Elder D letter home to mom 3.2.13

Dear Mother,                                        3.2.13

I have received both packages and I am so grateful for the picture and the letters.  I will definetly study the Orson Pratt Lesson on Joseph Smith and the Lectures on Faith, so I may use the information on my mission.  I understand that you are desperate for letters from me.

I do my best to write you but lately our P Days have been filled with activities.  First the Air-Force Museum, then the Temple and lately hanging out with the hippies, in Yellow Spring.  .......   where we ate at an Amish Buffet named Der Dutchman.  That place was good.  All the food was grown there by the Amish and they supply this restaurant. 

Since Monday last week, we have found 7 new investigators.  6 of them are solid but they do have their own vices that we will work with them on.  And this last P Day, we as a district, went on a hike (I have pictures) and spent the rest of our time in this town called Yellow Springs. 

Yellow Springs is a town that is definitely hippie town.  They have a lot of import stores.  .......We have a wonderful conversation with the clerks of one of the stores.  People are very nice when you don't judge them.  I think I made a few friends that day.  After Yellow Springs, we had dinner at a place called Young's Dairy.&nbsp (This photo of Yellow Springs is courtesy of TripAdvisor)  All the food they have are completely fresh and home grown.  I had me some good buffalo sauce cheese curds, which were very good.  I've also realized my love for Reuben Sandwiches.  If you could send me a simple recipe on how to make Reuben, I would be eternally grateful. 

Let me tell you about the day we found a family of 6 that we found on the 22nd.  We tracted into the Reed's by using a method where, at the doorstop, we asked if we could leave them with a blessing upon their home and family.  They were all for it.  James, the young man at the door, was very excited to see us and when he let us in he collected his family by saying "the Jesus people want to leave a blessing!" James is 21, has a good amount of tattoos, he's been to jail and that's where his path began.  He realized that he was doing wrong and started reading the Bible.  He is now engaged to a girl named Gabrielle who I've already met.  When I was serving in Xenia, we started teaching her cousin, Brandon.   She wasn't interested at that time but shes very engaged in our lessons now. James's mother, Danielle, lives there with him and she is very interested, also her best friend, Amanda and her two children, Brad and Elizabeth. they live in Springfield but they were visiting and they were also very engaged when we shared the restoration with them.  We did so the same day as when we blessed their home.  They loved to hear it and are willing to learn more.  Hurray!!!

Tracting is hard again now that we're on bikes again.   It really is a trial of our faith because we're pretty winded by the time we get anywhere and I put so much energy out just to get out of my shell and talk to people that don't really want me on their doorstep.  It's hard to keep that happy face going when no one wants to just talk.  But I smile any ways.  I keep a happy countenance up and I get to work .  I'm not going to let that get me down or even give up.  I won't give up.  I read the material you send me mom, and I feel ready to go out and share my happiness with others.  My companions are a big help, too.   This is our distric in  Beavercreek. 

Elder Decker is a greeny.  One of the first of the 18 year old out on a mission.  He's big, he's happy, and he 's willing to get the Lord's work done.  He's from Wyoming and has the accent to fit him.  Elder Poulsen is on the last legs of the race.  He has 4 months left and he might just finish out here in Beavercreek with Elder Decker.  He's from Riverside, CA.  He's super up beat and positive about everything. 

I have gotten to do 4 of the 5 baptisms myself.  I know it's better if a member does it but they felt more comfortable if I did it.  I've had such a wonderful journey on my mission and I don't plan to end it there.   The last 2 baptism were for Jane and Andrew C____.  They are Kate W___'s 2 children and they are such a hoot.  Andrew is 10 and reminds me of Father.  He doesn't smile for his pictures.  And Jane is 12.  She is really into cats.  So much so that she related the Gospel to cats, somehow.  I have now helped a family to become complete.  I know that's why I'm still here in Beavercreek.  I am so happy to have helped them to reach closer to their Father in Heaven. 

I'm afraid I must go now.  There's more work to be done.  I will write more letters when I can. 

Love,
Elder Ephraim K DeCoursey. 

Elder D writes Gpa and ma Brown "Care Package" 2.13. 13

Dear Grandpa and Grandma 2.13.13
I have the care package and I am very grateful for it. I'm sorry I haven't written you back soon. I can only write on P-days and the last few have been very busy. I love the book that you sent me. I think it's awesome! And the shaving cream and deodorant were sorely needed. Thank you so much.

Let me tell you how the mission's going so far. The new goal for baptisms this year is 650. Last year was 500. I've already been able to contribute to 4 of them by the time you get this letter. I will be able to baptize the children of Katie W. That has made them very special to me. I have 5 baptisms so far and I'm only on month 5! The spirit is a very good teacher, if it was not so I would not have had this much success.

Apparently I have a speaking problem. I find it difficult to speak, at all sometimes, when I'm either finding or teaching. It was very frustrating when I first discovered it. It was actually with Elder Daw and Elder Hogan that pointed out that I needed to talk more. After much prayer and fasting, I now feel the Lord's blessings as I testify of this truth! What an amazing feeling it is to be in the hands of the God.

The mission has recently introduced a new door approach that Pres. Nilsen used on his mission in Germany. It has be really received with much success compared to what we use to be doing. We've gotten many new investigators with this format. I've seen many blessings from this. I will send or email a copy of it to mother as soon as I can. I will also be sending it to Amicherie so she can use it also. She will find much success with it.

I'm doing fantastic here! Kind of nervous because transfers are tomorrow but everything will be great. I don't know where I'm going yet or who my companion will be and I won't until tomorrow.b
Well, I have work to do so I must be going. Thank you for all the love and blessings you have sent my way. It was sorely needed.

Love
Elder Ephraim K DeCoursey

To his Sister from her Brother. 2.25.13

WOMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!

I MISS YOU!!!! Hows my favorite person doing? Hows the weather over there? I hear that it is an island Paradise over there. I hope that the cold isn't effecting you to much. I would send you a big warm hug from me but that is frowned upon in this society and also physically impossible I learned the hard way.

 

Well on a more serious note I just got back from my eagle scout board of revue and I'm going to be an eagle scout. I am so glad and feel so accomplished to be able to get this prestigious award. During the Oath it says to keep myself physically Strong mentally awake and morally straight but in stead of saying morally straight, and I said to like women. Bro. Dickman, Bro. Gibson, and Bro Reeder got a kick out of it. You probably don't know but they are going to be taking a vote on weather to allow gay boys into the Boy Scouts.  So I wanted to make sure that the board knew my standing :))

 

I started temple prep class last Sunday and I am loving it. Me and Landon go to the temple every Thursday morning at 5:30 in the morning but we get up at 4:00 to be there on time. It is so awesome to have the blessings of the temple in my life. I have grown so much closer to the lord and have come to know him and the ways he works in my life.

 

I have been praying to be able to recognize and feel the spirit more in my life. Last Friday Kendell Lee showed a a Mormon message video called mountain to climb. it talks about how that no matter what trial we are going through god will never forget about us and will always make a way for us to over come that trial. It is an awesome video and if you can check it out. Well while this video was playing i felt the spirit so strongly that i was almost brought to tears. It was the first time i have felt the spirit that strongly and that noticeable for a long time. I know that i felt the spirit so strongly I know it was an answer to my prayers.

 

I know that this church is the only true church in the entire world. The Book of Mormon is the most correct book on the face of the earth and testifies of Christ. I know that there is a god and Jesus is our savior. I know these things are true. I know that god knows that I know and I cannot deny it. I love my heavenly father and our Redeemer Jesus Christ.

 

I love you and miss you but know you are on the lords errand. I will be joining you soon i am making a goal to turn in my papers before may. Stay Strong and know that I love you but more importantly that heavenly father loves you and i say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

Dallin Dale DeCoursey

 

P.S. I love you even if you do kinda smell like Landon after he runs cross country :0

Sister D 2.25.13 "Baptism Scheduled"

Home,

I have sent a few pictures this week.  The Sisters in Eagan area after they exchanged with us for the day and the stuff we bought at the U of M store. My companion is Sister Morgan the farthest on the right. The four sisters in this area went to University of Minneasota to get our sweatshirts.  We are all very happy with them. My companion Sister Morgan is on the far right in the grey one.

I have included a few pictures of our appartment.  Our heater is broken in the apartment.  It hasn't been too bad. We just wear sweatshirts around the apartment. Plus we aren't there very much.

You may want to accuse me of not making my bed...Why would I take a picture of the room without making my bed first. lol. That blanket keeps me super warm. I love it. and by the way, yes I did get the V day package! Yay for my hymn book! I loved the articles of faith flip book thing.

 

And lastly is the Minneasota Temple. 

Mom asked me about singing. Yes. I sang last week at the Zone Conference. It was really nice and President loved it. So that was cool. and I'm singing for a sister's only conference that we are having this thursday. 

We are teaching lots of great people here in Dinkytown. I love the atmosphere here because it is a college campus. Sometimes it can be a little sketchy but most of the time it's really fun. I have learned so much about other religions because people are more than willing to share what they know and it's really fun to hear the kinds of things that they have to say. Like, we meet a lot of muslim people and to hear about the Koran and to hear their opinions on religion is fanisating.

We have a baptism this saturday. Wei is an 18 year old gal from China and is super cute. It will be interesting to see how she will influnce the people back in China who can't hear the gospel. Appartently, her mom back in China has been going to these underground mormon meetings because the religion is not allowed so people of the faith get together and just talk about things. Kinda cool.

That's about it for last week. The weather has been warmer.
Nothing below 0 lately so that's great.

Love you all and thanks boys for the letters,

Sister D

Landon writes to his brother and sister 2.25.13

Dear Eph and Amicherie,

Every Thursday me and Dallin go to the temple, it is such an awesome experience and I feel the spirit there always it’s truly a place where Christ has walk and a literal house of God. I've been able to hand out two Books of Mormon, it’s a direct relation of temple blessings I am so grateful for the accessibility of the temple and the peace it brings into our life’s, Also seminary is so awesome I LOVE it, last Friday Kendell Lee gave a beautiful devotional in which we heard a talk by President Eying about how we can overcome our trials with faith in Christ and grow from them, I felt the spirit so strong my hand were shaken as I wrought in my journal that class . I know that my redeemer lives and he will always love me and lift me up if I take his hand.

Also I've been called to be teachers quorum president. Also I’m thankful your teaching that gospel to our fellow brothers and sisters. Also I've started drivers ed and now have my permit. I love you and now that I am child of God and I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and he restored the gospel of Jesus Christ through faith and revelation and love .

Love, Louie 

This is mom, he left out details. So if you want details on his book of mormon experiences and driving experiences you must send them to me--hint Eph--. It is no fun knowing that he gave two out, but to whom, and how did it all happen. One was a teacher. So details make it more interesting don 't you think?!! (smiling with a tease to get you to write your mom). I quess Eph I am the one asking over and over again for letters, sorry but I can relate to you.

Letter From one Brother to another 2.25.13

2.25.13     

 -- Ephraim,

Hows the mission going? I hear you are doing really well and are become an awesome missionary. Eph you always were an example to me and I love you so much. I never really showed how much I loved and appreciated you but know that I do and I cant wait to be your fellow Elder in the misson field. I am working on my papers right now and have a goal to put my papers in before May.

 

I have been going to the temple every Thursday for baptisms for the dead. I started temple prep last week and i start mission prep in March. Today I had my eagle scout board of revue. I am going to be an Eagle Scout!!! I am so excited and glad that I was able to get this done on time.

 

I collected old Cell phones and gave them to a battered women's shelter so that they have access to 911 at an time. High School is going good. I'm passing all my classes and love seminary.

 

I am my seminaries class president. I get the class rolling and start the class. I am now the priest quorum 1st assistant. I Have been praying to be able to fell the spirit more in my life and to be able to recognize it. In seminary Kendell Lee showed a Mormon Message video called Mountain to climb. It talks about over coming our adversity and no matter how difficult our trials our are the lord will never forget us and there is always a way to over come them. I felt the spirit so strong and that was the first time in a long while that I was able to truly feel the spirit. I know that this is the only true church on the face of the earth. I know that Joseph smith is a prophet of the lord. The book of Mormon is the most correct book on the face of the earth. I know that God knows that I know and I cannot deny it. I love the lord and I love my savior. Simple as that.

Love ya Big Bro-

Dallin Dale DeCoursey

Elder D 2.24.13 "Jane and Andrew Baptized"

Dear Family and Friends,

I don't have much time to write letters today. We have a district activity in 1 hour and that should take the rest of pday. I will write more letters next week and will send them out. But right now I don't have time to do so. Maybe I'll write thru out the week at less productive times of the day and send them on Monday. But I will send letters to you soon.

We also have sisters serving in the same area as we are. There are 5 missionaries in Beavercreek. Plus our district is so much fun!! I will tell you more when I write you a letter. But for now I must go. Love you. keep on keeping on!! ha

I am sending a few pictures of Katie's children.  They were baptized on Saturday the 24th of Feb.  I know that my smiles are always weird. Especially at a baptism. I just can't seem to get it right. But I'm working on it. However, I win the hearts of the members by my smile alone so there's some good there.  Jane and Andrew were great to teach and baptize.

 

 





Did I tell you that Jane Cr....., my 3rd baptism (Feb. 16), pretty much adopted Elder Daw, Hogan, and I as her grandchildren? My smile is what really got her attention is what she said.  So some good does come from that problem. 

 

 I have a crazy picture at the Air Force Museum.  I was having fun.

Yes that is .... a very big spider. 

 

Elder Poulsen is training Elder Decker, my new companions.  He is one of the new 18 year old Elders that just came out.  I would love to tell you more about them but I must be going. I love you. 

Elder Eph DeCoursey