Thursday, November 29, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
Donnie Graves was Baptized!
Hello! We’ve had a great couple of weeks since I wrote last! On Saturday, November 17th, Donnie Graves was baptized! We’d been teaching him for a few weeks, and he was really excited about learning the Gospel, coming to church and finally being baptized. He loves praying and talking with us about Jesus Christ, and one of his friends, Jon, sat in on a lesson and then decided to come to Donnie’s baptism.
Our ward gave great support to Donnie, he has probably met almost everyone in the ward because he is so outgoing. Between meetings, he walks around and introduces himself to everyone he doesn’t know. Our Elder’s Quorum President, Christian, was asked to baptize him. As Donnie came up from the water, his non-member friend, Jon, was nodding his head and clapping, it was really funny. He realized what an important step this was in Donnie’s life. We’ve since begun teaching Jon, and Donnie, our newest member of the ward, comes with us to help give support.
On Sunday the 18th, it was Stake Conference for the Durham Stake, and we heard from Elder W. Douglas Shumway and other great speakers. It was fun meeting Elder Shumway and getting to know him a little bit. Before the general meeting, we were able to attend a new member meeting. It was amazing to hear a few of the stories of these recent converts who’ve been members for less than two years! So many of them were in our ward as well! Donnie was the newest; he’d been a member for less than a full day!
There were some great speakers, but I’d have to say my favorite was our very own Laurel Gray, who was baptized only a month ago! She was asked to speak at the last minute, and she did so well! She said she was really nervous. My advice was to just be herself and say what she felt and she’d do great!
Laurel shared, with the entire Durham Stake, her history of going in and out of different churches with her parents until she came to Duke and learned about the Restored Gospel from her roommate, Rebecca, a member from Salt Lake. She talked about learning from the missionaries and about how supportive Rebecca was by answering her questions and just being a great friend to her.
The next part kind of surprised me, in a good way. Laurel talked about how much the Gospel really MEANT to her, that she really KNEW it was true. She talked about how thankful she was to Rebecca for having the courage to just share the Gospel with her, and really asked people to have the courage to talk about the church with their friends. It was so powerful! And it wasn’t coming from a missionary or a church leader, but someone who had recently discovered the truth of the Gospel, and how much it really meant to them!
Rebecca was also given the chance to speak, and she talked about what a great experience it was to share her testimony with Laurel, that it really helped her faith increase. They are both so happy and fun together, I’m sure they’ll be friends for a long time, strengthening each other in the Gospel.
Brother Nichols, the Chapel Hill Institute Director, invited seven missionaries to Thanksgiving with his family! It was really fun being with a family in a home for a change. It was really good getting to know the Nichols and the other Elders better, and to realize what I am thankful for. I believe the three things that I cherish the most are still my faith, family and friends. If you can hold onto and strengthen these things, you can get through anything!
Thank you so much for your prayers, letters and support!
Elder Walters
Our ward gave great support to Donnie, he has probably met almost everyone in the ward because he is so outgoing. Between meetings, he walks around and introduces himself to everyone he doesn’t know. Our Elder’s Quorum President, Christian, was asked to baptize him. As Donnie came up from the water, his non-member friend, Jon, was nodding his head and clapping, it was really funny. He realized what an important step this was in Donnie’s life. We’ve since begun teaching Jon, and Donnie, our newest member of the ward, comes with us to help give support.
On Sunday the 18th, it was Stake Conference for the Durham Stake, and we heard from Elder W. Douglas Shumway and other great speakers. It was fun meeting Elder Shumway and getting to know him a little bit. Before the general meeting, we were able to attend a new member meeting. It was amazing to hear a few of the stories of these recent converts who’ve been members for less than two years! So many of them were in our ward as well! Donnie was the newest; he’d been a member for less than a full day!
There were some great speakers, but I’d have to say my favorite was our very own Laurel Gray, who was baptized only a month ago! She was asked to speak at the last minute, and she did so well! She said she was really nervous. My advice was to just be herself and say what she felt and she’d do great!
Laurel shared, with the entire Durham Stake, her history of going in and out of different churches with her parents until she came to Duke and learned about the Restored Gospel from her roommate, Rebecca, a member from Salt Lake. She talked about learning from the missionaries and about how supportive Rebecca was by answering her questions and just being a great friend to her.
The next part kind of surprised me, in a good way. Laurel talked about how much the Gospel really MEANT to her, that she really KNEW it was true. She talked about how thankful she was to Rebecca for having the courage to just share the Gospel with her, and really asked people to have the courage to talk about the church with their friends. It was so powerful! And it wasn’t coming from a missionary or a church leader, but someone who had recently discovered the truth of the Gospel, and how much it really meant to them!
Rebecca was also given the chance to speak, and she talked about what a great experience it was to share her testimony with Laurel, that it really helped her faith increase. They are both so happy and fun together, I’m sure they’ll be friends for a long time, strengthening each other in the Gospel.
Brother Nichols, the Chapel Hill Institute Director, invited seven missionaries to Thanksgiving with his family! It was really fun being with a family in a home for a change. It was really good getting to know the Nichols and the other Elders better, and to realize what I am thankful for. I believe the three things that I cherish the most are still my faith, family and friends. If you can hold onto and strengthen these things, you can get through anything!
Thank you so much for your prayers, letters and support!
Elder Walters
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
The Chapel at Duke University
Several weeks ago, Elder Walters sent pictures of The Chapel at Duke University I wanted to share with you. Following is a little information about The Chapel.
Built in 1930-35, Duke University Chapel stands at the heart of the University West Campus. The Chapel measures 291 feet long by 63 feet wide by 73 feet high, not counting the tower. The 210-foot tower makes it one of the tallest buildings in Durham County, North Carolina. The Chapel seats about 1,600 people, and its 77 stained-glass windows depict over 800 figures. The Chapel has three world-class pipe organs, and the tower houses a 50-bell carillon.
When James B. Duke selected the site for Duke University’s West Campus, in 1925, he chose to locate the Chapel on the site’s highest ridge. The Chapel was the first building planned for the new campus, but the last one to be completed. Construction started in 1930, was completed in 1935, and cost nearly $2.3 million. The Chapel began to be used before its stained-glass windows and other details were finished; commencement was held in the Chapel in 1932.Although the Chapel was inspired by other buildings, including English cathedrals and the chapels of other American universities, it is not a copy of any other specific building.
“I want the central building to be a church, a great towering church which will dominate all of the surrounding buildings, because such an edifice would be bound to have a profound influence on the spiritual life of the young men and women who come here.”
— James B. Duke
Built in 1930-35, Duke University Chapel stands at the heart of the University West Campus. The Chapel measures 291 feet long by 63 feet wide by 73 feet high, not counting the tower. The 210-foot tower makes it one of the tallest buildings in Durham County, North Carolina. The Chapel seats about 1,600 people, and its 77 stained-glass windows depict over 800 figures. The Chapel has three world-class pipe organs, and the tower houses a 50-bell carillon.
When James B. Duke selected the site for Duke University’s West Campus, in 1925, he chose to locate the Chapel on the site’s highest ridge. The Chapel was the first building planned for the new campus, but the last one to be completed. Construction started in 1930, was completed in 1935, and cost nearly $2.3 million. The Chapel began to be used before its stained-glass windows and other details were finished; commencement was held in the Chapel in 1932.Although the Chapel was inspired by other buildings, including English cathedrals and the chapels of other American universities, it is not a copy of any other specific building.
“I want the central building to be a church, a great towering church which will dominate all of the surrounding buildings, because such an edifice would be bound to have a profound influence on the spiritual life of the young men and women who come here.”
— James B. Duke
Monday, November 12, 2007
Many Are Prepared to Hear the Gospel
November 12, 2007
Hi! I’ll try to make up for not writing last week, by making this a good email! I had a great birthday on Thursday, November 1st, including a spiritual thought and pizza with the students at Duke. I also got a surprise birthday cake and two “Happy Birthday to You” songs from the institute students.
I was sick from Thursday evening over the weekend until Tuesday, with an infection. It was really great to have birthday cards and presents to keep my spirits up, along with a GREAT DVD of the Walters and Henwoods wishing me a happy birthday! It really, really helped having that support while I was sick, whether you knew I was or not! Thank you!!!
We are teaching a young man named Eric about the Restoration of the Gospel and the Book of Mormon. He is reading and is very interested. Everything seems to make sense to him. It is so wonderful when we find someone who is in the right mindset and place in their life to receive the Gospel! He really seems to be one of God’s elect, someone that was prepared by God and is ready to learn.
We spoke with Maria again last week, after she had told her parents of her decision to get baptized. She is so amazing! Once again, her parents, who are from Charlotte and are pretty strict Catholics, let Maria know just how upset they were with her decision to be baptized. They also let her know that they would stop supporting her in school if she joins the church. This decision has been so hard for her! She just keeps saying that she knows this is Jesus Christ’s true church.
I’ve had the support of my family through the hard turning points of my life. Imagine what it would be like to not only lack the support from your family, but to face opposition from them for something you think and feel is right!
Cayce is in a similar situation. She comes to Church and Institute, has a boyfriend who will serve a mission soon, but worries that her baptism will hurt her relationship with her family. She has been a ‘dry Mormon’ now for months, but told us yesterday that she would like to be baptized by the end of the year. Cayce and Maria are amazing examples of faith. Maria has a baptism date for December 1st!
I also told them about my Mom’s decision to be baptized in college and how it has blessed her life and her children’s lives. Her decision has particularly blessed me, by allowing me to know the fullness of the Gospel. There are so many ways that the Gospel has blessed me, and remembering this makes me want to show others how the Gospel can bless their lives as well.
Ben, a freshman at UNC in the picture below, received his mission call on Thursday! He held it all through Institute on Thursday night then opened it and read it to everyone. We had all been taking guesses on where he would be called. Brazil would have been a likely one, but he also said in his papers that he had taken a few years of French. Other guesses included Russia and Africa. All wrong! Ben will be serving in the Salt Lake City, Utah mission.
After reading this to all the institute students, he looked up and said, “No…I’m serious!” Matthew, another UNC freshman, looked at the call over Ben’s shoulder and confirmed, “He’s not joking. It says Salt Lake.” Ben’s mom could not believe it either, and it took him a while to convince her it was true. I couldn’t imagine a better place for Ben to go. He is really optimistic, and has a great knowledge of the Gospel.
I teach a mission preparation class to 4 UNC freshmen, including Ben, the Burton twins, Andrew and Matthew, and Dallin. They all have a great knowledge of the Gospel, and I am excited to see them head out all over the world within the next year! I always feel inadequate teaching these prospective missionaries, they are so great!
We are having a ward Variety Show tonight along with our ward Thanksgiving Dinner. I am really excited to hear Liege Lord Bill recite Shakespeare in his English accent. He shared a line from Hamlet with us the other night after teaching Laurel, he is SO funny! Our ward is so unique, I love getting to know everyone here!
Thank you for your support and birthday wishes! I hope you are doing well!
Elder Walters
Hi! I’ll try to make up for not writing last week, by making this a good email! I had a great birthday on Thursday, November 1st, including a spiritual thought and pizza with the students at Duke. I also got a surprise birthday cake and two “Happy Birthday to You” songs from the institute students.
I was sick from Thursday evening over the weekend until Tuesday, with an infection. It was really great to have birthday cards and presents to keep my spirits up, along with a GREAT DVD of the Walters and Henwoods wishing me a happy birthday! It really, really helped having that support while I was sick, whether you knew I was or not! Thank you!!!
We are teaching a young man named Eric about the Restoration of the Gospel and the Book of Mormon. He is reading and is very interested. Everything seems to make sense to him. It is so wonderful when we find someone who is in the right mindset and place in their life to receive the Gospel! He really seems to be one of God’s elect, someone that was prepared by God and is ready to learn.
We spoke with Maria again last week, after she had told her parents of her decision to get baptized. She is so amazing! Once again, her parents, who are from Charlotte and are pretty strict Catholics, let Maria know just how upset they were with her decision to be baptized. They also let her know that they would stop supporting her in school if she joins the church. This decision has been so hard for her! She just keeps saying that she knows this is Jesus Christ’s true church.
I’ve had the support of my family through the hard turning points of my life. Imagine what it would be like to not only lack the support from your family, but to face opposition from them for something you think and feel is right!
Cayce is in a similar situation. She comes to Church and Institute, has a boyfriend who will serve a mission soon, but worries that her baptism will hurt her relationship with her family. She has been a ‘dry Mormon’ now for months, but told us yesterday that she would like to be baptized by the end of the year. Cayce and Maria are amazing examples of faith. Maria has a baptism date for December 1st!
I also told them about my Mom’s decision to be baptized in college and how it has blessed her life and her children’s lives. Her decision has particularly blessed me, by allowing me to know the fullness of the Gospel. There are so many ways that the Gospel has blessed me, and remembering this makes me want to show others how the Gospel can bless their lives as well.
Ben, a freshman at UNC in the picture below, received his mission call on Thursday! He held it all through Institute on Thursday night then opened it and read it to everyone. We had all been taking guesses on where he would be called. Brazil would have been a likely one, but he also said in his papers that he had taken a few years of French. Other guesses included Russia and Africa. All wrong! Ben will be serving in the Salt Lake City, Utah mission.
After reading this to all the institute students, he looked up and said, “No…I’m serious!” Matthew, another UNC freshman, looked at the call over Ben’s shoulder and confirmed, “He’s not joking. It says Salt Lake.” Ben’s mom could not believe it either, and it took him a while to convince her it was true. I couldn’t imagine a better place for Ben to go. He is really optimistic, and has a great knowledge of the Gospel.
I teach a mission preparation class to 4 UNC freshmen, including Ben, the Burton twins, Andrew and Matthew, and Dallin. They all have a great knowledge of the Gospel, and I am excited to see them head out all over the world within the next year! I always feel inadequate teaching these prospective missionaries, they are so great!
We are having a ward Variety Show tonight along with our ward Thanksgiving Dinner. I am really excited to hear Liege Lord Bill recite Shakespeare in his English accent. He shared a line from Hamlet with us the other night after teaching Laurel, he is SO funny! Our ward is so unique, I love getting to know everyone here!
Thank you for your support and birthday wishes! I hope you are doing well!
Elder Walters
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Elder Walters' Letter Should Be Here Soon!
We didn't receive an email from Elder Walters yesterday. On Friday, Ryan was in the emergency room with an infection. We talked to his nurse this morning and she felt like he was feeling better. Hopefully we will get a letter this week we can post. Until then . . . thanks for checking his blog!
Monday, November 05, 2007
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Ben's Haircut
Elder Johnson getting Ben ready to go on a mission -- he is expecting his call this week.
Friday, November 02, 2007
Maria
October 29, 2007
Brrr! It’s chilly this morning! With North Carolina’s humidity, when it’s hot, IT’S HOT, and when it’s cold, IT’S COLD! I’m glad I’m working inside the institute today . . . Elder Johnson and Elder Roseman are contacting people on campus!
Maria is a wonderful freshman at UNC who approached Elder Johnson on campus in August. She had taken the discussions and met with the missionaries many times before coming out to school. She had even decided to get baptized.
But when she told her parents who are very seriously Catholic, they were extremely upset with her. She said that that weekend was probably the worst experience of her life. How hard that must be! To be torn between those you love and something you know to be true!
Maria came out to UNC and decided to keep a good relationship with her parents by not getting baptized. She had been struggling with her testimony the last few months, confused as to which was Jesus Christ’s true church and why the decision was so difficult. She began to realize, through feeling the Spirit at church and by studying the scriptures and praying hard that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Jesus Christ’s one true church on the earth today.
We were sitting in a particularly powerful Fast and Testimony Meeting last month when Maria walked up to the podium. It was amazing. She said that it has been really hard for her lately but that she had come to know that this was Jesus Christ’s church. WOW! She gave such a powerful testimony which she had earned through diligent study and earnest prayer.
Maria has now decided to be baptized on the first Saturday in December! She loves Fast and Testimony Meetings. She asked Brother Nichols, the Institute Director, if he would baptize her.
Brother Nichols has a very similar story of converting as a teenager without the support of his family, then going on a mission, receiving letters from his family the whole time asking him to come home. Brother Nichols has been a huge support to Maria, as have others in our ward, including Kristen, a sophomore at UNC who converted less than two years ago.
Just as Laurel is a huge support to the members of our ward as a recent convert, Maria will be as well. I am so excited that I get to see the two of them progress over the next year!
Something has become clearer to me over the last few months. Just as the Atonement was wonderful, but by no means easy, so is our part in obtaining our Salvation. It takes work! It is not easy or comfortable or convenient! We must try to remember the Savior’s courageous example, as He who had no sin took upon Himself willingly the woes and transgressions and pains of we, who are imperfect. Believe in the power and truth of the Atonement! That He has been through all that we have and that He knows how to help us through the hardest times of our lives, because He Himself has endured them!
Thank you so much for your letters and prayers!
Love,
Elder Walters
Brrr! It’s chilly this morning! With North Carolina’s humidity, when it’s hot, IT’S HOT, and when it’s cold, IT’S COLD! I’m glad I’m working inside the institute today . . . Elder Johnson and Elder Roseman are contacting people on campus!
Maria is a wonderful freshman at UNC who approached Elder Johnson on campus in August. She had taken the discussions and met with the missionaries many times before coming out to school. She had even decided to get baptized.
But when she told her parents who are very seriously Catholic, they were extremely upset with her. She said that that weekend was probably the worst experience of her life. How hard that must be! To be torn between those you love and something you know to be true!
Maria came out to UNC and decided to keep a good relationship with her parents by not getting baptized. She had been struggling with her testimony the last few months, confused as to which was Jesus Christ’s true church and why the decision was so difficult. She began to realize, through feeling the Spirit at church and by studying the scriptures and praying hard that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is Jesus Christ’s one true church on the earth today.
We were sitting in a particularly powerful Fast and Testimony Meeting last month when Maria walked up to the podium. It was amazing. She said that it has been really hard for her lately but that she had come to know that this was Jesus Christ’s church. WOW! She gave such a powerful testimony which she had earned through diligent study and earnest prayer.
Maria has now decided to be baptized on the first Saturday in December! She loves Fast and Testimony Meetings. She asked Brother Nichols, the Institute Director, if he would baptize her.
Brother Nichols has a very similar story of converting as a teenager without the support of his family, then going on a mission, receiving letters from his family the whole time asking him to come home. Brother Nichols has been a huge support to Maria, as have others in our ward, including Kristen, a sophomore at UNC who converted less than two years ago.
Just as Laurel is a huge support to the members of our ward as a recent convert, Maria will be as well. I am so excited that I get to see the two of them progress over the next year!
Something has become clearer to me over the last few months. Just as the Atonement was wonderful, but by no means easy, so is our part in obtaining our Salvation. It takes work! It is not easy or comfortable or convenient! We must try to remember the Savior’s courageous example, as He who had no sin took upon Himself willingly the woes and transgressions and pains of we, who are imperfect. Believe in the power and truth of the Atonement! That He has been through all that we have and that He knows how to help us through the hardest times of our lives, because He Himself has endured them!
Thank you so much for your letters and prayers!
Love,
Elder Walters
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