JULY 4, 2011 ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Hello family!  I'm writing to people in Germany, Denmark, Colorado, and Utah.  Wow!  Greta, I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying Germany.  What an amazing trip.  Too bad you missed 4th of July in AMERICA!!! haha!  

We had a visitor at church who is a nuclear engineer.  He said that Grand Junction is the most radioactive city in America and that like a billion dollars have been spent cleaning it up!  Have you ever heard that?  That explains the hand growing out of my side....!

I hope you all know how much I love you!  I enjoyed getting a lot mail this week and a package from Stake temple day.  There were so many cute pictures from little kids and some great letters from friends inside, also tons of food.

I received a phone call Saturday night informing me that I would be transferred.  I don't know where until tomorrow morning at transfer meeting.  I spent today packing and tie shopping with Elder Graham.  We had a great day today.  It is sad leaving Brunswick, but exciting to see a new area.  Bring it on!  We stopped by the Hutchesons (from GJ) yesterday and said goodbye.  Sunshine (Irwin's cousin) was sad to see me go, but I gave her your information so she can stop by if she ever goes to GJ.  Luckily, I will be able to keep in contact with all these people. I can shoot them texts or call them every once in a while.  Go State-side missions! 

I had a really unique opportunity on Wednesday.  Because E. Pelo left home last Sunday, I went with E. Graham to Zone Leader Council.  What a choice experience.  I learned so much and had a good rejuvenation from it.  Pres. and Sister Barry are so loving!  They can talk to me for only ten seconds, but they leave me feeling like they have known and loved me for my whole life.  I am happy to have them has my Step-parents for these two years.  I am in good hands.  The feast after the council was arguably the best part.  Elder Baker has a brother who just moved to GJ.  I wish I could remember his name... I'll ask him tomorrow.  

We had an amazing miracle after Zone Council.  We were instructed to contact every investigator every day.  Following that, we stopped by Joe.  We knew he had work, but we did anyway.  Turns out his girlfriend Tiffany was on the phone with her sister, who's little baby had just died. It was touching as we shared Alma 40 and Moroni 8 with them.  Tiffany LOVED Alma 40.  Everytime we meet with them, she says, "ALMA 40!".  Her brother was killed at 15 and she'd had a dream they he came to her and said he was in peace.  Least to say, she loved Alma 40.  What a miracle.

It was hard to say goodbye to Sister Watson.  She was sad to hear I am leaving, but it is ok because we can still keep in touch.  She is so sweet!  She had the biggest smile on her face on Sunday.  She even stayed afterwards to watch the baptism of a kid.  She's remarkable and I love her so much.  One of my best decisions was going to Goodwill last Monday.  I was so happy to see a GW here in Brunswick!  There, I bought 3 shirts (a yellow one for Valdosta State.  On the back is a nuclear explosion, "Kaboom" and it says the "November Nukes."  Another shirt has a wolf on it.  The last shirt is a St. Simon's Bball league shirt.  They are my keep sakes of an area that I love so much.)  I was tempted with buying a shirt that had a running horse and the words "Italian Stallion."   I love thrift stores.  The mission budget only makes that love grow bigger.

Welp family and friends,  so long from Brunswick, Ga.  Have an amazing Fourth of July! 

 

JUNE 27, 2011 BAPTISM OF SISTER WATSON

Hello Gebhard family!  Wow another great week. 

I'll start with the best part:  Sister Watson's Baptism on Saturday.  We have quite a few members from the ward there to support her.  Elder Pelo got to baptize her, which is so sweet because he went home the next day.  What a way to end his mission! I better understood the importance and significance of baptism.  The hand off to the ward has been amazing.  The RS loves her and she has gotten to know 4 families really well.  The church is going to do wonders her.  She has been lonely because she is a single mother and her two sons are leaving the house.  I have had the choice opportunity to see Sister Watson completely change her life.  The first lessons weren't a little bit like: "why do I have to change and stop smoking?" but she ended up changing on her own.  Two weeks ago she said she had thrown out her coffee and tea and was working on stopping smoking.  After an FHE with her and a family last Monday, we found out that she had quit smoking the Saturday before, with no prompting from us.  All of this change was brought because she gained her own testimony of the Book of Mormon.  The Book of Mormon is the power to converting oneself to this gospel.  They don't need the missionaries to be there.  It makes me think that the role of the missionary is to introduce, teach and testify about the book of mormon so that when we leave, they will read, pray,and develop a testimony of it.

 We had a Going Away Party for E. Pelo (who served 9 months in Brunswick) Saturday night.  We had 55 people there!  Most were investigators, recent converts, less actives, but there were also active members there too!  We had a lot of fun playing games, we watched the Testaments, and had a powerful testimony meeting afterwards (of course after that we had refreshments).  Our investigator, Mr. Trowell said he thought that the night was specifically meant for him.  He really liked the video.  Hopefully he will be baptized this Sunday. 

     

The highlight of the party was seeing the Brocks come.  Sister Brock has been a member for 40 years, and her husband is investigating.  They lived in San Francisco for a long time and both love the Oakland Temple.  One of their sons was murdered on June 1st and they have been so devastated.  Every time we have seen or talked to them, they have broken down.  My heart aches for them.  I had taught them two lesson before the tragedy and E. Pelo and I got to teach them on Thursday.  I was so nervous for how it would go.  We taught them about the atonement.  IT started out rocky.  E. Pelo read scriptures about the atonement, but he didn't realize they had the words "murder" and "death" so much.  That was awkward.  But we persisted and it ended great.  They warmed up so much to us, we had a great talk, we showed them the Mormon Messages video "Things that Matter Most."  Sis. Brock paints a lot like Grandma Tink.  Mr. Brock told us that he has changed so much since the death.  Hopefully this is a blessing in disguise and he will be open to the gospel now.  Anyway, so they came to the party and loved it. It was great to see them laughing with the ward.  To top it off, they came to church on Sunday.  They are such a cute old couple!

 

Happy Father's Day!

June 20, 2011

 Hello ya'll!  Man, I love "yall", it makes talking to a large group of people so much easier.  Have you ever felt awkward saying "hey guys," or "hey people"?  The solution is "Ya'll"

   Another great week in the neighborhood of Brunswick, Georgia.  We went to Waycross on Wednesday for trade offs.  It was SNOWING!!! (ash).  40 new fires were started there due to human stupidity and lightning.  You'd be surprised the number of fires started from people (rednecks, idiots) burning their trash lol.  Pretty much all week there were grey skies from all the smoke and boy! Was it a delight to breath in.  Luckily, I'm a missionary and I don't really pay much attention to that.  The heat hasn't been bad because we have a car.  I haven't been affected by the humidity yet; I kinda like it, but knock on wood because July and August are coming around the bend and chances are I won't have a car next transfer. HaHa.  Things are going great.  

  Another amazing member is B George.  He is so legit.  He used to own some McDonalds so he always has a Mickey D's shirt on and in two visits gave us 4 mini Ben and Jerry's ice creams!  Most of all, he shared such a solid testimony with us.  We asked him what we could do for him. he said, "Be your best at what you do."  Some other words of wisdom he gave were, "People will not remember what you said or what you did, but they will always remember how you made them feel."  Just from his example, I saw the power that came from making people FEEL.

   Cathryn Watson is ready to be baptized at 11 on Saturday, the 25th.  We met with her and went over the baptismal interview questions.  Her testimony of the Book of Mormon is so strong now.  Yesterday, she had amazing fellowship with the ward.  

   Last night we had a great dinner with the Mezas (ward missionaries).  They speak little English.  I really enjoyed using the Spanish that I know, I blew my companions away with how much I knew.  Her father was visiting from Mexico and doesn't speak any English and is not a member of the Church.  We had a long lesson with them and had powerful testimonies from their family members to her father.  He was greatly moved and said that he would like to begin reading the Book of Mormon.  It was a highlight of the night (aside from the homemade enchiladas :)  ) 

Ancestor's journal

June 13, 2011

Recently, Jim discovered that his great-grandfather, Nathaniel Alvin Decker, served a mission in the same area that Michael is in except it was 110 years ago.  Jim always thought that his mission was in Tennessee, but as he read the journal that his great-grandfather kept on his mission, he realized that Nathaniel Decker was in the Jacksonville, Florida area.  We found that he might have been in Brunswick, GA, where Michael is now.  There are some missing journal entries of about 6 months.  But there is a reference to Brunswick.  He was close enough that a doctor was called from Brunswick to help a man that had been shot in his arm.  Michael just received a copy of the journal.  So when he talks about "the journal" it is referring to that of his great-great-grandfather who served in Jacksonville, Florida area from 1899-1901.  That is pretty cool.

Hello Family!  Greetings from the deep South, where the chicken comes fried and the gritz come cooked.  Thank you for the emails and letters and AMAZING package! (yes I got one in the MTC too).  The pictures and blessings are so amazing and special to me.  The Missionary journal truly is dear to my heart.  I read from it every day.  I am currently on a 4 day exchange in Kingsland, GA where he (Nathaniel Decker) literally served, so it is so sweet reading his journal here.  

It has yet to rain since coming to Georgia.  Actually, the Okefenokee swamp is up in flames and the sky is gray, and the sunset is red here because of all the smoke.  There was ash on the car this morning.  Sad day.  

 On Tuesday, I talked with a bishop from Waycross at the church and told him my ancestors are from Manassa, CO and turns out his son-in-law is too.  His last name is Smith.  I think his grandpa was John Smith.  He was so excited to see the missionary journal when it came in the mail. I told him I'd copy some pages from it that dealt with Waycross.  He said the old LDS families are the Spivies, Fussels, and some others.  I saw "ervin spivy" in the journal.  SO COOL!

Hey Mom, Elder Nelson from Woodland Hills in my zone (in Waycross).  he said his mom told him to look out for me as well.  He is sweet. 
Megan, my companions and I randomly broke out into Anastasia soundtrack lol.  Some how we all knew the lyrics.  

Kingsland has been amazing.  We've had powerful lessons.  I have grown immensely being away from the comfort and guidance of my "Parents."  This little goose has left his parents and knows how to fly a little bit better now!  The reason I came to Kingsland is because one Elder has to get his impacted wisdom teeth out.  Everything has its reason!  

Week #2 in Brunswick

This is Michael's second full week in Brunswick, GA on his mission.  As you can tell from his letters, he is having some interesting experiences and learning to love the people in this area. The following is from his latest letter:

We are in an apartment across the green, algea infested pool from the other missionaries lol.  It looks radioactive.  Last night, we caught a leopard gecko in our kitchen.  Pretty cool, he reminded me of the leopard gecko I once had that drowned himself, probably because of my terrible parenting.  I feel at home in the apartment.  We have six to seven mugs that are somewhat cool, which feels just like home in GJ or at BYU.  

This week's excitement included a car accident for us.  We slowed down to a stop because the car in front of us was performing a beautiful, graceful, slow, arcing swan, old man left turn.  Just as we took the foot off the brake to accelerate, BOOM!  We got hit by a man in his 60s.  Watch out for the Buick Le Sabres, or maybe just the people who would drive such a car.  We are all perfectly fine.  We were a bit sore from whip lash but luckily that was it.  He was probably going 20 mph when he hit us.  The police woman who came was so nice and had actually gone backpacking near Ouray somewhere last summer.  That was way sweet.  We gave her a pass along card as well and talked a bit about the message of the Restoration.  One thing I want to become better at is finding investigators all the time--Whenever I am outside of the apartment.  Whenever I am inside the apartment I should be thinking about how to find.

As a Mom of a missionary, I realize that I have another thing to worry about that I didn't while Nate and Grant were on their missions because they didn't drive or ride in cars that much.  Now my worry is 19-21 year old young missionaries driving around town.  Watch out and be careful!

I have had two member dinners this week!  Amazing food both times. I have never had salmon so good before!  One of the dinners was with the Tomlinson's and we brought our investigator Cathryn Watson along.  They live on Saint. Simon's Island which juts out into the ocean and is really pretty.  About half of Brunswick 2nd Ward lives on the island.  We had a great evening.  

Last Monday night, we visited my first legit "black old lady" that follows the stereotype of being completely devoted to Southern Fried Cooking.  We knocked on her door and when she came to the door, she had three chicken drum sticks in her hand haha.  Of course, I would later ask her if she loved cooking and have her go into all the collared greens, gritz,...she loves to cook.  Sadly, she doesn't come to church even though she is a member.  

The other most exciting event was my first baptism!  We first visited Beverly Eckhoff on my first day in Brunswick, on May 24th.  That day we told her she would have to come to church every week, give up tea, coffee, and smoking.  She has smoked for the last 44 years and she said at times it was six packs a day!!!  That night she threw out all her tea and coffee and we made the goal for her to stop smoking all together on June 1st and then she would be baptized on June 5th.  She stopped completely and has gone Cold Turkey for the last five days.  That is miraculous.  She was baptized and was so happy.  She also had another miracle happen.  The day before her baptism interview, we taught her about tithing and she became very concerned that she would not be able to pay it because her brother controls her money.  She was completely willing, but not sure if it was possible.  We promised her that God blesses us so much because of faithfulness to tithing.  That night she called us and told us the miracle:  her brother approved that she could pay were tithing, except for June they could not quite pay it all due to things she needed to buy.  Beverly's neighbor knocked on her door and said "I'll bet you need a dining table set and a mattress, don't you?"  Beverly was going to buy that very thing this month, but she was given them and can pay her tithing.  It was amazing.

For those who aren't familiar, tithing is 10% of one's earnings members give to the church (Malachi 3:8-10).

 

 

Brunswick, Georgia

 Michael's new address is as follows:

Elder Michael P. Gebhard

104 Camellia Court

Brunswick, Georgia  31520 

Brunswick, Georgia is so awesome!  It really was the place I most wanted to go, and lo and behold, I got it first.  The work is probably better here than in any other district.  There are 2 wards and the church members here are so sweet and kind.  they are also pretty involved in missionary work.  We have visited many people already and I feel sad thinking that I'll probably leave them in 5 weeks ( they say trainees of zone leaders always get transferred).  But I hope i stay for months.

   My companions are Elder Pelo and Elder Graham.  We have not had an argument yet and we are all clean.  Also, we all can cook so you could imagine we're having a great time.  We have protein shakes every morning,omelletes, hash browns, fried rice, amazing tomatoe soup, grilled cheese.  We are eating so well.  Last week, we actually didn't have a single meal from a member  D: but hopefully we will this week.  I have enjoye having skills that I can use to serve my companions.  I have broken out my classic Orange Julius twice now :D  

One of the recent converts I met is Sister Hutcheson.  She lived in Delta/Orchard Mesa for a long time growing up.  It was awesome to make a relationship with her and now we're great friends.  Her Mom is hilarious.  She is from Australia and cares for all these insane wild animals.  She saids "bloody love" so much, even in church :/  it's humorous.  The awesome part is that she is cousins with Steve Irwin!!! How awesome is that.  She was part of the show but just never was on camera.  I found this out when she told me her cousin was killed by a sting ray.  Oh the treasures you find in Brunswick! 

   My first Sunday was great.  those 8 hours went by so quickly.  We had 4 investigators in the 1st Ward.  Beverly, who is 55 and has smoked for 40 of those years came.  She is SO excited about the gospel and so ready for baptism.  The only challenge is the cigarettes, but she has alreay cut it down from  20 to 6 a day.  The hardest part for her will to be fellowshipped into the ward.  all of her front teeth are rotten and decayed.  I hope people can look past that and see her for the sweet lady she is.

    Next, we had Ms. Rose come with her two "kids," Rashawn (13) and Zoesha (9)"Zoee-sha").  They were the cutest, best black family I've ever seen in achurch.  They all matched in purple.  Ms. Rose had a purple dress with a big ol' black baptist easter hat on.  So legit.  Zoesha had a cute dress on and had her hair in some crazy braid.  Best of all, Rashawn who is a pretty big kid was in these like purple checkered pajama which were super loose and was rocking these ROCKING PURPLE ALLIGATOR SKINNED DRESS SHOES.  I have never seen something so beautiful.  In the 2nd Ward, two potential investigators showed up that we will start teaching this week.  There are so many cute little kids in the wards.  Its going to be so fun.

  I have a testimony that Jesus Christ was resurrected and now leads a church on the earth.  That church is His church, which name I carry with me at all time, and which name I am honored to have "Elder Gebhard" on the same badge as.  Two years is a long time, but it will fly by, and fly I will, higher and higher; becoming more Christlike myself, and helping others do the same.  

Jacksonville Florida

Greta took this picture when we dropped him off at the MTC.  It is the essence of Michael.

Elder Gebhard arrived in Jacksonville, Florida.  He is pictured with his mission president and his wife.

 

 

Michael and the group of elders he arrived with to Florida.

His mission president titled this picture with "Welcome to humidity."

It was also 95 degrees the day they arrived.