Renovation and Rejuventation

Units of Parentaldom living in the land of the Valley of the Sun,
Oh yes! This week was so good for me. I don't even know how to explain it. But I'll try. The week started in a dreary way. No one was home or answering their phones or even stopping on the street. It's probably the worst and most annoying feeling in the world. But things turned around for me on Wednesday. I went on a tausch with Elder Thoennes in Essen. It was really good. It rejuvenated me. I also had an extremely awesome spiritual finding experience. We were walking and we crossed the street. I glanced at a door to an apartment complex and thought nothing of it. But at the second glance I had a really weird jump in my stomach. I didn't know what it was and almost walked on. But for one reason or another, I approached the door. As my eyes ran over the klingel box, they caught on a few Chinese names. I pushed the button and waited...and waited...and waited. No answer. So I turned to leave. I stepped of the porch and started walking to Elder Thoennes, but that same, feeling came back. I walked back to the door and my eyes went immediately to a name -- middle row, second from the top. I punched it and we got let in. We hiked the stairs (4th floor) and found the door. As we approached a man appeared covered in dreck from renovation work. We quickly explained who we were and what we were doing. He said he'd love a Book of Mormon and invited us back next week. As we were walking away he mentioned how crazy it was that we showed up when we did. He renovates once or twice in a week and is only there for 3 or 4 hours when he does go there. None of that clicked until I thought about it that night and a huge feeling of gratitude rushed over me. The Lord is amazing.
Anyway, that experience gave me enough energy to carry on the rest of the week. Elder Wood and I were scrambling for lessons and squeezed in 4 on Sunday. The people just aren't home right now for some reason.
But we also set up this week. It's going to be good, I can feel it. And that was my week. I feel really good. I could take on the world right now. I've put my mind completely on the Lord and finally feel like the He trusts me. It's been a hard road to feel like I've earned His trust. Ever since I left Kiel I've felt down. But, the past bit has helped and I'm happy and willing to do whatever needs to be done. Many thanks to my friends which are a huge part in my life. I'm so grateful for the people I've known.
I love and miss you both!
Elder ChArnett

God loves the Arizona Cardinals!

Above: Pam sent Chad many gifts all tied to scriptures. He had to read each scripture then open the gift. #1 Below: Chad's friend made this picture and sent it to him.
#2 Chad cooking steak #3 Chad finished with all the presents. #4 His Christmas stocking #5 Kung-fu fighting #6 The Bowling boys #7 a Muheim baptism

Parentals!

This week was one for the books. I think I learned more about life, myself, and das Menchen Umgehen this week than the rest of my mission combined. Ok, well maybe that is a big overstatement, but I sure did learn a lot.
I wrote a few weeks ago that I was focusing on my feelings and how to control thoughts and attitudes and all that jazz. I feel like this week was the testing of all that. There were many challenges with ward members and misunderstandings, but I think I passed.
I also learned this week how to knit from the Relief Society! Yea! It takes forever though!
And finally the baptism this weekend was really nice. Oh, by the way we kinda had another baptism. I really didn't do much for this one, it was the Oberhausener's really, but I like her a lot and have been to her house and taught her a bit. She's way cool. I had to give a talk at it and I've never been so nervous in my life. I've given so many talks on my mission, but for some reason this one shook me. But, it went well and was a beautiful service and Sister Rittger is now a strong member of Mülheim! Woot! I'll send you a few pics of it and things we did this week!
So the Arizona Cardnals huh? Weird. It just goes to show, your home is blessed when you go on a mission. God loves Arizona and the Cardinals.
Today we played volleyball. It was AWESOME. Man it felt so good. I haven't had a good workout in a very long time and today was it. It felt so good to get it all out. I've wanted to go running in the morning, but I haven't been able to convince my companion to jump on that bandwagon yet. It's just so dark and dreary at 6.30 in the morning -- or that's his excuse. The night before we're all excited to get up and go, but the morning rolls around and....ya...
And thats gunna do it for me... My week has been good. No real complaints. I'm just excited for transfers on the 5th..

Loves,
Elder ChArnett

Blogger's note: As Elder Arnett's time gets shorter so do his letters. We weren't aware of any upcoming baptisms (although there must have been one). We are grateful for the photos he is sending. Also, a big thank-you to Whitney Craft, one Chad's friends from BYU. She found a way to enhance one of Chad's photos and add a saying to it. Also, because of Facebook, I was able to find a photo of Chad at a ward function practicing kung-fu with a member. It was posted by a a German member in Mulheim or Essen. To his German friends thanks for posting the photos of him. To his American friends thanks for supporting him and reading his blog. It should be noted that Chad is not on Facebook. For a while, Whitney Craft updated his profile and stuff. Then after much pleading I was able to convince Chad to allow me, his paps, to be the official keeper of the the Facebook. I must admit to being totally thrilled with this. I'm able to check up on Chad's friends from high school, BYU and his mission. Pam calls it stalking. I call it A.S.S.ing. No one ever comes to visit our house anymore so it's the only way I have to see what's going on. I've reluctantly come to realize that kids don't come to our house anymore because Chad is not here. Go figure.

Two posts for the price of one!

District riding the bahn.

Here's to the New Year with Hot German Chocolate!

January 11th

Parental Units,
It is amazing how quickly the week flew by. I actually think the better word is scary. The days are just flying by...
This weekend I was rather sick. It was a downer for sure. But life is getting better.
The past few weeks have been down as far as lessons go, and as much as I'd like to blame it on sickness and the weather, I know that's not an adequate answer. This week I learned that I can control my own attitude more than I thought possible. I'm trying to understand self control and the emotions that are constantly flowing through my mind. It's a weird feeling to try to understand what I'm feeling instead of just feeling it. But, when I understand where the feeling is coming from, maybe then I can suppress or expand it. I don't know just yet, but I've always enjoyed experiments.
And honestly that's it for me. I know its not much, but there isn't really much to talk about this week. I've been sick and the work has been disappointing. There is still snow on the ground. It's kinda stopped bothering me I guess. If I play it right I don't have to be in it all that much. Just get a lot of appointments. That's the key.
Hey let Diane know I got the package please. And it was greatly appreciated.
That's cool about Mark and Wayne. I hope Mark's film does well. Earning a few bucks and getting known is always good.
I really don't know what else to write. I'm fine, just kinda tired. We're going to play wallball today at the church. I'm excited. I haven't done that since the 4th Grade. Woot for childhood!
I'm gunna go. Loves
Elder ChArnett

January 3rd

Dearest Parental Units,
Once again I find my self sitting in an Internet Laden, hearing languages I don't understand, being choked by secondhand smoke, and teaching off-hand lessons while trying to type. Such is the life.
It snowed 5 inches last night. I hate the snow. It's so cold. The only time I like snow is when it is on a mountain and I'm strapped to a board trying to get as much air as I can. Then I can bear it. But not when I'm walking around in it all day.
This past week was pretty good with it being New Years and all. We were in by 6pm, mission rules. But we stayed up til midnight and watched the fireworks. I forgot how crazy it is here. It's like the 2nd World War all over again. It's amazing how dirty the city turns in one night. One day clean, the next, covered with beer bottles and bomb shells. Yea Germany!
Today we already did our P-day Activity. We went bowling as a district and with Dominic, a 16 year old boy who lives in Essen. He just did a mini-mission for a week.
Paps, I need to know what time Wayne needs to be in Berlin. If I have the time that he has to be there, I can figure out a good route. But until that time, I'm kinda at a loss.
Well, leider, I am, once again, at a loss as to what I should share with you.

Paps, I understand what you mean, about the whole lose everyone that writes you and then you'll understand how to focus thing. I hate to admit it, but it's true. Some people are writing me ab und zu but nothing really that takes me away or distracts me. I've learned to control the thoughts. Thats a plus.
I really don't have much to say. I think I need to get some more Vitaman D so I get undepressed about all this stinkin snow!
I do know Celle and I do know President Jensen. He's a pretty funny man and very educated. It's crazy to think that Sister Allen's dad baptised him.
That's all I got for this week. I'm sorry. I've been really crappy at this writing thing the past couple of weeks...My bad. I'll try to get better.
And dad, stop gettin krunk with the old boys. You Tokin Mormon you.
LOVES
Elder ChArnett

Blogger's note: Elder Arnett's dad doesn not get krunk with the old boys. He is referencing something I mentioned in my email to him and that is on my blog. I am the token Mormon, though.

Two weeks of emails and photos

Blogger's note: This is the email after we talked with him on Christmas Day

Hey guys.
I know this is going to be annoying for you, but I'm not going to write a lot today. I have a lot on my mind and just need to get out for P-day.

It was good talking to you guys. I have a lot to think about. I can't believe that time has flown by so fast. It actually kinda pains me to have to think about home and make plans. My whole mission I've loved thinking about home and telling stories to anyone that would listen, but now...now my stories have turned into mission memories. I can't picture Arizona in my mind anymore and the pictures are fading. Time is my enemy. I hate to think that this is one war I won't win.

Everything is good. Thanks for the gel mom. Diane is sending me a package soon, you could slip it in there. And your request will be honored.

Let me know how the tests turn out with the Doctor please, mom.
I got to run. It's one of those days.

Loves
Elder ChArnett

December 22nd email:

Parentals.

And here we are. Back at Christmas. I swear it was just yesterday that I was celebrating it last year. This year has gone by so fast. I know it may be kinda cruel, but I'm not going to write much since I'm going to talk to you in three days. Speaking of which, call me at 11 AM your time. There is, I believe, an eight hour time difference and it'll be 7 my time and we should be home by then. I hope that works for you. Call before to make sure it all works. The German Country code is 49. Dial that before the number I gave you last week. Happy Birth-Day mom (no I didn't forget, I even wrote happy bday in my journal!)

This week was kinda annoying. We had all but one appointment fall out and no investigators came to church. Really disappointing. We only taught 3 lessons. Gar. It really makes saddens me when that happens. The people here are just so busy and have so many preparations and things to get done before the three days of Christmas...no time for us. But don't worry mom, we have appointments with members on all three Christmas'. And I mean Heilige Abend (Holy Night/Christmas Eve), normal Christmas (the 25th), and 2nd Christmas (the 26th)! Yea for getting fat! Woot! I don't look like I've gained that much weight since I've been out here, but that's for two reasons, one I've lost almost all muscle I had before the mish, and remember how I was on my death bed right before I left and dropped like 15 lbs? So, from the start of my mission til 'now I've gained a lot, despite losing the muscle. It's been replaced by schnitzel and potatoes and rotkohl. Yea for German food!

The past few days we have been giving many priesthood blessings. I don't really understand why they are all coming to us though. Don't get me wrong, I'm more than happy to do it, it being my duty and all, but the members have just as much right, if not more, to do it instead. We should be ready at every opportunity and so should they.
I had a lot of dreams last night. It was all about the work. I saw how I could do an approach right after Christmas. I really don't know if the dream was inspired, but it helped me. The work right now is really hard. Like I said, people just have no time, and right after Christmas its even harder cause the Christmas season is just past and people have had enough of God. But I'm going to try what I dreamed next week. We'll see how it works out.

Ok, well that's going to do it for me this week. I know its short, but we will talk soon. Butl, I love and miss you two and HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

Pics,
1. The Elders in Essen and Mulheim. No we are not holding hands. Elder Green goes home on Thursday.

2. Elder Green. My hero.

3) These are most of the guys I came out with. There are 3 Elders missing. They are in the Northern Zones.
4. The sons and grandsons of Elder Lewis. I am the only son left, the rest are grandsons and great-grandsons.

And thats it! I'm out!

LOVES
Elder ChArnett

Schade, Trotzdem and other German words we don't know

Units of Parentaldom,
And I'm back. Thats right, I'm back in all my missionary glory. Ok, maybe not all of it, but most of it. This week was pretty crazy. Lots of cool stuff happened and a lot of cool things that should've happened didn't happen. Do you understand that?
Let me tell you about the highlights of the week. The biggest one was probably Zone Conference. We had it on Thursday. It was so good. It was our Christmas thing. It was all about Christ and there was a special program. I can't explain it but it was so spiritual. The best part was probably when President had us split up in our companionships and pray about who we can invite to be baptised this week. Elder Wood and I withdrew from the group and prayed about it and got our answer. It was such a good ZC. I recieved so much revelation about what to do! It was crazy good. I loved it.
We got in contact with this lady named Barbara this week. We've been trying for ages to get in contact with her and we finally did. We had two really spiritual appointments with her and challenged her to baptism. She said she couldn't commit yet. But her prayer afterwards was amazing. We invited her to church again and she came! She was late, but she came! I was so stoked. I was breaking the bread at the sacrament table when she walked in and the ward said my smile lit up the chapel. I was so happy. She like it and it was just going perfect. We are stopping by a few times this coming week and we'll see what happens.
So that's schade that they can't come and visit me, but ok. I hope they have fun trotzdem. So here's the deal with calling. I don't know when you can call yet. But here is my number.----------------------
So this week is transfer week. I'm staying here. I'll tell you about it when you call. Today we just chilled with the other missionaries and went around Essen. And now we have to run to FHE. Bah. We're just busy all the time. I'm freezing cause we are running around everywhere. Tonight we are playing volleyball. Woot! Wish me luck.
I know this is short and no pictures, but sometimes that's how it's gotta be. I love you guys like crazy though and we'll talk in a week and a half. So, I have to be quiet so we have things to talk about! I miss you and love you!
Elder ChArnett

PARENATL UNITS!

Hey-o. Well then, this past week has been killer. I've got a killer cold, we had some killer appointments and a killer tried to kill me. Think I'm kidding? I'm not. But that just makes it that much better!

This week was just such a good opportunity to get to know the members. We had so many member appointments joined with less-actives and non-members/investigators. We got stuffed with Christmas goodies. I loved them last year, but this year they are tickling my fancy. I think it's mostly cause my taste buds are tainted with this blasted cold! I hope they'll start schmecking me soon! Who knows. But its just been way fun getting to know everyone. We met with this sweet old lady named Oma (Grandma) Fischer. I love her. She's so funny and down to earth despite being over 85.

We had an appointment with Champion this week and talked about the Taufe again. He seemed annoyed this time around. It is a bit disappointing, but we are just going to try and keep contact and wait until he gets back from China to push it again. We feel that if we are too persistent about the Taufe, he might walk away. He likes the social part of the Church, so we'll see. I dunno, I'm not gunna hold out too much hope for it before his trip back home. After he'll have a clearer head. We're gunna try and get him to go to church there. Yes, they have wards in China. Just nothing official. As soon as it opens up there will be 4 stakes. No lie. Crazy huh? You better be praying that it opens up. Follow the prophet people!

Bruder Leis, a man married to a member, is making good progress and we met with him three times this week. Parentals, this ward rocks! They have so many activities and things to do...I just love it! It makes the work that much easier. Schwester Leis has her two year Mitglied mark this Wednesday and we are going to take something to her to say congrats and just to wiggle our way into seeing Bruder Leis. We are at their haus for Heilige Abend. Fortschritt! This man has seen many miracles, we just need to get him to feel that extra 'Umph'. Maybe he'll have a baptismal date as a gift for his wife? Who knows. We're working on it.

Last night we went Christmas caroling. I thought I was going to die. We were driving with this one kid who thought he was cool and drove like a mad man. It was funny at first, but after we almost hit 4 cars I got worried. But it was way good. We got to know so many elderly couples in the ward and at the end we sang to nonmembers. I loved this week. We just were running everywhere. We taught 11 lessons. We count lessons in a weird way, but 11 is a lot. We were 3 short of our goal, but naja.

As clarification, we have not had Zone Conference yet. We have it this Thursday. And transfers are next Thursday. I'll get the packages this week so no worries Mother dearest. I didn't buy a coat, but I got an apartment special from Essen that I use. So ya, I think that's all of your questions.

Father, Yes. Yes to the M & W Trip. They are members, they need to go to church somewhere right? Ha. We'll see how it rolls. I really would be stoked to see them. I could then give Mark my wedding present to Kate. I'm so excited for her. I love that girl so much. I told her that, even though she's going to be married, I'm taking her and her Hubbie on a date when I'm back. To A&W, just like the good ol' days.

All in all, this week has been a good one. I came to a realization. I need to be better. Well I've always known and thought that. But this time is different. What brought this about? Well, secretly, my group hit our 18 month mark on the 6th of December. I remember hearing a spruch at the beginning of my mission. The 18th month mark was what some missionaries referred to as the 'slump day'. The year mark was 'hump day'. The 6th month mark was 'bump day'. My trainer told me that Slump Day needed to be changed to Pump Day. I agree. We don't have much longer and we need to pump as hard as we can to get this work done. I've had a feeling my whole mission that I can't describe. Something that tells me I'm supposed to do something specific. I don't know what it is, but I still have the feeling which means I haven't done it yet. That, combined with a need to learn how to recognize the Lord's voice more accurately, has lead me to Operation:(Re)Consecration. What is it? It's my way of doing what needs to be done. I want to be the best I can be. I want the mission to have changed me. I want to speak about it with the same love that Elder Holland had as he spoke about his. The first step is written on my planner... prove to God that He can trust me. This entails ridding myself of distractions. That's this weeks goal. Get rid of anything and everything that might make me lose the Lords trust. I have to do better. I have to be better. I have to become the me I'm supposed to be!

The mission is at an amazing point. People are having visions and being told where to go and what to say and what not! I wanna jump on the band wagon!

Well, I gotta jump. I love and miss you both a ton. I'll let you know next week what my number is and when to call and all that jazz.

LOVES!

Elder Chadwick Meriweather Jeffrey Arnett III

PS. Enjoy the pics. I like you guys getting them from the Sisters better cause I then don't have to worry about it!

The Advent of Hope or Teaching DAD a lesson

PARENTALS!!!

Well, well, well. I'm doing well. This week was kinda a rough one because Elder Wood and I were both rocked with sickness. It unfortunately took us out of the loop for a couple of days. I really do not like being sick out here. I always feel like its a poor excuse. I don't know if its right, but I sometimes pray to either get better, or to get sicker so I don't feel bad about staying insideIt's kinda weird, but I just hate staying in doors.

Besides that, the week went pretty well, given that many appointments fell out. We only taught 7 lessons this week. We had more planned, but like I just said, many appointments fell out. Champion is a perfect example of this. Three termine fell out with the kid. I don't know what's going on. He was so promising when Elder Duvall was here. But Elder Wood and I think that he's been spending a lot of time with a new Mitbewohnerin. It's ok, we'll find out what's going on and see if we can't help him in some way. Other than that this past week has been getting Gesund and setting up this week. It's packed with appointments and we have about 25 contacts that need to be talked to. I'm so excited. Elder Wood is a great companion and we are about to get some serious good work done.

Tonight we are eating with a part-member family. The Husband isn't a member, but he is making some serious progress. He's been investigating for a long long time now and has seen miracles, he just need to take the leap of faith.

Speaking of faith, that is another lesson I learned this week. Even when we belong to the Church and have made our leaps of faith, we still have to strive to stay in the faith. I've kind of noticed myself slipping a bit with scripture study and reading. I've just been so busy planning for other lessons and running around to get things done that I haven't really had time to study for myself or just read and enjoy the scriptures. I'm in the middle of 'The President Challenge' as I have dubbed it, but set it aside for a few days in order to get everything done that needed to be. I could honestly feel a lack of something. I could still feel the spirit this week, but it was just harder to focus or get personal goals done. I gained a stronger testimony of study. It really is the fuel to the missionary fire. If we don't study and convert ourselves, we will never be able to help with the conversion of others. Study is so important to keeping me personally focused on the task at hand. I love the scriptures. They are litterally a Godsend.

Like I said this week is going to be good. We have a lot planned and I'm excited. We'll see how it plays out. It's time for me to kick it up another notch and charge forward. I want so bad to be a successful missionary. I need to reach my goals!

I've been thinking a lot about a lot of things lately. I have seen and met so many different types of people here on the mission. Happy, sad, suicidal, careless, homosexual, transsexual, angels, demons, wise, and otherwise. The thoughts/questions that most occupies my mind is this: What made this person the person he/she is today? And, how can I help them change for the better?

I have walked in the homes of hundreds of different people from different backgrounds and cultures and lifestyles. All have been looking for something that they are unable to find. At the beginning of my mission I thought that some people were hopeless and waists of time. But now I know that they aren't. They can't be. No one I have met is so far gone that they are hopeless. The Lord God will give another chance. He has to. 2 Nephi 19 through the next few chapters speaks about Israel and how they will fight against each other. But there is a phrase that is repeated again and again. "For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still." That is our phrase of hope. It is for everyone.
Some people who I know and you know can't find a light in themselves. But it is there. There are good things about everyone, we just have to find beauty in different ways. But it is there. Once the light is found, it needs to be fueled. Hope and encouragement needs to be given. Why? Because the Lord will not give up on us as long as we are here. We cannot give up on others. That's what I've learned out here. It is possible for everyone to come back to light. It's sometimes harder for others. But they can come. If there is no desire, they are lying. There is always a desire. We must find the God in everyone. Once found, it is our job to help that part grow until it can sustain itself. It's a hard job. But it's possible. I've seen people overcome things out here like addictions. I've seen a homosexual man be baptised. I've seen drug lords walk away from their lifestyle. I've seen excommunicated members fight to come back to the fold. I know that they have a lot to overcome. Everyone has his own mountain, but everyone needs to be taught the gospel from the beginning -- that God is our heavenly Father and that He loves us.

I love this work. I love being here in Germany. I'm not what I want to be. I need to be better. I need to communicate better. I need to do that what is expected of me. But it all comes back down to desire. It needs to come from within, but others can help me to increase my desire. We are all in this together. I feel that if I give up on someone, I give up on myself. No one is so far gone that they can't ever come back. No one. I have to believe it. If I don't, I might be damned.

A lot is on my mind. I guess its a bit of cabin fever. Staying inside has never been good for me. But, yes Mother, we did have Thanksgiving. Two times sogar. It was fun. For district meeting we cooked a goose and two ducks. I made veggies and other Elders made potatoes and a plethora of other things. It was good. We had it in the kitchen and just talked about what we are thankful for and how thankfulness plays a part in missionary work. I liked the idea. Our district leader sure is an inspired guy. That, or he's selfish.

And alo, Mother, I got the card, thank you.

I miss you both terribly. This past Sunday was the first advent. That means I talk to you in just over 3 weeks. Be Happy! I love you. I miss you. Have hope. Everyone has a chance, even if they've had one before.

LOVES

Elder ChArnett

Blogger's note: Once again, our mostly perfect and diligent son didn't send photos. Thanks this time to Sister Wilson for emailing some photos at our request. The sisters that are now home have really come through for us. Thanks to both of you and keep them coming. You have been very kind to the overly-photo wanting parents of the "Hotdawg in Hamburg". Photos boy, photos! Send them. Also, just as a frame of reference, Chad's message on Hope was a not so subtle sermon to his Father. It was in response to an email he received from a now "Hopeful" Dad. There was a time in his life, when I taught him things.