Michael's Mission - August 2006

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=110 BGCOLOR="#FFFF66" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03c006e0dkfegl.gif"> <div>                          <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > Michael's Mission Page</FONT>      <IMG SRC="04e55390.gif" border=0 width="85" height="57" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div>                     California Santa Rosa Mission  June 2006 - June 2008    |   <A HREF="http://www.theHaslams.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.theHaslams.com"><U>theHaslams.com</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=190 BGCOLOR="#009933" TEXT="#080000" background="03dbec00ddwnzy.gif"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Michaels Mission Front Page"><U><B>Front Page</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="latest_news.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Michaels Mission Latest News"><U><B>Latest News</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="photo_album.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mikes Mission Photo Album"><U><B>Photo Album</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="companions.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Michaels Mission Companions"><U><B>Companions</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>=====================</B></div> <div> <A HREF="may_2008.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mikes Mission May 2008"><U><B>May 2008</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="april_2008.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mikes Mission April 2008"><U><B>April 2008</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="march_w008.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mikes Mission March 2008"><U><B>March 2008</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="february_2008.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mikes Mission February 2008"><U><B>February 2008</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="january_2008.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mikes Mission January 2008"><U><B>January 2008</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="december_2007.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mikes Mission December 2007"><U><B>December 2007</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="november_2007.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mikes Mission November 2007"><U><B>November 2007</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="october_2007.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mikes Mission October 2007"><U><B>October 2007</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="september_2007.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mikes Mission September 2007"><U><B>September 2007</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="august_2007.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mikes Mission August 2007"><U><B>August 2007</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="july_2007.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mikes Mission July 2007"><U><B>July 2007</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="june_2007.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mike_Mission June 2007"><U><B>June 2007</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="may_2007.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mikes Mission May 2007"><U><B>May 2007</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="april_2007.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mikes Mission April 2007"><U><B>April 2007</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="march_2007.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mikes Mission March 2007"><U><B>March 2007</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="february_2007.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mikes mission February 2007"><U><B>February 2007</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="january_2007.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Michaels Mission January 2007"><U><B>January 2007</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="december_2006.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Michaels Mission December 2006"><U><B>December 2006</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="november_2006.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Michaels Mission November 2006"><U><B>November 2006</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="october_2006.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Michaels Mission October 2006"><U><B>October 2006</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="september_2006.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Michaels Mission September 2006"><U><B>September 2006</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="august_2006.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Michaels Mission August 2006"><U><B>August 2006</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="july_2006.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mikes Mission July 2006"><U><B>July 2006</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="arrival.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Arrival in Santa Rosa"><U><B>Arrival in Santa Rosa</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="mtc.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mikes Mission MTC"><U><B>Departure & the Missionary Training Center</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>=====================</B></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.mission.net/california/santa/rosa/index.php" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.mission.net/california/santa/"><U><B>California Santa Rosa Mission Alumni Site</B></U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=370 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>August 2006</B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>August 29, 2006 - </B></FONT>Michael's E-mail was a day later than usual as a mission-wide conference was held in Santa Rosa on Monday August 28. Michael said he was not missing the start of school,  <I><B>"School was good and all, I learned a lot but I get to study the Gospel of Jesus Christ everyday out here, what else is better to study than that? "</B></I></div> <bR> <div> At the mission conference Michael learned that at present the mission has 118 full-time missionaries plus some service and senior missionaries and President and Sister Stoddard for a total of 138. Michael added, "<I><B>President Stoddard spoke briefly on Church interviews, their purpose and benefit. Then we had a great talk on the Spirit and how it testifies of truth and lays the foundation for which all other doctrines can be placed. This was given by Elder Robert S. Wood of the 2nd Quorum of the 70</B></I>."</div> <bR> <div> Michael reported that Brother Snyder has not quit smoking yet and therefore the baptism has been postponned. It is the only challenge remaining for him. Valerie is progressing well, Michael reported, <I><B>"We taught her the 3rd lesson on Wednesday and she enjoyed it. We made arrangements for her to go to the Sacramento Temple Open House with a member of the ward that she knew. She went on Saturday and absolutely loved it. She could really feel the Spirit in the Celestial room and enjoyed the Sealing room as well with the thought of eternal families.  She came to church on Sunday as well and again really enjoyed it. She loved the family aspect in Sacrament and especially the relief society. We call her Sister Ward now since she basically is a member now. She is still praying for a date and we suggested the 15th so she could be baptized with a black family in the 1st ward (Valerie is a black lady born and raised in England).And if you recall from my last email. She had her sister from England over 2 weeks ago and we taught her a short 1st lesson. She read the BOM on the flight home and has already contacted the missionaries over in London. They were going to teach her on Friday. Valerie hasn't talked to her since that meeting but we're anxious to see what happens. She said that another one of her sisters would be at the meeting as well."</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <B>August 21, 2006 - </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Michael's E-mail was titled simply "Cow Town is Awesome!". This opening remark says a lot about how good he is feeling about the work in Vacaville! Next he demonstrates the Spanish he is learning with "Hola mi famila!" </FONT></div> <bR> <div> Last Tuesday at the home of the Cervantes Family they showed the film "Together Forever". Elder Haslam said, "They definitely felt the spirit despite the fact that the video is about 20 years old. They still aren't 100% committed to the church yet and are still looking for the strong witness I guess."</div> <bR> <div> They shared the same video with the Snyder family and discovered that brother Synder has an issue with the Word of Wisdom to work on before he is baptized. Brother Snyder has been attending church with his family. Sister Valerie had a sister visiting from London, England.  The Elders taught them together and left a copy of the Book of Mormon with her sister.  They also shared the video "The Restoration" with her. At this point her husband has shown no interest in the gospel message. Additionally they met Gladys who was looking for a church and happened to select the LDS chapel at Elmira and Peabody. Then she prayed for a sign to lead her to a church." Next the Elders met her while doing some unusual tracting on a Sunday night. Michael said, "we've never before tracted in the evening except for the day we met Gladys".</div> <bR> <div> Michael concluded his E-mail with, "I Love Vacaville and the opportunity I have to be doing the Lord's work here."</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>August 14, 2006 - </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Several investigators were not available during the past week to visit, but Elder Bennett and Elder Haslam were able to establish a baptismal date of September 1st or 2nd for Brother Snyder. He is the husband in a part member family that they have been teaching for a couple of weeks.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> The dedication of the Sacramento temple is approaching and the associated "Cultural Celebration" will be held on September 2nd. Michael says brother Synder is fun to talk to.  They'll plan on visiting him twice per week until baptism. He and his wife have a 4 month old baby.</div> <bR> <div> Michael reports that the new ZL in town likes to quickly challenge people for baptism, Michael added, "That approach does not always work out as expected".  The new greenie in the zone is from Pennsylvania. His name is Elder Strange.</div> <bR> <div> <B>August 7, 2006 - </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Michael reported that "I'm staying in Cow town for a while longer. (Vaca is Spanish for cow - but Vacaville was not derived from that Spanish word).  Elder Bennett is also staying as Michael's companion. From the Vacaville zone a zone leader, two sisters and another Elder are going home. A new green Elder will be coming to Vacaville making 4 total, Elder Haslam, Elder Davis (from Michael's group) Elder Escobedo (Spanish speaking) and the new one coming.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> After chastising his brothers for not writing and answering all the other letters Michael reported that progress is being made with several of the investigators including the Cervantes family, who had also been to the temple open house in Sacramento. Others are also progressing, except Cissy who is moving to Arizona, and Valerie who is getting some cancer treatments. </div> <bR> <div> In a followup letter Michael said, "Fast and Testimony on August 6th was excellent, especially Brother Nicdao and Sister Larsen who has lost a son hiking in Peru. On Thursday (August 3rd) he and Elder Davis were teamed up to work in the 3rd ward. He spoke of some contacts who he believes are feeling the spirit, but unable to act on what they are feeling. On Friday they met a family that has been inactive for 15 years. In the end they could not remember why they went inactive. On Saturday's the zone gets' together for a blitz to find people interested in hearing more.</div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>