Update 11-22-08

Elder Probert has a new address.

p.s. new address

 411 Ashley St. S
 Kingsland, GA. 31548

p.s.s. one quote that came to me this previous week..I LOVE IT.
   "words may sway the heart to change, but living the words will bring us back to God"

The above is part of his email sent this past week. Along with this new address Elder Probert was called to be a Zone Leader. He describes to us many opportunities he has had to teach several people the gospel. In his area things are moving fast, he has felt the urgings to strive for committing people to live the gospel and feels that he and the people have been blessed exceedingly. Several baptisms have taken place and renewed commitment has ocurred with less active members. He expresses how much he loves the work We as a family are impressed with his growth and sincere desire to be of service to others as he expresses a great deal of love for us also.

"I sought myself
Myself I could not see
I sought God and He eluded me
I sought my brother and there I found all three"

Mission Pictures - Do they eat well?

Since Elder Probert has been in Kingsland he has written some very encouraging letters. He is finding great success in teaching and has had several investigators decide to be baptized. He writes his testimony to his family in his last letter which I leave below;
"I felt SOO much care and love for the family that you cannot even comprehend..you guys are incredible and are the biggest examples in my life. I am so grateful for you and all the things you've done for me. I pray for you everyday and am so grateful that we all have embraced the gospel with full purpose of heart. I can feel a change in the family..an increased love towards one another and a greater desire to serve God. Keep this in your hearts and continually strive to live the gospel of Jesus Christ to it's fullest degree. Be content with the gospel and it's principles and ordinances(stole that from dad)...don't seek for more or less...i've done that, and you just get confused and lost...the gospel is simple, and as we live it, we will feel the love of our Savior feel our souls and a greater sense of belonging and self worth will come into our lives as well as joy beyond comprehension. Love you family..and I love this gospel with all my heart. It is SOO TRUE. Everything about it fills me up with gladness and I am grateful for the opportunity I do have to be out here on a mission. May the Lord be in our hearts always as we build up His kingdom here on earth.
Love, Elder Probert

Elder Seth Probert's address

Elder Seth Mark Probert
149 N. Gross Rd. Apt. 24A
Kingsland, GA. 31548

Letter of 09-15-08

Mon, Sep 15, 2008 at 10:58 AM
subjectOH MAN!!

Hello Family,
Well...it was great to hear from Sara......lol...and a couple notes from Jake, Jamie and Dad..!! But I always love getting emails and letters as always.
So, Missionary work here in Kingsland, Georgia. WOW, it's going better then ever. I love it so much here. Like i've said before it reminds me a lot of home except for the fact that the whole town shuts down for high school football(this last Friday Elementary, Middle, and High School were canceled because of the away high school football game!!) I love it!
Well, we officially have 7 baptismal dates this week which is very exciting. Our mission as a whole is just on fire and were baptizing left and right...Such great joy!
We had president interviews this last week and we went in as companionships....well before Elder Lambourne and I went in the AP's were training us and called us up to do a role play. They wanted us to really snatch us and our feelings to let them know that they really did know it was true...they were acting like a couple who had been seeing the missionaries for three years...well we started talking and they were just saying they liked the company....then I just stood up..totally moved upon by the power of God and just told them they have put this off WAY TO LONG..."you know it's true, and you need to act upon that knowledge and stop waiting" I was very bold...and I seem to do that quite a bit while i'm teaching. I am just VERY basic and to the point...when people go off on tangents it kills me sometimes because it doesn't matter at all...all that matters is knowing that Jesus Christ was the perfect example for us by setting up His church and giving his life so that we might return to the Father... that the fullness of the gospel was restored through a prophet Joseph Smith which you can know by praying about the Book of Mormon. If you know these things, you're prepared for baptism. I've seen too many people out here just feel unprepared because they don't think there ready...THEY'RE READY..they just don't realize it. Anyways, the AP's just like stepped back because of the authority I spake with, and they said it was like perfect. The spirit just filled the room and everyone was kind of in awe..lol. My Zone Leaders just looked at me with a big grin and LOVED IT! Anyways, that was just a REALLY cool experience for me.
On Friday night, we received a call and the bishop wanted one of us Elders to speak. Well, of course Elder Lambourne said I would be very excited to give a talk on Sunday..ha! I really didn't care at all, I have just had SO much confidence and Faith in my Savior Jesus Christ that anything that comes my way I can handle! Well, I prayed earnestly that I would be given the words to speak on Sunday and prepared. I was to talk about the Holy Ghost(very broad) and things were just coming to me left and right once again. Well, we had a great speaker before me (the bishops wife) talk about loving one another and it hit me really hard...but I got up..and man, it's so weird, I always revert back to my farewell talk with things like this, but it was exactly like it once again. I talked about my baptism..and I went OFF on you mom and all the experiences you've had with the Holy Ghost. Then I asked EVERYONE in the room to think back to their baptism or if their visiting to ask themselves..WHY they're here? Then I opened to galatians 5:22-23 and read what the fruits of the spirit were. Then basically told them...That is why you are here, because of the feelings of love, joy, peace...etc you receive while you're here and the witness you got when you read and prayed about the Book of Mormon. ANYWAYS, it was just really awesome, and I got a lot of compliments from the bishopric and ward. This lady came up to me and said "I have the same mom you have" lol, and said she could just feel the power and spirit I had. Man, I was just filled with overwhelming joy!!
Well, I think I talked about myself too much now. I may think i'm oblivious to College football and anything on the outside world but thats all ANYBODY talks about here..ha! So yes, I know BYU tore apart UCLA 59-0!! This member told my previous companion that he went to the BYU game the other day and they mentioned all the football players that are on missions...so they mentioned my name..I didn't believe him at first, so i'm going to have to get confirmation from one of you! WOW...crazy stuff...what's even crazier is that I thought I would think about it A LOT more. But time as a missionary is very weird...like I don't really think about what month it is, or realize what day it is sometimes..I love it!
I actually just got dont golfing(shot a 95..I know Jake and Mckay...HORRIBLE) But it was really fun, slicing like always, but I was able to see some sweet gators on the golf course...nothing like going to hit the golfball in the rough with a gator 20 feet to the left of you!!
How is everyone doing? I know how Sara is doing pretty much...and Addy Kumorah and Spence..lol, I know you want to just hear from me and what is going on....but I like to hear about how home is. What is 360 lbs doing with his life...married yet? First Nephew in a month...what's the update? Mckay almost pee his pants when BYU squeeked by Washington? Mom dominating missionary work back hom? Kaylie player of the game everygame? What is going on....Jamie still in Oregon? Just throw me some updates? Is Nate in Iraq? HA!
I just scrolled up and realized that you guys must LOVE my emails to death each week because they're so long. Sara is the only one that has come close to as long as mine...ha! Alright....here's the deal. Whoever writes the longest email next week gets 5 new pictures and a 2 page letter from me!!! I'm serious!
Alright, well, I don't know what else to say. Our district is really tearing it up and being a GREAT example to the whole zone..which has been slacking the last year REALLY BAD!! It's going to continue to move forward. I love sharing the gospel with everyone and i've recognized SO much more how to follow the promptings of the spirit. I mean come on....when I walk right past someone and I feel bad...I know I need to change something..so I turn around and talk to them. The spirit isn't going to tell me to walk past someone without sharing the gospel...that's my CARNAL MIND which we HAVE to get rid of. Sometimes I let my mind go off and say that I shouldn't talk to this person or "No, that's just too hard to do that..i'll just sit back and watch them go by" WOW, not right at all! Sorry, I just go off sometimes, but this work is too important and too powerful. Sometimes I do realize...WHOA i've been out 4 months already.....geez, I need to pick it up so much more! It's going really good though. Through Jesus Christ I have been lifted up countless number of times and have born POWERFUL testimony of Him. I feel His love wherever I go and can feel your love as well! I continue to strive to be excellent and to learn so much more so that I can better help these incredible southern people. I am SOOOOO blessed out here with people to teach and people just falling right into our hands. It's just incredible and I love it so much.
The family that we found through a media referral is just WAY sweet. ALL of them are going to get baptized for sure, I have no doubt. Everyone has a date except the mom..which she has been running around all over the place so we havn't had much luck. Can't seem to convince James to marry Laura(two of our other dates) so that they can be baptized. Laura is all game and super ready, James is just very hesitant...but we never cease to continue to labor and have faith.
There are some CRAZY big bugs down here in the south. mosquitos EVERYWHERE....then love bugs everywhere as well.....bunch of swamps as well. This area is sweet. The ward loves us missionaries a lot and we have gotten QUITE a few referrals from them which ALWAYS gets me excited because the fellowship is RIGHT THERE!
Alright, i'm done typing. I love you guys so so much, and continue to pray for you every morning and night. The work continues to go very well out here in the south as we are being very blessed. I love this work and I love this gospel.
Love, Elder Probert
p.s. Tell the ward I said hello and that they need to talk to there friends about the gospel.
p.s.s. BYU=NATIONAL CHAMPS!!! GOTTA LOVE IT!

More Pictures

Florida Pictures

Elder Probert sends pictures and writes

We got an email Monday that states he is enjoying his mission experience, has a good companion whom he has learned to appreciate as they have had some heart to heart talks. Here is a quote.

We've had a couple more t-storms that have been AMAZING. The thunder is so loud I love it, and when it rains, it POURS here. It like immediately floods, it's awesome. Elder Christensen and I are getting along better then ever and were really starting to work together a lot better. We have had some really good talks and were able to talk about each others strengths and weaknesses.
Time is almost up but I love you guys so much. SO excited to hear about Chris's call...I need Chris's and Thomas's address!!!! Keep telling the ward I love and appreciate them. Tell people to write me...lol, I LOVE getting letters...oh and I havnt gotten a hand written letter from you guys yet..lol. Bike situation...don't buy one right now, i'll email you if I REALLY need one.

Mission Update

Seth called us this morning at 05:00 spoke with Mom, Kaylie and myself. He told me he has never had more balance. He said he was studying here at home for 10 hours at a time where he mentions that at the MTC he has physcial activity, opportunities to teach and more of a balance in the types of things he does.

He is on his way to Florida today and said he may be out in the streets of Florida this evening.

He will call us later. I know he will speak with some of the other family members today because he got all their phone numbers.

05 27 2008 Last MTC Letter

Hey Fam,
Well I already wrote mom and dad about mostly everything but I still have like 3 more minutes to write so I just wanted to have a family letter I guess.
WOW, I'm leaving...I've said that so much today, and EVERYTIME it hits me harder and harder that I am going out and bring others to Christ!! That joy and that spirit that I have grown to love so much and that carries me through each and everyday, I am going out to bring others to that same joy and peace and spirit! What a wonderful opportunity...what else would I rather be doing...NOTHING! This is the Lord's work and I am in the Lord's hands! My Savior is helping me out SO much here at the MTC. It's truely incredible how you can really get lost in the work. Like i've heard it said over and over again but I didn't think it was that literal! I really am lost in the work and have been since I have been at the MTC. I thought it was going to be a lot harder with the homesickness and missing everything back home but WOW there is too much to do and TOO much to learn..but along with that, I think that's where the Lord is helping me out and he's letting me stay focused and not get distracted. I have been praying like never before and I've gotten a few answers to some questions i've had since i've been here and it;'s been the same EVERYTIME!! FOCUS ON THE WORK AND EVERYTHING WILL WORK OUT!!! Man, it really was that clear to me...a voice just saying that everytime I was worried about something either back home or here in the mission field..and that is going to be my motto throughout the mission.
Family I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. My heart is so full of joy and love like it has NEVER been before..I cannot even describe it. This gospel is SO important. As I've thought about why we need to not only accept our Savior but show him our faith through works it is SO true!! K 20 seconds left...I gotta go..wish I could write more but I can't. Tell everyone hi and tell them to write me!!lol. LOVE YA!!
Love, Elder Seth Mark Probert

MTC letter 05-20-2008

E-mail from Seth 05-20-08

Hey Momma,
I'm doing SOO good! The MTC is incredible and I can't believe the spirit here. I have grown so much and learned so much doctrine, but the best part is, my testimony has just overpowered me. My desire to leanr and grow has never been greater. I strive to always work as hard as I can because it's not my time, it's the Lord's.
My district is incredible. We work so well with eachother and we're just getting along really well. I've been trying to set an example because i'm the district leader and I feel like i'm doing a pretty good job. My companion is from Paradise, Utah and he reminds me of a mormon Chris Farley..if you know who that actor is! 1 week and i'm out of here. Oh yeah, today is my P-day but I think it's going to be different out in the mission field.
My schedule is insane out here, i've never been more packed and busy in my life but it feels SO good. My instructors are awesome, they are just filled with power and knowledge and they just bring the spirit to class everyday and uplift us all the time. We get to go to the RC once a day and we get to call people who have requested a bible of book of mormon or a mormon movie, and we make sure they have gotten it. Well I called someone and it wasn't the person, it was a 15 year old girl, but I ended up talking to her for 10 minutes about the church and I bore testimony of the Book of MOrmon and ended up giving her one!! It felt so good, and the spirit just moved me.
Elder Scheifer and I have had some great spiritual experiences, expecially when teaching. Our last lesson we taught (lesson 2) we were kind of shaky at the start, but then we just went off, the spirit and the power that was in us just took over the room and our "fake" investigatoe just cried. It was AMAZING, I can't even describe it. Well your email is probably going to be longest, but mom, I love you SO much and am so thankful for all the many wonderful things you've done for me. I can't believe i'm actually out here on a mission, it's kind of surreal but incredible at the same time. I miss you guys, but the work is keeping me from being homesick. It's so great to hear from you in letters and emails..I got your packages...thanks so much. Love you, and tell the ward I said hey, and give my friends this email so they can email me k? thanks mom, I LOVE YOU!!
Love, Elder Probert

Memory lane

May 13th, Handwritten

May 13th letter with email address.

From: Seth Probert <sethprob81@myldsmail.net>
Date: Tue, May 13, 2008 at 5:04 PM
Subject: Hey Fam!!
To: sjprobert@gmail.com


Hello Probert's!! How is everyone doing? I actually wrote you a 4 page letter so this isn't going to be long, but I just wanted you to get my email so you can email me back as soon as possible. Everything is going AMAZING. The MTC is so great, and my district is just incredible. We get along so well, and we all bring so many different qualities to the district. Elder Scheifer(my companion) is the man! He is like Nate in so many ways, and has an amazing story of how he came back to the church. He is a bigger Elder and kind of reminds me of Chris Farley.
  I love it out here. The church is true. The temple is incredible. I went through the temple today and did sealings and I was crying most of the time because of the power their. I couldnt believe it, the leader of our little group talked to us missionaries about the importance of getting married in the temple. Man that hit me hard!! Well, I got to go listen to a general authority!!! This is so amazing, and this feels so good. Stay true to the gospel and the ordinances you receive and you will be blessed family. I love you all SOO much, and am so thankful for such an amazing family that has taught me correct principals to live by. Sorry this email was so short, I actually had like 3 minutes to type because my district is waiting for me. Tell the ward I love and miss them, and any friends of mine you see! May the work of God continue!!

  Love, Elder Seth Mark Probert
 p.s. Kaylie, don't get discouraged with anything or let anybody bring you down, you are so incredible and have done so much for our family. You are way beyond where I was when I was your age. Keep it up sister, I love and miss you so much, but i'm in the Lord's hands now so everything is ok. Love ya sister!

 

Letter from MTC 05-07-08

What is he doing?

Right now he is at the Mission Training Center in Provo, UT.


In order to understand what a "Mormon Missionary" does you may want to read one of Elder Probert's favorite scriptures about charity below. This is what has motivated him. Some of the links below may help you understand a little more of the purpose in his serving.

One of Elder Probert's favorite scriptures.

What really makes us happy?

Here is a link to a church run website that points out the basic beliefs of the Mormons.

Here is some more examples of people who have heard the missionaries and were encouraged by their message.

I know that many may think the church is about money, hype or just emotional experience. Some may question the source of it's power. Elder Probert will be trying to explain it's validity to others and will ask that it is looked at with an open heart without pre-conceived ideas. I feel that way too.

Mission President Russel A and June Newman

To Seth's friends

Seth is unable to participate directly in this blog due to his missionary responsibilities. Understand that the idea of a mission is so he can strengthen, teach and serve those he has been called to. The dedication he will put forth will take him mostly away from TV, friends and family for 2 years. Most of his time will be spent in various activities to strengthen the faith of others. If you would like me to share something with him you can attach it as a comment on this blog, I will be happy to see that he gets the appropriate messages. Our family is very grateful for all those that have supported Seth both in and out of the church. Seth has some dear friends that I assume will want to know about this time when he is away. He had so many at the farewell that I thought it would be nice to set up this blog site so those of you interested could at least get a taste of what he is up to. We love you all and look forward to supporting Seth. I tell you what, this boy was hard to let go of.



Steve Probert - his dad.

Other family member mission calls

Steven M. Probert - Bangkok Thailand Mission
Judy Winter Probert - Sydney Australia Mission
Jamie Probert Cook - Chicago North Spanish Speaking Mission
McKay Probert - Rapid City South Dakota Mission
Sara Ann Probert - St. Louis Missouri Mission
Jacob John Probert - Munich Germany/Austria Mission

Called to Jacksonville Florida

Seth entered the MTC 05-07-08. This site will be a place for friends/family to gather and learn more of Seth's activities. I will post an e-mail address as appropriate and some posts of interest from Seth.