-80713656318961081272014-10-06T16:58:00.005-07:002014-10-06T16:58:49.250-07:0015 pages of notes<div class="MsoPlainText">
This week has been a great week! Brother Durham will be getting baptized this Saturday! He also went to all five sessions of General Conference with us! He really enjoyed Elder Bednar's talk. We did get a text from Adrian saying he would come to General Conference but he never showed up. </div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I loved General Conference I took 15 pages of notes on it! I really liked Elder Christofferson's talk on how Free Agency actually works and the dangers of the idea of Moral Relativism (it reminded a lot of my debate days where many debate kids would advocate that philosophy both inside and outside of debate rounds). I also liked President Monson's talk because of the simplicity of it and the fact that walking with Christ is what our church is focused on. I also liked President Uchtdorf's priesthood talk. </div>
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<br /></div>
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We will watch Meet the Mormons on Friday. We also get to go to the temple on Wednesday. This week and last week we have been so busy with stuff that we actually haven't had much to proselyte.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I did finally receive the package from Grandpa last week. It looks like it was stuck at the mission office for awhile.</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
That is great that you been able to relax little bit this week. I hope Dad had a happy birthday! What is Josh's plans now that he has graduated? And what has Kiley been up to as well? Also what was your favorite conference talk?</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Wow it sounds like quite the week for Grandpa! What was
the complication? I will keep on praying for him. Is there a significant chance
of further complications? It sounds like it was a miracle that he
recovered!</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I will keep praying and loving you.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Love,</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Elder Lakey<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123479678664165429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3729870060493354308.post-70716711427794504342014-09-29T06:54:00.000-07:002014-10-01T07:03:07.539-07:00Praying for GrandpaThis week has been a good week. I wouldn't say we are unstoppable nor that we didn't have any contacts when we got here, but things are picking up at the moment. <br />
<br />
Brother Durham is doing great! He should be interviewed for baptism this week! We have not had a chance to meet with the 4 sisters/investigators yet. And Adrian has dropped off the face of the earth.<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I am excited for General Conference, we also get to watch
Meet the Mormons next week so that should be good!</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I'm sorry to hear about Grandpa Lakey, I got a call yesterday
from President Bernhisel, who told me a little bit about the surgery. I will be
praying for Grandpa!</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I like that thought. As a missionary, we focus first on
helping people build their testimony in Jesus Christ and we help them do that by having
them read the scriptures, pray, and go to church. These things help us develop
a personal relationship with God.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I love you and I will pray for Grandpa.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Elder Lakey<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123479678664165429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3729870060493354308.post-42051182945418052512014-09-22T06:52:00.000-07:002014-10-01T06:54:24.904-07:00Bugs and BaptismsIt's great to hear from you! I'm emailing you a
little early today because they are spraying our apartment for insects today, so they kicked us out. Things are doing well out here, although funny enough I have had a head cold for the last week myself.<br />
<br />
Adrian and Brother Durham are still coming to church! Brother Durham should be baptized on October the 11th, which is his birthday! Which is super exciting! I am not sure if Adrian will be baptized in October, he is doing well but we have got some difficulties with him. We did find a some new investigators. They are
a 4 sisters who live together.<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
The temple dedication sounds like it was a great
experience! That is awesome that Jonathan was in the cultural celebration! What did he do in it? On the church website they showed a little bit of the celebration, but not too much of it. I like the look of the new
temple much better than the old temple.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
The weather is starting to become nice here. It is actually starting to cool down. Now it is in the
70s with some days being warmer and others being cooler.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
That is a lot of indexing names! It must be fairly easy
to index if he wants that many names! But, I hope that goes well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I like that thought about temple recommends. A temple
recommend represents that you are living up to your side of the covenants you
made with God. As a missionary we are supposed to have a temple recommends our
entire mission but it expires right before we leave the mission. And we get
interviewed by our mission president for a recommend that will only be valid for
a month or two and there is a good chance you won't use the new recommend at all(Mission president temple recommends are only good as long as your on a
mission). That shows us just how important a temple recommend is.</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I love you and I will email you again next week.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Elder Lakey<o:p></o:p></div>
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123479678664165429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3729870060493354308.post-72138983133020824482014-09-15T16:29:00.002-07:002014-09-15T16:29:41.857-07:00Smoke BreakThis week was a great week! Our investigators Brother Durham and Adrian came to church last Sunday and are doing really well! Adrian even brought a friend, but I don't think think he was too interested because he took a 2 hour smoke break during church. And Brother Durham decided to join the choir and they practice after church! They should both be baptized in October.<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
We found those investigators by looking for leads in the area book. (None of them were in the area book, but we met them because we were in the area that the area book leads were located.) We also found some new investigators this week.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
We are not sure what we are doing for General Conference yet. Nor have they announced anything concerning the temple trip. I just heard about the movie Meet the Mormons last week. There is a movie theater in Raleigh where it is going to play! I am really excited for it and maybe it will come to Durham. I think it will be a great missionary opportunity. No idea if we will be allowed to go to it or not.</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
That is super exciting to hear that the Ogden Temple is being rededicated soon! They say temple open houses make for excellent missionary work. And that is awesome that Jonathan was in the news! Did they actually interview him or something? </div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I'm glad that Grandma is doing well! I did not receive any package from Grandpa Lakey yet. And I'm excited that Greg is going on a mission!</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I love that thought because only through the Gospel of Jesus Christ -faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end- will we get happiness. Because only the Gospel can make us Righteous and Christlike and only through being Christlike can we be happy. This is essentially what we tell everyone the first time we meet them. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the most powerful force in the universe. Because it's the only thing out there that can make us happy and righteous.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I love you and I will email you again next week.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Elder Lakey<o:p></o:p><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123479678664165429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3729870060493354308.post-11493966133471827172014-09-08T16:20:00.000-07:002014-09-08T16:20:24.120-07:00Another great week in DurhamThis week was a great week! We had two
investigators come to church last Sunday which was great! They both want to be baptized and hopefully
we can do it in October, but with General Conference and Stake Conference in
October it's going to be tricky. We did get one new investigator last week, but he might be YSA so we may give him to the zone leaders.<br />
<br />
Transfers are this week but Elder Evan and I are staying together for another transfer. Sister Doty is going home, so we will get a new sister in Durham 2nd ward.<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
School has already started at Duke so people have stopped moving in. We actually didn't do any service this week, but we are suppose to do two service projects tomorrow. I guess it just comes in waves. </div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I haven't gotten to visit Duke on foot, but I really want
to. Their Library has a first edition Book of Mormon in it! It seems like many General Authorities went to Duke though. On Tuesday, Elder
Evan's bike axle broke so we took it to downtown Durham. Downtown is really
trendy with lots of different types of restaurants.</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I'm sorry to hear about Grandma, I will be praying for her. It seems like things been a bit rough for her the last couple years.</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
That is awesome that Jonathan is going to be at the Ogden
cultural celebration! That should be a great time. I need to see a picture of
the new temple.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I really like that thought. As a missionary we need
Hesed! To be a missionary we have to love The Lord and love the
people. If we do missionary work grudgingly, then investigators will notice and they won't
convert.
If we baptize people without loving them, we are denying ourselves the
opportunity to convert ourselves to Jesus Christ's gospel.</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
I love you and I will email you again next week.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Elder Lakey<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123479678664165429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3729870060493354308.post-20069173681886911612014-09-01T06:06:00.000-07:002014-09-08T06:08:27.910-07:00Service ProjectsThis week has been a great but exhausting week. We have done five service projects this week, including one this morning. Three of the
service projects were moves. We are not doing anything special today other than
relaxing.<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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This week have had a lot more missionary success. We
found couple more investigators, had three people commit to baptism and had an
investigator show up to church after she told us earlier in the week that she
wasn't going to make it! That never happens, usually people say they are going
to church and don't, not the other way around!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Duke is beautiful, the best way I can describe it is a
modern day Hogwarts, everything looks medieval. I really hope I can tour Duke sometime soon!</div>
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I don't know how big football
is in Durham. I know all the employees for Duke got free tickets on Saturday to
the football game, so a lot of people went to that. The bishop also drove up to
Connecticut for the BYU game.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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That sounds like fun to be camping and that it is starting to cool off there. Here in North Carolina you
can go camping just by walking a mile away from your house if your
in the countryside. However, the weather hasn't cooled off yet.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I did get the package you sent me. Thank you so much! </div>
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That is great that Jonathan is doing well in school. I do remember those teachers. Don't tell him this but those three teachers were problem my least liked ones my 7th grade year.</div>
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I like that thought, Christ doesn't weaken our challenges
he strengthens us to meet our challenges if you let him.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I love you and I will email you again next week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
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Elder Lakey<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123479678664165429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3729870060493354308.post-91705038622105109922014-08-25T06:03:00.000-07:002014-09-08T06:10:36.082-07:00Growing SpirituallyThings are going alright in Durham. This week we biked a lot and found two new investigators. We are figuring out the bus system slowly but surely, it is sometimes a headache to get from one place to another by bus.<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I saw Duke University for the first time this week, but
unfortunately I did not have my camera. The whole campus looks like a castle,
even the hospital (which is huge) has turrets on it. It is one nice university
but I would hate to see the tuition on it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I can't believe Matt is home and that school is starting up today! Does that mean I have been out the longest in the ward on a mission? Thank you for the shirts they will come in handy! That should be about all that I need!</div>
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I like that thought (<a href="https://www.lds.org/ensign/2010/03/learning-through-lifes-trials?lang=eng" target="_blank">Learning through Life's Trials</a>) because, I'm like most other
missionaries, in that the mission is the hardest thing I ever done. But because
missions are tough, it forces missionaries to grow spiritually. I think people may grow
the most on their missions than at any other time.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I love and I will email you again next week.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Lakey<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123479678664165429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3729870060493354308.post-72484085699226630002014-08-18T16:49:00.003-07:002014-08-18T16:49:56.045-07:0020th Birthday in DurhamThanks for the birthday presents, it was just what I needed!! I did not tell any members it was my birthday, so nobody really knew about it.<br />
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Work was rather slow this week. The ward had us go find some less actives this week and none of
them were interested in returning. We do have some investigators, but they are
progressing very slowly, so
we don't have much to work with yet. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I have been enjoying Durham the ward reminds me of Jacksonville. There is lot of young families in the ward and they feed us well.</div>
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I am figuring out Durham, the GPS is my best friend, I
have literally put hundreds of active, less active, potential and former
investigators on it. <o:p></o:p>We will start using the buses this week.</div>
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Jonathan should be fine at school, he will just need a week or two. I was nervous myself but there is nothing to be nervous of.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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That is crazy that Matt Clough is home, they say that even in America, Spanish speaking missions are very different than English ones.</div>
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As a missionary the highs are really high and the lows
are really low, but our part of the vineyard is geared towards us. Harrison
just got his first baptism on his mission and it was someone from one of his past areas. He was so excited for it. Only he understands how that feels to work so hard with her for her to get
baptized.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I too want my mission to go slow.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I love you and I will email again next week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Love,</div>
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Elder Lakey</div>
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123479678664165429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3729870060493354308.post-4175730515562978072014-08-15T04:33:00.003-07:002014-08-15T04:33:45.611-07:00Enjoying DurhamThis week has been a good one. I have really been enjoying Durham a lot and I like Elder Evans as well. I think one of the reasons I enjoy Durham so much is that Durham is a research town most of the ward is either connected to Duke University or the Research Triangle. Many of the members are students at Duke and are studying a lot of the things I enjoy learning about.<br />
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The work has been rather slow due to fact neither me or
Elder Evans know much about the area yet, it is also difficult to get around
because Durham is a rather spread out city, but we are planning on
experimenting with the bus system here. We live in an apartment complex that is own by a member
that lives in the Roxboro branch and many other members live in it as well.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am glad that summer is almost over! I know that kids don't enjoy the summer coming to an end but I do, due to the fact it should get cooler, even though it has been a really mild summer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I can't believe I'm about to be 20 it seems so crazy to me!! But I really don't need anything at the moment for my birthday.</div>
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I really enjoyed that story you told me about the MTC
missionaries. Many missionaries had to
sacrifice a lot more than I did to go on a mission. A lot of missionaries have
a lot more challenges and difficulties than I do. I really appreciate what you did for them.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I love you and I will email you again next week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Love, </div>
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Elder Lakey<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123479678664165429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3729870060493354308.post-57863896087485767292014-08-04T13:37:00.002-07:002014-08-04T13:37:51.750-07:00Hello DurhamI am now in the Durham 2nd ward, which covers
the northern half of the city of Durham. It is where a lot of suburbs are with a good sprinkling of Duke students. Unfortunately, the ward boundary ends about two blocks before you get to Duke University.<br />
<br />
I am half bike and half car just like Jacksonville. Durham 2nd is a really established ward, members feed us every night and the church attendance is literally double that of Pembroke! Many of the members are young families doing post grad research at Duke and being paid to do it no less. I am with Elder Evans who as been out as long as Elder Hjorth has. We share the ward with Sisters (as usual). We will be half bike half car, we split the car
with the sisters. <br />
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I am sorry to hear that it's been a rough week. I will be
praying for you all. Are you all still sick? I have been doing well, I haven't
been sick since the first couple weeks of Pembroke.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As far as a birthday present goes, the only thing I can
think of is making sure that when they give permission to release Ipads to the mission that we
can buy one, but I think that is about it.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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As far as I can tell most people that join the church and
stay active in it start investigating when they see the good influence of
friends and family who are members. The church is true, but that doesn't mean a
thing if we don't live the Gospel that makes us Christlike.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I love you all and I will email you again next week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Love, </div>
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Elder Lakey<o:p></o:p></div>
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123479678664165429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3729870060493354308.post-28124624871774779232014-07-28T13:10:00.000-07:002014-08-04T13:21:13.394-07:00Farewell PembrokeHonestly not a lot to report, it has been a slow week with a lot of lessons canceled on us. Sherman is getting the Priesthood next Sunday though.<br />
<br />
I still don't know where I am going. I am a little sad to be leaving Pembroke, I took some pictures with some of the members, but I am also excited to go to my next area.<br />
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I'm glad that Kiley had a great wedding. Where is she going to live at? And what are going to be her plans now? </div>
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<o:p>That is crazy that Sis. Embry is home from her mission! I remember home teaching the family when she left! </o:p></div>
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Is Rob making the Hills new house the one students will
be building for the year?<o:p></o:p></div>
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I like that thought (<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gordon B Hinckley “Lord, Increase Our Faith”</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">). </span> I was reading an Ensign article the other day on what to do
when you don't know what to do. And the answer is ask the Lord for guidance and
go and do what ever he tells to do even if you don't know why to do it.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I love you and I will email you next week.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Love,<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elder Lakey<o:p></o:p></div>
Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15123479678664165429noreply@blogger.com0