Well I guess I got to give you a little update on what happened in my last week in Panmure. The baptism was sweet. It was small, just family and it was really spirit filled. It was a great joy to see him finally be baptized. But not much else happened.
I got the call Wednesday morning to be shifted down to Tauranga Stake. I'm now in the Southern Kingdom. I'm in the Whakatane and Opotiki wards. They are very small towns on the East coast of the country. Very beautiful. Reminds me heaps of home. My companion is Elder Bridge. He's from Queensland, Brisbane. He's been out only 1 transfer, I'm his follow up trainer and it's going well. I"m in a car again haha. But it's all good, we don't drive much. Only to get to Opotiki and to district meetings and stuff like that.
It was a 3 hour drive to Tauranga and then an aditional 1 1/2 hours to Whakatane. It' was very fun. NOT hahaha. I was sitting in the back and was very cramped. But it was all good because I drove from Tauranga to Whakatane. We got to watch the Sunday sessions of conf and priesthood but not the Saturday sessions. So of course I was pretty gutted about that. But it's all good. I"ll just read it all when we get the Ensign. Not too much has happened since I've been here. I got here on Friday evening because my z.l. had a meeting.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
A New Area
Well transfers have come and gone, yes. I was very sad to leave. It felt as if I was leaving home again to go on another mission. It's amazing how close you can get to a ward and everyone involved. I'm truly going to miss that ward forever.
Well I'm in Panmure Stake. It's on the east coast. Where I'm follow-up training Elder Hunt who is in his 2nd transfer. We cover 2 wards. Howick and Waipuna. They are pretty good wards. Oh yea. I'm driving. It was nuts the first day or two but now I'm pretty used to it. I have been used to the way it all goes for awhile but just being the driver is a really new and neat experience.
I've learned alot about patience and it's something I've been working on as well. It's going to be my transfer theme.
The wards are really good. A lot of Maori people live here. But the Howick ward is rich as. But it's nice because the people aren't snooty or anything like that. We tracted a really rich street the other day. Shelley Beach. It was way nice and had an awesome view. But in general things are going very well.
We have a couple of people who we are going to be trying to set for baptism this week. There is going to be a couple of marriages this transfer! I feel that might be trend for me throughout the mission. Getting people married and then baptised! But that's sweet with me. We taught a lesson to our ward mission leader and ward missionaries on Sunday in the Howick ward. It was on the Plan of Salvation. I, of course, used Ian to explain my feelings on the Atonement. Man, I still can't talk about it with people without going crazy with tears. But that's good.
Well I'm in Panmure Stake. It's on the east coast. Where I'm follow-up training Elder Hunt who is in his 2nd transfer. We cover 2 wards. Howick and Waipuna. They are pretty good wards. Oh yea. I'm driving. It was nuts the first day or two but now I'm pretty used to it. I have been used to the way it all goes for awhile but just being the driver is a really new and neat experience.
I've learned alot about patience and it's something I've been working on as well. It's going to be my transfer theme.
The wards are really good. A lot of Maori people live here. But the Howick ward is rich as. But it's nice because the people aren't snooty or anything like that. We tracted a really rich street the other day. Shelley Beach. It was way nice and had an awesome view. But in general things are going very well.
We have a couple of people who we are going to be trying to set for baptism this week. There is going to be a couple of marriages this transfer! I feel that might be trend for me throughout the mission. Getting people married and then baptised! But that's sweet with me. We taught a lesson to our ward mission leader and ward missionaries on Sunday in the Howick ward. It was on the Plan of Salvation. I, of course, used Ian to explain my feelings on the Atonement. Man, I still can't talk about it with people without going crazy with tears. But that's good.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Six Months
Elder Davenport completed the first six months of his mission on August 20.
Exerpts from his current letter:
Things are going really well here! We are in a threesome with one of our zone leaders until thursday because his companion is going to be an a.p. replacing one who is going home tomorrow. It's going to be crazy busy around here this week. Very hectic but that's good.
Elder Dixon and I had the best weekend! The Halls were baptized and confirmed! It was the best baptism ever. The whole chapel was filled with her family and about 75% of the people there were non-members. After we got changed we went and listened to one of the youth sing a song. It was an amazing song. I'm not sure what it was, I can't remember. But Margaret was crying. The spirit was so strong and it was just such a wonderful feeling. Sunday we had a fireside where investigators and recent converts got up to bear their testimony. President Burgess (Stake President) asked if we could find somebody else to get up in case someone didnt' show up so we asked Margaret if she would in case that person didn't show. She of course said yes. Turned out that the girl showed up but President still wanted to hear from Margaret also. So he asked her to come up and she did and bore the most powerful testimony and it was just amazing. It seemed like she'd been a member her whole life. After she sat down Elder Dixon looked at me and said that's when you know someone is truly converted. It was the best feeling in the world!
So I most likely had my last Sunday in the Lincoln ward yesterday. It was very sad. I was trying not to get sad and tell everyone goodbye but there were a select few people who knew about transfers coming up. They didn't feel it a problem to let it be known. So everyone knew and were saying there in case goodbyes. It almost made me cry. This ward has been my home for the past 6 months and I've come so close with the people that it;'ll be hard to leave. But it'll be good. It;'ll help me to grow. I still don't know if I'll be shifted yet or not.
But that's something that's been on my mind lately. If the time I spent here was good. I've prayed a lot and never felt I got an answer so I asked Elder Dixon to give me a blessing because I've been stressing a lot lately over that and transfers. He gave me a great blessing. He told me that the Lord appreciated everything I've done so far and all sorts of good things. I'm grateful for him for being worthy to give great blessings. Than on Sunday (before people knew) they'd say stuff about how hard we are working and how much success we're having and how much they appreciate us. You could imagine how that made me feel. It helped a lot.
Exerpts from his current letter:
Things are going really well here! We are in a threesome with one of our zone leaders until thursday because his companion is going to be an a.p. replacing one who is going home tomorrow. It's going to be crazy busy around here this week. Very hectic but that's good.
Elder Dixon and I had the best weekend! The Halls were baptized and confirmed! It was the best baptism ever. The whole chapel was filled with her family and about 75% of the people there were non-members. After we got changed we went and listened to one of the youth sing a song. It was an amazing song. I'm not sure what it was, I can't remember. But Margaret was crying. The spirit was so strong and it was just such a wonderful feeling. Sunday we had a fireside where investigators and recent converts got up to bear their testimony. President Burgess (Stake President) asked if we could find somebody else to get up in case someone didnt' show up so we asked Margaret if she would in case that person didn't show. She of course said yes. Turned out that the girl showed up but President still wanted to hear from Margaret also. So he asked her to come up and she did and bore the most powerful testimony and it was just amazing. It seemed like she'd been a member her whole life. After she sat down Elder Dixon looked at me and said that's when you know someone is truly converted. It was the best feeling in the world!
So I most likely had my last Sunday in the Lincoln ward yesterday. It was very sad. I was trying not to get sad and tell everyone goodbye but there were a select few people who knew about transfers coming up. They didn't feel it a problem to let it be known. So everyone knew and were saying there in case goodbyes. It almost made me cry. This ward has been my home for the past 6 months and I've come so close with the people that it;'ll be hard to leave. But it'll be good. It;'ll help me to grow. I still don't know if I'll be shifted yet or not.
But that's something that's been on my mind lately. If the time I spent here was good. I've prayed a lot and never felt I got an answer so I asked Elder Dixon to give me a blessing because I've been stressing a lot lately over that and transfers. He gave me a great blessing. He told me that the Lord appreciated everything I've done so far and all sorts of good things. I'm grateful for him for being worthy to give great blessings. Than on Sunday (before people knew) they'd say stuff about how hard we are working and how much success we're having and how much they appreciate us. You could imagine how that made me feel. It helped a lot.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
August 13, 2008
This past week we had some real interesting things happen. We had our interviews with President. I was rebuked by the spirit big time. All he told me was to not waste my time and to learn all I could and apply myself. He asked me to ask God what his agenda was for me and not what mine is for myself... But it was good... It was a really good learning experience for me. I had a really good prayer that night and I felt a lot better.
The next day I wrote down all the goals I wanted to reach before I leave and I made plans of how I can achieve them. It was really good. Latter in the week we had a trade-off with the zonies. I went with Elder Wihongi to his area. We taught a lesson and after I felt bad about it. I felt like I didn't follow the spirit. Wihongi told me he liked the way I teach and everything. I felt he was just trying to be nice to me. Later in the evening we taught another lesson, I felt better this time after. He told me again. I felt better after he said it this time. He also told me that the only difference between me and him was that he'd been out over 14 months, he's a zone leader but I was the better teacher and missionary. I felt really humbled but I felt really good. He went on to tell me that we need leaders in this mission and that I'd be one of them. He said that we have 26 missionaries going home this transfer and 24 the next! WOW.
President asked me in my interview how Elder Dixon and I were going. I told him good and that I was learning a lot from him. He said good because it won't be long till you are in his position. I don't know what exactly that means but I'm scared. It'd scared me pretty good. I'll just say that I'm learning to Rely on the Lord a lot more. But it's good. I've felt the best this week than I have in a long time.
Lauryn wasn't baptized. She smoked again. But it's okay. We set her for the 23rd. She will be baptized. We gave her a blessing and Elder Dixon pronounced wonderful things to her. It was awesome. Last night we set another girl for baptism. Rio. She's set for the 22nd. I'll be an intense week. We have 8 set for baptism.
The next day I wrote down all the goals I wanted to reach before I leave and I made plans of how I can achieve them. It was really good. Latter in the week we had a trade-off with the zonies. I went with Elder Wihongi to his area. We taught a lesson and after I felt bad about it. I felt like I didn't follow the spirit. Wihongi told me he liked the way I teach and everything. I felt he was just trying to be nice to me. Later in the evening we taught another lesson, I felt better this time after. He told me again. I felt better after he said it this time. He also told me that the only difference between me and him was that he'd been out over 14 months, he's a zone leader but I was the better teacher and missionary. I felt really humbled but I felt really good. He went on to tell me that we need leaders in this mission and that I'd be one of them. He said that we have 26 missionaries going home this transfer and 24 the next! WOW.
President asked me in my interview how Elder Dixon and I were going. I told him good and that I was learning a lot from him. He said good because it won't be long till you are in his position. I don't know what exactly that means but I'm scared. It'd scared me pretty good. I'll just say that I'm learning to Rely on the Lord a lot more. But it's good. I've felt the best this week than I have in a long time.
Lauryn wasn't baptized. She smoked again. But it's okay. We set her for the 23rd. She will be baptized. We gave her a blessing and Elder Dixon pronounced wonderful things to her. It was awesome. Last night we set another girl for baptism. Rio. She's set for the 22nd. I'll be an intense week. We have 8 set for baptism.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Another while in Henderson
Transfers came and gone and as I'm sure you picked up, I'm still in Henderson! I love it here. This past weekend was amazing! Lauryn and Dwight got married and the wedding was awesome. They ended up deciding that there'd be too much going on for her to be baptized the same day so I'll be baptizing her this upcoming Saturday!
Elder Bennett went home. It was really sad because he's became my best friend. It was really kind of hard to see him leave our flat for the last time and that I wouldn't see or hear him for 19 months. But that's okay because you guys can! He reports his mission in Malad next week!
The Halls have changed their date to the 23rd of August. They feel that they aren't ready yet. Which is okay. They are still progressing smoothly. In fact, she told us the other day that she feels that the Lord prepared them to meet us! We were both very happy to hear her say that!
Amelia and her daughters will most likely have their date moved to the same day. We weren't able to see them for 2 weeks because they went away for holiday. They are still very keen to be baptized so we aren't too worried about them.
We met a couple called Ross and Jenna... They were a referral from the sisters...The first time we met with them we taught them a first. What an experience. It was amazing. The spirit was so strong and they just loved it. We went back to teach the P.O.S. and it was even better then the first lesson we had. We both could tell that the spirit was confirming to them what we were teaching. It was probably one of the most spiritual moments of the mission so far.
Elder Dixon was testifying at the end and I was think to myself of what they needed to hear. So as you could probably guess, the spirit told me to tell them about Ian and his story and how it affected us. So I did, and man oh man was it amazing! I showed them the pictures on my case and they were just eating it up and it was just so filled with the spirit. I almost lost it a couple times. After that it was just awesome. They comitted to pray and read again and that we could come visit this week and teach them more! It was a great thing!
Tracy and Shannen are doing really well now. They've came to church a couple times now and we've been able to have proper lessons with them in their homes which is really good! They are progressing and they are beginning to understand everything!
Well that's just a briefing of what's going on. It's awesome right now.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Pres. Cook Return
Peggy and I went to Riverdale 2nd Ward Sacrament meeting to hear President Cook, Sister Cook and their daughter speak. President Cook was Michael's first mission president and his mission came to an end in July.
When I introduced us to him, I extended my hand and said, "You must be President Cook." He shook my hand and then I said, "We are the Davenports." He then said, "Oh, I need to give you a hug."
Then he said, "What a marvelous missionary!" He went on to indicate what a great experience he had with Elder Davenport.
Now, exerpts from Michael's letter to home:
This week has been a weird week. We didn't teach much but we made a lot of good contact with people. Transfers are this week. Kind of nervous but we are both confident we'll still be here. I don't have much time today. There's a lot of stuff to do.
I'm eating healthier and all the junk too. I almost cried when you said you went to Pres. Cook's homecoming. Sad you got to see him before me again. But that's okay. You'll have to let me know how it all went. But yea. Sorry this email is so short. I love you all!
When I introduced us to him, I extended my hand and said, "You must be President Cook." He shook my hand and then I said, "We are the Davenports." He then said, "Oh, I need to give you a hug."
Then he said, "What a marvelous missionary!" He went on to indicate what a great experience he had with Elder Davenport.
Now, exerpts from Michael's letter to home:
This week has been a weird week. We didn't teach much but we made a lot of good contact with people. Transfers are this week. Kind of nervous but we are both confident we'll still be here. I don't have much time today. There's a lot of stuff to do.
I'm eating healthier and all the junk too. I almost cried when you said you went to Pres. Cook's homecoming. Sad you got to see him before me again. But that's okay. You'll have to let me know how it all went. But yea. Sorry this email is so short. I love you all!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
July, already.....
Our investigators who are set for baptism are doing really well still and they are still on track. Which is really good. We had a really good week. We got wet a lot. I had to buy new brake pads because I couldn't stop my bike. I almost got ran over a couple of times. A few on my bike and once in the morning while we were running. They guy didn't stop at the crosswalk like he's supposed to. Luckily, I did! haha.
We got to meet President Porter and his family on Wednesday. It was really cool. He's a funny guy but he's really good too. He knows when to have his moments. We met as a district to meet him and he went around the room and he first talked with Elder Bennett and when he said he was from Idaho, President Porter just looked in his eyes, and with a serious as could be tone asked, They have testimonies in Idaho? Then just started laughing. He is a really good one. He's got some good plans and a good vision. It'll be way neat to see things unfold.
It's amazing how much you can learn while your on a mission. I feel like I've gotten so much knowledge and so much closer to Heavenly Father than I ever have been. It's been a really neat experience thus far and I can't wait until I have many more experiences and can look back and reflect on them. It's been wonderful to be here and I'm super excited for the next 19 months of being here.
We got to meet President Porter and his family on Wednesday. It was really cool. He's a funny guy but he's really good too. He knows when to have his moments. We met as a district to meet him and he went around the room and he first talked with Elder Bennett and when he said he was from Idaho, President Porter just looked in his eyes, and with a serious as could be tone asked, They have testimonies in Idaho? Then just started laughing. He is a really good one. He's got some good plans and a good vision. It'll be way neat to see things unfold.
It's amazing how much you can learn while your on a mission. I feel like I've gotten so much knowledge and so much closer to Heavenly Father than I ever have been. It's been a really neat experience thus far and I can't wait until I have many more experiences and can look back and reflect on them. It's been wonderful to be here and I'm super excited for the next 19 months of being here.
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