6/12/17

Hello everyone who reads this. This week has been a fun one.
Even though I had pink eye technically (the non spreadable kind causes by allergies), and today my right eye's Sty has blown up leaving me looking swollen silly at best.

Tuesday I was on exchanges in my area with Elder Fisher. We had a good time, we tried a lot of potential investigators who weren't home. (that seemed to happen a lot this week) But it was still a great day because I was able to give out 3 copies of the Book of Mormon. Also Hank was interviewed.

Keeping out of the sun, waitin' for a bus.

On Wednesday I went to the eye doctor. It was my fist trip to the doctor's office for myself on my mission. At Rite Aid I gave an employee named Caleb a Book of Mormon. So now we have a better excuse to get strong pain med prescriptions, like everyone else in the city. We attempted to see Edward with Bro Garner but he wasn't home. We tried again later in the week. He was texting us on Sunday, he's gone off the wall. Super bummer there. Pittsburgh Pirates were in town against the Orioles this week, I was conflicted when we past some Pirates fans and wanted to say "GO BUCS!" but I was wearing a Orioles tie. What a mess.

Two "entrepreneurs" let me hold their fat stacks of cash. At least $3000 I was holding (tax free too!)

Friday Henok got interviewed and he was good to go. We tried a bunch of people on Friday but no one was around. Its super hard to meet up with people when they're never home and never answer their phone! But I get my satisfaction from effort not results so can't complain

Here's the neck brace picture I didn't send last week.

Saturday was a great day. Hank, Henok and Kevan all got baptized! So here's the pictures.

I had the opportunity to Baptize Henok. That water was HOT. Like it felt like a hot tub in that font. (I didn't fill it.) But Henok was baptized, and audibly said, "Wow" afterwards. Hank was next and Elder Hyde Baptized him and I stayed in for back support. Hank's foot came up a few times so the third time was the charm for him. Then Kevan was baptized by Elder Petersen and I got to help lower him as well. It was super cool. It was a great baptism. Sunday was also great with the 3 men's confirmations. Henok was telling us that Saturday afternoon he was super happy, was laughing all the time and had a two hour conversation with his wife and they didn't fight. He told us how the Spirit was so strong on Saturday and it was even more powerful as he got Confirmed. Hank also expressed some of his feelings and told us that as he was confirmed the Spirit awoke him. More literally then metaphorically because he slept really bad the night before. It was a highlight for me to hear their testimonies. The power from God is here. Its great.

Finished off the week with a wonderful meal at the Hydes. Couldn't get much better then that.

This week we're going to have a heat wave. That should be fun.

Elder Simmons

6/5/17

Hey everyone, in contrast to last week this week has been much better. I don't know if its because circumstances have changed or my attitude or both. But regardless its been a much more positive experience. The letters from the Primary were cute, by the way. On Tuesday we emailed because Monday was Memorial day and out of respect for the soldiers who aren't able to email their families we waited till Tuesday. Or its because the library was closed Monday. We tried to see Edward but he wasn't home, his problem is that Mormons think black people are cursed. Satan always goes hard before or after baptism, but we'll get him back. I just have a feeling he can't be gone gone. He was so solid. But in the same neighborhood we met a lady named Toni who was very interested with the Book of Mormon and asked if she could meet with us. (She missed the appointment later in the week but its a work in progress.)

Here's a guy we saw one morning, had the Officer check him out. Turns out he was just sleeping. Have yet to see a dead body or hear a gun shot surprisingly.

Wednesday we saw a few potentials I've been trying to see consistently for a while now. Dennis is one of them, turns out he has actually been reading the Book of Mormon and has some questions he wants to talk about sometime. He told us to come on Tuesday. We gave our 80 year old friend Mr. Holly an Ensign. He's Jehovah Witness so we gave him the Christmas edition haha. Also saw Hank Wednesday and we read some good chapters in the Book of Mormon. He's excited to get baptized this Saturday if all goes according to plan.

Here's a really fat Moth who was injured in some way.

Thursday was a bit less happy, we weekly planned, and then tried 4 people in one area. All of which weren't home. But it was like 5:30 pm. Friday we gave out 3 copies of the Book of Mormon. If I can give out 1 a day then I have to call it a good day regardless of anything else. So it was a very good day. 2 of the people we gave them to we got phone numbers/addresses'. One guy's Godmother was a Mormon and the other was a referral. The referral's name is D'ong. I thought at first he was an Asian man but I was wrong. I've never taught a Asian person come to think of it.. Anyways D'ong was very cool and he wants to meet with us and have his Fiance be there as well to make it a family matter. Super awesome.

Saturday was a stacked day. We helped some members move and got Donuts for it. It was the most organized move I've ever been to. We saw Henok and talked about the Sacrament and keeping the Sabbath day holy. Along with his Baptism coming up this Saturday. It was a great lesson, but sadly he missed church. I'm not really worried. He's reading the Book of Mormon and opposition has been a thing for him from the beginning but he decided to be baptized himself so its just a matter of time. We also saw Hank with Bro. Allred. Those two are good pals and we had a great time there. "Hanky Panky" is a very funny guy, his humor is witty. There's a wonderful picture of us wearing his neck braces but that'll come next week. Hank is also very excited to get Baptized.

Sunday was nice as always. Church was wonderful. After church we gave a woman a blessing. Her friend in Hagerstown is investigating and sent us to visit her. She got in a really bad car accident. It was nice to teach her about the restoration of the Priesthood power, and to testify that in essence Jesus is giving her a blessing. Then to give her a blessing to feel the power and have the Spirit's words come out of your mouth is very powerful. The fun part of Sunday was running into some black guys who preach about white people being evil. They recognize me very easily and cussed us out. But I've gotten much better at not caring what other people think about me, so it didn't bug me at all.

Looking forward to another good week.

Elder Simmons

5/29/17

This week has been bad all at once. I'm doing fine and my companion and I get along great. It all started on Wednesday when we were supposed to go to the Temple with Edward but he wasn't texting back, and then he did and there were very long texts that didn't actually tell us how he was feeling. But it wasn't good. We went over there and he wouldn't answer the door. So then the trip was off and suddenly we have a recent convert that is trying to not be a member anymore. He had some sort of anti we think, but the main problem is he thinks he can help people better with out the church. The church is too small to bring his friends to, and if its not from the Book of Mormon we don't give any thought to it. It has been like he has forgotten everything that I taught him, and everything the Holy Ghost testified to him. It was the Spirit he felt coming into church and what he felt at his baptism. Its been awful. It was one of the worst days in the history of Elder Simmons' ever to occur. But each day I have felt the pains of him making his own decisions leave me. I know I did my part. We're going to try to get him back though. I'm sure whatever he's going through has been miserable as well. So there's that story.

People we did see were Hank. He is doing awesome, we had some very good Book of Mormon reading with him and taught him about the temple. He's even done a lot of Family History already. Boo-freakin-yah. We're hoping he stomach incision is not infected so he can get baptized on June 10th.

Good ole Dalijah spitting out raps.

Henok we also got to see. We went over the Word of Wisdom, read the section in the Doctrine and Covenants. Turns out he stopped the major problems in Africa. and when he came to America he stopped drinking tea and coffee. It was a very nice lesson to have.

Some cool trains, that maybe I wasn't supposed to stand on...

Zone Conference was this week. I've been going to the same Zone Conference since September. Only one other Elder has been in it longer then I have. But it was good. We learned about things that I can't specifically remember right now. But it was 7 hours of things.

This was a interesting night. We were "watching" the game with two homeless guys (one since has received a Book of Mormon). Then the young guy came up and said he wanted to take a picture with us. So I got out my camera and this happened. Then he went on his merry way. Pretty strange, but that's what Baltimore is for.

Also a huge gathering of "Magic the Gathering" enthusiasts came to town. I don't know (or care to know) anything about the game, but these guys were nice enough to let me sit by them for a second.

This week is looking much more up. I'm super determined to get more investigators. I want to finish this whole mission thing right.

Elder Simmons

5/22/17

Hello everyone, we had a pretty solid week this week.

Tuesday we went to district meeting then went to Columbia and I worked on a project. and now I'm out of projects, but its cool. At the bus stop at the Columbia mall George, the guy Elder Dameus gave a Book of Mormon too was there. I gave him a restoration pamphlet and we talked about it. It was super sweet, he has read 1 Nephi already so he already has a testimony of the book.

And we got two free meals that day. No complaints.

Wednesday we were out following up on referrals and such. It was super hot. Throughout the week we got 2 new people who are down to be taught, but we haven't been able to get with them due to lesson cancellation or something like that. But we are getting new people.

Thursday we were with Hank shopping with him. It was quite the journey, but the sushi we had was very good.

Friday was another day of trying people and we contacted a referral. Most of these people ordered a bible online and then we come and present them with a Book of Mormon as well then offer to teach them about it. Not always are they interested, and a lot of the time they say "give me some time to read it first, But I'll take it". It's fun work.

We also talked to a guy on Federal Hill who was to be following around "Always Dreaming's" owner the next day at Preakness, so that was cool. If that didn't make any sense then I'm sorry.

Dream job stuff right there.

On Saturday we got to meet with both Hank and Henok. Hank's lesson was super great. He had read the commandments and was ready to quit coffee and we talked about him getting baptized June 10th. Then we read 3 chapters of the Book of Mormon with him. He told us he needs to be more consistent with reading it. Ba-boom! Then we met with Henok, we read the Plan of Salvation pamphlet with him along with 2 Nephi 2. He then told us how he wants to get baptized, even though all his relatives and friends say we're not Christians. So June 10th for him as well! He also told us he's going to read 1 to 2 chapters a day. Could you ask for anything more out of those two? No not really.

We also checked out the Preakness, had quite the view from the bus parking lot as you can see

Sunday was great. Edward is the man and was there for the sacrament. he getting better and better at being on time. and this week we're going to DC with him! Its been a good week.

Elder Simmons

kinda charming

5/15/17

This week has been pretty crazy, it went by very fast. On Tuesday I said "see ya" to Elder Dameus, who I was with for 12 great weeks. And I got elder Stafford again.

(he left at like 6:45 that morning)

It rained most of the week and Elder Stafford's umbrella was a sad embarrassment

But the rain didn't mess with us too much thankfully. My last transfer Elder Dameus and I got maybe 3 referrals in 6 weeks. In this first week together we have received 8! So we've been pretty busy. Some people are interested, some just wanted a Bible, others wont even respond to us. But I'm very grateful for all the work we have to do. We have contacted 5/8 so far.

We also picked up two potentials ourselves. Mark is one, he was singing Bruno Mars' "Nothing on you" as we were walking down the street. Then he changed the phrase beautiful girls to Latter-days saints which got our attention. We gave him a Book of Mormon and he has actually been texting us back. Pretty crazy.

The other good story was when we were giving a referral her Bible and the care giver was the one to open the door and give it to her. And it turned out the Nurse was a lot more interested with the Book of Mormon then the other lady. So we are going to meet with her this Saturday hopefully.

Sunday was the best day, Hank, Henok, and Edward all came to church. It was a crazy Sunday for me trying to balance my time with all three but it worked out great. Hank had a great experience. Henok had a big question answered with all those who died during the great apostasy, thanks to the Spirit World. Edward after church, got the Aaronic Priesthood. It was a very good moment for him. And Sunday night I was able to Skype my family, which was fantastic. Life is pretty great. I'm enjoying have good work to do for my last few months on the mission.

Edward the priest and I

Home made Taiko drum at a art show opening.

Ted the hot dog stand man gave us free hot dogs, all because I stopped and looked at the prices. Good guy.

Elder Simmons

5/8/17

Time has already has flown by in Baltimore. I've already been here for 12 weeks. and now I only have 12 weeks left on my mission. Still a while to go but it's going to fly by I'm sure. Life is pretty exciting.

On Tuesday our good friend Hank went to the hospital to get his cancerous Pancreas out. We were able to visit him on Thursday and Saturday. He is a trooper and he told us he is serious about being baptized. He told us the doctrine has expanded his mind a lot. And he likes the feelings he gets. He also loves the family aspect to it and wants to reunite his family through the Gospel. Hank is awesome.

He went in on Tuesday, and he came home on Sunday. Pretty remarkable. The priesthood blessing we gave him before hand played a very good role I'm sure.

I went on exchanges with Elder Jensen. We had a good time together. A car dealer wanted to get a picture with us because at his work we're famous. Famous because we're the only white guys in Park Heights. Turns out he doesn't like sharing room in pictures.

He didn't want the Book of Mormon, he recognized that if he took the book he'd be held responsible for learning about it. Which is probably a good thing to recognize but at the same time just take the book man. He did take a pamphlet after.

After talking to that guy we turned the corner where an Escalade was getting the inside detailed. So Elder Jensen walked around back of it and not realizing the trunk was open, whacked his head super hard on it. The thud/whack is unforgettable. The only one laughing harder then me was Alonzo the one cleaning the car.

Friday it rained a lot, so instead of being in the rain we went to the mission office and I worked on a new project. We took the bus home and Elder Dameus was able to talk to a guy about the Book of Mormon. It was super sweet.

Saturday the ward temple trip happened. At 3pm the bus was loaded up, Edward and our investigator Henok came as well!

Here's the inside of the bus with the good folks.

I wish I were able to say I had a great time at the visitor's center with them. But we didn't go, because of the policy. So I decided to be obedient and so we tried to be productive in the rain. It didn't work. In hindsight I should've gone. But its all good, we survived. Edward and Henok both had a great time. Henok will be baptized this month I think.

Sunday was a regional stake conference so we watched a broadcast and got to hear from Elder Gong, Sister Cordon, Elder Perkins, and Elder Oaks. It was pretty good. After church we walked around the town, I was super tired. I even went on the wrong train. but we did give a Book of Mormon to a guy named Bobby. Then dinner with the Hydes and transfer calls came.

Elder Dameus, Elder Jensen and Elder Ressler are all leaving. And I'll be getting my old companion Elder Stafford again. We were together for 2 weeks before he went home to get surgery. So I'm super excited for that!

Having a great time in Baltimore

Elder Simmons

5/1/17

On Monday we had a lesson with Karon and Anthony. It was super good. We read in 1 Nephi when he has the vision of the tree of life and it gets compared to Christ and the world and his seed. We then tied it in with the restoration and it was a crazy good lesson.

Tuesday we had a lesson planned with Hank with the Hydes but he had to reschedule. But they took us out to eat anyways. We went to a Asian place and I had sushi, it was fantastic.

That night we had a lesson with a woman named Brittany, had some interesting concerns but she is cool enough to be very open with her opinions. Hopefully we'll get to teach her again.

On Wednesday we got to go see Hank with the Hydes and it was a very good lesson on the Plan of Salvation. He finds that what we teach him expands his knowledge, so good things to come with him. Wednesday night we had correlation or Frosty Night, depending on how you look at it.

On Thursday we helped at the mission office again. The logo is done and it looks great. Working on some other projects now so I'm pretty happy. Had lunch with a senior couple and other missionaries.

Friday we went to Edward's to help with family history, we contacted a referral, and we had an adventure with Hank and Bro Allred. Hank was way up in Baltimore County so we went and picked him up.

The next morning the 4 of us met up again and we went to a baptism of 4 others that are in the ward. It was super awesome to see that many people come and join.

Sunday those awesome people got Confirmed and I taught second hour. Edward was at church, we had a Linger Longer afterwards which was fun. Did better that night talking to people. A dryer in the apartment building across the street lit on fire so that was a entertaining to watch till 12:30am.

This week the goal is to have a lesson with at least 4 people with hopes of 6 lessons. Aiming to do better at talking to people and doing effective things in down time. Trying to finally get a hang of this missionary thing with 3 months left.

Elder Simmons