Teaching, Teaching, Baptisms and Service!

Heya everybody! So this week was super exciting!

Monday it rained! Woot!

For p-day we went to a park to play football but it rained so we got soaked and ended up going home. In the mean time between home and waiting 2 hours for the next train we went window shopping. I have got a lot of clothes from Elder Simon so I don't really need anything but it was fun to go anyways! Then when we got home, I cooked my burritos and had a nap after a warm bath! haha - that was great! Then in the evening we went to a family that they just got back from Disneyworld! :D I saw so many great pictures and it brought back many wonderful memories with those people I love. I have grown to appreciate how blessed my life is lately and how fortunate I am to have the support that I do. Thank you all for what you do :) It means a lot! :)

So Tuesday was crazy because we were going to teach at someones house and they were gone but we didn't have the key so I was frantically making calls to fix the problem and in the end it was all good. We found another key :) Then somehow the rest of the day we stayed busy until the evening when we had a great lesson with Alexandra. We gave her a tour of the chapel with her catholic family and got everything sorted for the baptism! She asked me to baptize her this weekend so I am nervous but excitied at the same time! WIsh me luck! 

Then on Wednesday we had DDM. We talked about strength and having faith in ones self. Due to my study on it I feel much more confident about who I am and what I stand for! I KNOW that the Lord is with me and that he sends angels to bear us up in the times we need the strength the most :) So after DDM, Elder Simon and I went on exchange and we just had so much fun!!!! Took a nap and then worked hard! Noone was really open so we went and just had a great time laughing. He showed me this secret mall that reminds me so much of home and we might go there one p-day lol.  Hopefully we will cause it has a TGIFridays! SOOOOOOOOOOOOO expensive though lol Then we had tea with the Stephenson's family and they were so wonderful, they take care of us so much and he reminds me a lot of my Papa Robb. I think that they would get along. After that he drove us to Rob and Jackie's house and we have a great Q&A lesson. They are doing fantastic and their son's are joining in now as well!

Thursday the ENTIRE flat was sick! We all just woke up and felt like death! I had a FU doctor appointment to go to and he says that my finger is fine now, it will take time for the nail to grow back but it will in time. After that we came back to the flat and slept for lunch and then went to a member from Africa to paint her fence! I wrote my name in their fence so they will never forget me!  lol After that we had a very good evening in which we got mixed up when tea was and were a little late :S But they forgave us and said to not do it again :P Then we had another great Q&A lesson with Alexandra at the Royal Evitt family's home. After the lesson we had a great visit with their family and I feel honoured for the trust that they have given me. Brother Royal Evitt drove us home and we sang Frozen the entire way back! lol.

Friday was a normal planning session and then in the evening we went to visit a member that President Pilkington is friends with. We had a very nice tea with them and talked about angels, Ether 12 and faith. Then in the evening he drove us to the Royal Evitt family's home again for a lesson with George (the bf of their daughter). He is so funny! He thinks everything is true and desires to be baptized when he finds out that it is. Then Brother Royal Evitt drove us home with the same music and singing! hahahaha lol

Saturday we gave service for 5 hours! My muscles hurt and I had dirt caked on, I threw 20 slugs, got baby spiders all over me and had so much fun!!!!!!!!! Then in the evening we watched the Prophet Joseph Smith movie with Lynn....technical difficulties occurred but got through them lol

Sunday I was asked to give a talk on how the Priesthood has helped me prepare for a mission. We had six investigators at church. I got to talk to my wonderful family and was able to just be me :)  I love life!

So that's my week

Love you all

Elder Dotschkat

Yard work at a member's house (that's me and my companion the Flying Dutchman on the far right)

Me and Elder Simon

Captain Canuck and the Flying Dutchman

Well hello everyone! Time is flying by pretty fast! I hope it is for you as well :) But all I have to say is enjoy every moment and let Gods purposes come to pass.

So this past week was pretty crazy and hectic but wonderful at the same time. My companion Elder Shurtliff got called to train in Shefflield and so he is gone now and my new companion is Elder Kooijman from the Netherlands. He is a very happy and proud dutch man! He loves Vikings and pirates and funny stuff like that. He is a very good young man. He lost his father 2 days into the MTC and was prepared to lose him because of health and he is still out here. He is a great strength of faith to me to see him grow and learn for the almost 6 months that he has been out. Last week was his birthday and we celebrated it with French toast, eggs and bacon! And then cake at a member's home :)

To sum up last week in a word. Change. I have realized that to be the man that I desire to become I need to humble myself and change so that the Lord can do his work to my heart. I have realized that I need to give all of my fears and desires to the Lord and trust in him and his promises. I need to increase my faith, courage and belief in myself and the Lord. There are times in our lives that we can see a wall that is blocking our path of progression and we don't know what other side has in store for us but we hope and have faith that they will be good and desirous blessings in which god has for us.

Ether 12: 6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

This scripture touches my mind and heart to the point that it is near a constant thought. I have seen that ONLY through the trial of our faith will we grow and be nurtured into becoming the person that God desires. All I can say is it will take work but eventually it will be attainable :)

So last week we had a few pretty big things happen. We finished the service that we had started and that lady is now happy that her garden is in that state that it is. I must say that it looks pretty great.  I got sick and tried to work through it and boy, that was difficult and funny at times.  This week we didn't get lost too bad but one time when we got off a bus we were yelled at and persecuted by a few guys. They just told us that we are going to hell and that there was no Jesus Christ. We stood our ground and boldly testified that there is a Jesus Christ and that he loves all of us. We told them that they were entitled to their opinion but that when it comes to pushing down other peoples views they could shut up. We turned and walked away and they were yelling at us as we did and we just kept going not looking back.

3 nephi 12: 10-12

 10 And blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 11 And blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake;
 12 For ye shall have great joy and be exceedingly glad, for great shall be your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you.

Yup...I think this sums it up. Hahahaha true doctrine!

Well anyways, I don't know what else to say about last week. I might just have to lay a beat down and have my inner Captain Canuck defend truth and justice! LOL  Then my sidekick the Flying Dutchman will demolish all of our foes and justice will be served!

Love you all
Have a great week!
Elder Dotschkat

Letter to the sisters of the ward and my life :)

This letter was included with my Mothers Day letter and Elder Dotschkat asked me to post it on the blog. 

On this special day set apart to celebrate motherhood and womanhood I wanted to send home a letter to each of you and thank you personally for all that you have done and continue to do. i want to thank you for all of your support and help in getting me to this stage of my life. I wish I could send each of you a letter of this heartfelt gratefulness towards you but sadly my time constraint is something that I must learn to do the best I can with what I have.
So here is a letter to the women of my life as a whole but the words are to each of you personally.

On this special day I want to thank you for all that you have done and keep doing. You each have played and continue to play an influential role in my life and the lives of others. Your examples of Christ-like charity, giving of your time and talents for the benefit of others so freely is one thing that I personally admire and appreciate and will always remember. Thank you for doing that you do because each of you play a special part within the church and within the lives of those around you.

Just as Elder Geoffry R. Hollad said "The work of a [woman] is hard, too often unheralded work, please know that it is worth it then, now and forever." I want to tell you that all you do and continue to do is appreciated and thanks enough can never truly be given. Each person that has experienced the light of Christ through your wonderful examples is eternally grateful because in some degree, you have changed their life forever for the better.

Thank you for all of the time and effort that you have willingly sacrificed so that others may simply just have a better day or that they may be happy. These small acts of care and love are the ones most appreciated and close to the hearts of whom you've influenced. Just by your example and willingness to serve, you have performed miracles in the lives of those you have touched.

I will always be grateful to each of you in how you have touched my life and changed it for the better, thank you. I leave you with my testimony that I know that the church is true. I know that Joseph Smith saw God and Jesus Christ and that they live and love each one of us. I know that the power of prayer is real and that we can speak with our Father in Heaven anytime that we need to , anytime we desire, we can speak to him at any time and He will speak to us. That is a promise that He gives because He loves us and is proud of us. I know that families can be forever and that in God's family we will always find a true and everlasting happiness. 

These things I know and say in the sacred name of our loving Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Sincerely with love,
Elder Zachary Lee Dotschkat

I've got landscape experience so put me to work!

Alright everybody! So this past little while of my life has been pretty crazy but I think that I got it figured out now! Just working hard not to lose my marbles as I go forward (just kidding)  Life is great! So lets get down to it shall we?

So this past week was a great week leading up to Lynn's baptism! We had seen her everyday and she is doing fantastic! She has finished the Book of Mormon in just under 3 weeks and is desiring to read even more!

So Monday we had P-day at Greenhead Park in Huddersfield where we played rugby, football and frisbee and then went to have a FHE with the Stocks family where we had a bonfire! That was just so fun and great! We roasted starburst candes, jumped on the trampoline, had chicken fights and just had a great evening! 

On Tuesday we had a lesson in the morning with these 2 elderly ladies that are investigating and I must say that the biggest lesson that I learned from that was one of humility. We discussed the possibilty of their baptism in the near future and worked to help them understand the need for it but in the end they declined and said that they might "in a while". The work is going great and this experience was humbling to me to recognize that we have to listen to people to really get to know them and understand what their concerns might be so that we can help lift them higher. The rest of the day went well with an exchange with Elder B. We had gone finding and doing some AUF names but alas no luck. In the evening we had a good lesson with Rob and Jackie (referals from the Stock family) and we planned another visit later in the week. 

On Wednesday we had district meeting in which we discussed the capabilities that we all have and acheiving our true potential. We are all sons and daughters of a loving God who has set a path for us to acheive an eternal increase. That thought alone may seem daunting but when we understand to put our trust in God we will then be able to respond with exhuberance and excitment for the vast future ahead. After DDM we went and gave service to this elderly lady in the ward. I picked up and threw over 15 slugs and snails and worms! GROSS! They were all slimly and gooey and …. you get the picture hahahahha!  After service she made us a glass of apple juice and we headed home! On the route some kids wanted to fight us again.....Do I seem aggresive or do people just want to beat me up? lol seems like the "buffetings of satan" are quite present lately.:) In the evening we had a great lesson with Lynn again! She honestly is such a nice lady! I can't remember what was taught just that we laughed A LOT!  

On Thursday we got down and dirty in the mud and the rain again doing service for some other ward members. It took about 2 hours and by the end it had felt like a warm swamp within my shoes! Yuck! But it was great because she was happy :) She made us a great lunch of swedish meatballs, vegetarian lasagne and home made pizza! (I think that I am gain back the weight I lost!  Whatever though I guess! I still have over a year to lose it all! Just keep swimming right......well…..I'm not allowed to swim but you know what I mean! :P) After lunch with her we went and got some medicine for my exploded finger! Woohoo! I haven't been able to use my pinky (even though I don't need it for much....debated cutting it off to say that I gave everything to my mission, including my pinky lol) for almost 2 months! After showering the mudd and dirt and muck off we had another great lesson with Lynn!!! She amazed us again with the amount that she has read! 

Friday was a house work day for the area where we planned and got things ready for the baptism. There is so much paperwork as a missionary that you would be very surprised! I guess its just cause we still are young and need organization skills. 

Saturday was DLST in which we went to Huddersfield and discussed how the zone can improve and what can be done to motivate the missionaries so that miracles happen even more! Then we went back to the area on the train (I think I fell asleep standing up :P) and got last minute things for the baptism! While we waited we made pancakes at the chapel! They were delicious! For anyone who knows what I like on mine, peanut butter and chocolate spead! YUM! Then the finale of the week happened!  Lynn was baptized!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was a wonderful service in which she said that she felt welcomed and loved :) She bore her testimony and that was great! Sunday was pretty good! I went on exchange with Elder Simon! I was so full because we went to the Russian lady's house again and ate soooooooooooo much! YUM!   After that we contacted some referrals and talked to alot of people! No one was really bothered too much though :P 

On Monday we had district meeting where we continued our disussion on looking towards the future and living to reach our goals!  We made vision boards!  That was pretty great! Then we went and did EVEN MORE SERVICE! I guess the ward has got the message of my previous landscaping experience and wants to use it :) I'm glad to get into jeans and a shirt and in the dirt!  I find it fun! So Monday we laid mulch and planted some flowers and then we went to a member's home where the fed us some great steaks! They talked about movies the entire time and just teased us on how we have to wait to watch them!  Whatever, time is flying so fast!  Then in the evening was transfer calls!  We were having a fun party and President called Elder Shurtliff to train in Sheffiled and I have Elder Koojiman (he was in my district in Sunderland) as my new companion! Then we played some games and went to bed. On P-day we did similar things and took some pics and then we went to the chapel to clean cause it is getting painted and it was nearly a ward party because almost everyone was there! After that we went to the Stock's house in the evening, had some games with them and said goodbye for Elder Shurtliff. Then we had some fatayers at the flat and went to bed.

So that is this past week!

love you all!

Bye!

Elder Dotschkat

Lynn's baptism

AH … out of time!

AH! No time! Short letter this week.

This week was a great week! I know that some things in life now may be difficult but are for our benefit and that trials only make us stronger! My life storms now have seemed to have settled and the Savior's calming presence is everywhere!  We baptized this past week and so pics will come soon!

I am happy, healthy and well:) 

And alive btw!

Staying in Dewsbuy!

Love

E. Dotschkat

Just cause I'm Canadian doesn't mean I can line dance

Hello Everybody!

First of all congrats to Uncle Devon & Janick and Uncle Darin & Ashley - whoa! two weddings!

So this week was great and I must say that I am doing a lot better now :) I hope that you are all doing well and that Heavenly Father is blessing you:) I know that he is blessing me and my companion :) He has shown us his infinite mercy and love through all of the difficult experiences lately.

One thing that I have learned is that at times when there will be immeasurable spiritual experiences in our lives or when we are about to have the windows of Heaven opened to us for blessings, that is when the opposition will come the strongest and the most persistent. Since I have got to Dewsbury Elder Shurtliff and I have felt almost a physical weight that has been on us nearly everyday but that is because we are seeing true miracles! The message that I have to say is that DONT EVER GIVE UP! KEEP TRYING! KEEP GOING! The best is yet to come and the light is at the end of the tunnel! Love your trials and you will see that they are just small opportunities for us to learn rather than insurmountable mountains that we cannot overcome. Life is truly wonderful and we will be able to appreciate it so much more if we try our hardest to always look on the bright side.

The other big thing that I have learned this week is that we must trust in ourselves and have confidence that everything will turn out the way that we desire! God has given us this wonderful life and opportunity to live here on earth to learn, grow and become not only who we want to be but who God desires for us to be! Life is full of complications and so many people telling us that we can't do something that we want or become something that we want because the human condition is competitive and has a inner desire in which unfortunately the natural man within us desires to see others fail. Its a sad fact of life but as children of God we must learn that when we have faith in Christ we can do anything that we put our mind to.

"Whether you think you can or you can't, you are right"- Anonymous

I dunno but those are the 2 things that I have learned and re-learned this week.

So we have had a great week!

The highlights of the week were the lessons that I have learned, the people that I have met, the memories that I have made and the laughter that I have experienced in abundance!

So the wonderful people that I have met includes not only the members of the ward but also our investigators! Just to suffice to say Lynn is golden! She passed her interview with flying coulours and is getting baptized this Saturday at 7pm here time (1pm home time). She has marked her scriptures, all the pamphlets and is just a fantastic person :) Then at the ward western party one of the members brought many of his employees and we met with this wonderful family who has such a strong belief in God that it would amaze you :) They are truly great people:)

Some of the memories that I have made this week were honestly the laughter experienced throught the week. My district loves to be together so that we can not only share a meal but share a laugh! At the ward activity on Friday it was so crazy! SO many people to talk to and just have fun with! The ward members had asked us to lead the line dancing (thinking that cause we are from the western world that we would know how) but we had NO CLUE on what to do, so we just hooked up a youtube video and let certain people lead it :P It was great fun:)

Elder Shurtliff and I are working hard this week to get to know the area a bunch more but because it is a 5 week transfer, the transfer is over next week! 

Anyways, gotta go but I love you all

Elder Dotschkat

ps- Thank you for all your prayers:) They really do help :)

Getting haircuts on the cheap by other missionaries

Everyone else gets sick in my new area but I won't

Heya Everybody!

Let me first of say thank you to everyone for all your support and prayers. They definitely help a lot.  I am so blessed to be able to have so many people that care about me and want the best for me. Thank you for all that you do! You know who you are. :)

So this week was pretty good and uneventful at the same time. Which could be good if you look at it the right way lol.

Monday was a day full of basketball and cookies! Not at the same time or else I would choke lol. The best part was the soreness that I experienced after trying really hard to play basketball. Let's just say that I suck at basketball.  I am trying though! Then the entire night we went searching for my companions wallet. We met a guy who thought that he was the "naughty" arch angel Michael...he was willing to give us 100£ to replace the wallet but we graciously declined.

Tuesday we got a call from the member in the morning that they found the wallet in their car! Then we got a referral!  Then we went finding all day around our tea appointment and found a place called Elder Close! We talked to a few teenage girls that had the interest for my companion haha! That was hilarious! Then had tea at a members home! They are very intelligent! He is a teacher and she has a PhD and they have 5 kids! They are a greatly successful family!

Wednesday was the first district meeting with the new district and it went alright. The highlight of my day was the chance that I had to participate in a blessing for one of the members of my district who is going through a hard time. He told me that he felt a lot better after that :)  Then we went finding again until we had tea at a member's home and just talked with him about cars! That was great! I loved that! After that we contacted our referral and now we have a new investigator! Her name is Lynn and she is so excited for her baptism on May 2! Please pray for her :) Then we were walking home and a investigator dropped us off at our flat! That was great! Just a day full of God's miracles!

Thursday we stayed in the flat cause my companion was sick.  Apparently all missionaries who come here get sick - I'm not going to though! I will fight til the bitter end! :P hahahahahahahahaha

Friday we went finding! It was a beautiful sunny day! I got to take more pics! We had tea with a former mission president who our mission president is friends with and calls all the time and while we were there President Pilikington called :0 

Saturday the most exciting thing was sport night at the chapel with all the Hungarian children! They are amazing at football and kick my butt every time! It's great :)

Sunday was good because it was just relaxing where we were working but able to do it at a pace that was comfortable :) We visited with this single member man for a while and he is VERY talented at painting and a very humble man. He has agreed to paint a picture of the temple for my companion and I am considering getting one too! :) 

P-day was Easter so we went shopping and then relaxed at home all day.....Couldn't go anywhere cause of the bus system was shut down so I took a nap! woot! So good! Then in the evening we went to a members home and they have the most adorable pug puppy that was trying to take my socks all night (bit my toes a few times and I sent her after my companions feet! LOL)

Well life is great right now and only going to improve!

Love you all

ELder Dotschkat

My Super Hero team on my desk
I'm collecting Kinder Eggs that have them to get the entire team assembled!
Going to get a new one today!