Times going way to fast! December 7-13th 2015

Monday - we had P day and then we had exchanges again because Elder
Millet and Pace being zone leaders, are in Manchester haha so I'm with
Elder Shwartz and Elder Barrett haha love these guys! It's gonna be
awesome! We gave a blessing to a dude that was, basically, choking. He
has muscular disorder in his throat and he had a piece of food stuck
in his throat, which happens a lot from his words. We blessed him and
the spirit was strong and he was able to get it out. Kinda crazy

Tuesday - exchange with Elder Barrett and Shwartz was fun! We tracted
in a neighborhood where is filthy rich, never thought I'd see that,
but I'm in up state Bangor in Elder Barrett's area, anywho, we met a
couple people but no luck. We had some laughs, stopped by a few
peoples houses and talked and we just had a great time being together.
Pretty cool day, but nothing to busy or to crazy.

Wednesday - it was so nice being back with my own district! The past 2
weeks I've been in Manchester and Ellsworth, it's like coming home
from a vacation haha so nice to see the sisters and the other elders!
We met a dude named Ron and he was a Catholic and we talked about
Christmas for like 20min, awesome dude and we showed him the new
Christmas video (Christmas.mormon.org) "A Savior is Born" and he
really loved it! We then went down to Portland Maine for Elder Millets
Doctor appointment and saw some moose! That was sweet! Moose are very
common over here and I miss seeing those out in the wild instead of in
Northwest Trek haha

Thursday - we had a awesome day! A lot of walking and rain, just like
home, but what really got my spirits up was our dinner appointment. We
taught Genaro and he, like always, is a boss. Our dinner was alright,
I love talking to the Meiers, they are so humble and welcoming and I
feel right at home. I love talking to her about the gospel. She
mentioned the gospel and it's understanding to a horse or a dog,
simple mind, but can be taught. I remembered a quote from Kelly in one
of her posts and he said "Give a horse what he needs and he will give
you his heart in return" I love that. I've seen and experienced it, if
you give a horse food, water, patience, a command and love, that horse
will serve you to the best of its ability with love. Same with the
gospel. If you give a horse (us) food, water, a command (Book of
Mormon, prayer, faith, etc) and Christ loves us unconditionally, if we
exercise that, we will feel his love and we will follow his teachings.
He's waiting to help us and like a new horse being broken, we don't
listen, we pull and throw fits because we don't understand. That's
when we get submissive, meek and humble like a child and understand
his works and his words. I love that, my revelation for the day.

Friday - what an amazing day! Our legs are so very sore!!!! It's so
hard to walk and sit haha workouts Thursday, basketball this morning
and bike riding today. We had a great lesson with heather, she needs
to focus, ADHD is real hahaha but she's trying hard. We where going to
go see Dawn in the hospital and got a text from some sisters about
someone needing a blessing and also, someone stopped us and asked if
we can come share a message. 1 visit turned into 3 and elder millet
and I split from elder pace and brother Alexander to go see the family
and give a blessing. It's awesome being a missionary, I love helping
people and seeing that they recognize me as a beacon of help. Awesome
guy and a wonderful family I never would have met if I didn't come on
the mission.

Saturday - what a crazy day! I met a guy named Joe who is a self
taught guitar player and he's so ADHD that I'm going to teach him the
gospel through guitar playing, pray for me! Haha we talked to a dude
from the hospital who has had blood poisoning and all I can say from
that experience is that Jared Aurich was with me, the spirit was so
strong and I for a testimony that I have to be here. This experience
I'll always keep sacred to me. Wow, very productive day and above all,
all the hardships on a mission, the spiritual and uplifting moments
are the reason I'm here. I love it!

Sunday - great sabbath, loved seeing the ward, so many bright, loving
and happy faces haha had dinner with a wonderful family (Porters) and
flew a little helicopter around with their kids haha taught Silvia,
Chris and Ted today. Pretty good lessons for the most part, really
tired and not feeling the best, sorry for a short Sunday, hope
everyone's week was uplifting and happy!
Love Elder Vogel

Pictures this week. Elder Millet and Elder Pace, Christmas lights, in the Mission van on their way to meetings in Bedford. a 4 hr. drive