Happy anniversary! I for one am glad you two got married, even if it was a six day engagement... I owe my life to that happiest of all decisions. I'm sure you didn't know what you two were getting into fully, but it has been a beautiful journey and there is yet much more to come. Speeking of engagements, what'd you guys think of Dia? All I got was that Mom loves her--which is nice but not all that informative, at least not coming from mom.
> So there is a chance that I will get transfered the eve of christmas eve, but President said he will try and minimize transfers, so we'll see.
> The work here in Brainerd has kind of Plateaued and we're looking for ways to break the level again. There is only so much tracking we can do. Other creative ideas never seem to yeild much fruit. And as a missionary we have alot of responsibility but zero ward-authority. By that I mean we can't decide anything for the ward. Any ideas we have for the ward become just another burden on the ward and their time. So for the most part we just teach, track, and stop by. Quality refferals are few but we are still teaching over 20 lessons a week. So it's still going well. We'll have a white Christmas--a baptism on Dec 12. We are hoping for another miracle baptism.
> Well if you think about it it's probably a good thing they changed the ward boundaries. The Blairs would have had to be in our shadow all the time and just imagine how hard that would be...jk. Well The blairs can always move again... I guess you'll still see them fairly often. I do have one comment on one of the reasons for changing boudaries being home teaching. The people here in Brainerd cover an area thirty minuets to an hour in each direction. More than an hour north. Some people drive an hour to church each week. And home teaching can be an hour in opposite directions between two families. So if they changed the boudaries to make home teaching easier in Littleton... I'm just saying. So who is in our ward? Are the youth programs about equal between wards now? So will we finaly have some good competition in the Church BBall tournament?
> By the way has anyone finnished the Table at Ben and Gabby's?
>
> This week I had one of the tenderest experiences on my mission. We have been going to the home of the Rosiers about once a week since we've been in Brainerd. Sis Rosier has been preparing for her rebaptism and we've been teaching her nephew Lemuel the discussions. He doesn't know who he is named after yet... We had Thanksgiving at their place. She was rebaptize on Saturday. We walked into the room and her Mother (90 years old) was crying and Sister Rosier was beaming. The ceremony was interesting but made perfect by Sis Rosiers sincerity. She was sobbing when she entered the font. When she came out she exclamed, "I'm so happy." It seemed almost childish and fittingly so. Seeing she was coming unto christ in her old age as a little child. she recieved the Holy Ghost and they were about to close the meeting but she wanted to bear her testimony. She spoke with the force and conviction of Elder Holland. It was a beautiful procession to see pass by and be a whitness on earth as there were witnesses in heaven of a prodigal returned into the father's home. We are all prodigal and if we can just return each time we stray, humbly and contrite we will someday inherit the birthright.
>
> A masterful talk was given in church yesterday. I asked for a copy and want to send it home. It was given by Brother Oldem who grew up actually in Littleton but the far end of Littleton.
>
> I love you all. what we are asked to do is so small. It is only made large by our thinking so. If we can just bear our trials with patience they will become blessings. Hurrah for Israel.
>
> Love, Elder Sabey
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Josh's letter 11/26
I'm sure you would be glad to hear that I did keep the day holy by participating in the turkey bowl this morning. It was alot of fun. I haven't played football in along time. I think I will be sore tomorrow. But I'm glad to see the church is the same all around the world... Well I woke up at 6:30am but I didn't want to work out because we were going to play football so I wrote a thanksgiving poem.
Thursday Sacrament
The turkey’s an ugly bird
no form or comeliness
or beauty to desire for.
A kind of vulture, my teacher said
that eats both the living and the dead.
Two evenings have gone by
since we killed our bird together
shot it through the side
scourged and plucked its feathers.
Today we stuffed the bowels full
placed it in the crucible
until the pink turned white
it no longer seemed to be
the bird we shot from flight
The tables covered white linen first
my father carves the beast
so his family may eat:
broken bread, broken meat,
broken hands, broken feet
broken wings, broken tears
broken heart, broken fears
Thanks you ugly vulture
I dont know why
somehow your death
means I can fly
As we eat this first and last supper
our hearts are over filled
with flesh of the bird we killed
all that remains: napkin and table cloth
and hope that the human condition is not lost.
The end
‘
I don’t know about the second to last stanza but it’s a work in progress only it probably won’t progress any time soon.
Well Brian was right about Bro Lund those were my feelings exactly. I have such a hard time talking about the Atonement for that exact reason. I feel there is no way to express it and the closest way is through some sort of fiction. Some epic or myth, some story. My poem is supposed to express this. That somehow through Christ the huge pool of human tormoil of human suffering--the great human cacophany and distance may strike a cord. We are all responsible to all and for all and I more than all the rest and so I am in a way guilty of the whole human condition. Everything will be made okay and just through Christ. Nothing now is just where as everything without it is unjust. David I appreciated your letter. Mom I forgive you for not writing me... You too Rachel and Matt and Cubby. Yes I got the fedEx package. Thank you for the socks and the hypothermia protection. We actually kind of had an Indian summer the last two weeks. It was the warmest it’s been since I got to Brainerd. Now it is cooling down again. I loved hearing about that case. It sounded really intence. They should probabably should make a movie out of it.
Well I might have sometime later to type but for now I am very greatful for my family. I am greatful for each of you. I'm excited for what is to come. I'm greatful for this chance to serve a mission. I’m greatful for all those who came before. I am now reaping what I did not sow and sowing what I will not reap. We had a lesson with a really neat family. The only reason they let us in was because they have seen so many missionaries and seen them treated rudely by others and by themselves and still they keep coming. He asked how do we do it. We answered best we could. I felt a great surge of hope. There are many many many who are like him who perhaps will invite missionaries in because I--and because my companions and other missionaries will keep knocking--keep trying. sowing seeds. Someday they will hear us and perhaps join us in the beautiful land of Zion. I'm greatful for those who came before in bringing this great country and the standard of freedom into the world. The many who died that we may live. It is up to us that their sacrifice will not have been in vain now, but in an eternal perspective and thanks to Christ it cannot and will never be in vain.
Hurrah for Israel.
With gratitude for my wounderful family,
Elder Sabey
ps did you ever get my message about sending me winter boots? I wasn't sure if it sent. If not I was just hoping that you could send me my winter boots. That should be the cheepest way to get warm boots.
Thursday Sacrament
The turkey’s an ugly bird
no form or comeliness
or beauty to desire for.
A kind of vulture, my teacher said
that eats both the living and the dead.
Two evenings have gone by
since we killed our bird together
shot it through the side
scourged and plucked its feathers.
Today we stuffed the bowels full
placed it in the crucible
until the pink turned white
it no longer seemed to be
the bird we shot from flight
The tables covered white linen first
my father carves the beast
so his family may eat:
broken bread, broken meat,
broken hands, broken feet
broken wings, broken tears
broken heart, broken fears
Thanks you ugly vulture
I dont know why
somehow your death
means I can fly
As we eat this first and last supper
our hearts are over filled
with flesh of the bird we killed
all that remains: napkin and table cloth
and hope that the human condition is not lost.
The end
‘
I don’t know about the second to last stanza but it’s a work in progress only it probably won’t progress any time soon.
Well Brian was right about Bro Lund those were my feelings exactly. I have such a hard time talking about the Atonement for that exact reason. I feel there is no way to express it and the closest way is through some sort of fiction. Some epic or myth, some story. My poem is supposed to express this. That somehow through Christ the huge pool of human tormoil of human suffering--the great human cacophany and distance may strike a cord. We are all responsible to all and for all and I more than all the rest and so I am in a way guilty of the whole human condition. Everything will be made okay and just through Christ. Nothing now is just where as everything without it is unjust. David I appreciated your letter. Mom I forgive you for not writing me... You too Rachel and Matt and Cubby. Yes I got the fedEx package. Thank you for the socks and the hypothermia protection. We actually kind of had an Indian summer the last two weeks. It was the warmest it’s been since I got to Brainerd. Now it is cooling down again. I loved hearing about that case. It sounded really intence. They should probabably should make a movie out of it.
Well I might have sometime later to type but for now I am very greatful for my family. I am greatful for each of you. I'm excited for what is to come. I'm greatful for this chance to serve a mission. I’m greatful for all those who came before. I am now reaping what I did not sow and sowing what I will not reap. We had a lesson with a really neat family. The only reason they let us in was because they have seen so many missionaries and seen them treated rudely by others and by themselves and still they keep coming. He asked how do we do it. We answered best we could. I felt a great surge of hope. There are many many many who are like him who perhaps will invite missionaries in because I--and because my companions and other missionaries will keep knocking--keep trying. sowing seeds. Someday they will hear us and perhaps join us in the beautiful land of Zion. I'm greatful for those who came before in bringing this great country and the standard of freedom into the world. The many who died that we may live. It is up to us that their sacrifice will not have been in vain now, but in an eternal perspective and thanks to Christ it cannot and will never be in vain.
Hurrah for Israel.
With gratitude for my wounderful family,
Elder Sabey
ps did you ever get my message about sending me winter boots? I wasn't sure if it sent. If not I was just hoping that you could send me my winter boots. That should be the cheepest way to get warm boots.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Josh's letter Nov. 16 2009
First off how was Dad's Birthday? I hope he got a tool for his present but if not I'm sure what ever it was is a good present too, just not as good...
We had a great week. This Sunday was the best of the mission so far. We had three side pews full of people we brought to church and we think it will be better next week. Most of them were re-activating families but one of them was the Higgins family. The Higgins are such a wonderful family. We tracted into them after being yelled at by the husband of a potential investigator we had set up a time to meet with. The husband of the potential inestigator assured us that she had not set up an appointment with us. I'm still persuaded she had. (ha ha) alas. But anyhow we tracted with the extra time we had and knocked on a two story white house. A man answered the door and we began our spill: "We are missionaries from the Church of Jesus Crist of Latter Day Saints. Have you heard of that church before?" He told us that he was a member, But hadn't gone for a while (15 to 20 years). His wife came down and we asked if she was also a member. She wasn't. We asked if we could come by and teach them some time. They agreed. We taught the first lesson our first visit. The notion of baptism was already present. They were looking for some changes in their life. We them watched the movie The Restoration and talked about what they had read in the Book of Mormon. At the end of the second lesson we talked about some of the commandments that they should be aware of because we could see they smoked and drank coffee and probably acholhol. We were right. She asked about coffee and we gave a quick answer and said we'd explain more about it next time. When we returned she told us that she had given up coffee and would give up cigaretes and alchohol. We hadn't taught the lesson yet. She said she had prayed about it and knew it was right. We taught the lesson. The next lesson we finnished the commandments including titithing. Jason her housband testified that he knew titihing had blessed his family growing up. They lived penny to penny they said but they would pay their tithing because they knew god would bless them. I continue to be amazed by their faith. I wonder if I would be able to do what they are doing had I not grown up in the faith. I am so glad I have grown up in the faith. It was so beautiful to see them at church with their little family ( an 8 year old and a three year old.) They also have two 1 year olds but they left them with grandma. Sister Higgins BDay--or baptism day is going to be December 5th. I love watching sister Higgins when we teach her and she feels the spirit. She simply smiles.
Yesterday we also had another neat event. Brother Lund--whom I think I have mentioned before--is a socially enept and challenged man. He has obsessive compulsive disorder and depression. But I have never met a better man. Perhaps he doesn't have brains or bronze but he's not dumb and has something higher. He has the pure love of Christ that passeth all understanding. He serves always. He has no money but drives us anywhere. He would drive us anyday at anytime we asked him. If he heard we needed help he would call us and not take no for an answer. He is hard to bring joint teaching because he rambels and sort of stutters and apologizes for everything he says. But the ward threw him a party--It was his BDay yesterday. Several members gathered at the Howard's house and we asked brother Lund to go joint teaching with us. They were there waiting for him. He had a beaming smile on his face when we saw him--already surprised. (We showed up late). It was just really nice to see the ward be able to appreciate this great man. Everyone sat around and listened to him ramble and laugh and all rejoiced together.
Well Thanks giving is comming and the semester is nearly over for those of you in school. Christmas is soon. I'll bet Rachel is getting excited. No decorating until after thanksgiving. So is Dia comming to our home for thanksgiving? Is Brent and Christen engaged yet?
David mentioned the Theory of relativity. It raminded me of a quote I might have already sharred from Einstein: He said (paraphrased) you can look at the world as if there are no miracles or you can look at the world as if that is all there is. I take the latter.
Well my next P-Day is thanksgiving. I'll write then.
I'll miss the family this comming season but I know I'm in the right place. So be good boys and girls that’s what I want for my Christmas present... But seriously have a sacred and wonderful time together with gratiude for our family and particularly our parents who have done everything for us.
Love Elder Sabey
We had a great week. This Sunday was the best of the mission so far. We had three side pews full of people we brought to church and we think it will be better next week. Most of them were re-activating families but one of them was the Higgins family. The Higgins are such a wonderful family. We tracted into them after being yelled at by the husband of a potential investigator we had set up a time to meet with. The husband of the potential inestigator assured us that she had not set up an appointment with us. I'm still persuaded she had. (ha ha) alas. But anyhow we tracted with the extra time we had and knocked on a two story white house. A man answered the door and we began our spill: "We are missionaries from the Church of Jesus Crist of Latter Day Saints. Have you heard of that church before?" He told us that he was a member, But hadn't gone for a while (15 to 20 years). His wife came down and we asked if she was also a member. She wasn't. We asked if we could come by and teach them some time. They agreed. We taught the first lesson our first visit. The notion of baptism was already present. They were looking for some changes in their life. We them watched the movie The Restoration and talked about what they had read in the Book of Mormon. At the end of the second lesson we talked about some of the commandments that they should be aware of because we could see they smoked and drank coffee and probably acholhol. We were right. She asked about coffee and we gave a quick answer and said we'd explain more about it next time. When we returned she told us that she had given up coffee and would give up cigaretes and alchohol. We hadn't taught the lesson yet. She said she had prayed about it and knew it was right. We taught the lesson. The next lesson we finnished the commandments including titithing. Jason her housband testified that he knew titihing had blessed his family growing up. They lived penny to penny they said but they would pay their tithing because they knew god would bless them. I continue to be amazed by their faith. I wonder if I would be able to do what they are doing had I not grown up in the faith. I am so glad I have grown up in the faith. It was so beautiful to see them at church with their little family ( an 8 year old and a three year old.) They also have two 1 year olds but they left them with grandma. Sister Higgins BDay--or baptism day is going to be December 5th. I love watching sister Higgins when we teach her and she feels the spirit. She simply smiles.
Yesterday we also had another neat event. Brother Lund--whom I think I have mentioned before--is a socially enept and challenged man. He has obsessive compulsive disorder and depression. But I have never met a better man. Perhaps he doesn't have brains or bronze but he's not dumb and has something higher. He has the pure love of Christ that passeth all understanding. He serves always. He has no money but drives us anywhere. He would drive us anyday at anytime we asked him. If he heard we needed help he would call us and not take no for an answer. He is hard to bring joint teaching because he rambels and sort of stutters and apologizes for everything he says. But the ward threw him a party--It was his BDay yesterday. Several members gathered at the Howard's house and we asked brother Lund to go joint teaching with us. They were there waiting for him. He had a beaming smile on his face when we saw him--already surprised. (We showed up late). It was just really nice to see the ward be able to appreciate this great man. Everyone sat around and listened to him ramble and laugh and all rejoiced together.
Well Thanks giving is comming and the semester is nearly over for those of you in school. Christmas is soon. I'll bet Rachel is getting excited. No decorating until after thanksgiving. So is Dia comming to our home for thanksgiving? Is Brent and Christen engaged yet?
David mentioned the Theory of relativity. It raminded me of a quote I might have already sharred from Einstein: He said (paraphrased) you can look at the world as if there are no miracles or you can look at the world as if that is all there is. I take the latter.
Well my next P-Day is thanksgiving. I'll write then.
I'll miss the family this comming season but I know I'm in the right place. So be good boys and girls that’s what I want for my Christmas present... But seriously have a sacred and wonderful time together with gratiude for our family and particularly our parents who have done everything for us.
Love Elder Sabey
Monday, November 9, 2009
Josh's letter 11/9
This week my companion and I have recieved quite a bit of praise that is not well deserved. Things in Brainerd have picked up but it is not because me and my companion are so great. In fact I argue with my present companion far more than any before. He is a good missionary though, a very stong leader. The bishop told the mission presendent that he could not be happier with the missionaries and another women said that we cannot be transfered becuase she needs us in her home to help her and her husband and children. The weird thing is we hardly know the bishop--who is new, or the lady. I feel almost guilty. I'm not being self disparaging, we just really didn't deserve it but it was nice. It is really easy to feel terrible and like a failure as a missionary. I think this is because we have so little control. It is the Lord’s work not ours. I originally thought that I was going to come and convice people of the truthfulness of the restored gospel. Either through elequence of logic or the "power" of my testimony. But all these things have no influence unless the investigators opens their heart and if they do that then all of a sudden I matter even less because it is the Holy Ghost that teaches then. Logic is fickle and elequence is momentary and for the most part unappreciated anyhow. And even testimony is dependent on the chemistry of the conversation. It is impossible for my testiomy to be born with any sort of power unless the situation allows it. I am far less a teacher and far more a finder. Though missionaries are the teacher finders and the ward is the full time finders. The work moves so slow until we find someone. Finding the person is by far the hardest and biggest part of the job.
We had an amazing stake conference. Pres and Sis Howell gave talks and the whole meeting was focused on missionary work. It was held an hour and a half away from Brainerd in St Cloud in the university there. There was over a 1000 people. Sis Howell gave a fabulous talk about how god’s plan--or his responsibilities he gives us--are not a burden but a blessing. Then the pioneers of the area got up and bore testimonies. One half of the people present were first generation members and converts. The pioneers talked about going to Utah for the temple and then Chicago and then Minneapolis "our own backyard" (3 hours away). They talked about meeting in houses and stores then dependent suday schools and then branches and wards and now this newly organized stake. It was the first stake confrence of the new stake and there was a lot of zeal for the gospel and missionary work. It was a beautiful sight.
Does anyone sleep down stairs...I have a feeling my room may be no more...Sounds like it might be worth it though. But I do have an objection to having Cubbies friends come over to watch TV downstairs. It is much more fun to play a game or outside. I know that’s what mom has always said and it’s true. I do not remember a time spent on a game system that would have been better spent in a more social and active/interactive enviroment. Don’t get me wrong (Rachel) I still think there’s alot of fun and in moderation they can be a blast but the Sabey household is famous for its acivities. I like it that way. I'm just saying...
Dad, first off I really enjoyed your letter this week. I think I might incorporate your preface to a blessing. I missed St Crispen’s day and Tom’s Bday. I got Toms letter a day or so after. I forced my companion to listen to the speech anyhow. I dont think he appreciated it like he should. Actually he didn't appriciate it at all. I'm glad to hear you went to save Bro Jensen. Sounds like a wonderful ox in the myer situation. I think I would have been scared though. I'm glad he's okay. That’s a dangerous thing to be lost, wet at night in the mountains. I remember several mountain adventures with you: Hiking out the sande de cristo mnts. That was one of those heroic--in our own minds--moments. Same with climbing capitol. That was a memory never to be forgotten and yes mona lisa smiled and will always smile as I reflect on that trip and many of the other expirences that seem like moments caught on a film, a "panoramic drama", the emotion and strife and joy put into a single still frame of mountain grandure. I love the mountains. They are a legacy of you to me. The mountains of the lord. We all climb mountians and they are dangerous and hard and not really fun at all but I can imagine no more joy than standing on top of a mountain with my family looking down into the lakes and valleys below. All goes down. That to me symbolizes the temple and families continuing on forever. Running down the trail together. So give me this mountain--let us climb and see what’s on the other side of the mountain. Every time we have ascended a mountain and returned no where but home again it was not the same place we began. The mountains have changed me and so have you Dad. I recall a preisthood blessing where perhaps you and I were carried up unto an exceedingly high mountain on the wings of your faith. And you saw a beautiful picture there that you painted to me through loving words. Words that I saw clearly. I will always remember and that will keep me moving when I do not feel I can. Thanks for the pictures Dad. I love you. Happy BDay.
Love you all
PS. My adress:
901 12th Ave NE
We had an amazing stake conference. Pres and Sis Howell gave talks and the whole meeting was focused on missionary work. It was held an hour and a half away from Brainerd in St Cloud in the university there. There was over a 1000 people. Sis Howell gave a fabulous talk about how god’s plan--or his responsibilities he gives us--are not a burden but a blessing. Then the pioneers of the area got up and bore testimonies. One half of the people present were first generation members and converts. The pioneers talked about going to Utah for the temple and then Chicago and then Minneapolis "our own backyard" (3 hours away). They talked about meeting in houses and stores then dependent suday schools and then branches and wards and now this newly organized stake. It was the first stake confrence of the new stake and there was a lot of zeal for the gospel and missionary work. It was a beautiful sight.
Does anyone sleep down stairs...I have a feeling my room may be no more...Sounds like it might be worth it though. But I do have an objection to having Cubbies friends come over to watch TV downstairs. It is much more fun to play a game or outside. I know that’s what mom has always said and it’s true. I do not remember a time spent on a game system that would have been better spent in a more social and active/interactive enviroment. Don’t get me wrong (Rachel) I still think there’s alot of fun and in moderation they can be a blast but the Sabey household is famous for its acivities. I like it that way. I'm just saying...
Dad, first off I really enjoyed your letter this week. I think I might incorporate your preface to a blessing. I missed St Crispen’s day and Tom’s Bday. I got Toms letter a day or so after. I forced my companion to listen to the speech anyhow. I dont think he appreciated it like he should. Actually he didn't appriciate it at all. I'm glad to hear you went to save Bro Jensen. Sounds like a wonderful ox in the myer situation. I think I would have been scared though. I'm glad he's okay. That’s a dangerous thing to be lost, wet at night in the mountains. I remember several mountain adventures with you: Hiking out the sande de cristo mnts. That was one of those heroic--in our own minds--moments. Same with climbing capitol. That was a memory never to be forgotten and yes mona lisa smiled and will always smile as I reflect on that trip and many of the other expirences that seem like moments caught on a film, a "panoramic drama", the emotion and strife and joy put into a single still frame of mountain grandure. I love the mountains. They are a legacy of you to me. The mountains of the lord. We all climb mountians and they are dangerous and hard and not really fun at all but I can imagine no more joy than standing on top of a mountain with my family looking down into the lakes and valleys below. All goes down. That to me symbolizes the temple and families continuing on forever. Running down the trail together. So give me this mountain--let us climb and see what’s on the other side of the mountain. Every time we have ascended a mountain and returned no where but home again it was not the same place we began. The mountains have changed me and so have you Dad. I recall a preisthood blessing where perhaps you and I were carried up unto an exceedingly high mountain on the wings of your faith. And you saw a beautiful picture there that you painted to me through loving words. Words that I saw clearly. I will always remember and that will keep me moving when I do not feel I can. Thanks for the pictures Dad. I love you. Happy BDay.
Love you all
PS. My adress:
901 12th Ave NE
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)