July 22, 2013

Well, first things first. Supposed to have the car this week, but due to an "accidental fender-bender", it had to go into the body shop to get repaired since it is a LDS vehicle, so NO CAR for 4 DAYS, that made us have an interesting week.

Went on an exchange with the bishop out here, Bishop Maxfield. Visited a 16 year old who was baptized 6 years ago, unfortunately, shes gonna begin the name removal process due to not being active for that time and that a friend of hers converted her and wanted no part of the church. That's the mission life sometimes, were told to "invite others to come unto Christ", but at the same time, were also the sifters of the crop, and if its "spoiled" or have no desire, were forced to throw it into the fire...that's not fun to do. On a more interesting note, Gallatin holds a monthly concert at the square. During the exchange, we decided to visit an inactive member who's owns a consignment shop during the monthly festival. Lets say walking through the festival grounds with HUNDREDS of people around with beer and having a party made the Spirit "fly away" from us. We had a goal, we accomplished it, then got out of there.

Had a random zone meeting this week. I mean RANDOM, last week we had a Zone Conference (once a month and overrides all zone meetings for month), then a Zone Meeting with INTERVIEWS next week planned, so many meetings, a lot of miles used...I've talked about this before...

Received the car back, so we drove and had dinner with the Kings. This family is a party!!! They foster kids from the government so its possible every time we go someone new is there. One of the fostered girls' phone received a text and immediately recognized the sound: Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time. I love it when someone else enjoys what you do. Then the other fostered daughter inquires what i did at home for a hobby (sounds like a broken record) responded was a geocacher for 3 years. The father goes in his back room and pulls out a GARMIN eTREX JUST LIKE MINE AT HOME!!! The split second i recognized the yellow, i ran off the couch to hold it, so many memories of the geocaching adventures flooded my mind. This family is a definite favorite. Zelda ringtones, active and fairly new geocachers, this will be a party. Now we just need to plan out a day for some geocaching adventures.

Traveling home, we realize a live possum crossed the road. Reminded me of a missionary experience that will never be forgotten as well as not sure if I've told y'all about. When I was traveling, i was forced to go on a swap with Elder Webb to conduct a baptismal interview in Leitchfield Kentucky. Afterward we visited a few families in Morgantown (area i covered) and driving and we notice a possum crossing the road slowly. All missionaries have a few items on the TNM "Bucket List", one main one on everyone's is to KICK A POSSUM. Elder Webb sees it and runs to kick it, it looks back at him and voices got in his head and convinced him to not kick it. He would have been only one of 3 TOTAL MISSIONARIES IN THE HISTORY OF THE TNM that would have kicked a possum...but he didn't.

Back to my new possum incident, thinking of that experience, i could have kicked it, however, by the time i would have gotten out of the car, it was already behind a fence with the sign posted private property...DANG...nearly became a legendary missionary.

That's about a wrap for the day, Interviews are coming. I think I'm already on his good side with quoting a line off of "A BUGS LIFE" during the Zone Conference taking photos...

...hey, you!? Don't look at the light!!!! I cant help it...its so beautiful...ZAP...screams...

--

 

Elder Terre Kieffer Short

Tennessee Nashville Mission

Greatest Mission on Earth!!!

July 15, 2013

Built Ramp for a Family

 Largest Pizza in the Nation

60'' Diameter 

Final Zone Meeting With the McKee's 

I'm second row, behind second sister on the right

July 15, 2013

Well, lets just say that i am not in the best of shape. First time riding my bike in a significant while for a significant distance. Felt like i was gonna pass out, and the humidity and the heat wasn't making it feel any better. Took a breather at a gymnastics center owned and operated by the Ward Mission Leaders wife. Biking away after getting in the AC for a while, we hear the 6-10 year old girls yell at us "Goodbye hunkie guys", that awkward moment when 10 year old call missionaries hunkie guys.

We decided to have lunch/dinner at a famous place in town: the Pizza Machine. The pizza here ain't bad, but the scary part was the sizes offered. They are home of the LARGEST PIZZA IN THE NATION 60" in diameter. That thing feeds 50+ for $350, (on a missionary budget NEVER GETTING IT) however it ain't a bad idea for an after zone meeting/district lunch for all the missionaries. They also offer a 40" diameter then gets under 18", that is a lot of pizza. Lets just say that the 40 and 60" is so large that they need a mini crane to get it from kitchen to table.

Held a Family Home Evening in a town in our area with the Tompkinsville Elders. (Elder Haslam being one of them, hes following me around since being together in Jamestown) FHE Meetings are the new thing in the entire mission, so were gonna do them a lot. Had 13 present with 4 missionaries and one non-member, it seems small, but overtime, we can have a Winchester Miracle where in 2 months a Branch of 65-85 is now active, at least that is the plan.

Had our first zone meeting in the zone as well as first one with President and Sister Andersen, sorry no photos. We have interviews in a few weeks, so we may get them taken then. They originally had the call to Everett Washington, but Salt Lake changed that. They re-emphasized the TNM Slogan (which i had no idea of) which was WE CAN DO HARD THINGS. Think about the McKee's, they did the most difficult thing they could ever do while on a mission.

Performed an act of service on Saturday. We built a ramp from porch to drive way for an investigators disabled son. Four hours later, it is complete. Plus, due to the ramp being built, they MADE IT TO CHURCH THE NEXT DAY!!! The ramp cut off 15 minutes of time getting him down the stairs into the car. Talking with them they said they ran into Sister Missionaries nearly 10 years ago in Nashville, still remember the names as well as even got a wedding invitation from one of them recently.

The benefits of service, opening doors that may not even be opened in the first place

Sunday was a bit of a hastle, but it was a party. Including them 3, we had 11 NON MEMBERS present with most of them coming from less active part member families.

That's a wrap, till next time

-- 

 

Elder Terre Kieffer Short

Tennessee Nashville Mission

Greatest Mission on Earth!!!

 

July 1, 2013

 Donating Blood

 Becky Odom with Daughters plus me ;)

Me holding Link Shield with the Firestine kids and nephew

July 1, 2013

Had a very sad week this week

Took part in the final zone conference with the entire McKee family, sad to say that they are being released TOMORROW. The meeting was basically a testimony meeting with the multiple zones present. It was one day that will never be forgotten.

Next day achieved something on the everyday bucket list: DONATED BLOOD. Didn't pass out or have a fit over it, look forward to the mail coming in regards to what my blood type is, took photos, not sure if will be able to send them.

Walked in the sun for nearly 4 hours on Thursday finding people to invite to a FHE Group in Hampshire, were gonna be holding it every Sunday night there, so hopefully it'll attract more people and reactivate the branch that was in the town back in the day.

Friday did more walking, doing the math in my head i calculated it to be just enough to walk to the peak and back of ANGELS LANDING in less than a 5 hour time span, plus, I'm now "infected" with athletes foot due to the amount of walking...walking in pain is not good

Randomly stumbled upon someone partially drunk lighting of early fireworks desiring multiple photos of missionaries with him and the Coors Light can, very interesting and awkward, who knows, i may be famous on Facebook right now.

After that random visit, received a phone call from the assistants. I'M TRANSFERRING OUT OF SPRING HILL TO GALLATIN TENNESSEE. My new companion will be my older brother (trained by Perron before me) McLean, while Fisher will be receiving a NEWBIE AND TRAINING HERE

Let the tears start to flow and the farewell tour begin. Second shortest transfer in one area, with Jamestown being there for 5 weeks, here for 7

Sunday was a sad day, telling everyone bye and getting photos of a few families that meant a lot to me (including the ones that came and visited home, well partial part of family)

Come to find out Gallatin is where the Bishop used to live before he moved down here, so he knows the area and they know him, this will be fun

Out of time for now, but life will go on and anything can be accomplished  with the Lord on your side

Till next time

--

 

Elder Terre Kieffer Short

Tennessee Nashville Mission

Greatest Mission on Earth!!!

I think I got a pretty good score :)

June 24, 2013

Where to begin....

So, went bowling last P-Day, haven't done it since i was about 6, (off 35th south in west valley) did fairly well, but could have done better, the highest score scored was 112.

Visited with a less active person out this way with a member. The member inquired if they desired home teachers, and they said yes so they can show off the collection of "stuff" gathered up within last while, i inquired what stuff? He showed off his 1969 Camero with a 354 HP engine, he even started it up, it purrs like a kitten. The grand kids where there for vacation, they found a photo with them AND the 1969 Camero with THE BAND PERRY!!!! To inform ya'll the Band Perry is a fairly new Country group, they came to their place and "borrowed" the Camero for a music video in the newly released album. The song title is DONE, try to find it online, its a green-black striped car, cant miss it. The grand kids say they got photos of the band as well as have the grandpa pick them up from school in the ride, uber jealous much, being in the presence of a country superstar group.

Performed service once again at the local food bank, after the service, we received off-brand ding-dongs instead of girl scout cookies (which we still haven't eaten all of them, not a fan sad to say, they were Samoas)

Participated in the weekly basketball game once again, no body showed up, except for members of the famous family in the city of Columbia, the Walkers. They are an active family in the Columbia ward, but they are world known in the country music group THE REDHEAD EXPRESS. Five daughters ranging in age from 25 to 17, and yes, they are all Red Heads.

The apartment has an interesting infestation going on, cockroaches. We've found 2 of them nearly as long as the Missionary Name tag is, and have found two more smaller than them, luckily we've bug bombed the apartment and they lay dead-ish, but they are still present.

The Missionary Broadcast Meeting on Sunday was enjoyable, realized that i went to any form of church for a total of 8 hours. (including Pastor Rucker of Primitive Baptist) Since the mission is already a pilot-program for the Facebook missionaries, it will be really easy for me to get on since it is a WORLD WIDE MISSION WIDE RULE to start Facebook missionaries, its even possible we may be entrusted with IPads soon. These effects will be implemented soon, but who knows how soon it will be, COOL

Had an interesting visit with the active J-Dub. Taught of prophets, authority and comparing the gospel to plants and gardening (that's what he was doing planting a garden), i feel like within the next 6 months we may have a J-Dub converted...COOL

Also had a visit with Keith Holt, hes the Golden Referral. Hes somewhat hesitant of doing anything in change because hes been used to certain feelings all his life. So inquiring about Book of Mormon and Priesthood he doesn't know what the feeling is that hes feeling. Sad to say, we may not get a dunking before Pres McKee goes home, but at least we've planted the seeds and continuing to nourish those that have been planted.

That's a wrap, till next time

--

 

Elder Terre Kieffer Short

Tennessee Nashville Mission

Greatest Mission on Earth!!!

June 17, 2013

Cardinal they have a ton out here

I obeyed the sign

June 17, 2013

All-in-all this week was by far one of the most difficult ones to date. No vehicle, living 2 miles away from our areas border, 96+ degrees with 80% humidity and were WALKING, this week reminded me of my near-death experience in Hoptown biking UP HILL in Pros with helmet NO WATER and traveling for nearly 3 miles with no shoulder or sidewalk...not cool. But i just had to chug my way through it and glad to say that i have as well as thank goodness were receiving the car now.

Had dinner with the Mousers, and with the RM from Vegas Mission. Still felt weird to be talking to someone who has met with my folks, but it was a fun and memorial conversation. DAD, i know we haven't been to Silver Lake, when I'm back, we gotta change that.

Performed service at a local food pantry/bishop storehouse, hopefully it'll be a referral hub in the future. The owner says missionaries came daily nearly 3 years ago and then stopped, your the first I've seen since.

After the simple act of service, we went to a Spanish/English couples house for dinner. They both speak Spanish and English, but she is mostly the one who translates the program for the Spanish members. Dinner was delicious, them Spanish people know how to make a good meal. Afterwards we had BACON SUNDAES, don't judge till you try it. Bacon, Vanilla Ice cream and Chocolate syrup equals a southern tradition too good to only eat once.

OK I achieved two things on the TNM Bucket List this week: I GOT A TICK as well as a few CHIGGERS on me. The tick is by far the easier one to remove, chiggers are more annoying than mosquito bites, i still get bit out this way and do they itch, hopefully none have the West Nile :(  Chiggers get underneath the skin and just itch. Lets just say i have a chigger bite on the upper part of my leg near my crotch. With it being in arms reach, it itches like none other. Trying a few local remedies to get rid of it. Hopefully it'll disappear soon.

P-DAY will be a blast today, cant wait to go bowling, till next time

--

 

Elder Terre Kieffer Short

Tennessee Nashville Mission

Greatest Mission on Earth!!!

June 10

Odoms and the Mouser visiting my parents

June 10, 2013

Another week has officially flown by, and now that this week is over, i can officially say that i am HALF WAY THROUGH THE MISSION. When i look back it seems like last week i entered the MTC and this journey, while yesterday seems to be when i was transferred out of Kentucky. Enough with the reminiscing, time for the update.

 

The Family Home Evening group thing went relatively well. Mostly members there, but there were a few non-member neighbors who where there as we watched the ONLY A STONE CUTTER. Compared and likened it to our everyday lives as we serve each other as well as the Lord. (specifically us as missionaries) FHE Groups are the new thing in the TNM. All the small and micro sized towns are holding them so they can duplicate the Winchester miracle by making themselves into an active branch or a ward. Everyone in this area lives at least 10 miles away from the church building, so why not give it a shot here. The meetings will be held monthly for now, but if it gains in popularity, it may need to be occurring on a regular basis.

 

Met with one of the legendary less actives in the area: Kurt Warner. He is a legend due to his profession. He is a limousine driver. YES, HE OWNS A LIMO. Its a Pearl White (just for you Jason Awesome #1) Cadillac Escalade 20 seater limo. Talking about it he mentioned that the ride is $125,000, the outside looks only $75,000, then was invited inside, and that's where the money comes from in the price. Laser lights, powerful amps, all leather seats, a martini stand, coolers, two small TVs. It was pretty cool to just sit inside with the amp and going on full blast. I just found something else to do on my TNM Bucket List: convince Kurt to take us out on a ride around the block in the limo...CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

If you guys happened to watch the CMA's he was sitting directly behind both Taylor Swift as well as Carrie Underwood. Being a chauffeur definitely has its advantages.

 

Had dinner with the Firestines, this family is one of them that i will remember for the rest of my life. Lets just say as we were prepping dinner, the two kids were talking Legend of Zelda...i could not help it, i joined in on the conversation. Come to find out the entire family plays the game, especially the one that we don't have yet...grrrr...found a new family hobby to do once back home.

 

We were able to visit the GOLDEN REFERRAL this week. We basically taught him all of the Plan of Salvation. He is reminding me so much of Cliff Kennedy. Keith is doing everything that should be done. All we can do is teach, then the Spirit convinces of the truth, hes thoughtfully and prayerfully trying to receive an answer. Hopefully he will receive an answer before the McKee's leave, hes about the only solid person were teaching currently.

 

Had an interesting moment here, we tracked into an active Jehovah's Witness, he said no thank you for a visit because he was about to work on his garden and we offered service to assist him in it, this shocked him completely. You guys really want to assist me in the garden in the white shirts and ties? OF COURSE, needless to say 3 hours later, the garden is ready for the pre-planted garden plants. During those three hours we talked about the offering of service is an "identifying feature" as well as the restoration. Who knows, Keith may not be the one we baptize this month, it may be an active J-DUB.

 

Now for a trunkie moment. The RM who served in Vegas had his homecoming speech on Sunday. It felt really weird to hearing one of them out this way, it just makes me begin planning mine and I'm still a year away. It also felt weird that members in my current ward where I'm serving went on vacation and FOUND MY PLACE as well as the MISSIONARY BROTHER serving in DRAPER, now that is a cool thing as well as another trunkie moment.

Well, that's a wrap, till next time

-- 

 

Elder Terre Kieffer Short

Tennessee Nashville Mission

Greatest Mission on Earth!!!

 

June 3, 2013

Ever since the announcement of Pres and Sister McKee leaving has somewhat boosted the work in the entire mission. The entire mission has a goal of each companionship baptizing ONE PERSON before they leave the first week of July, that's 100 BAPTISMS PLUS, the average for a month is 35-45. Hopefully well be able to do it, but if we can, that will be something never to be forgotten.

This week has been just interesting. The fact that we live 2 miles away from the SOUTHERN border of our area and the nearest ward members are 5+ miles away doesn't help either as well as sharing one car between 3 companionship's doesn't quite work out very well, but we have no choice.

Participated in the ward fiesta. Since the ward split less than one month ago, this acted like a time for everyone to know who is and who isn't in the ward. All that was needed to be mentioned is Spanish members cooking, lets just say there were TWICE AS MUCH AT THE FIESTA than at church, i call it a successful evening.

Walking for days doesn't quite get anything done especially in this area. Were really effective with the car, when we don't, were not so well. The only good part of walking for days i guess is the tan line that is slowly being visible, that is the tan line from the white shirts on the neck and arms.

Attempting to start up a FHE Group, so with a member we visited and invited a few not active and less active members to it so hopefully well have a few new faces at something.

Spent nearly 2/3 of Saturday performing service...yea out of pros... Helped two families (one a member family) move in, afterwards we assisted a less active and non member husband in building grow boxes as well as grooming the lawn and hedges on property. Then had dinner at a members house only to find out that HE SERVED HIS MISSION IN THE TENNESSEE NASHVILLE MISSION NEARLY 10 YEARS AGO. One area he served in was Hopkinsville Kentucky, my birth area. I need to pick his brain more and see where else hes been and who he remembers from Hoptown.

Did another episode of church-hopping on Sunday. The missionaries prior to my arrival were visiting with a Primitive Baptist Preacher since they heard he occasionally preached sermons out of the Book of Mormon...that's different...we even got special permission to fellowship as well as attempt to teach him. First all-black preacher I've met, the blacks in the south are very religious and get straight to the point, sometimes i wish i was that way.

Afterwards we visited a referral from a nearby ward with a less active member. This guy we may be able to baptize before the McKees leave home, the term for this guy is GOLDEN. He knows so much and we haven't even taught him anything. The LA even assisted and even fellow shipped him since they were both in military. (had no idea) This LA is soo cool. He loves to be out and serve with us missionaries and has basically done so since his conversion in 1995, hes the perfect example of a ward missionary.

OK...seriously...the package was great, i needed the loving, but why send it nearly a week early? thanks for the reminder that my half way mark is this week. Look forward in the mail for something from me

That's a wrap, until next time

-- 

 

Elder Terre Kieffer Short

Tennessee Nashville Mission

Greatest Mission on Earth!!!