So another week has passed again... this is nuts. I survived transferes, luckily, so we're still together, me and Elder Sanchez. :) YAY! I love this guy :) Best trainer EVER ;) 

Some shout outs:

Maggie: was said to be a FANTASTIC witch in the HS production of Wizard of Oz

the unnamed lion: I know not whom thou art, but I know of your valiant qualities. (apparently stole the show.

Madame Davis: Hi back! I'm sorry, but learning Spanish has destroyed my French. I don't even remember how to make the nasal sounds... kinda sad really... 

Don't drink and drive!

Now, on to the fun part. What the snot has Elder Decker been doing this week, well I'll tell ya. 

Elder Decker, first off, has been trying to learn how to teach the gospel to white people. White people are SUPER weird, no offence. I just don't know what to say (which is funny, cause I actually speak English...) I've started teaching gringos, because this week we started bilingual work here in Jackson. English work is way different. It's way easier. 

A miracle that has happened in the English work is that WE GOT A GOLDEN REFERRAL! We're going to meet her tonight. She's into the BoM, and wants baptism. She even wanted to FEED us before she even met us. We're super excited. This is especially significant, because we JUST started bilingual, and the English Elders who we transferred were flojos (slackers) and they got the referral, but it was right before they left. They haven't been obedient, and we have, and we got the gold. 

Friends, if you are obedient, God will bless you abundantly. If you keep the commandments, you will be blessed with Eternal Life! What MORE could you want? BUT it doesn't stop there. God blesses us in this life too. So... DO IT. KEEP the commandments. It's the only smart thing to do! SO DO IT!

I got my new BIKE this week :) We're going to ride a SWEET trail today. Trails are in abundance here, and I'm stoked. 

So, my spiritual thought for today.... you may be sick of this topic, but that's that. gratitude.

When we show gratitude, studies have shown, that we actually psychically become happier.  Studies have shown that when you are more thankful, you exercise more, are much less likely to be depressed. 

PLUS it makes everybody around you happier too. When people show gratitude to me, it COMPLETELY  changes my day.
Show gratitude. 

The people here are fantastic. SUPER giving, and SUPER kind. We've gotten a bunch of delicious goodies that we don't have the stomach capacity to eat, so we share with our District. :) good problem to have :)

the work is STILL progressing here! :D we've got another baptismal date with more probables. Friends, the work in hastening, but the only way it can actually do it in by everybody working, so do it :) 

I love you! I miss you! but NEVER enough to THINK about coming home. That would be awful.

Honoring God

Elder Decker

ANOTHER WEEK HAS GONE BY ALREADY! This is madness. I've been out for 12 weeks. The only things that convinces me that this time has gone by is the snow on the ground, and I'm almost out of a transfer agenda. What the freedom fries?!? 

We've been working like dogs here in Jackson for 6 weeks, and NOW WE HAVE A BAPTISMAL DATE!!! :DDDDDD Pray for Moises :) He's a great guy. :) 

Another pretty big change for the work here in Jackson is that... This is now going to be a bilingual area. Elder Sanchez and I will be the only 2 missionaries for 10,000 people. This is insanity. This is madness. We're going to have to be Spartan missionaries. This is our planner just for the Spanish work that we filled out before we knew what was going to happen. 

We understand, though, why we won't be getting more English Elders. The ones we have are flojos (slackers). They really haven't been doing anything. We'll probably be doing more English work in bilingual than they do going just English. It's super sad, but true. 

So, this work has got me thinking a lot about the Book of Mormon and how key it is. It is the proof of modern prophets. It is the proof that our Church is the only that has all the truths. Through reading it, pondering about it, and prayer, God will answer all our questions about it's truthfulness. I have done just this. and guess what? IT'S TRUE. We can talk about the Bible all we want, but in order to have faith in this church, we need to KNOW the Book of Mormon. We need to read it, mark it up with color (you should see my Alma 32), and act on the thinks it teaches. 

The book of mormon is true. It teaches the gospel of Christ. It is the same gospel that was taught by Christ and the Apostles, just by different prophets in america with different stories. 

Yesterday I was kinda down with stress, and I needed some lifting. Then we got a text from a member asking us to take part in a mission farewell :) We sang the 2nd verse of "Bring the World his Truth" in Spanish. It was very powerful and reminded me why I'm here. I love this work. To bring all to come unto Christ is my sacred calling and purpose. It is a calling and purpose we all have. Why should we share our church? Cause it's true.

 We're going to go get some free haircuts and have a district farewell party :) ttyl :)

Elder Decker

Ok, another week has flew by

twas a week of awesome work

and zero pie. 

I had the sweet opportunity to have 2 exchanges this week! My first was with my valiant District Leader, Elder Machen, and the second was with one of our Zone Leaders, Elder Solorzano from Guatemala. I learned SO MUCH from both of them. It was nuts. 

From Elder Machen I learned that I am super stressed and that I don't need to be. I've been down because we haven't had any kind of success, not even people coming to church. I learned that even though Christ was a perfect teacher, HE got rejected and killed, so me in my imperfectness, having been out in the field for only 5 weeks now, I don't have to beat myself up. I just have to continue trying my hardest. 

I don't have much time, cause we're heading to Rexburg to go shopping. We NEED some stuff. I'll just share a quick testimony:

I know that this is The true church. I know that through the atonement of Christ, we can return to live with God again. And the only way to actually repent is through Baptism by one who holds the the priesthood, and only those in this Church have that priesthood. We are the only ones who can save the world. 

I've seen some miracles this week. We've met some golden investigators, and the only reason we found one of them is because of a member referral. You have the real power in the work of salvation. 

Living is laughing and loving, and the love that lasts forever, eternal marriage, can only be found through this church. Your friends are looking for what's important. Help them find the light. 

with love,

Elder Decker

picture- Me, my comp Elder Sanchez (big hat) and the ZL's, Elders Solorzano (far right) and Morales (far left)

Blog time, week 9! 

FIRST OFF SOME SHOUT OUTS:

-everybody give a high five to:

Maggie Beard! Got 2nd place at SC-Idol singing "Don't Rain on my Parade."! I don't think I know the song, but WOOT! She's a boss

Noah Burnett! Got 1st place SC-Idol doing a piano vocal thing! I don't know what song, but if it's Noah, you KNOW it's good.

Brad Rasmusen! (misspelled!) I saw his singing in the CES fireside like a boss! 

Madison Beard! Cause I'd imagine that she was singing there too, cause she's just that awesome. If not, she's still pretty awesome and always deserves some palm to palm contact (though she may look confused and awkwardly accept your high five)

-hi back to:

Grant

Coach Clark

Alright, Halloween was a blast! We played gatorball (which is a mix of football and soccer) for a bit then ultimate dodgeball (every man for himself. Hit you die, when the guy that got you get's out, you're alive.) THEN (drum roll) We watched...................................................... MONSTER'S UNIVERSITY! I forgot how good it is :) the short purple guy with the crazy legs and tiny arms is my favorite. "I CAN'T GO BACK TO JAIL!" "Yeah, I don't want to get... toooo big..." 

We had a great time :) 

The work this week has been tough. We only got 10 lessons... half of our goal, but due to interviews, Halloween, transfers, and other things, we weren't able to work really that much. We've got 

 zone training tomorrow which is going to be fun! I've been asked to lead the music :) And interviews with the Mission President and his wife were good. They're both amazing people, and I'm glad that they're my mission parents, cause I can't have my own... ;)

It's amazing how the Lord takes care of us, even though we're imperfect and dumb. He still loves all of us, his blind dogs, running into sin and transgression. If we listen to him, he will not lead us astray, but he'll lead us to his home once again.

Hearing about you all is a testimony builder. Even though I'm not there to help with anything, God is. always. I wish I could hear more from you, but this is where I need my focus. 

why must it be so hard to focus? Yesterday, actually, I actually helped with the lesson while the tv was on and loads of people in a small space. It's cause I had my back to the tv, but still. The Lord's mercies, I was having a hard day. 

I've been having a little trouble keeping my faith and my head up. Today I read some of my Patriaricle Blessing and Alma 32. Alma 32 says: 

 17 Yea, there are many who do say: If thou wilt show unto us a sign from heaven, then we shall know of a surety; then we shall believe.

18 Now I ask, is this faith? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for if a man knoweth a thing he hath no cause to believe, for he knoweth it.

I was asking for miracles, signs, amazing lessons with baptismal dates, and by doing so... I lacked actual faith. 

We need to experiment. We need to "just do it" (have faith) for a little while, then we will know.

33 And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good.

 34 And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand.

I don't know everything or even almost everything, but I have felt that swelling several times. I just need to have faith and remember what I have experienced, and hope for more experiences, though I may not be having one of those right now. 

I love all of you, I'm praying for you. Make the right choices and stay fresh. 

Elder Decker

Week 8! WOW! TODAY is my 2 month mission birthday! :D This work, this week has been FANTASTIC! YEEEAAAH! 

   We had ------>17<-------- lessons this week, that's a lot! Next week we have goals that will take us over 20 if we get everything done. I have faith that we can do it, but we're SERIOUSLY going to need God's help. This past week I've been SUPER happy, cause I realized that this is the greatest work anyone could do in their life EVER. and I get to do it when I'm 18. Dang, God must have SOME trust... I continually realize how i need to improve (esp Spanish...) but I know that I can do all things with God at my side. 

Speaking of improving, I've really been working on some stuff... Heavenly Father is really blessing my Spanish efforts, I'm learning things fast. Sento el poder de Dios en todos me obras cuando puedo por ayuda. Este es solomente mediante el Espiritu. Nessitamos el Espiritu mas in nuestro vidas para recibir los bendiciones nessitamos. Dad, google translate. ;) 

   I've been working on Spanish, but REALLY working on submitting my will to God's, and loving the people. Probably my greatest challenge here is focusing on my purpose and NOT thinking about GIRLS. Why do they have to be so awesome? I thought when you went on your mission there suddenly appears a shield between you and those temptingly fantastic beings we call girls. In seminary, whenever we talk about temptations, girls are ALWAYS mentioned, to be funny, but really though. MY WORK HERE IS THE ETERNAL SALVATION, I don't want to be thinking about marriage right now. That is not my purpose. In the MTC I gave up writing friends, and all of my last letters are out of my life now. I hoped that would fix all my problems, but then I start stressing out about what they thought about the letter and other such nonsense. I've been praying, asking for Heavenly Father to take away my weakness, and make me only think about how I can help those I serve. I want to be the best missionary I can be... everybody who happens to encounter this blog, please pray for my focus, specifically. I've always had a lot of trouble, but if you and God help be, We can accomplish anything, even the aligning of my will and FOCUS with God's. 

   I've had some trouble loving some of the people. The people who ask stupid, random questions (ie, how tall do you think the tower of Babel is?), but I'm trying. I need to further realize God's love for each of these people. 

   Now off to the fun/ funny parts. ;) First off, Thursday is HALLOWEEN, my first Halloween I won't be trick or treating (don't judge), and WE GET TO WATCH A MOVIE, MAYBE TWO! And we're having a zone wide party :) So, the movie that we're almost SURE we're watching is Nacho (FREAKING) Libre! OH YEAH! We'll also carve potatos :) good times. :) I'll talk about that party... next Monday after it happens... ;)

   Oh yeah, so we were on the way to a part member family's apartment. We had just turned a corner in the courtyard when we see this little fat Mexican kid, walking his bike. (looked EXACTLY like Chancho (fun fact: the english translation of that word is literally "fat kid")) We and this Chancho are walking on colliding courses. He sees us, starts freaking out, says "leave me alone!" struggles to turn himself and his bike around, struggles still more to get on his bike, swerves around, panicked, and leaves. I must confess, I TOTALLY thought he was joking... so I called out to him as he struggled to get on his bike: "los misioneros, NO!" (the missionaries, NO!) ...... We felt SUPER confused, until later, then we couldn't stop laughing. haha Good times. ;) Oh... Chancho. ;) "Wait! We just need to borrow some SWEATS!" This work is kinda fun. You've just got to take everything with a joyful heart. :)

   We've got interviews with the Mission Pres and his wife tomorrow. I... kinda can't wait :) I love them. :) 

Please pray for me, and if you happened to make to many pastries, or have some deer jerky you don't want, feel free to send some. ;) Actually, vegetables too. :) 

oh yeah, stake conference happened. All about member missionary work. 

the 3 H's of member missionary work are:

House: GET OUT OF IT. Get involved, coach soccer teams, get to know non members

Happiness: nobody has ever wanted to be like somebody who wasn't happy, we know why we're here, and where we're going, we have the greatest reason in the world to be happy.

Hypocrisy: DON'T DO IT. Be the same, amazing person that you say your church makes people be. The gospel of Christ is ALL about being a better person. Be the best person you can be. 

Have an amazing week. Remember who you are. :) don't drink and drive!

SWEET week as a whole. Made all our goals except 1 (contacting referrals) and exceeded in most. OH YEAH! Yesterday was a hard day though... We expected like 5 people to come to church... how many came? ...zero. We had no lessons, though we had appointments and we visited loads... and a drunk Jehovah's Witness gave us back a BoM, said it wasn't anything like the bible, not true, and... S word... Plus I was sick. Not my best day in the field... anyway, yeah. I'm glad today's P Day so I can regroup my spirits...

Saturday I got to PLAY THE SAX DURING A LESSON! It was SO sweet. I played 3 hymns, 3 at the beginning, 1 at the end. I'm probably going to do that more for this family. They had an alto sax cause their son is learning to play. They enjoyed it and it TOTALLY brought in the spirit. 

We had a pretty good lesson. 

There are A BUNCH of people who are totally ready for baptism, just haven't committed yet (that seems to be a problem for Mexicans, my Mexican trainer said that, so it's ok). The challenge it trying to convince them that the change is worth it. 

I love this work. My Spanish is advancing like a Liger advances as a magician cause of it's inbred skills in magic. My Spanish is NOT a natural thing, The Spirit has been helping me a bunch, but it's advancing quickly. I give all glory to Heavenly Father for my Spanish. Maybe a bit to my AWESOME trainer, Elder Sanchez. 

So we went up and knocked on an investigator's door and someone from within yelled "Come In!" so we did. There was a man watching a really weird movie. He was old... and white... this was not the right house. We just stood there, like... hi... When he saw who we were, he got up really fast and practically pushed us out the door. All that we had the ability to say was "I don't think we're in the right house..." as he pushed us out the door. He was like "Yeah, me neither, go teach someone else," slightly rudely, but we can't really blame him. Two Mormon Missionaries just walked into his house, not who he expected. 

After we got out the door and down the steps, we COULD NOT stop laughing. The investigator's house was next door, and we continued our evening. Good times... HAHA

So another week of missionary work, up's and downs, rights and wrong doors. This gospel is true, and the best thing in this world. Stay fantastic, stay sweet, love with all your heart, and don't eat not completely cooked fish, or you'll get sick like me. ;)

Elder Decker

Blog time from Poke! But really, I'm in Jackson Wyoming! The grand, beautiful ski resort... pretty much. ;) I'm not teaching real people, or rather my new, AWESOME, comp, Elder Sanchez, is and I, after finally figuring out what they're talking about, insert a little thing here or there. Spanish is hard. They talk, here, either SUPER fast, or with weird accents. Weird accent being: not from Mexico City. 

Pres. Brinkerhoff is super cool! Sister Brinkerhoff has taken a particular liking to me. She said that I remind her of her sons. *FIST PUMP* She's super funny though. She says to us "keep your hearts locked" which is fine and dandy, but she also says after "but keep your eyes open." She's funny. Haha 

We had a meeting for the the new missionaries and their trainers. It was good. I got to see my Poke house bros again. (the guys at the CCM going to Pocatello) That was super sweet. 

In the Mexico City airport I placed 2 LdM (BoM in Spanish) to 2 very nice families. *FIST PUMP* I love this work so much!

This work is AWESOME but pretty hard. Nobody's ever home, so lessons are hard to come by and there hasn't been a baptism in this area for Spanish yet this year... We're going to do it though. WE WILL. 

Elder Sanchez is MUCH more like me than my last comp. He really wants to and likes to work hard. He's more diligent than ME, and I've been trying to be diligent this whole time. He's also a native speaker of Spanish and has super good English, so he's been a huge help to me in learning Spanish. I didn't have that shock of suddenly being depressed about how little I knew Spanish like so many other Missionaries do. I never was very good at the CCM so I already knew I wasn't good. Actually, I've come to realize that I understand MUCH more that I thought I did. It's SWEET! 

The work here is HARD work. NOBODY has time for lessons cause everyone has like 3 jobs. People who have the ability to come to church are even fewer, but we're trying to find those lucky ones and trying to convince people that coming to church is worth talking to their boss about. The people haven't ever really gone to church cause... well... they're all catholic... 

Actually the Catholics are EASIER to teach cause they're all non practicing and have little knowledge of any church, so their super humble and open to hear our message. They've never been taught that Mormons are "of the DEVIL" and other nonsense. 

Everybody is SO nice. I forgot to bring my camera to the church, so right now I have no pictures for you but hopefully... this is for you mom/dad... SOMEONE... could get some google images for you. and put them on the blog. It's super mountainy, the Tetons are right outside town, and there are pine trees ALL over them. Way better than those brown mountains the guys in Idaho get. ;) GO JACKSON!

Oh, yeah it's snowing already... 

We had a really nice lesson with a guy 2 nights ago. He and his family were SUPER receptive to our message, took a LdM, Plan of Salvation pamphlet and prayed for us at the end of the lesson. That's not common. Unfortunately, his schedule is: work in North Dakota for a month, come home for 2 days. I have faith that he can become converted through personal study and prayer though. 

This work is the best work EVER!

Love you! I'm praying for you!

Elder T. Decker (funny story one of the trainers is another Elder Decker, he REALLY wanted to train me.