A Great Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Skype Call Home!

Skyping with Brock on Christmas was perfect!  We had a couple of his friends over, as well as his grandma and grandpa and aunt and uncle and family.  I have to admit that I bawled when I first saw him, and hanging up at the end wasn’t easy either.  In between we had lots of laughs.  It was so good to hear him and to see him.  He sounds great.  He’s happy and he’s enjoying the work.  I think that being away for Christmas was hard for him and that he’ll be ready for the holiday season to be over so he can get back to the grind.  At the end of our Skype session he let us all know how true the Book of Mormon is and how much he loves being a missionary!  Mother’s Day can’t come soon enough!

Friends and Family,

Merry Late Christmas! I hope everyone had a great week, and had a memorable Christmas! This week was definitely a new experience for me, and it was something I'll never forget. It was kind of a strange week here in Buena Vista. Most of the College Program Disney employees are finishing up their term, and are starting to head back home. This makes it a little tough for people to stay committed, but it also means that there is going to be multiple waves of new "CP's" coming in for the new year! We are excited for this upcoming week!

Tuesday-

What a crazy day Tuesday was! We woke up ready to head out to Temple Service. When we walked out the door, we noticed our car wasn't where it was parked... We looked all around in the apartment complex parking and the car was nowhere to be found! Our first thought was that someone stole it during the night. We checked for broken glass in our parking spot, but didn't pick up anything. We then used our brains, and realized that when we moved apartments last week we never received a parking permit! We walked up to the office and called the towing company. Sure enough, our car was towed during the night! We called around the zone, hoping a companionship would be able to give us a ride to the shop. When no one was answering, we remembered that all the missionaries in the Orlando South Zone were at Temple a Service until 12:30! It kind of put a damper on our day, but we were able to walk around our apartment complex, and get to know some people in the area. Later in the afternoon, We got a call from some missionaries saying they could drive us over to pick up our car! Woohoo! Later in the afternoon, we had a couple of solid appointments and were able to pick up a new investigator.

Wednesday (Christmas Eve) -

Christmas Eve was great this year! Our Ward Mission Leader invited us to help him out with "Secret Santa Projects." Elder Peay and I were excited to get involved with Christmas, and help out a couple of families! This is a story I'll never forget. Around 8 pm we drove over to the apartment complex where the family lives. We get out of the car with presents in hand excited to deliver them! We were walking through the gate to the apartments when we saw their family car drive through! The 3 of us panicked and stood as still as possible! We didn't think they saw us, so we continued on approaching their apartment. When we were about 50 yards away, we spotted the family standing outside, next to their car looking around for us! We had been spotted! We waited around for about 15 minutes and they weren't about to go inside. We slowly crept back to the car to wait them out. We sat and talked for about 30 minutes and were ready for round 2! We slowly approached again, with our sneak mode on. When we started to enter the apartment complex  Mother Nature decided to pull a quick one on us and it begins to pour rain! We started to run to the apartment to save the gifts but there was no hope. The three of us were completely drenched. Just sopping wet. We were almost to the apartment door when the bag holding the presents ripped from the water damage! The presents came falling out of the bag onto the puddle filled pavement. The wrapping paper was ruined, and there was no way we could deliver the presents half wrapped with water damage. Luckily, none of the gifts were electronic so they were safe. We picked up the presents, and walked slowly back to the car in the downpour. We didn't necessarily care about the rain because we were so wet it didn't even matter. It felt like I was standing in the shower with my shirt and tie on. We got to the car and it was almost 9:15. As missionaries we are supposed to be home at 9:30. We gave the presents to Dan (the Ward Mission Leader) and he said he'd take care of it. To finish up the story, I'll have to fast forward to Christmas Day. When we were doing Internet Proselyting on Facebook, we saw a picture from the mother of the family. We clicked on it, and it had a picture of presents underneath a Christmas tree. The caption of the picture was, " A Christmas miracle. I wasn't expecting any gifts for the kids, but miracles happen. There hasn't ever been this many presents under our tree. Thank you..."  I love being a missionary.

Thursday (Christmas)-

I don't even know how to begin talking about Thursday. A BIG thanks to those of you who sent me a letter, card, or even package my way. I'm blessed to have people supporting me through out my mission like you guys are. I couldn't thank you enough. It was a little strange to wake up Christmas morning without my family around me. It was a little awkward, and Elder Peay and I weren't quite sure what to do! I was grateful for the experiences I've had with Christmas, and for the people I have in my life. Later in the day we went to Skype home! It was great to have an actual, real life conversation with my family and a couple friends I'll never forget! It was full of laughter, tears, and jokes. It gave me a stronger desire to go work my hardest for the people in Orlando, and The Lord. It was hard not to be with them, but I know I am where I'm supposed to be. Later Christmas night, we went to a dinner with a YSA their family. The family invited the missionaries serving in their ward for dinner as well. It was fun to catch up with them and see how they are doing too!

Friday through Sunday-

Sorry to cram these 3 days into one paragraph, but there just isn't enough time! We found a couple of new investigators these days, and are seeing s lot of progress! Our investigators Lamar and Darlene are looking great and are getting close to their baptismal dates! Cineus was able to receive the Aaronic Priesthood Sunday morning at church! He then showed up at night sacrament as well because he wanted to "fulfill his duty, and pass the sacrament." Man I love that guy. The work is progressing, and it's really exciting. I'm starting to hope I am able to have another transfer here in Buena Vista, and be here for a quarter of my mission. (4 transfers)

I love you guys, and appreciate your support. Again, I'm grateful for

each and every one of you. I hope life is well and you are happy!

Much love,

Elder Doman

Pictures-

Picture 1 - We live right next to the NBC Golf Station! On our way home Friday night, we thought it would be cool to take a picture next to the sign! 

Picture 2- It was Cineus' Birthday on Saturday. We went to Wal-Mart and got him an awesome shirt... His favorite animal is a cat, so... 

Picture 3- Florida is a pretty amazing place.

Picture 4 and 5- The member whose home we Skyped at is a major "Big Hero 6" fan. The dad bought this from the movie theater and I had to get a Picture

"This ward is fun! I'm blessed to be here this long. With my new companion, I honestly wouldn't be mad to stay another transfer."

After Brock’s email last week, I was a little worried.  He just sounded a little down and like he was having a hard time being in Florida during the holidays.  It also sounded like he was tired of being in that same area.  But, not anymore!  This letter sounds so much more upbeat!  He sounds happy again.  I guess it’s the ups and downs of being a missionary. 

This is what he had to say to us:

I'm really liking Buena Vista. I'm loving the members here and I'm definitely welcome in the Ward. The Ward mission leader and I are forming a really strong bond, so that's awesome! I'll never forget some of these members and I feel like I've known them forever (probably cause I have. Hehehe deep doctrine 2.0) this Ward is fun, and I'm blessed to be here this long. With my new companion, I honestly wouldn't be mad to stay another transfer! It'd be great to stay here for 1/4th of my mission.

I asked him why he can’t workout in the gym at the apartment building anymore. He said:

Workouts are tough... I'm sick of just doing push-ups and sit-ups every morning! It's annoying that we can't go to the gym. I guess it's a nationwide rule, but some missionaries were just sitting in the apartment clubhouse all day watching the tv. Cool, huh? What a good way to spend 2 years of your life right? Complaining gets me no where, but it's just lame. 

The funniest thing was his response to the picture of our dogs with Santa!  We thought we were so funny, so did he! 

"Hahahahahahahahahahhaahhahaahaha I honestly was dying when I saw the picture of Murphy and Marli!! like for real?! Murph dog is like "HOLY COW THIS IS THE GREATEST DAY OF MY ENTIRE LIFE, SANTA!!!!!" Then we have Marli over there like, "uhhhh get off me dude. You smell like beef and cheese." Hahahahahahahaha

And here’s his letter home:

Friends and Family, 

Wow, what a crazy couple of weeks it's been! At times, there was complete chaos, pure happiness, and good laughs! I can't wait to tell you all about it! There is so much that went on, I'll just make a giant list and then go into details about each individual event! 

Transfers- This transfer meeting was one of the greatest times of the week! After I said goodbye to Elder Potter, It was time to prepare for a new companion! I was pretty nervous, but also excited! It's nice to have some change. My new companion is Elder Peay!!! So all of you are probably wondering who he is, so here is the story. Elder Peay was my District Leader last transfer. We got along great and were together just about every P-day for the last 2 transfers. Because of this, we were already great friends and didn't have to go through that awkward "getting to know you stage." We were able to hit the ground running, which was very beneficial to us. As we started to talk more and more, I found out he is also from St. George! He lived about 15 minutes away from me over by Pine View High School! Small World, huh? We have gotten along great, and are stoked for the transfer. 

Darlene (Cineus' cousin)- This week we set a baptismal date with Cineus' cousin! She is progressing well, and loving the Book of Mormon! It's awesome to see Cineus work with her, and help her along the way! 

Lamar- I mentioned an investigator a while ago who knew the Book of Mormon was true, but he wasn't ready to be baptized... We met with him earlier today and sacrificed some of our P-day to meet with him. Here's the thing, we were blessed immensely because of it. After the opening prayer, he said, "Elders, I'm wanting to set a baptismal date. I know it's true. I know God wants me to go down this path, and I know it will make me happy." WHAT?!?! How awesome is that!! I first started talking with him when I arrived about 3 months ago!

Squirrels- I don't know if i've mentioned this in any of my previous emails, but here in Central Florida, the number of squirrels is unbelievable. The are up in the trees, running along side the sidewalk, in the back of our apartment, at the mailboxes, they are everywhere! Well, Elder Peay brought along some nerf guns. I guess he is like a wizard at shooting squirrels with them! One morning before workouts, Elder Peay shot a squirrel, the squirrel then jumped down from the tree and ran him into the apartment! It was hilarious! 

Sunday- Sunday was an amazing day! After morning sacrament, we received two calls from numbers we weren't familiar with. Both of them were in the same situation. They both were baptized in a YSA ward, then moved down into the Central Florida area. They found our number from the calling the Temple on saturday, which then gave them the Buena Vista YSA elders phone number (or our phone number.) We informed them about the YSA events going on, and they were both able to make it out to sacrament last night. It's amazing. The inspiration they received to call us at the right moment yesterday, and for their schedule to work out so they could make it down to Sacrament later that night. I love being a missionary. 

Christmas is this Thursday... I cant even believe it. I'm excited to Skype home and to see my families faces again. I feel like its been ages. I'm a little worried, but most of all I'm grateful for the opportunity. It will be different not to be with them for the holidays, but I will also be able to experience what it's like to not have a family with you for the holidays. I know it will help me cherish the holidays to come in the future when I am with my family! I hope everyone has a great Christmas! 

Much Love,

Elder Doman

*I'm more than 1/4 of the way finished with this journey. I wanted to thank everyone for the support I am still receiving each week. I don't know if i'd be able to make it with out you guys! Thanks so much! 

"Time is the most precious commodity. It's the one thing you can't buy, or ever buy back." - unknown

Picture 1- at the ward christmas party last monday, I came across an old friend that went to DHHS the same time I did. Andy was a Senior when I was a sophomore! I look up to him so much, and appreciate the example he set for me. For those that went to DHHS, I bet you recognize him from the school plays!

Picture 2- Me and elder Peay!

Picture 3- The 6 month mark tie burning session! Such a good time. It's a mission tradition! 

This week Brock is already 1/4 of the way through his mission!! It went so fast, but so slow too.

I think Brock had a stressful week this week, lots of distractions and other things going on.  I think he’ll be ready for Christmas to be over and to be back into a regular routine again.  This is what he had to say to me:

Hey Mom! 

Another week here in the books.... hahah I think I say that just about every week.  (He does say it, every single week J) Things are going good, but just crazy. I'm honestly not one to like change. I like to get into a rhythm, and just work my tail off doing the same thing over and over again.  I think that is why I was successful at football. If someone tells me what to do, I’ll do it until it' s finished. But with a mission, it’s like, do what you want and what you think is best, and that is pretty hard for me. I guess that is something I need to learn out here, to be confident in myself, and know how to rely on the spirit in order to direct my path. It's good that I am learning this on a mission. I'm grateful for this time I have to learn how to trust the spirit, and to put confidence in myself as well.

This week has just been stressful. We are moving apartments, It’s Elder Potter's last week, I’ll get a new companion tomorrow, ah, it’s just kind of stressful. I just need to realize that what ever happens, happens. I just need to go with the flow and love life! I still am happy, it’s just been kind of stressful.

Last week, for P-day, they went to the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum, he sent some pictures.

Here’s his mass email this week:

Hey Guys, this week has been a good one! We have been able to see a lot of success and had a good time while doing it! I don't have too much time this week, so it will have to be kind of a quick email! Elder Potter is going home Wednesday, so we want to go and visit some members to say goodbye! 

Tuesday- We got a call Tuesday afternoon after Temple service, and the senior couples in the mission home told us we need to pack up our apartment because we are going to be moving! AH! crazy. So along with packing our own personal belongings for transfers, we get to box up, and deep clean the apartment for the move! It was hard to make time for this through out the week, but luckily we were able to get it all packed up and ready to move after the transfer meeting!

Wednesday- Elder Potter had his departing exit interview and it was fun to watch him be excited to see his family next week! While he was in his interview with the mission president, I was able to help the senior couples organize all of the Christmas packages coming in for the missionaries! I almost felt like one of Santa's Elfves organizing all of the presents and taking them where they need to go! hahah, it was pretty funny. Wednesday night for Night Games we had a big S’mores cook off and had it Christmas themed! There were a lot of non members there and it was great to have them come out to a low key environment.  The Buena Vista sister missionaries thought they would be funny if they got Elder Potter and I a Harry Potter Tie. It was great until they were children ties... haha it looked pretty small on me!

Thursday- We were able to teach a lot Thursday! Cineus was able to meet with us again, and we were able to talk about how his life has been different since he has been baptized. His cousin just so happened to be home the same time we were over! She really liked what Cineus had to say and wanted that same change in her life! We testified of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, and how it has changed our lives. Cineus then bore his testimony too, and he started to tear up. The Spirit is so cool. Man, previously he hasn't shown too much emotion and just agreed with us. He has been pretty quiet while he was going through the process, but once he bore testimony to his cousin, it's like all of his emotions started to pour out. Definitely a moment I won't forget.

Friday- I had a long weekly planning while Elder Potter called some of his recent converts in his last areas. It was a pretty long day, but we had a great dinner with a member and shared the video "He is The Gift." The church put out a great video for this Christmas season! 

Saturday- Saturday was a weird day! We had to finish packing up our apartment and we spent some of the day cleaning! We wanted to get it all done for Sunday, so we could spend Elder Potter's last day doing actual missionary work. 

Sunday- Church was great on Sunday! The lessons were all focused on The Savior. The spirit was so strong through out the service. It was one of the few times I've teared up during a sacrament meeting. I love the change I am seeing in myself. I am learning to rely and listen to the promptings of the spirit. I love this opportunity to serve. I say it a lot, but I mean it every time. Things are going great. I hope everyone has a great week before CHRISTMAS! 

Much love,

Elder Doman

D and C 6:20- Behold, I am God; give heed unto my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my words.