1TON Service:5K=2K

Aloha! This week has been a bit of a struggle for us, but it all is worth it when you know that you are serving The Lord by serving others! To kick the week off, let's start with district meetings. This week, I was planning on teaching about becoming a consecrated missionary and how we need to be exactly obedient to make miracles happen. Sadly, because of Elder Cline calling the Doctor to tell him that he wasn't feeling any better. In the end, he just said to continue taking the medication that was given to Elder Cline and he wanted me to go and get checked out for Strep. Yes, my throat was sore, but he insisted. This trip to the doctors took place over district meetings because he said to go right in the morning. So what was he end result? Me at an urgent care being told that I don't have Strep, but still needing to take some medicine for it, and half of my district at the meeting. Apparently, our sisters were sick with something and they didn't show up, so the zone leaders ended up splitting up the two companionships that showed up and sent them to other district's meetings. I was pretty upset that this had to happen..... So that happened....

     The rest of the week was filled with service for a ton of people. We biked somewhere and helped a 92 year old lady with her garden and weeded that out. It took us a total of four hours for that. I was super happy that we helped out and it was all worth it when we saw the look on her face when we finished. I'm telling you, service has a way of making you feel amazing.

     The next day, we helped out the Chandlers by moving some huge filing cabinets and mattresses out of their basement. The Chandlers are an elderly couple with a 35 year old daughter who has Down's syndrome. They are amazing people and just got back from serving a mission. Later in the week, we came and helped with their yard and dug up and replanted a couple of their bushes to stop a leak into their basement. We probably spent a total of six hours over at their house this week, just in doing service. 

     The next day, we helped a former Bishop of this Ward with some yard work so he can attract some buyers to purchase his house. His family is in Utah and he can't be over there with them until he sells his house, but he has so much faith that the Lord with provide ways. He is such an amazing person and loves to do missionary work.

     And to wrap it all up with a bow and all that jazz, we helped set up for a 5K that our Ward and a couple other churches put together as a day to serve. We had the Presbyterian church and the Vienna Baptist church helping us with it. We woke up around 05:00 that morning and went over there to set up by 06:00. We set up and then grabbed some tables, pamphlets, pictures of Jesus, mormon.org cards, and had our iPads playing the #BecauseofHim video. To make it look fancier, we got a canopy. So what we did, was sit there, and sit there some more because we weren't allowed to try and convert people, we could only answer questions. The part that was a problem was the fact that the other churches didn't even show up....... So there we sat... The lone canopy shaded table surrounded by members of our own faith. Epic failure... At least we raised $2,000 

     Well, there's my week for you! A ton of service and a 5K that was only worth 2K, but in the end we always feel like a million bucks.

Love ya!

 ~ Elder Zac Snell

Keep That Fire Burning

Welcome back! It feels like about a week since I have heard from
you. Probably because it has been about a week. Hmmm..... I wonder
why. Anyways, this week has probably been one of the most eventful and
yet the least eventful. I had one of my sisters in the district get
transferred out unexpectedly. That was interesting. Now here are two
really new sisters in that area. Basically, they both don't know the
area very good and it was like they whitewashed the area. So that's
new!

     Elder Cline and I had to take a trip to urgent care because Elder
Cline wasn't getting better, so we got him checked out! Turned out
that he was diagnosed with strep throat, a lung infection and ear
infection. By the time transfers come, I won't know my area super
well, but I have gotten a few opportunities to give blessings. :) they
are great!

     This week, we also had interviews with President Riggs! He talked
a lot about gathering the low hanging fruits which are as follows:
Part member families and older primary kids. We need to find them and
teach them! It will happen. Along with the meetings with President
Riggs, we had District Meetings! I taught my first district meeting
ever and it was EPIC!!! So I wrote our title for the meeting and what
we would be learning about on the back side of a swivel chalkboard and
left it there till it was time to introduce. When the time called for
it, I said I was about to reveal the topic for today. I then clicked
play on the superman theme song. I let the suspension build until the
while band came in after the intro and I quickly spun around the chalk

board to reveal this: See Pictures

I  would like to tell everyone that I am super grateful to have such an amazing
grandpa. Even though he walked me around the block with a leash
attached to my belt loops that only makes me love him more. He told
that story at my eagle court of honor and it only seems fitting to
mention it at his funeral too. :P I love Grandpa Wood! I am excited
to have him be with me and Mikell as we serve our missions. I know
that he loved his mission. He sent me a letter telling me about his
mission and how great it was for him. I strive to follow my Grandpa's
example he has set for all of us. I will miss him, but I know I will
see him again. The last few words I told my grandpa after I skyped
with him and talked with him for the last time during his earthly life
was, "I will see you later." I know this is true.

Elder Snell

1 year mark Burning of the Shirt

Worn From Service

    Hey, guys! This last week want by sorta slow because Elder Cline
was sick for most of it. It got to the point where he couldn't bike up
and down the physically demanding hills of McLean with out coughing up
a lung. I felt super bad. Anyways, I am just learning the basics of
being a district leader now and think I am grasping hold of things.
The district that I have stewardship over are great Elders and Sisters
who love to serve The Lord. There is Elder Annis and Elder Meldrum.
These Elders are our room mates an I have already grown to love them.
They serve in the McLean 1st ward with Sister Andrade and Sister
Patten. I don"t know how well they get along, but I have a feeling
they might have clashing personalities. Then there are the McLean 2nd
Sisters who serve in our ward. They are Sister Barrus and Sister
Deaver. I have actually served around both of them before, so I know
them pretty well. I am loving the district so far, so that's good! :)

    So I woke up this morning and I looked at my watch and saw what
today's date is and t turns out that it was the 15th. 9/15/14. Does
that date look familiar to anybody? Huh? Give up? Well, it looks like
it is the same date that I gave my farewell talk on, except that there
is a 14 on the end instead of a 13. Wait... Does that mean that I am
three days away from being half way done!? Hmmmm.... :/ that's really
a sad thought, actually..... I really love being here and serving
those around me and it makes me sad that one year goes by that fast.
You know, they say that it only goes faster once you hit your year
mark. You blink and the next thing you know is that you are at 19
months. I sat on my bed after I got ready for the day and sat
pondering about how much fun I have had and all of the good I have
done from just serving one year. I felt a little sad that I am half
way through, but it's a testimony of how great this work really is for
everyone. I have realized that I have consecrated my self to The Lord
for two short years, and I will have an eternity to look back at it
with either one of two emotions: Satisfaction or Regret. Am I really
giving it my very best? I feel like I can always do better. Have I
done enough? I don't think I will ever be able to answer a solid yes
to that, there is always more to give, especially if the time is set
apart to devote all your time, energy, and passion to this great and
marvelous work. With that I leave my concluding remarks for this year.

              I want my life to be like my shoes; Worn from service.

    There are few eternally satisfying things you can do during this
part of our Heavenly Father's plan, and I believe that service is one
of them. I have loved every single moment.

~ Elder Zac Snell

Do you think he needs new shoes??? Ha Ha :)

Trading Spaces

Oh! Why hello! I didn't see you there. What can I do for you?
Anything? Anything at all? Well, if you don't speak up, then I guess
you are going to have to do something for me! Listen to my story I
have this week, that is. It's pretty legit.

     Let's go back to a land that is a good distance from where I am
now, back to the Fort (Belvoir). Monday night. We were sitting around
the table casting our votes as to where we thought everyone was going
to go. Everyone guessed that I would probably go to the Ashburn zone
and Elder Farnes would go to the Oakton zone. We were pretty sure that
we were both leaving. Well after our lots were cast, we decided to go
to bed early so we would have more energy for the long day that
awaited us. I say my prayers and get into bed, as does Elder McInerny.
The lights are shut off and we start to fall asleep. Suddenly, our
attempt to sleep was disrupted by the noise of our phone's ring tone.
I shot out of bed, butterflies in my stomach and only to discover the
sensation which we humans call nervousness as I read who was
calling—"AP Ni"—an assistant to President Riggs, and he only reason he
would be calling is to give a calling to one of the two missionaries
who use that phone. I throw the phone over to Elder McInerny for him
to answer as I sat on the floor shaking from nervousness. Elder
McInerny then said the words that will change my mission for a while.
     "Uh huh. Yeah. Sure. Ok, here he is."
     Yeah. I was pretty nervous. I answered the phone to hear the
cheery voice of Elder Ni. He then told me that The Lord has called me
to be a district leader and I would be one of the most enthusiastic
and energetic district leaders in the mission. I gladly accepted and
he then gave me a reading assignment to study before a meeting with
President Riggs after transfer meetings. Stressed out? Yes. Happy?
Thrilled! I am excited to serve the missionaries in my district. Now I
get to teach district meetings. That is what I am most stressed about,
but I know that if I put forth diligent studies and exercise a great
amount of faith, I will be told what to teach and how to inspire and
motivate the district. Anyways... That's my rant on m new calling. Now
on to the rest of the story.
     I recorded transfer meeting on my voice recorder, so that was
cool. I wish you guys could be there and feel what it is like to be
transferred to somewhere to be with someone you don't know. It is
really a rush. Believe me. So, I got my name called and was told that
I was going to be serving in McLean with Elder Cline. "And there will
be a lot more energy in that apartment." End quote, President Riggs.
He says that every time I get transferred. It's pretty funny and it
makes my day. I got to be the chorister for the meeting! That was fun!
Anyways, so we show up in my new area and find that my prayer was
answered. I am on bike still!!! The funniest part is the fact that
this is the hardest bike area of the mission. Be careful for what you
pray for. Haha! I am going to be in the best shape by the time I get
transferred again. The houses here are HUGE!! I will attach some
pictures for you to see just how big these houses really are. I can't
wait to get to know the members here!

Thanks for listening to my story, I really appreciate it. Love you
guys! Oh, and welcome Drue Harvey to the spectacular calling of
Missionary.

Love you all!!!

~ Elder Zac Snell


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Interpreting Tongues

  Hey, everyone!!! Elder Snell here, ready to update you upon the
topic of missionary work here in Fort Belvoir, most likely for the
last time. You would think that they would keep you in an area once
you get to know all of the members, but as soon as you get to know
them all really well, they ship ya out! Very annoying if you ask me.
     Fort Belvoir has been an awesome place to serve! Working with
military people has been great. Oh, and it has all been on bike! That'
stone of the best parts! So far, I have served my whole mission in
biking areas! Whoot! Huzzah for keeping in shape! Hopefully I can say
that I served on bike for a whole year. That's my goal. Anyways....
Other than being on bike, some other awesome things that were part of
these three transfers here have been some of the crazy miracles!
Yesterday, we had a less-active member come to church hat hasn't been
to church since I have got here. We also had an investigator come to
church for the blessing of his baby. His wife is a member of the
church and we helped her out A LOT, so she thought it would be cool if
we got to stand in the circle for the baby blessing. That was a really
neat experience!

     While we are on the topic of miracles, let me tell you something
that happened on Friday afternoon. We were on our way back from
filling out the progress record at the Library and we planned to drop
by some investigators' houses to invite them to a ward BBQ that was
going on the following day. We are teaching a man from Ruanda named
Ganza. He lives in a house full of potential investigators, so if we
got him to come, we would get the rest of those in the house to join
as well. We knocked on his door and nobody answered, so we did what
any desperate missionary would do. Knock again! So we did, waited a
few minutes and we heard the door knob shuffle a little and the door
creaks open to the father figure of he house hold, Pascal. The only
problem with us teaching Pascal is the fact that he only speaks French
and barely any English. We ask him of Ganza is home in hopes of
talking to him. His reply was, "Ganza....... Home?...."
Me: *facepalm*
Great.... He then puts up his finger as if to say hold on a second,
then slowly climbs the stairs to what we assumed was to find Ganza. We
wait at the door for a good three or four minutes and he finaly comes
back, this time with a French Book of Mormon in his hands. Elder
McInerny and I look at each other, confused, but we both have an idea.
We were going to do our best to teach him a lesson right then and
there. Literally. We asked him if he has read the Book of Mormon. He
then goes off in French about something. We listen intently to see if
we might even be able to understand him. Now here is where the miracle
begins. If you have been reading the Book of Moroni, he talks of the
gifts of the spirit. There are certain things god allows us to do
through the spirit. This one just happened to be the one mentioned in
Moroni 10:16, which says:
     "And again, to another, the interpretation of languages and of
divers kinds of tongues."
As pascal was speaking to us in French, I could have sworn that I
caught some words that were English. "Is this like the bible?" I
couldn't believe my ears! Did I just hear that right? The spirit
confirmed to me that this is what he was asking. I I directed him to
the front of the Book of Mormon where it talks about it being
comparable to the bible. He smiled, nodded, and went off in French. I
then had an impression to ask him if he would be baptized if he knew
the book was true. He said yes! Elder McInerny then showed him
Moroni's promise and we said a prayer with him. We had just taught
someone in French!!! Hey yeah!!!! Mission accomplished!

     Today, I went to the Temple with Elder Seely! It was a really
awesome feeling being in the presence of Heavenly Father and feeling
his love that he has for all of his children. He loves us all so
dearly. I hope you know how loved you are, we have a way shown forth
unto us by our Savior, Jesus Christ, of how to get back to our
Father's presence. It is my hope and prayer that this is your goal, as
it is mine. I am ecstatic that my family can be together throughout
the eternities. I love them so much! Cherish the moments you spend
with them.

     With that, I bid you farewell for now. Until we shall meet again.

~ Elder Zac Snell :)

P.s. I ran into Elder Harrison Sturgeon when I was at the temple
visitor center today. He is doing great and is loving his mission.
Glad that I could run into an old friend.

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