A sore foot and a visit from an old friend

Hey Everybody!

So this week was a pretty great learning experience! Well at least for the time we were outside the flat because my companion hurt his foot and could not walk. YIKIES!! So Monday we had a great day with a family just spending time with them. As we were with them I taught myself the song called All of Me on the guitar. Still got it, I was a little rusty but in the end my fingers were able to pluck them cords like no time has gone past haha.

Then on Tuesday the best part of that day was the meeting that we had with our mission president. We discussed the importance of our own personal conversion and having faith in the work that we are a part of. It made me think of the story of the prophet and how he shows that the hosts of heaven are with him. I know that the hosts of Heaven are with us in this great work.

So on Wednesday my companion's foot was really hurting him so we ended up staying in the flat. In all honest, I took this as an opportunity to sleep and clean the flat.  That didn't last long though ... some of the missionaries that I live with don't clean up after themselves. I guess I know how my parents felt cleaning up after me.

Thursday was pretty good. We went out and worked for a few hours and we made sure that we were able to go out. We iced my companions foot the entire previous night and then it might have been a little numb but at least we were able to work. The best part of the day was the tea appointment that we had with his brother. He asked us on Sunday how hot we wanted our food and we told him he could make it as hot as he would be able to handle ........ Lets just say that it was so hot that my eyes were watering. That was great!

Friday we had to stay in the flat again because Elder Vogli's foot was acting up again and this time I just slept and we ordered food in because I didn't want the dishes (lol) Laziness FTW!

Saturday we had a great time with Lynn.  She is my recent convert in Dewsbury and we were able to spend time with her and see how she is doing. Life for her lately keeps dealing her an unfair hand of cards but she is such a strong lady and just keeps moving on no matter what comes her way. She never give up and motivates those around her to keep going even though life may be tough. I am eternally grateful for the time that I was able to serve in Dewsbury because it truly changed me forever and helped me to become the better man that God sees fit to create me into. I am so grateful for the example of Lynn and her encouragement because now I am able to make decisions and stand by them without needing anyone's approval. As long as I have God on my side, I know that I am doing the right thing.

Sunday was Sunday ... Nothing exciting except we were in town this lady thought I was Jay Osmond ... hahahahahahaha .. I don't know if thats good but I know that he sings good so thats probably a pretty good thing.

Anyways, got to go.
Love you all!
Take care and be safe!
Til next week
Elder Zachary Lee Dotschkat

Tackled at Church

Hey everyone!
So big things this week:
1.  new companion
2.  the size of my new companion
3.  the fun that we're having!

The mission life is pretty great right now! I don't know what to tell you guys other than I am well and having a great time going to the edges of our area to find people! We are going where no missionary has bone before hahahaha!

Wednesday was probably the best day this week because I was able to go to Leeds and work and see some of the missionaries that I have served around in the past. Its pretty weird seeing missionaries that I known well go home and to know that I don't have much longer than them left! The last six months of my mission has completely flown by and I must say that I don't think (or at least have been told) that it will just speed up from here!

On Friday we were working out in one of our areas and we had a car pull up right beside us. Turned out to be some great members who offered to cook for us and we had a great time with them! Because Elder Viviers can speak Africanas and I play guitar we have been invited back to spend today (p-day) with them! We are very excited and I can't wait to strum those beautiful strings again :) I miss my music!

Then on Saturday we were invited to go to a members home who played rugby and have tea with them! It was just great to talk about rugby for one hour with someone who has a clue what I'm talking about. Then on Sunday two big things happened! I had a prank pulled on me by the rugby brother. As I was saying goodbye to several members he came back and tackled me into the bush in front of the church! (see photo below)  Then my companion lifted him and threw him in!  Great stuff!!!

Because we want to experience the culture of Bradford we went to a Sikh temple and they let us look around and fed us some delicious food. Sihk people are very nice and hospitable and REALLY good cooks!

Well I am off now, I love and miss you guys and hope that you are doing ok :)
Sincerely,
Elder Zachary Lee Dotschkat

Staying in Dudley Hill with a South African companion

Hello everyone! 

So this week has been good! 

Monday we went to the Royal Armoury which has loads of guns and knives and swords from all eras of history!   It's pretty cool but my companion was determined to find something that we found out in the end was not even there ...… great.  Anyways thought that was the best part of Monday! 

Tuesday we finally met with some of our people that we had been trying to meet up with for a while! Not too many exciting things happened that day. Just growing to understand who I am a little more and trying to internalize the things that I am learning lately. One of the things that stand out is the fact that knowledge is useless if we do not act on it! 

Wednesday was good. We went to our ward mission leader's house and we had great fun there with him making him laugh. He recently go out of the hospital from surgery so we are visiting him to help him enjoy life a little more :) 

Thursday we went finding all day and it was pretty good! We met one of our members to go on exchange. He is a former Mission President and is really funny......or at least his reactions are quite funny.  Elder V went with him I went with the other elders and taught a investigator of theirs.  It was a really solid lesson and they are seeing him again quite soon! Then in the evening we had tea at a members home that used to play rugby. The family is quite athletic and enjoy the outdoors quite a bit! It was great to have such a good laugh with them and now I have a theme song because of the dad there.  Watch it! Hahaha - I felt quite flattered with all their praises: hahahahahaha https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykRZbOb1c5c 

So Friday the most exciting thing that day was going on exchange with their priests in the ward. We had loads of fun teaching them about missionary work and moving them in the direction of possible mission service. Then in the evening we had tea with a family that has five kids under 10 and one on the way, a new puppy and a cat!  Boy was it ever crazy and fun there! hahahahhaha They made a huge dog pile and I was drowning in all the children! It was so fun! 

Saturday we had DSLT in which we went to Leeds and then there was a huge suprise for me when I came home! A family from my last area somehow got my number and contacted me! They asked if they could come visit and drop off some food parcels that my recent convert Lynn had for me. I was very happy and ready to agree too.  We met them at our flat and then we went somewhere to sit and talk! It was great times to be with them and to catch up on how their lives are going. Apparently the ward is really wanting me to back there and to be with all of them again. Seems like I did something right somewhere at least :) 

Then in the evening there were transfer calls and I am staying in Dudley Hill with a South African companion! 

Sunday morning we promised some members that we would make them a meal so I was crying!!!!!!! We cut sooooooooo many onions and my eyes were BURNING!  Then we cut some fish and put them on top! Then when it was all done, we all smelled like onions at church hahahahahhahaha it was hilarious!

Anyways, thats my week! 

Love you loads! 

Excited to hear from you guys! 

Elder Dotschkat

Me with my food parcel from the sweet sister in Dewsbury. Was lucky enough to have it hand delivered by the RE family and we had a great visit.  I'm really blessed with the great people I've met on my mission!

All the onions that we cut!

Me with Mr. Fishie

Soaked to the Bone

So here's the deal … Life is great and I am alive!
Not too much exciting things but just to tell you that the biggest thing that I have learned this week is to not underestimate ourselves and the capabilities that we have. I went into K this week desiring to learn more of myself and the relations that I have with God and others and I have sent that even though I may think I am less than what I am, the truth is that I am so much more and have the chance to become whatever I desire.

I desired courage, I found that I have it in the face of adversity.
I desired confidence, I found it when the devil tempted me.
I desired love, not from others but from God to me.
And with all of this, I found that I can be anything I want to be.

Just a little poem I wrote this week.
I hope that you are all doing well and that life will be full of joyous surprises for each of you!
Love always
Elder Zachary Lee Dotschkat

PS - IT'S RAINED TONNES OF BUCKETS LATELY SO I AM SOAKED OT THE BONE!
I LOVE LIVE, I LOVE MY MISSION, I LOVE GOD!