Stacking Shenanigans

Hey Y’all! 

I know it's been a while since the last real group Email, so I'll make this one a little more detailed.

Call me the master stacker. I'm occasionally on the phone late into the night, planning and organizing with other missionaries. Elder Simmons will fall asleep on the couch sometimes, waiting for me. It's always a challenge to get him to wake up and go to bed once he's out on the couch - this man is the deepest sleeper I have ever met. I have come up with some elaborate schemes to wake him. 

I warned him that I was going to see how many things I could stack on top of him without him waking up. Turns out that's 11 boxes of various sizes, a suitcase, and a bicycle helmet on his head. Picture included. He didn’t wake up until it started to topple. (TO SEE THE VIDEO, GO TO THE FAMILY BLOG:  troyfamilytales)

I am still Elder Simmons’ companion for at least for the next two weeks or so. I expect to be transferred out then. I've enjoyed the three transfers here (my longest so far) and really enjoy the members here especially, but I'm excited for a change. I really enjoy the opportunity I have to reinvent and recommit myself when I change areas/companions.

We recently found an investigator named Allan who accepted a baptismal date! I'm excited for him - he's been reading his Book of Mormon like crazy - 13 chapters in 6 days - and has already come to church twice. He's set to be baptized on Oct. 16th.

We'll probably hand him over to the Sister Missionaries covering the YSA though, since he's 20, so he can get better fellowshipping with that ward. This will be the second baptism that I have set and given to the YSA sisters in this area :(

I feel like I'm really figuring out now what it takes to succeed. We're progressing people, I know I'm helping my companion, and I know I'm strengthening this ward - the young men in particular.

I haven't emailed so much lately because I'm starting to get into a rhythm. Each day flows efficiently into the next. Some of the experiences I'd had before which were then novel miracles are becoming every-day tender mercies. The Lord is so merciful and so good to us.

I've been pondering today 1 Nephi 17:6-7. I believe the Lord gives us our easiest periods in life (when we are happy/content and everything seems to be going well) right before our greatest challenges. Thus when we can see that we are most blessed, we have an opportunity to prepare for what is to come - in the case of Nephi, building a ship (when the ancient Israelites were miserable sailors and shipbuilders, according to our archaeological evidence) and crossing the perilous ‘great waters’. 

I hope everyone in WA, UT, TX, and elsewhere finds themselves with family this holiday season, and realizes that life does not have to be ‘til death do us part’.

God bless y’all!

Elder Derek Troy

A picture is worth a thousand words...

Dear friends and family,

We got word today from the mission that they are having a surprise Christmas party for all the missionaries the first week of December.  They’d like all the Christmas packages to be mailed by December 1st.  If you’re so kind as to send our sweet Elder a package or card, can you send it by December 1st so Santa can give it to him at the party?  

All packages and letters/cards can be sent to:

Elder Derek Allen Troy

Texas Houston Mission

16623 Hafer Road

Houston, TX  77090-4401

No letter from Elder Troy this week, but a few pictures and an unfortunate, spicy video tell a pretty tragic tale on their own.

  

Thanks for all your thoughts, prayers and letters to our son.

We love and appreciate you all!

Love, 

JD & Terri

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Over the hump!

Short Update:

Things are going well here, yesterday was my half-way mark. Pretty wild!

This week has been great! We're all finding like crazy in the district right now. 

It's as warm here as ever. Elder Simmons and I are wishing the cool weather would have stayed! Biking is hard in the heat! 

Joseph finally came to church this last week. He's considering baptism. He came for the primary program and loved the kids’ singing!

Jasmine we're just waiting to have a solid date for her new apartment to get her a baptismal date. She's as sweet as ever!

This week I've been thinking about the Savior's instruction in the sermon on the mount:

Matt 5

27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

The savior teaches us that to indulge in fantasies, even without action, is sin in our heart.

How many other sins do we commit in our hearts? If we play violent video games or watch violent movies, have we committed murder in our hearts?

Have a great week everyone!

Elder Derek Troy

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Elder Simmons and Elder Troy at dinner out.  They were treated by a family in the ward they are serving in.

This is the box we sent to him full of all the things from home he likes and some items he may need too to celebrate his one-year, halfway done mark!

I had a baker make these and send them to him to celebrate his “Hump Day.”  Aren’t they so cute?!