Monday March 14, 2011

Elder Draper and Elder Walker...great minds think alike :)

Missionaries with mustaches!

Los Caballeros Companeros de Calgary!

President Gordon B. Hinckley affirmed the value of humor for all: “We’ve got to have a little humor in our lives. You had better take seriously that which should be taken seriously but, at the same time, we can bring a touch of humor now and again. If the time ever comes when we can’t smile at ourselves, it will be a sad time.”

Dad and I bought him this Kobe shirt at the Nike store in NYC. Love it!

What's happenin!?!

Alright I'll be sure to get those papers back ASAP mom. So glad I wasn't around for jury duty...not sad to miss out on that. Glad you liked the pics and there's more on the way today. Sounds like a super fun trip to Vegas! Yeah I was at the Fraires for a movie night and she told me you were in Vegas and I was like I am pretty jealous too. I told her to message you back. Yeah we all heard about the earthquake and tsunami over in Japan. Amazing that none of the missionaries were hurt. It was funny the dad of one of the Spanish elders called his son to make sure he was ok because the news said waves would reach Canada. His doesn't realize we are super far away from the coast, unfortunately...but in this case fortunately. Has anything noticeable happened to our beaches?

I had one of the most amazing experiences of my life! Saturday morning we woke up at 5:30 to get to the south of the city and hear from Elder D. Todd Christofferson! Wow he walked into the room and all of a sudden the spirit overpowered me, I am sure it is similar to what you all felt with Cook. He was accompanied by Elder Real, an area authority, and Elder Melchim of the Seventy. Yes I got to walk up to him afterward and shake his hand. I almost can't describe what that was like. He asked me where I am from and then said "Well you are looking sharp Elder Draper, thank you". So that's how an apostle summed me up...I'll take that as a compliment haha. He spoke to us for about 2 hours about repentance, I learned so much from him, but even more from the spirit as different thoughts popped into my head. He told so many jokes it was amazing. He had us stand up to stretch and he started doing "head shoulders knees and toes," pretty funny. He made a joke about how the apostles pick where missionaries go every Friday, and he said that "some of us should have sent in a different picture" haha! But the best part was his testimony. That has been the highlight of every Apostle I have heard in person (President Monson at BYU last year, Elder Hales and Oaks in the MTC, and now Elder Christofferson). All of them testify that they know that Jesus Christ lives. They'll say something like "I have had certain experiences" or as Elder Christofferson put it "I want all of you to remember this day we have spent together, and I want you to especially remember that I told you that I KNOW that Jesus Christ is the Messiah. He is a glorified, resurrected being with a physical body." Just the way I felt and the way he said that told me that he has seen Christ. That isn't exactly doctrine, but that is what I feel. He also said that Christ directs this church "daily" and that he doesn't "drop in once in a while". Just like in times past, Christ appears and speaks with His Prophets and apostles.

I can never deny the testimony I have gained of this church over the last 10 months. It is so true, and I am so grateful for it. I have gained so much knowledge, which is kind of scary, thinking of DC 82:3..."...where much is given much is required". We know so much, and because of that there is work to be done.

Anyways that was my week. Didn't get in a lesson with Lourdes unfortunately, but she will be baptized this month, mark my words. Love you all, you are the best peeps ever! Have a great week!

Go Cougs!! and Lake show!!!

Peace

Love, Elder Draper

Monday March 7, 2011

Introducing little Megan Fraire! We were at the Friare house when Sister Friare went into labor and we gave her a quick blessing before leaving for the hospital. She is super tiny and it was so exciting to kind of be a part of it!

Who is that man in black?! This is my companion's Morphsuit. He's convinced me I need one too. Imagine going to a dance with that on! (Funny, Ryan has no idea that we have heard of them and that Morphsuits are so popular here in California. We had lot's of the youth wear them to our Halloween and New Years Eve dances. I don't remember seeing that on the "what to pack" list for his mission so his companion must have had a different packing list! Reminds me of Blue Man Group...)

Haha no worries about last weeks email, I got two from you today! Yes I got your box a few weeks ago!! Thank you so much!!! I forgot to take a pic with the shirt but I will for sure do that this week I promise.

So basically I just had sinus infection and sore throat but I am 100% again thanks to your prayers! We didn't get a cita with Lourdes this week because someone in her family had a baby so she was busy with that. The baptismal date will be set this week for sure. I know for a fact we will set it because she is soooo prepared and ready. Looks like she will try to divorce her husband pretty soon.

Elder Walker is a great comp and makes the mission so much fun! We will take some pics this week for sure since you asked. Nothing my companions do really get to me and I just roll with it all. You learn a lot about yourself and how you deal with people while on the mission.

So Rocky went to the temple on Saturday for baptisms and had the time of his life!! He couldn't stop talking about it to us. That night we went over to his house and he skyped his family in Mexico to tell them and we got to talk to them too! I never thought I would get to go on skype on my mission, and now it has happened twice. He also got his first calling on Sunday: Auxiliary Secretary of the Elder's quorum! He is excited to serve and is such a better member of the church than me.

The big news was that Alma Fraire had her baby girl Megan on Friday at 12:25 AM! We were at their house Thursday night when her water broke and contractions started, oh man it was the most intense moment of my life! My heart was going crazy with excitement and it's not even my family hahaha. We gave her a quick blessing, and they rushed to the hospital, and 3 hours later Megan was born. Pretty crazy experience but super exciting as well. The plan of salvation is genius and the coolest thing ever isn't it!? Just can't see how you can't believe in God with all these amazing things that happen here on Earth. But anyways I gotta take off and work on my jumper. Para que sepan, I hit 90/100 free throws last p-day, so I am actually becoming a better shooter as well haha.

Thank you for everything Mom you are the best!! We will be on the phone in only 2 months if you can believe that!!

Love you all, thanks for everything, and I'll see you next week!

Elder Draper

Monday February 28, 2011 - 9 months

It was fun to celebrate my 9th birthday this weekend! (9 month mark) I've looked back on my mission and just love how much I have learned about myself and how much my testimony of this church has grown. I can't believe Conference is already almost here...that was seriously the fastest 6 months ever! So jealous that you are all going up for it again, let me know how it goes.

Well we got some exciting news in our email from the mission today...on March 12th Elder Todd D. Christofferson of the Twelve is coming to our mission!!!!! Woooohoooo!!! I am so excited to meet him and hear what he has to say, he is one of my favorites! Last March Elder Bednar came, so I guess March is the big month of this mission. That still doesn't top getting a private meeting with Elder Cook like dad did.

This week was pretty awesome. Elder Walker and I are getting along great and having too much fun with missionary work. He is from St. George and he actually came on his mission straight out of high school, we both graduated in 09. We started teaching Lourdes from Peru. I taught her one time in December, but she left for Peru because her dad died, and so she is back and ready for the gospel! She is the one whose husband is American and basically atheist, luckily we aren't teaching him too. She has come to church the past 2 weeks and even attended the baptism last night. She said she felt something she never has before and cried basically the whole time. I had to speak while the 3 people that were baptized changed, and I invited her to be baptized right over the pulpit! Also I had to speak in sacrament about missionary work which was so nerve racking! But everything went fine. I am probably more comfortable giving a talk in Spanish than in English now. I can still speak English just fine, but when you start talking about anything gospel related, I prefer Spanish.

Another cool thing that happened is that Juan Carlos got the priesthood yesterday. That was so great to see and he is set for the temple on Saturday! (baptisms) We are not going to go until June, so I won't be able to be there with him for his first time. Also before I forget I was going to ask if you have my priesthood line of authority? That would be cool to have. I would research it here but I have zero time.

That is about it I think. We should have a baptismal date set with Lourdes by next Monday emails, so get ready for that! I love all of you so much and miss you but the Lord is watching out for you! Have a great week and see you next week!

--
Elder Draper

Tuesday February 22, 2011

Cochrane is the second largest town in Alberta and about 20 minutes from Calgary

This was my Valentine Day dinner, looks like the shrimp is staring right at me

Hello family!! Wow I was hoping Trevor would come up to Canada to our mission but that is exciting to hear! Yeah I remember driving through that area around Mount Rushmore for sure. Blake told me about the season, that's too bad but now he can focus on college!

Well today is transfers but I am staying here in the west! Elder Nielsen is leaving and another Elder Walker is coming over. He is from St. George and is a super fun missionary, great guy. I should get your package today when we see our zone leaders.

Yeah this week has been super super rough on me, in all aspects. To start I just want to thank all of you that joined in the fast for Oscar. The sad thing is, the next day on Thursday, he dropped us completely. He talked to his wife, and turns out she is not as prepared as we thought and she talked him out of baptism. He even told us that he felt good about it, had lots of good feelings, but continued to say he is not ready and that we "pressured him". We were very bold and told him he is denying revelation from God and he might not have this opportunity again. He told us to only visit once a month now. I feel bad I could not come back and report some success for the fast though. I can promise that the blessing for the fast will come some day. That's one important thing I have learned is that blessings can come later. I absolutely don't like that because I can't see into the future, but I know the blessing will always come. And also this week I have just been super super sick and not feeling well. It has made me really sad and stuff, but it's a new week and I am ready to do work!

We had a really special opportunity along with another 20 English Elders to visit with Elder Brimhall a member of the Seventy! He came to the west stake conference, and after met with all the missionaries in the west! It was so cool to have an upclose encounter with a general authority! He talked to us about our call letter and how when we sent back our acceptance, we entered into a covenant with the Prophet of the living God to do everything that the letter says. Woah that made me feel pretty bad haha, I can definitely improve on that.

Juan Carlos is doing so great! He had his first interview with the Bishop on Sunday. He is receiving the Aaronic priesthood this Sunday and he is going to the temple on March 5!! How exciting! I think we will be going as well, so I am so stoked about that! I love you all!! Have a great week!!

Love,

Elder Draper

Baby Steps

This is too cute not to post!

Monday February 14, 2011

Coca Cola + tamales = run, and not be weary, walk and not faint

Here is a little update on the Calgary Temple! They have the basement built along the other side, I imagine that is the baptismal font. They just started building up this week. Looking good!

Well, I woke up this morning still thinking it was January, but it is already half way through Febrero. CRAZY! So anyways we had a really fun week. Juan Carlos is doing so awesome! Such a solid member. He is preparing to receive the Aaronic priesthood and off to a good start. Yesterday at church we helped him pay his first tithing. He was so excited to do that and it was a really neat thing to see. He wants the missionaries to visit his 3 kids in Mexico, so we got their address and sent that referral in. With every baptism comes lots and lots of referrals!

Tuesday we had Zone conference, the theme was the atonement and obedience. It was really good. We got to listen to this talk by Elder Holland that is not published...which means he says whatever he wants haha. It was super intense and super spiritual. The quote that stuck out to me was when he said "The only way to salvation is through Gethsemane." He applied that to us as missionaries and even to our normal non-missionary life. Salvation was never cheap...it wasn't for the Savior, and it isn't for us. It is not going to be a walk in the park to help people be baptized, something I didn't realize. I figured it is the Lord's work so it will be pretty chill. But, as Elder Holland said, we have to go through our own "atonement" so to speak, obviously not to the degree as Christ did. And then for us personally, it is not easy to make the celestial kingdom. There is so much to do, and it is going to be tough, but it is something we can do. So that was a pretty cool conference for me.

But the big exciting news is that we set a baptismal date with Oscar! We had an appointment with him and his wife last night, but she was sick so she did not sit in on the lesson. We planned on teaching the restoration, but he had other needs that we ended up focusing on. He again talked about how scared he is losing his job, and we told him that if we put God first and do His will, He will provide for us in all aspects of our life. He then started saying how he wants to "make a contract with God". He said he wants to do something for Him and in return wants blessings. Uhhh isn't that what baptism is? The answer is yes, and so we talked about the baptismal covenant, and extending him the 27th of February, and he agreed to set that goal! But we have a LOT of work to do the next 2 weeks to get him ready for that. First off we want his wife to be baptized that day too and we think she will...she is way more interested than him. He has a lot of doubts still and is always worried about work, so Elder Nielsen and I are going to be fasting for him and his wife this Wednesday the 16th. Anyone who would like to participate is welcome to and I really thank you. I know it might be weird fasting for someone you don't know but I feel like all of you are my missionary companions and I know you can make a difference for the Gonzalez family, not to mention you will be blessed for it. If you can't no worries, but I just wanted to invite you all because you are the best! He really is a special guy and we know through revelation that the Lord wants him and his wife baptized the 27th, so now it is up to us to do everything we can to prepare him and his wife for this date.

The email system is really bad and slow! All of the missionaries use it and most missionaries in the world have pday on Mondays, so that is why it takes forever! We have plans to run back to the library tomorrow to make a paper so I will jump on and see if your email is there. Dad's email just came in so everything is just really slow. It will be transfer week so my pday will be Tuesday I think...I love you mom! Thank you for everything!

I love you ALL so much, and hope you have a fun Valentine's Day and a good week :)

Elder Draper

Monday February 7, 2011

These pictures arrived in my inbox at 5:00 pm today nearly 6 hours after his email arrived. Funny how long it takes these large files to cross the cold Canadian border and make their way to sunny southern California. A little late but worth the wait!

Two big thumbs up for a baptism today!

Juan Carlos and Elder D!

Ryan's companion Elder Nielson performed the confirmation

The District - not sure all the missionaries names but I'll ask him to name them all next Monday

The group with Brother Lopez the ward mission leader

First picture is their best Rocky Balboa impression...then a Kodak moment smile

YEAH BLAKE!!! Congrats on Idaho man! Yeah I saw that Tyler Haws Mormon Message last week, that was super cool. He is a workaholic and luckily I am starting to develop that same fire here. Send anything that fits in the package! Kobe 6's are looking so fly! Just sayin. I don't have any requests in particular though but thanks!

SO yeah Juan Carlos Montiel Sanchez is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!!! Can you believe that we first taught him 13 days ago and he is already a member and is going to be receiving the Aaronic Priesthood soon? What a miracle I have witnessed the last 2 weeks. I am just so grateful for all of these amazing experiences I am having, moments I will never forget. When I was at BYU last year I took this Living Prophets class and everyone was returned missionaries basically except me. They would raise their hand and be like "Well I remember I had this sweet experience in the jungle of Brazil on my mission..." Now I have stories like that. So exciting! Juan Carlos asked me to perform the ordinance of baptism, which was a sweet experience. You remember his finger almost was chopped off in a work accident? So I bought a white trash bag and white duct tape and put it over his arm so it would not get wet. We get in the freezing cold water (the font heater is awful in our stake center I guess) and I do everything right for once haha. Name and prayer just fine, but when I dunk him, he sticks the bad arm up in the air so we had to do it over again. Second time went perfect, and I had to push him down all the way to the floor so his arm would get under, because he could not bend it very well he tells me after. Then Elder Nielsen gave him the gift of the Holy Ghost. Such a neat day for me, and President and Sister Archibald were there to see it!

Juan Carlos (Rocky Balboa) is the man! He is such a great example to me of trying to become better, being honest and straight up real, and trying to follow Jesus Christ. Seriously, all 4 people I have helped be baptized are better people than me. Better Christians and better everything. Yes I am teaching them the gospel and the logistics about the church, but all these people are teaching ME how to live the gospel. I have it all in my head just fine, even in another language, but what I need to work on is actually living what I teach. These people are such great examples to me, they have gone through so much in their lives and are still hanging in there. My life has been pretty basic and without problems, and I still have my doubts and complaints etc. I am so grateful for this mission and everything I have learned. They say that the first year of the mission you are just a sponge and absorb everything, then in year 2 you go out and apply everything and baptize the heck out of the people in your area haha. I have learned my weaknesses the last casi 9 months, and now it's time to make them strengths, with the help of the Atonement :)

Well how is that for an epiphany? Haha just to make it clear I am not a vile sinner. Just trying to be humble and honest I guess. I love you all so much and I really pray for you individually. I saw the movie The Best Two Years before my mission and laughed at the fact the he prays for like 30 minutes, but now I am here and almost doing that! Have a great week!!

Love,

Elder Draper