District p-day

January Feb 8th - 15th

Monday - We had our last district p day together, so much fun! And we got stuck in a snow storm haha. We also saw the Clarks for pizza and we saw Chris to say goodbye.

Tuesday - Me and Elder McMahn where hanging in Portsmouth together, we went and tried to find a couple people but that didn't work, then around 2pm Elder Peterson arrived!

He's a cool dude, he's quiet, but is very knowledgable about being a missionary. He's from Utah, been out for 6 months. We went and saw Robert, read the Book of Mormon with him and got his testimony out. Later that night, we went and saw Sabrina and John! They are in the same place where Kelly and I where before she was baptized! She's super exited and she's super interested in baptism, John is  working on going on a mission. Both are from Derry New Hampshire. She's from a Catholic background and she asks great questions.  John bares great testimony about the Priesthood and sacrifices. Amazing. After that, we went home and cleaned and unpacked and had dinner. Great day, love Portsmouth.

Wednesday - We didn't do a lot because we went shopping a little bit and went to go see some potentials. we also tracted a bit and no luck there.

Thursday - We read the Book of Mormon and talked to Robert abut his smoking addictions and we all agreed that this is his last time before he needs to self evaluate and rethink why nothing is working. He struggles bad and where he lives doesn't help anything. We saw Vinnie again and he's such an awesome dude! Love seeing him! So humble and so nice to us, he's planning a steak dinner for us! Then later, Bugs!! (Lobsters) I can't wait!! We had dinner at the Broadbents, Briar is the cutest little girl ever haha. She loves us Elders, she laughs and plays and jumps and likes to make complete fools of us haha.The family was tired so we didn't want take up too much of their time so we talked about the plan of salvation and got tears flowing and spirit going. It was awesome.

Friday - We saw Jean and shared the word of wisdom. Easy, he already lives it haha no struggle there. After that we stopped by and shared a message with the Hafens. The rest of the day was planning. Long planning hours suck. But it's so worth it!

Saturday - We saw Bora again! The Turkish dude! He's got a great testimony about Christ, he just doesn't know it yet haha. He talked about his family and how his life was super hard coming to America without knowing hardly any English! Crazy. We saw and talked to Helen for a couple minutes but nothing long because it was kinda cold. So we set a time to come back. Later we talked with Brother Clark for a while and heard his stories and conversion story and experience. Awesome and such a humble dude.

Sunday - Today was a solid... Wait for it... -15 degrees!!!!!!!! It actually was not bad at all other than when the wind hits ya, I call it bone snapping cold. It's really bad, all dandy then BAM! Wind hits and you're down on the ground.

We saw Larry and read the Book of Mormon with him and after that, we saw Chris and hung out there and talked for an hour or so. He's such a great dude. After that, we where inside the rest of the day it was so cold haha.

My mission has taught me so much already! It's taught me most this week about sacrifice and love. I love Elder Peterson, love who he is and I'm happy I get to serve with him. Sacrifice also brings blessings, in the blistering cold and bone snapping weather, we had a warm dinner dropped off at our home. We have no idea who did it, just a wonderful, warm chicken soup. The spirit was strong, we where happy and in bed by 9:30 asleep. Hard work has great pay offs. I also learned, the hard way, why New Englanders don't donate blood... It so thick they can't get any out. I punctured myself with a knife, because I was being a idiot and playing with it in the car, and got myself pretty good... Only bled for like 15 seconds, hung my arm outside until it was numb from the cold and from the wound. Haha but even watching it bleed, it's crazy thick.

I had a very spiritual experience this week... I had done something wrong, doesn't matter what it was, I felt very bad and I have said sorry to the person and that part was all fine. But, I was angry with myself... Really angry, and I was at the point where I left and said a prayer. I begged for forgiveness and to stay focused, hard. But wasn't crying. Afterwords, I was able to focus for the night and get what I needed done. That night in my nightly prayer, I prayed and asked what I can do to improve and become a better missionary... I waited for a few seconds and I heard a question.. a question that brought tears running down my face, such warmth and comfort that I couldn't even describe what it was. The question was "Will you let me take this". After my prayer, I felt like a brand new person. I've never felt power like that before. Never. I've taken everything I've learned as a child for granted. I read the Book of Mormon once and said I'm done, who cares. But the second time I read it, I asked. A month ago, I got my confirmation this church is 100% true. Now when I read, its changing me. The gospel changes me, everyday. I can't believe it, I'm so much more mature, I have so much more self confidence and I have no doubt I can get to where I want to be with His help.
Ask God questions, seek everyday, serve every opportunity you can get, thank Him, think like He would. 

Anyway, this week has been awesome for me and I hope you all have an awesome week too!! Stay warm!!


Elder Vogel