Duke's Mission Sept./Oct. 2011

September has been full of meeting new people, serving them, and loving them right where they are at.  Duke met a Nigerian woman who has been through so many trials.  Duke loved to visit with her, and took a wonderful piece of advice regarding prayer before he left her with a blessing.  I just love this...Duke writes, Kalista talked about prayer like a champ. “We are given the power to wake up every day from God, and before we sleep at night we were given the strength to live that day.  He loves us and He gives us our power.  So we must pray every morning and every night.”

Duke is also running into a lot of new experiences...Knockin.  Cool people.  Nothing crazy except I saw a retarded cat!  That’s all I can say cuz I can’t really explain it, but...it was retarded.  And this...I got back, and a massive cockroach was on the closet wall!  I HATE cockroaches!!!! So, I tried to stab it with 2 knives.  It was fast, and running towards me, so I ran like a little girl!!!  We eventually got it but it took a while.  :)  Haha.  Freaking crazy hunt we were on!  

And then of course, there is always the adversity... Got flipped off today.  Usually I would flip them off back, and we’d fight...but I’m a missionary :)  O Yea!   Or this...So yesterday we went to the International Apartments to talk Bill.  We turned the corner, and 3 people yelled, “Mormons!” and scattered.  We are so loved.  :)

But he is learning so much, even in the face of adversity...So I am sick and tired of being disrespected.  Today we went to a little 7 year old flag football game.  Walkin’ back to the car a guy yelled, “I don’t believe in the Joe Smith!  In that gold bible either!”  “God bless ya!”,  I said...I was // -THIS CLOSE to wrappin’ him around a pole.  But is it my place?  When Jesus walked the streets, did you think He ever got mad at people who were spittin’ on Him?  Sure, but he quickly forgave.  We Mormons aren’t prized by the world, and so I am reminded of the words of Elder Holland, “Welcome...to the journey of the Disciples of Jesus Christ.”  We move closer to Him even when we feel a fraction of what He felt.

Even when I thought that Duke's faith and testimony couldn't get any bigger, he proves me wrong.  Makes me so proud to see where he is at, all that he is learning at 19 years old.  Amazing. 

One of the biggest things that he has learned is that he is there for love and service to others (regardless if they get baptized into our church). Had a lesson with Tara this morning.  So happy I did!  It reminded my why DUKE was out here.  Love, without thinking like the people I talk to have something whack in their brains, and we need to “convince” them.  Nah, these fools are here to baptize, I’m here to bless the best way I can.  I’m, grateful for her, she’s a better Christian than the lot of us.  :)  She taught me, what Ma’s been teaching me!  I thank her for that.  Our church is true, but Christ is who we’re trying to be like, and it’s God who we’re trying to make proud. :) Bottom line.

He has been changing people's tires, helping people move, and learning to love and serve many.  He is getting fed really well, and LOVES the Texas BBQ.  Anyone who knows Duke, is not shocked by this.  :)

"A squirrel chillin' on our deck"

Enjoying the lush green grass.  :)

Duke loves his bike, tries too many tricks sometimes and crashes a bit...but LOVES his bike!

Elder Hansen had to have his eyes dilated, Duke thought
the glasses were priceless! 

The giant cockroach...Duke HATES them!  

His District buddies!

Missionaries are still boys...being boys...and what cute boys they are!

Dinner at a ward members home.

Brooke getting baptized.

It finally rained!!!!

Jordan High Homecoming 2011

After game smiles!  Hayden was crowned
Homecoming King 2011, and his "Princess" is in his arms.

They clean up rather nicely!  :)

Kilie and her parents as she is
presented at halftime.  

Our neighbor (and friend) Brit, and her mom
presented at halftime.

Queen Brit, and King Hayden (a.k.a. stand in mom)
crowned at halftime.  Wondering?
Hayden is a team captain, and had to stay in the
locker room for the team talk.  :)

Me and Ki

Aren't they too cute?!?!?

Da Boys!

Cute girls!!!

Hayden's Football Frenzy!

Sacking the Freemont quarter back...1 of 3 times... (Salt Lake Tribune)

Cute Kilie! 

Sweet mullet!

Listening to instructions from Coach Kafentzis (D coordinator)

Team captains: BJ Cavendar (68), Hayden (51), Blake Miller (4), and Taylor Loomis (7)

Taking down a Layton player (Deseret News)

The two linebackers...Hayden and Colton Shaver

Hayden is having an incredible football season thus far!  He was voted a team captain, and is a starting linebacker.  The first game against Freemont he had 3 sacks, and 10 tackles.  He was pictured, and mentioned in the article in the Salt Lake Tribune, and Deseret News.  Last Friday we played against Layton, and the felt "OK" about his performance...funny because he made 13 tackles...not too shabby!  Cute Kilie, his girlfriend is the cheer captain, I have also included pics of here because she's part of the fam!  Go DIGGERS...next up?  Pleasant Grove this Friday night at 7pm...I will keep you posted!

Mission Letter August 25, 2011

"Missionary work is hard.  We're fishin' in the dark.  I've found that we just need to live, and love like Christ did.  I have learned that this is sacrifice, and even more that that...it's charity.  I'm just out here to make people happier.  :)"


President Uctdorf:  "We would do well to slow down a little, focus on the significant, lift our eyes and truly see the things that matter most...strength comes not from frantic activity, but from being settled on a firm foundation of truth and light.  It comes from paying attention to the divine things that matter most...diligently doing the things that matter most will lead us to the Savior of the world."


"I believe you guys (the fam) matter most to me, and are MY truth and MY light.  I love my Brother Jesus Christ.  He is my foundation."


I like to party,


Duke :)  HA HA!

Duke's Mission August 2011

Duke safely arrived in San Antonio, and was so happy to be there!  The very first thing, they were taken to the Alamo, and given a history lesson.  He then settled in to his apartment, and met his companion.  His Companion is Elder Hansen.  Small world moment...Duke had a best bud at SVU (Taylor Savio) and Elder Hansen and Savio were best friends!  Needless to say, they get along great.  Duke has found yummy donuts that put Krispie Kreme to shame, apparently...Red Rock Donuts?!?  It is hotter than hot, and he writes that there have been 67 STRAIGHT days of 100+ degree weather.  "17 straight days over 110 degrees, and 6 straight days over 115 degrees!  It hasn't rained in 5 months...I came at the right time :) HA!  All the grass is dead here but there's a lotta green trees."  


I asked him how people have been responding to he and his companion.  "Every once in a while some people are nice and awesome.  They want us to come back later and hear our message.  I just appreciate when they stop to talk even if only for a bit.  I just want to make people happier if they join our church or not.  If they are happy...good!"


He is working in McNiel which is in north Austin, which is the very north part of the San Antonio mission.  He also misses his family :)  "I love my pic of you guys.  you can send more.  I look at it before I leave and when I get back."

Studying at the MTC

His "Crew" at the MTC

"Cool night time pic"

Apartment...

"Our sweet wheels...we get to drive in this area."

Elder Hansen

Red Rock...ROCKS!!!

"Someone was frying an egg on their driveway when we were knockin' on doors!"

Studying...A LOT!

MTC Update Aug. 7th

Duke sent a few pictures, and letters.  Seems to be adjusting...well...as he puts it, "It's hard to believe y'all live only 30 minutes away cuz I feel like I'm in a whole different...abyss!  You cannot get caught up in here.  But after the first few days I have found the love that I came with and my "own" ways for practicing what I believe.  You know it's hard for me when people tell me what to do but I just smile and say, 'God Bless' :) My faith has grown.  My love for Christ has grown, but mostly my love for everyone has grown."  

He actually ran into quite a few friends from SVU, and was excited to see them.  They were all "The 3rd Floor Mansion Thugs"  Ha!  They called themselves that at SVU because they all lived on the 3rd floor of the original mansion on the school property.  You will see pictures of them, cute boys!  Duke sounds happy, he left this morning for San Antonio, and is so ready to get there and start!

Oh, he was also appointed a "District Leader" there at the MTC and enjoyed that very much.  "I am the district leader which means I preside over my group of dudes.  There are 5 of us going to Vegas, and 5 of us going to San Antonio."  Sounds just like Duke would put it...right!?!

"I have also learned that "Elder" means defender of the faith!  I hate being called Elder Babka, but the title is something that I love."  Really, you just have to ask Duke to defend ANYTHING and he jumps right on board!  He sounds so pumped to go find people who need to find Christ...and what a wonderful thing to do!

The "Thugs" get it???
(Third Floor)

Don't look like "Thugs" as much as cute missionaires!!!

His 1st companion "Elder Donovan Gregory III"
(Duke actually added the "third" part)

I think he's thinking of Hawaii????

His "Buddy Ky"