MERRY CHRISTMAS - ya filthy animals!

Dear you Non Filthy Animals xD haha (did ya like that?)

I have to say first off THANK YOU  to all of you who sent me cards, presents, and letters for christmas! I loved them all and I hope that most of you got the Thank you cards I sent out as well as the Christmas Cards I sent out as well! ( I sent out like 40 so I hope some of you got them 0.o lol)

This week has flown by super fast because of the Holiday Season and yet this week there is another Holiday coming our way that will make this week go by super fast, then the following week we have a zone meeting, and I have my temple trip, which will make that week go by super fast, then the following week is transfer calls, then after that is transfers and I will home. 0.0 MIND BLOW!!!!  (Bang) Anyways... onto other things!

Christmas was sweet! We had all 3 sets of Elders in our Unit (yes there are only 3 sets in our unit) over at our apartment on Christmas Eve and they spent the night! (It was a wild night...that is all I am going to tell you right now haha ) WE then got up the next morning and all opened our presents 1 at a time before we headed off to skype home and got to 2 other members homes for the rest of the day. 

Skyping home was actually different this time around than it has been the last 2 times. I was calm, I had plenty to talk about, and it was just awesome! (course they were all on their "Phones" and talking to me at the same time but oh well! I would be to if I had one haha) It was weird to tell them "See  ya in 3 weeks!" But It was still awesome! I loved watching the other elders call home for it was all their very first times calling home on their missions and it was awesome to watch them and see them smile and glow with excitement!

Other than that Things have been good here! It hasn't snowed yet but it is getting cold again so we might have some by the time I go home ;) haha Talk to y'all next week!

--

Love Ya's! 

-Elder Zenger

WEEK OF CHRISTMAS!!

Dear All you Wonderful people out there! 

I have to say.... THANK YOU!... (that is as big of a thank you I think I can do over email with out using the entire page lol) You all are amazing and just awesome! I love every single christmas card I have received and letters, and all sorts of other things! I feel spoiled... haha 

I have to say that Christmas only scares me this year because that means that New Years is around the corner, and I have to admit that New Years is going to scare the crap out of me! 0.0 When New Years comes that will mean I will be going home in only a couple weeks. Which isn't a scary thought really, the scary thing is... I don't know what the heck I am going to do and how I going to do it! But that can all be worked out in its own good ol' due time after I get home, find work, and yada yada yada :) I have been asked many times since this new transfer happened from many different people over email, letters, and those who I am around here the question, "Are you excited to go home? Are you Trunky? What are you going to do when you get home? School? Work? Are your parents excited?" and many many more questions that are similar haha

I have to say my answer to those is something a good friend of mine who is going home on the 27th of this month who isn't going to be able to bear his testimony with the rest of us at transfers  but was able to do so at our Zone Meeting last week. Elder Stockton Butterfield said in his testimony, "I want to tell all of you, to be excited to go home! Be excited! Your mission is a preparatory state or time to help prepare you for what is going to come when you get home. When you came on your mission you started a new chapter in your life and you were excited! Now when the time comes to go home, be as equally excited and anxious! When you go home you start a new chapter in your life as the new person you have become while you have been on your mission. Show the Lord what you have learned, show him what you've got!" 

That is the way I truly feel about going home. I am excited, anxious, ecstatic! There is always good things to come, if we are faithful and true to the Lord and his commandments. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas, and I will see you all next year ;) 

(haha see what I did there! Next year... get it?....WWWWOOOOOWWWW....that was lame haha)

--

Love Ya's! 

-Elder Zenger

SNOW SNOW SNOW!!!!

Dear all you people who are either in upstate New York bearing my burden of the cold and snow (or worse) and those who are back west or across the world who are in the warmer weather!

I got to transfers this last Wednesday, and I found a box from grandma and grandpa and I found 6 letters to accompany it. While we were eating lunch in Utica for transfers, I had 3 different missionaries tell me that I got 4 packages instead of just the one I found. Sure enough, I walked over to the other tables and saw 2 packages from Mom and a package from Aunt Susie as well! It truly blew my mind and other missionaries minds as I tried to walk out to the car, that was taking me to my next area, with 4 packages and 6 letters in my hands along with all my luggage (I did get help don't worry haha) I am so grateful for all those who have willingly sent me packages for my last Christmas on my mission right before I go home. I will admit that I do feel bad for being prideful and complaining about the lack of mail I had received the previous transfer... I kinda felt like I made them send me mail....  :/ I am still very grateful for it and I am excited to see what lies inside with all the things I did receive! You all are super awesome and I don't know how I can repay you guys.

For all of you who keep asking me about how I feel about going home and what is running thourgh my head, I will tell ya. :) I have mixed feelings about going home, over all though I am excited to see all the family I have missed that I have been now blessed to be able to live closer to and be able to see them much more often when I come home! I am also sad to leave the people I love so dearly here that I have been able to interact with through out the last 2 years, but am so great full and blessed that we have Facebook to keep in touch and cell phones so that constant support and communication is much faster and more convenient for all of us! 

The Lord is truly hastening his work, and I feel so blessed to be apart of it now and forever! I hope and pray that the Lord will bless all of you this week whether is be sunny skies, or skies of grey and snow like here in Amsterdam New York, that you will continually feel the warmth and brightness, love, and comfort the spirit can bring not just for this time of year but always! 

--

Love Ya's! 

-Elder Zenger

Week of Handicapness

Dear you all,

So I have a few things to announce before I talk about this week! 1. President Wirthlin has asked that all family members from back home to NOT tag us in any sort of post weather it be religious or not. So... yeah, I also go home in 6 weeks and I have it so that I can either accept the tag or hide it from my timeline till I get home.. so you all have agency :) 2. I have to say I have never felt more dumb in my life than this past week.... It has been ridiculous! Let me tell yas about it :) 

MONDAY- This P-day was the most bizzar p-day of my mission. So we actually didn't have the car this week, so we had to walk to get grocery's (which was not bad it was sweet haha) and then Elder Sanders and I just sat in the Apartment all day till our lessons... He wrote letters and doodled a little bit...while I (since I have had no mail in 3-4 weeks) went and wrapped copies of the Book of Mormon for our Christmas goal Elder Sanders and I are doing. (which is to hand out the B.O.M's I was talking about as well as the new christmas cards we were given)

TUESDAY- Tuesday wasn't to bad, we had District Meeting with all Elders and a Senior Couple (The sisters were at return and report and didn't tell anyone) and it was pretty sweet, and we had Book of Mormon class that night and we discussed Jacob 5 which was pretty sweet.

WEDNESDAY- Wednesday was a normal day... Nothing out of the ordinary happened, but we taught a lot of people. (that is exciting I just realized...) 

THURSDAY- This was my final Thanksgiving as a full time missionary and it was a sweet time! We had a "Turkey Bowl" in the morning with all the missionaries and some of the members and yes we played in a foot of snow! It was so awesome! But I realized how bad I suck at all sports.. haha We then had thanksgiving at the Gutheries and that was a good time! WE then went and visited a couple of people who were alone and that was a sweet time as well! 

FRIDAY- We taught a ton of people this day and we had like spiritual experiences coming out of our ears! 

SATURDAY- I almost died on this day :) So we were coming out of an appointment and the guy we were visiting said, "I would advise you to hold on to my rail as you go down the path and down the stairs." Me being Mr. Stupid, just glided my had across the rail until I got to the stairs. When I got to the stairs, I went to go grab the rail and in the process, I slipped; Elder Sanders says that My back was parallel with the stairs as I floated down the steps and some how grabbed the railing at the end, extended my left foot out and magically ended up standing up right!  I came away from the incident with some cuts in the middle of my palm which isn't to bad. 

SUNDAY- Church was pretty good, it was Elder Sanders' birthday so we made a cake and some grilled chicken for his birthday. I think he enjoyed it. haha 

SO that was my week, I have had ups and downs, (Literally and non) and I learned to always hold on to the iron rod! No matter what! I love you all and will see ya/talk to ya next week! 

--

Love Ya's! 

-Elder Zenger

SICKNESS and WEIRD WEATHER.

**There was not an email last week due to him being sick and limited computer time.**

Dear ______(fill in the blank)

 

This week I decided that I am going to try a new way of doing my "Mass Emails" home to you all. It is a way most of you have seen or if you are a missionary, then it might be the way you use it to send home to your families. I haven't done my emails this way in a while but I figured why not give it one more try!

 

MONDAY- Monday was such a freakin busy P-day! It was really rediculous! Monday was Bro. Butts Birthday and we all (Missionaries in Greene, Binghamton, and Owego) decided we would celebrate it with some Kickball, cookie cake, ice cream and some gifts for him! WE went and picked up the Binghamton Elders and from then on it was just a literal running to and fro from store to store getting grocery's and other things for the Butts mans birthday! In the end it was a great time and we all were able to get done what we needed to get done!

 

TUESDAY- On Tuesday we went on exchanges with the Greene Elders (Elders Gatherium and Koyle) I stayed in Johnson City with Elder Koyle who is going home this transfer and we had a good time! We had a part member family take us out to eat to a place called "The Beef" with was a bar and pub sorta deal! It was pretty good!

 

WEDNESDAY- Wednesday, we had a Zone meeting that day with a member of the seventy, Elder Katcher! (He spoke in this last General Conference) It was a pretty sweet conference! He talked about how we can involve more of the Ward council and other members in missionary work.

 

THURSDAY- This day I have to tell you all that it was a struggle bus day! I just couldn't do anything with out messing up some how haha the biggest thing I was goofing on was when we played basketball after coordination meeting with the Elders Quorum and I kept tripping over my feet and falling on my but and it sucked pretty bad... I looked like I was freakin drunk! haha (I think it was all the cough drops, and nyquil I have been taking haha)

 

FRIDAY- We went on another exchange this day and boy I was just ready to be done with exchanges! haha we have like a total of 5 we have/had to go on this transfer because my companion is the Distirct leader so.... yeah that is always fun. This time it was with our Zone Leaders and I stayed again with Elder Bybee while Elder Sanders went to Elmira with Elder Sedgwick. It was a super fun exchange and Elder Bybee and I taught like 3-4 lessons and had a sweet ol' time!

 

SATURDAY- Saturday was a pretty good day; after we exchanged back, we had to drive straight to a baptismal interview so that Elder Sanders could interview them so that they can be baptized next weekend. Then we went on a small blitz with Elders Mabey and Muller which was super fun! To end the night, we went to the sisters Baptism and that is always a good time!

 

SUNDAY- Sunday was the most boring day ever! I don't know why but all the lessons where just super lame and dry and I was tired and had a runny nose and It was just horrible! haha but I sruvivred a all is well!

 

That was pretty much my week this week! I hope you all have a good week this week and I am sorry for not having a letter last week, its was just one of those weeks where my mind was somewhere else and I just...yeah ...anyways!

--

Love Ya's! 

-Elder Zenger

MANY BLESSINGS

Dear yous guys out there!

This week has been a pretty good week! The only down fall was that my companion and I are both sick with the same thing and we have literally had it for an entire week! It has sucked.. but we are both feeling a bit better today which is good and I hope that we are going to progressively get better this week.

Last week on Monday, we all played Volleyball with all the missionaries in our unit with Brother Butts from the Greene Branch! It was so much fun and we even played a little bit of basketball afterwards as well! On Saturday, after Elder Sanders and I went to a dinner appointment, we went to McDonalds and got some dessert since our appointment cancelled that we had right after the dinner Appointment. As I was backing out Elder Sanders (yup still can't drive haha ) A guy came running out of McDonalds and asked us if we knew a place where he and his wife could stay. Elder Sanders told him that he didn't know of any place, and I told him I just got to the area so I don't even know how to get home (I was trying to lighten the mood...didn't work). His wife came out and stood next to him and told us thanks anyways and told us God Bless. As we were driving down the road almost to our apartment, Elder Sanders and I were talking and we both felt super horrible that we couldn't do anything for this couple. Then just like as if I was sitting in General Conference, the Voice of Elder Holland came into my mind when he talked about, "You give what you can to those who don't have anything, even if it is just a little bit, that can go a long way." Elder Sanders and I both agreed that we needed to go back and give them a copy of the Book of Mormon we found in the car. As we pulled into the opposite parking lot, Elder Sanders and I emptied our wallets with what we had and stuck it on the inside of the Book of Mormon with a restoration pamphlet. We walked right back into the McDonalds and found the couple exactly where they were when we left and handed them the Book of Mormon, and said, "We don't know where you can stay, and we don't have much ourselves, but this is what we do have, and we want you to have it and we hope that it will help you in some way." They took it in their hands holding it and staring at for a little bit, and looked at us with sincerity and said, "Thank you, thank you very much!" We told them we would pray for them and we left. I felt so good after we went back and did that, I knew that it was the Holy Ghost bringing that talk back to my remembrance so that I can bless the lives of his children in some small way that I could.

I love you all and I have nothing else to say but thank you to all of you! Especially those in my home ward (the Kimball ward) I got a surprise package the other day this last week when I was on exchange, and inside it was a homemade blanket made by the members of my home ward wishing and hoping that I will keep going, keep staying strong, keep my faith and trust in the Lord, as well as keeping warm this upcoming winter season. Thank you so much, and all of you who keep not only me, but missionaries everywhere in your prayers. WE feel them each and everyday and we are grateful for them and all of you! I hope you all have a good week and that the Lord will bless all of you for the good you do for others each and everyday!

--

Love Ya's! 

-Elder Zenger

Transfers

 

Hola amigos

 

This week has been a pretty interesting week! I got to as you know be transfered to Binghamton New York wich actually we are called the Johnson City Elders cause most of our area is Johnson City so I better change that on Facebook....but maybe I won't cuase we actually live in Binghamton so I think I will just leave it :)

 

Nothing exciting has happened this week really, My new companion Elder Sanders is freakin sweet! I love him to death and I won't lie I really hope and pray that he is my last companion for I only have 12 weeks left and for the last 4-5 months I have had a new companion every transfer (6 weeks) and it has been getting a little depressing! haha but what happens happenes! This email is late because after we went shopping, we got together with the other 3 sets of missionaries in our unit (2 sets of Elders and a set of Sisters) and played some Volleyball and played a little basketball as well! It was so much fun! But that is why we are so late emailing cause we didn't go and do it first but now we know what to plan for, for next week :)

 

It is getting a bit cold here this last week... I had to bust out my coat yesterday.... that was really lame.. I about froze to death! 0.0 But I was greatful today was a nice day. I have to tell you all this sweet lesson we taught a Less Active guy. Well actually he taught us for a little bit. When we got there, the my companion and the previous Elder invited him to read 1 nephi 7and 8 before we came back. So when we came back he decided to act out the story's instead of just telling them back to us! (this guys is like in his 50s mind you) so he has some T.V and Phone cord and ties up Elder Sanders like Nephi and he tells him, "OK, you've read the story you know what to do!" SO elder Sander breaks out and the Less Active gets down on 1 knee and says, "Oh our brother Nephi, we are so so sorry, please forgive us!" Elder Sanders looks and him and says, "Yeah sure I will forgive ya!" He then proceeds to do the next chapter which talks about the Tree of Life (AKA Lehi's vison) He has laying on the back of a chair a green t-shirt with a tree on it and  a sign next to it that says tree. He then says, " I don't have a rod of iron but I do have a rod!" so he pulls out this very long tree branch with duck tape on it and he holds it to the chair and says, "Come guys, you know what to do!" So we grabbed hold of the rod and headed toward the tree of life, as we got the the tree he ran into the kitchen and brought out apple slices and put them on the chair and said, "Ok guys, partake of the white fruit that tastes so fine!" It was the best lesson of my life! It was so cool to see how people get involed in reading the Book of Mormon!

 

Other that...things are same old same old! I hope you all have a good week and I will see some of yous on the FB!

--

Love Ya's! 

-Elder Zenger