July 28th- “So this week our investigator took us to Ichiban!! When I told them I've had 62 sushi rolls in one meal they were very impressed!”

July 28^th, 2014

Friends and Family,

How's it going friends and Family? I'm absolutely loving my mission! There are definitely tough times and points where I feel very discouraged, but the moments where I feel the spirit so strongly and the hand of God is leading us to those who are prepared and wanting to hear the gospel make it so worth it.

We had the craziest experience this week. On Wednesday, we had 5 scheduled lessons and planned on having a dinner with a family. It looked like it was going to be a very successful day! As the day went on, all but 1 lesson cancelled. We were so discouraged and upset with how things were going, we then received a call about dinner and they cancelled as well.  As you can imagine, our hopes and attitude went down the drain. We then decided to hop on our bikes and we started the journey back to the apartment to cook dinner. We had done a lot of door knocking and biking to different neighborhoods that day. Around 6 PM, Elder Willard and I were biking home after a long, hot, sweaty day and we were 2 hungry missionaries (surprise surprise) Hahaha! Anyway, we were about 4 miles away from the apartment when all of the sudden this car passes us and pulls into the bike lane.  We pull up next to her window and she says, "You guys are the Mormons, right?" We respond with "Umm yeah, is there anything we can help you with?" She then responds, "Yeah, I've just had a rough couple of months, and I'm trying to find God in my life. Can you guys like come teach me or whatever Ya'll do? I want to get baptized in your church. I have a friend that's Mormon, and she seems to have her life together." It was so awesome! Definitely a blessing!  We have now taught her twice since Wednesday, and I've already been able to see a change in her and her son’s life. They are both so happy and are enjoying life so much more.

I learned so many important lessons from this experience. I've been able to relate this to just about every aspect of my mission so far. Elder Willard and I could have just biked home fast and angry, completely avoiding her car as she pulled into the bike lane. However, we both felt the need to stop biking and see if she was okay. I'm so grateful for the spirit for not only guiding me, but guiding the people that are seeking to become more like our Savior Jesus Christ in the path which He would want them to go. We had knocked on hundreds of doors that day wanting to share this message, but we were blessed with someone looking for us. It was definitely something I won't forget!

I can't wait for our Baptism coming up this Sunday the 3rd! It's definitely exciting and something to look toward to, but I've learned that getting numbers aren't everything. The number of baptisms we have is not important. We can't make the people we come in contact with accept the gospel of Jesus Christ, but As long as I am giving 100% of my effort and doing all that I can to bring people unto Christ, I'm

being a successful missionary.

I want to thank all of you for the support and motivation you give me each and every day. I received some packages last Monday night and those were fantastic! Friends and Family, I would not be here with out your example to me. I really do appreciate it. I miss everything about St. George, but right now I'm loving my life. I'm so happy and loving the Mission! I love seeing the joy and peace this gospel brings to the lives of others! There is a different kind of joy you see when others are accepting Christ in their lives.  I hope all is well back home! They keep telling me my mission will go by fast, and I'm starting to believe them.

Much Love,

Elder Doman

PS

There is an awesome Mormon Message I suggest watching! It's called "Lifting Burdens."  My favorite quote from that video I wanted to leave with you is "We see ourselves in terms of yesterday and today, while our Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever."

Have a great week!!

Elder Doman

Here are a few other things that Brock included in his letters home this week as well:

“Well, my companion and I will be having a baptism this week.  We are so excited it’s crazy.  I was here to first contact her, teacher all of the lessons, and do the baptism.  I hear that hardly ever happens, I’m lucky”

“Well, we are trapped in our appointment this afternoon because of the weather….awesome, right?  I’m just sitting here basically watching it flood outside.  The weather is insane here!  It will be super hot for 2 days in a row, then it’s a downpour for the next.  It’s hard to know what it’s going be like because we can’t watch the news.  Man, a mission would be so 100% easier if I could listen to music, watch the news, and know what’s going on in the world."

“Mom, don't just be okay! Be great!! Life is so awesome! Be happy! That's what our Heavenly Father wants from us. Know that I am in his hands and and will be fine!! It's definitely hard to stay happy all the time when I don't get to hear or see you guys at all.. It's definitely hard for me. But the good thing is is that we have such a strong bond and connection I know that Heavenly Father is protecting you. Without a doubt in my mind I know you will all be safe. Look at Abby's health for example. Ever since I've prepared for my mission, for the most part, she has been healthy. There are so many blessings we are receiving Mom. We NEED to be happy!”

“So this week our investigator took us to Ichiban!! When I told them I've had 62 sushi rolls in one meal they were very impressed!”

“Mom, I'm having a great time. I'm in love with living life. I hope you are too! Be happy. Have a smile on your face where ever you go! If you want to help me out, do all you can to be happy! Tell gma and gpa I say hi and I really miss them.... I love and miss you too. Tell Marli [our little shih tzu that Brock didn’t get along with very well] that she's an idiot and Murphy [Our big golden retriever puppy] I love him.”

July 21st, 2014

July 21^st

Friends and Family!

Time is flying by here on my mission!! I'm absolutely loving it! Some days I feel like I never want to go home! There are definitely hard times, but I know that my Savior Jesus Christ is with me every step of the way! One of the members had the story "Footprints in the Sand" hanging up in his home and it really made me so grateful for all of the experiences I am having! If you haven't read it, I suggest looking it up!

We are still seeing a lot of success! We taught our investigator Pam the word of wisdom and tithing Monday night and she willingly gave up her coffee, drinking, smoking, and she agreed to pay tithing! It has now been one week and she is still clean! She said, "There is no way I would have been able to do this without the help of my Lord, Jesus Christ. I love the power of prayer. I don't even want to drink beer, or coffee anymore. I've been trying to get off for 2 years and haven't been able to until you guys asked if I'd pray to Heavenly Father for the strength." Wow. What an experience right?? August 2nd will be an awesome day for her! We had to move back our other investigators date because she hasn't been to church yet!

We were able to attend the Orlando temple this Friday! The temple is so incredible and there is such a great feeling while you are there! It was nice to be able to go and take my mind off of the missionary work and to relax and feel the spirit so strongly.

So the most common question I'm getting from loved ones back home is what is your day-to-day life like? and that's really hard to answer because everyday is different! But I'll try. We wake up at 6:30, work out, and prepare for the day until 8. We then have 3 hours of study with our companion, preparing lessons and where we are going to try to contact people. We are out and about teaching lessons, biking, drinking gallons of water, and sweating to death until about 9:15. We then start to plan a little bit for tomorrow and try to be in bed by 10! That's really brief and so much happens in between but it really just depends on the day!

I posted some pictures with this and hope you can see them!

I miss you guys, but I know that this is where I am supposed to be.

Much love,

Elder Doman

July 14th

Friends and Family!

 I had the longest, busiest, most exciting week of my life! I woke up Tuesday morning and "Pam" one of our investigators texted us saying "I really enjoyed the spirit that was brought with you guys to our last lesson. I thought about it and want that spirit in my life constantly. I want to be baptized and to become a member of your church." It was the craziest thing. So we now have 2 members with dates to be baptized! Super stoked! The dates are both Aug. 2nd and we are hoping they pull through with their commitments. It’s getting very crazy.

 Most of you that are emailing me are wanting to know more about the people here. So, most houses are one story, and all smell like smoke and beer. Florida has two #1's, they have the most lightning in the world, and also are the #1 state with the most alcohol purchased. ,So the Word of Wisdom will be huge for the people of Orlando.

 We are teaching a young boy named Jacory. Jacory is a 14-year-old boy and lives with his sisters ex-boyfriend. His parents left him when he was 8. He has worn the same outfit for the 4 lessons we have taught him. He sleeps on the floor in the "Living Room." he has nothing. Absolutely nothing. Except for the gospel of Jesus Christ. We told him he has a loving Heavenly Father and he can talk to him whenever he wants. Jacory was so amazed, he started crying because he can actually talk to his "Dad" that loves and cares for him. It was one of the most spiritual experiences I've ever had.

I don't have any more time, but know that The gospel of Jesus Christ is so perfect. I love it so much. I now don't know what I'd do without it. I love you guys and miss you all!

I'll upload pictures next week!

Much Love,

Elder Doman

I had also asked Brock lots of questions in my last email, and he answered them to me in my letter this week, I'll add some of it to this post:

-My bike is awesome, it works great!
-P-day is actually the worst day.   So, we go shopping, clean the house, and play volleyball.  P-day only lasts from 10 am -6 pm.  pretty lame.
-Most of the day we spend biking to to houses.  We hardly ever just go around knocking on doors.  We still have to teach a lot of members and just share a quick thought with them.  Also, we are trying to activate any less active members in the ward.  Most of the day is spent teaching our investigators the 5 lessons.  It's crazy!
-I would love even more ties, but we're allowed skinny ties and I want more of those.
-The best place to send a gift card for is Walmart.  We go shopping there every Monday for food.  We are on a $140 budget for the month.  They count on the members in the ward to feed us, but it never happens. I think we have 9 meals this month, the rest is up to us.
-I will get a Facebook page set up on Friday, along with an iPad.  It will be used for teaching.
-The people here are so insane, soooooooo crazy.  They are all smokers and drinkers.  However, most of them are very nice.
-I'm bored about 60% of the time
-Sunday is actually my busiest day.  Our investigators come to church so that is stressful for us.  We always hope the speakers don't say anything crazy.  Then we go around knocking on doors. They want us to go on Sunday because most families are home then.  Sundays are the longest days.
-We only get to go the temple twice a year.  I wish it was more.  But we get to go this Friday!

July 7th, a letter home

We want to share a few things from Brock's letter home this week:

" So, I've only been here one week, and seeing how fast one week went by, we can do 100 of those!  We are "The Doman Family!"  The toughest of them all.  I know it won't be easy, but trust in each other and truly trust the Lord.  He is with us every step of the way."

"I miss you guys, a lot….I feel homesick every day because I know that you are having fun together as a family, and that's what I miss most, family.  there is nothing like it in the whole world.  Nothing compares to the love of a family.  Abby and Britt, tell Mom you love her everyday, because when you can't, it's tough.

"Like I said earlier, we can do this.  Trust God.  Alma 26:12 (my favorite scripture):  'Yea I know that I am nothing; as to my strength, I am weak; therefore, I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things.'  If we put all of our trust, strength, faith, and hope in god, WE can do all things.  If you think this isn't hard for me, it is hands down the hardest thing I've ever done.  But knowing I can live with my family for eternity, makes 2 years seem like nothing."

"Some funny things that have happened this week:
     -My companion sounds like Ned Flanders from The Simpsons
     -I have a quote for my mission that I'll use through the entire 2 years, 'They think that I don't know a buttload of crap about the gospel…..but I doooooo" (Nacho Libre)
     -'These are my recreation clothes!' (Nacho Libre) I say this every night when I'm changing into my relaxing clothes.
     -One guy we are teaching owns 232 guns…..America!
     -Rednecks are real, I'm surrounded by them every single day!
     -I'm teaching 4 people that get a handicapped pass because they weigh over 500 pounds.
     -I was in church and was asked to say the closing prayer and I didn't say, In the name of Jesus Christ, of latter day saints, Amen :)
   
"Love being together whenever you are, because I miss it more than anything.  Tell each other you love them.  I'm really missing the "family" feel right now.  Have fun, be safe, and keep playing hearts!"

And my favorite part:
" Mom, I wanted you to know that you are doing an amazing job.  You're the perfect mom.  I love you so much.  I've been blessed to have you as a mom in my life.  Pat yourself on the back, you did a great job with the hand that was dealt to you."

One week in Florida

7/7/14

Wow!!

What an amazing week it has been! It was very hard for me to leave the MTC because I felt like I was finally just getting settled in and feeling comfortable. But sometimes you need to do hard things right? I was able to see a good friend Elder Thompson a couple of times there and it helped to see a familiar face. Overall, I really enjoyed the MTC!

I have now been in Florida for a week and have very mixed feelings about it. It is super hot, humid, sweaty, humid, rainy, humid, and even more HUMID. But I love it! well learning to anyway. I'm in an area called "Palm Bay" you can look it up on google maps or something to see what it's like! The area reminds me of the Movie "The Blind Side" when they go and buy him new clothes. It's not the nicest area, but its still pretty great! The people here are fantastic and really friendly. But once a day I have been cussed out and yelled at. I think it is hilarious. Some people are spazzes. I also have been able to see some families that truly  "have nothing." Please be grateful for you family, neighborhood, and anything else that keeps you motivated and happy.

Me and my first companion Elder Willard and getting along great! He's from Washington and is doing a great job as a trainer. We are really starting to connect!

The first night I arrived I went to teach a lesson.... let me tell ya, I was almost as nervous for that then when I was getting ready for the State Championship game this year. I started to doubt myself before knocking on the door and thinking to myself, "Can I really change someone's life? Can I really teach someone about my religion?" But I continued and knocked on the door. It is amazing to see what happens when you trust the Lord to be with you and guide. you. I was able to teach the lesson and was able to feel the spirit so strongly. It was one of the most amazing feelings I've ever felt. I'll post a picture of the family at the bottom of this email.

The following day we taught an old lady named "Kathy" and my goal was to invite her to be baptized! So the lesson went on and I ended up asking her the question we need to have memorized, "Kathy, will you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by someone holding the Priesthood authority of God?" she said yes and I was just so relieved and happy! I had the biggest smile on my face.

Well time is running out, I only have an hour of email time, but know that I miss, love, and care about all of you! Thanks for the emails. Much love,

Elder Doman

And some things he told Abby, Britt, and I in our letters:

"I will never forget this week.  This is one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life.  But this week has also been one of the most amazing weeks too.  I'm learning more about the gospel and just how PERFECT it is.  Wow.  Words can't even describe it."

"The first day we were here we biked almost 25 miles....awesome!  I'm definitely getting in better shape and loving it.  It's super hot so I have major tacos and back sweat, which isn't a bad thing because then the investigators give us water and food, so it works out."