30 August 2014 letter

Dear Mom and Dad,
I love and miss you guys but I know I'm supposed to be here. Ever since Saturday all I want to do is baptize people and hit people with the Spirit! I still hate street contacting though. I know with the Lord's help I will become the best missionary this world has ever seen.
Love,
Elder Pleshek

25 Aug 2014

Dear Whoever reads this,

I'm doing really good. The time is starting to fly by. I can't believe I've been in the field for almost a month. Xavier was baptized on Saturday, and on Sunday I got to stand in the circle when he was getting confirmed. The scary part was after he got baptized because I had to give the interlude talk while Xavier and Elder Lefler were getting changed. Giving the interlude talk was hard enough, but to add on to the pressure President and Sister Moffat showed up.

I've gone on three exchanges in this last week and a half. I went with one of the zone leaders, Elder Neilson. He was pretty cool except he ate my food. Then I went with Elder Oliveros. He is from the Philippines. Then I went with Elder Valdez. He is from Guatemala. He was called English speaking, but President Moffat moved him back to Spanish speaking so his English isn't the best. I went to his area and it was like a day off because I can't speak Spanish, so i would just sit there and smile. He's a really fun guy though.

The teaching is about to pick up. We scheduled 4 nonmember appointments yesterday. We found a golden investigater named Mark. He believed the first vision and he seemed interested. But we found out at the end of the lesson that he was moving out of our mission in two days so that sucks. I also gave some guy named Charles a blessing the other day. My companion got a text from President Moffat last night since he's the district leader. It said our district should have 10 new people on date for baptism by Sunday so we have alot of inviting to do.

I didn't think people would be so rude in Utah. I get sworn at on a regular basis. Sometimes its hard to figure out if someone is waving at you or flipping you off. Some of the things I remember getting yelled at me are "the devil loves you," and "hail Satan." I don't let it bother me because it's funny and I realize I am a representative of the Savior, so what there doing is yelling at the Savior which is not a very good idea. On a happier note I've gained 7 pounds. Maybe its because I have started eating peanut butter with a spoon.

Love you guys

Elder Pleshek

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Ask the missionaries...

Dear Mom & Dad
I'm sorry to hear about Papa.  I've been praying for him every night.  However, I imagine it will be a joyous reunion between Papa and Nana.  That makes me feel happy.

Please send the "Nephi Liken the Scriptures" movie.  Also send my seminary movies.  I have memorized The Testaments word for word and I need a change.

I now know what it feels like to get empty boxed.  It sucks.  I have also learned two other things.  I know now what it means to be in the world, but not of the world.  I also learned I'm never living in Utah after my mission.

I always look forward to getting Dad's letters.  It gives me something to study in the morning.

I eat lots of Mac & Cheese.  Also I eat lots of PB&J.  I feel bad when I don't like the member's food.  I haven't tried my trick because I have to be brave enough to put the food in my mouth.

On Saturday I went to the 4th  ward and Tongan war's luau.  All the Tongans tried to feed me.  I thought it was kind of funny.

I feel like I've been away from home for a really long time but its only been one month.  Maybe my baptism on Saturday will help with that.

Love your favorite missionary,
Elder Pleshek

P.S. Tell Papa, Tom, Sammi and Evie I said hi.  Oh and give me Trevor's mailing address to I can send him a letter or two and tell Sammi, Jeff and Tom to write me a letter.

19 Aug 2014

Sorry to hear about Papa. I pray for him every day. I also pray for all of my friends and family back home. I miss you guys, but I'm starting to dwell on home less. It feels like I've been away for years. The days go by fast, but yet slow.

I did meet someone who says they know Gresham. She has lived in Utah for like 30 years. Her maiden name was like Brudnicki or something. 

Its so dang hot here. Yesterday it was like 105 degrees. It was killing me. I was so sweaty.  The members are nice though. They gave us water, ice cream, popsicles, and lemonade. However I don't get food I like all the time, so that's kind of weird. Some guy flipped out on us yesterday when we knocked on his door so I get sworn at every week. Street contacting still sucks but im working on it. I get to be a wittness at our baptism on Saturday. 

By the way, how's Evan doing?  We got some new missionaries from west Africa because of the ebola virus.

Well anyway, miss you and love you guys.

12 Aug 2014

Wow!  The field is a lot different from the MTC. Its way harder. I go street contacting every day. I hate it. Its just one big awkward moment because I always forget what to say and I just don't like talking to strangers. I suppose I'm going to learn to love it since I'll be doing it every day for two years. Well at least that's what my trainer says. Speaking of my trainer, he is a great guy. He is from Michigan. He is really supportive and encouraging. We get along great.

We have our first baptism on the 23rd. Its a nine year old named Xavier. He is part of a less active family, but his grandma is active so she takes him to church. We also talked to this guy last night who thought he might be possessed, so that was interesting. It kind of freaked me out so my companion talked to him the whole time. So yeah.

On Wednesday my home sickness came back. I was kinda miserable for a little bit. But now its better. By the way Mom, send me another SD card so I can send mine home so you can put my pictures online or some thing. I also could use a smaller satchel like the one Dad brought on our trip. That's the perfect size. Don't forget to renew my drivers license.

Things are going a lot smoother now.  Tomorrow I get to go to a place called Brighton. Its up in the mountains. I can't wait to get lost in the work because the time will start to fly by.

I miss and love all of you. 

First Day in the Field

Me with President Richard and Amy Moffat.
My address is:
7363 S. Layne Dr. Midvale, UT 84047

August 1, 2014

I have been having a blast this last week. I am learning so much and it has really broadened my view of the gospel. I've learned that while I'm in the MTC, any time you want to feel the spirit you can. My district is awesome. I really love these guys. We had a devotional the other night it was given by John H. Groberg and his wife. I love getting letters, but i can't respond to them because I have no stamps or envelopes. The days are long, but the weeks are short. As zone leader me and my companion Elder Craig, are in charge of 3 different districts. So I'm  kind of like the stake president. I miss all of you and keep writing me. Oh, and tell Christian that once a week we get hot wings. Mom you forgot to send me those special numbers. I get to ride the train to Salt Lake City when I leave. I'm  already having once in a life time experiences here and Iv'e only been here a week. Its really awkward being around girls now, its so weird. Tell people to keep writing me.

Love, Elder Pleshek