27 Jan 2015

Family and Friends,

The Salt Lake temple was awesome. I loved watching all of my friends walk into the Celestial room. I hope its like that in the Spirit World. Anyway, this week was a long week. Elder Lyon and I are getting along great. I've wanted to be his companion since my first transfer. We are having tons of fun. I haven't had this much fun with my companion since I was with Elder Lefler in Midvale. I got the bike. I'm just going to use it for parts though. The frame is even smaller than mine. I will still need a new seat post so I will look for one. When Sister Duke told me she talked to you I was kind of surprised, but then I remembered that I'm in Utah. Sister Duke is great! She is the one who cuts my hair. I love it so much. Its like a head massage. Well that's my week, until next week.

Love,

Elder Pleshek

Sister Duke Letter

This letter was received on Jan. 20, 2015 from Sister Duke in Taylorsville.

Dear Sister Pleshek,

My name is Mary Duke and I live in the ward that your son is serving in right now.  As he was speaking in sacrament today, I was just so impressed with the growth I have seen in him since he came to work in our ward 4 months ago.  When he first came to our home for dinner, he made me think of myself when I was a new missionary.  Not quite sure of everything that was going on with the whole mission deal.  I cut the missionaries hair so I have seen him become less shy as he speaks with me each time I cut his hair.  But as I watch him give his talk today I thought how proud you would be of the progress he is making.  He was very humble yet very confident in the message he shared. My heart was full as I listened to him as he bore his testimony of his growth in the gospel.  He made us laugh as he spoke about being a cheddar head, and about Ammon in the Book of Mormon being his hero his whole life.  He said that earlier in his life Ammon was his hero because he chopped off arms, (that was the funny part).  But now Ammon is his hero becuase of the great example of missionary work that he was.  He spoke about how his courage in sharing the gospel has become stronger and he encouraged us to be more courageous.  Anyway it was a really nice sacrament meeting.

I have a daughter on a mission in Uruguay right now and as I was listening to your son I thought, "I bet his mom would like to know how he is doing from someone else's view."  Because I would like to hear form someone besides my daughter how she is doing on her mission.  Anyway, from one missionary mom to another, thanks for sharing your boy with us.  The gospel is beautiful as well as being true.  :) Have a great day!
Your sister in the gospel,

20 Jan 2015

Friends and Family.

This was an interesting week. Our only on date investigator fell off. I'm not allowed to give you details, but I will tell you that we need special permission from the First Presidency to baptize him. I think it is doubtful that they will give it to us. Elder Christensen and I got yelled at by President Moffat for that situation that went down. Transfers are tomorrow. I will be staying in Valley Park. I will once again be covering the whole stake. My new companion will be Elder Lyon (lion). Elder Christensen is going to be made a Zone Leader in Murray. After President Moffat got done talking to Elder Christensen he pulled me into his office and told me Valley Park is in my hands now. I don't know why he is trusting me with a whole stake. If we do good this transfer I will most likely be made a senior companion next transfer. So that was my week. I hope you all have a fantastic week.

Elder Pleshek

Mom, if you,re not part of the missionary moms page on Facebook, check it out. People take pics of me at Walmart a lot so I think I've been on there a few times.

Love you.

Handwritten 17 Jan 2015

This SD card has all of the pictures while I was with Elder Mason.  My camera is a battery sucker.  I tried putting new batteries in it and it only worked for 15 minutes.  I sucks down my rechargables even faster.  I get about 5 minutes with them.

My bike is acting up.  I need a new seat post, 2 new rims and a new fork for my front tire.  I think that stuff will cost more than my bike is worth.  I think I can go a few moe months with the parts that I've got.

 Other than that, my life is pretty good.  My area is starting to pick up and I feel my teaching skills are getting a lot better.  I am talking to a lot more people on the street.  I can do it without my companion's help.

I'm loving it out here.  Your son, Elder Pleshek

13 Jan 2015

This week has flown by. We finally found a new investigator! His name is Adam and he is 9 years old.  He came to church on Sunday and loved it. One of our AP's called us to congratulate us for having success in a really slow area.  He is on track for baptism on Jan. 31st. 

On Sunday I gave my talk at church.  It was about missionary work and goal setting. All the members flocked around me to tell me how great I did.  The members in the stake, especially the 6th ward are really starting to like me.  

This last week both of my tubes and tires blew out so I got those replaced.  I got a ride to the bike shop to get new tires and the member that took us insisted on buying my stuff.  That happens a lot and if you don't let them, they get really offended.  The same thing happens at Walmart.  People are always trying to give us money and before we can say no its already in our hands. We try to say no, but they won't take no for an answer. They take good care of us out here even though we don't need it.  On Wednesday we taught a less active family.  It was probably one of the best lessons I have ever been in.  The spirit was so strong.  By the end of it we had the wife in tears. It was a good week.

Love, Elder Pleshek

By the way, I'm going Through the Salt Lake Temple tomorrow!!!

6 Jan 2015

Dear Everyone,

This last week has flown by. The investigator we found on Monday dropped us on Friday. The area has been slow for the last 6 weeks. I wouldn't be surprised if we both get moved next transfer. However, when we went on exchanges yesterday one of our zone leaders and Elder Christensen found a few new potentials. I had a blast with Elder Forrester yesterday. I went with him to his area. It's so weird working a YSA ward. I actually got to teach a few people my own age. On Sunday, Elder Christensen wanted to go and bear his testimony so I had to go up with him and bear mine too. This Sunday and next Sunday I will be giving a talk in church. So that is my week. Love you all

Elder Pleshek