Transfer 3-Week 6

Haha, crazy how much difference a week can make. Last week we found 1
investigator and this week we found 9. I have some very good news D told us
that he still wants to go through with the baptism, and AM as well so I
think we will have two baptisms this Saturday. I have been so blessed in this
area, especially with solid investigators who will stay strong in the gospel. I
would rather have two solid baptisms then 100 not solid investigators. Baptism
is just the first step and we need them to be converted so they can endure to
the end. I don't know if I told you but J is struggling right now so pray
for him. The work has been rolling; it seems like everything is starting to fit
together as the transfer is about to come to a close. I believe that I will be
getting shipped out. Ephrata has been a great place. We've had quite a bit of
success the ward members are strong, and its just so cool being around this
different kind of culture. This week shold be great we have alot of dinner appointments set up including
one with the Kramers. Guess what they are feeding us. Tripe, pig
stomach,snapping turtle soup,chicken pot pie, and whoopie pies talk about an
interesting menu. Today for P-Day we are going to play ball and go to CC's
Pizza. I got myself into a predicament so the sisters in the district had been
boasting on how much they could eat so I challenged them to a contest I said I
wopuld eat 23 pieces of pizza so we will see how that goes. Me and Elder Knecht
get along well; we complement each other nicely. He's kind of the bold and says what he
wants and he has the brains. I'm more of the tender one but not the brains.
He's great and has helped me alot and I have learned alot from him. So we met
some very interesting people on Saturday.

So we have the Ephrata fair coming up this week and I guess its a really big deal.
They close off like a a mile stretch of road on main street for a whole week. Im
sure we will have plenty of chances to talk to people. It will definately take me
out of my comfort zone. I'm sure there will be many people annoyed at us but if
we can just find some poeple searching it will make it worth it. Saturday
is the Day I am so excited, we have been blessed. I have seen the gospel change
lives. It is true it brings greater happiness. I think we myself included take
for granted the gospel at times. But there are people are searching for
something that can feel their souls and we have what they need. When we have the
gospel does that mean that everything will go well in our lives, no it doesn't.
But it means that we can be supported in our trails, we can recieve answers to
prayer, it means we can have understanding of the whole eternal scheme of
things. When we have an Eternal perspective it makes us plow through the trails
with greater strength. So I want you to know that we belong to the true church I
KNOW THAT. Well I neglected to tell you about Zone Conference which was amazing.
The spirit was so strong and I learned alot. If I were to wirte you everything
I learned It would take up another four pages. I think the thing that was really
stressed was to build a strong foundation and then you can be strong enough to
endure the winds and storms that come. Also they streesed alot about obedience
that God can raise us to a higher plane but only if we are willing to sacrifice.
I loved what Rusell M.Nelson had to say. He said "The only thing we have
that is truly ours to offer is our will." That is so true everything else
was given to us by God. So let us be a little better and stand a little Taller
as President Hinckley said. I love you all I pray for your happiness and
success

Hello

Hello to all who reads this.
This week not a whole lot happened. We didnt have too much success but hey some
weeks are better then others. I think the highlight of my week was yesterday. We
went to the Hershey Theatre for Stake Conference. What a neat and ornate place.
It did have a different feel then a normal church building. I
sat up on the balcony. It was a good conference I think the themes that were hit
the most was member missionary work and not getting offended. They talked about
how members shouldn't worry what people think and that there are people want to
hear the message but we aren't willing to open our mouths. Yes, I understand that
many people will scoff at us and totally reject the message but it makes it all
worth it if you can bring one person in. If people only could get past the
misconceptions of this church they would find the greatness of this gospel.
Elder Zwick was the General Authority that came to visit. What a kind and
gracious man. After conference we drove through Chocolate World which was
pretty interesting. Last night was great; we ate dinner at the Fitzsimmons home
and had an awesome testimony meeting in their home. What a great spirit filled
room. It reaffirmed to me that this is the true church. I hope all is going
well you are in my prayers.

Love Elder Powell

Transfer 3- Week 4

Well Hey Everyone!!
What an interesting week it was, I will talk about it in a little bit. I am wondering how you all are doing. It sounded like the funeral went amazing and that things went as good as they could. I know that the pain still might linger for awhile but in time all we will remember is the sweet memories we had withGrandpa and how we will have more with him in the next life. You all remain in my prayers I thank you for your prayers and support. I have honestly felt at peace with this whole situation I think in large part to your prayers. Rely on the Lord and he will give thee strength. And when you do recieve that strength dont forget to keep praying and doing the things we are supposed too. It's easier too pray when we have things that we need but its perhaps a bit harder when things are going well and we don't feel as much of a need to pray. I know this is something I need to work on and I pray you will all stay close to the Savior. Well enough with my councel; I'll comment a little on my week.....Brother Clodie took us to Shady Maple again; oh my I love that place. News on our investigator J is doing well. He likes what we are teaching. He made the comment so what is expected of me if I become a member of your church I thought that was pretty cool. We then proceeded to teach tithing Haha and he accepted. We actually found out that J is a member of a band back in Ecuador called Prophecyas and I guess they were pretty popular in their country. J says hewill come to church this week. D is doing well he still said that the 27thwill work. He still has to finish the B.O.M but he's almost there and when he does finish I am very confident that he will be baptized. So Ive got a funny story so I tried cutting my hair for the first time. It was going well until the very end when I was going up my head the glide fell off and took a HUGE chunk out of my head. Elder Knecht tried to fix it but its still very visible. Not to mention a general authoruity is coming in two weeks I hope my hair can grow faster then it ever has Haha. Well I wanted to leave you with a story that I really liked its called Arabian Stallions. Many years ago in Arabia there lived a man whose name was Ben Yussef. He and his son were very wealthy. Their wealth came from breeding and training Arabian Stallions that were famous for their speed, beauty, and sturdiness. Each year the horses were trained and sold. They were always in great demand, but eachyear Ben Yussef and his son kept the very best for themselves. Training beganwhen the horses were very young and they were trained so that each one answer tothe call "Kyama,Kyama." When these words were heard there was athunder of hooves, swishing of manesnd tails as the horses obediently respondedto their master. One day Ben Yussef turned to his son ans said that the time hadcome for the sorting of the horses-the time for testing. These horses which hadbeen given the very best, now gradually had their luxuries cut off. Their feedwas cut down and barely enough to keep them alive and they were turned out oftheir satbles into stubby fields. Their coats were neglected and became dirtyand ragged. They were not given enough water, and they looked wild and thin.They no longer looked like the thouroughbreds they had once been. After severalmonths Ben and his son and several stable hands, reigned up the horses and ledthem to a field. Beyond its gates lay another field that everything the thehorses ever dreamed of-bran and hay,clear water, thick green pastures.The horsesshined and pulled against their reins to get to the field.Finally Ben called"Open the Gates!" the way was clear. There was nothing to stop themThe horses began to gallop, and then came the call. "Kyama,Kyama." Thehorses pricked their ears, some rushed straight on, and some looked back, then galloped on. But some stopped, turned ever so slowly, and walked back to BenYused. As Ben Yussef looked at the stallions in front of him, he said with emotion and pride-"These are my Chosen." I loved that story i think itdirectly relates to us. Their are temptations before us that look very appealingsuch as those green pastures. But the Lord calls for obedience and those whoobey him and come unto him are his chosen. I Pray we can all be his Chosen I love you all take care. Elder Powell

NOTE-Elder Powell's grandpa Blane Hendricks passed away on August 28th & that is what he is referring to in his email.