June 27, 2016 - Elder Biehn's Weekly Update

Hey everybody!

Things are definitely going good. We've been doing a lot of finding and we found a couple of new investigators this past week. We've been doing so much finding because our mission set this whole past week as a finding fest week, and we set a goal as a mission to find 300 new investigators. Quite a drastic goal! That would require each companionship in the mission to find 3 new investigators, and me and Elder Cottle did it! In one night too! Just because we had a mini miracle happen. The the story starts, we were in the Aguilar’s home for a Noche de Hogar (Family Home Evening) and things were going good with them. We had our investigator there and the Aguilar family had wanted us to teach on the Plan of Salvation. So after we eat and everything we start the lesson. We don't even get 5 minutes in before a work friend of the Aguilar's walks in just to stop by. And so we start talking to her and her two daughters that she brought with her. It basically turned into a lesson on Jesus Christ and his atonement, which technically is still part of the Plan of Salvation. Now I bet you're wondering where the miracle is. Well, Rene, our investigator that lives in the same house as the Aguilar’s, mentions to us that they never come inside to talk, they normally just stay at the door. What a coincidence that they just so happen to decide to actually come in and stay for a bit while we are there. I would dare say that's not a coincidence at all! And we've got them to commit to coming to our English classes on Thursday that way we can keep in touch with them. So in one night we got 3 new investigators from one visit.

Later in the week, we're trying to do more finding but not having much success. Then, Elder Cottle gets sick... Right in the middle of our week long finding fest, so he is stuck indoors for a couple of days to recover. Luckily we have an awesome zone and lots of missionaries willing to help out. So I hire a babysitter for Elder Cottle for a couple of hours so I can go out and work. I went with an English elder for most of the time because we are neighbors and it was just convenient. But we ended up doing a ton of finding and found a lot of people. Not necessarily new investigators but still a good conversation. This missionary I was with is still fairly new but not a whole lot. He's been out for 9 months. But the cool thing was I got to show him a couple of pointers and tips for how to talk to people and getting in a good conversation. It was really cool and not only did I learn a lot about contacting people, be he learned a lot as well! Then I did exchanges with Elder Thompson so I could go help him do some finding in his area and it rocked! We were stuck driving for the longest time because we couldn't find parking anywhere! Typical Arlington. But we were able to find a good parking spot and there was even a non-lockout building there as well! Arlington is notorious for its lock out apartment complexes which means you can't get in without a key. It's a missionary’s notorious enemy and worst nightmare. But we found one that wasn't! The funny part is, we didn't even tract it. We didn't have time to because we started talking to these two mothers that were outside watching their kids play. They were super cool and invited us to come back and talk with them some more! It was sweet!

So I guess moral of the story is, miracles do happen, you just have to look for them! That's the great part about finding as a missionary. Anything good that happens is considered a miracle

Oh yeah, and I hit my 16 month mark this past Saturday  that's exciting!

Love you guys and talk to you next week!
*sorry no pictures this time. I forgot *

Elder Biehn

June 20, 2016 - Elder Biehn's Weekly Update

Hey everybody!

Another week has come and gone and its P-Day again. Things are looking good for me in my area right now. We've got a couple of people that we are able to see on a weekly basis, which is definitely progress from when I first got here. One of these people is Rene. He is our investigator that lives with a member family and we go over every week to have a Family Home Evening and teach a lesson. Anyways, we had an awesome lesson with these guys on Wednesday and not just because we could feel the spirit super strong. Just look at this picture...

That's right! We made a campfire you can't believe how happy I was to be able to build a fire again. Haha, there's the Eagle Scout in me. We wanted to head outside to eat dinner and have our lesson but since summer is starting, all the mosquitos are coming out. I just so happen to mention that smoke from a fire drives away mosquitos and they started looking around for a place to make a fire. I helped them dig a small hole in the backyard, collected some dry sticks, and before you know it we had a good size fire and we were roasting marshmallows. It was just second nature and it was sweet!

Another cool thing that happened was Saturday night, we had the Bella Vista ward anniversary party. Lots of good food and there was even a talent show! Lots of cultural dancing and singing which are awesome! Then a couple of kids playing drums and others were singing. Then comes the missionaries turn. We kinda threw it together last minute and guess what we came up with. Yep, we decided to play chubby bunny. For those of you who aren't familiar with this game, basically you shove marshmallows in your mouth until you can't say chubby bunny. Last one left wins, and let me tell you, we looked like idiots. But the ward loved it! They were dying, and the whole next day during church people kept telling us how awesome it was so definitely a win.

Love you guys and talk to you next week!

From

Elder Biehn

June 13, 2016 - Elder Biehn's Weekly Update

Hey everybody!

So honestly not too much has happened this week. Things are picking up again in this area which I'm super excited about. Me and Elder Cottle just had a lesson this past Sunday with our progressing investigator Neri and we were able to get him on date! At first he was a little hesitant but after pushing a little bit and explaining to him that this is a necessary goal to have in order to progress, he accepted. And his two little cousins are awesome as well! They were just hanging out with him when we stopped by and decided to listen in. Now Neri is in his 20s but his two little cousins are about 8 and 5. So kids, and he asked us if we could teach them a little bit as well. This kids were awesome! They were paying attention and we even taught them how to pray! The little boy was asking Elder Cottle some questions and he even said that his wanted to go to church with his older cousin, but his parents didn't let him. So Elder Cottle said that our lesson was really similar to how church was. This little boy instantly perked up and ran into his room. Next thing I know he comes out all dressed up in his mini suit all ready for church!

Hmm what else happened? Nothing really, other than I hurt my ankle playing soccer. Now it sucks whenever I have to walk anywhere, haha. But no big deal!

So I want to give a big shout out to all the fathers out there for this up coming Father's Day since it'll be the day before my next P-Day. HAPPY FATHERS DAY. It's just too bad we aren't allowed to call
home on Father's Day as well.

Love you guys and talk to you all next week!

From Elder Biehn

June 6, 2106 - Elder Biehn's Weekly Update

Hey everybody!

So it's been a very eventful week in the life of Elder Biehn, to say the least! Let me start off by letting you all know that we had transfers this past week and I get to stay in Bella Vista. However my companion, Elder Pickett, got transferred out. We weren't quite expecting that one because he's only been in this area for 2 transfers, and we were only together for 1. We were totally expecting to spend a full 2 transfers together. So this change came as an unexpected surprise, one we weren't too happy about. He was so sad that he was leaving and I was too! Like he loved this area and his district! He told me it felt like he was leaving home again. But I'm thankful for the time I did get to spend with him and be able to work together. We got work done and flipped this area! So it was a very successful transfer. Here's a picture of us on transfer day.