P.U.B.S and Love

You may be wondering why I am emailing on a Wednesday when I usually email on a Tuesday. Well, the reason is this; There was a trainee meeting at the Ox Road Chaple, so while Elder Rickertsen was there, I was on an exchange with Elder Heart in Arlington because he is training as well. We weren't able to get a whole lot done during the exchange, but that is mainly because it was the morning and we usually just do on-line stuff then. So I was with him for about three hours and then their meeting was over. During lunch with Elder Heart, we did go to Cafe Rio! That made the day, right there. The people that work there really like the missionaries (as you can tell, Cafe Rio is a mission favorite). Because they like us so much and we always go there, they gave us a sweet discount! I was pretty stoaked! $4.99 for a Sweet pork Burito! Anyways, that was definately a highlight. After Lunch was over, Elder Rickertsen and Elder Lee met us back at their apartment. Oh!!!!! I should probably mention how we got to Arlington in the first place. THEY GAVE US A CAR!!! As awesome as it was to have been on bike for an enitre year of my mission, it is nice to be able to use a car to get to appointments.

     Alright, now moving on to the rest of the week.There have been a ton of fall-through appointments, but we are keeping our heads up and looking forward to a brighter tomorrow. Elder Rickertsen is getting better at door approaches. We have done a ton of tracting. I have come to really enjoy tracting. I think it is fun to talk to all sorts of new people. Anyways... We had an awesome finding excperience the other night. there is this street that we always accidently turn down and we have to go down the coldesac to get out, but we always are accidently turning down it. we had some down time (an Hour) because of fallthrough appointments and decided to go tract there. It went marvelously! I love those times where you know that you are in the right spot at the right time because the spirit prompted you to be there. While there, we found a member's house, Got atleast 2 return appointments and recieved an invitation to a bible study group that some people from McLean Bible are putting together. The guys name was Zach, so we had that in common. AH!!!! Such an awesome night of finding! One guy's name is Gauge and we plan to teach him really soon, so if you could pray for him, that would be super appreciated.

     And now, the moment you have been waiting for and the answer to the question that everyone has been asking. What is with the title? Pubs and Love? uh...... do I really want to know? yes, yes you do.

P - Pray

U - Use Scriptures

B - Bear Testimony

S - Share Experiences

 and show LOVE to them and the Savior.

all these things are ways to invite the spirit into lessons. they work super well, so if you ever need a little outline for giving a talk or home teaching, this came straight out of PMG, so it should do the trick. This is what I taught durring District meetings yesterday. it seemed to be a good topic to teach about, so I am only hoping that people use it.

     That's about all. Be sure to check out my the DropBox because there are some phots and a recording. Thanks for all you guys do for me and I love you all!

     ~ Elder Zac Snell :)

     -=iii=<{

 

The Green Grass Grows All Around

Here we go. I'm gonna checka my e-mails. Oh boy! I have some new
emails to read and one to type up. Let's get started! So, this week
began a new transfer. The transfer meeting was on Thursday and it was
epic! Here's why. I went early for the Trainer's meeting and I learned
how to do just that. It was really great and I learned a lot. That
meeting started at 8:30 and the new missionaries came in around 9:45
by ten, we were all separated out and paired up with our new
companion. I was paired with an Elder from California. He lives a
little north of Sacramento , but went to school at BYU-I. His name is
Elder Rickertsen. He is a great, hard working guy and I am excited to
be companions with him. After being paired up, we had lunch they was
provided by the office missionaries, then went into the cultural hall
where everyone else was seated. We then proceeded to watch Meet The
Mormons. That movie was awesome! I really liked it. I hope that you
guys back home went and watched it. Very well done! After the movie we
began the transfer meeting in the chapel. When it came to when Elder
Rickertsen and I stand up and hug each other, we did and everyone
laughed because of the ironic height difference. Haha! Fun transfer
meeting over all.

    The rest of the week has been pretty great! We found a new
investigator named Steve. He is a cool guy. He was in the military, so
I helped for me to have served in Ft. Belvoir before here. Elder
Rickertsen is doing great. He invited Michael to be baptized the first
time he met him. He is doing good at door approaches as well. Came
pre-trained, he did. I am excited to have him as a companion.

    That's about all for this week. Each week has felt like it just
goes faster and faster. Holy cow! Oh! I also forgot to mention that it
is Elder Rickertsen's birthday on the 16th! I don't know how exactly
we will celebrate it out here, but if am pretty sure we will find a
way!

Love you all!
    ~ Elder Zac Snell

Huzzah For Preparation!

 Alrighty then! This week has been rather fun and stressful! Let's start from the beginning of the week. District Meetings: This week I was really excited to talk to our district about becoming a Consecrated missionary. I also wanted to focus on an importance of having an investigator come to the home of a member for a lesson, in this case, General Confrence! We had the zone portion first and as I turned around at the begining of the meetings, my eyes caught glimpse of something that scares most district leaders around this time... Sister Riggs! She had chose to attend our Zone's meetings that day. The Zone Leaders finished their address to us about what gets us pumped to do missionary work, and dismissed us to our individual districts. I began to head out, but not fast enough, heh.... I hear the phrase that some fear: "I am going to Elder Snell's District meetings." I let out a huge smile as I realized that she would come to my district meeting. Nervous? Actually, not as nervous as I probably should have been. I felt prepared for this one and was just glad that she chose to come to one that I knew for sure would bee good. So, we continue as I teach, the District is very attentive and participates well. Over all, it was a success in my eyes. After the meeting ended, Sister Riggs says, "Elder Snell, Elder Johnson (Zone Leader who also joined in on my district meeting), Will you come talk with me out in the hall?" It was then when my heart sank.... I agreed and quietly shuffled out into the hall and into another room. She then told me that I had a really good district meeting and that she was impressed. I was smiling, of course. After the praise, we talked about some of the things we talked about durring the Leadership Portion of the Meeting prior to the Zone Portion. We probably talked for about fifteen minutes. Anyways, long story short, there are some problems that we need to fix in my district.... 

     Later in the week, we made our usual rounds to people we teach. One of my favorite people to teach is Michael Scott. No, he doesn't know why his name is funny. He is a really solid guy and only needs to stop drinking Coffee to be baptized. Our other friend that we are teaching is Geoff. He is a retired captian for the navy. Way nice guy. I don't think he is going to be baptized in the near future due to some addictions, but I know that with the Lord's help, he can overcome all trials. Please pray for my friends which we are teaching!

     Today (Monday), We took a V.I.P. tour of the Capitol of the USA and it was EPIC!!!! The other Elder's in our appartment have a member who is an intern there and he hooked us up! I have pictures, but I will just need to upload them a later time. It was way fun. I stood on the star where George Washington was supposed to be burried. That building has some amazing history in it.

     Transfers is thursday and I am forsure staying and Elder Cline is most likely leaving. We will be attending the meeting anyways because we are all going to watch Meet the Mormons! I can't wait for that! I hope you all have an EPIC rest of your weeks! Hope yiou enjoyed confrence. I know I did! Love you all!

     ~ Elder Zac Snell :)

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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