Weekly Email # 62 - "Bye Bye Bye" Teens

Hello, one and all!

You're reading this weekly email that was created from the newest 20 year old! I'm no longer a teenager. What? Like.... what? I feel like I was 19 for two days or something. Haha if there is one cliche saying that I 100% agree with, it'd be that time freaking flies. It's crazy to ponder and contemplate where I was a few years ago to the point that I am at now. I'm sure all of us have had those experiences and I know that the mission amplifies those feelings and emotions.

As I've continued this reflective process, I thought back about this past week and what we were able to do. I went on an exchange with my Zone Leader, Elder Bangerter, on Tuesday, which was one of the best exchanges EVER! The previous night, I felt inspired that the best opportunity to have success would be to park our car in our area and just walk around, going from potential to less active, and talking to as many people as we could in between these visits. As we went about our day we got to partake in marvelous blessings. At the end of the day, we had obtained 8 NEW INVESTIGATORS! EIGHT! That's the most I've ever gathered in the course of a single day. I was so elated, it was crazy!

The next day, I went to Cambridge, Ohio to go on ANOTHER exchange with Elder Anderson, my District Leader. There, we extended a baptismal date to a couple who are getting baptized in the beginning of November. It was also, another great day!

I returned back to Zanesville on Thursday and I saw that we had 8 return appointments from then until Saturday and I was really excited for all the potential that could be achieved during this weekend stretch. Would we finally be able to prepare someone to come to Church? Would one of the many of our investigators who said yes to baptism finally come worship with us on Sunday?

I want to say yes, but I know I'd be breaking a commandment. Only one of those 8 appointments ended up working out. That one lesson was with Tom and Tom is basically got him mind set on joining a Catholic Church but wanted to learn more and pray about the Book of Mormon. He also mentioned he would not be able to come to church. So yet, another week goes by that we don't have anyone come to Sacrament Meeting. I will continue to help people feel the Spirit of coming to Church. This down period of missionary work has helped me realize that God is preparing people. I believe that we STILL have quite a few people with a lot of Solid Potential if they would only act.

To help keep my mind focused on the work and not get discouraged, Elder Bangerter gave me a missionary talk from Elder Holland that I want to share for all the currently serving missionaries out there. You awesome people back at home can read it too and I know it'll resonate with those who have a missionary mindset right now.

Well, I am going to leave it at that. Thank you for all the birthday wishes! I will try to respond as quickly and as thoughtfully as I can. Know that every single one of them are appreciated and I can't thank any of you enough. You're examples are the reason why it was easy to say yes to serving a mission. It is the reason why when I struggle, I can go to your loving letters and emails, and to a caring Heavenly Father. The best birthday gift I can get right now is for someone to accept the Gospel and become drenched in the blessings of the Gospel, as I have been. That is my birthday wish and I will do everything in my power to obtain that.

Love you all so much.
Love,
Elder Galbraith
The Great OCM
Aug 2015 - Aug 2017

Pics!

1. Gotta have a Jesus pic. One of best I've seen.

2. Sister Shipley made us do cheesy faces. Elder Hatch and I preparing documents to be indexed in the coming years.

3. One of the awesome sunsets we've gotten! Ohio has the best clouds and sunsets.

4. Got em again!

5. Words of advice that I stole from Brother Stouts :)

6. Birthday Selfie!

Weekly Email # 61 - Spiritual Feast with God's Servants

Hey, Howdy, Hey!

What did you think of General Conference? I thought it to be a little different than past conferences.

I usually find that I enjoy the Sunday Sessions more than I do the Saturday Sessions. But this conference, I saw myself really enjoying and engulfing all that the Prophets and Apostles had to say to us. Of course the encouragement from Elder Andersen and Elder Oaks for members to do missionary work is awesome. I took a lot of notes from those talks.

More often than not too, I have a favorite speaker from conference, but I can't seem to grasp onto a favorite talk. I didn't jump on the Elder Holland bandwagon, I just followed quickly behind it this time. I found myself open to what every speaker had to say, which is the first time that has happened. I think I'm not the only one that listens to the ones that have given Spiritual impressions in past conferences and close their minds to anyone that doesn't have Apostle or Prophet written by their name. I was definitely called to repentance in that way and I'm grateful for the many inspired speeches and talks that were spoken this conference. (Quick Note. Only one more General Conference left as a missionary! Gasp.)

As we tried to get investigators to watch conference this weekend, we were disappointed as they all had reasons, mostly excuses, for not watching conference. One in particular didn't even give an excuse, in fact, we didn't even get to invite him! Rather, the conversation went like this :

"Hello?" - James
"Hey James! Its the missionaries how's it going?" - Elder G
"Oh hey guys! Hey, have I ever told you about my theory about Hitler being Jesus? - James
"Uhh.. no you have not." - Elder G
"Well let me tell you! (At this point, I sense a little alcohol taking over his thinking process) Well it's kinda obvious actually. Cuz Jesus was persecuted by the Jews, right?" And Hitler was trying to kill all the Jews, right?" - James
(No Response) - Elder G
"So its OBVIOUS! JESUS IS HITLER!" - James
*James hangs up* *Elder Galbraith is left speechless*

I think that means he's not watching Conference.... haha oh well.

Another interesting thing that happen this week is we had interview with President AT OUR APARTMENTS! Oh and Sister Daines is coming with him too. Talk about nerve wracking. I love President, and I've come to see him as my Ohio Pappy, but he was able to step into our personal space on Thursday. You better not doubt that we did A CLEAN SWEEP of the apartment. Cuz that's what happened. It wasn't like our apartment was filthy dirty or anything, but both Elder Hatch and I knew what we had going on wasn't going to cut it.

We went to work. Simple as that. Scrubbed down all the counters and desks, vacuumed everywhere, and made everything peachy clean! I was very proud of our efforts, actually.

So President and Sister Daines get here, greets and hugs Elder Hatch and I (Only President did the hugging. Sorry Sister Daines. Awkward handshakes have become our cup of tea.), and starts surveying the apartment. He goes upstairs to where our beds and study tables, and random piano are at. (Don't ask how that piano got there.) And guess what he says?

"Elders! You didn't make your beds!"

Ugh.

I knew we had forgotten something. I was mad, because I was actually getting good at that too! And I wanted to show it off to them! Sorry mom, I've brought shame to the family. Hahaha

Interviews were great though! It's always awesome to have a one on one conversation with President, because you definitely don't get too many of those opportunities.

That's it for me this week! After this Wednesday, I will have single digit months left! That is Cra Crazy! Love you all! Have a great week!

Elder Galbraith
The Great OCM
Aug 2015 - Aug 2017

Pics!

1. And 2. In the Great OCM, we use Alligators and Twinkies to track key indicators.

3. And 4. The Sisters crashed and totaled their car this past week. They recovered fairly quickly and are riding bikes for the rest of the transfer. The day after the crash, we went to go claim all valuables. The Sisters also told us to take "LOTS OF PICTURES! WE NEED PICTURES!"

5. Elder Hatch and Brother Blodgett enjoying conference.

Weekly Email # 60 - Accept Salvation Already!

Hello, young and old!

I've realized that I don't share too many contacts that I have had
throughout the course of the mission so I am obligated to share this
experience. It's probably one of the more awkward contacts I've led
into.

We were trying to get back in contact with a couple that we hadn't had
a discussion with for about a week, Brian and Whitney. As we were
walking towards their home, we noticed someone cleaning out the trunk
of her car. We guessed it was Whitney but didn't know for sure because
we couldn't see her face. So we go over and as we get closer, I say,
"Hi Whitney!", thinking that if it is her, she would just respond
normally back and if it isn't her, she'd be confused and I'd know for
sure that it wasn't her and we could contact a new person. Well this
is what happens.

She says hi back. So I'm thinking, "Okay awesome, this is her. Let's
see if she can make it to church tomorrow and if she's read the Book
of Mormon or not." So I did! I asked those questions, while also
asking how Brian was doing, how the kids were feeling after their
sickness, and I keep asking her questions for a few minutes. Well
"Whitney" interrupts a question that I asked her and says, sorry I'm
not Whitney.

AWKWARD!

I was so convinced that was Whitney because she totally looked like
her and to make it worse, SHE WAS GOING ALONG WITH IT TOO! 

Meanwhile, Elder Hatch hasn't said one word and afterwards as we were heading
back to the car, he told me that he totally knew that wasn't her, but
he didn't know how to tell me without making me feel bad. WHAT KIND OF
EXCUSE IS THAT! Not only did he do that but after the awkwardness was
resolved, I began teaching her the importance of the Book of Mormon
and who we were. As conclude my part of the message, I look to Elder
Hatch to pick up where I left off and immediately he says, "You're
busy, so we will come back another time. When can we do that?" WHAT!
Hahaha so we only taught her two principles, and didn't give her any
commitments because Elder Hatch assumed she wasn't getting anything
out of this visit, yet she was completely focused on our message.

Haha so trust me, I've had some pretty interesting contacts but the
good news is that the lady that we were talking to (her name is
Shaunice) was open to learning and we at least got a return
appointment.

Man, it's been a long time since we've gotten someone to church. We
still can't seem to get anyone to accept that next part of their
Salvation. We've met some pretty promising people over the course of
these past couple months and yet, they lack in action and seeing the
end goal.

In these situations, it's easy to get discouraged and say okay, we
have done enough for today, let's try again tomorrow. But I'm grateful
for a Heavenly Father who promotes enduring to the end and will help
us if we diligently seek the elect that want to come closer to Him. My
testimony has been strengthened through trials such as this and I have
the faith that we will get someone to church eventually, no matter how
long it'll take or how hard it'll be.

I've been learning more and more about the Atonement this past week
and this picture quote has helped me out.

I know that He will help us through our trials, no matter how small or large they are. I don't have anymore pictures to share this week, so I'll send some more this coming week. Love you all. Have a great week!

Elder Galbraith
The Great OCM

Aug 2015 - Aug 2017

Weekly Email # 59 - Striving For Consecration

Greetings from Z town!

This week started off slow. Through Elder Hatch's recovery from this Ohio bug that's going around, we got a lot of administrative stuff done, but not as much missionary work as we hoped to get done. But as we progressed towards the latter part of the week, we were able to see some success and quite a bit of the fruits of our labors. We continue to invite and persuade people to attend church and with us having Stake Conference this week, it made for only a two hour meeting instead of a three hour meeting. (More on Stake Conference later.) But no, sadly, we still can't get anyone to church. Our investigators are reading the Book of Mormon though! There is definitely hope and faith being developed in our investigators.

One thing that we have been implementing in our work is seeing as many less actives off the Ward Roster that we can. We have experienced one of three results whenever we went to a LA's home.

1. They don't answer. (No duh, Elder Galbraith.... Who could have thunk?)
2. They do answer and it turns out to be a completely different person than we suspected it to be. Usually, they don't know anything about the Church so that's our opportunity to teach. Over the past few weeks, we have gotten 5 new investigators just from visiting Less Actives!
3. The Actual less active answers the door and either they continue to be offended by something that happened in the Church a long time ago, or they are going through a hard time at that particular instance.

You know what? Everyone is going to have their own excuse not to go to Church. And no matter how great the reason, you're always going to feel some degree of guilt whenever you don't allow yourself to feel the outpouring of the Spirit of a Sacrament meeting.

I felt such a Spirit at Church yesterday. As we were waiting for the Stake Conference broadcast to begin, everyone starting noticing the technical difficulties that we're going on. There was a storm surrounding the Stake Center, from where the broadcast was taking place, making church buildings like ours receive a very poor connection. After attempting to fix all the connection issues, Bishop went up to the podium and announced they are going to postpone this session of Stake Conference and that we were going to prepare for the Sacrament by singing a few hymns.

It was such a neat experience to see how professional this was all handled and I felt such a powerful Spirit as we partook of the Sacrament. I love to see the behind the scenes and the little administrative things of how everything is organized and set up, I'm weird like that. It was an unconventional Sacrament Meeting, but it is one that I will never forget.

I haven't had too many moments like this on the mission but I love and am grateful for every single time that it does. And that is this. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY. Yes, it is hard. Yes, it is uncomfortable. Yes, sometimes (Okay... A lot of the time.) I don't want to wake up so early in morning. Yes, I get frustrated whenever someone doesn't accept the gospel. And that is okay! As long as we give them the opportunity to accept, then that guilt and shame won't rest on our shoulders.

I love being a missionary because it allows me to be the closest I've ever been to my Father in Heaven. He definitely knows I make mistakes, and I make a ton of them, but one of the greatest things I have learned out here is that mistakes always serve a righteous purpose.

I'll leave you a quote from Parley P. Pratt, one of the best missionaries of our time. I hope to rise to my potential as much as Elder Pratt did. Love and miss you all! Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

On September  7, 1856, shortly  after  learning of his call  by  Brigham Young, he  offered the  following  tender reflections and prophetic  insights:  “I  have  desired,  after travelling for  twenty-five  or twenty-six  years, mostly abroad, to stay  at home  and minister among  the people of  God, and take  care  of my  family; but God’s  will  be  done, and  not mine.  If it is the will of God that  I  should spend my  days in  proclaiming  this Gospel and bearing  testimony  of these  things,  I  shall  think myself highly  privileged and honored. And when the Spirit of God is  upon me,  I  think it  matters but  very  little what  I  suffer, what  I  sacrificed–whether  I  secure  the honor or  dishonor of men,  or where  I  die, if  it  so be  that  I  can keep the faith,  fight the  good fight, and  finish my  course  with joy.  I  have  all  eternity  before  me, in which to  enjoy  myself.”

Elder Galbraith
The Great OCM
Aug 2015 - Aug 2017

Pictures!

1. Some Ohio country. And some Guineas. They are like turkeys, except more weird looking.

2. Dan, an investigator of ours and Elder Hatch with a three legged calf. I'm a city boy, so this was my first time seeing one!

3. Longaberger Headquarters! How do I know? Well.... It's one of the few cool things you find in Zanesville. Haha

Weekly Email # 58 - Building A Sure Foundation

I'm not District Leader this transfer! Phew, it might happen with the next couple transfers though, which gives me ample time to prepare :)

Hello Everyone!

Update on the Work. It's been another productive week, even with me coming down with a sickness on Wednesday and Elder Hatch getting sick on Saturday until now. He's currently still recovering so our efforts have been limited but still effective. We still don't have any progressing investigators, however there are a few that are pretty close, ALL THEY NEED TO DO IS COME TO CHURCH. Holy moly. I cannot tell you how annoying that can be sometimes. Haha of course, not everyone is going to accept the Gospel and accept the invitation to come to church, but when 60% of your investigators answer you yes to both, you would think that would mean they're going to keep their commitments. In my last area, if they told you yes, they would be there. But in Zanesville, if they tell you yes, it's like a half no. Haha so this coming week, we'll be preparing our investigators more as they learn how to make covenants and commitments.

Wow, I had this whole schpeel that was prepared for this weekly email, but the temple trip we had today took SO LONG. Don't get me wrong though, this was the best temple session yet! So many questions I had that were answered! I guess, however that's what happens when you make a brief visit to Cane's :). Dualy noted. So that means you will receive a longer email from me next Monday. I look forward to that day because it'll be the first normal p-day we've had in a while. (Cross fingers. Knock on Wood.)

Love and miss you all. Sorry for brief email. Yes I have to procrastinate the day of my repentance but it'll happen! Have a great week!

Elder Galbraith


Pictures:

1 and 2. Okay don't judge... I really did think this was a Tesla parked outside our local Chipotle (I can totally see that you're judging) and I got really really excited.  Elder Hatch took the picture and as we were walking inside, I looked at it, and realized that I had taken a picture with a Mazzarati (don't judge the spelling either.. Okay you get the point.) You don't see too many cool cars out here in Zanesville. And I'm not a car guy..... Still a cool moment. Haha

3. It don't matter, tho. I got my Chipotle. 👊🙏

4. Zone Picture of us at the temple today. Sorry mom.
Tried smiling, but the sun was not my friend today.

Weekly Email # 57 - No Longer A Young Missionary - #RIP

Hello, hello!

Well to start off with, we just got transfer news and it turns out that Elder Hatch and I will stay together for another 6 weeks in Zanesville! I'm excited to continue to grow in the area and in the companionship. However, with our District Leader going home tomorrow, and me being the 2nd oldest to him in the District, chances are I might become the next District Leader..... Woo.... Hoo.... Haha I'll be sure to let you all know next Monday.

This past week was awesome. During the whole week, we had 17 lessons total and only one of them ended up being cancelled. I haven't had that many lessons in a single week in a long long time. We've gained progress with our investigators and we've found some better ways of teaching, which is great. It was a rough start to this past transfer and now things are being accelerated and it gets us more and more motivated to do the work and to find those that NEED the Gospel.

So when this past Sunday came around, we were excited for all these return appointments... Well... We might have gotten a little too excited. Haha that's because these past few days, we've had 6 appointments and 5 of them cancelled. I think that's Heavenly Father telling us we need to remain a little more on the humble side. Will do :)

As I've been receiving fellow missionary friend's weekly emails and having conversations with them, I can't help but feel as if I am a small part in something that is so great happening all around the world. We are literally being "banner bearers" of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Lord's missionary force keeps getting stronger and stronger and it is quite awesome to think about. Even when we aren't having that initial success and always seeing the fruits of our labors, my mind brings a picture in front of my eyes of God looking down on us and being so proud. A newly acquainted missionary friend shared this scripture with me as he departs home from his two years of service and it's very applicable.

"And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again."

"And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some." (Alma 26: 29-30)

Well, I currently am recovering from a cold/fever/sore throat/stupidness so I am going to have to end this email pretty abruptly. Going to try and get some rest before we go back out and do some Teaching of Repentance and Baptizing of Converts.

Love you all. I really mean it. Thank you for your love and prayers. It's hard to feel alone when your friends and family are always wanting the best for you. And I hope to be the same way back.

Love,
Elder Galbraith

When you knock on a Less Actives door and you get more
 out of the door sign than you do the Less Active.
 (No joke, I think he said maybe 8 words...)

Zone Picture.
Everyone made sure that I heard everyone say "Short People In Front!"
 Insert  bitter emoji.

Funny Zone Picture.
When everyone does something funny and leaves you out of it.

What we will all be doing at the Second Coming.

#StatuesThatLookLikePeople

Weekly Email # 56 - Elder Gabby

Greetings from Elder Galb........ Well..... Okay, I guess it's not Galbraith.

It has been brought to my attention that there is some difficulty with
saying my last name. Mostly everyone that I have introduced myself to
in my past few areas always say, "Hm.. Is it GalBreath or GalbRAIth or
Galsbreath or....?" I didn't realize how insurmountably impossible it
is to say my name. And it's not just members, it's investigators too!
I didn't realize how universal of a problem this was. Haha

Well let's bring it back a little bit. A recent convert named Jim
Marquis (Hey Jim. Look! You made it onto the weekly email! I'm so
proud of you!) drove Elder Hatch and I back to Zanesville from our
recent transfer meeting four weeks ago. Jim is awesome. He's Elders
Quorum Secretary after only being a member for 9 ish months and has
really grabbed a hold of the Gospel. Anyways, he asks me the
traditional question

"So what's your last name, Elder?"
"It is Galbraith. Elder Galbraith"
(Long Pause) Jim looks at my comp and my comp starts laughing
"You know I am never going to remember that. Lets call you.... (8 second pause)
... ELDER GABBY!

So I'm thinking, okay, that's fine, if he wants to. Haha it wouldn't
be the first time someone called me this name. (Shoutout Bry and Don).
Fast forward to yesterday to Elders Quorum in the third hour. Jim is
teaching a great lesson and I forget the rest of the context of the
situation, but I just remember him saying, "No. His name is Elder
Gabby. That is how he is known to EVERYONE!" Well everyone in Elders
Quorum really enjoyed that, especially Brother Morgan, who said, "I
like that!" Haha so I guess it's official. It's Elder Gabby! :)

Investigator Update: We learned a lot from our investigators this
week. As we have been teaching them, we have neglected the fact how
investigators always feel awkward when they are invited to attend a
congregation that they don't know a single person. So our goal this
week is to get more member present lessons and do some chapel tours to
help them get comfortable! Bryan and Whitney I am excited about. Bryan
said yes to being baptized, now the key thing will be getting Whitney
to open up about how she feels and helping her feel the Spirit. With
their crazy work schedules, however, it's going to be more difficult
than usual.

I've been enjoying my mission time more and more, especially when I
have fellowship with another great Ward who is willing to help out
with any type of missionary work possible. Hopefully this will
continue as we try and get some people with baptismal dates soon!

Sorry haven't had much time to do a sufficient amount of time
emailing. I'm sorry to those who write and haven't got a response
back. I look forward to replying back ASAP. Next week is transfers so
expect an email from me on Wednesday! Love you all! Thank you for your
uplifting words and pictures! Talk about motivation! :) Here is some
pics.

Love,
Elder Gabby

Brother Stouts' Gourd room!

Up close pictures of the Gourds. 

The pictures don't do them justice, but know that they are awesome! 

He buys the Gourds and imports them from India!

 (I might have that wrong) 

then, he bedazzles them and they look freaking fantastic!

 Us having a deep doctrine discussion after a deliciously filling meal!

Fancy Recliner/Massage chair that Brother Williams got for his wife. 

After eating dinner, I couldn't resist asking if I could.... "Test it out".

Hahaha it passed. 

With an A+ :)

Hot. Hot. HOT!