Pack up and Go ....

Well my oh my hasn't this week been insane?! I just want to say thank you for handling the whole bike situation. I really have appreciated it and will appreciate it a lot as the months move forward. Biking has been immensely easier since getting the new one. I went with the Kona Mahuna which has 29" wheels, a 21" frame, handlebars are about as wide as my shoulders, disk brakes, the Tubes have the slime stuff built which has already helped ward off one flat (Lots of glass on the road). It rides smooth and handles my large build very well. Thank you so much, I heard dad's voice a little bit when Jim the bike guy was talking to him which was a very weird experience. But hey, I walked in and they knew who I was and knew exactly what to get me to last thru my mission. One of the guys said that 3 years is a long time to have a bike, especially with how big I am and all the riding I have been doing the past 8 months. So the Scott did me good and the Kona will now do wonders.

In all reality this week like most others has flown by. A couple things that were really cool:

Sister Raver, Max and Jordan's mom, bore her testimony yesterday (We did Fast and Testimony yesterday in Dana Point) and it was so awesome. She talked about her families experience the past 6 years, how Max said in July he wanted to get baptized and the missionaries started coming over and then about 3 weeks later Jordan said he wanted to get baptized as well. She said "I had been waiting for this day for four years." She talked about how grateful she was for the priesthood and examples in the ward. Really touching experience. We had a lesson with them that night and talked about tithing using halloween candy which turned out great! We then talked about the baptismal service, process for getting the priesthood, and setting up a ride to the priesthood session of conference this weekend. It was such a good day yesterday because of them. It made me really sad thinking I could potentially not be in the ward next transfer which would mean I wouldn't be a part of finishing up the lessons and prepping for baptisms. Transfers suck sometimes. But I know they will get baptized and I will for sure no matter if I get moved or not find a way to make it down to see him. 

This week has been full of attempts to find those who are ready to hear of the Gospel which has been pretty difficult to do for some odd reason. We are striving to find those that are ready to hear the gospel and that has started to pick up. 

We had the last district meeting of the transfer and so I got everyone to wear pink to show unity. It was a really cool experience because one of the hardest things to do is get missionaries to counsel and help each other work through their problems and the concerns they are having. We had a 65 minute counsel on how to best work with members and find those who are ready for the Gospel through them. It was so cool to just stand and watch the spirit take over the lesson. It was one of the strongest times I have felt the spirit on my mission. Counseling sessions are awesome. 

To respond to emails:

Dad- Thank you so much. This week I truly learned what true love is. I am so thankful for how you handled the bike thing and that you were so willing to do it. I have no problem with the move. I was born and raised there, that is my home. The things I love to do can all be found there.  I have made life long friends in Nebraska and will seek them out. The one thing I have learned for sure in the past 9 months is that you have to move when the Lord needs you to move. It may be to a place you do not know anyone or a place you have been before, but when your time is up and Heavenly Father needs you somewhere, you just have to pack up and go, with no questions asked, only prayers of gratitude for lessons learned, experiences had, and people met. I am excited to hear and be a part of this new adventure when I come home. New people new story.

they go to football games together

Ayris- YES GET MARRIED!!! That is all I have to say :) Fulfill the plan dont make me teach the plan!:) You are the best and thank you for all you do. Glad you liked your birthday card and hope you have a great week. :) Stay awesome and stay classy. Tell Andre I said hello and miss him. He was one of my favorite WML on my mission.

shawn makes the cupcakes

ayris has to blow them out

the sisters at the sobczak home in valley

Mom- Oh mom you are awesome. Thank you for all you do and the things you send. I really appreciate the time you take to make sure that I am taken care of and watched over. Stay calm in all you do and be happy. Tell the Sister missionaries hello from me :) Keep the shirts I sent so we can make a Mission Quilt when I get home. We can do that together. Stay awesome.

I love you all so much. Thank you for everything you do and sacrifice for me. I hope to be the Sibling, parent, and father that I have had the examples of my whole life as I continue to grow and become a parent. You have all taught me so much and I know everything will work out. Keep up the good work and keep praying. 

Conference is this weekend. http://www.lds.org/general-conference

I think and have a hunch some big announcements are going to made so keep your eyes, ears, and pen caps open!

People out there - Stay awesome and stay classy. REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE.

-- 

"Fourth Floor Last Door"

Elder Amric Zane Sobczak

California, Carlsbad, USA

January 2013-June 2013

California, Irvine, USA

We all strive for...Exact obedience in all things

Change Means Progress

First off how on Earth are we already half way through the month of September?? ( well now it's the end of sept!)

 What is happening to time? 

Second off, not to much to report from this last week. The work in Dana Point is right on the verge of going crazy busy or stagnant so we are working hard to get it going and getting the ward missionary minded and trust us enough to let us teach their friends. The boys are doing very well, progressing nicely towards Baptism on the 2nd of November. As for our other investigators; we are striving to set up lessons every week with them and keep them interested. It is a process, but hey it all goes well!

family room

room room packed - valley transfers!

fireplace - valley

whatcom falls

family room - valley

washington

So glad to hear that the trip went well. Man somebody really jumped on the opportunity to look at our house thats great!! I will keep all of this in my prayers as the week goes on. Crazy to think in a month we will have a different address in Washington again! How in the heck?? Never thought that would happen. Dad sent me the new phone number for him, weird to see a 360-470 number again! It all seems right so show your faith and do everything necessary to allow the Lord to work miracles. This involves us doing everything we can do to have the spirit to be able to listen to the promptings of the Spirit. One thing I have learned out here is that; Obedience brings blessings, but exact obedience brings miracles. Not judging that anybody isn't being obedient, just stating the importance of it all. 

Zane and Marion

How are the Sisters reacting to all of this, moving situation? Seems like they would be pretty shell shocked. 

Thats my desk after 3 packages!

I am glad to hear that everything is going good. Sorry again, time is a crazy thing so sorry for short emails, letters and all of that. Hey I got your package!!! Oh man you and Ayris went insane. Note picture of what my desk looked like after unloading it all. I truly appreciate all you do for me. Focus on getting everything house wise sorted out and not so much on me for the next month. Just make sure that everything is getting taken of that needs to. That is an order :) Said in my cute joking manner :) You are all so awesome, you rock and are great :) Have a great week and stay awesome. 

12 week program

Tell the Sisters hello for me and hope the 12 week program is going good :) They will know what I mean. Keep up the awesome work, if you want to study something I know it is not in Book Of Mormon, but look at Hebrews 11 - it has to be one of my favorite chapters in all of canon!  It helps us see what can happen we work by Faith. 

this is me with my "young man" face that Pops is always annoyed with!

this is companion, Elder Robison from Boise Idaho

Okay, hate library computers, I am not getting your messages... but whatever, don't cry or be upset or think you are stupid. I just isn't working I know you and it is not your fault. As far as moving and packing goes... Get rid of anything electronic. Except my TV. anything else get rid of. Cords, wires, VHS players, DVD Players, Sound Systems. Get rid of all of it. We will start over when I get home. Hmmmm anything else?? Cannot think of it. Also, I hate my bike, the thing is not coming home with me. Love you lots mom. Probably wont get mail until tomorrow or thursday. Hope all is going well.

I have to go now. Thank you so much for being there and helping me out. I need a reliable mode of transportation.  Thank you so much for all you do for me I really truly appreciate it. I love you so much thank you again!! If it helps I love bike riding and have lost 30 pounds because of it. I have officially hit my 80 pound mark. Down 80 since last year.  It will be worth it 

adios

-- 

"Fourth Floor Last Door"

The Lord will Justify all the GOOD things we do...

The three amigos before getting transferred

I have a new companion, his name is Elder Samuel Robison. He is from the great city of Boise Idaho and is 19 years old. He is actually a month older than me which is funny to be training him. He is a great missionary and has a great head on his shoulders. Excited to see the work go forward with awesomeness here in the Dana Point Area.

In August my nephew was baptized by immersion

A, dropped us as missionaries. He is no longer wanting to learn from us. He came here to the States to do and find things that would not be open to him in Iran and so it makes sense. He is a smart guy and wants to learn all he can before making a decision, I am positive he will return and want to continue to progress in the Gospel. 

We have a date for baptism....November 2nd. A little later than anticipated but it is going to happen so that is what matters. His brother has decided to get baptized as well which is amazing. Such a cool experience being a part of all of this with them and seeing them learn and grow in the gospel. It is getting the ward excited and they want to help us along as much as they can. 

Yesterday picked up a new investigator. We met her on the street and asked if she would be interested in learning more about Jesus Christ. She excitedly said yes and we set an appointment for yesterday at 4:00. We went over and talked about The Spirit World, Book of Mormon, Word of Wisdom, and Baptism. She said she was born and raised Catholic along with her husband but they want their kids to be raised in a Bible based religion so they started going to a born again church. When talking about baptism she said "My husband and I were baptized as babies, but it makes sense that we would need to get baptized again because we are older and can actually know what we have done wrong  "Are your serious!" We were so excited, she asked us what she needed to study to learn more so we gave her 2nd Nephi 31 ( http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/31?lang=eng ) and said this will help you know what you need to do to best follow Christ and bring as much happiness as possible into the life of your family. 

So all is going well out here in the field, Hard at times but the miracles make it all worth it. I love you all so much and hope your week ahead is full of miracles and even more exciting news. Follow the spirit in all that you do, know that contention is of the devil and we all need to agree before we act. The Lord will Justify us in all the GOOD things that we do. Stay strong and of good courage and know that the Lord is real, does exist and does truly care about each one of his Brothers and Sisters. You are loved and cared by a power greater than any of us can comprehend. Love you all :)

-- 

"Fourth Floor Last Door"

Elder Amric Zane Sobczak

California, Carlsbad, USA

January 2013-June 2013

California, Irvine, USA

July 2013-December 2014

SERVE, FOLLOW, WRITE - oh and LEAD! It's busy out here!

Oh man my family and friends ....  how crazy has this week been?????

So some quick updates for you from my life...I am training another missionary, starting today.

Elder Belnap and Elder Hair are getting transferred so I will be getting someone brand new from the MTC again in a couple of hours. Keep it in your prayers the rest of the day that it is someone who is ready to work and get going!  Other than that not anymore transfer news. I am staying District Leader here in Dana Point. So I will have 2 conferences in the same ward, I just think it is so crazy to be back here. The Combined total at the end of this transfer will be 6 months in Dana Point ward. Which will be really nice. 

I got all of your emails which was great. Thank you so much for your time and effort in sending those out. 

So this week brought about lots of craziness...first off this week brought about September!!! Say What?!!! What has happened???!!! This is going by so fast, 8 months out and it feels like a month or two. Cannot even imagine how fast it will feel at the end. But hey, staying busy and dedicated to the work - thats why it goes by so fast. Staying busy and focused on the work, not on the time that is what I have learned to do. 

We are meeting with a family who lives just down the street I taught she and her family when I was here before.  It is so great and she recognizes that everything happens for a reason.

Thanks for the email pops.! Always good to hear from you. I will keep you in my prayers for the work. Cool to here that the ward could potentially have 5-7 missionaries out at the same time. I will keep all of them in my thoughts and email them or write them if they reach out for help/questions/concerns. Keep up the good work you have done.

Deep thought;   Read Alma 8 focusing on verses 18-20. 

18 Now it came to pass that after Alma had received his message from the angel of the Lord he returned speedily to the land of Ammonihah. And he entered the city by another way, yea, by the way which is on the south of the city of Ammonihah.

 19 And as ^ahe entered the city he was an hungered, and he said to a man: Will ye give to an humble servant of God something to eat?

 20 And the man said unto him: I am a Nephite, and I know that thou art a holy prophet of God, for thou art the man whom an^aangel said in a vision: Thou shalt receive. Therefore, go with me into my house and I will impart unto thee of my ^bfood; and I know that thou wilt be a blessing unto me and my house.

It might be confusing, but if it is read the whole chapter, this is where Alma and Amulek become missionary companions or "Co-Workers", they find each other. As you read Answer the question "How does Alma run into Amulek and what does that signify? How can it help me in my life deal with those I work with?" 

Hope that helps, maybe there was a reason those verses jumped out at me. I know that everything happens for a reason.  Good luck with the sisters moving in. Everything has a purpose. Maybe one of them is suppose to marry me!!! hahaha!

Oh, teams to focus on= Seahawks, Mariners, College Football (Top 25 ) Thats ALL!!!

Ayris, not much help I can give you without being there, so sorry hahaha! 

I hope you get to watch television soon:)

Well, thank you for taking the time to read this email. The Gospel becomes more and more clear everyday. You all are great support to me. Thank you for being you and staying amazing. I know the job will work out. I had a confirmation that it will. Whatever the Lord sees. Before you get a call from FCNW watch the mormon message entitled "The Will of God" it is my favorite and will help all of us through this. 

Thank you for all you do. Remember, no matter what, it all goes back to Jesus Christ, no matter who you are, what you do, or what happens, all goes back to and is overcome through and by Jesus Christ. I love you so much and hope this week will be a great one. 

I do not have much to email today as we have to get packed and run final errands for transfers. Mom, Just so you know "Missionary Lingo" verbiage goes like this; Son = someone you train.   Father = the person who trained you.  Kill someone = you were the last companion before they went home.

 I will write more next week. Love you so much, have a great week :) 

Not that at home we are counting or anything!

16th link mailed =
8 months out 16 to serve

In the beginning = 24 months to serve

Elder Amric Zane Sobczak

From your family you've gone to serve.

Don't look back have not regret,

don't let satan throw you a curve.

Your family is proud of you

Your name is always in our prayers

Always Look Up, Be ever true

Follow the rules and stay in pairs!

Time is moving, fast or slow?

Teach with power - Convert with spirit!

Growth is changing wherever you go!

Keep on moving forward take the Gospel and share it!!!