Happy Valentines Day!

Hello all! Happy Valentine's Day!

Wow. This week has been insane. Going back and forth to Petaluma and Rohnert Park has been very tiring, but it's worth it. We have more investigators than we know what to do with, and we're rapidly running out of miles... hopefully they'll have the mile-limit redistributed soon, or we may be in trouble. It's funny how different areas that you cover changes the feel of the work in an area. How you feel about the work there, and seems it changes the psyche or perception as well. It's interesting. I love the people here and there, and I love how much easier it is to find and talk to people about the gospel there because all of the Latinos flock together. They're spread out here in Rohnert Park. So I'm still working with figuring out how to best work both areas because it's difficult to find the right balance of attention and resources for these areas. It'll come with time, planning, and listening to the Spirit. It seems that this week went by fast and slow at the same time. I guess it's just the feeling of  change from the general routine of our area. I dunno.

I've had a lot of cooking adventures! My ability to cook with random ingredients around the apartment has been greatly improved. I now know 101 different ways to cook pasta, with random ingredients, and still have it be really tasty. I also created my own  "Authentic" Mexican breakfast involving hotdogs, Spanish rice, and eggs. I realize that spices can really change how a meal works. I like it! I remember when I was younger and I tried to cook things from random ingredients in the cupboards for my siblings once... I'm sure if they remember that night they'll grimace, and or shudder. I like knowing that I can cook good food from cheap ingredients.

Other than that not much has happened. I had a interesting thought. I was reading in Jesus the Christ earlier this week, in chapter 6 when it was talking about the background of what was up with the Jews up to the time Christ was born. Reading that section made me realize just how much of hypocrites people are today. I can't find the right words to say what I mean here, but it's just like the Jews expected all of their preachers to tie what they taught to some great teacher or the law, just like people today expect you to tie everything back to the bible, or some notable doctorate holding person. You'd understand it better if you read the 6th chapter of Jesus the Christ yourself. Read it and think about the Jews, and their attitude to the attitude of people in the world today.

Well i love you all, I hope that you enjoy the special plans I'm sure you have. I'll do my best to find someone at home to talk to tonight. :P We'll brighten up the night of someone who doesn't have a date. May you all be well, and may God watch over you this week. I know that this church is true! I know that Jesus Christ stands as the living head of it. I know that Christ speaks and leads us through a prophet today! I know that we can avoid pain and sorrow if we heed his councils. We are here to have joy. I know that we can find the most joy by being obedient to God's commandments. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

Your missionary,

Elder Richard Mackelprang

Feburary! V-Day Approaches

Ok. I'm kind of ticked off at technology for today.... or rather 60 minute library kick off rule... *sigh*

Hello all!

Thanks Dad for your email. I have learned those lessons and many more.

Mom, I appreciated your thoughts, and I do like hearing and feeling how much you love me. Thanks for the package!

The main body of when I was typing at the library got destroyed because I didn't send it before the timer went out...  so what I had written is lost. I'm sad. Because I had a lot of cool stuff there.

A few cool happenings from this week:

• New Car!! (a '11 Ford Fusion sport.) ;-) gotta love it right? I love that new fresh smell.
• We now cover part of Petaluma. The Spanish Elders that were there are now opening up a new area up North.
• I'm happy and excited! New responsibilities, but facing the challenges with faith and courage.

I know this church is true! I know it with all of my heart! and I know that this knowledge I have can bless many lives. All who are willing to come unto Christ.

Love,

Your missionary,

Elder Richard Mackelprang

(Sent to you through Office Depot) :P

Have a great day!

P-Day! February is Here

We had an All Mission Conference with Elders Packard and Kearon of the Seventy TODAY. So sorry that I'm later than usual. We learned that our mission is being blessed with miracles, that we've gotten 60 baptisms in January alone, and 21 of which came from this past week. Our mission is one of the top 10 missions whose baptisms are increasing percentage-wise. We are rising above ourselves and things are going great!

I know that we are moving forward and that I'm in the best mission in the entire world! I love everything here. It truly is a paradise on Earth. I feel really inspired and grateful for my Heavenly Father's guidance and care for putting me here, to help my fellow brothers  and sisters.

I like that Jenna and Josh are playing Basketball. I remember my Good old basketball days with the youth. Fun times!

Those little robots kits that you and Josh are going to play with sound like fun! :D That should be really cool! I'll enjoy building little auto-bots!

We do have a Branch Valentines activity... I'm still wondering what all is involved. But I know it'll be good. Lots of food, and dancing (but not for me :).

I did get that License email. I'll get right on it. I want to be able to drive. :) I have to prove that I'm from North Carolina.

I did tell Josh that I'd love to join him to the Campout in November. I'll enjoy shooting some rifles/shotguns with him. I don't think I've shot anything since I was a Deacon. :) It should be Awesome!

Benjamin! Keep up the good work!

I've always wanted to learn to play mahjong – I’m glad you had a chance to play with the neighbors.

Leah has some admirers out here who think she's cute, and would write here if they only had her address. Hint Hint. ;-)

I love you all! I know that this church is true, and my testimony and knowledge of the scriptures grows daily. I'm _finally_ learning how to study even though it's been a long time that I've been on the mission. Keep to the faith and remember who you are. Remember that the everlasting promises we have are worth more than anything else we've had, can have, or that we could ever attain.

May God be with you until we meet again.

Elder Richard Mackelprang

February Approaches

Hey Y'all! 

Things are great! Things are still moving forward, albeit a little slowly, but we found some new investigators this week! It's been a lot harder as of late to find them. I think things will roll along, as time moves on closer into spring with more work available in the vineyards, and in the stores, etc. I do have some photos to send home, and I'll probably send home the card this week in a letter, so if you guys want to include a new memory card in the package as well, that would be cool. :) I'm sure Joshua's having a blast with his friends. Deacon Dance parties, LOL! I can only imagine. I do miss my lil’ bro. He wont be so little when I get back though... He'll still want to wrestle then too, I bet.

Something cool that I get to do this week is learn an authentic Latino recipe! A solid meal. I can't remember the name, but I'll let you know how it goes! It should be fun!

I do remember the times we went and visited the Conrad family. I was envious of their projector... I'm glad we ended up getting one. I'll try to get one of my own when I actually have an apartment. :) We'll see how it goes.  Tell Leah that I love her, Jenna and Joshua as well.

I know that the church is true! I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that the blood of many good people was shed to give us this knowledge. This is the book that God has given us to bring light unto all nations, kindred and tongues. This is the book that is another witness of our Savior Jesus Christ, and helps us to come to know Him personally, and to feel of His love to us. I know that God speaks to us TODAY. We have His words. We can have love, peace, and protection in our lives if we are willing to follow his commandments. They truly are the way to happiness. I love you all. Have a fantastic week!

Love,

Elder Mackelprang

Martin L. King Day

Hello Family!

This week has been awesome! Not much different from last week, or many weeks in the mission, but it's always a learning and growing experience here.

I've actually had a lot of opportunities to cook with Elder Brickey. He's the first one to take me up on my live-in cook special. He helps buy some of the groceries, and I cook them for a meal for two. We've been able to get a few frozen meats from the missionaries in my district that don't like to cook, but I think that they don't have any more to give out... So I might save that steak dinner for a special occasion. I'm being fed well here too. Santa Rosa was probably the worst when it came to dinners.

Way to go Josh! (giving your first talk in Sacrament Meeting!!) I'll read your talk soon! You should send me a copy of it in my next package!

I'm starting to read Jesus the Christ in Spanish. That's very rewarding. I like it, and it wasn't as difficult as I thought it might be, although when it gets down to some of the analogies there are a lot of new words to learn thanks to Talmage’s word choices.

I could feel the change that would happen with Leah leaving the house to go to college at BYU-I. It was weird for me to even think that she'd away from home out here. I'm sure it's crazy for you guys.

I should have a few new pictures for you this next week. If you want to send me out one of the new cards then you can get all of the pictures that I have on my current card.

I did enjoy my Dinner with Aunt Marsha. We went to olive garden. It was very cool. I got to see Keith, which was very nice, it seems like forever since I saw him, even though it was only a year ago.

Being on bike always wears down on my clothes, but since we haven't needed to use the bikes recently the clothes are holding up very well. One of the pairs of pants are starting to wear down, one is still in good condition, and the last one is pristine. The only difference that I trace it down to is the biking, but at least they still fit me perfectly.

Next week should be better and more detailed. I'll look for some cool stories and experiences to share with you.

I know the church is true, and that God's hand is more in your life than you may realize. The book of Mormon is the word of God, and Jesus Christ called Joseph Smith to be a prophet in our days and our times. I also know that no matter what. Faith = power. That applies to everything.

I love you all!

Elder Mackelprang

The New Year Progresses

<<Editors Note: Some Pictures From A Recent Zone Conference – these are thanks to Sis. Bunker (Elder Mackelprang’s Mission Mom)>>

	Elder Mackelprang
	Elder Mackelprang’s Zone.
	Rohnert Park District.

Hello Y'all!

This week has been a great improvement to last weeks misadventures. :) I can definitely see the Lord's hand in the work more from last week where we pressed on, and did our best to keep things moving. From the various missionary meetings we've had, I've learned a lot of new things. They're experimenting something new now with our mission. They've given us a new set of Mormon.org cards and have authorized ALL the missionaries to go onto Mormon.org and become familiar with it so that we can talk to people on the street about it, and invite them to go check it out. I think that it's a great idea to help people realize that we're not just some small non-Christian cult like Anti-Mormon people claim. We're a world-wide Christian church that promotes Christian values and way of life. Sure all of us have our short-comings and pitfalls, but that is our journey. To overcome, and grow from our weaknesses, and become more like our Savior Jesus Christ.

Yesterday, I was teaching the Gospel Principles lesson, and we talked about how God has planned out our lives in a way where we still have our choice, but we can learn from each of those experiences and become more like Him, and His Son. I reflected, and I felt a confirmation by the Spirit, of God's love for me, and all of the many wonderful friends, neighbors, and teachers that I have had, they were all part of the blessings and plan that He has given me. I haven't been perfect. Not by a long shot, but I know that I can move forward knowing that I'm a child of God, and that He loves me, and that I'm helping Him with His work. To share this knowledge of  His love with my Brothers and Sisters here in California. People may hate me for it, they may scream at me, and say unkind words, maybe even want to hurt me. But I know that if they knew what I know, their lives would change. I love this work, and I'm grateful to be a missionary.

I'm sorry that there's so little this week, but I promise there'll be more this next week. I hope you are all well, I love y'all! Have fun out there!

Elder Mackelprang

Happy New Years!

Hello all!

This weeks has been one of the most humbling in my mission. Lots of rain (even more than usual) and being back on bike and car due to lack of miles has really hit Elder Brickey and me hard. It's definitely a good help to my exercise program, but Elder Brickey has already been cursed with two blow-outs on his inner-tube. So I hope that we don't have to utilize the bikes as much. However, with the New Year, came many new lessons and blessings as our hard work and diligence has finally started to pay off. After a long break of finding no new investigators we now have several really good looking prospects, we have finally been able to contact people that we haven't been able to find in awhile, and I'm re-learning again the magical difference it is to have Members accompany us to lessons. It really is an almost night-and-day difference hearing a member testifying and teaching to an investigator about how they've come to know that these things are true. I testify to you that if you want to see miracles happen where you live, volunteer to go out with the missionaries, and you'll see the blessings flow.

It's been a weird thought to think that Leah is just across the mountain from me now. She's at BYU-Idaho, which I personally don't care for as a school, but I'm sure she'll have great times, and experiences there. Good Luck, Leah!

I know it's probably hard for Mom to lose another one out into the world. She'll be back though! She's still going to serve a mission! :) I can't imagine the house without my little crazy, noisy, musical, insanely psycho sister to bring life and laughter into the house. It would be way too quiet. Quiet is good every once in awhile, but there is such a thing as too much of it. :P

It's been very weird to contemplate that I'm actually coming home _this_ year... I feel like haven't been out here all that long, and that I'm just getting into the swing of things. But then there's days where I'm ready for that day to come. I love the work, I love the people, but some days where everything goes wrong, and no one's there tries anyone's patience.

I love you all, and I'm sorry that there's not a whole lot to write about this week, but I'll tell you some of the stories of the miracles that I know will happen this week! The Church is true! The Book of Mormon is another Testament of Jesus Christ, and those of you who only believe that, should kneel in prayer, and ask God, and I know that He will answer you. Because He loves YOU!

Your missionary,

Elder Mackelprang