12/28/15

What a week. The theme of this week was service. On Christmas Eve we went caroling for days! The highlights included a woman in the front cussing us out, an old lady who was so touched she needed to kiss my cheek. A cool experience was going to a members house and having ten missionaries sing to her outside her house, the high was 73 degrees that day. When we started she was overwhelmed and started crying. Awe heart.

Caroling at Veteran's Place


Christmas Eve night we went to Brother and Sister Pope's house. We made some awesome gingerbread houses. I forgot how much I struggle with making gingerbread houses when hot glue guns aren't available. So the time lapse shows the sloppiness and a gummy bear tower falling over a couple times. It was a good time.

Christmas Day also was great! I got to Skype with my family! It was pretty awesome, I miss them and their quirky humor that you just don't see anywhere else. Probably cuz we're the only ones who like dry humor that's seasoned in sass. I also got some cool presents, one being Lego Star Wars, a photo album with pics from the mission so far, and some long cat ties. After I was kind of in a slump because we just lounged around for like 6 hours that day. But a highlight was riding the train outside of Pittsburgh to the end of the line, where we then got picked up to go to the mission home. I suddenly found myself in a bizarre world called NOT Pittsburgh. Some days this place feels like a movie set, like the movie "The Truman show" because I can't leave, there's rivers and tunnels to leave the city. Anyways Elder Masina and I found ourselves outside a movie theatre welcoming people to the movies and saying merry Christmas. To find out information on a movie I didn't know of I'd say. Oh that's the one with...and then they'd answer and I said oh yeah right her. So that was a good time. We had a fun time at the mission home with the ping pong robot.

On Tuesday we were going to get some quarters to do laundry. We saw Jonny, a really old homeless guy. He was struggling that day with walking because he's got cancer and he's old. (Like his 50's. Just kidding suckas.) point is he asked us to walk him across the street to their camp. Across the street he was slowing down and we decided to pick him up. We did a fireman carry and to get him up we skootched him onto our arms. He had a cute smile as we picked up the pace substantially. We got him situated in his bed, put his covers on him, gloves, beanie. Everything was good except I had poop all over right leg from Jonny! But honestly I wasn't too distraught as I thought I would've been. It was really humbling to help someone like that. Obviously we took pictures so enjoy that. Then went back and got quarters and pop tarts, and ice cream.

So there's you have it. Another week in the life of Elder Simmons.

Timelapse of walking from Northside

12/21/15

Hey people, this week was crazy!

On Tuesday I went in an exchange into Northside with Elder Syndergaard. We turned out to have a stacked day and with some extra exerted effort we got a rather above average lesson day. It showed me that A.) We can always have something to be doing. And B.) Setting mini goals during the day can also be really effective.

Caroling


The second highlight of this week was the fat amount of caroling I got to do. Our zone activity was awesome. Elder Montgomery was my companion for the day due to the car accident of Elder Bell. Which was awesome. We were going and Bell had a which way to turn folly. As he started turning right a truck came from our right and we bounced off it. It was just some scrapes, and the guy was super nice. So that was fun. Elder Bell got red-dotted, so on our blitz he couldn't drive! ANYWAYS Montgomery and I got to do some awesome street contacting before going to a hospital to sing. When we got there early a guy stopped us by saying BYU? Sure BYU what's up. Turns out his wife was in the hospital and their nephew is serving in Spain. So a smaller group went up and sang to her. Then her next door neighbor because she heard the singing too. That was a really cool experience.

The zone activity was quite fun, we did a white elephant gift exchange. That was pretty entertaining, I almost got stuck with a shake weight. That would've been useless.

The third highlight was a blitz with Oakland on Saturday. I got to drive for the first time since coming out, but luckily it was a Corolla! Just like at home so I felt no problems driving. Also TiWi never talked to me. We got an awesome new investigator from that day, which was nuts. We got to her door and she just opened it! She was super solid and we'll be teaching her this week. Turns out we wouldn't have been able to ring the doorbell and her number was jank. That was totally lined up by God.

In other news this Pday morning we went to a museum that had 6 floors. We pretty much just saw the WW2 section, the sports, and visited the Mr, Rogers wax figure. All in a hour. Last time I ever go to a museum.

Also it snowed once this week, it was sweet. And now it's gone, which is great because I don't like being outside in the cold.

But still Merry Christmas

Elder Simmons

We helped a girl pack all of her stuff

12/14/15

This week has been pretty long, let me tell you. First off we had an awesome zone conference. President Johnson's sister made nose warmers for every missionary in the mission. And these things are epic. They make for hilarious pictures whether you're trying or not. We talked a lot about Christmas and we also got to watch the new mission video!

And of course this week was Nick's baptism! Saturday morning we went to the church and filled the font with mildly warm water. By the time the baptism rolled around the water got slightly chilled. As we walked in we were both shivering a bit. Turns out we didn't go over the dunkage part well enough. After I said the prayer we went down and he went straight back. Not much knee bending happened, so he went straight back near the wall. I made sure he went all the way I see. Now, you all should know the font is pretty tiny. On his was up he smacked his head on the faucet...! The whole crowd went OOOH. He was ok but he got a good gash. Of course I cut this guy's head! But it's all good, there's been some good jokes about it. Also President and Sister Johnson was there too. Another profound thing that happened is when Nick came up the water was noticeably warmer! We both noticed it, it wasn't just our bodies had adjusted we could feel the warm pockets. That was pretty cool. I want to say God warmed it a bit but it's not doctrine.

Sunday is always a highlight as well. It was the Christmas program and all of us missionaries in the ward sang in the choir. I enjoyed trying to sing to the good people. The coolest part of Sunday was seeing Nick in a white shirt and tie. That was the first time I saw him dressed that nicely. That's where things came full circle and I could see the change in Nick's life more than ever. Elder Howard confirmed him a member, it was also Elder Howard's birthday. I really hope I'm not leaving Pittsburgh. We find out a few days after Christmas who's peacing out. Also we got to go to a concert at Carnegie Mellon University. Jeez this people could make music. It was pretty awesome. That about sums up my crazy week.

See ya,

Elder Simmons

12/7/15

Hello again, this week started off really slow. I have been in a rut of not knowing what to do when there is open time in the day. So we did a lot of walking. It was hard and not too fun. Then we did exchanges on Wednesday and Elder Masina helped me out a lot and now it feels like there's too much to do and not enough time! I learned how vital weekly planning is. I've also been doing better with my mornings, I promised God I'd work out every morning. So I have, but it's tough to get into the habit.

Other highlights include Tony getting a baptism date! I might be out of the area by then but as long as it happens that's what matters! Tony is great and Nick is still going good for his baptism. Testimony meeting was amazing this week, there were so many spiritual testimonies that just rocked everyone's heart. We also watched most of the Christmas devotional with Nick last night. He really loved the music. (P.s. I predicted that the last song was going to be Silent Night.} Nick's baptism is coming up fast! I'm super excited! It hasn't snowed yet, which is good and bad. It'll feel like Christmas but I have to walk in it all day. Also we set up our quaint little spruce the other day.

Our beautiful Spruce

I've also gained a lot more confidence tracking. The goal is to say something profound before some one says no to you. So one house I knock I start off just stumbling all over the place, not making much sense. The I paused and said, I'm not good at this door thing, but we're missionaries blah blah blah eternal salvation. After that most of the fear went away, these houses still have real people in them. And by their standards we are the weird ones. I always get anxiety when they come to the door but I've gotten a lot more confidence an courage to talk. All thanks to the Man upstairs.

We got volunteered and lied to by other missionaries to go to Linda's house for dinner. We were told she was getting pizza, which was the lie. So we got there and we had quite the interesting time.. needless to say I'd rather eat school lunch food for two years then go over there once a week. So that's my week in a quick flash, the weeks go so darn fast it's insane. This Saturday, Nick's baptism, will be my 4 month mark! WAT? I have two thoughts, that was fast, and this is going to take forever. But I'll just keep taking it hour by hour and week to week.

Elder Simmons

The double piggy back. Slightly uncomfortable, but worth it in the long run.

Headlights are kewl

Pizza with Kevin

11/30/15

Aloha friends. This week has been jolly because Thursday was Thanksgiving! I got to play some fat football and had a really good time. The highlight was the last play of our second game. It was a kick return and Elder Masina was flying through everyone. He came right in front of me and some guy punched the ball out of his hands. I feel like thats illegal but I thought if they're going to play dirty the play shall go on. So I got the fumble and as I crossed into the end zone a fool came and hit me and I fell backwards and as a rolled I jumped back up and kinda threw the football at him. I might've been a smidge heated but it's all good.

The Turkey Bowl Crew

Post Football donuts

We talked to some cool people this week, one being a old grandma who just loves Mormons! So she may as well become one haha. Another interesting guy was on the bus telling a story of how he stopped two "cats" from mugging him. Apparently we just got a referral today for some guy who wants to join because of wearing garments.. So we'll see how that goes!

Our man Nick watching President Monson!

Our main man Nick is scheduled for being baptized December 12 at 12pm! Woot! So even though the work was long it's been a good week. Next week we're going to try a few new tactics. Also go to Christmas.mormon.org and check out the new ish! That should help us out a bit I hope.

Have a sweet week and happy holidayz

Elder Simmons

The light above my head wasn't planned, but the rest was.

The Deer selfie

Slumber party on Ellsworth LOL

Construction got us with no sidewalks

View from the top of the Cathedral of Learning. You can see our church from here!

11/22/15

Crazy week people. So this week was my first week with my man Elder Howard! It was pretty strange being in charge but I know Pittsburgh like I know the topical guide. The part that has really whopped me is I'm the guy thinking about buses, and routes and where to go. It makes things a bit more stressful but its all good.

With my new companion Elder Howard

The highlight of the week was Sunday for sure. Sundays are just the best. The ward members are great and Nick came to church again. He's gotten so much better with not smoking it's been great. Dinner at members' houses are always fantastic too.

Saturday was a interesting day. We went to a nicer area that we don't go to that often. We turned a corner where an old Italian guy was with a Pirates fedora. I said hi and asked him if we could help him with anything. He was really touched by the gesture and he talked with us for a good twenty minutes at least. He said he could feel the Holy Spirit from us. He also told us some great stories about him in the Korean War. He's one of those people who just make being out here all worth it. Then we turned the corner.. to a guy's house who was very nice to us. He was a past potential investigator. It quickly came out that he was a pastor. He was a really nice guy but when it came to having gospel conversations he was rough. He would ask us twisted questions that didn't have a good answer. We were there for an hour. He pretty much was one of the guys who got his authority from the Bible. So we never got anywhere with him. So that sucked. I was so exhausted. There's one example of the ups and downs.

Elder Howard after our Pastor Punishment

Today, Monday, it's been up and down as well already. Nick called us and said the baptism was off. He and Debbie got in a fight. The life was sucked out of me when that happened. Twenty minutes later he called again and said he needed to talk with us. So not all hope is lost. He's too into this gospel to let the people ruin it. Thank goodness.

With Nick on the bus Wednesday heading to A.R.P.

The over all week was good. We taught 11 street lessons so it has been good work. Peace out people I need to eat lunch

Elder Simmons

Scarf Season

Seagull and I

Elder Howard and I

11/16/15

Heya people, this week was a pretty cool. We had Zone training and we all made shirts. I just wanted to play ping pong so I quickly wrote "I'm just here to pong" and that's what I did. Ps I'm getting pretty ok at ping pong. We also played toilet paper dodgeball. Toilet paper is so valuable to me I feel like the Jews and their books getting burned by the Nazis. I also had a nice interview with President Johnson.

The Pittsburgh Zone!


On Tuesday we had a horribly slow day. Our plan turned into riding buses and talking to people on buses. On the first bus I wasn't very excited so I prayed that I'd talk to someone that's prepared to hear our message. I always sit in the back of the bus when trying to talk to people because that's where I have the best chance. So I sat back there and a guy sat next to me with headphones and luckily he started talking to me! He knew some LDS in the military and had gone to church in Green Tree once before! He has a Book Of Mormon and I told him how much I love it because we get personal revelation. So he said lets do it and we flipped to a random verse and it pertained to both of us really well! Maybe one day we'll see him again

One of them Sloooowww days


We have three really solid investigators that are inching closer to baptism. I'm so excited for them and their lives. Nick came to church again which is really the key to conversion. So many members were talking to him it warmed my heart. Dave is doing really well at reading now so we have high hopes for him too! Our man Tony is going to start listening to the Book Of Mormon on his phone as he walks about.

I'll be getting my next companion tomorrow! Crazy, my trainer will be gone and I'll be running the area! Look out haha. Elder Howard and I will do some awesome things here I'm sure of it!

Elder Simmons

Rode a horse today

First time at Pimanti Bros, they always have fries and coleslaw in their sandwiches.

The last supper with the Pittsburgh peeps.

This dog never kisses anyone, not even the owners. I was determined to get a kiss that night.

11/9/15

Hello world. What a week! The highlight was my weekend

Saturday we worked like crazy. We did service for a member with his jank basement, and I couldn't breath right for the rest of the day. We went to Kevin's who said he was going to go to church but he didn't of course. Then we went to a lady's house and cleaned her crazy overgrown backyard. She a born again Christian but at least we got to help her out a lot. But jeesh was her yard crazy. I enjoyed getting to rip off plants off the fence. We sped walked home, changed, got a bus back up to the top of Pittsburgh and taught a lesson. Had a dinner with a member, played some pirates dice with them, then had another lesson with a less active and two investigators. Went to the church and put in our weekly numbers then hustled home! It was a crazy day and I loved it because we were so busy. It's the best to be productive. I thought that day was going to not have any lessons but we had 6 that day. The Lord blessed us.

Then Sunday was the primary program which was adorable. Nick our closest to being baptized had a great time at church and even told members he'll probably be getting baptized soon. Booyah. The amount of happiness after church I had was crazy. I was so pumped and happy that he's accepting the gospel. Friday we'll be hitting him with the word of wisdom. Literally the last and final bump before baptism. Best part is Debbie is going to quit smoking with him so he'll have a support system. We also practiced Christmas Songs for the Ward Choir, yas to Christmas. (Spoiler alert, the church has some ostentatious plans for Christmas)

Also my morning have still been changed for the better, I love reading the scriptures even more than ever and I get so much happiness out of it. Its one of the few things that can bring me a lot of lasting happiness in the life.

Peace out people, read a scripture.

Elder Simmons

New winter boots

Elder Montgomery and I

Twinners! (Please note, Brad does NOT need glasses, he just wears them for fun - Ryan)

Sweet Car!

11/2/15

Hey everyone!

This week has been crazy. The beginning of the week was SLOW. we had a a bunch of cancelations. I had an awesome day with Elder Masina in Northside. Highlights included: Walking to a island by the river, having a awesome lesson with a really prepared guy, eating at Peppis, and getting a straight outta Homewood shirt.

On the Island!

I got in a rut in my mornings. My studies were awful. But then I learned from Elder Masina that mornings set the tone for the whole day. So I was determined to change my mornings. And I have! I love studying the scriptures so much now! I started a study journal as well and that's helped a lot. Our week started turning around. We got to teach lessons and it was a testimony to me how important it is to study in the mornings.

On Friday night there was a concert outside our apartment building, the local talents were awful. SO BAD. But we got to listen to Chris James, who was on the Voice. And the highlight was A Great Big World, they were awesome.

Because of the area in which I live there were so many gay people, so the next day during Halloween we hung out with some guys who bat for their own team. We actually had a really good conversation about the gospel with them. Halloween night we just sat in our apartment and played monopoly (boo) and Jenga. (oh yeah) on Sunday some crazy things went down and we got a new bishop! What! Pretty crazy but I know it was guided by the spirit so it's all good.

Elder Simmons

These things scare me.

The ketchup place!

Hamilton Street in Homewood

Shout out to the Perry family.

Just boarding like I do.