December 30, 2013

Mother,
I don't think any amount of time on Christmas would have felt like
enough time. The family who's house we were at also made monkey bread!
So far I haven't done a Christmas without it(I think). They were
trying to make us feel as "at home" as they could but that was an
unexpected treat.
I love the messenger bag! I am going to keep the smaller one. I wore
them around the house and tried to pack them with my stuff a little
and the smaller one seemed more practical right now. I have actually
been using it since Thursday or Friday and it is awesome. I took a
picture...after I washed it... only a few of the letters came off so
it looks fine in the picture. I think I might also have one from when
I opened it.
So funny story about Christmas. I opened the package from you guys and
saw a Toms box. I got kind of excited because, despite the fact that I
wouldn't ever wear them, I kind of wanted to just hold a pair of my
Toms. I quickly found out that you just used the box :) So, side note,
don't send me Toms even though I love them because I would either
never use them or I would somehow ruin them.

 Yesterday was incredible. We had a lesson with one of our
investigators that has been progressing but decided to argue with us
about the Bible again. I wish he would just listen. It's okay, we are
going to be praying and preparing a lot before his next appointment so
we can help him.
We had church earlier in the day and one of the talks given really
stuck out to me. It was given by a 25 year old man with 2 kids. He,
and his wife, moved into the ward about six months ago because, after
much prayer, they were told to come here. They have been struggling
but have stayed upbeat and happy the whole time. He talked about our
personal agency and obedience. One of the things that really stuck
with me as being true was,"The most important decision we can make is
to repent." I thought about how true that is! If we don't repent we
will never be happier or be able to be baptized or be able to change.
We will be stagnant if we don't ever repent(and let's be honest,
stagnant things start to smell bad!) He also touched on how important
the commandments are for us. It was overall, a good day.
Toward the end of the day, I called a member of the bishopric so I
could volunteer to speak in church. He was a little surprised. I have
yet to speak in church and I have been a missionary for almost a year
so I figured it was about time. He obliged because he didn't have
anyone lined up to speak on the 12th. I am excited but since I
volunteered I have to make sure it is put together well.
Much love,
Elder Engelman

December 9, 2013

I am actually doing pretty good with the cold. Layers do wonders! I realized that my problem with the cold at home was that it was too cold to just wear a sweatshirt outside but not cold enough to wear four layers inside. It really isn't that bad. We had snow stay on the ground for the first time on Sunday. It was quite pretty! I haven't seen that before but I am glad I get to see it for at least two more years. I've been dreaming of(and singing about) a white Christmas for years and I finally have a chance at seeing one. I was quite giddy when we walked out of the church building yesterday and there was snow on the ground. I probably looked pretty ridiculous but hey, that is what happens when you grown up by a beach.

 

The work has been awesome. Did I tell you where our Zone Conference is? Nazareth! There is also a Bethlehem not too far away. It is sometime next week and I am so excited to see all the missionaries that serve around here. In my ward things have been good. We just got a ward mission leader(we have been without one for about 5 weeks) and things are coming together. It is pretty awesome. We are working with people to quit smoking and come to church and they are making progress. They haven't quite made it yet but I know they will make it soon. I have seen in a very real way that Satan is real and that he works on us pretty hard. He tries hard to be in the details of our lives. He is a pretty cheap imitation for God's matchless power and love. I have seen that God loves each of us. I know he is real and wants all of His children to return to his fold. "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd." John 10:16

We have been in His presence before and I know that He desires to have us with Him again. It is amazing the power that comes from this gospel that Christ has given us.

Love Always,

Elder Joseph Engelman

December 2, 2013

These last two weeks have definitely been cold. I don't mind it that much. Because we are usually moving when we are outside it has little effect on us. It is, however, colder during the day than it has EVER been at home during the night. I had a mini snow fight on Saturday. We were driving on a random small road when we ran into a pack of snow. We didn't literally run into it...you know what I mean. We hopped out and I made a puny snowball to throw at Elder Farrer. It was fairly life-changing. 

On Thanksgiving we played football in the morning. When we started it was probably 27 degrees out so I was freezing but as we played for a bit I took my jacket off and was playing in a t-shirt. Oh, and yes there was some snow falling. It is so strange!

We went to three families' homes for Thanksgiving. It was pretty great. The weird thing is you start judging everyone's food a lot more. Nothing compares to Aunt Rita's turkey. I think I miss your food more than anything. I heard about deep frying a turkey. You should test it sometime! just don't burn the house down.

I have been doing pretty great.
I'm out of time! :(

I love you. Here are a few pictures.

-Elder Engelman

 LOOK !!  Joseph Finally got his Way.    LoL