Loving The People

Hey Everyone,

 

This has been an incredible week. We have been working so hard and finding lots of new people to teach and we are excited about the potential here. It’s amazing how when we really focus on the work and the area, how the spirit can bring in new light and new answers. We haven't even gotten to weekly planning, but the schedule is already being filled with lessons, inspired ideas, and work.

 

We have had some amazing lessons this week. One with a young man who is very receptive to the gospel and is searching so much. It’s incredible how we can answer his questions and help him find the peace he is searching for. It’s also incredible how as we share, teach, and testify we can feel a growing love for these people, and we also feel God’s love for them.

 

Some things about my area;  two members of our district have been transferred out unexpectedly, so it’s been a crazy week sorting that out. We also had an amazing mission tour where Elder Pearson and Elder Douglas came to help our mission improve and rise up to a higher level. They both spoke masterfully and I'm sure every missionary who was truly looking for growth left with something to improve and work on.

 

Some miracles this week; We managed to get ahold of four people we have been trying to meet with for the last five weeks and let me tell you, our diligence was worth it. There is so much to be done and not enough time to do it. We were also inspired to be in the right place at the right time to help people going through hard days, to share words of peace and help them see ways they can lose themselves in the work.

 

Elder Hoffman and I have been doing great. We are learning and working together well, and I can see a lot of potential in him. This is a great area and a great people!

 

Elder Cluff

Loving Utah!

Hey Everyone,

 

Elder Engstrom left for Argentina this week. And we hear that he made it - which is great.

 

This week has been fun. We have been meeting with and sharing messages with a lot of members. We have had some great days being able to meet with people we have been trying to get a hold of for a long time and we are starting to teach some new people. We also have been working with and visiting a retirement area with villas and it’s been neat to hear the people’s unique stories. There are a lot of cool people down here! Vineyard is one of the fastest growing cities in the US and it attracts all kinds of people. We’ve met retired college presidents and former mission presidents. It’s interesting to watch Orem, and Utah in general, become more diversified. People from all over the world are coming here: China, India, Nigeria, Mexico and more. They love the culture and light of Utah and it’s interesting to watch how the examples of people here really make a greater difference than many realize. 

 

It is a pleasure serving here in Orem. The work is great, the area is nice, and the people are the best!

 

Elder Cluff

 

Picture: After dinner at a member’s house with my companions, Elder Hoffman and Engstrom. The sister missionary is doing the “home MTC” in this member’s home.

Jakob's Baptism

Today's an interesting p-day. Elder Engstrom is leaving for Argentina this week so it's kind of rushed. This week has been good, we had a Baptism on Saturday for Jakob, which was amazing! We're working hard to find new people to teach.

The area I am serving in is quite unique. It is divided into two sections, Orem, and Vineyard. Orem is a bunch of older homes nearer the downtown section while Vineyard is UVU housing and lots of newlyweds. Unlike Lehi, we see a lot of other missionaries around, (YSA, Spanish, Spanish YSA, Portuguese) and of course other members of our district. I don't think I told you but we're in a five pad so that is fun.


A little bit about my companions, Elder Engstrom is from the bay area in California. He is really social and a great guy. Elder Hoffman is from a small town in Wyoming, and he is big into hunting and planes. He is a little more reserved, but eager to learn and I'm sure he'll get more comfortable speaking as he adjusts to missionary life.


Photos:
-Number one and two are the four AP's I had the pleasure of living with in Lehi. Elder Lake (wearing glasses) and Elder Ames. Holding the cat, Elder Kelly, and Elder Rotelli. 
-The third one is the baptismal photo of Jakob, from Saturday, October 30^th. 
-The Fourth one is Elder Burtch and Elder Zwahlen, who were in my district back in Lehi.
-The fifth one is the Rowley family, who I was teaching for months in Lehi.