Sister Cline, Connie, and Y'all

So, I met Sister Cline in our ward this week! Funny story actually... so we went over at 8:30pm one night to her house because she hadn't answered at any other times during the other days we tried to visit. We woke her up but she was not unhappy to see us that late and she told us we could come over on a later day. I made sure to tell her that we might be related! So, we came over a day or two later and she let us in! Her daughter and son in law were there as well. It was just inspired by the Lord I got sent to this area! Anyways, she is a super awesome lady and it was so much fun meeting with her and their family. I told them we're practically family already. I hope to keep seeing them in the future.

In other news, Connie is getting baptized this Saturday, September 20th! She has quit smoking for 9-10 days already! It's been really tough on her but she says she is not going back. She's a new person! We had her baptismal interview on Sunday and the bishop announced her baptism at the pulpit. As long as she stays strong and keeps away from the cigarettes, there's nothing stopping her from being the newest member of the ward! We plan to meet with her every day this week until she is baptized. She's ecstatic and is ready to make a life change. I'm so proud of her!

Lastly, I've gotten a comment this week from a member of the ward I say "y'all" a lot. Just so my fellow Texans know, I ain't quitting saying y'all anytime soon!

Love Y'ALL! - Your friendly neighborhood Elder Cline

Progression Comes Through Obedience

This week has been one of the biggest weeks for us as far as stats go. We've got 3 baptismal dates set; 1 in September and 2 in October. We're hoping they all turn out great! Our investigator we've been working with the longest time (with a date), Connie, has been working to quit smoking and come to church for a 3rd time. Her baptismal date had to be pushed back because she has to come to church one more time and she's working but she loves the members of our ward and really has grown since we first saw her! She's keeping all the commandments (except word of wisdom which she's progressing in) and can't wait to get baptized! We also set our friend Maurice with a date this week. His family got baptized except him and his younger sister with whom we're working with right now! They're so great and he's a great athlete! We set Justin with a date as well this week. His dad has been trying to work with him but nothing progressed really until we had the first discussion with him! He totally opened up and we've really sparked something in him. There was some referrals that came in this week so we've been trying to contact them all. We're getting to it! Most have just not opened the door. But we're trying! The most important thing I learned this week is that prayers really can be answered and real progression can only come through obedience. I love everything that's happened this week and I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Love y'all and have a great week! Elder Cline

Elder Clapp's First Week in Vegas

Hello my amazing friends! Let me tell you these past two weeks have been a blast! This week I had the opportunity to start serving as a missionary trainer! I had been so anxious and nervous to get my new companion for a whole week, but when it finally happened and he burst through those doors, I knew that we were meant to be together as companions! I got Elder Clapp, fresh out of the MTC Monday. We at transfers were able to take a 4 generation picture at transfers with Elder Clapp, Me, My Trainer, and my Trainer's trainer. It's super cool!

Elders Ballard, Victory, Cline, and Clapp

Me and my mission parents

Elder Clapp is a funny guy and a hard worker. Just coming out of the MTC, he told me someone had mentioned my name. It turned out that one of my friends from college, now Sister Bills, was in the same zone as Elder Clapp was! So, we know we already had one mutual friend once we figured that out.

Me and Elder Clapp at transfers

It's been great training! Elder Clapp had his first street contact approach already and he did super. We have lots of ideas to put in place or the Meadows 4th Ward so the next 3 months we'll have together will be an awesome experience for both of us. I can't wait for what's in store!

- Elder Cline

On Finishing the Book of Mormon

Hello everyone!

This week has been a blast. I've finished reading the B.O.M once on my mission! My favorite book is definitely Moroni. I like it because it summarizes up what needed to be mentioned before the full Apostasy began, and because it tells you the most important thing to know... what to do after you read the Book of Mormon... pray to know if it's true! I love it!

I also was able to get a haircut this week which looks "tough" apparently. We also got to help a lady change her tire this morning! A nail went through one of them and it went flat so we helped her fix it up. She asked us if she could pay us and we just told her we're here to help others. Community services are the best!

- Elder Cline

P.S. I forgot my camera cord again this week. It will be brought sooner or later!

Just a Snippet

This week, a short snippet of a letter from Elder Cline. He says he's spending lots of time responding to emails and may revert to blogging every other week. He thanks everyone for their emails and letters!!

We have baptismal dates set for two investigators! They're asking a lot of questions and it's great! I really hope they do end up getting baptized. Nothing much has occurred really. Lot's of busy work. I just got done through Helaman in the Book of Mormon! 115 pages left to go until I am done reading it once on my mission! Next I am going to start reading the New Testament. Not until this past week have I understood SO MUCH more about the Book of Mormon and even the Apostasy. We listened to a talk "Why 1820?" which explained so much about why there are different churches about. I recommend it.

Elder Cline's mom here... I'm attaching a link to the talk "Why 1820" which I found online as a pdf file. It's semi-lengthy, but a great read! Why 1820?

First Restoration Lesson and My Testimony

How great has this week been? Pretty great! As from previous blogs you may have seen that we in our ward have been focusing on a lot of less-active and inactive families in the ward. Well, this week I was pleased to have my first restoration lesson with a member present to an investigator! Yes, it took us a while to get there but our ward has a low retention rate and our bishop has told us to be focusing mainly on less-actives, so that's where we are! The lady was super nice and she's been wondering why certain things have been happening in her life. We taught her the lesson, answered her questions and made an effort to make her feel loved. I think the main thing that's important to do as a missionary is to just bear your testimony and I love doing that. A lot happened this week, but that's really what I loved the most, is visiting that investigator.

I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church on this earth today and that it is led by a prophet who receives revelation by our Heavenly Father. I know that Jesus Christ is our savior and that he died for us. I know that the Book of Mormon and that whoever will read it and will pray to ask of it's truthfulness will come to know by the spirit that the book is true and that Christ's church has been restored on the Earth. It's such a simple thing to do! All God asks to find the truth by reading and praying about the truth. For anyone who has questions about which church is right, I encourage you to find the missionaries in the area. They can lead you to a happier life and will they will help you with the trials in your life. I know this to be true.

Thanks for reading! Until next week!

- Elder Cline

Doctor Who and a Musical Fireside

Good afternoon my Houstonians and friends! Another great week in Las Vegas has come and gone!

A couple of highlights happened this week. One being we got to go on exchanges again. I got to go with Elder Hutchings and from that we got to get a new investigator from street contacting. It was great!

Elder Heidinger in his pajamas

Elder Hutchings cold during personal study

A couple days ago Elder Victory (who is a big Doctor Who fan) went over to a members house and brought his "sonic screwdriver" with him because he hear they were doctor who fans too. So for the next hour after dinner they had a whole discussion about it which I had no idea what they were talking about because apparently this TV Show that I've never seen before is the jam. We took a picture with him and the kids with their screwdrivers.

The Doctor Who Fan Club

We also got to attend a missionary musical fireside which was also tight! There's a lot of talented missionaries in our area! Our car broke down and wouldn't start so we had to ride in our zone leaders car for a day too.

It was a cool week. What else will be in store next week? - Elder Cline