August 24, 2015 - Elder Biehn's Weekly Update

This past week was surprisingly really good! A definite change from how it has been going for the past weeks. Me and Elder Mortimer were actually able to get lessons in with new investigators and not just the normal people we visit. I was definitely surprised to see that, in fact we only got shut out once this week. Not ideal, but definitely an improvement from the week before.

For example, this past Saturday we had a zone wide finding fest. This was a chance for all the missionaries that work in the Oakton stake to get together in the morning to have a quick testimony meeting and really get people fired up about teaching, then committing the whole day to nothing but finding. At first I wasn't looking forward to it because this entire past week had already been a lot of finding for me and Elder Mortimer, but after testimonies, I changed my mind. It did its job. So, then we decide to go work an area that we were already planning on visiting, but after about an hour we had no luck at all. We hadn't even seen any Hispanics the entire time we were there, which is strange for the area we were in. The first one we saw, he was grilling, so we went and talked to him. We nearly put out his coals but we were able to get a return appointment for next week. We left that area then went to another where we had a lot of potential investigators. The first house we try, a young man opens up and we have a discussion about Jesus. After a little bit of talking, he lets us in. As I go in, I look around and find a restoration pamphlet. Perfect! We capitalized on the opportunity and got talking about the restoration. This guy had some really good questions that he was asking as well. Not the normal investigator questions you get when explaining the restoration but legit questions that takes a bit of thought to come up with. I was pleasantly surprised. To say the least we have a new investigator. Then a couple days later, we decide to go to the same area and meet with another person we had found earlier in the week. As we are walking, the same guy was sitting on the porch talking with a friend. We were thinking, "Well, we have to go talk to him otherwise it's just going to be awkward to pass by." So that's what we did. We met his friend and talked and tried to get to know him. Then, we did the transition from talking to teaching and introduced the Book of Mormon. As I was explaining, another one of his friends is getting home from soccer so he joins in on the lesson too. I think they really enjoyed talking with us because they seemed interested in the Book of Mormon. Either that or they were just surprised to see two gringos speaking in perfect Spanish. It was probably a combination of the two.

Oh, funny story. So we had a dinner appointment set with a member and we go. Well, she decided that she wanted to cook spaghetti for us. When I saw it, I thought to myself, "Oh no." Every time I eat spaghetti, without fail, it always seems to spill on me. This time was no exception. As I was eating the last few bits of my noodles (still clean at this point, no spills), one of the noodles decides to whip around and spread the runny sauce all across my white shirt. Ugh! Every time... And it was toward the end too! I thought I was in the clear! But nope. So now I've got spaghetti sauce across my shirt and I did my best to clean it up but it was still all over, and now we had to make the long walk back to our car. I tell Elder Mortimer we need head back to the apartment and do a shirt change. Apparently he got some spaghetti sauce on himself too. Haha. ¡Comiendo spaghetti esta peligroso! (Eating spaghetti is dangerous).

So thankfully this area is starting to pick up. It just took a little bit of work to get it kick started. I look at those first two weeks as a learning opportunity because my last area was amazing. It was a great place to start my mission in because there are always lessons and members willing to help. Coming here helped me to realize what missionary work is. And it isn't easy. It makes me think of a quote by Jeffery R. Holland, "Missionary work isn't easy because SALVATION IS NOT EASY." Imagine Elder Holland saying that in his big commanding voice. Yeah... It's like getting smacked in the face by the spirit.

Thank you guys so much for your love and support. Talk to you all later!

Elder Biehn


P.S. Here is my address for the apartment I'm in since I've had some people ask me for it.

13022 Weeping Cherry Walk #204
Herndon VA 20171

August 17, 2015 - Elder Biehn's Weekly Update

Hey everybody,

I'm doing much better in my new area now. This past week was pretty rough because at first I was still getting used to all new missionaries, new members, new places, new investigators. And I have to learn all their names and find a way to teach them exactly what they need without knowing them! Lots of prayers were said to say the least. But it works out because I've been learning and getting to know everyone pretty well.  This area though, it's hard. Out of the past week, me and Elder Mortimer got shut out 4 out of the 7 days. Which means we didn't teach any lessons the entire day. Then, for 2 of the days we didn't get shut out, we only taught 1 lesson at night. So to say the least, we didn't do very much. Which is pretty unfair because me and him have been working like crazy to try and get something going, it's just that no one is either interested or even opens the door. After knocking on someone's door, we've had people come and look at us through the peep hole (and we can tell because we hear them walk to the door and we can see them through it (because the lights in the background go out), then they quickly shut out the lights and act like they aren't home............. Seriously? That's happened to us more than a couple of times, a lot more. We even had someone shout "Don't answer the door, no one's home."  So ya, you could imagine how depressing it is.

However, there was a miracle that happened. After a full day of being shut out, despite our best efforts, me and Elder Mortimer were pretty depressed. I was starting to question myself and my motives. It was pretty hard because we have this wonderful message and it's our job to go and share it with people but no one wants to listen. So pretty depressing to say the least and I was depressed. I said a little prayer in my heart, asking Heavenly Father "Why? If we are working so hard, why is no one answering? I thought the harder we work, the more successful we'll be."  But then, we pull up to this house that we never knock on because the lights are always out, the house is completely dark, but we tried it anyways. While we were walking up to the door, I saw a girl sitting on the sidewalk not doing anything. I had an impression to go talk to her but I told myself after this door. No answer. So we walk back to the car and start getting ready to leave, when I look back at her again, but this time the impression to go talk to her was even stronger than before. Something I couldn't deny. By this time Elder Mortimer was in the drivers seat waiting for me. I told him "I think we should go talk to her." He looks over her way, and says "Do you know what you're going to say? Have you got a script?" Of course I had no clue, "Nope." He says, "Alright this is going to be awkward." I responded, "Yep, let's do it anyways." So we walk over, introduce ourselves, ask what her name is, the usual stuff. Then she gets up all of a sudden and asks, "Do you guys want to go for a walk?"  In my mind, I'm thinking, Of course we do! So we start walking and talking. I was terrified that my mind was going to go blank half way through it because it normally does, but I found myself talking with ease. She was even asking us about what we do and everything then we ask her a few questions. After a bit of talking we find out that she is going through a really roughly time right now because her mom is in the hospital, her parents are going through a divorce, and she is about to be evicted from her house. She told us she isn't a very religious person and hardly goes to church, but she has started to pray much more and is asking for help. I believe fully that God answers prayers through the use of his children, and we were the answer to this girl's prayer. That is the reason I had such a strong impression to go talk to her. One I could not deny. So we are planning on visiting her sometime this week and hopefully introduce her to the gospel and show her how it can help her life.  I'm grateful for this experience because I have learned to trust in the spirit no matter what. I had always learned and read and talked about it, but never really experienced it. Now I know exactly what it means to be prompted by the spirit. I pondered on this a bit after getting back into the car and came to this conclusion, "After a day like this, I'm not going to ignore the spirit now."

Overall, quite the unexpected week. A lot has happened but at the same time very little. It's hard when nothing goes the way you planned, but it's amazing how one little miracle after a day of disappointment can change the mood of the entire day.

Wow, quite the letter I wrote this week. But it was a good experience and much learning took place. I love you guys and I will talk to you next week. 

Nos vemos
Elder Biehn

August 10, 2015 - Elder Biehn's Weekly Update

Hey everybody!

My Companion - Elder Mortimer

This past week has been crazy to say the least. That is because I have been transferred from my first area. I have a new companion, new area, new ward. Pretty much everything is different. It's so weird! But my new companion is pretty awesome. His name is Elder Mortimer and we have a ton in common. We like like the same music, make the same jokes, and we are the two biggest white guys in the whole Spanish program, haha. Seriously, imagine how funny it is to see two big,blond hair, blue eye, white guys walking around speaking Spanish. It's pretty dang funny. It's only been a few days here and we have already gotten some strange looks.  I'll include a picture of us so you can see. 

In other news, after the transfer we had a mission activity.  Let's just say that there is a member that is loaded with a ton of money, and every year buys tickets for the missionaries to go to a Nationals game.  that's right, I went to a baseball game this past Saturday!  And it isn't just a few missionaries, no, it's the entire mission.  But that's not all, he goes and buys tickets for the two neighboring missions as well.  So there were a couple full sections of missionaries there.  It was so much fun!  Especially after transfers because I got to see the other missionaries I served around and it was in a relaxing environment where we didn't have to worry about working every minute. 

Missionary Night at the Nationals baseball game! It was nice to see old friends!

I really enjoyed watching the game but I enjoyed the fact that I got to spend time with those missionaries that I served around before. I was so happy to see my old district. Half of us had gotten transferred so it's not even close to what it was back in Arlington. It was me and Elder Hernandez, and then 4 other hermanas that I had spent the past 3-5 months with. So it was super good to see them and get pictures. That's something I didn't have a lot of was pictures of them. I didn't think I would want it so much but now I realize how important it is for those memories. So I've got quite a few pictures from that game, especially since most of the missionaries I know now won't make it to the next one a year later. Ugh, making missionary friends is rough. If they aren't in your area then you hardly get to see them.


Overall, crazy week. But I'm getting used to my new area. There's a lot of work to do and not a lot of time to do it.

Elder Everett - my companion from the Mexico City MTC. 

Love you all and I'll talk to you next week.
Elder Biehn

 

August 3, 2015 - Elder Biehn's Weekly Update

Well, to start off, I have good news and bad news.  Bad news is that the family that me and Elder Hernandez were teaching backed out of getting baptized.  When I heard this, I was devastated.  I couldn't believe that this awesome family that we had taught so much to and they were progressing so well actually backed down. Apparently, a member had said something that could have been taken 2 ways and the husband took it the wrong way. So, he got offended and that stalled the progress he was making.  We are trying to meet with them to see what we can salvage.  There is a lesson to be learned from this though.  The whole week before they were going to get baptized, I had a feeling that this is going too fast, I don't know if they are ready. But I just wanted to see them get baptized so I pushed it aside.  God works in mysterious ways and if He will find a way to make it happen. It just turns out that this was the way it needed to be in order to make sure they are ready.  I think by realizing this that it has helped me to really see the bigger picture. It just is terrible thatit had to happen this way and that this member got caught up in it. I realize now that I need to repent and be more receptive to the inspirations of the spirit because that is how God works through us. I am sure that this will end up working out and that everything will be better than it was before.

Now, the good news.  Me and Elder Hernandez have a pretty large investigator pool and I have become close friends with almost all of them.  A lot of them are really close to baptism and things are looking good for the missionary work. The ward is getting excited and more motivated to do missionary work by coming out with us, feeding us, and participating in ward activities and getting to know our investigators.  Its great to see because when I first came it wasn't like this at all.

I'm really enjoying life here in Virginia as a missionary and it seems that time is flying by. It's already August! I remember being in the CCM back in February. Crazy!

From
Elder Biehn

Driving with Elder Hernandez

This video was taken while we were driving.  We had our seats as far forward as they would go because we had a bike in the back seat.  One of our investigators had their bike stolen and a member had an extra one that he could have.  We are on our way to deliver the bike to him.

July 27, 2015 - Elder Biehn's Weekly Update

Hey everyone,

I can honestly say that not much changes once you get used to the mission field. The only really interesting things to write about are transfers, exchanges, baptisms, etc. but other than that it stays the same. I'm just going through my day making visits and driving. When we do manage to meet someone then it is often not anything too dramatic. We just share a quick message about the family, or Joseph smith, or the Book of Mormon, then we get their number and try to set up a return appointment. Then we move on. That's how street contacts normally go. 

The Washington DC Temple

Me and Elder Hernandez haven't had much luck with finding a ton of new people to teach but we do have quite a bit of investigators right now that are super solid. The family way back that me and Elder Oran found is getting baptized this Sunday on August 2nd! Yay! They are so awesome and they love it when we come over. They will make a great addition to the ward and it really gives me a peaceful feeling knowing that I helped them come to know the gospel. I love that family, I don't think there are better words to describe it. None that I can think of right now anyways. They are so willing to do everything we ask or invite them to. For example, this past Friday us missionaries organized a viernes de película (movie Friday) for the ward. We all invited our investigators to come and it was a great turn out. We watched Meet the Mormons in Spanish and I can tell everyone loved it. The bishop even said the next Sunday, "ok when is the next time we can organize another one of those?" Score!

Another trip to the temple with some recent converts. 

Then on Sunday, me and Elder Hernandez went to the temple again but with a different group of people. It was with some recent converts that we got to know pretty well. Then the sister of one of the recent converts came with as well. She is our investigator that we have been working with. Anyways, the temple trip was super good because we had a tour about temples and the purpose of them. I know she really enjoyed it along with our whole group that went.

I guess I kind of wrote a lot for having a boring week but those two events really made it good. Everything else was average, lol. Another week come and go.

From
Elder Biehn

We were bored one night...that's all I can say about this picture. 

July 20, 2015 - Elder Biehn's Weekly Email

Hey everyone!

Wow this week really flew by! It felt like just yesterday was P-day and here it is again. That's kind of good and a bad thing because that means I'm getting pretty close to transfers. I'm almost certain that I'm getting transferred in 3 weeks which is kind of unfortunate because I really love this area and the people that we are teaching and I get along with my companion super well. I think that my biggest fear is that I'm going to get a new companion that I don't like. Plus it will be someone that I don't know at all so I would have that awkward stage at the beginning trying to get to know the guy. But that's the life of a missionary so I really just need to get used to it. What I'm really not looking forward to is having to pack up all my things from the apartment I'm in. That would be hard because I've spent my whole mission life in this area and now I'm going to have to leave it. Also because everything I own fits into 2 suitcases as well but that's another story. So I'm really just trying to enjoy the weeks I have left here and what time I have before I'm uncomfortable again.

Anyways, this past week was really fun. Last P-day I went to DC again with some other elders. We ended up walking around the air and space museums and I could honestly spend days in that building. There is so much cool airplane stuff, and rockets, and outer space models, and World War 2 things. It's so cool! I will definitely be going back to that before my mission is through, probably more than just a couple times. Lol. Afterwards we went out to eat and then walked back to the metro station, then to our car and drove home. Then it was back to work.

The Washington DC Temple

Later in the week, I went with some investigators to temple. It was awesome! The visitor center is huge and has a ton of stuff. I believe the Washington, D.C. Temple is the only visitor center that has a model of inside the temple. It showed the different rooms and a lot of the stuff. We watched the movie "Joseph Smith, Prophet of the Restoration" in Spanish and I understood it! Yay! The sisters gave a tour of the visitor center and it was really fun. Then we all went back outside and took pictures in front of the temple. It is massive! It is in the top 3 biggest temples in the world, next to Salt Lake City temple and Los Angeles temple (woot woot!)

Me and Elder Hernandez are still going in our area and working like crazy. It has slowed down a little bit with the amount of lessons we are teaching so we are planning to do some tracting in this upcoming week. That family we were teaching is still on date and ready to be baptized. We just have a few more lessons to teach them then it's into the water they go. They are super strong and such a great family. Everyone we take with us to visit them says the same thing after each lesson. I'm loving it.
Well, until next week.

From
Elder Biehn

It's also been raining a lot and one of our recent converts left her umbrella behind. So we are holding onto it for her and decided to have some fun while we were at it. (Those are Elder Hernandez's glasses and he said I should should put them on to look "classy")

More of us walking in the rain.