Pictures sent on November 29th

Transfer Week! November 29th!

Dear Fullmer Family,

Well this week has been a really good one. To start off, I need to say that I'm getting transferred. It's hard to accept it especially because I love this area so much, but last night after the news I received the confirmation that it was the will of the Lord. I feel peaceful knowing that it's my time to go and that the Lord has got some more things for me to be doing. 

At the end of every transfer I like to look back and see what difference have I made in the area from when i came in and when I'm leaving. I feel like I have left this area much better than I found it. When I got here, there were about 2 investigators. Now we have baptized one, and have about 6 with a baptismal date with more to come this next week. It's hard to leave all of this work and success that I have been able to be apart of but I know that the Lord needs me somewhere else. I know that it's going to be left in good hands and I'm excited to be able to learn many new things this next transfer. I know that it might be difficult but that's what makes things fun right? Haha.

However this week has really been incredible. We went to go visit and an investigator and met her friend and found out that she is one of the most kindest and sincere people I've ever met. As we had a lesson she had a lot of questions about us. Apparently she has cousins who are LDS so she had a rough background of the church and was not to excited to talk about the Book of Mormon. However as we answered her questions, I knew that we needed to talk to her about the First Vision. We started talking about Joseph Smith and she said "I know you think he was a prophet.' But i responded that I wanted her to know how we know... As I was explaining the First Vision to her and how Joseph Smith was searching, when I finished saying the words of the First Vision she told me, "I know that every single word that you just told me is true." She said that something touched her in a way that she is willing to give up everything and change her life around. It was absolutely incredible! 

As we have been teaching them both this week, they invited us to come to Thanksgiving Dinner. We went and were the only members there. Their neighbors came over and it was such a nice night. Very fun and friendly. We went to see them the day after and said, "Every single person at that dinner was touched by you. All of them didnt' want you to leave." It was cool to see how much the Spirit influences others and how they love the feeling of it. The friend told us that she said to them, "Ohh it looks like they got you too!" Haha. They are incredible investigators! It's going to be hard to leave them because they are without a doubt my favorite investigators that i've had. They are so willing to make these hard changes in their lives to follow something they know to be true. I know they will become members soon and have a wonderful life. They kept saying how thankful they are for us and what we've done and we told them, "It wasn't us (meaning the Spirit), but we're glad that it was us (to be able to bring it here.)" It's been an incredible week with them!

We actually had two Thanksgiving dinners... I was so full! A member invited us over to her son's home, who is not active, and had a wonderful meal with them. It was a great meal. that night I was more full than i ever have been! Haha. Not so fun...

However i was able to make pies this past week. Last Monday I made four Chocolate Cream Pies, two banana cream, and one very berry pie. Lets just say that my district is sad that I'm leaving and won't be here for Christmas... Thank you Lion House! Haha. No but really it was really fun to be able to make pies again. And they turned out pretty good, not as good as yours mom but they were still very good!

I cant' believe how crazy your Thanksgiving was. I can't believe that you were still able to breath with everything that was going on! It sounds like a lot of fun having a bunch of family around for Thanksgiving. That's one thing I missed but only about a month until we'll be able to talk, hopefully skype!

I'm so excited for the iPod! It's CHRISTMAS TIME! But i can listen to anything with the Mo Tab symbol on it... So the King Singers and Sissel, Davie Archie, all good! Haha. Thanks for sending that! 

Unfortunately there weren't' any baptisms this past week... The 18 year old was out of town for the holidays so he'll get baptized on Sunday and who knows about the couple we have been teaching that will be married soon... They really need to get baptized! they are so ready but Satan is trying all he can to stop them. Please pray for them.

Anyways I'll let you know more for the Christmas stuff. Haven't really thought about it much but I know that the Lord lives. This week we were able to remember the reasons why we are thankful and hopefully we'll be able to remember those every day not just once a year. i am so thankful for all of you! I love each one of you so much! It's hard to be away from you during this holiday season but I know we are a family forever and I am so thankful for that! Love you lots!

-Elder David B. Fullmer

Pictures David sent on Novemebr 21st

November 21st letter

Dear Fullmer Family! 

Well this week has been a pretty good one. It has just flown by though. It just seems like it was P day. Anyways I hope it's been a good one for all of you. This past week we had our zone conferences where President Anderson talked about fears. He said that Heavenly Father has a plan for all of us but also that Lucifer has a plan. It's to place fear into our hearts. He taught us many way to confront this fear and to be successful knowing that we are doing the work of the Lord. 

Our regional doctor came in and talked a lot about stress. We but these little dots on our hands which tell us how stressed we are. Surprisingly I wasn't really stressed. I put it on the back of my nametag so i can just check how stressed I really am. haha. 

We did see some really amazing miracles this week though. During Zone Conference, we got a text from a member who said that her daughter's boyfriend, who had taken the lessons with the missionaries a while back, told them that he wants to get baptized. We met with him right after zone conferences and set him with a date for this next coming Sunday! He's incredible. He's 18 years old and so ready to be baptized! 

The couple we have been teaching are doing really well as well. They are pretty much for sure going to be married and baptized this next weekend. If they don't and I get transferred I don't know what I'm going to do...! They need it! But it'll happen.

During zone conference we also learned that we need to be more energetic and testify powerfully when we knock doors. We put that into effect and met some wonderful people prepared for the gospel. One night we were knocking doors and the first person that we met was this Cuban woman, probably 25 or so and was holding an avocado. She said that she really didn't have any time right now so that we could leave a blessing on her hand and as we testified that this is what she was looking for in her life she paused. Her ex father in law was there and apparently he's an ex Mormon as well... She looked at him and he said, "You should listen to what they have to say." She let us in where we left a blessing with her and her daughter. We later learned that she had been wanting to go to a church but didn't know where to go. She had been feeling alone lately and was so grateful for the blessing that we left with her. 

Another woman we met on Saturday was from Cuba as well... Surprise! She was so surprised that we could speak Spanish and absolutely loved the blessing that we left with her. For the past 3 weeks or so it had been so hard finding people who spoke Spanish. On Friday and Saturday we blessed 7 homes in Spanish. It was incredible. The Lord is guiding us!

This is going to be probably the most different Thanksgivings that I've ever had before. We got our food list from the ward for the week and the family who signed up for us for Thursday came up to us in church and handed us a $20 bill for our food... I don't know if they didn't realize it was Thanksgiving but we get to try and come up with something. It doesn't really matter but it would be nice to eat some turkey :) It'll be great!

 

This past week I had been having the craving to bake... then the pie book came in the mail! AHHH! It was like manna from heaven! Haha. So now I have the plan today to bake pies for the missionaries in the district. I was going to be baking with Sister Anderson but her plans changed and wouldn't be able to do it... Ohh well! I'm super excited to make pies today!

That's awesome to hear about Kurt Bestor Mom! I'm sure he remembered me when I sang in his Christmas concert... Psyche! But I'm glad that you finally found your song that you've been searching for. Ya for Christmas music we can only listen to MoTab. We found the Sissel CD in our appt and we've been listening to that constantly! Haha. She's so good! But ya if you could send the iPod with Christmas music and maybe General Conference talks I'd really appreciate it! 

Now for Christmas gifts? I have no idea... I've got scrips... Well maybe some new Spanish ones. a while ago mine got wet in the rain. They're still usable but I'll have to think about it. I might need some new shoes as well. Mine are getting kinda worn out from so much harvesting :) You could send those other shoes that I left at home as well when you have time. No need to rush. But I'll just have to think a little harder about Christmas. 

Way to break a tooth Mom... that's all i have to say about that. :)

Well I hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving this next Thursday! I will be thinking about you! Not too much but just enough :) I love you all so much! thank you Mom for sending me the Wendy's gift card. It was my companion's birthday on Saturday and his parents didn't really send him anything... I guess that's what happens being the youngest of 8... Anyways I spoiled him on his birthday. Took him to Wendy's and we had a great day! Thanks for that Mom! Anyways I love you all very much! I know that God lives and guides us. Let us be thankful for all of our blessings that God has given us and find others who we can share them with! Have a wonderful week!

-Elder David B. Fullmer

Weekly Report- Nov. 14th letter

Dear Fullmer Family,

How's everything been with all of you? I hope everything's going well! I can't believe how fast time is flying. It definitely does not seem like it's the middle of November already. Thanksgiving is next week?!?! What?!?! I can't believe it. Speaking of Thanksgiving... you know how much i love making pies so I was just wondering if you could possibly send me the Lion House pie book that I got last year... My companion just so happens to love pie as well and I'm sure some of the missionaries close by wouldn't mind a homemade piece of pie either ;) If you could stick that in with the Ensigns that would be fantastic!

Well, unfortunately the couple we are teaching who are really close to baptism were not married and baptized this past week... He's been so busy at work that he hasn't really had much time to go to the court house during the business hours to get everything done. We're praying that he can get a day this week to get it. They are so ready to get baptized. This past week we watched the Documentary about the life of Thomas S. Monson. It was very good. I don't know if you've seen it or not but it is very good. It's called, "On the Lord's Errand." You should get it! But they are doing well. Super strong! They're going to be great members and missionaries.

We have another really awesome investigator who I told you about last week. Well we had a very powerful lesson with her this past week. For some reason we have like a really powerful connection and it was definitely strong in this lesson that we had with her. In the lesson she told us some very strong issues she is dealing with and I wasn't really sure what I was going to tell her. I knew she needed to know that it was against the commandments but it isn't an easy thing to do telling someone. So while I was thinking about what to say I couldn't think of anything. Then I remembered to stop thinking about myself and think about what she needs to hear. It came. Love. I told her that Heavenly Father loves her so much. When I testified of this the Spirit was so powerful, one of the most powerful times I had ever felt it. While using this doctrine of the Love of God I told her this she said that she felt hopeful and that God did love her and would help her change her situation. Something very important that I learned in this lesson that it's impossible to tell someone that basically their whole life has been is sin and have them walk away saying that they feel hopeful and peaceful without the power of the Spirit. It's impossible! Nothing that we can tell them does anything positive without the Spirit testifying. During this lesson I had a moment, that is very difficult to describe, where I saw her the way that God sees her. It was overpowering and absolutely incredible! It was briefly but i will always remember it. I love being able to teach someone being guided by the Spirit. There is nothing like it to be able to tell someone EXACTLY what they need to hear. She decided to come to church yesterday and loved it. As she is making changes in her life it's very difficult but she felt very peaceful at church and knows what she needs to do. Her situation is much more than what I've told you and it's one of the most difficult situations that I've seen but she is so hopeful and knows that there is a way. I've learned so much from her and I'm so grateful to be able to teach her

Now to answer some of your questions... So about if I teach more in English or Spanish. Well because the branch that I'm in is a Spanish branch most of the lessons are in Spanish. The person I just talked about earlier in the letter is the only one who we teach in English, because she is fluent in both. Many of the lessons are in Spanglish though. It's very different teaching spanish in the states because if you don't know how to say something in Spanish you can usually just say it in English and they know what you're talking about. It's great! :) 

I can't believe that our room is clean! It's been some time since that room's been clean. Way to go Sam! 

Have any of you heard from the family moving to Utah yet? Are you friends on Facebook yet? 

It's too bad to hear about the Elders that died in Texas. I heard about it the other day from a member in the Branch. Do you have the names of the Elders who passed away?

We are mostly riding in cars right now but riding on bikes occasionally. The weather is so nice that it's not bad to ride bikes either. My knees are doing surprisingly well. I haven't had any problems with them... knock on wood... even with all the kneeling that I do. Lots of praying!

Well that's about all that I can say today. Thanks for telling me about Stake Conference. It sounded like it was a great meeting. I know that this is the work of the Lord. When we want to and trust the Lord, I know that He will guide us to those who are prepared and who are willing to accept this message that we carry. He loves us so much! He wants us to be happy and follow Him! How lucky I am to be on His errand. This church is true and I will always be grateful for the knowledge that I have. I love you all so much!

With love,

-Elder David B. Fullmer

P.S. If there is any piano music that you think I'd like... Send it here! I need Christmas music :)

November 7th letter

Dear Fullmer Family,

Can you believe it's already November? I definitely cannot. I'm not used to having only two seasons in Florida... Rainy season and not rainy season. The weather here has been absolutely beautiful! Sorry about the snow... I miss it but I think I'll stick with this weather for a little bit longer :) The mornings have been a little cool which have been really nice and the days, I imagine, are right around 75 or 80 degrees. Okay I'll stop rubbing it in your faces! 

 

This week has been very good! Not as crazy as last weeks but still has been good. The new member who was baptized was confirmed a member yesterday and she's never been happier. It's amazing. It makes me think of D&C 18:15 where it says, "If you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people and bring save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my father." (Sorry if it's not word for word... I only have my spanish scrips on me and so that's my rough translation...) It's true though. There is no greater joy than helping others come unto Christ!

Well this past week I also received a letter from one of  my favorite families from Miami Beach... They let me know in the letter that they are going to be moving to Provo, UT on November 30th!!!! The funny thing is that I joked with them all the time that they were going to move to Utah and she kept telling me that they would NEVER! Well... I guess they are! They might need some help moving everything and if you could keep any of the old toys that we never use any more I'm sure they'd absolutely love them! I don't think they're going to have much of anything in their new home. But it's very exciting to hear about! I don't know very many of the details but I'll let you know more when I hear more.

We have a new awesome investigator.. We have visited with her a few times and she just absolutely loves the Spirit. Her prayers are incredible. She says that whenever we come by something touches her heart and makes her feel happy! She's been in the Army for about 20 years of her life, and now she is working as an Orthopedic Surgical Assistant. Very cool huh? Every time we teach her I just feel so good! It's awesome finding new people who are so prepared to accept the gospel. There are a few barriers with her but we're working through them.

Now time for the couple we are teaching update! While i was on an exchange with the Zone Leaders this past Friday, My companion and another elder went to visit them. They talked about baptism and confirmation. Apparently they went to the court on Friday to fill out their marriage certificate and hopefully it'll be in by this Thursday so they can get married on Saturday and baptized on Sunday! That would be awesome! I love this work. Yesterday they came to church and the man was so friendly to one of the Sister's investigators who came to church. He sat next to him the whole time explaining things and just helping him along. He's practically already a member! It's great!

That's too bad to hear about and elder from our MTC group... Now only another elder and myself left from our district. But we're both going strong! Hopefully he'll recover soon so he can come back and serve the rest of his mission. He's a great Elder. I just saw him a few weeks ago and he told me that he might be going home. I wish him the best and pray that he will be coming back soon. This past week the brethren changed our mission boundaries. They added another stake to our mission called the Stuart Stake. We now have 25 new missionaries in our mission. I'm excited to get to meet them all. 

So I asked my companion if his dad had ever served as WML and he said that he had. He told me that he thinks he remembers a Elder MacKay but he's going to ask his dad if he can remember more clearly. That's super cool though! Who would have known? 

Well there's not much more to report from Florida. I know that as we follow what the Lord has asked us to do, he will guide our steps. In the Letter from the family they told me that they don't know why they need to go to Utah but that it's what's right for them at this time. I'm sure it's going to be hard for them because they have family in Florida but I'm confident that everything will work out. I love this work and I love my family! You're all so wonderful! Keep praying!

With Love, 

-Elder David B. Fullmer

Pictures David sent