Elder Schone-Personal Narrative

The Mormon service I visited, had a few similarities but also a few distinct differences from the Catholic service that I am used to. Before this particular Sunday, I had never attended a Mormon service, nor had I spoken to anyone who believed in Mormonism or the “Latter Day Saints.” With that being said, I was welcomed much more openly than I had originally thought. Before entering, I was approached by two members of the church; two young women (sisters) between the ages of roughly 19 to 22. I arrived about an hour before service, that way I could ask a few people some questions, but the two girls beat me to the punch. They initially asked me if I had visited before and I responded saying that it was my first time, and I was attending as a student observer, with no intention of converting, but would love to learn about the faith. They nodded and proceeded to explain to me the reasons as to why they believed so strongly, and also a bit of background information on the faith. One of the girls, explained to me that there has been a lot of skepticism about Mormonism due in part to the fact that Joseph Smith Jr, was so young and how his explanation of “Moroni” (An angel no one had ever heard of), and his entire religion and the scripture used, “Book of Mormon,” could have just been a part of his imagination. The other girl told me how she was beginning to lose faith a couple years back, but she then regained it, after she experienced her own tests, and was able to get passed her

As we close out the 43rd game of the season, the Phillies drop to 15-28. As the pitching woes continue, it's tough to look on the bright side. It's understandable for the fans to be anxious, but it's all apart of the rebuild. I'm here to tell you to R-E-L-A-X. The team is still incredibly young and in the process of getting back to October. Maikel Franco is struggling a bit at the plate. Picking up the slack in the lineup is Tommy Joseph, who has been on absolute tear through the month of May. Cesar Hernandez has cooled off a bit but still playing some good ball. What can't I say about Aaron Altherr? He's everything you can ask for right now and then some. One thing you can look forward to is one of the most exciting

Our newest missionaryJulie Burnette Halecki is our daughter. We had been praying for many years that God would send missionaries to train under us and "take up the mantle" but we never thought it would be our daughter Julie. She had been enjoying a successful career, a new house and a job she loved... Little did we realize that God was calling her to

When I was 14, my best friend, Sammy, invited my other friend, McKelle, and I to Mormon Girl’s Camp with her for an entire week. Both McKelle and I were super excited to go. It

I never thought I would be labeled an outsider, a misfit even. As I trudged my way through the halls of my small town high school, I would endure the gazing pairs of eyes, that belonged to my peers, followed by whispering and often times some laughter. I always used zone out during those repetitive speeches and commercials about the effects of gossiping and rumors; never did I imagine that one day I would be on the receiving end of of the everyday potshot. Growing up I was always the center of attention, the one everyone yearned to be friends with, never was I the antisocial child in the corner with nowhere to turn… not until high school. They say high school changes you. They say high school accounts for some of the greatest years of

*disclaimer: bare with me... the next 5 chapters are crap because i wrote them over a year ago...chapter 19 will be the start of some great shit*

This past May, my Grandpa went home to the Lord. Right after the funeral, Grandma received a mail addressed to her. It was a surprise stuffed dog (Homer) from the Habitat for Humanity where Grandpa donated to them. Since then, Grandma have been looking for the exact same one. Today, I introduce the newest member of the Sochacki family--Charlie (tentative name), 8 weeks old, and he is a Cavachon. Already a bundle of joy to all the family!

She immediately introduced herself and affirmed my initial assumption that many Mormons are welcoming, nice, and eager to discuss their faith with outsiders. By interviewing her, I was able to sit down and discuss the basic beliefs of Mormonism for the first time. This interview and new-found knowledge clarified my understanding of this community as well as changed it. I learned that while Christianity and Mormonism do differ in some regards, like the extra three books of the Bible presented in the Mormon church or a different belief of what one’s afterlife will look like, the two faiths also share similar core values. They both preach that love, community, and faith are all vital aspects involved within the

I grew up in California where both of my parents were involved with gangs and drugs by the time they were in middle school. They grew up like this, getting involved with the wrong people, getting into fights for dumb reasons, even getting in trouble with the authorities. Of course, that was normal for them because they were surrounded by it through friends and family. They continued to live that life style even when they met each other at the ages of 18 and 23. They didn't like each other at first, but they eventually started dating. My mom ended up getting pregnant later that year and tried to take a break from all of it, but my dad didn't stop and that caused some tension and arguing between them.

I had the privilege of going with the DBC High School choir on a mission trip for a week last month, and it was an experience I had never had before. There were almost 100 total people on the trip, and we had two buses that took us everywhere that week. This included 5 different hotels, fast food restaurants, two churches, one flash mob at a mall, and seven different juvenile detention centers or children’s homes. There were many hours of travel, lots of late nights doing bible study, and many times of putting up and breaking down risers, speakers, and microphones, whether we liked it or not. I have to say this was one of the most physically, spiritually, and mentally challenging weeks of my life.

One day this week some members invited us to their quinceañera (15th birthday party) They wanted us to come and talk to their family and friends that were not members. We got to tell a few people about what we believe. There was one lady who we talked to for a good long time. She was going through some personal trials and told us that she needed some strengthening. We read with here and talked with her. She loved talking to us and said we would like to learn more. She speaks english so we reffered her to the english speaking elders. She was very funny and energetic. She told us she belives in verbal praises. She thought she forgot her napkin but found it again and said "oh praise the lord!" I thought that was intersting. Anyhow we had the oppritunity to talk to a lot of people and give out pamphlets with our phone number on them.

My majors are Agricultural Business and Economics. I am sophomore by credits and plan to graduate in May of 2019, a year ahead of schedule. Last semester I made the Dean's list with a 3.91. I may be a little excited about it yet. I just started my second semester at Iowa State. This semester I am taking 15 credits composed of Econ 102 (Principle of Macroeconomics), 207 (Applied Economic Optimization), 235 (Intro to Agricultural Markets), Acct 284 (Financial Accounting), and Biol 101 (Introductory Biology). So far, I am excited about all my classes, I know they will be a lot of work however. The joys of college. I am involved on my dorm floor on the cabinet as treasurer,

On an entirely different front, at the beginning of August I will be sending out my fall schedule to my current directees. Those who plan on continuing to meet together will pick a time which is best for them. Once this is complete, I will know how many new pastors, seminary students, and professors I will be able to add to the list of people with whom I meet.

Since coming to Samford, I started to attend Redeemer Community Church. I am still choosing between Redeemer Community and Shades Valley for my home church. My roommate has chosen Redeemer, so she asked me to join her bible study. There are 6 Samford freshman girls and 2 mid twenties aged leaders. We meet every Monday night either off campus at a coffee shop or restaurant or we meet on campus. We are currently going through an advent devotional. This bible study group has been awesome! I am so glad I got involved with it. The girls in it ended up being some of my great friends. It is just nice to have a community of girls that keep you accountable and encourage you. The leaders are young and able to relate to us really well. They are great

I am not lost. I ran away with Gabriel the night before The Ceremonies. Fiona, please show The Elder Receiver this letter after you read it. I cannot come back to the community because I have broken too many rules: I left my dwelling at night, plundered leftover food, stole my father’s bicycle, and I took Gabriel. I needed to take him; they were going to release him in the morning if I didn’t. I miss you and Asher, but I had to leave for a reason that only the Elder Receiver would understand. The community is keeping feelings and memories and colors away from the citizens. The Elder Receiver and I made a plan to spread the memories among the community. We decided that it would be much easier and less painful if we all acquired the memories, instead of just