P-Day 18

Hi Niam

 

What a stressful but amazing week! By the way I am completely better now! I had to drink a case or two of Gatorade a day but I am better now!

 

Our roads are soooo bad..... They are all ice and snow. Good thing I don't drive... There were 92 accidents in Anchorage last night. We got 6 inches overnight! And look at these temps...... -2 next week already.....

 

This week was scary and extremely stressful. It started out with the normal baptismal preparation: Getting speakers picked, getting the building reserved, etc. etc. All of that went smoothly. Then Wednesday comes the baptismal interviews. Since Elder Vang is the DL, he cannot do the baptismal interview and our ZLs have to do them. All 6 of the ones being interviewed speak English pretty good but they prefer Hmong since they were all born in Thailand. So me and Elder Vang got to act as translators. Everyone passed with flying colors! I got to sit in on Bao's and translate and it was the most spiritual interview I have ever been able to sit on. On every question she answered it and bore her testimony on it and how she gained that testimony. I don't ever remember teaching her all that stuff but she took the initiative to learn more about every topic we discussed and I think she is almost done reading the BoM too... What a stud!

So everything went well there. Thursday we get a call from Bao.... She said she didn't feel comfortable being baptized with her cousins and wanted to move it. We thought that was weird because she hangs out with her cousins all the time. We said we would talk to her on Friday and get this all straightened out and to move her date. 

Friday comes... Turns out her parents didn't know she was going to be baptized.... The day before we find this out! Not even the day before. After Hmong night at 9pm! When we are supposed to be packing up to go in.... So we promised her we would talk to them and that she would be baptized tomorrow. Well we went over there.... at 10pm.... Spirit of the law and letter of the law! (My ZL told me that one time so its approved :P) We talked with her parents. At first they were worried. Hmong people are way to superstitious.... They were like "Since we are old culture, if she gets baptized doesn't that mean she can't live with us.." Ugh! We told them that wasn't the case. Then after talking and talking and talking, finally the dad came up with this super crazy, totally incorrect theory but works for now. The dad said: "If her cousins get baptized then all the bad spirits will go to Bao if she isn't baptized" (Hmong people have this weird issues with bad vibes and bad spirits and their theories on them are completely wrong but hey it let her be baptized so we will correct that later.) So finally at 11pm, we got everything set for the baptism! And they were baptized!

 

There have been just wayyyy too many miracles these last few weeks. There have been lots of little things that just seem to be adding up to this giant picture. One day we were impressed to go to Lori Vue's house. We lost contact with them for a long time and we wanted to see how they were doing. We got there and then told them about the Building halloween party. She said she was actually looking for something for her 7 year old son to do that day and that she would bring her family. Well, she came. Turns out Mai Nhia, our super awesome RS second counselor who is just killing it right now, is her cousin in law. They knew each other and Mai Nhia invited them to church. So they came because they felt a little more comfortable now that they knew Mai Nhia. So when they come, it happens to be the week Sunday School is teaching "Eternal Marriage." So, everytime we did service for Lori in that past she would ask us questions about how families can be together forever. She really loves that topic and the week she comes is the week we happened to have that topic in Sunday School. It is also the Sunday before Bao and them are being baptized. We had all these new Young Women coming and they actually went and showed Lori's daughter Lauren around. Bao talked to her about Baptism and what it is.

 

We are sitting in district meeting, since it is the last one of the transfer we were talking about the miracles throughout the transfer. Me and Elder Vang talked about Bao and her cousins. When we finished we got a text and I opened it. Lauren texted us saying she wanted to be baptized. We were like "Well here is another miracle" and read the text. We just cracked jokes that we just sit around and wait for people to text us asking to be baptized. 

 

We had never really talked to Lauren. We go over there and talked to her. She just said that Bao's words about baptism resonated inside of her and she had a feeling this is what she needed to do and she wanted to be baptized on December 12th and she didn't know what to do. We had never taught this girl anything and she felt like this is what she needed to do... Holy Ghost! So we are teaching her and preparing her for that. 

 

Joanna was released from Primary that same week that Lori came. Lori is a single mother right now, Joanna felt prompted to go sit next to her in Sunday School and RS. They are about the same age and they just hit it off. Lori opened up about everything to her and they have become great friends. 

 

The ward has seen how hard me and Elder Vang have worked. They have become really missionary minded. Anytime someone new is there now, they flock and fellowship. Everyone that comes feels comfortable now. Our number in attendance is growing rapidly every week. We have to bring in a lot of extra chairs into the RS room for sacrament meeting now. Less actives are coming, people I have never seen before, our investigators. It is crazy! The work is going by wayyyyy too fast right now. It is hectic. Lots and lots of miracles and things adding up. 

 

Oh yeah and Saturday we are going to the temple with Bao and her cousins to do baptisms for the dead!

 

I am staying in the Hmong branch with Elder Vang. 6 months with one comp... I love it! Me and him have become best friends. This is his last transfer before he goes home too :/

 

I have to send the pictures in a second email but they are coming!  Have a wonderful week! 

Elder Frey

 

 Bao and her mom

 

 

Halloween 2015

The Hmong and Choo Foo Elders dressed for Halloween.  I didn't get this picture in my email, but the mom of a sister missionary in their district sent it to me.

P-Day 17

Nyob Zoo Niam!

Kuv nyiam lub kaum hli tshaj lub kaum ib hli. Kuv tsis nyiam thaum tes poob los. Kuv tsis tau xis nyob thiab kuv yuav mus saib tus nais maum tagkis.* Hehehe!

Okay I'll write in English...

Hi Niam!
**I went to the nurse and I told her about my symptoms, specifically my head. She checked for a concussion, nothing there. But my blood pressure will randomly drop from 126/80 to 106/56, especially when I stand. She thinks there is still some dehydration and I will continue to drink and drink as I have been. She told me to eat more greens (Thats hard here in the hmong branch) and to try a multivitamin. I will check back with her in a week. (**Written mid-week last week).

I bought lots of good foods to eat. I'm still having those problems. Yesterday during church it was particularly bad and I had to walk out of sacrament and classes. I'm going to see the nurse again tomorrow.

I think we are still (singing at the transfer meeting)! Practicing tonight. It's going to be us 4 Hmong speakers. Elder Styler is going home so we are singing God be with you til we meet again in Hmong!

Bao is being baptized this Saturday with her cousins! Okay so I have no cool stories this week. It was rough with the medical things.

Bowling today with the zone. It's snowed the last 3 days and is
supposed to for the next week. Roads are closed. Lots of ice so we have to be careful.

There is someone coming this transfer from San Tan Valley, Drew Johnson? I don't know where he is from in STV. I'll find out.

Love you!
Hayden

*Translation (according to Google):
Dear Mother!
I like October better than eleven months (November) . I do not like when snow falls . I can not get comfortable and I could see the nurse tomorrow.

P-Day 16

Hi mom!

Dang, all the clothes you send me fit, but are on the larger side... Do you think I'm getting fat :P They fit and work well! I love them and thank you so much for them.

 

We killed it when we could work. I got really sick during the week. At first I thought it was awful food poisoning. I was throwing up all day for a 24 hour period. Anytime I would try to eat or drink anything I would throw it up. It was awful and I went almost 30-35 hours without anything because I couldn't keep it in. I thought it was food poisoning but I have some lingering things that I am watching carefully. I get dizzy at random times, I have headaches that seem like they are right behind the eyes. When I get dizzy there is pressuring in that same spot. I cannot seem to really hydrate no matter how much I drink. I don't have my appetite back fully. On Saturday we went to Texas Road House and I ate 2 rolls and my fries and I literally couldnt eat anything more. I saved the ribs and I managed to slowly gnaw away at them. I was just wondering if you had an idea of what that could be? I am watching it carefully and I will talk to the mission nurse if this keeps going on.**

 

So there is this old potential investigator Elder Vang had in this area a year ago. She is the daughter of a LA (less active). Yesterday we felt prompted to go to that house. When we saw her we shared with her the Because He Lives video and a message about Christ and how he can bring us hope and comfort in this life. Well she opened up to us about all these struggles and really bad things that have happened to her in her life and how she was super depressed and was trying to find ways to find peace and that it was exactly what she needed. It was great! We were prompted to go there. 

 

The family is awesome! We met with them a few times. Super Golden. Good thing me and Elder Vang know our stuff!! They asked deep doctrinal questions, like where the Garden of Eden was, the color of Jesus's eyes etc. You know your investigators are golden when they ask questions and want to learn as well as keep commitments. Bao is as awesome as ever! We just finished up teaching her! The law of chastity.  Her cousins, that family we have on date, have said Bao has changed since even before the game thing. They said since she has been meeting with us and going to church she has talked a lot more and not been as shy. When we played ultimate frisbee with her one Hmong night, she got so into it and was having fun and laughing. It was awesome! Things are going well besides the little sickness! 

 

Love you!

Elder Frey

**I told him to go to the nurse now rather than wait.  I also deleted a few graphic descriptions of his illness.

 

 Petting a moose

 Celebrating some Birthdays- Joanna's and one of the other Elder's.

 Enjoying Cream Soda

Watching "Happy Feet".  (Apparently that is allowed)

P-Day 15

Hi Mother,

We taught Bao the Plan of Salvation this week and we talked about
baptisms for the dead. She was really excited. She has names right now ready to take to the temple and she isn't even baptized yet! She is so excited to be baptized. We have 2 more lessons with her and they are getting done this week.

So our record for people was shattered again. We had 65 people show up! It was awesome! We had a ton of less actives there too! As well as 15 investigators this time. It was a good week! Lots of drama but you know.

Hope you have a good week! Love you!
Hayden

First baptism that he performed a baptism.

Lucky the Moose



P-Day 14

*Elder Frey asked me to censor out some names and other sensitive information before posting, so I hope this makes sense...

Hi lovely mother!

Okay so I read your email then it disappeared so I'm replying based off of memory.

The one in Joanna's pictures is Tsemeng, President Lee's son.
President Lee is a perfect BML because he speaks Hmong, Thai, Laotian, and English. So he covers all but Cambodian and Mien. Which we have none of, yet.

My ponderize scripture is 1 Nephi 13:37

Talk about a wonderful sabbath day.. We had 60 people show up! We filled up the whole relief society room. We had 15 investigators there too! We are hopefully moving into the chapel soon. We have had ridiculous high attendance lately; the highest in the branch's
history! The Lord is hastening his work.

Miracles... There was a huge one this week. It is a long story. I will
take time to type it out because it is wonderful!
One day we were tracting in a trailer park. Me and Elder Vang always collect loose change when we see it. We saw a quarter on the ground. After stopping to pick it up, we decided to just go knock on that door. While walking up we saw a quarter on their porch and we picked it up.  We went over and knocked and it was a a very young married couple (Younger then me!!). Their parents were shaman, but they said they believed in God and they had some questions. We sat down the them for about two hours and talked then talked about the restoration and Book of Mormon. They were excited. While leaving there was a quarter in that same spot where we picked one up early. It was a bread trail to their house. Not only did we find some amazing investigators but also $.75!

We tried to get in contact with them and we couldn't. The house we saw them at wasn't theirs. We got their number and we called and no one picked up. One day while tracting we felt an overwhelming urge to go to that house. We went and knocked on that house and they were there!

They were church shopping and they visited a lot of different
churches. They didn't like any of them. They started meeting a
Jehovah's Witness and they just didn't feel it was right. That night the wife had a dream with us in it and something told them to go to that house at 2. So when we showed up at 2 they knew this was the right church.

So they came to church this week. They called us and asked where we met again and times and they said they and their sisters would go. This is where it gets really whacky. They show up to church yesterday. Bao (the girl he mentioned last week) did too. They saw each other after sacrament because we got them together to show them where to go. Turns out that family were her cousins and her cousin in law...  Neither had a clue we were teaching each other,
neither did we, but it really shows that the Lord knows his work more then us!

They all have an insane amount of fellowshippers. Everyone took them in. We didn't commit the family to baptism, they committed themselves along with the ward encouraging them to join. All on the family's first day. We are going to help them through this with President Lee and President Lampert. Then we just need to find them a date when they are all available! And teach them the lessons.

Along with that, Bao committed herself to baptism on October 29th! We brought her to a baptism and she felt the spirit so strong (btw baptism #7 happened on Saturday! It was a part member family). It was awesome.

Funny story too! We were talking to Bao after church asking
when we can meet with her. We asked if Wednesday at 5 works, she responded, "Not really, I have to go to Young Women's night." My heart swelled up with joy! It was so awesome. She is a stud.

Funnier story. That family, the two youngest have very interesting names. The first one is Yauxej, which in English is Joseph. The youngest is YuTha, which is pronounced "Utah." Their shaman parents had no clue.

We have another baptism this Saturday... We are dunking 6 people! The Hmong branch is killing it right now! Soon we will be a ward!

Hope you have a good week!
Elder Frey

 

 Not sure what these building are or if he's just showing us the snow.

P-Day 13

 

(Background- Elder Frey emailed me on Thursday last week to ask about a recipe because they were going to do a spaghetti dinner for conference on Saturday.  I gave it to him, but called him out on his disobedience.  Also, in my email to him this week I wrote in all caps I LOVE GENERAL CONFERENCE!  Then I proceeded to list all of my favorite talks.  His first paragraph is poking fun at me.)

 

Hi!

 

I'm writing on Monday :P isn't it wonderful? I LOVE P-DAY!! All the possibilities are awesome, but a few that have stood out to me was when we hiked McHughes Peak Trail, when we hiked Thunderbird falls, and when we had Zone P-Day at Eklutna lake. 

 

Now that I am done making fun of your email... I watched all general conference with one of our investigator girls, Bao. I can't share much personal detail about her at this time, but she has come to church every week, we meet with her 3-4 times a week, and she watched all of GC with us at the Xiong's. She does everything she needs to improve and grow closer to God, even when her situation holds her back or inhibits her. At GC she was much improved and those forces aren't holding her back. 

 

Turns out we didn't do spaghetti, so my small act of disobedience was in vain. 

Also, I may be singing at the next transfer meeting with Elder Vang, another Elder Vang, and Elder Styler with a Hmong musical number. Two transfer meetings ago Elder Vang had a musical number that was awesome!

 

Besides General Conference we had nothing this week really. It was transfer meeting, then Zone meeting. We got a ward mission leader finally! President Lee. He was the old branch president and then was on the high council but they just released him. My first Ward mission leader. 

 

Love you!

Elder Frey