"I can't read or see but I know how to feel" July 30, 2012

Dear Fullmer Family,

How are all of you doing? First of all HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY to SAM and GRANDMA!!! I hope you both had a wonderful day! This week for us has been really great! As a zone we had five baptisms and as a mission we had 39! So to end the month of July we had 141 baptisms. How incredible is that? The last mission record was 107... We destroyed that! Last July we had 50 baptisms as a mission. We almost tripled the numbers from last year! The work is definitely moving forward.

In our area we didn't have a baptism but the Sisters in our ward did. They weren't expecting to have one but we got a call from them saying they had an interesting story for us. So about five months ago, One of the sister missionaries contacted this woman on the street, or knocked her door, not quite sure, and tried to go back and see her but could never get ahold of her. However a day or so after she met them, two Elders who thought they were in their area but actually weren't knocked her door and taught her for the past four months or so. They called the sisters telling them that they accidentally had been teaching a woman in their area and she's preparing to be baptized on Saturday. They met and realized it was the same woman that she had found five months ago. How cool is that?!

I also found out something cool yesterday. So in the stake there was a Priesthood meeting for all of the Priesthood in the stake. A missionary companionship came with one of their recent converts. He saw my name tag and said, "Wait a minute... Elder Fullmer?" He then asked if I looked familiar, I sadly told him that I didn't know who he was. Well It turns out that when I was in my North Miami Beach, we had a leadership training meeting in Miami Lakes. As we were leaving the training, apparently I came up to him and gave him a card with my name on it. Long story short... He got baptized and now holds the Priesthood! How cool is that?!?!? Amazing!

Update on one of the families we are teaching. So the Mom and Dad came to church yesterday and loved it! They stayed for one of the baptisms that we had in the chapel, there were three that day. While the people involved in the baptism were changing they asked if anyone wanted to bear their testimony. The dad asked if he could. I was a little worried because he could get a little crazy and it was his first time at church but he stood up and bore a strong testimony. He said, "Well, I can't see very well and I don't really know how to pray, but these two young men came and knocked on my door and I came to church because I wanted to. I can't read or see but I know how to feel. I feel the love of God here." It was such a great experience for me! I love both of them so much! We've talked about chastity and they're working with the Bishop to be baptized. Such great faith! The word of wisdom will be the next challenge since four of the five items are being used on a daily basis :( However we feel like they'll accept it. 

So with my health problems, I got a call from a sister from the mission saying that I will be going to a doctor this week to see what's going on. Thank goodness. I received a blessing of health from my companion yesterday and hope everything will work out. 

Another investigator
 has been doing really well lately! He's been going to every ward activity and has been coming to church for the past three weeks. His best friend came up to us and said, "******** really is getting close. He's closer than I've seen him in a long time." I thank you all for the prayers in his behalf. It's only a matter of time :) 

Next week is indeed transfers... I can't believe it's gone by so fast. I hope my companion and I stay together because we get along so well together but I feel like I'm going to leave... Who knows? 

Well I love you all very much! Thank you for everything that you do for me :) This is the work of the Lord and I'm pleased to be on His errand. If there is anything I can do for you please let me know :) Sorry this letter is a bit short but I just can't think of anything else that happened this week. I know there is more but in the moment I can't think. Haha. I love you!

-Elder David B. Fullmer

Note from Mom: The zone challenge for this transfer is the Amazing Race. Each week they have been given members of the zone a different challenge. They will give out t-shirts to the members of the zone with this logo

Greatest Week in my Life- July 23rd

Dear Fullmer Family,

Que Pasa Mufasa? Well this week has been a great one! I think I've learned more in this week then in any other week of my mission, so you could say any week of my life. As I've been studying the Atonement basically everyday and including it in every single lesson that I teach my understanding has increased and my love for the work as also never been higher. We started this week well, last Monday, by going to downtown to do a little sightseeing. We went to the American Airlines Arena, aka Home of the MIAMI HEAT! It was really cool! However, as we were leaving the stadium to go see another place it started to rain, and I mean rain! We took the train downtown so we couldn't just get in our car. Let's just say we got a little wet :) We went down with the Sisters and we had a really fun time! Don't worry, I'll send pictures.


So for this week the challenge was to Baptize. We did our absolute best! We were working really hard with our investigator. We saw her pretty much everyday and she was set on getting baptized on Sunday. Two of the lessons that I had with her were some of the most spiritual lessons I've had on my mission. However, Sunday came and she didn't come to church. She was no where to be found... I fasted for her twice this past week and I thought I was doing everything I could for her. Yesterday was a tough day because I really was devastated. I knew of the blessings that she would receive that day and it was really hard for me to see her not accept it. I learned a lot about me yesterday realizing that I'm putting my heart into the work. Her family really is falling apart and I knew that she needed the Spirit and the blessings from the Atonement as soon as possible. It was tough for me to see her turn on them... However, when she didn't show up I felt peace knowing that I did absolutely everything that I could this past week to help her. We will continue to help her prepare and recognize more for herself and hopefully she'll accept it soon.

This past week as a zone we were able to have five baptisms which contributed to the mission total for the month of 102 baptisms! It was so exciting because this was the first time in mission history that we hit 100+ in only four weeks. It was very exciting to see the faith that the missionaries have to bring others unto Christ.

As we went out and harvested this past week we found an amazing family! They are the ****** Family. One of the coolest families I've taught. In the Family there are 2 parents and 2 daughters. Super cool family. The dad, is legally blind but has the biggest heart in the world. They said that if we need anything for them, food, laundry, a ride, or medicine, or anything that we could think of they'll do it for us. The mom was crying thanking us for coming and seeing them and practically begging us to give them our laundry for them to do. They said that since our parents are back home they will be our parents here. They accepted to be baptized and really want this for their family. We found out last night that they're not married but we're going to talk about the law of chastity tonight with them. We feel like they're going to accept it :) I love them so much and can't wait for them to be baptized!

Something else that happened this past week is that we had an amazing lesson with our other investigator, you know the one that graduated from BYU and isn't a member? Yeah, well we taught him last Wednesday about the blessings that come form the Atonement... Namely healing, strength and power. We really applied it to his life and raised up his desires. We asked him if he could have a key to receive strength to help him withstand the things in his life and the power to make changes for himself with the help of God how would it benefit him... He said it's looking really good to him. We explained that it's only through Baptism that we can receive that. He said that if he could just sign a paper he'd do it but he's just afraid of doing the ordinance. I've never had an investigator that's afraid of performing the ordinance. He's making big progress though. Yesterday he came to church and was there for all of sacrament meeting. He usually comes late and misses the ordinance but yesterday we were talking to him about how it was and he said, "I was wonderful. It was very reflective, like I was able to just look back on the week." He's so ready to get baptized!!! Also on Saturday there was a stake picnic on Key Biscayne. We weren't planning on going because we didn't have enough miles and we weren't going to have any investigators there but we got a text from our investigator asking us if we were going to go and if we needed a ride. So we went to Key Biscayne with him and his parents! It. was. beautiful!!! I love my mission! I can't even describe how beautiful it was. If you come pick me up, we're definitely going there! Amazing! ******** and his family really enjoyed it as well.

Well I don't have a lot of time left but I just want to bear my testimony that the Lord lives. His Atonement is available to everyone who follows him. As I've been studying it, my understanding on grace has increased as well. We definitely believe in Grace. However in the scriptures when the word grace comes up, if we put the words, "enabling power" (enabling power of the Atonement) in the place of it it makes it more clearer. For example, "for we are saved by (the enabling power) after all we can do." I love the Atonement and the blessings that we have available for us as we just come unto Christ and follow Him. I love all of you so much and I know you are being watched over and are being blessed. Have a great week.
-Elder David B. Fullmer

P.S. If you ever want to just send me stuff here are some things that I like:
-Eclipse Mints... Super good :)
-I use Sharpie pens (black fine tip) like there's no tomorrow
-And anything else you think I'd like :)

When we do what we're supposed to be doing, the Lord will bless us!

Hello Family!

How are all of you doing today? I hope you're all doing really well!

This past week has been really great! I've learned so many things and some really great things are happening in the area. My companion and I are getting along really well and I'm so grateful to have him as my companion. Some days I really don't have much energy at all because of the non-ciliac no one knows problem but he's great and has enough energy for the both of us. He's really patient and just really wants to do his best always.

So this past week we had the opportunity to have Specialized Training with President and Sister Anderson. A lot of the things that we learned were the same things that we talked about at ZLC but it helped me a lot to learn the things again and catch the things I missed the first time. One of the things he shared with us was the talk by Elder Bruce R. McConkie about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It was the talk he gave right before he died. It was very powerful and I learned so much about representing Jesus Christ. The Specialized Training was from about 9:30 to 3:30 and then at 6:00 we had a meeting with the Stake President and President Anderson. We talked about the work in our stake and how we can improve. In that meeting I got kinda spiritually slapped and realized I had so much I needed to learn. These men know so much about the Gospel and compared to them I know nothing. However it was a great experience for me to take in new things and apply them into the work. That day was really mentally draining. We came home and just about passed out. Haha.

Yesterday we were also able to be around President and Sister Anderson when they came to speak in our ward and give a 3rd hour training about Mormon.org and missionary work. We were so privelidged to have them there. I learned a lot of things about how we need to recognize the blessings that the Lord has given us. President talked about how when our understanding of the Atonement increases, our own personal lives become less important to us and our desire to help others increases. However when our understanding of the Atonement remains small, our minds become more focused on ourselves and less on the lives of others. So as we become "at-one" with the Savior and his Atonement we move closer to those that are important to us and our desire to help them increases. I made the connection that that is why going to the temple is so important. It helps us put ourselves last. We are so focused on the Savior and others that we really leave feeling closer to others and those that we love. I encourage you all to go to the temple this week and I promise you that the problems in your lives will be alliviated.

This week we had the choir sing...Oh well, the ward choir enjoied the ward choir. Haha. On Tuesday night as we were leaving the Recent Convert class, ******** (a recent convert) was happier than I've seen him in a long time, and it's not like he's usually not happy. In the car ride he was teaching us these old Cuban songs and they're amazing! I can't wait to let you hear them. Yesterday in Gospel Principles the topic was on work in the gospel and how we need to be cheerfully doing the work. He started to talk about how the he got a job this past week in Walgreens cleaning bathrooms. He said that it's not the most desirable job but he's going to make the best out of it. He had such a big smile on his face when he said he got a job! He then told us that the bathroom's he's going to clean will be the cleanest that they can be! Haha. He's such an amazing guy! I've learned so much from him and he contiually amazes me.

Yesterday while we were at church a man walked in and told us he was taught by the missionaries about four years ago. He promised them that he would come to church and so he came yesterday. He was very apprehensive because he had heard a lot of things about the church. He loved President's talk and also the third hour presentation. Afterwards the other ward who meets in our chapel was having a baptism and we asked him if he wanted to stay and watch. There weren't many people at the service but he stayed. The Spirit was so strong and we asked him how he felt and he said, "Amazing. I want to get baptized!" We invited him to be baptized next weekend and he immediately accepted. Miracles are happening because of our hard work. Also we have an investigator named ****** that will most likely be baptized next weeked as well. Her two sons also want to be baptized. They're amazing! When we do what we're supposed to be doing, the Lord will bless us!

That's all of the time I have today, however there is so much I could talk about. I know that the Lord blesses us when we're obedient through ways we may not even see. Challenge the Lord and go to the Temple this week and think about the Why of the temple, every part of it. As you think of the Why, understanding will come. I know miracles will happen if you do so. I love you all and I hope you have a great week.

Con Mucho Amor,

-Elder David B. Fullmer

The Power of Introspection- July 9, 2012

Dear Fullmer Family,

How are all of you doing? I pray that you are all doing well and are safe. Everything is going really well here in Florida. Happy 4th of July! Our's wasn't very exciting at all. We worked all day however we did have great success! The good thing about holidays is that people are actually in their homes during the day :) It was a good day. There were fireworks all during the night but it didn't really bother us much.

This week we had the opportunity to go on an exchange with the Assistants which went really well actually. I learned many things especially on my calling as a zone leader. They were really pleased with how well we're working leading the zone and gave us things to improve on. We also did a training for one of our district leaders on their role as a district leader. It was wonderful :) Then later in the week we had Zone Leader Council. It was fantastic! So much was talked about but one thing that I really enjoyed was how they spoke about the power of introspection. There is great power to be able to look into yourself and see the things that need to improve. Not only is it powerful it's completely necessary. If you don't every look into yourself to see what needs to change there never is progression.That's what we've been working on in our own area and in our zone. As we've been doing that we've seen improvement and success. It was a great council :) I always love being in the Mission Home. There is such a special feeling there.

This past week we met with the husband of one of our investigators. We talked about baptism through the Book of Mormon and it was so powerful! He wants to get baptized with his wife. We're still waiting on her work schedule... Darn work. It will be soon :)

My favorite lesson of the week was with the young man we are teaching. We saw him on Tuesday night at a YSA activity and asked if we could go by and see him. We went over on Thursday to meet with him (in his mansion...) I had a strong impression while planning for the lesson to talk about the blessings of the Gift of the Holy Ghost. We went in there and asked him what his goals in life were and where he felt like it was going.

He wants a family and to start a business and has these wonderful goals but when he talked about how it was going he wasn't sure. He feels like he's hit a road block not really sure where his life is going for him. We then talked about the Gift of the Holy Ghost and how it helps us know the will of God for our lives in helping us make decisions. He perked up a little bit. We explained the difference between the presence of the Holy Ghost and the Gift of the Holy Ghost. He's been having a hard time recognizing it. He's such a pure person and probably has never done anything wrong in his entire life so he feels the presence of the Holy Ghost a lot. To make a long story short he asked, "What do I need to do to get the Gift of the Holy Ghost." We said, "Baptism." He wasn't very happy to hear that. He asked, "is there any other way besides baptism?" Nope there's not. He made big progress in that lesson and yesterday he came to church and loved it!!! He'll be getting baptized soon :)

So for the past couple weeks we've been having choir practice... AKA the worst thing in my life!!! Hahaha. It's so funny. If you think our choir at home is bad, it's ten times worse in a Spanish ward! My companion absolutely loves it :) He just goofs off and is having a blast :) the choir is supposed to sing next week when President and Sister Anderson are going to speak in the ward. Definitely not looking forward to that... It's definitely an experience.

Well all in all this has been on of the best weeks in a while. We've been seeing great success in the area and in the zone. As I've been studying the Atonement this past week it really has made me realize the necessity of following Jesus Christ. There really is no other way. I love this Gospel and this work! The Lord is with us! I love you all so much. Please keep me in your prayers :)

con mucho carino,

Elder David B. Fullmer

Give me this Mountain- July 2, 2012

Dear Fullmer Family,

Well June is gone and July is rolling in! It's my 15 month mark today (note from Mother, it is actually his 16th month mark) which I cannot believe! It's a new transfer as well and I have to say I'm really excited for it! My new companion is named Elder ****** **** from St. George Utah. He's great! He's been out just under a year and has a ton of energy! He's 20 years old and is a fire ball! We're getting along really well and have a lot of things planned for this zone. It's his first time being a zone leader so I'm his ZL trainer.

It's been a lot of fun. One of the things we've been planning for this transfer is the zone challenge! For this transfer we came up with "The Amazing Race Miami Transfer- July 2012" We're really excited for it. So what it consists of is every week we give the zone a new objective in a confidential envelope to every companionship. Every week they need to do their best to acheive the challenge which will contribute to the zone vision (the goals for every week). It's really fun! (I'll forward this week's challenge to you). Mom, or Whitney or anyone, I was wondering if you could come up with a design of the Title, The Amazing Race Miami Zone Challenge July 2012 in the text or design of the show The Amazing Race. What we're thinking of doing is making a t shirt for everyone for the end of the transfer. It doesn't have to be done right away but if you can think about it and put your creative juices together that would be great!

So this week we weren't in our area very much but the time that we had to work was great! Saturday morning was an incredible one! We went around seeing the investigators to invite them to come to church or to teach them. We got in contact with an investigator who we hadn't seen in quite some time and taught her about baptism and how the Spirit will strengthen the family. She accepted to be baptized on July 14th.

Then as we were about to leave we went to go see an investigator whom we hadn't seen probably in 3 weeks. She was home and we went in. We said a prayer and she broke down into tears. She lost her job the day before and her life has been really tough. We talked about the blessings of the Gospel and she said that she wants to be baptized.

She also accepted to be baptized on the 14th. Then I had a strong feeling to go see ******. We hadn't talked to her all week but we went over there and knocked on her door and she wasn't there... We knocked again and no one. We heard the elevator open and she said, "Hermanos!" (which means brothers!) She's been working like crazy and I asked her if she had work tomorrow (Sunday) and she said she didn't. I asked her, "Do you want to be baptized tomorrow?" She said, "Can I?" Of course we said yes and then I remembered that we hadn't taught her the Word of Wisdom yet and it so in the hallway we taught her the word of wisdom. We taught her the blessings first and she was like, what is it? tell me! We explained it and she said she drank coffee every morning. We said it was revealed through the Prophet Joseph Smith and she said, "I know that he's a prophet and that this is true! I won't drink coffee anymore!" The Spirit was so strong and we were really excited! The next morning we got a call saying that her work called and said she needed to be in at 9:00 AM. She couldn't get baptized yesterday but she will be very soon!

That's so wonderful to hear about Jazzie's baptism! I'm so happy for her!

Well, that's about all I've got to say for the week! I love you all so much and I know that we're all blessed as we go through hard things. Give me this Mountain! Have a great week!

-Elder David B. Fullmer

 (another note from mom... the picture is courtesy of a member in Florida who is town this week. Brian met him today)