Funny investigators‏

Dear Family,

Another transfer gone! Time slips by so quickly and I can't grab on.Pictures: As usual, here are a couple District pictures and one of the baptism of Kaitlin.Its been a great transfer and Elder Baker and I will be spending another together...it will be another good one. We already have a two baptisms lined up for this transfer, so hopefully we can hold on to them and help them prepare for that commitment before time slips by and hopefully we get another person ready to make that commitment for the following transfer. This Sunday was funny. Lee, who is preparing for baptism was pretty excited to let people know at church that he was getting baptized next month and he is just as comfortable being at church as ever. When one of the members introduced him in priesthood (where they have visitors and new comers introduce themselves) Lee stood up and put his hands to his shoulders and cawed like a bird. His last name is Hawk so he left his little trademark. It was hilarious! Lee's a pretty goofy guy.Another investigator, Lu, had a revelation for me...haha. She doesn't know very much about the church or missionaries or how it all works, but she's very spiritual. She's a 70 year old Jamaican and she leans not unto her own understandin' and trusts in the Lord with all her heart. The other day when we came over she asked me if I was leaving soon, then she said she had a dream that I was leaving and got married...uh, not for a while. So, anyway...a revelation from Lu...not so much true, but interesting.Things are going pretty good...there's only a couple more weeks of the hot hot heat. I can already feel it cooling a little. Its been a lot nicer lately than the past few weeks. Fall is the best and its just around the corner.

Love you all! -Elder Glenn Osness

going in circles‏ (from the president)

Dear Parents and Families,

It is Tuesday morning and preparation day again. Our alarm clock was displaced by startling claps of thunder. The weather here seems so dramatic. We love it when we get a little rain and I love it when the missionaries get to stay inside when there is lightning and thunder. It seems like only a minute ago that I sent the message about what Transfer Week is like, and here we are again. By now you have probably figured out that our measurement of time is a "transfer." Here is a summary of the transfer cycle:
Week One: Regular missionary work. All missionaries attend District Meeting on Friday. Zone Leaders have Zone Leaders' Council on Wednesday.
Week Two: Regular missionary work. All missionaries attend District Meeting on Friday. New missionaries and their trainers meet on Wednesday for more training. President Interviews begin.
Week Three: All missionaries meet for their respective Zone Conferences. President Interviews are also held.
Week Four: Regular missionary work. All missionaries attent District Meeting on Friday. President interviews completed. Zone Leaders' Council on Wednesday.
Week Five: Regular missionary work. All missionaries attend District Meeting. We often have a Senior Missionary Temple Outing. President Gee works on transfers.
Week Six: Tranfers, new missionaries arrive and returning missionaries leave for home. Regular District Meetings.

As you can tell, we are in week six. I hope this helps you visualize the system. Well, I am off for the kitchen. We are greeting twelve new Elders today. It is a highlight for President Gee and me to host them for an evening and get acquainted with them. We will say good-bye to six Elders this week and one more in a few days. The greetings are fun. The good-byes are tender. We are so grateful for the service these missionaries have given, and for all that the current missionaries are doing. It brings tears to my eyes when I read verses of scripture that tell of the blessings for those who share the gospel. Again, thanks for your prayers and support. Have a good week. President Gee sends his love.
Love, Sister Gee

Follow Me!‏

Dear Family, Pictures: The missionaries in Norman last week on p-day decided to do the FreeBIRD challenge (6lb. borrito in 13 minutes...and its free) too bad nobody won and they all had to eat the cash. Elder Baker and I were a little smarter and decided to eat at home before meeting up with the other elders. The borritos sure looked good, but the missionaries looked disgusting after trying to eat that monster.While tracting we found our next picture of the guard spider. These spiders are pretty large and this one was hangin' around the door of a home. No need for an alarm system this spider will eat you up!And finally my studious companion...sorry none of me. I've got to remember to put myself in these photos too.This past week was nice. We set another baptism date...but he's a little flakey and we will be setting another soon with a great new investigator. Last week we went to visit an investigator I've been struggling with since I came here, Lee is the name. He's great, but just doesn't follow through with half his commitments. A lot of desire, but not a whole lot of will. So, last week we dropped in on him and he blurts out in the middle of the lesson, "I want to join the church." So we said sure and set a baptism date. He's going to be a lot of work to get him to understand the commitment level of being baptized. Half the time we get him a ride for church he's not home when the ride shows up...that's annoying. We'll be working with him...and we'll be working with another who I started working with in Oklahoma City. There was a family that we were asked to visit my last week in the City and we started teaching her unbaptized son, Kaleb. He's really smart and catches on a lot better than Lee does for sure, but he's better than some of the other people we work with too and he's only nine. Well, as you know I left to Norman and what do you know! Last week I got a call from a member of that ward and they filled us in on a move. So, now I'm teaching Kaleb again and this weekend we will be talking about baptism. Lots of great people falling into place here. Throughout my mission I've had maybe 3-4 really promising people to teach among those we taught. Here, we have like 6-7 awesome people that I'm sure will find their way to make that commitment of baptism to God. Its just a matter of time before they find some strong enough answers to their prayers.It definately helps that the ward is always willing to step in and be a part of this work. During the next month we will be focussing a lot on helping families set goals on a family mission plans and that will help continue the success the ward here is seeing. Things are good!Love you family! -Elder Glenn Osness

Success‏ (from the president)

Dear Parents and Families,
Another week has flown by and today is the communication day with your missionary. Isn't e-mail an amazing thing! Again let me say how much we enjoy the contact we have with you. It seems like the circle of faith for this mission has unified and expanded. Let me say that if you ever need to communicate anything of a sensitive nature I do have another e-mail address: sistergee@myldsmail.net (or james.gee@ldschurch.org)
I have been thinking about how I felt when our children were on their missions. One son was sent to a particularly difficult mission, where the number of baptisms was similar to the number here in Oklahoma. I was often concerned that he would get discouraged because it was so hard. From my limited point of view, the number of baptisms was the measuring stick for success. Now that I am in the mission field I realize there are several ways to measure success. Before we came to Oklahoma we would meet people who had served here and they would say, "I loved my mission in Oklahoma!" They were always sincere and enthusiastic. I wondered how they could love a mission if they didn't baptize many people. Let me share some of the other ways I have discovered make for a successful mission.

My favorite analogy is to visualize the mission as a big sprinkling system. Each missionary is one of the sprinklers. If they cover their area with diligence the grass will be green. If they slack off, the grass will burn and some repair work needs to be done. A missionary who can be trusted to stay on task and keep working, no matter what is worth his or her weight in gold.

We often recite the missionary purpose when we have meetings. It is to INVITE others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ and his atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. President Gee often says if at the end of the day they can look back and see they have invited several people to hear the message they have had a pretty good day and they have been successful. The people have their agency but we can control the inviting. The mission as a whole is stepping it up right now. They are working hard. We do measure the number of people we contact, teach, who attend church, who have a baptismal date, and who have been baptized. We are seeing a positive, upward trend. We are encouraged. We feel there is an increase of faith. We are sure your prayers and faith are helping.

President Gee has done a little playing around with the numbers. If we have to find people on our own, the numbers indicate we have to talk to 800 people to get one person baptized. The phrase, "labor with all your might" comes to mind. If the members help us get referrals it is more like one in twenty who will be baptized. We have also learned that people usually need several positive contacts with the church before they are ready to accept the gospel. We keep telling the missionaries that they never know what will happen down the road, even if they are rejected now. In fact one recent convert told us in her testimony that her sister not very politely turned the missionaries away from their door. Now that sister is taking the lessons herself. We have to have faith to keep trying.

Another thing I have observed is how difficult it is to determine who "gets the baptism." There are so many people involved in teaching the gospel and so much overlap that it is hard to answer the question, "How many baptisms did you get?" It is almost impossible to answer. Transfers often take them away just before the baptism occurs. Sometimes it is months before baptism occurs.

Probably the most important measure of success is absolutely under the control of the missionary. That is how diligent he/she is in following the morning schedule. If they are obedient they are up early, they exercise so they stay in shape physically, they eat a healthy breakfast, they have personal prayer, they have personal study for an hour, and they study with their companion for an hour. They learn to plan and prepare for the people they will be teaching that day. They work on memorizing some scriptures, and they open themselves to personal revelation. When they do this faithfully they experience incredible growth. If you want to know how your missionary is doing, that is where you should look. That is a big part of the price they pay to receive the blessings available to them.

Another important way to determine success is how obedient they are to the rules in the missionary handbook. They have heard this until they are sick of it, but it is true. Apostles and prophets know the tactics of Satan and they have made these rules for the protection of the missionaries. They are young and sometimes naive. They often don't realize how hard Satan is working on them or how subtle he can be. If they can stand up for the things they have promised to do they are successful, even if they never baptize a soul. Please keep praying for them against the power of Satan.

A subject for another time is leadership positions. This can become a false measuring stick yet leadership does give great opportunity for service and growth. I will have more to say about this in the future.

Well, that is about enough for today. I hope this gives you an expanded perspective. You are sensitive to the spirit and will get a feeling of how your missionary is doing. Keep offering encouragement to keep up the fight. Let them know you can see the good things that are happening. If necessary, tell them as President Hinckley's father did, to "Forget yourself and get to work!" That is some of the most pertinent advice you can give. We appreciate your wonderful influence and your concern. President Gee is enjoying these communications along with me. He sends his love. Have a good week.

Love, Sister Gee

A Day At Zone Conference‏ (from the president)

Dear Parents,
Last week was probably the busiest week of the transfer for us. President Gee and I were traveling for interviews and zone conferences. That means we saw each and every missionary in the mission. Today I would like to tell you about what happens at zone conference.
One of the things I have learned while being on this mission is how closely the missionary work correlates with the organization of the church. There are five stakes in this mission and the five zones roughly have the same boundaries as the stakes. There are a few exceptions to make use of travel miles more efficient. We never put missionaries in a town unless there is a unit of the church established because the work can't be done unless there is support from the members to fellowship and help investigators. The five zones in this mission are Stillwater on the north, Oklahoma City and Oklahoma City South, Norman which is south of the metro area, and Lawton on the far south of the mission. Each zone has two Zone Leaders who work with us and the assistants to keep things organized. We meet with the zone leaders twice a transfer so we stay unified.The zone leaders take care of the details of setting up the building, contacting missionaries, teaching, etc.

On the day of zone conference all the missionaries meet at a central location. Some have to travel quite a distance to be there. Usually by the time President Gee and I arrive we find all the cars lined up in the parking lot. Elder and Sister Fowers are there, ready to give each car a very thorough inspection. You will be glad to know that air pressure in the tires is checked and everything else we can think of for their safety. There is a central department in Salt Lake City that watches over all the fleets in all the missions. They are very fussy about safety and taking good care of the cars which are bought with tithing money. It makes us smile to see all those cars lined up with the hoods raised, like a row of big toys. Elder and Sister Fowers have been outstanding missionaries. They completed their mission last week so Elder and Sister Hall will be taking over their position. You may end up speaking to them for some reason in the future.

The thing that would impress you is how reverent the missionaries are when we walk into the room. They come early and study while they are waiting for zone conference to begin. They stand while we shake hands with every missionary. One of the zone leaders conducts the meeting. They are learning about announcing who presides, and what will take place, and recognizing visitors. This is good training for the future. Here are some of the things that happen: an opening hymn, prayer, announcements from the other zone leader, a scripture recitation, a testimony or positive missionary experience from one of the missionaries, health training from me, discussion of a Christlike attribute, and practices of missionary skills which each missionary participates in, a lot of instruction from President Gee, safety training video, message from a visiting Stake President if he is there, and a discussion on the focus doctrine for the transfer. This goes from 9:30 a.m. to around 3:30 p.m. Of course there is a break for a lunch which is prepared by a local Relief Society, and some birthday treats for those who have a birthday that month. After zone conference President Gee interviews some of the missionaries. This is a time for a little visiting with one another. They love being together and catching up on the happenings in the mission. Sometimes they have to be invited to get back to work several times! They are, afterall, normal young people who happen to be dressed in Sunday clothes.

This time we had three practices. Elder Torres, an assitant, led a practice about how to ask good questions. The other assistant, Elder Healy led a practice on how to get the investigators to pray after a lesson, preferably the first lesson. Each set of zone leaders led a practice of their choice in the afternoon. One of our sons and his family visited us last year and attended a district meeting. Our oldest granddaughter, Kami, watched the missionaries practice. On the way home she commented, "This is the first time I realized that being a missionary is hard." You would probably agree if you could watch your son or daughter rise to the occasion of being on the hot seat and thinking on his feet. It is especially challenging because we all know we are going to be critiqued on how we do. Sometimes everyone in the zone watches, but this time it was a little more fun. The leaders demonstrated and then each companionship practiced by themselves. There is a very pleasant buzz in the room when they are all involved. It seems like no matter how good the missionaries get at teaching, there is still something to learn. If you want a challenge, try thinking of good questions. It stretches the brain!

Our focus doctrine this time was practical application of faith. Each missionary was invited to come prepared with a five-minute talk on faith. President Gee randomly called on a few to give the talk. He also asked all of them to share insights gained from their study. I wish I had the power to express in words the spirit that we feel when we meet together. President Gee is almost pleading with the missionaries to exercise increased faith as they do their work. He invites them to really pray about where to go and when to go there, and listen for an answer, expecting to receive guidance. Some of the missionaries have shared their little miracles of finding prepared people to teach. President Gee also constantly reminds them that there is a price to pay to get these answers, and it is strict obedience. He reminds them that the missionary rules are their commandments for this brief time in their lives. They have promised the Lord they would obey these rules. There are tremendous blessings of personal growth waiting to be given if they will obey. The interesting thing is that two of the Stake Presidents this past week testified of the same thing, even though they didn't hear what President Gee's message was. It is a witness that the Holy Ghost guides the thoughts of those participating. I feel the testimony that these men are truly messengers from God to teach and instruct these missionaries. Your sons and daughters, (and mothers) are doing a tremendous work and are experiencing great personal growth. Overall, there seems to be a renewed energy in the mission. They are picking up their pace and we are seeing improved results. We are grateful that they have "faith in every footstep" just like the pioneers did. Of course, there are ups and downs in every person's mission. Some get discouraged and need reinforcement that they are doing something of value. Your e-mails and letters are very important to them. It is still the Bible Belt, and many wonderful, already satisfied people live here. Please keep praying that hearts will be prepared and softened, and that we can find those people. We need your prayers and faith. We also pray for you constantly. I hope this gives you a better idea of what a zone conference is.
Greetings from President Gee! Love, Sister Gee

My WorkHorse‏

My family, Last week we had Zone Conference and I got another bike. Its Elder Roper's bike and that thing has been ran nearly as far as it could possibly go. Elder Roper finished his two years in July and left his bike, lucky me, because now I have something to ride for free. Although its kind of like riding a horse. During this bike's two year treck its been riden nearly every day by a 220 lb. football player, with a few busted and repaired spokes, and a car accident later it fell into my hands...ha! The bike is awesome, but I am glad its only for the end of my mission and not from the begining. The rim's spokes are in tact, but from getting hit by a car both rims are bent and wobbly, hence like riding a horse. No back brakes and some sketchy front brakes make this cruiser a dream. I'm pretty glad to be back on the bikes though, so we can be more productive in the work.The zone conference was good. We had some good trainings on commitment to pray and asking good questions. The most inspiring things though come from the discussions President Gee gives. Our focus doctrine for the transfer is faith and every zone conference President Gee leads a discussion on whatever the topic is and its always great to hear his insights. Faith is pretty simple right, well the great thing about the gospel is the expanse of knowledge that comes from a simple topic.The week was okay. We had a ton of failed appointments and cancelations, so last weeks teaching pool was lamo. Being a missionary has a couple interesting factors; people open up very easily to us 19-21 year olds and many think that they cannot learn anything from a 19-21 year old. Last week was the most occurance of both of these that I've had my entire mission. Either people wouldn't get our purpose and would just want to tell us all the bad things that are going on in their lives or they would tell us all the knowledge they've gained through their experience and age and disagree with us simply because they have much more life experience...what they missed was their life experience and age is outside the fulness of the gospel and our sense of experience and life comes from someone greater and more experienced...namely God. Through faith, prayer and living gospel principles we have much more positive experience than any of these people that are closed to a more excellent way.Well, that's how great my week was. Love ya! -Elder Osness

And that bike got Stole!

Dear family, Pictures: We had a meeting for the trainers on Wedensday, so I got to see a couple of the Elders I came out with; Elders Torres and Lewis.The next is of some of my mission posterity; Elders Baker, Kleinman, and Jensen. The Last is of some delicious bbq pizza we made for lunch today.The trainer meeting was good. It was kind of like an accountability meeting for us trainers. Not much training went on, but it was good. Elder Baker and I are doing pretty good.On Friday we had our President's interviews. It was the usual, "how are you doing...I don't really have much to say. No worries, keep it up," kind of thing. The highlight of events though happened Sunday morning when we opened the front door to go to our corrilation meeting with our ward mission leader to see my bike was stolen! Ough! We keep our bikes under the staircase that is completely covered on all sides and no way to tell that there is something behind there unless you look specifically there...and the bedroom window is right next to it, so I don't know how I didn't notice something like that going on in the middle of the night. I guess I'm a heavier sleeper than I thought. It hasn't really hit me yet that my bike is gone, but its pretty lamo. Hopefully a missionary about my size left a bike when he went home, so I can just continue its use for another five months. Cool, huh? Luckely President Gee hasn't let me go to an area without a car, so we have some transportation. Still lame though.We're still teaching some great people! I'm hoping we prepare them all for baptism. During our weekly planning we were going through the people we're teaching and I'm hoping that we can help this area get a baptism every month...especially since they haven't had one 14 months. Katelyn is still on track for August and hopefully we can set a date for Arlyn for September and continue progress with the others we are teaching and continue finding new people to teach. This week we taught a new guy. His name is Doug and is studying Law at OU and knows a member from Norman 2nd ward. We talked to him about two weeks ago and was just able to teach him. He's been reading the Book of Mormon and shared some of the scriptures he said have inspired him along with some he had concerns with, but accepted them. He's pretty great! Our example will have a powerful influence on the lives of others. This is true because of the member in Norman 2nd ward. Brother Hale was an example of what Doug would like to have in his life. An inner joy and satisfaction and always seemed to be happy with life...like he was content and happy and needed nothing more than that which he already has. This is because, something Doug didn't know, the knowledge of Gods plan and purpose for us can do more than any worldly desire of success. Back to the good example Brother Hale is, Doug had some concerns in the Book of Mormon and because of what friendship and sincerity he showed him he knew those passages had to have some other reason for being in there and wasn't a negative aspect of the gospel (one of the scriptures of concern is early on when the Lamanite's skin color was altered as a marking to set them apart from the righteous). His concerns were answered by the spirit and not by and logical discussion because he was humble.Anyway, I've got to go. Oh, and by the way, I'm not sure who was planning on sending a couple short sleeve shirts, but they haven't arrived and I'm really begining to wear through the ones I have now...really, wearing through them.Love Ya! -Elder Glenn Osness