Elder Oaks This Week

This past week was a rough one. We had many lessons fall through, and a few investigators fall off date for baptism. We did everything we could, we called and confirmed appointments the night before and the day of, we had members come out with us, and we get to the door, and the person isn't there. I kept a smile on my face about it, we did everything we could, I don't feel too bad. One of the talks at church was on "trials". It was a wonderful talk. It helped me to understand that trials are given to allow us to exercise our agency, to choose to take the higher road in a tough situation. As Heavenly Father sees us accept His will, and not complain and murmur, he's able to bless us for acting on our faith. I know good things will happen this week!

This Saturday Elder Oaks and his wife are speaking to our mission! My first time meeting an apostle, I'm stoked. Afterwards we have a lunch and then a musical show. I and Elder Byrd will be singing "O Come All Ye Faithful" with Elder Tiensuu from Finland playing the Cello. It's going to be sweet.

As the week was full of bad things, I won't waste your time by typing about them. Next week will be a good one! I'm not sure what time I'll call home mother, but crazy to think this is my second Christmas huh? I'll be home next year for it, and maybe even have a wife with me! HA! Wouldn't that be something! I don't have any prospects right now, so I'll have to start from square one. Definitely by 2013 Christmas I"ll be married, no way I'm staying single that long!

Love,

Elder Scotty

We Have People to Teach

This past week was amazing. We have a few wonderful people on date for baptism. A girl whose family was being taught by Spanish speaking elders, but doesn't speak much Spanish, got passed on to us to teach. She accepted baptism for the 17th! Our newest addition is a 19 yr. old Navajo boy. We're helping him quit smoking and he is pumped about getting baptized the week of Christmas. We have great potential all over the place.

I don't think I told you all about the training Elder Byrd and I gave at leadership training. We were assigned to train on "effective personal study". We themed the training around Quidditch, and started off by riding around on brooms and singing the Harry Potter Theme song pretending to seek the snitch! We related it to how we need to "seek" the Lord's will for our investigators as we study, and how revelation will flow as we seek the right things in our studies. My Ashburn Virginia friends would be so proud. We made a little snitch and threw that around when people would raise their hands to talk, it was great!

Working with singles is still a thrill, they are so willing to help us. This past week we took some investigators to temple square with all the lights, they really progressed that night. We have a small group of people from the ward there to support them, everything went according to plan. Next Saturday Elder Oaks will speak to our mission at our Christmas Devotional. This will be my first time meeting an apostle, I'm super nervous, but excited.

That's my week, pray no snow comes!

Love,

Elder Scotty

Crunch Time

Life is still crazy, being a zone leader is definitely a lot different than being a district leader, a ton more work and things to deal with. I love helping others, so I'm not letting it get to me. Our mission has about 2400 baptisms for the year, the goal is 3000. We're still going for it, President Winn knows we can reach it, all the church leaders here know we can still get it. The month of December is going to be a crazy month, CRAZY! 

This past week was rough, trying to find people to teach and have lessons. We have good investigators now, and so we know things will be better, miracles will be raining down this next month! Everything else is fine, we're getting dinners now, that's exciting. Thanksgiving was great, the member we live with did a terrific job. The picture is of me and his dog, named Dude, playing catch in the backyard. This is my last time seeing Elder Fifita before he left for Tonga, I was so sad.

My emails will be filled with miracles from here on out, so definitely stay tuned for what will go down.

LOVE,

Elder Scotty

Quick Email

I'm serving now in the West zone as zone leader with Elder Byrd, who is from Mississippi. He is the former assistant to President Winn, and has only two transfers left in his mission. Intimidated by serving with the former assistant...definitely. I know this will be the best transfer of my mission, we get along great and I know I'll learn tons from him. We serve over the YSA (Young Single Adults) Taylorsville Stake, which covers a huge area. Right now President Winn is working on getting us the whole stake, because currently the stake straddles our mission and the south salt lake mission, so we may be picking up a few more wards down into Taylorsville. How I love going into the south mission!

Being a zone leader is humbling, to say the least. I didn't expect to be called to this position, I didn't expect to leave Tooele. I hope I can do a good job, I've seen zone leaders in the past that I haven't been fond of, and I really hope I don't become like them. I just want to help other missionaries and have them know that I love them, I do not want to become an overbearing leader that those I serve don't trust. Our baptism goal for the mission is 3,000 for the year, right now were a little  under 2,400. President Winn still knows we can do it, I know we can, but man, did he have to make me a zone leader at this time of the year! HA! The pressure's on!

Sorry no pictures, I haven't even unpacked my belongings, I'm still digging into suit cases every morning for things. There's just no down time, ever. Serving with YSA is going to be a blast, everyone is pumped and excited about missionary work, and I know miraculous things will come in the next few weeks.

Love,

Elder Scotty

Transfers...No Worries

I should be staying here, I think I'll be district leader here. Tooele is great, this Tuesday in the evening we're going to temple square with the family that is on date for the end of the month, I'm pretty pumped. I know they're going to cry during the family forever exhibit, which will make me cry, it'll just be one big happy mess of tears :)

 

We have met some  great potential this past week, people that look like they are ready for the Gospel, so the rest of the year should be exciting.

 

We spoke again this Sunday, in the ward we live in, Skyline. It's the closest thing to a home ward I have right now, so I felt extra special speaking to everyone. How I love the members here, we already have great relationships with many in both stakes. Next week we have another talk lined up, and other wards are planning on getting us to speak. It's still makes me a little nervous. Before my mission I thought talking was easy, but I never thought about what it was the Spirit wanted me to talk about. Now, I pray and try my best to speak on what the congregation may need to hear, and how to say it and all that. Sometimes it's not until the evening before the talk that scriptures and ideas start coming together in my mind. Speaking has definitely helped to make me more humble, realizing it's not Scotty talking, but a servant of Jesus Christ.

 

Christmas....letters would be nice, I haven't received much in the past few months. I usually wouldn't care, but with another greenie companion that gets mail from family, girlfriend, and others every week, it gets a little sad not having any :( SO! What you can get for me mother, is having everyone write me a letter for christmas! That way I'll have letters to write back on a p-day!

 

Thanksgiving is stacked. I feel for missionaries is foreign lands that don't get it. We have a breaksfast at an awesome bishop's home, then a meal at 3pm with a family that has a son serving his mission in the Portland, Oregon Mission, and finally we wrap up with a family at 5pm...oooooh yeah! Christmas is also lined up too! Breakfast, lunch, dinner!

 

Take care everyone, and let me know how life is in those letters you send me!

 

LOVE,

 

Elder Scotty

Pictures:

Halloween night! This is the Wilson family, they live two doors down from us, she cut my hair my first week here, and we've become really good friends with the entire family!

Elder Owen and I went on a trip with one of our ward mission leaders to the top of this mountain last Monday. You could see everything from up here! We could see seven temples, from Bountiful down to Provo!

The top of the mountain we were on, and a picture of Provo! If you look closely, you can SEE the "Y" on the mountain! Hello Provo, Elder Warczak loves you all!

 

In the mission field we have what are called DVR's "Driving Vehicle Reports" which are reports on the miles we drive, and the gas we fill up with using the mission credit card assigned to each car. At the end of the month we put this report with all our receipts in an envelope and turn them into Elder Hunt, the senior missionary assigned to maintain all mission vehicles. I ALWAYS decorate my envelope to him, and we get a kick out of each other when ever we see each other at the office! Well, this last month, we went WAY over on our miles! I felt somewhat bad, knowing that it's important to do our best to stay within the miles alloted to us, but then I didn't feel bad, for the first three reasons I mentioned on the envelope. Anywho, I got extra creative this month and drew him my best envelope yet! I was a little liberal when coloring my hair, how I wish I had that much! HA!

 

 

The Lord is Blessing Us :)

I'll share two things with you all briefly.

 

First Miracle:

 

A family that has been taught previously by other missionaries here in the area accepted baptism for the end of the month! Mom, dad, and two daughters! We talked with them last week about what they would like to have a lesson on, and they asked to discuss baptism...my favorite topic! I was pretty nervous about it, this really was a make or break lesson in my mind. We started preparing the lesson plan two days in advance, making sure we knew exactly who was doing what and sharing what scripture, down to the T. My heart was pounding driving out to their home in Stockton! I was excited and scared at the same time. Once we started the lesson, it all fell into place, the spirit was there, and they accepted the invitation to be baptized November 26th. This family, is by far the most prepared of any investigators I've ever had! The father loves the Book of Mormon, and knows by the power of the Holy Ghost that it is true! The mother attended the Relief Society General Broadcast, and adored President Uchtdorf's "Forget Me Not" address! Both the young daughters have been wanting to be baptized, they all have amazing testimonies! They have concerns about not being fully ready for baptism, because it is such a big step and change to one's life, but we asured them, as we will continue to do, that this is what their Heavanly Father wants them to do!

 

Second Miracle:

 

A relief society president gave us a few names to visit in the ward. One was a Catholic family that the ward had taken dinner to before. They were nice, but not interested in hearing our message. We ran into this family later on at the ward Halloween party, their member neighbor invited them and they had a good time there! This morning, the same relief society president called and informed us the member neighbor to this family told her that they would like to come to church with her, and when the neighbor asked if we could come and see the family, they agreed! We see the mother tomorrow morning with the relief socity president, and from what we're told, it sounds like we will be able to begin sharing the Gospel with them!

 

 

I'm so pumped! Some other good things are happening in the two stakes here as well. We've spoken a few times on Sunday, and are speaking again this Sunday and also the following one, busy busy busy! The snow is here, I'm sad this is my last winter as a missionary. The transer ends in a little over a week and then just one more transfer until the new year, the year that I finished my mission, 2012!!! It's creeping up on me, I want to go out this year and into the new one with a spiritual bang!

 

LOVE,

 

Elder Scotty 

Quick email!

I have a lunch appointment with an investigator in t-minus 13 minutes! We have to email at the stake center, and it's only open for two hours. The whole zone comes here, and today we got here a little late and every computer was in use.

 

Answers mother:

 

1) Christmas? I have no idea what I want, hair is still on the list, but santa's been ignoring that request a few years now. I'll think about it some more

 

2) Yes, we eat dinner practically every night with a member, I'm at the point where I need to call the day before and say "no dessert please" cake, ice cream, and pie every night is not going to do me any good, especially this time of year.

 

Our baptism Saturday went great, I have pictures, but the camera man was far away and didn't zoom, so they didn't turn out well. I'll take a picture with the two kids this week and get it to you all next week. Tooele is still amazing, many many Halloween parties this past week, I am so stuffed of chilli the thought of meat and beans makes me ponder my chemo days and how I felt then :)

 

Wish I had more time, but I have to run, the Lord's work comes first, and this investigator is so close to baptism!

 

Love,

 

Elder Scotty

Southern Baptist and a Hospital Visit

Pics: 

Elder Burkard and I reunited! He's my zone leader! My apologies mother, I realized afterwards that I folded my arms in these pictures. So when you say, "Why is he folding his arms, he looks like a doofus?!?" don't worry, I am fully aware of my doofyness.

The baptism from last week with the sisters that began teaching them

 

Elder Owen and I, my second trainee

 

 

This week we met with Danielle, our Southern Baptist gal. She is a nurse and she is a hoot! We met with her at the bishop's home, and had one of the best lessons I've had thus far. She has amazing questions, she knows her bible very well. She definitely won't be someone I can just say the words to and she'll nod her head up and down, she'll pull out scriptures and compare them with what the Book of Mormon and we are teaching. She is prepared, she just doesn't realize it yet. Heavenly Father has been shaping her life in such a way that she has come to this point. I bore the most powerful testimony of the restoration of the gospel and The Book of Mormon I ever have. Tears coming down my face, she started to cry as well. My goodness gracious. She has read nearly all of the first book of Nephi in the Book of Mormon on her own, and so far as she can tell it's not "the devil's book" like everyone says it is :) She is excited to meet with us again.

 

Later in the week, a ward mission leader called and said a member of the ward was in the ICU with a heart condition. We were not able to go that day, but had to go the next. As we entered the ICU, lo and behold, Danielle is sitting there at the front desk! We talked with her and then went in to the sick member's room to give her a blessing. In the evening we stopped by the the fellowshipping bishop's home to tell them about the fun run in with Danielle earlier. Sister Clayson, bishop's wife, told us Danielle just texted her ten minutes prior to us coming over. Sister Clayson said that was Danielle's first day in ICU, that she normally wouldn't even have been there since she just became a registered nurse not too to long ago...coincidence??? I think NOT!

 

This week I also had exchanges with Elder Willnauer, a member of mtc distrcit 14E. He's my district leader, and how fun it was to be with him. We talked about the mtc and how far we've come since then and all the crazy things that have happened to us. I stick with my conviction that no mtc distrcit has ever been as close as mine, we are all best buds!

 

Everything else is going well, I still love Tooele. We spoke in a ward yesterday and will be speaking in another this upcoming Sunday. With 15 wards, I'm sure we'll be speaking a lot more in the next few months! I'm still feel excited about missionary work, I still have tons of time, but I feel like I'm on my A-game as far as doing what I have been called to do.

 

Love,

 

Elder Scotty

 

I thought I was Serving in Tooele?

This past week I had to travel to Salt Lake City three times! New missionary training, zone conference, and then my cancer check-up. Lots of driving!

 

Yup, still cancer free. There was small new dot in my lungs that wasn't there before. It's too small for the doctors to know anything about it, they informed me it's not an uncommon thing, it's most likely nothing at all. Instead of seeing them in 8 months I will see them again in 4 months, February 13th, to make sure that dot isn't anything serious.

 

Our baptism Saturday was a well-attended, spiritual feast. I'll get a picture of it here next week. The two boys, Jaiden and Gavin have such strong testimonies. I've only known them two weeks, but I'll be staying in touch with them after my mission for sure.

 

We have some exciting new developments happening. A woman who grew up Southern Baptist wants to meet with us. Her fellowshipping family is the bishop of the ward; his wife and this woman work together. How excited I am to meet her this week! A woman who has a son on his mission in Everett Washington says that his best friend, who is not a member, would like to meet with us as well and learn about the church. We'll be seeing him this week too! People will come out of no where, as we do our best, Heavenly Father will provide for us.

 

I'll let you know how everything turns out, we have many other people who are soooo close to embracing the fullness of the gospel! Good things will happen this week.

 

Love,

 

Elder Scotty

See Ya Salt Lake City

 No no no, I am not in Wyoming (prayers are answered!) BUT! I am now serving in the Tooele and Tooele East Stakes! We cover over 10 wards. Quite the change of scenery wouldn't you say? I went from serving in between mountains, to serving IN the mountains. We cover a good chunk of Tooele, and the towns of Stockton and Vernon to the south. Well let me tell you, I think Tooele is heaven on earth. It's so open, and quiet. At night I can see stars! The people here have treated us like royalty, they are very missionary minded. Every Bishop and member we have spoken with has given us names and people the wards are working with. They understand that missionary work is a team effort, and I couldn't be more excited! We came into the area with 5 people on date for baptism, two of them are this upcoming Saturday! My favorite area so far has been Stockton, it is a very, very small town. Houses are well spaced out, and at night, it's dead quiet, but the views are breathtaking. I can definitely stay here a long time, no problem.

 

My new trainee is Elder Owen, from Anchorage, Alaska. He is a very tall young man, standing at 6 foot 6 inches. He hunts and fishes and all that good stuff. He is awesome! I don't feel like I'm training, he came pre-trained. He talks to people, he knows how to explain faith to people, I don't have to do anything with him! We will have a great deal of success here.

 

Some interesting people to report on here in Tooele. We met a 97 year old woman in the ward in which we live named Maxine Grimm. She lives up on the side of a mountain in a enormous house. She was instrumental in bringing the Gospel to the Phillipines. There, with her husband Colonel Grimm, knew very well General Macarthur and General Eisenhower. While there in the late 40's she met President Hinckley, and they became very good friends the rest of their lives. She has many pictures of her and President Hinckley together. He would come to Tooele ofen and visit with her and bring his family. The pictures were taken there at the house. Yes, I was standing and sitting in the same living room President Hinckley had sat in many many times! She knows personally all the older apostles, and goes downtown to visit them in their offices. This is perhaps, the coolest old person I've ever met, her life beats the heck out of mine!

 

Historical fact for you: Heber J. Grant was the second stake president of Tooele, he was called when he was in his early 20's.

 

Also, the parents of Miss Utah live in my area, her dad is one of the bishops. Yeah...not as exciting as the things reported above, but it's still something :)

 

I assume I will be here for 2 or 3 transfers, so by the time I make it back over to Salt Lake I'll be wrapping up the mission, whoah!

 

Not too much on the spiritual side of things, so far we've just been meeting with leadership trying to figure out both stakes, but with the support of members and investigators already lined up, I know miracles will happen and I'll continue to become the person my God needs me to be. Enjoy the pictures, I'll be taking tons out here.

 

I love you all,

 

Elder Scotty

Yanick and I, the young man from Togo, Africa we baptized a few weeks ago.

The King Family, some of my favorite members I've met on the mission!

 A few of the elders I lived with and Sister Kitchen outside her home in West Valley. I lived with Sister Kitchen for 6 months, we have a very good relationship! I'll definitely be kicking it with her after the mission.

The views of part of my area at the top of a mountain....How lovely it is!

Still a district leader

Yes Yes, I was called to be a trainer. Now I'll have two elders running around saying, "Elder Warczak's my dad!" So long Elder Kodama, but the question remains, Will I stay in Granger North Stake one more transfer, making it a 7 1/2 month area?!?!? The suspense will continue until tomorrow morning. If I leave I would be thrilled. To be white-washed into an area would be exciting. But if the Lord wants me in Granger North one more time around, that will be alright.

Conference was like fresh air to my heart, it was the best one so far on my mission. I took much from every talk given. Some that stood out to me a little bit more than others were Elder Cook of the seventy "Look up!", President Packer's address to the youth, and the emphasis by Elders Callister, Ballard, Holland, and Perry about standing up for the church and opening our mouths to correct error and to testify to those around us. We shouldn't be shy to share the truth with people, I hope the members world-wide take heed to their words. As we departed Saturday night, walking to the tracks to take back to West Valley, we ran into Elder Cook, the one mentioned above. Him and his wife stop and talked to us for a few minutes. He is definitely as humble as he appeared during his talk, what a guy! As he walked away he hollered, "Remember to always look up!"

The huskies were in town playing the Utes this weekend. I saw these two men in husky purple walking through the crowd, and chased them down. How I love to talk with people from Western Washington! Sadly they were already members of the church, so I couldn't preach to them and send missionaries to their homes in Seattle, oooooh well. I saw some dear dear friends of mine as well. The former Emily Stott came with her husband Tyler and found me. I was a little shocked when I saw them. The fun continued when Laura Turner showed up on the scene! It doesn't end there, Rebecca Sellers came on Sunday, she having returned from her mission in Toronto not too long ago! My Polish brother Corey Wozniak was there, but to my dismay I forgot to take a picture with him. All of them are friends from my freshmen year at BYU, I definitely have a special place in my heart for freshmen year peeps. But most importantly, I was able to see my brother Todd, and younger sister Courtney. My family rocks, go Warczak's.

I have my next cancer check-up on the 17th, I still feel good, and no odd lumps on me anywhere....soooo I think I'm still cancer free! I'll wait until the scan though to come to any conclusion :)

Less than 8 months now, my oh my!

Love, Elder Scotty

LOVE,

Ensign Peak

This morning, a little under half of our mission went up to Ensign Peak with President and Sister Winn, which has significance to church history. If you want to know why, I'll just let you google it or something. At the top we read from the Book of Mormon and sang, "High on a Mountain Top." It was a beautiful day, especially to look down and see my entire mission, minus Wyoming and Tooele. Transfers are next week. Pray I stay in the valley, I'll freeze in a Wyoming winter. I saw the movie "17 Miracles"...no thank you.

 

Our baptism on Saturday went well. Sorry I don't have a picture of it, I left my camera at home. Another elder took some, I'll try to get him to send me them. Yanick will be a teriffic addition to the church, he is talking about going on a mission himself! Nothing new to report on, just the good old mission life. Some cool things happen, some things not so cool. So enjoy the pictures, ninja turtles for life, and God bless!

 

Love,

 

Elder Scotty

 

Paint the Town Red...Ute Red

Man, things closed down for the work Saturday. Everyone knows I attend BYU, and boy did I hear it on Sunday. Good thing I'm on a mission and could care less about sports right now.

 

We are having a baptism this Saturday, for our new friend from Africa. The ward has really helped him become acquainted with everything, and he is excited. We also have a Native American man scheduled for baptism on October 15th. He likes certain parts of his culture and their beliefs, but many parts he is confused on and does not accept. His wife is a member, and he feels that our meeting him at this point in his life is exactly what God wanted. He is excited for baptism as well, and even more excited about making it to the temple one day to be sealed with his family for time and eternity.

 

Things have cooled down, temperature wise and also with the missionary efforts. I'm trying to stay upbeat about it, I can always improve in one area or another, so miracles will come as I continually strive to become better. I still get along with the companion, I'm trying to get him to do more know and to overcome his fears of talking and teaching. It will be frustrating, I definitely am a "do it myself" person. I know, however, that for both of us we will make leaps and bounds in our progression. Wish me luck, baptisms may come slowly, but right now, my concern is to help this young missionary, who is still struggling socially to the mission, and no one is better at the social aspect of the work than Elder Warczak, I love to talk!

 

I am preparing for general conference. I have many questions to be answered and qualities of my life to alter to align myslef more with my Heavenly Father and His will. You get out of conference what you put into it, just like anything else. If you wake up, roll out of bed, and into the living room two mintues before conference starts, you're cutting yourself short. It only happens twice a year, might as well make it count :)

 

This past week the mission began reading the Book of Mormon again. I am amazed by the insights I see as I read. As I talk to many people that have hard feelings against the church, it blows me away how many of them have never read the Book of Mormon. Oh they'll say they have, but when you ask them a simple question such as, "Who's Nephi? What's one thing he did in the Book of Mormon?" None of them can answer. Truthfully, if you want to know if the LDS church is true or not, just read the Book of Mormon. So many I talk with get their information from places like youtube, very intelligent wouldn't you say?

 

We attended the temple today, what a priviledge it is. I hear many negative comments about the temple throughout the week, how it's a place of evil and full of pagan worship. Not so. The feelings of peace and clarity that come as I enter therein can only come from God. I hope those of us that can attend the temple do it often, I'm making sure after the mission that the temple is a top priority for my life.

 

Enough of my own conference talk, hopefully I didn't bore any of you. Did I miss anything? Oh yeah, Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God, and President Thomas S. Monson is the prophet today! There we go. Take care, I love you all and pray for your safety daily.

 

Love,

 

Elder Scotty

Door Slams and All

The past week was very enjoyable for me. We met many anti-mormons, who threw all kinds of things at us. My companion, being new and all, got his first door slammed in his face. In the missionary field, missionaries like to refer to trainers as "fathers" and those missionaries they train as "sons". Also, when they speak of one's first assigned area, they will ask, "Where were you born?" or, "where did you come out of the womb?" Well, that never flew with me. When people ask me who my father is I reply, "John Warczak, heck of a man I tell ya! Oh, you mean who trained me, that would be Elder Barnett!" "Where was I born? Palmdale, Los Angeles County, California, May of 1989. OH! You mean where did I start my mission...Granger Stake." It's just weird to me to refer to Elder Kodama as my "son" and myself as his "father". With that said, the door slam was definitely one of those moments where I thought, "He's growing up, his first door slam!" It was precious. He was kind of upset about it for awhile. Don't worry Elder Kodama...that's only the beginning! HA!

We should be having a baptism this weekend. Perhaps two! They are the two solid people we have, everyone else we know of is still in the early stages of embracing the Gospel. This week is leadership training. Those are always eventful. 

The picture is yours truly with Joseph Freeman, the first black man after President's Kimball's 1978 announcement that all worthy males could hold the priesthood. He spoke in the half-way house branch we cover. He said it himself, he went to New York and spoke on Good Morning America as the first black with the priesthood in the Mormon church. He is an amazing speaker, I was enthralled by every word he uttered. 

That's the week, tons of opposition. Nothing I haven't heard before. "Joseph Smith's a fraud, con, temples and masons, polygamy", all the same old same old. My testimony still stands, I love to declare it to them and see them think I'm crazy. Even Jesus Christ was rejected, that's what I tell myself as I walk away from someone like that. Even He.

One plus one is two, the sky is blue, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true. 'Nuff said.

Love,
Elder Scotty

I'm From Lakewood, Elder...this is Nothing!

This past week, as we were leaving the note on an investigator's door, a bunch of trucks and suv's were pulling up across the street one by one. The property across the street is a compound, this area we were in is more farm-like, with cattle all around. All of a sudden, police jump out of all the vehicles and swarm the compound. Guns drawn and all sorts of yelling going on. As my companion is ready to wet himself and tells me we need to get out of here, I stand in awe and say, "COOL!" As he looked at me confused I reminded him of my upbringing, "I'm from Lakewood, we're on the show COPS every week, this is nothing." 

Wonderful, just spectacular things have happened this past week. We have four people on date for baptism. Two of them are so elect, I think they should be teaching me. One man in particular is from Togo, Africa. He's been here a few months and is living with family members, who are all members of the church already. He accepted baptism the first night we met him, and on Sunday he leaned over to me and asked if he could go up and share his testimony, since it was fast and testimony meeting, or if you had to be a member to do so. As I told him he could, a few minutes later he walked up there and gave a simple yet powerful testimony of the Savior and how good he felt being there at church. 

Our mission is struggling. We only had 20 baptisms last week. The goal of 3,000 for the year is still reachable, but every companionship needs to be baptizing each week. I'm definitely up for the challenge, but I'm making sure the people I help baptize are ready, none of this meet them, teach them everything in one week, and baptize them the next Saturday when they haven't met anybody at church. No no, that will not do. Quantity AND quality as Elder Ballard puts it!

Every thing else is just peachy. The weather is cooling down, I have people to teach, conference is coming up, there's nothing to complain about. Yesterday during preparation day we went to the Gateway Mall, which is in our zone. I'll tell you, if you want people to stare you down and avoid you like a plague, slap on a missionary name tag and white shirt and tie and you got it! BOY was it weird, I don't plan on going there anytime soon during the next 9 months, nooo way!

Love,

Elder Scotty

Someone Turn off the Sun, Please!

Ok, this week was ridiculously, can't even laugh about it, HOT! Even with a car, getting out of it was like opening the oven, a wave of heat would hit me. Since we live on the top level of the home we're at, nights are tough too with the heat, no blankets for me!

Yesterday we talked in two of the wards here in Granger North. I love speaking, absolutely love it. Elder Gene R. Cook talks about not preparing a formal talk to give, but rather preparing beforehand and then saying whatever the spirit wants to say through you. I'm trying that more and more and I'm getting better at just speaking from the heart, using only scriptures. The area is doing good. We have good referrals coming our way and I know one or two of them will turn into something solid. It would be excellent to leave this area with a few more baptisms and more on date for the weeks to come. 

My district will be interesting. The rest of my district, three companionship's, live in the Wells Stake, which is on state street and going east. Here in Granger North, I'm past 3000 West. Oh boy. It will be difficult to check up on them being far away, hopefully they all behave well enough :) The district is chill, Tongans, a Samoan, an elder going home this transfer, a fellow white boy from Florida, and two fairly fresh ones (my companion included). We'll have fun.

Last night as we were knocking on doors, I ran into a couple that I taught over a year ago in Granger Stake! It was so funny when we looked at each other and did the whole, "How do I know you" stare! They're so not interested still, but I wasn't too bother, I gave them our number and told them the time to church on Sunday. Yeah, I'm getting to be one of the older missionaries.

There is an amazing couple in the stake, the Flitton's. They are my parent's twins, I kid you not! Their definitely the missionary parents here, and every time I speak with them it feels like I'm talking to good old mom and dad. Sister Flitton is a school teacher and is very VERY loud and talkative. Brother Flitton is very chill and easy going, and has a sweet work shop, where he builds all sorts of things. It's terriffic. SO after the mission, I'll have to introduce my real parents to the "dimension X' parents of mine, that will be a sight to see!

The morning has been fun, we had to take an elder to the DMV at the fairgrounds, and that was over by 9:30, so we went to breakfast at the Nauvoo Cafe at Temple Square. I sat and looked up at the temple, how magnificent the Salt Lake Temple is! Only another month until conference! We're plucking away at people and names, I pray next week I'll have new investigators on date to tell you about. Thank you for all the prayers, I definitely can feel them during those tough days and hours. I love you all and thanks for the letters Laura, Dani (not Pete), Court, and Hjelm family, letters will follow!

Love,

Elder Scotty

Another Transfer in Granger

President Winn called me and told me I'll be a district leader. The district leader now is going to be a zone leader, so I'm assuming I'll be back as district leader in this area. I really like the stake, the members are terrific, so another 6 month area, that's cool. "How long you been on your mission? Almost 17 months. Oh, where have you served? Only three areas!" HA! Oh man, after this President will need to bounce me around a little bit more, I need to learn this city, and so far all I know is West Valley!

Conference tickets have been given out. So all you who will be around for it, come and see me!

This last week was busy, we taught 28 other lessons. All from door knocking and street contacting. We need new investigators. One cool experience we had. We had no plans late one afternoon. We prayed to know where to go or who we needed to see. I pulled out my map and one street jumped out at me, Baty Drive. I didn't say anything, I really wanted Elder Kodama to have the same impression. So we sat in the car for nearly 10 minutes. I could tell he had no clue, but I sat there and waited patiently. Finally he said, the Granger 15th ward, which is where Baty Drive is, but he still didn't know which street or why that ward.  We drove over there and parked at the chapel. Again, 10 minutes of silence as he studied the map. When he spoke he said he felt good about Baty Drive. CONFIRMATION! I told him that's the only street I noticed on the map, and I could tell he was pretty excited about it. We went to it and taught five lessons in one hour to people on Baty. We didn't get any new investigators, but it was an amazing afternoon to be able to share our testimonies with others and to give them the Book of Mormon. I hope it was a good experience for Elder Kodama, he needs more of those to build his confidence.

Other than that all is well. Still doing great at being healthy, I'm sitting at 179 right now. 170 here I come!

Love,

Elder Scotty

Leadership Training and a Mission Tour

Last week I had two days of leadership training, what a blast. Being with 30+ missionaries for two days, and now I'm at the point in my mission where I know everybody. It's was always a dread to go so missionary functions as a new missionary, where you know maybe 3 or 4 of the elders there. Glad that's behind me. Tomorrow we have our mission tour with Elder Paul V. Johnson of the seventy, an all morning and afternoon event. I won't lie, have no idea who he is, but I'll learn great things from him that will have me saying, "I LOVE ELDER PAUL V. JOHNSON" next week.

This week the rest of our people for the month of August fell off date for baptism. We had four Cambodians, three siblings and a woman. The parents of the kids are less active members, who have a desire to have the gospel back in their lives and for their children, but they don't want to force it on them. The children are pre-teen age, so of course religion is not on their minds right now. Sad. The other one, the woman, looked promising but just picked up another job, and now she is never available to meet with us.

This is the last full week of the transfer, and being a trainer has made it fly by. The end of next transfer is conference, and after that, only ONE more conference to go! That will be exciting, the last conference for a missionary they receive plaza conference tickets, and sit right in front by the side all the leaders enter. My dad wrote me and said something along the lines that not every week will be a spiritual high in the mission field, that sometimes the trials just continue on. That definitely was this past week. Nothing too amazing happened, we contacted many referrals and none turned out to be interested. Talking to people on the streets and out walking didn't want to hear about it, and investigators dropped us themselves this week. I feel like I'm clearing up the desk and organizing it, before I can bring out my books and start studying. Right now and just getting things ready for when those who are prepared will have the attention and focus they deserve from us.

But there was one miracle in particular that occurred this week! This morning, when I stood on the scale.....179.2 lbs!!!! HUZZAH! I haven't seen a "7" as the second number since high school! So there's one thing going right for me :)

Keep the faith, and don't get discouraged when things go wrong, it will all figure out.

LOVE,

Elder Scotty

Three Weeks of Baptisms

Vicky and I, sorry for the terrible lighting. She has been working with missionaries since October. I've known her since my first week in the area. I'm blessed to have been the one to help the Savior in bringing Vicky back unto Him

Now that our solid investigators have been baptized these last few weeks. We're back to finding. Names we've received haven't turned out to anything. As far as our numbers for the week, we didn't have a great week. We went by all the bishops last night, and our starting from the ground up. We have some new referrals and things to check, so I hope to be baptizing again soon.

The workout with the bike continues. Down to 182. There's this bridge going over the freeway in my area, that we ride over a few times a day. It's a good climb. Every time I start climbing it I start singing Mulan's "I'll Make A Man Out Of You". It makes all the difference. I've incorporated it into everything I do. Sometimes I want to quit, like Mulan and the rest of the gang, but as I keep pushing, I eventually overcome all the obstacles in my way. Isn't Disney great!? Why Disney songs are not approved for all missionaries is beyond me! Come on Mormon Tabernacle Choir, let's get the Disney ball rolling!

The week has been a difficult one as far as all the people we have talked to. It KILLS me when I can't help someone. So many see us and come running up to us in tears, with financial, drug, and family problems, and all I can do is say a prayer with them. I don't know who or where these people can go for temporal help. Obviously Christ is what everyone needs in their lives, but man, the world today does a good job of covering up the need for God in our lives today. People get mad at us, cry even more, or are kind and express gratitude for us for at least listening to them and saying a prayer with them. Here in Salt Lake, everyone knows who we are and who we represent. It never gets easy being under everyone's gaze. I thought being popular was all good and fun in high school and at BYU...but I don't really care for it anymore. As long as people can see Christ in me as they're watching me, that's all that matters. I wish I could see Christ's day. What it must have been like for Him to be the center of attention. People wanting everything from Him, people plotting ways to destroy Him as they watched like hawks to see if He would make a mistake, others too afraid to approach Him out of shame or fear of His power. When He atoned for us and died. The lonely journey in the garden, to the hill and be crucified, to have the spirit withdraw from Him for a time. I can never fully understand that, but I think serving here in Salt Lake  I can begin to imagine what His every day life was like. It's hard to have everyone see you and know what you're all about, or claim to be anyways.

I appreciate it all. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Love,

Elder Scotty

One More Month of Summer as Elder Warczak

August 1st, my second summer in the field coming to a close. It will be nice to leave behind the sweaty shirts and hot sun, but it's sad thinking I'm on the final lap of the mission, only one more of everything. The work is going steady. Two weeks ago we baptized Jeremy, and then this past Saturday was Mike's baptism, the tall man with the three of us elders. We have another baptism this week for a woman named Vicky.


The bike is still enjoyable for me, I'm down to 184 lbs, about a 6 pound loss since the beginning of the transfer. I'm getting really dark, especially the arms. We have investigators in the Cambodian branch now. We went to temple square last night with a woman named Sochan. We brought a translator and she had a remarkable time, she wants to get baptized. Training is a fun calling. I'm not a "touchy-feely" person, so having someone follow me like a puppy gets me a little claustrophobic, but other than that it's good!

Pioneer day was enjoyable. President Monson opened the parade, it was nice seeing him and getting a wave from him when he saw groups of us missionaries. I loved the Utah bagpipe club, Scotland the Brave blaring throughout downtown Salt Lake, love it! My favorite is Mama's Temple Church Choir, they've been in the parade for a couple of years now, I remember them when I was in the parade myself a few years back. They get me so pumped, singing songs like, "Ya know make me wanna SHOUT, kick my heels up and SHOUT, come on now!!!" I can see why people go to church's like that, they're dang good at entertaining. But I'll stick with the restored gospel.

I drew this "Defenders of Zion" picture at the end of last transfer, a little bit of it here, a little here. I'm a nerd, I know, but you have to admit it pretty cool! At the temple last week, Elder Tad R. Callister, who was just called to serve in the presidency of the seventy and is the author of The Infinite Atonement, was in our session. Salt Lake City, what a place to be! Today elders in our zone were at Dick's sporting store at the gateway mall downtown, and ran into President Eyring and visited with him for a few minutes. Best mission in the world!

Pray I continue to lose weight, and I hope all of you have a glorious week!

Love,

Elder Scotty

Aloha!

1) Elder Fifita and I rocking the Tongan look

2) Elder Warczak and Kodama!


My new companion, Elder Kodama, is from Hawaii, the good old island of Oahu. We're having a ball of a time. Our first day we of course went downtown to do extreme street contacting, where we just go and talk to EVERYONE downtown. I began the first hour doing the talking and greeting at first, but then I turned it over to him. It was cute to see him try and shake someone's hand but then back out at the last second and just say "hello". HA! Was I like that a year ago? It was great to see him just get thrown into it, I had many good laughs to myself. Since then things have been great. Elder Kodama's door approaches are getting better, I try to build him up and not say anything mean. Again, lots of fun seeing a new missionary talk to a stranger. Right now we have a baptism lined up for the next four weekends, and we're doing a lot of finding. Being a trainer is a good experience for me, it's making me push myself and really step up and bring my "A" game. Trainers spend one or two transfers with their new missionary. So at least another five weeks with him, or it will be three months total. We no longer have a car, we are doing the bike thing! I know, last year I wasn't a huge supporter of the bike, but now I love it. I'm getting tan, and I'm sweating like crazy, goodbye personal food storage! 

Pioneer Day is this next week. The craziest day in Utah. I'm sure we will be going downtown and doing what we did last year, that is passing out many cards and pamphlets and trying to find new people for the mission. It's suppose to be in the 90's all week, I'll be drinking water and spraying my head with sun block like there's no tomorrow.

I love where I'm at right now as a missionary. I feel confident in my teaching, I have no problem talking to people, and I'm having the most joy I think I've ever had so far on my mission. The next 10 months will be the best ones yet. 

Love,

Elder Scotty

Trainer it is!

Just got the call from President Winn, I have been released as district leader and will be a trainer this transfer!

Trainer, maybe??

Transfers this Wednesday. Rumor be told, I'm going to be a trainer, staying in my area. But I heard that a few weeks back, so who knows what has gone on since then. Either way, I think Elder Fifita and I will be going our separate ways.

Right now we have three people on date for baptism, but only one of them is solid. Of the two, one is facing cigarettes and right now we are not sure if he has the determination needed to overcome them. The other is a woman we put on date for baptism the first time we met her, she was a referral from the relief society president. She has been coming to church a couple of weeks now, and really enjoys it, as does her three young children. Recently though, she has had some health problems, and talking with her less-active friend that comes to church with her, she is now thinking she may be rushing into the church thing too soon. I really hope all works out with her, a single mother like her needs the gospel in her life.

It's incredible to think that the summer is almost over, after this next transfer I'll be getting ready for October Conference. I recently read over Elder D. Todd Christofferson's article in the special issue of the Ensign regarding Jesus Christ entitled, "Becoming A Witness of Christ". That is what I am studying and working most at becoming right now, a true witness of Christ. To know of Him, to act like Him, to have other see Him when they see me. It's a process, something that will gradually occur over time as I make right decisions everyday. But I have realized that my mission is coming closer to an end than I realize, and I don't want to come off the plane in Sea-Tac still the same old Scotty, if that makes sense? I don't want to come home and do the same things. My life needs to be change for the better, and if a mission can't do that, nothing else I do will.

Take care, and God Bless

Elder Scotty

Go See 17 Miracles - That's an Order

4th of July yesterday was a memorable one. It was an all day p-day, and that was a little bizarre. We had so much time, and with all the email places closed, we had to kill time. Until...we gathered at the theater at the gateway mall. 150+ missionaries in a movie theater, everybody else there was a little "freaked" to see us! I must admit, I felt a little scandalous being in a movie cinema, my rebel ways are diminishing here in the missionary world! The movie, "17 Miracles" was superb! If it's playing anywhere around you, go see it! It shows just some of the miracles that happened with families and individuals who were part of the Willie Martin handcart company, a group of early church saints that came to the Salt Lake valley from England, and had no wagons, but handcarts to pull themselves across the plains, and then ended up trapped in terrible winter conditions. I cried, for sure. All of these stories come from journal accounts of those that were part of the group. Afterwards, the director, T.C Christiansen, spoke with us in the theater about the making of the movie and some of the things he learned as he filmed the movie.

I am so grateful for the rich heritage of this church, and too often I take it for granted, forgetting what so many went through to allow me to have the true gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. 

The work in my area is getting busier. We have names to go by, many potential investigators, and people that should be on date for baptism by the end of this week. On Sunday our couple that we were trying to get married, but all of a sudden backed out, came to church and talked with bishop. They wanted to get married THAT day. Elder Fifita and I ran home to grab the marriage license and paperwork and brought it back to church. Truly a miracle. 

Another man that we have been teaching recently had a stroke. HE is a member of the church, but had been very inactive since his youth, until he had his stroke and had a priesthood blessing that he knows is what saved his life. He knows he felt the holy ghost touch his heart, and said that as he was given the blessing, feelings he never felt before came over his entire body, and the frantic attitude of the room dissolved, and there was peace. Come to find out, his membership records cannot be found. We will need to recreate his records if possible, or otherwise baptize him again. The Lord truly does prepare people for us to teach, and goes a step further and prepares people for the set of right missionaries and vice versa. This man is a great example to me and how keeping a positive attitude through a challenging part of life makes all the difference. I am able to relate to him somewhat with my cancer story, and how staying happy is really the thing that makes or breaks you.

Transfers are next Wednesday. Again, I have no idea what will happen to me, President Winn is pretty unpredictable. Zone conference is this week, perhaps I'll find something out. Everything else is good. Driving home from the movie last night, as I reviewed in my mind the stories of the pioneers I just heard and how what a terrible human being I have been about thinking my life and situation was soooo hard, I saw a billboard for a company I don't know, but that read, "No Excuses, No Complaints." I thought, "How true is that?" I love that phrase, and will try to make it a part of my everyday experiences.

Love,

Elder Scotty

Hanging with the Prophets

Last P-day, our zone went on our tour of the city cemetery with Sister Winn. What a blast! Easily the funnest non-missionary part of my time thus far. Our tour guide was a man named Brother Smith, who is a retired church historian and now volunteers at the church history museums and library. He knew his stuff. We learned tons of stories about the prophets we visited and other prominent people in the church history, things that you just don't hear about in Sunday school class! I highly recommend visiting the cemetery, even if you don't have a tour guide. Just being there, where these great men and women lay buried, being ever so close to them...what an experience.

The weather is definitely summer weather. It is hot hot hot! Right now Elder Fifita and I are finding new people. The one investigator we had on date just doesn't want to change, too hooked to weed and smoking, and marriage with his girlfriend that he lives with is not an option right now, them and their families do not want it. Finding is definitely the hardest part of missionary work, especially here in Utah, and when the area you cover is very small. We're out of ideas, we need to rely on the Lord to show us where to go and be led by the spirit.

So, aside from the testimony, I hear Jimmer is a Sacramento King? I hope he does well to represent the LDS crowd. Serving with a Tongan companion is crazier than ever. He's like a big kid, I can't get mad at him for things, I just smile and he'll say, "I'm sorry man!" And I'll start laughing.

Last week my doctor check-up went well. Now I see them every 4 months, and will need an abdomen scan every other check-up, while still having a lung scan every time on account that the lungs are the likely place cancer would come back. So with that, I have two, maybe three check ups left at the Huntsman until my mission is over. If I do have a third, it will be right before I come home. I talked with a Jewish man in the waiting room for an hour there, that was exciting to hear his life story, and what that part of the world is like. I also conversed with an elderly man that grew up in Salt Lake, but was not a member of the church. At first he was stand offish, but he warmed up to me and he ended up being very polite as well. Cancer will do that, it's like an immediate bond between people.

I think it's Summer everywhere now in the country, I hope everyone enjoys it. Remember, wear sunscreen...trust me! Hahaha that tour left my forehead nice and red.

Love,

Elder Scotty

A Week of Exchanges

This past week I had a 24 hour exchange with Elder Vogt and Hill and in my district. I went with Elder Hill in his area, the cannon stake. It was fun getting to know him more, and to hear what he has to say, especially since he's only been out a few weeks now on his mission. I tried to imagine myself in his shoes a year ago. We talked to a woman named Laura while she was outside weeding her front yard. She and her daughters are not members of the church, but her husband is. She grew up out of Utah, and knows some things about the church. She was very nice and friendly, but at first she didn't seem very interested. Until we go to know her some more and found out that she has had priesthood blessings before, and she said that she fully believed in them. Elder Hill being the stud that he and the rest of us Washingtonians are, invited her to be baptized. She declined and told us that she had her Catholic background, although she didn't agree with all of it. She had a stillborn child, and felt that there was no way her son could be lost because he wasn't baptized. I opened up the Book of Mormon to Moroni chapter 8, the great letter of Mormon to his son Moroni, about the abomination and curse of infant baptism, and how children are saved through the Atonement of Christ. Big mood swing. She started choking up, and wanted to learn more. We set up a time to see her this past Monday. Elder Vogt and Hill saw her and her daughter that night, and both of them accepted the invitation to be baptized in a few weeks.

 

Yesterday I had exchanges with the Spanish elders in my district, Elder Torres and Thomas. Elder Thomas came with me to my area, and we had a great time. If you're willing, you can learn so much from someone, in such a short time. I took many things away from the exchange that Elder Thomas did well, and I will try to incorporate into my teaching.

 

I am glad I got to be a part of that. I hope they continue to grow in their faith and come to know these things are true. Today is our P-day, because we are going on a tour of the city cemetery, where many of the church prophets are buried. We have a man who is a church historian taking us on a two-hour tour, where he will be telling us many cool facts and insights that many people don't know about the early church leaders. I'm way excited! I've always wanted to go there, but never made time to go.

 

The Tongan companion is still wonderful, we have lots of fun living with the zone leaders. We have a new ward mission leader in one of the wards, a young married guy going to Utah for medical school to be an ear nose throat doctor (Otolaryngology, oh yeah, I remember my vocab from working at a doctor's office!) He is excited to work and I know work will commence in his area. The weather is beautiful today, and will be this week. Here as I'm emailing at the city library the Utah art festival is getting set up all around the facilities. That would be fun to see, next year after the mission I'll get a friend and come up to see it.

 

Hope everyone is still well. I still feel like I have the same drive I did when I came out a year ago. Yes, there are days that are tough, and I don't want to get out of bed or go knock doors, but for the most part, I love every aspect of it. Working hard makes the days much more meaningful. Take care and I love you all!

 

Elder Scotty Warczak

Welcome to the island!

We went to a Tongan birthday party at the park. A man came up to us and said, "HEY! Come and help me with the pigs." So we drove over to his home and saw this in his backyard! Polynesians really bring the island with them huh? We're invited to things like this all the time. Having a Tongan companion is bizarre. Unorthodox would be a good word to describe it. Do things really ever go according to plan...not really. Does crazy stuff happen with Tongan members and other Tongan missionaries....yeah, but with the Tongans, you just kind of go with it. And the thing is, miracles still happen.

Right now we have two solid investigators. One Samoan and one from Micronesia. The Samoan girl is from my part of Washington, she grew up in Hilltop in Tacoma, and her fiance grew up there as well, and went to foss high school. We talked about Lakewood, and Tacoma and all that, and how people here think Rose Park and West Valley are bad! HA! We joked about how bad Hilltop use to be, and that "ghetto" here, has got nothing on good old Lakewood and Tacoma!

Right now the mission is in a slump, the baptisms every week have been steadily going down. It will be interesting to see what is discussed this week at leadership training Tuesday and Wednesday. 

 Elder Fifita wants to start riding bikes....ugh! No no, it's fine, with summer I want to get in great shape, and riding a bike will definitely do the job. I'm buying a helmet today and tomorrow we hit the streets of west valley, white boy Elder Warczak and 320 lb. Tongan Elder Fifita! Seeing him ride a bike is priceless.

Another month in the transfer and then onto the second half of summer. It'll be 2012 before I know it.

Love,

Elder Scotty