I’ll probably never have another Independence Day quite like this one. So we were mooching off of a barbecue Friday night that Brother Price from the Chapel Hill First Ward was nice enough to invite us to. We had also had breakfast with the Chapel Hill Second Ward, so at least we were mooching in a balanced effort.
From the Institute building we walked over to Kenan Stadium, UNC’s football stadium. We started contacting people who had gathered there to see a fireworks show in the stadium. We were talking to some of the firefighters when their radios said it was starting to sprinkle on the other side of the stadium. We went to the entrance of the stadium to find a place to stay dry and huddled under a small balcony as the rains and winds picked up.
Pretty soon we realized we were in a huge storm! The shape of the stadium made the winds focus on us under our little balcony and within a minute or two we were as wet as if we’d gone swimming. This big 65 gallon trash bin next to us got thrown up in the air and hit a car and then I started to go with it. The Elders grabbed me and we were laughing so hard!
Then this door under the balcony opened and this athletic trainer guy let us into the lacrosse team’s locker room where we spent the next two hours waiting out the storm, talking with the firefighters and security people huddled in there. Elder Regnier and Elder Gillins ran back and got the van at the institute building and the firefighters let him drive the van into the stadium right next to the field to pick us up!
On Thursday we got a call from the mission office and learned that someone had called and asked if the Elders could stop by the hospital and give his family member a blessing. We showed up at the hospital and learned that he had cancer. He was in a lot of pain and was taking a heavy pain killer and was just about to go have surgery when we showed up.
He said he was really glad when he saw it was the Elders and not the surgery guys. He hadn’t eaten for a long time and was being feed through his veins. He said it was like torture seeing the newspaper advertise steaks and burgers and watermelon for the Fourth. He even started describing his perfect meal to us.
He was a very funny guy! He kept making jokes even though we knew he was in pain. He described a certain scripture and asked if we knew where it was. I think he was talking about Proverbs 3:5 so I shared it-
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
We gave him a blessing and he was crying. He said, “ I guess this is how the Spirit works.” It was a very spiritual experience for me, and a reminder to always be worthy to exercise the priesthood.
Thank you all for your prayers and love!
Elder Walters
Monday, July 07, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
I LOVE being a missionary in the Durham 3rd Ward!
I'm okay! I got bit by a spider and got sick and now I'm fine! In fact, I couldn't really feel when I got bit or when my nurse at UNC Hospital, Ursula, had to drain the 'puss blood and dead tissue' from my arm that was twice its normal size. It was kind of cool in a very weird way.
Ursula was so excited when she was working on it, just smiling and telling me all the medical terms for what the spider's poison and the infection were doing to my forearm. I'm going to send a few kind of graphic pictures of my arm, we'll see which ones get through the Mom filter. My nurse sisters are going to love this.
I love hearing the comments at our ward's Book of Mormon class on Tuesday nights that I get to lead. There are non-members, investigators, recent converts, missionaries and returned missionaries that share their thoughts and ask questions. I love it!!! It's always so nerve-wracking preparing for class.
We are teaching a 'golden investigator' named Andy. He is one of those that just seems to have been prepared by the Lord. He is a very kind, courteous 24-26 year old guy.
I was getting prepared for a Book of Mormon class and Elder Regnier and McCann tracted into him. He was baptized as an infant, then as a Baptist, so he wanted to know why he needed to be baptized again. We talked a lot about priesthood authority.
Two amazing members in our ward helped in teaching Andy with us. Brad is our Ward Mission Leader. He, Rob and Dan (my wheelchair buddy from BYU) are working together right now to really get our ward excited about and loving missionary work. I am so excited to help them for the next year!
Aaron also helped us teach Andy and others as well. He really helps us out, with giving us and investigators and members rides, going on a lot of exchanges, feeding us and other things.
There are so many members of our ward who really help us with the Lord's work. Many are returned missionaries who know the importance of member help with missionary work. Others are helping introduce us to their friends and are inviting their friends to learn about the restored Gospel.
In short, I love being a missionary in the Durham 3rd Ward. I love the members and missionaries here. I love those we teach, and I see the joy that the Gospel begins to give to people's lives. That joy starts as they learn by the Spirit, then just keeps getting bigger and bigger as they live it.
I really do believe that Jesus guides this church through the Holy Ghost. He has told us what we need to do through the scriptures, tells us what we must do through His prophets and will continue to tell us how we can be happier by revelation.
Thank you all for your letters and prayers!
Elder Walters
Ursula was so excited when she was working on it, just smiling and telling me all the medical terms for what the spider's poison and the infection were doing to my forearm. I'm going to send a few kind of graphic pictures of my arm, we'll see which ones get through the Mom filter. My nurse sisters are going to love this.
I love hearing the comments at our ward's Book of Mormon class on Tuesday nights that I get to lead. There are non-members, investigators, recent converts, missionaries and returned missionaries that share their thoughts and ask questions. I love it!!! It's always so nerve-wracking preparing for class.
We are teaching a 'golden investigator' named Andy. He is one of those that just seems to have been prepared by the Lord. He is a very kind, courteous 24-26 year old guy.
I was getting prepared for a Book of Mormon class and Elder Regnier and McCann tracted into him. He was baptized as an infant, then as a Baptist, so he wanted to know why he needed to be baptized again. We talked a lot about priesthood authority.
Two amazing members in our ward helped in teaching Andy with us. Brad is our Ward Mission Leader. He, Rob and Dan (my wheelchair buddy from BYU) are working together right now to really get our ward excited about and loving missionary work. I am so excited to help them for the next year!
Aaron also helped us teach Andy and others as well. He really helps us out, with giving us and investigators and members rides, going on a lot of exchanges, feeding us and other things.
There are so many members of our ward who really help us with the Lord's work. Many are returned missionaries who know the importance of member help with missionary work. Others are helping introduce us to their friends and are inviting their friends to learn about the restored Gospel.
In short, I love being a missionary in the Durham 3rd Ward. I love the members and missionaries here. I love those we teach, and I see the joy that the Gospel begins to give to people's lives. That joy starts as they learn by the Spirit, then just keeps getting bigger and bigger as they live it.
I really do believe that Jesus guides this church through the Holy Ghost. He has told us what we need to do through the scriptures, tells us what we must do through His prophets and will continue to tell us how we can be happier by revelation.
Thank you all for your letters and prayers!
Elder Walters
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Brown Recluse Spider Update
We wanted to update you on Elder Walters' spider bite. We spoke with his nurse as well as Sister Wallis and he is doing much better today. The swelling has gone down and his right arm is about the size of his left arm.
Today was Zone Conference and Elder Walters was able to be there for all of it except for a short period when he was at the doctor having his dressing changed. Sister Wallis said he ate a great lunch . . . that’s always a good sign!
Elder McCann and Elder Regnier have been a great help. We didn’t know until yesterday that Elder Regnier's mother is the nurse for a doctor who is also a quadriplegic. Elder Walters said he is so good to help him and is able to anticipate his needs. Another one of the Lord’s tender mercies.
Sister Wallis is convinced the brown recluse spider is in the Elder’s apartment so she has asked them to thoroughly clean out everything and find the spider. A few years ago, another Elder was bitten by a spider and they later found the spider on top of a door jam. Hopefully their unwelcome guest well be found and removed soon!
Love, Bridgette and Barry
Today was Zone Conference and Elder Walters was able to be there for all of it except for a short period when he was at the doctor having his dressing changed. Sister Wallis said he ate a great lunch . . . that’s always a good sign!
Elder McCann and Elder Regnier have been a great help. We didn’t know until yesterday that Elder Regnier's mother is the nurse for a doctor who is also a quadriplegic. Elder Walters said he is so good to help him and is able to anticipate his needs. Another one of the Lord’s tender mercies.
Sister Wallis is convinced the brown recluse spider is in the Elder’s apartment so she has asked them to thoroughly clean out everything and find the spider. A few years ago, another Elder was bitten by a spider and they later found the spider on top of a door jam. Hopefully their unwelcome guest well be found and removed soon!
Love, Bridgette and Barry
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Brown Recluse Spider Bite. . .
We received an email from Ryan’s case worker on Monday letting us know that Elder Walters has a spider bite which is most likely a brown recluse spider bite on the inside of his right forearm. The arm is swollen up to twice the size of his left forearm and is red and infected. Elder Walters went to an urgent care facility on Saturday and they started him on an oral and topical antibiotic. His primary care physician prescribed a much stronger antibiotic when she saw him on Monday and had her nurse thoroughly clean out and drain the wound. Elder Walters is having the dressing changed daily. If the swelling goes up past his elbow they will admit him to the hospital for IV antibiotic therapy. One of the doctor’s main concerns with the bite is Autonomic Dysreflexia.
What is "Autonomic Dysreflexia?"
Autonomic dysreflexia, also known as hyperreflexia, means an over-activity of the Autonomic Nervous System causing an abrupt onset of excessively high blood pressure. Persons at risk for this problem generally have injury levels above T-5. Autonomic dysreflexia can develop suddenly and is potentially life threatening and is considered a medical emergency. If not treated promptly and correctly, it may lead to seizures, stroke, and even death.
AD occurs when an irritating stimulus is introduced to the body below the level of spinal cord injury, such as an overfull bladder or skin irritation. The stimulus sends nerve impulses to the spinal cord, where they travel upward until they are blocked by the lesion at the level of injury. Since the impulses cannot reach the brain, a reflex is activated that increases activity of the sympathetic portion of autonomic nervous system. This results in spasms and a narrowing of the blood vessels, which causes a rise in the blood pressure.
We spoke with Elder Walters Monday evening and he was running a fever, had the chills, stomach ache and a bad headache. He seemed to be feeling better when we spoke with him tonight. He is staying hydrated and controlling his discomfort with Tylenol.
Brown Recluse Spider Bite Overview
Most spiders are absolutely harmless to humans. In fact, of the 20,000 different species of spiders that inhabit the Americas, only 60 are capable of biting humans. Within that small group, only four are known to be dangerous to humans: the brown recluse, the black widow, the hobo or aggressive house spider, and the yellow sac spider. Within this select group, only the brown recluse and the black widow spider have ever been associated with significant disease and very rare reports of death.
Deaths from brown recluse spiders have been reported only in children younger than seven years. Brown recluse spiders are native to the Midwestern and Southeastern states. Documented populations of brown recluse spiders outside these areas are extremely rare. Fewer than 10 individual spiders have ever been collected outside of these native states. Most false sightings are due to confusion with one of the 13 other species found in the same family.
The most common non-brown recluse spiders are the desert recluse found in Texas, Arizona, and California, and the Arizona recluse. No deaths have ever been reported from non-brown recluse spiders. Bites from these cousins produce mild to moderate local skin disease.
Features: Brown recluse spiders are notable for their characteristic violin pattern on the back of the cephalothorax-the body part to which the legs attach. The violin pattern is seen with the base of the violin at the head of the spider and the neck of the violin pointing to the rear. These small nonhairy spiders are yellowish-tan to dark brown in color with darker legs. They have legs about one inch in length. The name of the genus, Loxosceles, means six eyes. Most other spiders have eight eyes. Yet this unique feature of the brown recluse is lost on the casual observer because the eyes are too small to be seen with the naked eye.
Habits: These spiders are not aggressive and bite only when threatened, usually when pressed up against the victim's skin. They seek out dark, warm, dry environments such as attics, closets, porches, barns, basements, woodpiles, and old tires. Its small, haphazard web, found mostly in corners and crevices, is not used to capture prey. Most bites occur in the summer months.
There are some scary pictures of patients with spider bites I haven’t included in this posting. We will update his blog as we learn more information. As always, we appreciate your prayers and the concern you show to Elder Walters. Love, Bridgette and Barry
What is "Autonomic Dysreflexia?"
Autonomic dysreflexia, also known as hyperreflexia, means an over-activity of the Autonomic Nervous System causing an abrupt onset of excessively high blood pressure. Persons at risk for this problem generally have injury levels above T-5. Autonomic dysreflexia can develop suddenly and is potentially life threatening and is considered a medical emergency. If not treated promptly and correctly, it may lead to seizures, stroke, and even death.
AD occurs when an irritating stimulus is introduced to the body below the level of spinal cord injury, such as an overfull bladder or skin irritation. The stimulus sends nerve impulses to the spinal cord, where they travel upward until they are blocked by the lesion at the level of injury. Since the impulses cannot reach the brain, a reflex is activated that increases activity of the sympathetic portion of autonomic nervous system. This results in spasms and a narrowing of the blood vessels, which causes a rise in the blood pressure.
We spoke with Elder Walters Monday evening and he was running a fever, had the chills, stomach ache and a bad headache. He seemed to be feeling better when we spoke with him tonight. He is staying hydrated and controlling his discomfort with Tylenol.
Brown Recluse Spider Bite Overview
Most spiders are absolutely harmless to humans. In fact, of the 20,000 different species of spiders that inhabit the Americas, only 60 are capable of biting humans. Within that small group, only four are known to be dangerous to humans: the brown recluse, the black widow, the hobo or aggressive house spider, and the yellow sac spider. Within this select group, only the brown recluse and the black widow spider have ever been associated with significant disease and very rare reports of death.
Deaths from brown recluse spiders have been reported only in children younger than seven years. Brown recluse spiders are native to the Midwestern and Southeastern states. Documented populations of brown recluse spiders outside these areas are extremely rare. Fewer than 10 individual spiders have ever been collected outside of these native states. Most false sightings are due to confusion with one of the 13 other species found in the same family.
The most common non-brown recluse spiders are the desert recluse found in Texas, Arizona, and California, and the Arizona recluse. No deaths have ever been reported from non-brown recluse spiders. Bites from these cousins produce mild to moderate local skin disease.
Features: Brown recluse spiders are notable for their characteristic violin pattern on the back of the cephalothorax-the body part to which the legs attach. The violin pattern is seen with the base of the violin at the head of the spider and the neck of the violin pointing to the rear. These small nonhairy spiders are yellowish-tan to dark brown in color with darker legs. They have legs about one inch in length. The name of the genus, Loxosceles, means six eyes. Most other spiders have eight eyes. Yet this unique feature of the brown recluse is lost on the casual observer because the eyes are too small to be seen with the naked eye.
Habits: These spiders are not aggressive and bite only when threatened, usually when pressed up against the victim's skin. They seek out dark, warm, dry environments such as attics, closets, porches, barns, basements, woodpiles, and old tires. Its small, haphazard web, found mostly in corners and crevices, is not used to capture prey. Most bites occur in the summer months.
There are some scary pictures of patients with spider bites I haven’t included in this posting. We will update his blog as we learn more information. As always, we appreciate your prayers and the concern you show to Elder Walters. Love, Bridgette and Barry
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Elder Walters' One Year Mission Turns into Two
June 12, 2008
Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve written! I’ll try to update you! Overall, the work is going great. We’ve been working a lot on trying to find people to teach. Since the last semester ended, many of our investigators have gone home for the summer. It’s been a good learning experience looking for people to teach through tracting, contacting and asking members for referrals.
Since August, I’ve been holding a mission preparation class with Andrew and Matthew, who are twins. Ben and Dallin left in January and February to Salt Lake and Anaheim, respectively, and the Burtons received their calls a few weeks ago! They are both going to Japan! Andrew is headed to North Japan, I think it’s called Sapuro, and Matthew is headed to Kobe, south Japan. It will be good to keep in contact with all of them.
Elder Christman was transferred a few weeks ago to Dunn, a country area. Elder Roseman is his Zone Leader, so they still get to go on exchanges a little, I’ll bet they’re enjoying that.
Elder Regnier, pronounced Rhen (like a chicken) yea (like yea verily) has been serving with Elder McCann and I for a few weeks now. He’s from Prescott Arizona, red-shirted in football at the University of Arizona and is a lot of fun! We’ve had a lot of fun just getting back to the basic finding techniques of missionary work.
I guess the biggest news was that my Mom and Dad came out a few weeks ago and visited me. We spent some time repairing my van, meeting the missionaries and Institute faculty I work with and showing them around Chapel Hill!
We also had a dinner with President and Sister Wallis. I have been called to serve for a year, meaning my mission would end next month in July or August of 2008. I have considered trying to serve longer and made it a matter of prayer.
At dinner with President and Sister Wallis and my parents I told them I wanted to serve for another year, and President Wallis and President Milton have allowed me to do so! So I’ll serve in the Durham 3rd Singles Ward in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, for another year until June or July of 2009! The best part is that I’m staying at the same address, so you can go ahead and send the letters you’ve already put “106 Shadowood Drive Apt. D Chapel Hill, NC 27514” on!
I think I always knew that I wanted to serve for two years. I wanted to wait to make that decision until I was past the first few months of my mission. I feel very peaceful about my decision. I really feel and believe that this is what the Lord wants.
About 2 weeks after I left Craig Rehabilitation Hospital, my Mom and I headed out to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. While living in married student housing together, (“I’m married, he’s the student,” Mom would say) we met Dan Leslie who was finishing up a Master’s degree in Accounting.
Dan was also quadriplegic, about a C-5 injury, I think. He used a ‘sip and puff’ wheelchair to get around campus and was just a fun person to be around. He was always very upbeat and eager to talk with people.
I found out a couple of months ago that Dan was coming to Duke University for Law School, and would be in the Durham 3rd Singles Ward, my ward! Dan has been a great addition to the ward! Everyone loves his attitude and sense of humor. He was also called recently as Assistant Ward Mission Leader! It will be great to work with him and have some more fun times!
This summer I am teaching a Book of Mormon class on Tuesday nights! We’ve had three so far, and I have really, really enjoyed it so far! My favorite part is hearing what the students think and feel about the Gospel.
I’m trying to stay away from just lecturing and I’ve been trying to get them to participate as much as possible. It’s a very diverse audience, from investigators and recent converts to missionaries and returned missionaries.
We’ll be going from the Book of Mormon’s Introduction through 1st and 2nd Nephi, Jacob, Enos, Jarom, Omni, Words of Mormon and Mosiah over the next two months! It’s about 3 pages of reading a night, or 20 a week. I am so excited to keep learning together!
Hopefully this explains what I’ve been up to for the last several weeks! I hope you’re all doing well and that you are happy and healthy!!!
Love,
Elder Walters
106 Shadowood Drive Apt. D
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve written! I’ll try to update you! Overall, the work is going great. We’ve been working a lot on trying to find people to teach. Since the last semester ended, many of our investigators have gone home for the summer. It’s been a good learning experience looking for people to teach through tracting, contacting and asking members for referrals.
Since August, I’ve been holding a mission preparation class with Andrew and Matthew, who are twins. Ben and Dallin left in January and February to Salt Lake and Anaheim, respectively, and the Burtons received their calls a few weeks ago! They are both going to Japan! Andrew is headed to North Japan, I think it’s called Sapuro, and Matthew is headed to Kobe, south Japan. It will be good to keep in contact with all of them.
Elder Christman was transferred a few weeks ago to Dunn, a country area. Elder Roseman is his Zone Leader, so they still get to go on exchanges a little, I’ll bet they’re enjoying that.
Elder Regnier, pronounced Rhen (like a chicken) yea (like yea verily) has been serving with Elder McCann and I for a few weeks now. He’s from Prescott Arizona, red-shirted in football at the University of Arizona and is a lot of fun! We’ve had a lot of fun just getting back to the basic finding techniques of missionary work.
I guess the biggest news was that my Mom and Dad came out a few weeks ago and visited me. We spent some time repairing my van, meeting the missionaries and Institute faculty I work with and showing them around Chapel Hill!
We also had a dinner with President and Sister Wallis. I have been called to serve for a year, meaning my mission would end next month in July or August of 2008. I have considered trying to serve longer and made it a matter of prayer.
At dinner with President and Sister Wallis and my parents I told them I wanted to serve for another year, and President Wallis and President Milton have allowed me to do so! So I’ll serve in the Durham 3rd Singles Ward in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, for another year until June or July of 2009! The best part is that I’m staying at the same address, so you can go ahead and send the letters you’ve already put “106 Shadowood Drive Apt. D Chapel Hill, NC 27514” on!
I think I always knew that I wanted to serve for two years. I wanted to wait to make that decision until I was past the first few months of my mission. I feel very peaceful about my decision. I really feel and believe that this is what the Lord wants.
About 2 weeks after I left Craig Rehabilitation Hospital, my Mom and I headed out to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. While living in married student housing together, (“I’m married, he’s the student,” Mom would say) we met Dan Leslie who was finishing up a Master’s degree in Accounting.
Dan was also quadriplegic, about a C-5 injury, I think. He used a ‘sip and puff’ wheelchair to get around campus and was just a fun person to be around. He was always very upbeat and eager to talk with people.
I found out a couple of months ago that Dan was coming to Duke University for Law School, and would be in the Durham 3rd Singles Ward, my ward! Dan has been a great addition to the ward! Everyone loves his attitude and sense of humor. He was also called recently as Assistant Ward Mission Leader! It will be great to work with him and have some more fun times!
This summer I am teaching a Book of Mormon class on Tuesday nights! We’ve had three so far, and I have really, really enjoyed it so far! My favorite part is hearing what the students think and feel about the Gospel.
I’m trying to stay away from just lecturing and I’ve been trying to get them to participate as much as possible. It’s a very diverse audience, from investigators and recent converts to missionaries and returned missionaries.
We’ll be going from the Book of Mormon’s Introduction through 1st and 2nd Nephi, Jacob, Enos, Jarom, Omni, Words of Mormon and Mosiah over the next two months! It’s about 3 pages of reading a night, or 20 a week. I am so excited to keep learning together!
Hopefully this explains what I’ve been up to for the last several weeks! I hope you’re all doing well and that you are happy and healthy!!!
Love,
Elder Walters
106 Shadowood Drive Apt. D
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Saturday, May 31, 2008
A Visit to North Carolina
A few pictures and thoughts from Elder Walters' mom, Bridgette.
Barry and I were planning to attend Tyler's (Elder Walters' older brother) graduation from the University of Virginia Law School on May 18. UVA is only three hours from Elder Walters' mission in North Carolina. We asked President Wallis if we could visit Elder Walters for a couple of days while we were so close. After talking with Elder Walters, President Wallis felt it would be okay for us to visit (one of the great advantages of a service mission).
We thoroughly enjoyed seeing Elder Walters and meeting the other missionaries in his district, the staff at the institute, as well as some of the students who attend the Durham Third Ward.
Elder Walters is healthy, happy and growing in so many ways. What more could parents ask for?
Barry and I were planning to attend Tyler's (Elder Walters' older brother) graduation from the University of Virginia Law School on May 18. UVA is only three hours from Elder Walters' mission in North Carolina. We asked President Wallis if we could visit Elder Walters for a couple of days while we were so close. After talking with Elder Walters, President Wallis felt it would be okay for us to visit (one of the great advantages of a service mission).
We thoroughly enjoyed seeing Elder Walters and meeting the other missionaries in his district, the staff at the institute, as well as some of the students who attend the Durham Third Ward.
Elder Walters is healthy, happy and growing in so many ways. What more could parents ask for?
Elder Walters' friends from the Institute at UNC
A quick lunch with Sister Morris, the institute secretary, Bridgette, Elder Walters, Barry, Sister Gwyn, a service missionary, and Brother Nichols, the Institute Director. Elder Walters spends part of his day with Sister Morris, Sister Gwyn and Brother Nichols working at the institute. The other part of his day is spent teaching with the Elders. They are amazing, loving people who work hard to meet the needs of the students at UNC and Duke. Elder Walters is so lucky to be associated with this group of people!
Family Home Evening
A group photo following FHE, first a lesson and then a game of Dodge Ball. Daniel Leslie is in the power chair on the left side of the picture. Elder Walters and I first met Daniel when we were all living at Wymount in Provo in 2006. Daniel's family is from Evergreen, Colorado. After Daniel finished his Masters in Accounting at BYU he was accepted to Duke Law School where he began classes last week. Daniel is an amazing young man who is extremely smart and a joy to know. He has been called to serve as the assistant Ward Mission Leader. Daniel and Elder Walters will both attend the Durham Single Adult Ward.Just another example of how much Elder Walters' life has been blessed while he has been a missionary.
Green Eggs and Ham
Elder Christman, Elder Walters and Elder McCann. Elder Walters trained Elder Christman who was being transferred the next day. In this picture the Elders were giving a lesson out of the Green Eggs and Ham book by Dr. Seuss which had been adapted to help members see how easy it is to invite their friends and neighbors to learn about the Gospel. We are in Bishop and Sister Condie's home where we enjoyed a wonderful dinner.
Salad before the pizza . . .
Sunny and Marty, from the Durham Singles Ward, suggested pizza at the restaurant on Franklin Street. It was delicious!
Preparation Day
Elder Walters with other members in his district on preparation day. The Elders had just emailed their families and are shown in the "pit" at UNC.Saturday, May 10, 2008
"Ask in Faith"
May 9, 2008
Chris was baptized on May 3rd! He was planning on being baptized on the 10th of May, but we realized that he had been to church enough and been taught enough. Chris has been so exited about his baptism. He always lights up when we talk about it, he had been looking forward to it so much. He spent a lot of time preparing for it through prayer and even tried fasting.
He was very peaceful before his baptism. As we filled the font we both read from the Bible Dictionary about Baptism and talked about the symbolism and covenant he was about to make. I remember talking about the way I feel at baptisms, how it is such an important and powerful moment, when our sins are completely left behind. In the week preceding his baptism Chris kept saying how exited he was to feel that remission of his sins, that “chance to start anew.”
Members from the singles ward and the Chapel Hill 1st and 2nd Wards began trickling in. We heard a great talk about baptism by Aaron, a med school student at UNC. Then Chris’ baptism was performed by Elder King.
When Chris and Elder King returned, we heard a talk on the Holy Ghost by Rob who is in the process of finding a house in our ward boundaries. Rob has already given a ton of service to our ward, including going on exchanges multiple times, a lesson at FHE, and giving rides to investigators.
It makes our roles as missionaries so much more effective as our awesome ward continues to give us support, rides, meals, fasting and prayers and most importantly when they introduce their friends to us and help us teach them the Gospel. So far, a member has been involved lovingly in every investigator’s successful conversion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my time in the Durham 3rd Singles ward.
Elder Bednar’s last talk at General Conference “Ask in Faith” was right on the mark -- it defined the roles of both full time missionaries and members in missionary work. He stated that missionaries are to be the full time teachers and that members are to be the full time finders. I believe it was Elder Holland that said “This is HIS work and HIS glory and we will do it HIS way or it will not get done.”
I have seen both through successful and not so successful experiences that the roles described by Elder Bednar are the roles that we are to fulfill if His work and His glory is going to be offered to His children. It is amazing to see how well the work goes as the members of this ward continue to share the Gospel with their friends and introduce them to us, the missionaries! As the work is done His way, it also becomes so apparent that we have so little to do with the miracle of a person’s conversion to Jesus Christ’s Gospel!
The members invite their friends to experience the Gospel in some way. The missionaries teach them the principles of the Gospel. The Holy Ghost enlightens their understanding, adds feelings of conviction in their hearts and gives them a desire to repent. Then they covenant with God through baptism, receive the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost as they are worthy and start the cycle over again by strengthening both members and non-members alike in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Sister Gwyn is a perfect example of a member who strengthens all of those around her. I realized recently that while I talk about Sister Gwyn a lot with people and write about her in individual letters, I’ve never really described her in these emails. Sister Gwyn is simply amazing! She has so much energy and is so exited about her mission here and the people she gets to serve here! One of her 7 daughters recently had Sister Gwyn’s 16th or 17th grandchild, however you would be amazed at how fast she works and serves!
I really don’t know where to begin in describing her, so I guess I’ll start at the beginning. She and her husband Art were the parents of three girls when two missionaries came knocking on their door decades ago. After family requests kept Sister Gwyn and Art from joining the church at that time, they later did so and were sealed in the temple.
Art has since past away and Sister Gwyn has spent the last several years serving missions, packing up everything she owns in her little blue Buick, visiting her 7 daughters, then starting the next mission!
I feel extremely fortunate to be serving the Lord and the Singles Ward with Sister Gwyn. About a week and a half ago, we got a call from Cayce as we were finishing dinner with Bill Barlow at Duke. Cayce said Sister Gwyn had lost her footing halfway down the stairs to the basement at the Institute. Sister Gwyn hit her head on the way down but was otherwise okay. She said she felt okay but when she got back to our office, she decided to ask Cayce to call an ambulance just to be on the safe side.
We got to the institute to see the ambulance and a fire truck already there. When we got to our office at the rear of the institute we could hear the E.M.T.s asking Sister Gwyn if she was in pain. I was relieved to hear her say, “Of course I’m not in pain. If I were in pain, you’d know it! I don’t do well with pain.” She said her strength wasn’t all quite there, as she squeezed the E.M.T.’s hand she stated, “If I had my full strength, YOU’d be in pain right now!”
Sister Gwyn asked if we could give her a blessing before they placed her on the stretcher and asked me to be voice. I really felt like I was just a tool in Heavenly Father’s Hands and have since reflected on the fact that it always seems that the first thing Priesthood holders are prompted to state in Priesthood blessings is a manifestation of God’s Love for those receiving the blessing. I believe that the World’s problems and my problems would gain greater perspective if we remembered always God’s Love for His Children.
They loaded Sister Gwyn on a stretcher and checked her out at the hospital. At 10:30 that night, they let her go home. She is now feeling a lot better and is visiting her daughters and going to her granddaughter’s wedding. I’m exited for her and other students to return for summer term on the 23rd of May!
With my love and appreciation,
Elder Walters
Chris was baptized on May 3rd! He was planning on being baptized on the 10th of May, but we realized that he had been to church enough and been taught enough. Chris has been so exited about his baptism. He always lights up when we talk about it, he had been looking forward to it so much. He spent a lot of time preparing for it through prayer and even tried fasting.
He was very peaceful before his baptism. As we filled the font we both read from the Bible Dictionary about Baptism and talked about the symbolism and covenant he was about to make. I remember talking about the way I feel at baptisms, how it is such an important and powerful moment, when our sins are completely left behind. In the week preceding his baptism Chris kept saying how exited he was to feel that remission of his sins, that “chance to start anew.”
Members from the singles ward and the Chapel Hill 1st and 2nd Wards began trickling in. We heard a great talk about baptism by Aaron, a med school student at UNC. Then Chris’ baptism was performed by Elder King.
When Chris and Elder King returned, we heard a talk on the Holy Ghost by Rob who is in the process of finding a house in our ward boundaries. Rob has already given a ton of service to our ward, including going on exchanges multiple times, a lesson at FHE, and giving rides to investigators.
It makes our roles as missionaries so much more effective as our awesome ward continues to give us support, rides, meals, fasting and prayers and most importantly when they introduce their friends to us and help us teach them the Gospel. So far, a member has been involved lovingly in every investigator’s successful conversion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my time in the Durham 3rd Singles ward.
Elder Bednar’s last talk at General Conference “Ask in Faith” was right on the mark -- it defined the roles of both full time missionaries and members in missionary work. He stated that missionaries are to be the full time teachers and that members are to be the full time finders. I believe it was Elder Holland that said “This is HIS work and HIS glory and we will do it HIS way or it will not get done.”
I have seen both through successful and not so successful experiences that the roles described by Elder Bednar are the roles that we are to fulfill if His work and His glory is going to be offered to His children. It is amazing to see how well the work goes as the members of this ward continue to share the Gospel with their friends and introduce them to us, the missionaries! As the work is done His way, it also becomes so apparent that we have so little to do with the miracle of a person’s conversion to Jesus Christ’s Gospel!
The members invite their friends to experience the Gospel in some way. The missionaries teach them the principles of the Gospel. The Holy Ghost enlightens their understanding, adds feelings of conviction in their hearts and gives them a desire to repent. Then they covenant with God through baptism, receive the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost as they are worthy and start the cycle over again by strengthening both members and non-members alike in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Sister Gwyn is a perfect example of a member who strengthens all of those around her. I realized recently that while I talk about Sister Gwyn a lot with people and write about her in individual letters, I’ve never really described her in these emails. Sister Gwyn is simply amazing! She has so much energy and is so exited about her mission here and the people she gets to serve here! One of her 7 daughters recently had Sister Gwyn’s 16th or 17th grandchild, however you would be amazed at how fast she works and serves!
I really don’t know where to begin in describing her, so I guess I’ll start at the beginning. She and her husband Art were the parents of three girls when two missionaries came knocking on their door decades ago. After family requests kept Sister Gwyn and Art from joining the church at that time, they later did so and were sealed in the temple.
Art has since past away and Sister Gwyn has spent the last several years serving missions, packing up everything she owns in her little blue Buick, visiting her 7 daughters, then starting the next mission!
I feel extremely fortunate to be serving the Lord and the Singles Ward with Sister Gwyn. About a week and a half ago, we got a call from Cayce as we were finishing dinner with Bill Barlow at Duke. Cayce said Sister Gwyn had lost her footing halfway down the stairs to the basement at the Institute. Sister Gwyn hit her head on the way down but was otherwise okay. She said she felt okay but when she got back to our office, she decided to ask Cayce to call an ambulance just to be on the safe side.
We got to the institute to see the ambulance and a fire truck already there. When we got to our office at the rear of the institute we could hear the E.M.T.s asking Sister Gwyn if she was in pain. I was relieved to hear her say, “Of course I’m not in pain. If I were in pain, you’d know it! I don’t do well with pain.” She said her strength wasn’t all quite there, as she squeezed the E.M.T.’s hand she stated, “If I had my full strength, YOU’d be in pain right now!”
Sister Gwyn asked if we could give her a blessing before they placed her on the stretcher and asked me to be voice. I really felt like I was just a tool in Heavenly Father’s Hands and have since reflected on the fact that it always seems that the first thing Priesthood holders are prompted to state in Priesthood blessings is a manifestation of God’s Love for those receiving the blessing. I believe that the World’s problems and my problems would gain greater perspective if we remembered always God’s Love for His Children.
They loaded Sister Gwyn on a stretcher and checked her out at the hospital. At 10:30 that night, they let her go home. She is now feeling a lot better and is visiting her daughters and going to her granddaughter’s wedding. I’m exited for her and other students to return for summer term on the 23rd of May!
With my love and appreciation,
Elder Walters
Monday, April 21, 2008
FIRESIDE & TEACHING CHRIS
Hello!
We started teaching Chris this week! A member of the Chapel Hill 2nd Ward was roommates with Chris, and started telling him about the Church. Chris was and is very interested in investigating. He was really eager to learn about the history of the Church, like how the succession from Joseph Smith to Brigham Young took place.
He had been attending the Chapel Hill 2nd Ward for about a month with Elder King and Elder Cardinet, and noticed how noisy sacrament meetings can get with all of the children. Someone said there’s about sixty infants 18 months and younger! Chris even asked us why they don’t have a separate sacrament room for them.
He came with us to the Singles Ward yesterday and really enjoyed it. The ward was very, very friendly with him and a lot of people came up and introduced themselves to him. He kept telling Elder King and Cardinet how much he liked the Singles Ward. It doesn’t hurt that most of the members are girls his age.
President Yates is a counselor to President Wallis, our Mission President. He had a fireside at his home last night for recent converts and missionaries. Cayce, Kristen and Maria came and all three of them bore their testimonies. It was so powerful! The three of them have all felt a lot of family pressure in their decisions to be baptized. Kristen was baptized about two years ago, Cayce was baptized about 2 months ago, and Maria has a very sincere desire to be baptized. There was a lady at the fireside who is investigating with her LDS fiancée. She really enjoyed Kristen, Cayce and Maria’s testimonies. It is so amazing to see the three of them together, supporting each other and others with their faithful examples.
Thanks for your prayers and letters!
I will try to respond sooner!
Elder Walters
We started teaching Chris this week! A member of the Chapel Hill 2nd Ward was roommates with Chris, and started telling him about the Church. Chris was and is very interested in investigating. He was really eager to learn about the history of the Church, like how the succession from Joseph Smith to Brigham Young took place.
He had been attending the Chapel Hill 2nd Ward for about a month with Elder King and Elder Cardinet, and noticed how noisy sacrament meetings can get with all of the children. Someone said there’s about sixty infants 18 months and younger! Chris even asked us why they don’t have a separate sacrament room for them.
He came with us to the Singles Ward yesterday and really enjoyed it. The ward was very, very friendly with him and a lot of people came up and introduced themselves to him. He kept telling Elder King and Cardinet how much he liked the Singles Ward. It doesn’t hurt that most of the members are girls his age.
President Yates is a counselor to President Wallis, our Mission President. He had a fireside at his home last night for recent converts and missionaries. Cayce, Kristen and Maria came and all three of them bore their testimonies. It was so powerful! The three of them have all felt a lot of family pressure in their decisions to be baptized. Kristen was baptized about two years ago, Cayce was baptized about 2 months ago, and Maria has a very sincere desire to be baptized. There was a lady at the fireside who is investigating with her LDS fiancée. She really enjoyed Kristen, Cayce and Maria’s testimonies. It is so amazing to see the three of them together, supporting each other and others with their faithful examples.
Thanks for your prayers and letters!
I will try to respond sooner!
Elder Walters
Monday, April 14, 2008
HELLO FROM CHAPEL HILL!
Things are going well. Elder Roseman went to Fayetteville as zone leader and Elder McCann came from the Durham fourth ward to join us in the Durham 3rd singles ward. He’s a lot of fun! He’s from California and is great at contacting people. He is also serving as district leader for the first time in our district, the Chapel Hill District.
The Tar Heels made it to the Final Four, but were beaten by Kansas…I think. It’s very strange to be serving at UNC and at Duke University and having almost no idea what is going on in the basketball world. The UNC and Duke rivalry is supposed to be the biggest rivalry ever in sports, and our ward consists of almost entirely UNC and Duke students and graduates!
We ran a 5K race yesterday in support of the early detection of breast cancer. It was all around Chapel Hill and started and finished at UNC’s famous ‘old well’. Elder King and I had set a goal to run the race in 28 minutes. He and Elder Cardinet would help me up the steep hills with one hand each, then I’d fly down the other side. Then on the next hill I’d push until they caught up. My arms felt like jello afterwards, but they said they’re whole bodies felt like jello.
We’re going to try and catch a turtle today! Elder King and Cardinet and I saw some in a pond the other day, so we’re going to make a net out of some big bamboo that Elder Skidmore and Olsen found. The turtles look pretty big, like a foot long.
My sister Whitney’s kids have been taking really good care of my lizard, Joanna, since I left for BYU. She’s been getting crickets and mealworms and plenty of attention and people to crawl on. However, I found out last week that Joanna got some sand caught in her digestive tract. Whitney took her to a lizard doctor who put water in Joanna’s mouth, but Joanna just spit it back up. Callum and Issy and Tate sent me a letter the other day reading, “Somebody died. Joanna did. We tried to take really good care of Joanna. Love, Callum, Issy and Tate.” I sure do miss those little three!
Elder Cardinet and King met Elder Bednar from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles yesterday. He was in town to help bless his son’s twin babies.
We are handing off Javier to the Spanish Ward Elders, he is still in High School, so that ward will be the best for him. He said the other night that the white kids at his school have been wanting to fight him and his friends. He was wondering if he needed to repent for being mad at some kids who hit him at school. He is such a kind, sincere young man. We’ve been teaching him in Spanish, and I’ve been trying to keep up in Spanish.
He asked the other night ‘why don’t all white people treat me like you do?’ I said the difference between the missionaries and members of the church and others who aren’t members is that we have the true gospel, and that affects our actions and behavior more than anything else. Javier is so sincere about wanting to learn about Christ’s Gospel!
Thank you for all of your prayers and letters!
I really do appreciate them!
Love, Elder Walters
The Tar Heels made it to the Final Four, but were beaten by Kansas…I think. It’s very strange to be serving at UNC and at Duke University and having almost no idea what is going on in the basketball world. The UNC and Duke rivalry is supposed to be the biggest rivalry ever in sports, and our ward consists of almost entirely UNC and Duke students and graduates!
We ran a 5K race yesterday in support of the early detection of breast cancer. It was all around Chapel Hill and started and finished at UNC’s famous ‘old well’. Elder King and I had set a goal to run the race in 28 minutes. He and Elder Cardinet would help me up the steep hills with one hand each, then I’d fly down the other side. Then on the next hill I’d push until they caught up. My arms felt like jello afterwards, but they said they’re whole bodies felt like jello.
We’re going to try and catch a turtle today! Elder King and Cardinet and I saw some in a pond the other day, so we’re going to make a net out of some big bamboo that Elder Skidmore and Olsen found. The turtles look pretty big, like a foot long.
My sister Whitney’s kids have been taking really good care of my lizard, Joanna, since I left for BYU. She’s been getting crickets and mealworms and plenty of attention and people to crawl on. However, I found out last week that Joanna got some sand caught in her digestive tract. Whitney took her to a lizard doctor who put water in Joanna’s mouth, but Joanna just spit it back up. Callum and Issy and Tate sent me a letter the other day reading, “Somebody died. Joanna did. We tried to take really good care of Joanna. Love, Callum, Issy and Tate.” I sure do miss those little three!
Elder Cardinet and King met Elder Bednar from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles yesterday. He was in town to help bless his son’s twin babies.
We are handing off Javier to the Spanish Ward Elders, he is still in High School, so that ward will be the best for him. He said the other night that the white kids at his school have been wanting to fight him and his friends. He was wondering if he needed to repent for being mad at some kids who hit him at school. He is such a kind, sincere young man. We’ve been teaching him in Spanish, and I’ve been trying to keep up in Spanish.
He asked the other night ‘why don’t all white people treat me like you do?’ I said the difference between the missionaries and members of the church and others who aren’t members is that we have the true gospel, and that affects our actions and behavior more than anything else. Javier is so sincere about wanting to learn about Christ’s Gospel!
Thank you for all of your prayers and letters!
I really do appreciate them!
Love, Elder Walters
Monday, April 07, 2008
TRANSFERS!
Elder Roseman is saying goodbye to Chapel Hill as District Leader and is headed to Fayetteville as a Zone Leader. He’s been in Chapel Hill for 6 months now and is having a tough time saying goodbye to the ward. Elder Christman and I will find out tomorrow who our new companion is!
I think that General Conference for a missionary is a lot like Christmas for a five-year-old. I love General Conference! What an increase in testimony, energy and gratitude we are blessed with every six months!
Elder Roseman and I realized soon after President Hinckley’s passing that we would have the opportunity soon to watch the Prophet’s mantle pass to another while we were serving as missionaries. How amazing this weekend has been for me, to see that the work continues to roll forth, as President Hinckley said, ‘like a stone cut from the mountain.’
It is so wonderful to hear a Prophets’ voice. I think they said Conference was being broadcast to 92 countries in 96 different languages. How amazing is that! So many people have the opportunity to watch/listen to/attend conference. Then we have the opportunity to read/watch/hear conference again and remember the witnesses we had from the Holy Ghost! I really liked President Monson’s advice, “Let’s incorporate this into our lives.”
It’s like Heavenly Father gives us the energy, direction and inspiration to improve our lives and come closer to Him then gives us a time period to act on it. Then, when we’ve tried our best for six months, we have the opportunity to come back and be inspired and instructed again by continuing revelation.
I love General Conference!!!
Thanks for all of your prayers, love, support and letters!
Elder Walters
I think that General Conference for a missionary is a lot like Christmas for a five-year-old. I love General Conference! What an increase in testimony, energy and gratitude we are blessed with every six months!
Elder Roseman and I realized soon after President Hinckley’s passing that we would have the opportunity soon to watch the Prophet’s mantle pass to another while we were serving as missionaries. How amazing this weekend has been for me, to see that the work continues to roll forth, as President Hinckley said, ‘like a stone cut from the mountain.’
It is so wonderful to hear a Prophets’ voice. I think they said Conference was being broadcast to 92 countries in 96 different languages. How amazing is that! So many people have the opportunity to watch/listen to/attend conference. Then we have the opportunity to read/watch/hear conference again and remember the witnesses we had from the Holy Ghost! I really liked President Monson’s advice, “Let’s incorporate this into our lives.”
It’s like Heavenly Father gives us the energy, direction and inspiration to improve our lives and come closer to Him then gives us a time period to act on it. Then, when we’ve tried our best for six months, we have the opportunity to come back and be inspired and instructed again by continuing revelation.
I love General Conference!!!
Thanks for all of your prayers, love, support and letters!
Elder Walters
Thursday, April 03, 2008
I love you!!!!! even when I don't write, and I will try to write every week.
April 3, 2008
Elder Roseman and I had a neat experience while we were stopping by some less active members in Durham a few weeks ago. Elder Roseman went up to the second floor of the apartment complex while I waited on the sidewalk below, keeping an eye on him.
The young man we were looking for, Juan, had apparently moved out some time ago, however Elder Roseman began to teach Javier, the young man who answered the door. We pray to find people that have been prepared by the Lord, the elect, and Javier is a perfect example of someone that was prepared beforehand! He has simply soaked up the Gospel, and has been very touched by the Holy Ghost as he learned.
The Raleigh Sidewinders got to play in the United States Quad Rugby Association’s Atlantic Sectional Playoffs! The best 8 teams in the Atlantic area were invited, and the Sidewinders squeaked in the 8th place spot by scoring the game-winning goal in the last few seconds of a tournament a month ago. So we came into sectionals seeded last, but came out in 7th place after beating the Carolina Crash. We had a great weekend and learned a lot as a team. We also got to play with some of the best players and teams in the world. I love playing Wheelchair Rugby! There is such a bond between the players, regardless of whose team you are on. It is so easy to just start talking to other players. We’ve all been through similar challenges so there is a brotherhood in this sport that I have never seen in any other sport! It is also great exercise!
On Saint Patrick’s Day, we met Daniel as we were shopping for the week. He had glasses, a mustache, and longer hair and was very friendly and scatterbrained. He just walked up and asked me, “So what happened to you?” It was fun as we talked about the Gospel and his past experiences with religion, and his belief in God and how He helps us through our trials. He hadn’t realized I was a missionary, since I was shopping in jeans, and was really excited to meet with us, so excited he called me several times later that day to see if our schedule changed so we could meet earlier. It was really a neat experience, because I had prayed specifically that I could find someone that p-day to talk with about the Gospel. We have since met with him a few times, and had some great lessons and spiritual experiences. He really feels the Spirit as we pray.
Thank you for all of your letters and prayers! I will try to write more consistently!
Elder Walters
Elder Roseman and I had a neat experience while we were stopping by some less active members in Durham a few weeks ago. Elder Roseman went up to the second floor of the apartment complex while I waited on the sidewalk below, keeping an eye on him.
The young man we were looking for, Juan, had apparently moved out some time ago, however Elder Roseman began to teach Javier, the young man who answered the door. We pray to find people that have been prepared by the Lord, the elect, and Javier is a perfect example of someone that was prepared beforehand! He has simply soaked up the Gospel, and has been very touched by the Holy Ghost as he learned.
The Raleigh Sidewinders got to play in the United States Quad Rugby Association’s Atlantic Sectional Playoffs! The best 8 teams in the Atlantic area were invited, and the Sidewinders squeaked in the 8th place spot by scoring the game-winning goal in the last few seconds of a tournament a month ago. So we came into sectionals seeded last, but came out in 7th place after beating the Carolina Crash. We had a great weekend and learned a lot as a team. We also got to play with some of the best players and teams in the world. I love playing Wheelchair Rugby! There is such a bond between the players, regardless of whose team you are on. It is so easy to just start talking to other players. We’ve all been through similar challenges so there is a brotherhood in this sport that I have never seen in any other sport! It is also great exercise!
On Saint Patrick’s Day, we met Daniel as we were shopping for the week. He had glasses, a mustache, and longer hair and was very friendly and scatterbrained. He just walked up and asked me, “So what happened to you?” It was fun as we talked about the Gospel and his past experiences with religion, and his belief in God and how He helps us through our trials. He hadn’t realized I was a missionary, since I was shopping in jeans, and was really excited to meet with us, so excited he called me several times later that day to see if our schedule changed so we could meet earlier. It was really a neat experience, because I had prayed specifically that I could find someone that p-day to talk with about the Gospel. We have since met with him a few times, and had some great lessons and spiritual experiences. He really feels the Spirit as we pray.
Thank you for all of your letters and prayers! I will try to write more consistently!
Elder Walters
Monday, March 10, 2008
Angela's Baptism
March 10, 2008
Angela’s baptism on March 1st was great! Her boyfriend Aaron did the baptizing and some of his family came in to give their support, including Aaron’s dad who flew in from California and did the confirmation. Angela had asked me to speak on baptism.
I realized how similar her story is with my Mom’s and it made me want to learn more about my Mom’s baptism. Mom sent me an email describing in detail how she’d always noticed something different about members of the church. She had many friends who were members in her youth and chose to go on a semester abroad to Salzburg through BYU where she met my Aunt Nan. Later, my Mom and my Dad began dating. Like Angela, Mom wanted to make her decisions of getting baptized and marrying Dad separate.
I promised Angela about the amazing blessings and consequences that would come from her decision, that she had received a witness that this was the true church and that her decision would also benefit her children and their children so much. I also told her that of Mom’s five kids, two have or are serving missions and three have been married in the temple so far.
In other news, we heard that there was a shooting in Chapel Hill on Wednesday. We didn’t learn until Thursday that the victim was Eve Carson, UNC Student Body President. She was a senior doing Pre-Med and everyone commented on her bright, positive, energetic attitude. She was graduating next month. As you can imagine the students and community have been shocked and the police have few clues about what happened.
In the wake of unexpected acts of violence or accidents or disease, people always have the tendency to ask why. We often feel confused and out of control or helpless. The truth is that we aren’t in control, God is. Our part is to focus on what is in our control and leave the rest up to Him.
Thank you for all of your support, prayers and letters!
Elder Walters
106 Shadowood Drive Apt. D
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Angela’s baptism on March 1st was great! Her boyfriend Aaron did the baptizing and some of his family came in to give their support, including Aaron’s dad who flew in from California and did the confirmation. Angela had asked me to speak on baptism.
I realized how similar her story is with my Mom’s and it made me want to learn more about my Mom’s baptism. Mom sent me an email describing in detail how she’d always noticed something different about members of the church. She had many friends who were members in her youth and chose to go on a semester abroad to Salzburg through BYU where she met my Aunt Nan. Later, my Mom and my Dad began dating. Like Angela, Mom wanted to make her decisions of getting baptized and marrying Dad separate.
I promised Angela about the amazing blessings and consequences that would come from her decision, that she had received a witness that this was the true church and that her decision would also benefit her children and their children so much. I also told her that of Mom’s five kids, two have or are serving missions and three have been married in the temple so far.
In other news, we heard that there was a shooting in Chapel Hill on Wednesday. We didn’t learn until Thursday that the victim was Eve Carson, UNC Student Body President. She was a senior doing Pre-Med and everyone commented on her bright, positive, energetic attitude. She was graduating next month. As you can imagine the students and community have been shocked and the police have few clues about what happened.
In the wake of unexpected acts of violence or accidents or disease, people always have the tendency to ask why. We often feel confused and out of control or helpless. The truth is that we aren’t in control, God is. Our part is to focus on what is in our control and leave the rest up to Him.
Thank you for all of your support, prayers and letters!
Elder Walters
106 Shadowood Drive Apt. D
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Monday, March 03, 2008
What an Amazing Week!
March 3, 2008
What an amazing week! At transfers our district had a couple of new Elders. Elder Skidmore is coming from Boise, Idaho via the MTC and Elder Cardinet is coming from Falls Lake. He is from Northern California and is a very hard worker and is really easy to get along with. I knew him when he was district leader for the Durham District. Our whole district has had a fun Preparation day together so far, shopping, emailing and exercising.
We taught Zodi again, she’s a UNC student working on her dissertation for epidemiology. She is very fun and loves talking with us, we’re trying to show her how to exercise faith, she has more of a ‘seeing is believing’ mind frame.
When we came back from talking to students at UNC a couple construction workers waved at us. At first I thought they knew us, but they started asking us about which church we go to. The cool part was that it was all in Spanish, and I was able to talk with them about the Gospel. Hector and Jorge asked if I believed in the Bible and people like Pablo and Juan, Paul and John. I said that I did and I also believed in other people who believed in Christ and lived in the Americas whose words are recorded in the Book of Mormon. We also talked about the Restoration of Christ’s Gospel. It was so amazing! I’ve got to practice my Spanish gospel terms because I doubt “apostalos’ is a real word.
I’m running out of time and I don’t want to rush important stuff so I’ll talk about Angela’s baptism next week. In short, it was terrific!!
Thank you all for your love, prayers and support!
I hope you are all feeling the joy the Gospel can bring into our lives!
Love, Elder Walters
What an amazing week! At transfers our district had a couple of new Elders. Elder Skidmore is coming from Boise, Idaho via the MTC and Elder Cardinet is coming from Falls Lake. He is from Northern California and is a very hard worker and is really easy to get along with. I knew him when he was district leader for the Durham District. Our whole district has had a fun Preparation day together so far, shopping, emailing and exercising.
We taught Zodi again, she’s a UNC student working on her dissertation for epidemiology. She is very fun and loves talking with us, we’re trying to show her how to exercise faith, she has more of a ‘seeing is believing’ mind frame.
When we came back from talking to students at UNC a couple construction workers waved at us. At first I thought they knew us, but they started asking us about which church we go to. The cool part was that it was all in Spanish, and I was able to talk with them about the Gospel. Hector and Jorge asked if I believed in the Bible and people like Pablo and Juan, Paul and John. I said that I did and I also believed in other people who believed in Christ and lived in the Americas whose words are recorded in the Book of Mormon. We also talked about the Restoration of Christ’s Gospel. It was so amazing! I’ve got to practice my Spanish gospel terms because I doubt “apostalos’ is a real word.
I’m running out of time and I don’t want to rush important stuff so I’ll talk about Angela’s baptism next week. In short, it was terrific!!
Thank you all for your love, prayers and support!
I hope you are all feeling the joy the Gospel can bring into our lives!
Love, Elder Walters
Monday, February 18, 2008
Preach My Gospel
February 18, 2008
All’s well in North Carolina! This weekend was our Stake Conference broadcast from Salt Lake. We heard from Elder Wood, Sister Tanner, Elder Nelson and President Uchtdorf. It was broadcasted to 42 stakes on the east coast! I got a lot out of all of their messages, especially President Uchtdorf’s. He focused a lot on missionaries. He said there were 717 current missionaries serving from those 42 stakes, encouraged more young men to go on missions, and encouraged every member to study Preach My Gospel.
Most of what he spoke about pertains to one of my biggest roles out here! I love being with the mission-aged members of our ward as we learn from Preach My Gospel. I am trying to encourage the attendance of other members, like returned-missionaries and those that aren’t as excited about going on a mission. Last semester went very well. Ben and Dallin enjoyed the Preach My Gospel class and recently left to serve missions in the Salt Lake and Anaheim Spanish missions.
I’ve really enjoyed learning from Preach My Gospel! While it’s for the full-time missionaries, every member can benefit from it, whether it’s used for Family Home Evening, lesson preparation, or mission preparation, it is a great tool to learn the doctrine and learn how to teach it. I was able to study it really hard months before I left for my mission. I still remember how much I enjoyed reading, highlighting, searching the scriptures it suggests, and trying the activities.
Six months into my mission, my copy of Preach My Gospel is not as pretty as it once was. The front and back cover are coming off, the pages are covered with a rainbow of colored pencil and every color of ink, and it is full of teaching ideas and quotes. A few of the pages still stick together and smell like an Italian restaurant from a Sister Gwyn’s spaghetti-transportation-mishap, but I still feel like I have so, so much to learn from Preach My Gospel!
Thank you so much for the letters, prayers and support!!!
Elder Walters
All’s well in North Carolina! This weekend was our Stake Conference broadcast from Salt Lake. We heard from Elder Wood, Sister Tanner, Elder Nelson and President Uchtdorf. It was broadcasted to 42 stakes on the east coast! I got a lot out of all of their messages, especially President Uchtdorf’s. He focused a lot on missionaries. He said there were 717 current missionaries serving from those 42 stakes, encouraged more young men to go on missions, and encouraged every member to study Preach My Gospel.
Most of what he spoke about pertains to one of my biggest roles out here! I love being with the mission-aged members of our ward as we learn from Preach My Gospel. I am trying to encourage the attendance of other members, like returned-missionaries and those that aren’t as excited about going on a mission. Last semester went very well. Ben and Dallin enjoyed the Preach My Gospel class and recently left to serve missions in the Salt Lake and Anaheim Spanish missions.
I’ve really enjoyed learning from Preach My Gospel! While it’s for the full-time missionaries, every member can benefit from it, whether it’s used for Family Home Evening, lesson preparation, or mission preparation, it is a great tool to learn the doctrine and learn how to teach it. I was able to study it really hard months before I left for my mission. I still remember how much I enjoyed reading, highlighting, searching the scriptures it suggests, and trying the activities.
Six months into my mission, my copy of Preach My Gospel is not as pretty as it once was. The front and back cover are coming off, the pages are covered with a rainbow of colored pencil and every color of ink, and it is full of teaching ideas and quotes. A few of the pages still stick together and smell like an Italian restaurant from a Sister Gwyn’s spaghetti-transportation-mishap, but I still feel like I have so, so much to learn from Preach My Gospel!
Thank you so much for the letters, prayers and support!!!
Elder Walters
Monday, February 11, 2008
Hello From Chapel Hill
Elder Roseman and Elder Christman were in the “Daily Tar Heel,” UNC’s newspaper! The article focused on what life is like as a missionary and is a great example of how the media can be a way of sharing the gospel and clearing up misconceptions. These Elders are my companions right now, and Elder McDougle, also in the article, was recently transferred from our district. I was really sad to see him go, and the article came out the day after he left! You can see the article at lds.org/news click on ‘around the world’ and it’s the 4th or so article down, under Feb 8th.
(I posted the article on the blog on Saturday. Please see the post below. Bridgette)
Elder Ballard has spoken quite a bit about the great importance members have to talk about their religion and clear up misconceptions. The internet is a wonderful way for Mormons to talk about what they believe, and not leave it to others.
There is a great promise that the Lord will guide us in our efforts to share the gospel found in Doctrine and Covenants section 100:5-7:
5 Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men;
6 For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say.
7 But a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall declare whatsoever thing ye declare in my name, in solemnity of heart, in the spirit of meekness, in all things.
Thanks for all of the support and for your prayers!
Love, Elder Walters
(I posted the article on the blog on Saturday. Please see the post below. Bridgette)
Elder Ballard has spoken quite a bit about the great importance members have to talk about their religion and clear up misconceptions. The internet is a wonderful way for Mormons to talk about what they believe, and not leave it to others.
There is a great promise that the Lord will guide us in our efforts to share the gospel found in Doctrine and Covenants section 100:5-7:
5 Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men;
6 For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say.
7 But a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall declare whatsoever thing ye declare in my name, in solemnity of heart, in the spirit of meekness, in all things.
Thanks for all of the support and for your prayers!
Love, Elder Walters
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Young Mormons Spread Faith at UNC
Hey Mom and Dad!
Elders Christman and Roseman are my companions and Elder McDougle is my friend who just left our district the night before this was printed! love you, bye - Elder Walters
Young Mormons Spread Faith at UNC
The Daily Tar Heel
New missionary assigned to area
By: Allison Miller, Senior Writer
Issue date: 2/8/08 Section:
Elder Christman gives recent graduate Greg Carrero a copy of the Book of Mormon on Thursday in the Pit. Young Mormon men who serve as missionaries are called elders. Mormon missionaries work to educate people about the Church of Latter-day Saints.
At first glance, Jeremy McDougle looks just like all the other UNC students strolling through the Pit.But look again. His dark, formal suit and his name tag become apparent. And a short conversation reveals that the 21-year-old with closely cropped, brownish-blond hair is a Mormon missionary, not a college student.
"We don't come to change the world; we just come out to draw people closer to Christ," McDougle said.McDougle, a native of San Diego, Calif., came to the Triangle about six weeks ago to start his two-year mission. Church leaders assign missionaries to locations.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are not required to go on religious missions. But many young men and women, called elders and sisters, choose to do so, with 182 serving in eastern North Carolina.When McDougle visited UNC's campus last week, he was paired with Scott Roseman, a missionary from Utah who has been in North Carolina for about four months. Roseman said he has traveled all over the Triangle doing his missionary work.
A new missionary is paired with one who has more experience and is familiar with the mission area, said Madge McGilvary, an employee in the Latter-day Saints Raleigh office who converted to Mormonism after two missionaries knocked on her door.
From one day to the next, missionaries might not be in the same place or with the same partner.Missionary work entails knocking on doors in neighborhoods and educating people about the church."We get doors slammed in our faces, cussed out, things thrown at us," McDougle said. "That's all part of the experience."He said he spends a lot of time trying to clear up misconceptions about the Latter-day Saints church."A lot of people think we have different views of God," he said.He is only permitted to call home on Mother's Day and on Christmas.
The missionaries also must refrain from dating, listening to the radio, and watching TV and movies.These regulations allow the missionaries to "devote time to teaching and serving the heavenly father and keep them from getting distracted," McGilvary said.
"I miss my family the most," McDougle said. "It's tough being away from home, but the congregation always watches out for us."McDougle said he adheres to a strict schedule. Six days a week, he wakes up at 6:30 a.m., studies Scriptures from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and does missionary work from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m.Someone from the Latter-day Saints Raleigh Mission office in Raleigh checks to see if he is in his apartment every night.
McDougle gets a break from missionary work on Mondays. He said he uses the time to do laundry, go grocery shopping and send e-mails to his family. While on his mission, McDougle doesn't earn any money, yet he has to pay rent and buy food.
The mission office is responsible for helping missionaries find an apartment and a medical care provider when they first arrive.The church also provides him a car with a monthly mileage allotment.McDougle said he has worked since graduating high school to save enough money to fund his mission."It's something that you always look forward to be able to do."
After his mission, McDougle said, he will work outside the church."Everyone in the church has normal jobs," he said. "I want to go into construction management and eventually build custom homes."
Elders Christman and Roseman are my companions and Elder McDougle is my friend who just left our district the night before this was printed! love you, bye - Elder Walters
Young Mormons Spread Faith at UNC
The Daily Tar Heel
New missionary assigned to area
By: Allison Miller, Senior Writer
Issue date: 2/8/08 Section:
Elder Christman gives recent graduate Greg Carrero a copy of the Book of Mormon on Thursday in the Pit. Young Mormon men who serve as missionaries are called elders. Mormon missionaries work to educate people about the Church of Latter-day Saints.
At first glance, Jeremy McDougle looks just like all the other UNC students strolling through the Pit.But look again. His dark, formal suit and his name tag become apparent. And a short conversation reveals that the 21-year-old with closely cropped, brownish-blond hair is a Mormon missionary, not a college student.
"We don't come to change the world; we just come out to draw people closer to Christ," McDougle said.McDougle, a native of San Diego, Calif., came to the Triangle about six weeks ago to start his two-year mission. Church leaders assign missionaries to locations.
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are not required to go on religious missions. But many young men and women, called elders and sisters, choose to do so, with 182 serving in eastern North Carolina.When McDougle visited UNC's campus last week, he was paired with Scott Roseman, a missionary from Utah who has been in North Carolina for about four months. Roseman said he has traveled all over the Triangle doing his missionary work.
A new missionary is paired with one who has more experience and is familiar with the mission area, said Madge McGilvary, an employee in the Latter-day Saints Raleigh office who converted to Mormonism after two missionaries knocked on her door.
From one day to the next, missionaries might not be in the same place or with the same partner.Missionary work entails knocking on doors in neighborhoods and educating people about the church."We get doors slammed in our faces, cussed out, things thrown at us," McDougle said. "That's all part of the experience."He said he spends a lot of time trying to clear up misconceptions about the Latter-day Saints church."A lot of people think we have different views of God," he said.He is only permitted to call home on Mother's Day and on Christmas.
The missionaries also must refrain from dating, listening to the radio, and watching TV and movies.These regulations allow the missionaries to "devote time to teaching and serving the heavenly father and keep them from getting distracted," McGilvary said.
"I miss my family the most," McDougle said. "It's tough being away from home, but the congregation always watches out for us."McDougle said he adheres to a strict schedule. Six days a week, he wakes up at 6:30 a.m., studies Scriptures from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and does missionary work from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m.Someone from the Latter-day Saints Raleigh Mission office in Raleigh checks to see if he is in his apartment every night.
McDougle gets a break from missionary work on Mondays. He said he uses the time to do laundry, go grocery shopping and send e-mails to his family. While on his mission, McDougle doesn't earn any money, yet he has to pay rent and buy food.
The mission office is responsible for helping missionaries find an apartment and a medical care provider when they first arrive.The church also provides him a car with a monthly mileage allotment.McDougle said he has worked since graduating high school to save enough money to fund his mission."It's something that you always look forward to be able to do."
After his mission, McDougle said, he will work outside the church."Everyone in the church has normal jobs," he said. "I want to go into construction management and eventually build custom homes."
Friday, February 08, 2008
Nan and Elder Walters
A few weeks ago Barry's sister, Nan, called to let us know she was going to Raleigh, North Carolina, with some friends to see Ryan's mission president and his wife, President and Sister Wallis, who are very good friends of theirs. I knew Nan was going but didn't want to ruin the surprise for Ryan.
Before Ryan left on his mission, he made it very clear that even though he can see his family because he is technically on a service mission, he wanted to treat his mission like a proscelyting mission as much as possible, so we were NOT to visit him! The only exception was that Aunt Nan and Uncle Keith were able to visit . . . without them Ryan's opportunity to serve in the North Carolina Raleigh mission wouldn't have been possible. Seeing these pictures of Nan with Ryan really brought tears to my eyes . . . if we couldn't be there I can't think of anyone else I would rather have him spend time with than Nan. I consider it one of those "tender mercy" moments in my life!
When I asked Ryan what I could bring him if I was going to visit, he thought for awhile and said, "my nieces and nephews." He really misses all of the "little people" in his life!
Love, Bridgette
Following is a note from Nan:
I am finally sitting down to my computer to load the pictures that I took on my visit with Ryan a few weeks ago. Boy do the days fly by!!! You can see that Ryan looks great--still has his darling smile and radiates. I got a letter off to him today and sent along a talk by Dallin Oakes that I talked to him about. It was about 8 ways we receive revelation. Keith and I had used it for a stake fireside with the Priests/Laurels just before I saw Ryan. Nan
Before Ryan left on his mission, he made it very clear that even though he can see his family because he is technically on a service mission, he wanted to treat his mission like a proscelyting mission as much as possible, so we were NOT to visit him! The only exception was that Aunt Nan and Uncle Keith were able to visit . . . without them Ryan's opportunity to serve in the North Carolina Raleigh mission wouldn't have been possible. Seeing these pictures of Nan with Ryan really brought tears to my eyes . . . if we couldn't be there I can't think of anyone else I would rather have him spend time with than Nan. I consider it one of those "tender mercy" moments in my life!
When I asked Ryan what I could bring him if I was going to visit, he thought for awhile and said, "my nieces and nephews." He really misses all of the "little people" in his life!
Love, Bridgette
Following is a note from Nan:
I am finally sitting down to my computer to load the pictures that I took on my visit with Ryan a few weeks ago. Boy do the days fly by!!! You can see that Ryan looks great--still has his darling smile and radiates. I got a letter off to him today and sent along a talk by Dallin Oakes that I talked to him about. It was about 8 ways we receive revelation. Keith and I had used it for a stake fireside with the Priests/Laurels just before I saw Ryan. Nan
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Monday, February 04, 2008
Cayce's Baptism
Cayce’s baptism was amazing! There were about eighty people there, including her family! That is more people than are usually at church in our ward! Her boyfriend, Martin baptized and confirmed her. Cayce also asked me to speak about baptism. I also talked about the Atonement, covenants in general and the sacrament. The Atonement is how and why we change, we change through making and keeping covenants, and the sacrament lets us renew our covenants and continue to change and become more Christlike.
Martin’s dad gave a talk on the Holy Ghost and talked a lot about what a special girl Cayce is. The Relief Society organized a notebook for Cayce by handing out pieces of colored paper so we could write her our testimonies. Later, they will arrange them all in a little journal for Cayce. It was so special to finally see her be baptized!
Maria was also at Cayce’s baptism with her aunt. Maria is going home this weekend and has decided to talk to her parents about how much she wants to be baptized and to set a baptismal date with their help.
The Church extends to all an invitation to find out for themselves if this is God’s church by asking the only one whose opinion actually counts-God’s. The introduction and the end of the Book of Mormon offer a challenge and a promise-that every person who seeks to know if the Book of Mormon is scripture will learn by the power of personal revelation that the Book is scripture, Jesus is the Christ, Joseph Smith was His prophet and that this is God’s one true church on the earth right now.
Maria has a strong testimony of these things. Her testimony, like so many others, is not a passing thing or a phase-it is a belief that completely changes the natural man to become a man of God through the Atonement. Right now her parents are just trying to protect their daughter. Maria is just trying to have their approval and do what she feels is right.
PLEASE pray for Maria…and for her parents. She is an amazing young woman going through a very hard time. I worry that she will decide the Church is not worth the risk of losing her family, when in truth, the Gospel is the only thing which will save her and her family and everyone else for that matter!
On another note, Angela and Aaron are now engaged! They haven’t set a date yet, but if they need any help, we’re pretty good at helping others do that.
Also, I’m teaching a Preach My Gospel class at Duke and UNC Institute and a short lesson on the four Gospels every week at Duke. It’s going well and is challenging.
I hope you are all happy and doing well!
Thanks for all of your prayers and support!
Elder Walters
Martin’s dad gave a talk on the Holy Ghost and talked a lot about what a special girl Cayce is. The Relief Society organized a notebook for Cayce by handing out pieces of colored paper so we could write her our testimonies. Later, they will arrange them all in a little journal for Cayce. It was so special to finally see her be baptized!
Maria was also at Cayce’s baptism with her aunt. Maria is going home this weekend and has decided to talk to her parents about how much she wants to be baptized and to set a baptismal date with their help.
The Church extends to all an invitation to find out for themselves if this is God’s church by asking the only one whose opinion actually counts-God’s. The introduction and the end of the Book of Mormon offer a challenge and a promise-that every person who seeks to know if the Book of Mormon is scripture will learn by the power of personal revelation that the Book is scripture, Jesus is the Christ, Joseph Smith was His prophet and that this is God’s one true church on the earth right now.
Maria has a strong testimony of these things. Her testimony, like so many others, is not a passing thing or a phase-it is a belief that completely changes the natural man to become a man of God through the Atonement. Right now her parents are just trying to protect their daughter. Maria is just trying to have their approval and do what she feels is right.
PLEASE pray for Maria…and for her parents. She is an amazing young woman going through a very hard time. I worry that she will decide the Church is not worth the risk of losing her family, when in truth, the Gospel is the only thing which will save her and her family and everyone else for that matter!
On another note, Angela and Aaron are now engaged! They haven’t set a date yet, but if they need any help, we’re pretty good at helping others do that.
Also, I’m teaching a Preach My Gospel class at Duke and UNC Institute and a short lesson on the four Gospels every week at Duke. It’s going well and is challenging.
I hope you are all happy and doing well!
Thanks for all of your prayers and support!
Elder Walters
Monday, January 28, 2008
A GRATEFUL HEART
Angela set a date to be baptized! Elder Christman was really eager to set a baptism date with her last Friday and the week before. She decided to narrow down a goal of being baptized in 1 to 3 months and set a date for the First of March!
We all wanted Angela to be baptized for the right reasons. Her boyfriend Aaron is supportive but wants it to be her decision. During a lesson a month ago, we taught her about the Restoration then asked her to be baptized. She sat still for a while, sitting next to Aaron. Then she looked over at Aaron, kind of like, ‘well, what do you think?’ Aaron started laughing, and said, ‘Don’t look at me, I’ve been baptized!’
One thing is for sure, Angela understands the importance of her Baptism and what it really means. The other night we watched ‘Special Witnesses’ and heard Elder Scott speak about baptism. After we taught her she began to realize the importance of baptism. She told me in church that baptism wasn’t just joining the church. It is a way that we begin to apply the Atonement in our lives, by making a covenant with Heavenly Father. My favorite part on my mission so far is probably when people begin to realize what the Atonement really means for them.
We lost contact with Eric almost two months ago. He’s majoring in business at UNC and has a member girlfriend an hour south of Chapel Hill. Elder Roseman and Elder Christman were finally able to catch up with him this weekend! He was really busy with school. It is amazing how concerned we are about our investigators, and how much it hurts if we think we’ve lost them.
Cayce will be baptized this Saturday, February 2nd! She asked me to speak at her baptism. I’m pretty nervous because her family, who are nonmembers, will be there along with a lot of our ward and investigators. This has been three years in the making! I’m so excited for her to finally be able to make this commitment! Her entire family will be coming and her boyfriend, Martin, will be baptizing and confirming her!
We got a call last night telling us that President Hinckley passed away. It was such a weird feeling. I felt really peaceful, like Heavenly Father was still in control. I wasn’t worried at all-the One who leads The Church is still leading His Church. President Hinckley’s passing was fortunate in a few ways. He had lived an amazing life! He likely had more pains and fatigue than he let anyone know. I also remember him saying how much he missed his wife.
It is an amazing time to be a missionary. It was neat this morning to reread President Hinckley’s conference addresses and reflect on what the Lord had him focus on in his service. I am so thankful to be a missionary at this time. As the seventeenth of January passed by it was interesting to reflect back on the 17th of January, 2006, when I’d originally planned to fly to Brazil to serve a mission.
If things had gone as I’d originally sketched out, I’d be getting back from Brazil about now, and heading to BYU Idaho. The Lord had other plans for me! Two years ago nobody would have believed that the Lord would bless me in the ways He has. I learned about how much I love the gospel, my family, and friends during the 5 months in the hospital. I was blessed during my year at BYU with great support from my family, an amazing ward, a great group of close friends, and I was also able to get good grades.
And now, two years after the accident, through the direction of the Lord and the help of many priesthood leaders, family and friends I am on a mission. Our ward is amazing, my companions are supportive, my work is challenging and my health is steady. What more could I ask for?
Thank you for the support and letters!
Elder Walters
We all wanted Angela to be baptized for the right reasons. Her boyfriend Aaron is supportive but wants it to be her decision. During a lesson a month ago, we taught her about the Restoration then asked her to be baptized. She sat still for a while, sitting next to Aaron. Then she looked over at Aaron, kind of like, ‘well, what do you think?’ Aaron started laughing, and said, ‘Don’t look at me, I’ve been baptized!’
One thing is for sure, Angela understands the importance of her Baptism and what it really means. The other night we watched ‘Special Witnesses’ and heard Elder Scott speak about baptism. After we taught her she began to realize the importance of baptism. She told me in church that baptism wasn’t just joining the church. It is a way that we begin to apply the Atonement in our lives, by making a covenant with Heavenly Father. My favorite part on my mission so far is probably when people begin to realize what the Atonement really means for them.
We lost contact with Eric almost two months ago. He’s majoring in business at UNC and has a member girlfriend an hour south of Chapel Hill. Elder Roseman and Elder Christman were finally able to catch up with him this weekend! He was really busy with school. It is amazing how concerned we are about our investigators, and how much it hurts if we think we’ve lost them.
Cayce will be baptized this Saturday, February 2nd! She asked me to speak at her baptism. I’m pretty nervous because her family, who are nonmembers, will be there along with a lot of our ward and investigators. This has been three years in the making! I’m so excited for her to finally be able to make this commitment! Her entire family will be coming and her boyfriend, Martin, will be baptizing and confirming her!
We got a call last night telling us that President Hinckley passed away. It was such a weird feeling. I felt really peaceful, like Heavenly Father was still in control. I wasn’t worried at all-the One who leads The Church is still leading His Church. President Hinckley’s passing was fortunate in a few ways. He had lived an amazing life! He likely had more pains and fatigue than he let anyone know. I also remember him saying how much he missed his wife.
It is an amazing time to be a missionary. It was neat this morning to reread President Hinckley’s conference addresses and reflect on what the Lord had him focus on in his service. I am so thankful to be a missionary at this time. As the seventeenth of January passed by it was interesting to reflect back on the 17th of January, 2006, when I’d originally planned to fly to Brazil to serve a mission.
If things had gone as I’d originally sketched out, I’d be getting back from Brazil about now, and heading to BYU Idaho. The Lord had other plans for me! Two years ago nobody would have believed that the Lord would bless me in the ways He has. I learned about how much I love the gospel, my family, and friends during the 5 months in the hospital. I was blessed during my year at BYU with great support from my family, an amazing ward, a great group of close friends, and I was also able to get good grades.
And now, two years after the accident, through the direction of the Lord and the help of many priesthood leaders, family and friends I am on a mission. Our ward is amazing, my companions are supportive, my work is challenging and my health is steady. What more could I ask for?
Thank you for the support and letters!
Elder Walters
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Elder Walters Becomes a Trainer
We welcomed Elder Christman to Chapel Hill on Tuesday! He is from Soda Springs Idaho and enjoys all things outdoors, especially hunting. He describes himself as a ‘hick’ and is extremely excited about the work.
Elder Roseman and I had a great time learning at training meeting in Raleigh. It was really neat because it was my first time in the mission home. We met the six missionaries coming straight from the MTC; they are all so excited to be out here!
At transfer meeting we got to hear my trainer and first companion, Elder Kennah, bear his testimony. It was his last day in the mission. He flew back to Layton, Utah on Wednesday morning. It was a good experience for me to imagine what I would feel like at the end of my mission, and to realize some things I could change so I can go home with no regrets. It was kind of interesting . . . almost like how people re-evaluate their lives after someone close to them dies.
After Transfer Meeting, we then took Elder Christman straight to UNC campus to get him right into the work. We figured he would be kind of nervous, so I went to contact on my own and Elder Roseman was going to talk to people with Elder Christman. Elder Roseman’s phone rang and when he hung up, Elder Christman was already teaching somebody! We are trying to help him direct his energy in effective ways to accomplish his goals. He has a heart of gold and I am so glad to have his enthusiasm in our companionship!!!
Thank you for all of your letters, prayers and support.
Elder Walters
Elder Roseman and I had a great time learning at training meeting in Raleigh. It was really neat because it was my first time in the mission home. We met the six missionaries coming straight from the MTC; they are all so excited to be out here!
At transfer meeting we got to hear my trainer and first companion, Elder Kennah, bear his testimony. It was his last day in the mission. He flew back to Layton, Utah on Wednesday morning. It was a good experience for me to imagine what I would feel like at the end of my mission, and to realize some things I could change so I can go home with no regrets. It was kind of interesting . . . almost like how people re-evaluate their lives after someone close to them dies.
After Transfer Meeting, we then took Elder Christman straight to UNC campus to get him right into the work. We figured he would be kind of nervous, so I went to contact on my own and Elder Roseman was going to talk to people with Elder Christman. Elder Roseman’s phone rang and when he hung up, Elder Christman was already teaching somebody! We are trying to help him direct his energy in effective ways to accomplish his goals. He has a heart of gold and I am so glad to have his enthusiasm in our companionship!!!
Thank you for all of your letters, prayers and support.
Elder Walters
Monday, January 14, 2008
TEACHING ANGELA
January 14, 2008
Two new companions! I’ve been serving with Elder Roseman for about 3 months and with Elder Johnson for my whole mission, about 5 months so far! We found out on Saturday that Elder Johnson will be transferred on Tuesday to another area.
We are excited to find out who our next companion will be! All we know is that he’s just finished his two and a half weeks in the MTC, so Elder Roseman and I have the responsibility to train him! I’m pretty nervous about teaching and being a good example to him. Elder Roseman has trained before, so hopefully we’ll do it right and help him establish good habits for the rest of his mission. I’ll write about Elder ____ next week!
We were also able to welcome a new service missionary to the Institute at Chapel Hill, Sister Gwyn! She is SO full of energy! She has 7 daughters, about sixteen grandchildren, has served multiple service missions and knows President and Sister Wallis from Ohio. She will be at the Institute Monday through Friday from 8am to 9pm helping out in a LOT of great ways.
She’s making a “cookie of the day” in the morning and making the meals for a lunch we do for Institute students every week at Duke and UNC and contacting students on the phone and coming to Institute classes and being there during the day to keep the building open. I am really excited to share the little CES service missionary office with her. Hopefully some of her excess energy will rub off on me!!!
We are having a great time teaching Angela. She comes from a Catholic family and her boyfriend, Aaron is a member. She has a lot of great questions for us when we come over. We began just sharing spiritual thoughts with them when we went over for dinner. About two weeks ago, she asked to hear the missionary discussions, and we’ve had a lot of really neat, spiritual experiences with her as we read and reread certain scriptures, like Ether 12 about faith and Alma 32 about gaining faith as you would grow a seed.
I planned for Angela’s lesson on Saturday morning but I missed the lesson that night because I had a fever. Elder Roseman and Elder Johnson taught a part of the lesson by using dominoes. As they sat at a table, they put a domino within Angela’s reach and labeled it ‘a testimony of the Book of Mormon.’ Other dominoes followed like ‘a testimony of Joseph Smith as a prophet’ and ‘knowing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is God’s Church on the earth today.’
As the dominoes stretched farther away from her reach, the questions became less crucial, like ‘are Mormons the only people that do baptisms for the dead’ or ‘what happens to kids born in the millennium’ or ‘what is Heavenly Mother’s role.’ The point was that no one could start at the end of the domino chain trying to work backwards and answer less important questions without first answering the simple questions like ‘is the Book of Mormon the word of God’ ‘is Christ our Savior’ ‘was Joseph Smith a true prophet’ ‘is the church true?’
Angela really opened up on Saturday night and shared some spiritual experiences she has had, some that we were even present for! She talked about how it feels when she reads the Book of Mormon, that it feels right, that certain parts stick out to her. She shared a particular verse in Alma 32:16: Therefore, blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble; or rather, in other words, blessed is he that believeth in the word of God, and is baptized without stubbornness of heart, yea, without being brought to know the word, or even compelled to know, before they will believe.
And Alma 32: 21: And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.
Angela realized Saturday night that many of the times she has felt the spirit in the past were really the beginning of her testimony. It is really amazing to see the Spirit work on people, when they really see God communicate to them through the Holy Ghost.
Thank you for all of your letters and support! Sorry if I don’t respond quickly!
Elder Walters
Two new companions! I’ve been serving with Elder Roseman for about 3 months and with Elder Johnson for my whole mission, about 5 months so far! We found out on Saturday that Elder Johnson will be transferred on Tuesday to another area.
We are excited to find out who our next companion will be! All we know is that he’s just finished his two and a half weeks in the MTC, so Elder Roseman and I have the responsibility to train him! I’m pretty nervous about teaching and being a good example to him. Elder Roseman has trained before, so hopefully we’ll do it right and help him establish good habits for the rest of his mission. I’ll write about Elder ____ next week!
We were also able to welcome a new service missionary to the Institute at Chapel Hill, Sister Gwyn! She is SO full of energy! She has 7 daughters, about sixteen grandchildren, has served multiple service missions and knows President and Sister Wallis from Ohio. She will be at the Institute Monday through Friday from 8am to 9pm helping out in a LOT of great ways.
She’s making a “cookie of the day” in the morning and making the meals for a lunch we do for Institute students every week at Duke and UNC and contacting students on the phone and coming to Institute classes and being there during the day to keep the building open. I am really excited to share the little CES service missionary office with her. Hopefully some of her excess energy will rub off on me!!!
We are having a great time teaching Angela. She comes from a Catholic family and her boyfriend, Aaron is a member. She has a lot of great questions for us when we come over. We began just sharing spiritual thoughts with them when we went over for dinner. About two weeks ago, she asked to hear the missionary discussions, and we’ve had a lot of really neat, spiritual experiences with her as we read and reread certain scriptures, like Ether 12 about faith and Alma 32 about gaining faith as you would grow a seed.
I planned for Angela’s lesson on Saturday morning but I missed the lesson that night because I had a fever. Elder Roseman and Elder Johnson taught a part of the lesson by using dominoes. As they sat at a table, they put a domino within Angela’s reach and labeled it ‘a testimony of the Book of Mormon.’ Other dominoes followed like ‘a testimony of Joseph Smith as a prophet’ and ‘knowing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is God’s Church on the earth today.’
As the dominoes stretched farther away from her reach, the questions became less crucial, like ‘are Mormons the only people that do baptisms for the dead’ or ‘what happens to kids born in the millennium’ or ‘what is Heavenly Mother’s role.’ The point was that no one could start at the end of the domino chain trying to work backwards and answer less important questions without first answering the simple questions like ‘is the Book of Mormon the word of God’ ‘is Christ our Savior’ ‘was Joseph Smith a true prophet’ ‘is the church true?’
Angela really opened up on Saturday night and shared some spiritual experiences she has had, some that we were even present for! She talked about how it feels when she reads the Book of Mormon, that it feels right, that certain parts stick out to her. She shared a particular verse in Alma 32:16: Therefore, blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble; or rather, in other words, blessed is he that believeth in the word of God, and is baptized without stubbornness of heart, yea, without being brought to know the word, or even compelled to know, before they will believe.
And Alma 32: 21: And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.
Angela realized Saturday night that many of the times she has felt the spirit in the past were really the beginning of her testimony. It is really amazing to see the Spirit work on people, when they really see God communicate to them through the Holy Ghost.
Thank you for all of your letters and support! Sorry if I don’t respond quickly!
Elder Walters
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
GRADITUDE
We missed Elder Walter’s letter on Monday. Whenever I don’t hear from him on Monday, I call his health care provider to make sure he isn’t sick. Sue said Ryan was getting a quad rugby game together on his preparation day and that he was feeling GREAT! I don’t know if the other Elders were going to play with him or some of his team members from the Raleigh Sidewinders. I’m happy to sacrifice a letter knowing he is doing something he loves!
We wanted to let you know we enjoyed a wonderful phone call from Elder Walters on Christmas. Barry and I both commented afterwards what a nice call it was. Ryan is very peaceful and happy in his surroundings on his mission in North Carolina. He has developed meaningful relationships with his companions and Brother Nichols as well as the students in the Chapel Hill Ward. He adores President and Sister Wallis and his testimony has grown as he feels the love of our Savior in acts of service he witnesses on a daily basis.
Ryan spent Christmas Eve with his two companions at Brother and Sister Nichols' home and Christmas Day with four other Elders at a Bishop's home. After talking with him, Barry and I felt very content with where Ryan is and the work he is doing. Our lives have been blessed as he has put all of his effort into being a full-time missionary.
On our way to Aunt Kalle's and Uncle Paul's home for Christmas Eve, Barry, Kate and I stopped at Craig Hospital. Kaitlyn had made caramel and chocolate dipped pretzels for the patients and staff at Craig. It was nice to visit with the patients and staff. Each patient we talked with asked where Ryan was now . . . it was good to be able to reflect back on the last two years and realize the progress Ryan has made . . . spending five months at Craig and rehabilitating to the best of his ability, a year at BYU and more rehabilitation at Neuroworx and now serving his mission for the last six months. Ryan has been blessed with a beautiful spirit and we couldn't love him move. We are grateful everyday to have him in our family.
Thank you for the love you have shown to Ryan and to our family.
Love, Bridgette and Barry
We wanted to let you know we enjoyed a wonderful phone call from Elder Walters on Christmas. Barry and I both commented afterwards what a nice call it was. Ryan is very peaceful and happy in his surroundings on his mission in North Carolina. He has developed meaningful relationships with his companions and Brother Nichols as well as the students in the Chapel Hill Ward. He adores President and Sister Wallis and his testimony has grown as he feels the love of our Savior in acts of service he witnesses on a daily basis.
Ryan spent Christmas Eve with his two companions at Brother and Sister Nichols' home and Christmas Day with four other Elders at a Bishop's home. After talking with him, Barry and I felt very content with where Ryan is and the work he is doing. Our lives have been blessed as he has put all of his effort into being a full-time missionary.
On our way to Aunt Kalle's and Uncle Paul's home for Christmas Eve, Barry, Kate and I stopped at Craig Hospital. Kaitlyn had made caramel and chocolate dipped pretzels for the patients and staff at Craig. It was nice to visit with the patients and staff. Each patient we talked with asked where Ryan was now . . . it was good to be able to reflect back on the last two years and realize the progress Ryan has made . . . spending five months at Craig and rehabilitating to the best of his ability, a year at BYU and more rehabilitation at Neuroworx and now serving his mission for the last six months. Ryan has been blessed with a beautiful spirit and we couldn't love him move. We are grateful everyday to have him in our family.
Thank you for the love you have shown to Ryan and to our family.
Love, Bridgette and Barry
Monday, December 31, 2007
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
We’ve had an interesting week with most of the students going home for Christmas break. We’ve spent a lot of time tracting apartment complexes and helping out the family ward Elders. We ran into a couple of Spanish speakers on Saturday and I got to practice un poquito Espanol! One lady, a Jehovah’s Witness, said she was really glad to see what we were doing and said she was happy where she was at in her life. I talked a little about the Book of Mormon; it seemed a lot easier to teach in Spanish for me for some reason. I think I’m going to spend some time studying the Restoration pamphlet in Spanish, in order to teach better. That way, we can teach almost anyone we come in contact with!
Brother Nichols invited us over for Christmas Eve dinner with Sister Nichols and his three daughters. It was a lot of fun as we shared our favorite scriptures and what they meant to us. I don’t think I have a favorite scripture, but I like Mosiah 4:30, which says;
30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.
I love the common advice in the Book of Mormon to remember. I also like the sequence outlined in this verse. Thoughts become words which become deeds. If we want to have good deeds then we have to think good thoughts! You can usually tell a lot about the thoughts of others based in how they speak and act.
You can also control a lot of your deeds by simply thinking and speaking positively! In the hospital, my mom encouraged me to follow a past patient’s advice of “fake it ‘til you make it,” just being positive in a hard situation, hoping that things will work out for the better. I tried to apply this, and it really did make my situation a lot easier! The last two years have really brought me closer to Heavenly Father than I’ve ever been, and I’ve grown to appreciate and understand the Atonement just a little bit more.
I am very excited to make a few New Year’s resolutions! What a cool time of year! We get to evaluate our lives and try to improve!
Thank you so much for all of the Christmas gifts! I had a very happy Christmas with Elder Johnson and Elder Roseman, and it was great to try to focus on others this year.
I hope you are all doing well! I hope you had a great Christmas and I hope you have a successful and Happy New Year!
Elder Walters
Brother Nichols invited us over for Christmas Eve dinner with Sister Nichols and his three daughters. It was a lot of fun as we shared our favorite scriptures and what they meant to us. I don’t think I have a favorite scripture, but I like Mosiah 4:30, which says;
30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.
I love the common advice in the Book of Mormon to remember. I also like the sequence outlined in this verse. Thoughts become words which become deeds. If we want to have good deeds then we have to think good thoughts! You can usually tell a lot about the thoughts of others based in how they speak and act.
You can also control a lot of your deeds by simply thinking and speaking positively! In the hospital, my mom encouraged me to follow a past patient’s advice of “fake it ‘til you make it,” just being positive in a hard situation, hoping that things will work out for the better. I tried to apply this, and it really did make my situation a lot easier! The last two years have really brought me closer to Heavenly Father than I’ve ever been, and I’ve grown to appreciate and understand the Atonement just a little bit more.
I am very excited to make a few New Year’s resolutions! What a cool time of year! We get to evaluate our lives and try to improve!
Thank you so much for all of the Christmas gifts! I had a very happy Christmas with Elder Johnson and Elder Roseman, and it was great to try to focus on others this year.
I hope you are all doing well! I hope you had a great Christmas and I hope you have a successful and Happy New Year!
Elder Walters
Monday, December 24, 2007
Merry Christmas Eve!
December 24, 2007
Merry Christmas Eve! I love this time of year! Brother Nichols asked the missionaries to participate in his ward Christmas program yesterday. It was really fun! Elder Binkard spoke about Christ's birth, then the Prmary had a musical number. It was really fun seeing the little kids sing, it's something you definitely don't see in a single's ward! Elder Stewart spoke about keeping the spirit of Christmas year-round, then Elder Roseman played a piano solo, “The First Noel”. Then I spoke on how we can keep focused on Christ during Christmas.
I had planned on speaking for about 10 minutes, but ended up having about 20! It gave me the opportunity to talk a lot about my favorite Christmas, two years ago. I spoke specifically about all the Christ like acts of service that family and friends gave me. The period after my accident could have been a really dark time, but because of these Christ like acts I was given an opportunity to become happy and strengthen my testimony! Because others showed me the spirit of Christ, the two years since my accident have been perhaps my happiest years! It made me realize that I still had everything in life that truly mattered! And I was far more grateful for those things than I ever had been before!
After sacrament meeting, I met Marlone. He's this huge, about 6’8” black guy with the deepest voice who used to fight in the UFC, Ultimate Fighting Championship. Elder Carson and Elder Jensen are teaching him. Marlone has been shot in the face twice, and Elder Carson and Elder Jensen claimed he can't be killed. He's like a big teddy bear, though. He's just as friendly a person as you would ever meet! He says he loves the way that he feels when he comes to church. He really thanked me for my testimony. He got kind of emotional, and said he could just tell that what I was saying was true. We had a great lesson on Joseph Smith after Sacrament Meeting, and he talked about how much he enjoyed it. It was really funny as Elder Jensen asked him how his reading and praying were going. Some define the priesthood as the power and authority of God. I think that knowing I hold the priesthood is the only way I would feel comfortable asking someone as big as Marlone if he was keeping His commandments!
Earlier this week we went to a nursing home and sang Christmas carols. It was really fun to see how much they all appreciated us coming by. A lot of them seemed really lonely and were so happy as we sang!
I think that we can find happiness especially at Christmastime through service. Whether we’re the ones giving or receiving, we can come closer to Christ by doing as He did! I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!
Love,
Elder Walters
Merry Christmas Eve! I love this time of year! Brother Nichols asked the missionaries to participate in his ward Christmas program yesterday. It was really fun! Elder Binkard spoke about Christ's birth, then the Prmary had a musical number. It was really fun seeing the little kids sing, it's something you definitely don't see in a single's ward! Elder Stewart spoke about keeping the spirit of Christmas year-round, then Elder Roseman played a piano solo, “The First Noel”. Then I spoke on how we can keep focused on Christ during Christmas.
I had planned on speaking for about 10 minutes, but ended up having about 20! It gave me the opportunity to talk a lot about my favorite Christmas, two years ago. I spoke specifically about all the Christ like acts of service that family and friends gave me. The period after my accident could have been a really dark time, but because of these Christ like acts I was given an opportunity to become happy and strengthen my testimony! Because others showed me the spirit of Christ, the two years since my accident have been perhaps my happiest years! It made me realize that I still had everything in life that truly mattered! And I was far more grateful for those things than I ever had been before!
After sacrament meeting, I met Marlone. He's this huge, about 6’8” black guy with the deepest voice who used to fight in the UFC, Ultimate Fighting Championship. Elder Carson and Elder Jensen are teaching him. Marlone has been shot in the face twice, and Elder Carson and Elder Jensen claimed he can't be killed. He's like a big teddy bear, though. He's just as friendly a person as you would ever meet! He says he loves the way that he feels when he comes to church. He really thanked me for my testimony. He got kind of emotional, and said he could just tell that what I was saying was true. We had a great lesson on Joseph Smith after Sacrament Meeting, and he talked about how much he enjoyed it. It was really funny as Elder Jensen asked him how his reading and praying were going. Some define the priesthood as the power and authority of God. I think that knowing I hold the priesthood is the only way I would feel comfortable asking someone as big as Marlone if he was keeping His commandments!
Earlier this week we went to a nursing home and sang Christmas carols. It was really fun to see how much they all appreciated us coming by. A lot of them seemed really lonely and were so happy as we sang!
I think that we can find happiness especially at Christmastime through service. Whether we’re the ones giving or receiving, we can come closer to Christ by doing as He did! I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!
Love,
Elder Walters
Monday, December 17, 2007
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
December 17, 2007
Merry Christmas!
I really love the Durham Third Young Single Adult Ward! That has gotten a lot more apparent over the last week as a lot of the students have already gone home, and most of them will be gone in a week and won’t come back until a week into 2008! We’ll probably spend some time helping out the family wards by knocking doors and going on exchanges with other Elders in Chapel Hill.
We had a great Christmas Party at Bishop Condie’s house on Friday, the 7th. It was really fun to talk with ward members, especially now that I know most people’s names!
On Sunday, the 9th, we had an amazing Christmas musical fireside, Joy to the World. We have so much musical talent in our ward and a lot of the members brought non-member friends. It was a great opportunity to ‘talk of Christ’ ‘rejoice in Christ’ and ‘preach of Christ’ with our friends. Hopefully it will open people’s hearts to the message of the Restoration of our Savior’s Gospel. So many people have the misconception of Mormons not believing in Christ. I couldn’t imagine a simpler, kinder or more powerful way of dispelling that than sharing our talents and testimonies of the Savior!
I’ve been teaching a mission preparation class this semester to four UNC freshmen, but I was sick with a fever and headache the first part of last week and I missed seeing them give their final teaching of the Restoration of the Gospel. It will be good to write them when they go out to serve soon!!!
I’ve been playing wheelchair rugby with the Raleigh Sidewinders since August. It’s been a lot of fun and a really good workout. We had a tournament this weekend in Raleigh, so I was able to participate. I was feeling sick with a headache and fever again the night before and the day of the tournament, so I didn’t get much rest before the tournament.
I was able to borrow a rugby chair that we me rigged-up so it would work for me using three straps, a cushion and a lot of duct tape. It came apart once as I was playing, but with a little more duct tape, I was ready to go again! It was so much fun! I didn’t play my best, but considering that it was my first time playing, I was sick, using a chair I’d never even seen before, I had a FANTASTIC time!!!
The best part was that some people came to watch! Our Mission President and his wife, President and Sister Wallis were cheering in the stands as the Sidewinders battled the East Coast Cripplers. Afterwards, President and Sister Wallis tried out the rugby chairs. I think my favorite part of the day was seeing this sweet couple I’ve only seen in spiritual settings, ram each other in big ‘tankish’ wheelchairs. Holly and Jessica came from our ward, with a “Go Elder Walters!” poster and a “Go! Fight! Win!” poster. They too tried out a couple of chairs and everyone had a fun time. It was really great to have their support, and the Sidewinders ended up winning the Championship game, getting first place of the four teams that attended!
Thank you for everyone’s Christmas cards and packages and letters! I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!
Elder Walters
Merry Christmas!
I really love the Durham Third Young Single Adult Ward! That has gotten a lot more apparent over the last week as a lot of the students have already gone home, and most of them will be gone in a week and won’t come back until a week into 2008! We’ll probably spend some time helping out the family wards by knocking doors and going on exchanges with other Elders in Chapel Hill.
We had a great Christmas Party at Bishop Condie’s house on Friday, the 7th. It was really fun to talk with ward members, especially now that I know most people’s names!
On Sunday, the 9th, we had an amazing Christmas musical fireside, Joy to the World. We have so much musical talent in our ward and a lot of the members brought non-member friends. It was a great opportunity to ‘talk of Christ’ ‘rejoice in Christ’ and ‘preach of Christ’ with our friends. Hopefully it will open people’s hearts to the message of the Restoration of our Savior’s Gospel. So many people have the misconception of Mormons not believing in Christ. I couldn’t imagine a simpler, kinder or more powerful way of dispelling that than sharing our talents and testimonies of the Savior!
I’ve been teaching a mission preparation class this semester to four UNC freshmen, but I was sick with a fever and headache the first part of last week and I missed seeing them give their final teaching of the Restoration of the Gospel. It will be good to write them when they go out to serve soon!!!
I’ve been playing wheelchair rugby with the Raleigh Sidewinders since August. It’s been a lot of fun and a really good workout. We had a tournament this weekend in Raleigh, so I was able to participate. I was feeling sick with a headache and fever again the night before and the day of the tournament, so I didn’t get much rest before the tournament.
I was able to borrow a rugby chair that we me rigged-up so it would work for me using three straps, a cushion and a lot of duct tape. It came apart once as I was playing, but with a little more duct tape, I was ready to go again! It was so much fun! I didn’t play my best, but considering that it was my first time playing, I was sick, using a chair I’d never even seen before, I had a FANTASTIC time!!!
The best part was that some people came to watch! Our Mission President and his wife, President and Sister Wallis were cheering in the stands as the Sidewinders battled the East Coast Cripplers. Afterwards, President and Sister Wallis tried out the rugby chairs. I think my favorite part of the day was seeing this sweet couple I’ve only seen in spiritual settings, ram each other in big ‘tankish’ wheelchairs. Holly and Jessica came from our ward, with a “Go Elder Walters!” poster and a “Go! Fight! Win!” poster. They too tried out a couple of chairs and everyone had a fun time. It was really great to have their support, and the Sidewinders ended up winning the Championship game, getting first place of the four teams that attended!
Thank you for everyone’s Christmas cards and packages and letters! I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!
Elder Walters
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Elder Cannon Supports Elder Walters
Elder Walters caption read, "We are all going to miss Elder Cannon's sense of humor!"Feeling Better
Elder Walters has been sick with a cold and another possible UTI. Sister Wallis called us Tuesday night to let us know he has been sick. Elder Walters felt really bad he wasn't able to teach his last missionary prep class at the Institute on Tuesday night. Sister Wallis also called Wednesday morning to tell us she had talked with Ryan and he was feeling much better.
The picture above is of Elder Walters and Elder Cannon. We met Elder Cannon when we took Elder Walters to North Carolina this summer. He was covered with bed bug bites and I must say he looks much better in this picture than he did this summer! He is a great missionary!
I'll post as soon as we hear from Elder Walters again.
The picture above is of Elder Walters and Elder Cannon. We met Elder Cannon when we took Elder Walters to North Carolina this summer. He was covered with bed bug bites and I must say he looks much better in this picture than he did this summer! He is a great missionary!
I'll post as soon as we hear from Elder Walters again.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Great Successes and Tough Times, Too
December 3, 2007
Hello! We had a great week, with some great successes and tough times, too. Maria had set her baptism for the First of December, this past Saturday, but wasn’t able to go through with it. Over Thanksgiving break, her parents asked her to stop investigating the Church, meaning to stop going to any Church activities and cut all ties with members.
The past year of investigating the Church has been so hard for her, but I’m sure that one day she will join the Church. She’s said so many times that she just knows it’s true, including a really powerful testimony she gave a few months ago. We have to just continue to do our best to support her.
Cayce has decided to be baptized on the 12th of January! My mom wrote to her and told her a little about her own conversion story and the benefits that she’s enjoyed as a member. I think it really helped Cayce see how much her decision will benefit her now and her future family.
She has been investigating for 3 years, and will be baptized and confirmed by her boyfriend, who is leaving on a mission in the Spring. It is so neat to be a part of her making this decision that was years in the making! There have been so many members who have influenced her, including Brother Nichols, the Chapel Hill Institute Director.
Erik has also decided to be baptized, probably on the 29th of December! Erik is also a student at UNC, as are Cayce and Maria, and has a member girlfriend about an hour south of Chapel Hill. He is so fun to teach and talk to. He really seems to understand the Gospel.
The other day, we read from Alma 34 and Alma 7:11-12, about how Christ took upon Himself not only our sins, but our pains and sorrows and sicknesses. It was amazing when he said something like, “I never knew that’s what the Atonement meant,” and said, “it is really powerful.” When he said that, it was probably my favorite part of my week, the Spirit was so strong. As I testify of the Gospel, it increases my testimony, but if I hide it, when I’m too scared to open my mouth, my testimony doesn’t increase, and I may lose what I already have.
I loved the First Presidency Christmas Devotional last night! Something that stuck out to me was the admonition to use Christmas time as a reminder to become more Christ like.
Thanks so much for all of your support and letters!
Elder Walters
Hello! We had a great week, with some great successes and tough times, too. Maria had set her baptism for the First of December, this past Saturday, but wasn’t able to go through with it. Over Thanksgiving break, her parents asked her to stop investigating the Church, meaning to stop going to any Church activities and cut all ties with members.
The past year of investigating the Church has been so hard for her, but I’m sure that one day she will join the Church. She’s said so many times that she just knows it’s true, including a really powerful testimony she gave a few months ago. We have to just continue to do our best to support her.
Cayce has decided to be baptized on the 12th of January! My mom wrote to her and told her a little about her own conversion story and the benefits that she’s enjoyed as a member. I think it really helped Cayce see how much her decision will benefit her now and her future family.
She has been investigating for 3 years, and will be baptized and confirmed by her boyfriend, who is leaving on a mission in the Spring. It is so neat to be a part of her making this decision that was years in the making! There have been so many members who have influenced her, including Brother Nichols, the Chapel Hill Institute Director.
Erik has also decided to be baptized, probably on the 29th of December! Erik is also a student at UNC, as are Cayce and Maria, and has a member girlfriend about an hour south of Chapel Hill. He is so fun to teach and talk to. He really seems to understand the Gospel.
The other day, we read from Alma 34 and Alma 7:11-12, about how Christ took upon Himself not only our sins, but our pains and sorrows and sicknesses. It was amazing when he said something like, “I never knew that’s what the Atonement meant,” and said, “it is really powerful.” When he said that, it was probably my favorite part of my week, the Spirit was so strong. As I testify of the Gospel, it increases my testimony, but if I hide it, when I’m too scared to open my mouth, my testimony doesn’t increase, and I may lose what I already have.
I loved the First Presidency Christmas Devotional last night! Something that stuck out to me was the admonition to use Christmas time as a reminder to become more Christ like.
Thanks so much for all of your support and letters!
Elder Walters
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
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