Sunset with a thunder storm

                                                    

July 22, 2013 Taking an interest in learning to play piano and guitar.

This week we have been having a lot of storms in the area which is really nice. The other day it was 75 outside at noon. We put some of the weather in a jar for a hot day to come. There was one storm that came at the perfect time during sunset where you could see tons of lightning in the clouds as well as a nice sunset shining off of them. It was one of the coolest things I have ever seen, and I have seen a lot back in my teens. I can make that joke now! So I realized something weird this week and I am a little nervous how I would overcome it. One of our rules on a mission is that we can only shake peoples hands unless they are of the same sex, then you can hug but that's just weird. Its been a long time since I have had a hug and the other day an Elder gave me one and I felt uncomfortable. I am now afraid of the flesh. I don't like people touching me. I have lost my mind. I am becoming what Aaron (my brother) warned me about and now there is no going back. I don't think I will ever be normal again. Anyways enough about my social problems.

Not a whole lot of interesting stuff has happened this week. I think I am going to try and learn the piano on my own soon and maybe the guitar. I practice at church before meetings and a member is giving us a guitar to use for a little while and my companion plays. One of the elders that we live with is obsessed with movies and especially the superhero ones. So on Sunday a member came up and told us about the new superman movie that they are releasing in 2015 with batman in it. We waited till the night to bring it up. We primed the pump and got him all rilled up then told him. He was so excited that he couldn't sleep. He talked about it with us for most of the night. Well I hope all is well and may everyone be safe. I miss you all.

Love Elder Leonhardt

                            Elder Wade getting a haircut by the masters hand, Elder Rodgers.

                                                                        My turn.

                                                                   Good bye hair.

                                                                       It tickles.

                                                                     Feeling cooler.
                                                        
                                   
                                                    Feeling like a sheared sheep.

                                                    He can even cut hair without looking.

 

                                                          Now for the finishing touches.

                                                 Finished product is even more handsome.
                                                 Bring on the heat!

 

 

July 15 2013 A Very Special 8 Year Old

Thank you everyone for the birthday mail and the cards. Thank you Grandparents for your letter and the kind words of encouragement, I really appreciate it!

This past week was great! On my birthday we were invited to a members house for dinner and a lesson with one of their friends. I really like them. Both of the members served missions; one in Mexico and the other in Japan. They served us this Mexican food thing. It was way good. It was similar to Navajo tacos. The friend was really cool and has a sad story. She shared how 3 years ago she was saved by an angel in a car crash and is now paralyzed from the waist down. It is amazing how she is so relaxed and loving after all she has been through. We talked about the Book of Mormon with her. She is looking forward to reading from it.

The longer I have been out here, the more and more I see the Gospel of Jesus Christ around me working in everything. I never really realized it when people in church before talked about it or tried teaching about it. Now that I am living it more fully I see it. Or at least a glimpse of it. Life is so great with it. I truly don't know how people can live with out the knowledge of having a Savior or a Father in Heaven that knows and loves you for who you are and desires nothing more than your happiness.

We taught an 8 yr old kid who's mom was just baptised this year. I tell you there is something special about that 8 yr old. He surprised me with all that he knew and not just a question response kind of thing but an actual I KNOW and testimony of it.

Anyone can learn about the gospel because its not about the knowledge of things but the impressions/feelings one feels in their heart that matters most. The week wasn't going the way I necessarily wanted it to go and so I wasn't doing the best when it came to the lesson. After we taught him, he made me feel better. We asked him about what the Spirit feels like to him, and if he feels like he's felt it before. He responded that he could feel it now and when he prays. He told us with sincerity that he never wants us to leave because he feels so good when we visit. He said that when we leave he is already missing it and can't wait to see us again. That 8 yr old changed my week and taught me with the Spirit that he so simply bore witness to. The Spirit did all of the work and I am so grateful for that opportunity to be a part of it.

Love Elder Leonhardt


                                     
                                                      Sunrise over the temple being built.

                                                      In Honor of those who serve us.

                                       My trainer Elder Wardle next to me and his companion.
                               

                                        Our whole zone at the top of the hill. 29 missionaries.

                                           This is the top of a hill we hiked this morning
                                            and a view of the valley around us.

                                                          Me in the drivers seat.

                                                      Me behind the drivers seat.

July 8, 2013 Sleep Talking

 

Dear Home,
I feel like I'm in a drier being spun round and round with the obvious HEAT from the sun.

My dreams are whats getting to me the most. I now dream that I am walking around in my proselyting cloths and talking to people. The worst ones are when I think I'm still awake and I'm planning my day, thinking about who I should go see when a name comes to mind and I know I didn't put them in my plans. I wake up yelling the name, "Elder! We need to go see ..." or sometimes just yell the name. When I catch myself doing it I just lay there trying to hear if anyone is awake that may have heard it. Luckily no one really has but one of the elders said he heard me talk in my sleep. First time I think I have ever really done it and not caught myself. He told me I said, "I don't have a bank account." "I can play video games." No idea where that came from. Every time something like this happens I think about my brother Matt and his sleepwalking stories and the stories of Lyla walking upstairs to go potty in Matt and Quela's bathroom saying,"Yeah really." Fantastic humor, gotta love it.

I was asked to share a lesson at church this past weekend and the topic was along the lines of helping those that have been losing their testimonies. Through the message I somehow got on to the topic of Josh Blum. As I shared the childhood we had together and all the wonderful memories I really began to miss him. We used to be so much closer when we were young. As the years went by we started to go our separate ways and he stopped coming to church which was one of the places we had the best conversations. It brought me to tears to think about the day I was at the funeral. I can remember it so well. It was like yesterday I was standing at his grave site looking at his headstone talking to him as if he was still there. We had many conversations on nights like those. It was one of my favorite places to go when I was back in Baraboo. Talk with him and many of the other people that I know up there. The reason why was not because I missed them, or because I wanted to simmer on the sorrow of their absence but because they were free. They made it through this tough life and are now on the other side walking without a pain. Joy surrounds them now and I can feel it when I am there. My tears are in agreement that they are OK.

So I am training a new missionary and this past week has been so different from what I have been used to. He talks...a lot. I went to being able to have nice even sided conversations to having to cut my companion off because he has now made us 45 mins late to our next appointment. I don't want to be the bad guy telling his simply press his lips together and keep them that way for awhile but I don't have much of a choice these days. He is a great guy though and is teaching me a lot about teaching and how to direct someone without taking away their creativity which I love! People are great when you let them think and try to figure a problem out in a different way than you already have. I have thought of so many different ways of relating the gospel to others. It's fantastic! I like training and teaching people. I miss coaching football and I think I am going to try and get into coaching when I return. The best part is seeing the creativity and growth of those who start out new in the subject. Real growth is what its ALL ABOUT BABE!

Anywhosier I better get going. I love y'all and hope you enjoy the summer months! I'll save some sweat in a bottle and bring it home for everyone to taste. That's gross, but seriously I will. Take care bye.
Love Elder Leonhardt

 

 

                                    
                                                             My name is important!


                                    
                                         New companion, Elder Norkes from Riverton, Utah.

June 3, 2013 "Hello Bush"

 

Dear Home,

Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement and prayers on behalf of those near me, I appreciate it.

This past week ended on a weird note. Not a big deal or even well known but I'm sure its happened to everyone multiple times. It dealt with people talking behind our back about our efforts. A number of people that my companion and I knew made comments as well as other people without us near to do anything in defense or to give reason.

Our first thoughts were of discouragement and disappointment in our fellow friends. We dwelt on this topic for the night and I prayed that I could understand the why and what to personally do about it.

When I arose and prayed again I had my answer that it did not matter. They have been selected to a position and had concerns with something they could not see. My reaction was not right and I should have trusted them anyways. There was a quote from Mother Teresa that someone said once. She said, "Trust those who lie to you, love those who hate you, care for those who scorn you,..etc. Because it was never between you and them in the first place, it was between you and God."

I have made it a goal to trust all around me no matter what and if they take that power so be it, they can deal with God, for God will not tempt me. Nor you.

I continue to see so many opportunities to grow everyday while I have been out on the mission and for that reason I don't want to leave because I can see the good changes in me and the better person I am becoming through the fire the Lord puts me through. Down here it is a literal fire...its getting pretty hot, so hot that I now think that 90's is perfect weather. Whats wrong with me.

I had a really embarrassing moments as I was riding the bike home at the end of the day around 9 pm. I was trying to multi-task and drain the left over water in my pack bladder, riding with no hands and looking to see if my tires were doing okay when someone drove by yelling "Hail Satan!" I looked up and to the street waving to them, because that's what I do to everyone that makes a gesture towards me, and took my eyes off the sidewalk. My bike became attracted to the closest bush and in I went. The front tire got stuck and with no hands to keep my balance I tried to save myself somehow. Dirt went flying up and the bush and I became one. Just because of that those hoodlums kids probably going to try it again to every missionary they see. Not my proudest moment. But other than that life is great!

I found another favorite scripture as I was studying the other day in 2 Cor. 1: 24 talking about our purpose as we spread the gospel, for the edifying of the people. If we don't have anything nice to say to someone, don't speak. No one should try and tear down another persons faith but in anyway possible build them up. Who cares about whose wrong, whose right. Try talking about the things that are right or the common belief you have. Going about things in the first manner puts up a wall between you and others, showing the Lord that you don't want to fellowship His sons and daughters, His children to whom we ALL belong to.

I love you all and hope that you stay cooler than my. Feel free to send me water from the fresh side of the country, its not the best down here.

Love Elder Leonhardt

June 24, 2013 Just Lived Through The 4th Hottest Day On Record

Dear Home,
I just found out this week that I am training another missionary. It is going to be a lot of fun this time around and hopefully I wont brake the poor mans soul. I am excited! Its going to be weird though because I don't know the area very well so I'm still not sure if I will be able to see the right people at this time and not forget about those that are in need of us so many prayers on that behalf would be much appreciated.

Receiving the message that I was training was actually pretty fun as well. It was a long day in the 4th hottest day on Phoenix Arizona record, 121. Cold...(with sarcasm) We had a few clouds roll in too and that brought in some humidity with it and we were out biking all day. We thought that if it got hot enough that we could stay in for a few hours but we never received word so we kept working. We were drenched in sweat! So when we got in to our apartment Saturday night at 9, still 110 outside, we planned and I hit the showers. Half way through the showers there were tons of people banging on the door to the bathroom and wasn't sure if the place went up in flames or what. I threw on a towel and hurried out the door into our study room and there everyone was huddled around the phone because our mission president was on the other end of the phone asking for me. I went through the whole phone call feeling so unprofessional but it still went OK.

Something that seems to stay on my mind a lot as of late is the Will of the Lord. Many of the tasks I have been dealing with is trying to find members that are not so active in the church and trying to help them out. The problem is that since there is very little communication with the individuals we almost never catch them at home. We also try to see other people that have been interested in the church before to see if we could continue to meet with them again and they up and leave or decide against us.

We taught a young lady at a members home the restoration. At the end we talked about how God can communicate with us and the ways many of us feel the Spirit influence us. When we asked her if she has felt the Spirit of the Lord she went off testifying how great she feels when she prays and the feeling she had at that moment. She knew she was feeling the Spirit and getting answers to what she needed.

The coming Saturday we were going to meet with them again and she was going to attend and right before the appointment she cancelled on us and said she wasn't interested. I'm OK with it because after all Gods greatest gift to us is our agency, freedom to choose for ourselves. I look at this experience in many other ways and see how this concept is expressed in other ways. Such as with children, you tell them one thing and they do another or try and protect them as much as you can but fall short when you turn the protection into there own hands. Sometimes its hard but other times I understand that I need to just move forward and do what I can and not worry about that which I can't change.

The more and more I am here in the AZ the more and more I kind of like it. I don't sweat until it is over a 100 and when it gets above 110 it all just feels hot.

Skies are clear and the air is clean. However I need my four seasons. I hope the weather is just as great or better where ever you are and enjoy what you have. I love you all!
Love Elder Caleb Johias Leonhardt

June 17, 2013 We Cheated Death Several Times

I guess this email never sent through so I am resending this and I will write another for this week.
So how this past meeting will effect me is that, again don't tell people, because our mission is one of the top 5 missions in the world for baptising and obedience we are going to be a forerunner for the testing of ipads and iPhone. Each missionary will receive an ipad and companionship an iPhone. The first presidency talk about us a lot, so I am told by the Seventy and others. They have alot of high hopes for us and the Phoenix valley. I will tell you more when it gets near.

Dear Home,
What an exciting week. It started out by nearly killing ourselves during the work and by the work.

We have been trying to work 6 straight hours biking around in the 105 plus heat with limited water then coming in for a little bit then right back out. It works out great when people open the door and will let you in out of the heat and give you water. But one day we decided to work in one area for the 6 hours and boy was that the wrong choice. Not a single door opened. We ran out of water and were dying because of the heat. We decided to go to a members house nearby that we knew would be home and could let us rest for a little bit. Got to the house and no one was home. We were devastated and felt like we wouldn't be able to make it home before one of us faints from a heat stroke so we took a deep breath and decided to go for it anyways. Right when we got back on the bikes the member drove around the corner and let us in. We were so grateful for them coming in the nick of time. And glad we didn't die.

But we almost did another night. We were as far away from home as we could be and we had to make a 30 min ride into a 15 min ride to make it in on time. We booked it. I lead the way, not really knowing the way and without a head light on a side dirt path with cars coming the other way. To say the least I couldn't see farther then 10 feet in front of me but I thought that I would prove that I could do it and didn't need a light to guide me home. We came to a section were there is a pile of fencing that is always there and a long metal wire hangs out just over it so if I saw the wire and thought I knew where the fencing was. 30 feet away I noticed that the wire was a little farther over than normal, 20 feet away I felt something was different, 10 feet away I saw that the pile was moved way over to the side and I was headed quickly into a large pile of fencing. I pulled both brakes but on dirt you don't stop very quick and once again I went head over heels. Of course my companion was close behind me and ran into me and the fence. We sat there for a moment to figure out what just happened and then tried to get back on to make our deadline. My bike got stuck in the fence and took me awhile to get it out but then were on out way again. Another block down the way we were about to cross the crosswalk, we always walk across them, when this car drove past the line and not looking nearly ran my companion over. She hit his bike and pushed him back on the sidewalk, luckily not in the road.

We did make it home that night in one piece. All we could do was laugh at all that happened that day because on the serious note we should have died a couple times.

Life here is exciting!

Anyways all is well and all will get better. If you get the chance I would invite all to go stargazing sometime this week. With the curfew we have I haven't been able to and I really miss it.

Love Elder Leonhardt

June 10, 2013 Helping Those In Need

Sorry this letter will be shorter, I have to do a number of things today and can't spend much time on the computer to read or write letters. I could use some sunglasses though if you could get anyone to send me some. Ones that block UV light and glare please. love you mom

Dear Home,

On Friday we got a text from the church HQ and told us that a so and so wanted us to come by and meet with missionaries. The first time we stopped by a 14 yr old answered and my companion tried to respond but then realized that he never had to do this before and tripped over his words. He didn't know what to say and so he mumbled softly, the kid couldn't hear him and asked a couple times what we wanted and I then answered him. It was really funny and after we left the doorstep he took his helmet and kicked it because he felt weird answering.

 

We stopped by later that night and the mother answered. At first she seemed kind of mad thinking that someone was playing a practical joke on them. We didn't know who wanted us to go there and neither did they. After a little confusion we got it straightened out and found out that her 16 yr old son Michael had some LDS friends who could have sent us there. We sat down to talk with him and soon began our night. 

 

He told us that he had been receiving death threats and messages from people at school saying that they wanted to beat him up and how scared he is and that his mom understands and wants to help but the father is telling him to just move on. He didn't know what to do. He had no faith in Christ anymore and was moving towards Scientology as a belief. I went right into it testifying of his Father above and his personal savior Jesus Christ whom knows what he is going through. The Spirit was so strong. We read him a few scriptures about the Atonement and asked him how it made him feel. He expressed that he no longer felt alone. I felt such a connection with him that at the end I wanted to give him a hug but figured that he would get nervous hugging a guy he met 15 mins ago so I settled for a handshake.

 

We plan on meeting with him again tomorrow. It makes me so frustrated to hear people be so rude and mean to others. I remember in High School things like this happening behind the scenes but I was always able to find most of it our and resolve it. I feel for those that don't have a friend to do that and someone to step up to those that are in need of humbling. I had no fear in those situations and neither should anyone else for when you are standing up for justice the Lord is on your side, no matter what the circumstance. Help those in need. "Light up the darkness."

Love Elder Leonhardt

May 28, 2013 Obedience Brings Change And Progress

Dear home,

I live in an apartment once again with another companionship with my new companion Elder Nokes. He is from Riverton, Utah and loves playing sports. He actually lived 5 houses away from someone that was in my district at the MTC. They are both great guys. He has been out about 4 months and still learning but aren't we all. The other missionaries are great and I am getting along with them pretty well. I feel blessed that I am being surrounded by good missionaries. We also are excited about the fruits of our missions obedience. I can't tell you everything because I have to wait for the Prophet to announce some of it and let the world know but what I can talk about is that missionary work is being revolutionized. Meaning that its going to be done in a completely new way and our mission is one of the forerunners of the techniques that will be used. Lets just say that missionary work is going...digital. We have been pronounced one of the top 5 missions in the world for baptizing and obedience and the blessing of that are great. We are writing the history books down here.

I received an email from my trainee about how he and his new companion are doing, Elder Empey and he mentioned that he is doing great and that, in directly, because we set the bar so high that it seems that there is a lot of work that needs to be done with his new companion with work ethic and what not. He told me that keeping up with the work that we were doing is tough but that it feels right. I am so excited for him to do great things. Also with the transfer of areas I am now in an area where Elder Wardle, my trainer, is a Zone Leader over. That means that he directs and helps about 25 missionaries in the area. When I got to the transfer meeting before I knew where I was going I was helping unload stuff from cars and when I turned around he was standing on the curb waiting for me to come sat hi. It was great to see him again.

There are some wealthy people in the boundaries of the new wards that I cover. It is the richest area in the whole mission. Some of the houses are GIANT and cool but the people are in need of some humbling. We are in a little bit of a pickle where this lady wants to be baptized and has a testimony of the gospel but we can't teach her or baptize her because she is from Iran and is on a tourist visa. He has to go back soon so if we were to baptize her, her family and people back in Iran have the right to kill her because she "left the faith". It is very hard on everyone. She is trying to find a lawyer to help but they get expensive. Its so terrible that because of some faiths they find it right to take an others life for a choice they are free to make. I'm still having trouble understanding the logic behind that. Other than that everything is going great.I love you all and hope for the best.

Love Elder Leonhardt

Mom there is a missionary meeting for everyone Sunday, June 23. I want you and every member you know to go. Its 3:00 pm. my time so check out what time it will be your time and it should be at Stake Centers. I believe. Talk to your missionaries. Everyone needs to go! Its big. Thank you, love you. Tell my brothers and sisters and all

May 22, 2013 New Address, New Companion

I live at 20707 N 67th Ave

Apt 219 Glendale, AZ.

My new companion is Elder Nokes from Riverton, Utah.

 

 

 

May 21, 2013 Being Transferred. Bye Peoria.

Dear Home,

I have just received notice that I am being moved to a different area and will be serving with a new companion somewhere new. It is always nerve racking at this time because I have absolutely no idea where I am being sent and what kind of issues they might have there or what kind of personality my new companion will have. I hope I get sent somewhere north where its cooler during the summer or at least has a few other colors to look at rather than red or brown. No offence Peoria but you're not very diverse. I leave my best wishes with my companion Elder Empey and pray that he does his best while on his mission, hopefully I have taught you enough. It's a weird feeling of being nervous and excited at the same time. I wonder if this is how some parents feel when they take their kids to college and leave them for the world to take in.

During this week we had a number of set backs and a lot of lessons fell through. Last Saturday we had all 7 of our scheduled appointments/lessons fall through and none of them called us to let us know. We got a little tired of the theme for the day so we started to call all of our appointments ahead to see if they were still ok but they weren't. Some people even told us they would be there about an hour before we showed up and when we got there they were no where to be found. The Human Race....impressive. Just kidding we have our proud and not so proud moments. I'm included.

I want to thank all of you who have read my emails and have sent responses back to my mom, she forwards them to me. They enlighten my entire week when I get to hear from everyone. Thank you.

We taught Makell this week about the Plan Of Salvation and midway through as we were talking about Christ's major role in the plan he expressed the trials that he was going through. He made comments that seemed to say that he believes in Christ, but maybe only for the moment. His faith is being tried and hasn't felt the love of Christ at this time in his life. He exclaimed that his thoughts about the Atonement that Christ went through only covered those people at that time and that he wasn't covered and that's why Christ must come again. Those words as they came out cut me deep. I felt so sad that because of the trials he is going through he is losing his faith and trust in the Lord. I bared my testimony about how large the Atonement is and the beauty of it but it didn't make an impression on him. The only way for him to receive that witness is by kneeling and praying about it, sincerely desiring to see and feel the Love of the Lord that forever and always will reign above us. He needs a hug from the Lord, but he's not sure why he hasn't been getting one. I realized that because he has stopped reading the scriptures, stopped praying as often, and he hasn't gone to church yet he is feeling himself getting distant from his presence. The answer to his personal and spiritual problems go back to the fundamentals. God has given us these commandments to bless us and he knows they will but we cannot see or truly understand them at this time and that's why its hard, but he must endure. He later told us that his girlfriend doesn't want to meet with us because she had been hearing rumors about the church from people at work. Many that I have never heard before and all that are far from the truth. Christ is the Redeemer of all mankind. I have a hard time understanding where some of these rumors come from but it brings me back to what I mentioned a couple months ago. If you want to hear an elephant, go see an elephant not a grasshopper. Check your source and your foundation. Allow yourself to have Christ at the center of your foundation, build off of Him, live in Him, rejoice in Him, love others the way he did and never forget Him. This month I have been studying a lot about repentance and two of my favorite verses are Ezekiel 18: 29-32. Repentance is a gift that we have, lets us use it.

I love you all and am always praying for your protection. I know that Christ is the Redeemer and that all things are covered by and through Him, God lives.

Elder Leonhardt

Pictures

May 5, 2013 Lesson on Faith

Well its Hot. I sweat nonstop and drink water continually and am still dehydrated. Its just dry down here, very, very, dry. The work in the areas that I am covering are polar opposites. One area is doing well and we are finding people to teach out of the woodwork and the other its like pulling teeth to get to the tooth underneath then using the jackhammer to get it out. A little rough but that only encourages us to cherish the moments of opportunity we get. My companion and I have learned a lot about charity and compassion over the past couple weeks mainly through the service that we have been able to do. We see people that are struggling so much and finding themselves in a pickle where they begin to lose hope. I will forever remember the looks on those peoples faces as they stand in the background wondering how they are going to make it through all of this, thinking in their mind that God has forsaken them. I just pray that God will show them a sign of the direction that He needs them to head in and that they can feel His reminding presence again. I can also remember their faces after we get there and help them with their projects and moving their materials. With every box you move you can see their shoulders relax a little more as the burden is slowly lifted from them. Eventually when you get to the end you see them feel that calm embrace from the Lord that they have been so longing for, looking as if they have jumped into a pool of cool water feeling refreshed. The memory of those faces will blot out the remembrance of the looks of sorrow. I will never stop to pray for those people that they will receive the help they need and that the people nearby them will find the courage and motivation to help.

As I was in church yesterday we were talking about the Holy Ghost and the impressions he leaves on people and how some of us have felt his presence in the past. Talking about it it reminded me of an experience I had a couple years back when I was swimming at the Baxter's pool. I was standing on the edge of the diving board getting ready to jump in when I thought of the story of Peter and Jesus Christ walking on the water. I thought that if Peter could do it through his faith why can't I? I began to think to myself about the faith that I had and the faith that Peter had, the only difference was that Peter was looking at the Lord who was already walking on water so he had his example and the evidence of his faith. He knew it could be done and that faith turned into knowledge. So for me to accomplish this my faith had to turn into knowledge and I had to Know that when I jumped off I would stand on the water and that my knees wouldn't hurt to bad from jumping onto a surface. I began to picture the scene of Christ and Peter as if it were happening before me and putting myself in Peter's shoes stepping off and standing. By this time I thought I knew that it would happen, I pictured it in my mind and could see it. It became knowledge to me. I jumped and I landed.... and at the bottom of the pool I remember myself looking up at the surface thinking "what went wrong?", "why wasn't I just there on top on the surface rather than down here where I am now cold and wet?" "What happened to my faith? Do I have faith? Did I believe in Christ strong enough that a miracle like this could be performed?" And many more questions rose up in my mind. I thought back and right before I jumped I had a thought come into my mind, a thought that what if it didn't happen. I shrugged the thought off and continued. Again I had the thought right before I hit the water. At the bottom of the pool I realized that my faith wasn't wrong nor was my experiment but that I neglected the thought of the other side, that wasn't knowledge or true faith. I didn't know for sure. I then had a feeling come over me, a feeling of warmth and humility. I know that I shouldn't have been testing God and that I did have faith but that it wasn't my purpose to walk on water. As I rose to the surface the feeling I had grew larger and larger. I knew that I had more to work on with my faith and that I needed to hit the drawing board again and begin again by reading, praying and going to church to strengthen my faith.

I wouldn't encourage you to do the same thing that I did, especially at this time of season but try and figure out where your faith is and how you have felt the spirit in the past. I love you all.

Love Elder Leonhardt

May 6, 2013 Bee Attack

Wow allot of excitement and sad things going on. I hope everyone stays safe and those that are injured get better. Grandpa and Grandma are always in my prayers and I will do all that the Lord will allow my to do on my end over here. God bless them. I pray that my family will be protected and taken care of and so God will.

Ethan's job sounds awesome! I might have to go up there and create problems to see him. Just kidding. I hope he stays safe. Also if you could, you should see if you can get another vest from him because I want one for work out, of course that is for when I get home. Eternal prospective, not wanting to come home, I like it here.

This past week was...different. First of all it started with me and my companion getting attacked by Bee's. We were riding on our bikes and there was no sidewalk on the road we were on. A man had a couple bee hives and that was the day he decided to collect honey. We didn't recognize that early enough. Soon my companion was swarmed with what I thought were flies until they started to come after me and I felt them trying to fly in the back of my helmet. We tried riding faster and faster and swatting at them. Some got in my helmet and so I rode with no hands on the handlebar, one hand swatting at the ones in the air and the other trying to get the bees that where in my helmet out so that I could ride safely like I'm supposed to do. We eventually got away and I only had one sting on my hand. It has been swollen for the past 6 days. Later we found out that there were members driving by as that went on and now there are a lot of people talking about how they saw these missionaries getting attacked by bee's. We probably looked pretty funny.

We also have been trying to teach this family who is struggling financially and needs help. We try to teach them and invite them to church but they can't because their 6 Pit Bulls have been escaping and the next time they get out they have to pay a 200 dollar fine for each dog. Not what they want. So one day we planned on teaching him and he cancelled 40 mins before we were going to meet with him. We said that we were going to devote an hour to him that day.  So we went and built him a fence. Aaron you can tell Marcus thanks for teaching my how to do it. The fence looks great and now we can help them spiritually. We've had the privilege to do about 8 hrs of service this week.

Things are really going pretty good with my companion and I. He surprised me the other day when he started to plan things future in advance and it made me happy to see all that he is able to accomplish lately. It makes me feel the way I think I would feel if I saw my son overcome something great. I wonder if my parents have ever felt that towards me...probably not, oh well they'll have to live with it. :) Love you Mom and Dad. And I love you all as well. Take care and Happy mothers day for all that are in that category!

Love Elder Leonhardt

The ward did a fundraiser for the young womens camp and we helped out, Willy Wonka theme

We had a Zone Olympic theme activity and my district won, it was allot of fun. From the rock service, they bought us McD's and ever since my stomach has hurt...healthy

April 29, 2013 Broke 100 degrees.

I have still not received the video of Aaron falling out of the tree and would really like to look at it, from the picture of it it looks hilarious. Sounds like the family reunion went well and all had allot of fun. Its so weird seeing snow and trying to think about how it feels and what its like to be cold...I'm pretty familiar with hot. I miss the snow.

This week it has started to get hot. We broke the 100"s for the first time and while on the bikes yesterday it hit me at one point just how fast the air takes the moister out of you. I rode by this tall wall on the side that the sun was shining on and took a deep breath and instantly my mouth was dry. But other than that my body is getting acclimated to the weather and sadly I'm beginning to like the warm air. Arizona is starting to grow on me, not sure if I'll ever really come back.

Went by Rosa"s home the other day to see how see how she was doing and from the moment she opened the door I could tell that something was not right. Not sure if she just trusts us allot or it was just so over whelming she couldn't hold it in. She began to tell us all about what has been going on with her family in Mexico. Her family down there is in a fight and it all started with the death of Rosa's dad. Through more research people have the thought that he didn't just die of natural causes but rather he was tricked into the situation. And who was suspected to have done it is the one that is taking all the stuff from him now that he is gone, inside the family, which as you could imagine is tearing it apart. She expressed such anger towards the whole situation that tears were not held back. I can't imagine what kind of pain that has to create when it is family destroying family for material gain. Not right. I gave her some words of advice and council, showed my love to her and the family and said a prayer with her to help out. The next day we went back and checked up on her again and she was doing allot better and seemed as though the situation was almost completely dissolved.

I have found a trend with the people that I have found to teach and it seems to me that the trend is we are finding those who are looked at as cast outs and people of rejection, those that have haunting pasts that creep up in their lives and try to tear them down again and again. A number of my recent converts are having trouble with past things coming back up. A few back to drugs, smoking, family, financial, and lack of happiness. I wonder what it is that I have that these sons and daughters of God need and why God has chosen me to be apart of their lives and them in mine. Am I strong enough for them to carry them out of their situation and protect them from the things of the past, or am I just to show them a glimpse of joy that they have so long been overdue for. Maybe I'm just over analyzing this but who knows. I have found such a love for these people that I'm not sure what else to do when I'm around them other than to smile and try and get them to laugh. I pray that the Lord will strengthen them so that they can overcome these addictions. The thing is they have to choose Him first. In the very last chapter of the first book of The Book of Mormon it mentions that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom He chooses. Who God chooses is all that choose Him and the gospel is there to bring the tender mercies into our lives and we learn to live it and share it for the edifying of our neighbor.

Other things that I have done this week include 3 hours of service. Shoveling rock and hauling it off somewhere, it was a rather nice exercise. We have another 3 service projects lined up for this week and can't wait to get to them. I love service! and I love you all too!

Pictures

April 22, 2013 Souls and Soles

Thank you so much for helping out from where you are and for getting the scriptures and everything ready for me. If you need help with paying for the missions being served by you and Peter I want to help out, though I can't do much the Lord will help me help you. That is so great by the way that Peter wants to and has excepted on going on a mission. Its hard and many challenges will come his and your way but trust me, its worth it. There is so much joy that you see while being on a mission and living the gospel so much more strongly. The hearts of men are sometimes the hardest thing to change but when they do it is the most memorable thing you will see and experience. I have had the privilege to do all of this only through the grace of the Lord, not just talking about the scripture but that the funds for me to be here are from God himself.

Last night I got into a conversation with a Masonite about the chapters in Revelations and the meaning of the 7 headed beast and the lady riding it. I personally have not read much on it and am working on it but I was able to describe some of what I though was going on. In the end I could really understand that this man was lost and that he was finding some partial truth but not the fullness, he has not yet understood the complete truth. The concerns and questions that he brought up all could be answered in the Book of Mormon which just testified to me about the importance of it and the beauty that we have it to help us understand all of that truth. Satan is real and powerful. He has deceived many people and continues to do so but through the conversation that I had with this man I understood that not all other churches, or groups I'm not sure if Masonite are a church or what, teach such truth and aren't all bad. Not so sure about satanic churches. The truth truly was scattered and has been twisted in many different ways which is sad and hurtful to see how Satan has taken something so precious and beautiful and eternal and tore it up and desecrated it. It"ll be tough to forgive him for that one.

My shoes have died. I looked at them yesterday and was wondering why my feet hurt so bad and found out why. The soles have now fallen apart and the rubber is super thin. There is about 2 mm between the ground and my foot. That also explained why my feet got instantly wet when I stepped in a puddle. Some members were so kind to me and helped me out, buying me a new pair of shoes. Only the shoes that would fit didn't have shoes laces and the store didn't sell them either, weird, so they gave us a discount and I have to go get some at WalMart. Its kind of cool to look back on this shoes and see the work that I have done. I pray now that the Lord will except it.

The work here isn't going all that fast and we are always fighting to find more people to teach. We have been focusing on members to do the finding and help us out but so far not a whole lot of fruit has come from that so we are now switching our tactics and finding members that we can teach. Our mission President's wife said that it is better to be teaching someone than no one.

I love it here and though it seems hot here and will get hotter my body is getting used to it, I think, and its doesn't seem to hot. I don't start sweating till its about 95, kind of cool. I love you all and pray all is going well.

Love your Elder Leonhardt

Pictures

15 April 2013 When Prompted, ACT

Dear Home,

This week was transfer week and a number of close Elders left. One is almost done with his mission and now I don't know where he went because I didn't get to go to the meeting but I wish him the best. The other went to a Zone/Area where in the beginning of June will be cut off from this mission and be switched to another mission which made me sad because I may never see him again and he's only been here for a little longer than me. It then made me think that when I am done training in my area I will most likely be transferred into a different area and have the chance to be placed into the Area that is being cut off before it happens so I could be switching Missions too. The mission I would be switched to, not sure if its happening, would be the Tempe mission. Its where the missionaries are a little different, they where their missionary tag on the other side of their coats and they are the only mission that does that, not sure why but we "normal" missionaries can always tell a Tempe missionary from another.

Taught Cierra again this past week and we talked about the conversion story of Alma the younger and how we can find the answer to our own personal prayer. At the end she started to bare her testimony about the gospel and how she has been feeling the Holy Ghost influence her life, she didn't even know she was doing it. She told us about how she felt prompted to do something good in school the other day. She explained: "There was a girl in one of my classes who had never really talked much or had many friends and sat in the back of the class room. One day she came into class with lots of makeup on and a really funky looking hat and I knew that she was going to be made fun of by other students. She looked like she was trying hard to my herself look nice but the hat has definitely going to get her some rude commence. So i felt that I should get up and tell her to take it off and explain than she didn't want people to make fun of her, she got up and did so. As I talked with her and warned her about the hat she took it off and smiled happily that she was so willing to warn her about that and as I think back I don't really remember EVER seeing her smile." Why Cierra had that prompting I don't know but it was definitely the Holy Ghost inviting her to act. It makes me personally feel so good when I get to see others put the gospel to the test and see the fruit from it. What is stopping you?

One of the wards that we are covering had a fundraiser for the young women and we went by to help and to talk with the members. We got volunteered for one of the activities, luckily not the PIE n' the EYE, oh it was Willy Wonka themed. I'll try and send a picture next week. We gave rides on this homemade cart thing modeling the chocolate river ride and as I was carting a number of kids around a bunch of missionaries drove by and stopped to take pictures of me on a unicycle pushing a cart. Pretty fun.

With everyone that we have had the privilege of speaking with we have been asking if we could do service for them and now this week we have 5 service projects, so excited. I LOVE SERVICE. Anyways the work is going great and I love being able to go out each day seeing the wonderful people of The AZ. God bless us all

Love Elder Leonhardt

9 April 2013 Easter and Acts of Service

Dear Home,

I want to thank all of those who so graciously send packages to me and candy for Easter, it was all delicious. In fact so good that I gained 15 pounds from the candy this past week. No joke I have finally gained weight and 15 pounds of it! it was the greatest day when I found that out, I was at first thinking that the workouts that I have been doing each morning were working but then took another look and thought that the lack of the workout and the quantity of food being eaten was probably the real reason but its my story so I'm going to tell you the "positive side" of it. My arms are now massive. I actually have no idea what big arms are like, I've always had small ones.

Yesterday has a very weird day. As we left the house there was a dust storm outside and very hard to ride in on the bikes without your eyes being filled with sand and dust from the air. Soon everything had dust on it and the winds just kept blowing. to add to that later in the day it started to rain and everything that had dust on it soon became muddy and that included us and our clothes and car sitting at home. We have allot of stuff to clean today. Mormon Car wash - We take $5 donations.

Lately we have been trying to ask everyone for acts of service that we could do and at first we weren't getting any takers but now we are getting it from everyone. We have to schedule service projects and ask people to come help us because there is so much work to do which is great, but difficult because everyone wants to do it the same day at the same time.. Have have to been in 3 different places at the same time helping 3 groups of people move and excavate. It really is a blessing though because its been our goal to get many people involved with service and out of their homes to assist those around them with physical needs and in return the one being helped receives a joy that is hard to find in other situations other than in service being done for yourself. We want to get a couple community service projects going so that people can get out from the solitary confinement of their home and meet people while exercising a little. I truly love doing service. This all was started by a motive given to us by some of the other missionaries, for those that know Zone Leaders - assigned missionaries over a group of missionaries, to talk WITH people rather than TO people. We have had the most interesting conversions with people including one high schooler who was on her way to a fashion show. Talked to her about her likes and what not and lead us to talking about families being held together just like how a fashion club runs and how families can be together forever after death. She was interested and wants us to talk with her whole family sometime. In an hour we only got to talk to 4 people because everyone we talked to we were able to hold great conversations with. So I'm going to extend the same commitment I have taken in. Will you talk with someone you have never talked to before and talk to them about the things they are interested in for more than 15 mins and become their friend. Then try to see what parts of their life need the gospel.

I love you all and hope all is precious to you.

pictures

April 1, 2013

Dear Home,

What a wonderful way to end a wonderful week. My companions dad in Idaho ordered Pizza for us and unexpectantly had it delivered to the home where we live but at the time the delivery boy showed up to the house we weren't there and the owners of the house were very startled with why there was a random pizza boy at their doorstep saying that they ordered pizza and wings. He asked the kid who it was for and in reply it was for a Brent and was already payed for. The owners had no idea what was going on and neither did the pizza boy so they both walked away and thought who was the crazy one. Both ended up calling us but neither left messages and we were in a members home talking about the work. Once we got out we noticed that we had 5 missed calls. Quickly calling them back the owners answered and said that a pizza boy came back and with a probing question asked if we ordered pizza on Sunday. He then let us know that he decided that he should go outside to the pizza boy and except the food for some reason, which we were happy to hear about because this is the second time he has tried to send us a pizza. it was good. So if anyone feels inclined to follow suite...I wont be mad :)

As I mentioned last week about the commitment I have made about writing in my journal each night about the witness of the Lords hand in the works around me, it has really opened my eyes to all the wonderful things that have been encompassing me. I received word from a lady who's daughter is looking into the church and she relayed the message, though sad, that her mom had died and that Amanda, the daughter, was asked to say the prayer at the funeral. She did with tears in her eyes and it was a very emotional experience  for all but she said to her mom that she wouldn't have been able to say that prayer if it had not been for my companion and I getting her to say the prayer at the end of each lesson we had with her. It made me think to myself that even though she might not be looking into the church as strongly right now the principles she has learned have helped her already and will continue to do so as she keeps up with them.

Last week I talked about the trail of FAITH that we had about the lack of the Spirit and the constant rejection, the whole trial lasted about 5 days but was then over. Though it was no fun, many questions were answered and actions corrected. I have refocused myself on how to be more converted to the Lord and being able to be a witness of the divinity of his work in all places. Not only did I receive answers about protecting ones faith but I also learned that it is not necessary for someone to turn sour when going through something like that. We must always stand with out head held high and endure the hardships that we as believers will always go through. It is best stated in John chapters surrounding 17 to the end of his writings. Jesus talks about those that follow him will be tried again and again because what they believe in is not of this world and because it is not of the world the world will hate it. Same with those that follow they soon become not of the world and because they are not caught up in worldly things they will be hated by the world but to remember that the time here on earth will be but a sort time and that our infliction will soon pass and we will be in the eternities where the only pains that we will have will be self inflicted, where if we don't want to suffer we wont. All things WILL get better. As I look back to the time that I was going through this famine it looks very short but while in the middle of it it seemed much different. I have now tried to look at things the way God looks at us. In terms of forever rather than terms of yesterday and today. I would encourage all to try and do the same. Not an easy task but a rewarding one none the less.

I love you all and hope the very best for you and those around you. Hurrah for Israel!

Love Elder Leonhardt 

Brett Chapman left for Cuba   

March 25, 2013

Dear Home,

Yippy for posterity! Glad to see the next generation is doing well (except for the whole boy to girl ratio) Ozzie will have to hold up the fort for now. I love all of my nieces and nephews!

Well this week was definitely the hardest one I have had since I've gotten out here. We haven't been able to find anyone to teach and lessons have fallen through. That was the easier part of the week though, it didn't get bad till friday. I let my companion plan the whole day by himself and he picked a street to tract on(knock doors). First door had a funny sign posted on it that read, "No solicitors, we are poor. We found Jesus. We can do yard-work on our own. Seriously unless you are selling thin mints GO AWAY" I took a picture of it and went to the next door. Knocked and a lady answered. We asked if we could say a prayer with the family or offer service of any kind. That was the beginning and we didn't leave for another 30 mins. She said she was a Christian but I don't know if I could agree. She tried to bible bash with us on satanic things and cursed us and wouldn't stop taring down every religion on earth, saying Satan is in control of everything and so on and so forth. I had never seen someone so set on disproving everything and finding the bad/non-truth in this world, it was in more than one way said to see that they could have no happiness in their life because of what they have set their focus on. The attitude of the whole situation was so bad that the spirit had left from the beginning and I have been struggling to feel the spirit since that incident. To throw lemon juice on the cut for the next 3 days not a single person on the street would talk with us or even except a free invitation to the Easter pageant or even letting us know who could use any kind of service. Its been rough. I can say that the only good things that I can recount that have occurred to me are first the The birth of Quin and the Chapman family. We were able to baptize 3 of the kids, the daughters. I got to baptize Alondra who is the middle one in the picture. That's not the only time that they have helped me. As the days have been bad I would randomly run into them here and there, with their big smiles and welcoming attitudes instead of me blessing their lives through the gospel they are now blessing mine through living the gospel. I love them very much. At the baptism the father, nonmember Brett, devoted himself in front of two of his work buddies that while he was gone on a mission for the air force he was going to read the Book of Mormon everyday. I have faith that he will keep his word. The baptism went well and the girls loved the experience, they are now doing Family Home Evening together and striving to help each other and asking lots of questions. Oh yeah Rosa gave the closing prayer and it was so heart felt. She got a little emotional but was so happy to see that her daughters want to follow in her footsteps.

I am now taking a deep breath and remembering the happy moments of my life. I have made a promise that before I lay down for bed I am going to write in my journal an experience in which I have seen the Hand of the Lord. It has helped me to stay positive and look for the bright rather than the dim. I would encourage you as well to try it out, i know that it can help you close your day on a better note and feel better after the trials you have as well to wake up and strive to see the Glory of God lift you and your Burdens. I love you all and hope that the small, peace filled, happy moments will be cherished.

Love Elder Leonhardt