Words from Elder Shad Lindsey in the Ukrane

"Hey ya'll,

I hope you had a great week! Conference wa pretty awesome! I only sawe the Saturday night session, but still it was so good. How'd ya'll like Elder Klebingat's talk? That is honestly everything he ever taught me in a zone conference, or in a mission leadership council summed up in 10 minutes. Be obedient, dont compain or make excuses, repent always, and my favorite one, WORK OUT!  He is insane about working out. He ran a 10 k every morning. He is just nuts with it, but its awesome. i lvoe and respect him so much. He taught me so much, and though he is really bold and calls it how it is, he loves the Lord and he loves all of us. It was just so sick seeing him on tv!

 

Well this was a really good week honestly. Right now I'm up in Chernihiv, where I started my mission. I love this beautiful little city. I have changed a lot since I was here last year, but I know I can still change a lot more before I head home.

 

We did a good job this week at talking with everyone. On buses, at bus stops, in the parks, just everywhere. Its hard getting people to stop, but when we do its always awesome. Or just weird. I had a lady tell me that she was moses ressurected into  a womens body named marina...Ya I dont even know.

I'm still trying to work on confidence when I'm talking to people. Its something I've struggled with my whole mission. It seems like once people here my american accent, they just walk right by. But its good, I'm workin oin my accent and I'm gettin more confident!

 

I love you and hope you have a great week."

Words from Sister Brittany Platt in Colorado

"Sorry my e-mail was so short last time, but I have so many wonderful people e-mailing me individually that I spent most of my time last week trying to respond. Thank you so so much for doing so! Hearing news from home is like eating my favorite dessert and not feeling guilty about it! Haha, that was cheezy! I feel like missionaries are the biggest cheese balls in the world. But everyone loves us inspite of it all so it's pretty great!

So, this week has been wonderful and hard. The work here is difficult because this area, Parker, is pretty wealthy! There's not too many humble people here to teach. BUT, we were talking with a man the other day (the one I placed my first BOM with: he's not interested right now, but will be someday I'm sure of it!) and he said that although the people here may not need any service done as far as physical service goes, but all of them have internal struggles that they're really good at hiding. Whether it's health issues, family issues, divorces, financial issues, etc. I thought that was so interesting and that's the kind of service we as missionaries want to perform! To serve people's spiritual needs! So, we're still working hard to find people. A lot of our work here is with members and less-actives, which is also really cool. We're working with a lot of less-active families right now and it's such a blessing to serve and love them!

So our investigator, Megan, isn't progressing as we would hope. But last week we felt impressed to invite her to be baptized in November and she said she'd talk with her husband about it and let us know. We're doing some service with her this week and teaching her a lesson so we're hoping and praying that we will be able to express our love for her and the reasons why we're trying to committ her to baptism. She's been taught by missionaries on and off for the last 3 years and we're hoping to encourage her to be better at keeping her committments and finding out for herself if the BOM is true! Our lessons are difficult with her because her kids are crazy and loud and she has a really hard time paying attention or feeling the spirit. But, we've talked with some members who know here and we're coming up with a wonderful plan on how to better help her and teach her and get some members involved. 

Also, this week our Sister Training Leaders have given us a 7-day walk with Christ challenge and I'm so excited to do it! After hearing President Monson talk about how we need to walk AS Christ walks, I feel that this week will be a huge testimony builder. I love Jesus Christ and I'm thrilled to try even harder every day to become more like Him. This area is difficult, but I know that as I work harder and strive to be more like Christ, we'll be blessed with more people to teach. And there have already been so many miracles! I've been trying to look for them each day and write them down in my journal at night. Yesterday was the first day everything went exactly as we planned!! It was so amazing I almost cried! That never happens in the mission field. And we were able to meet with 4 less-active families yesterday! Two of whom we've been trying to contact for a month now. One of them we watched a session of Conference with and ate lunch with them. The wife was so touched by President Eyring's talk and cried throughout it. It was so powerful! I absolutely love the people here, especially our amazing ward and the members. Our dinner calendars for this month and last month are almost completely full!!! That's a huge blessing (although I'm so sick of desserts!! Blah!)

So, my thought today for everyone is a compilation of what we heard in Conference. Please, if you have any doubts, look to sources that are trustworthy and honest. This church is a perfect church made up of imperfect people and we make mistakes all the time! But remember what is essential to your eternal salvation and exaltation and what is not. Remember that we are all beggars who need each other and Christ in our lives! Remember to stay in the raft and listen to and obey the rules! Remember to be bold and not worry about people getting offended. It is our duty to preach the gospel at all times and in all things and in all places and it is the most wonderful, fun duty we could ever perform! As my mission president so wisely said, "Don't let ANYONE suck the fun out of missionary work!"

God bless all of you and thank you for your prayers and love and support! I couldn't do any of this w/o you!"

Words from Elder Garrett Anderson in Brazil

   "I know that the end is approaching because everyone keeps reminding me. I am in a district of 6 missionaries and all the rest have under a year so its nice to remind them that i am going home soon haha.
     Man conference was awesome. We had the oppertunity to watch all the sessions, we got to watch Priesthood session Sunday morning at 6 A.M. I was thinking that i would fall asleep because we had to wake up at 5, but i stayed awake the whole time. There was a spirit of peace and comfort as we heard the voices of the selected speakers. What a blessing it is to be apart of the Lord's Church that has living a living Prophet and apostles of the Lord.
     I know that in the days ahead we will be in for some interesting times. We truly are in the "last days" and for this we have to follow the prophet with exactness. I love the word "exactness" because it doesn't leave room for argument or error. Although we are human and are prone to err, we have the Atonement of Jesus Christ as a remedy for our natural man. We can do this, we can endure to the end. Jesus Christ has not, and will not forget us. As is written in Isaih 49:15-16, " Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me." Christ was beaten, mocked, sweat drops of blood, and crucified for us, but not before suffering on the cross. I know He lives. Although we all have struggles, we can trust in Him. "“that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day” (Alma 36:3)." Love you guys and have a great week and study those conference talks! "

Words from Elder Jared Anderson in Brazil

"So conference was officially amazing. We saw so many little miracles this week i was reminded that our Father in Heaven knows each of us very personally. For the reasons of elections here in Brazil this week was a little crazy. As we waited for the bus on Sunday to take us to the church for conference i had great fear of being very late because it takes about 30 minutes to arrive there. The roads were packed and it was 12 35, and the bus still hadnt showed up. I prayed that thebus would arrive so that we might watch conference on time. Within about 45 seconds there the bus was and ourdriver had appeared to have been training for the indinapolis 500 for quite some time, we arrived at the church and were seated at 12:55 i was so grateful for Our Father in Heavens mercy to two 19 year old misssionaries. I know this is the only true and restored Gospel on the face of the earth. President Thomas S monson is the Lords prophet and guides us in these latter days. I lvoe you all"

Words from Elder Tyler Johnson in Kansas

"Getting the chance to hear from the general authority's, apostles, and prophet was the highlight of my week, i learned allot and felt bad as the spirit sharply helped me discover my weaknesses. right after i wrote some goals down the first goal was "help others as i would like to be helped being in their situation" in the mission i have ran into allot of people that needed to be helped at the beginning i would feel crushed seen what trials they are going threw and i would do all the power in my part to help out, but over time i have seen how my body has been adapting and feeling more and more careless running into situations like that. i have seen it so much it was not a surprise to me i became numb to the feeling to help, thoughts would come in to my head " if you would just stop smoking" " maybe if you would follow gods commandments you would see your father help out more"  i have realized that my natural man has effected my care for others because i have seen so much blessings in my life i have forgotten about those that struggle, yes they may not be following the commandments but its my job to help them by inviting them to stop and to be their for them to help. i have been lazy and have not done the best i could to help them. i have noticed this in myself for a while now and hearing in general conference the talk about helping the needy and poor has confirmed to me that it is time to step it up. just as king Benjerman taught in Mosiah " just as you are in the service of your fellow being you are in the service of god"   our father in heaven needs our help, because of the fact he cant be here physically he needs us to be used in his service to help those in need. after setting this goal and praying that i would do a better job that night we got a call from our ward mission leader to go see a less active family, we did and come to find out they have no money and in 3 days they were going to get kicked out of their home. i knew at that time this opportunity was given to me to help this family the best i could. we went over scriptures and their testimony and left a blessing upon their home i felt the love of my father as the women of the home had tears fall down her cheek and knew everything would be okay. i bare my testimony with the apostles and prophets that i know this work is true and that our father in heaven pleads for our help in this work that is so important. i am grateful for my savior and redeemer and i extend my love to all of you in the name of jesus Christ Amen."

Words from Sister Kortlynn Herring in Japan

Dear Family,

こんにちは！ Sorry, I had to, mom started her letter with Spanish :) haha!
Anywho this week was great!  It was transfer week, and sister ipson,
transferred!  But Sister Nash and I stayed the same.  Now we have a
new sister in the apartment named Sister Hubner.  She actually
replaced me last year in Okegawa.  It's always fun to talk with
missionaries who have served where you served.  Speaking of that, last
night we had dinner with a single return missionary and Meirin.  Well,
the RM, Fukushima Shimai actually served in the Tokyo mission!  I
asked her where and she had served in Oyama!  What?!  It was way fun
talking to her about the members there.  She knew most of them.  I
love that, so much!  Anyway, since I already brought that up, we had
dinner last night with them, and it went ok.  Sadly Meirin isn't
interested in learning the gospel.  But she is so sweet and has so
much potential.  Her day will come someday!  I just know it!

We also got to teach Arisa this week.  She is doing so good!  Her
whole family came to church this week, and this is her third Sunday,
and she has already changed.  Before they would show up in jeans, and
t shirts, Arisa always wore a skirt, but the little boys didn't do
anything different, but this Sunday they were all on time sitting in
the pew, had their hair done, bow ties, slacks, and they all just
looked so good!  In japanese we say suteki!  They looked great, and it
was just fun!  We will be meeting her again, and it really looks like
she will be able to hit her day.  We just need to teach her the
commandments.  It's way fun teaching her, and her cute family!

We also got to meet with a couple other people.  All super nice, and
willing to listen, but not necessarily ready to progress.  We also met
with mina, and she told us she wasn't interested, because if she
became Christian her family would be angry, and family is important to
her and she wants to remain united with them.  So sad, but we
challenged her to keep reading the Book of Mormon.  And she is still
able to meet with us sometimes.

This week we couldn't meet with shi chan, but an old investigator from
Okegawa days, named miyu found out I was in Tokyo and came to the
Mexican fiesta to see me.  Oh, ya, the Mexican fiesta!  I love sharing
a building with the English Ward!  I had Mexican food!  And tons of
our investigators, less actives and PIs came.  It was so much fun!  I
took some pics.  Activities are so good for missionary work!  It
really helps give the investigators a non threatening way to come to
church and get to know people.  Way good!

We also had a miracle with a less active family, the Sawamuras.  We
have tried to visit and contact them all last transfer, and we finally
were able to see them.  She even let us in to her house, which has
never happened before, according to Sister Nash.  And she asked us to
please come again and Reteach her and her family!  Yay!  We also met
with Noguchi San and she brought two of her friends to choir practice
on Sunday.  Way cool!  I love it when PIs do contacting for you!
Haha!

All in all, a great week.  Got to see lots of people.  Also had a mini
zone meeting, and it was one of the most spiritual experiences ever.
I'm so grateful for the power of prayer and unity.  When we are united
with one another and the lord through prayer, we can accomplish great
things!

Love you all!  Keep on being awesome!  I know that this is truly the
lords work, and when we pray, and unite with Him, we can accomplish
big things.  The lord always has a plan and he will always help and
guide us.  We never need to fear, just trust Him.  Love you!

Love,

Sister Herring
へリング姉妹

Words from Elder Jake Zieler in Canada

"this week has been a life changing week for me! i have definitely learned how to pray sincerely. General conference was awesome! i've never listened to all 10 hours of it before so that was good. in Elder Ballards talk, he talked about a white water rafting trip in southern utah. president brown and i and other members of that awesome brown family, were on that same trip a little over 1 year ago! it was a great talk and made me think about how fun that trip was. so one of the more exciting parts of the week was one day my companion and i were knocking on some doors next to a golf coarse. we were heading back to our car when out of the corner of my eye, i saw what looked like a dog but when i got a better look, it was a big coyote! i was pretty pumped! i started to go back to the car to get my camera, but as i did, it started to take off running. so i stopped and started doing the kiss of death(kissing the back of your hand to make a high pitched squeak noise) as soon as i did that, the coyote stopped at about 100 yards and i snuck up behind a tree and kept doing the kiss of death. it finally started coming back towards me until it got to about 30 yards and stopped and turned broad side. if i would've had the ole trusty mathews bow from back home with me, it would've been a bad day to be a coyote haha! anyway, so i started to go back to the car to get my camera and it took off as soon as i did so these pictures are of it running away haha. and the other picture is of me being a Chinese statue. there are a ton of Chinese people here! who would've thought? it has been a great week full of miracles and missionary work as well haha! the teaching is getting better every day!"

Last Words from Elder Tyler Johnson in Kansas

"before I go home I want to share with all of you my testimony of my savior and this work. I hope that what all of you read will re kindle your faith in the gospel and enable your mind in the service of god to know that he does have an immense amount of love for all of you. the mission has been a struggle and has also been a joy. I think back of the beginning and where I was in the gospel and I know that the things I was doing and my thoughts on what I wanted to do were not all in harmony with the savior, I think about my thoughts now and I feel a feeling of comfort and also a feeling to do more, to continue in the service of the lord. and even though I have no clue of what my father in heaven wants me to do, I feel safe in his hands giving myself to him and doing what I feel is right and what he wants me to do even if it makes no since to me. I know that this gospel is true. I came out with a hope of what I was doing was right, but threw the experiences I have had and threw the struggles of a broken heart and contrite spirit I can testify the savior has comforted me and answered my prayers as I had endured my struggles righteously, not knowing the outcome but trusting in god. He does care and he WILL help I know that to be true. ive noticed that his help usually came at my breaking point, where I felt lost and forsaken.  Threw these trials they have built me who I am now. "where there is a stronger wind there is a stronger tree" without gods love and him giving me these opportunities I know there would be no exercising of my faith. I am truly grateful for these struggles I have been given. I would not change anything about my mission. I have learned so much and have loved every second of it.

 I cannot wait to share my experiences and what I have learned with all of you! I want to thank you for all of your prayers and support as I have been out in the service of god!"

Words from Sister Brittany Platt in Colorado

"I LOVE MISSIONARY WORK!!!! I know I say that all the time, but I so love it. It's so hard, but it's so awesome!!! Have you all seen "Meet the Mormons" yet? If you haven't please do so!!!! It's incredible and it dispells a lot of misconceptions ppl have about us. It was wonderful! They had a special showing for all the missionaries at a church before it came out in theaters so we were thrilled to see it! It was number 10 in the nation last week and it only showed in 300 theaters! Compared to the other top 9 that showed in 5000 theaters!!!! How cool is that? The Lord is literally doing all He can to gather in the House of Israel before He comes again. It's amazing and I know there is only more to come!! My favorite quote from the movie is this "I know I'm not perfect, but I am perfect in one thing. I am perfect in trying!" That has helped me so much as a missionary!

So, we had a crazy week. Lots of appointments with members and less-actives. Our stake and ward doesn't want us to do hardly any tracting (which is frustrating, but I'm starting to see why now) and we had several miracles with members doing missionary work! They're starting to see how rewarding and fun it is, and we as missionaries are learning as well. We were really bummed because our investigator, Megan, cancelled on us last minute, but we're meeting with her tomorrow so please please pray that everything goes well! We're so excited to teach her and we really want to help her progress and gain a testimony and feel God's love for her. We've had a lot of rejection this last week with the tracting and finding we did do. There was a Jewish couple we kept trying to meet with, but we always came at a bad time and eventually they told us they weren't interested. They did accept a Book of Mormon, though, and we were glad about that! We'll follow up in about a month. 

So transfers are today and my companion and I are both staying here for another 6 weeks! Hooray! We are moving today, though, to another member's home. We're sad to say goodbye to the family we're living with (they have two younger girls and a baby boy and they're adorable!) but we're also excited to live with this other couple. They're names are the Ingersolls and all their children are grown. She's an amazing cook and they're both scuba certified so they are awesome and have really cool stories! We're also going to the temple on Wednesday and I'm excited for that!

Even though the work here is very slow and we don't have hardly anyone to teach, I'm being truly humbled in so many ways and I'm learning how to be exactly obedient and persevere! It's wonderful and I'm excited to work even harder. Thank you for all your prayers and e-mails and letters! Sorry I don't respond to all of them, but please know how much I appreciate them! And thank you for all your support with Hannah and my parents! We are truly blessed to have amazing people in our lives! 

God bless you all and love you a lot!"

Words from Elder Garrett Anderson in Brazil

 "As the time is winding down, I often look back to reflect upon the choices that we are making every day. Within these daily choices we have choices that we are making every minute, every second, to do or not to do, to say or not to say. What we do and say, or don't makes up who we are. These choices are tiny choices that help us to stay on the path, or to stray.

     This week we had a special meeting with the president and the assistants. It was an excellent training that we received and will really help our district. I love being here in Posse, and president will leave me here one more transfer to die here! (next transfer starts on monday the 20th) I love being a missionary. Even though there is daily rejection, it is a special experience that we have, to preach the gospel. I have learned that preaching the gospel is much more than teaching an investigator or making a contact, preaching the gospel is a way we live. Do we preach the gospel with our actions as well? Do we just preach the gospel or do we live the gospel? these are questions that i ask myself on a daily basis. I love this church and this gospel, to know that God through his infinite love and mercy has called a modern day prophet to lead and guide us, that we have personal leaders to help us along the way, bishops, stake presidents, parents, etc. 

     I know that through daily study of the scriptures and dedication, we can become like Jesus Christ and return to live with him and the Father again. Keep studying, praying, and increasing your knowledge of the gospel. I love you guys and cant wait to see you!"

Words from Elder Jared Anderson in Brazil

"Well where to start? there isnt really much to say. We have been working really hard in our area Catolé and have so much more to do. We are really trying to focus our efforts on the ward and less actives, our frequency for church is about 40-50 people so this week was awesome we had 61. the members here are great some of the best examples ive seen in doing member missionary work. Well nothing crazy happened this week or real exciting, but conference was amazing, i love the focus on sustaining and following our modern day prophet, he holds the keys and receives revelation from our Lord. I am so grateful for all you guys! Love ya!"

Words from Sister Elese Hauser in Illinois

"Hello everyone!!!

I've been staring at the blank screen for about 5 minutes now because I just can't decide where I need to start and what to say! It sure has been a crazy but wonderful week! Sister Jennings and I got to witness many miracles and be a part of some monumental moments. There truly is nothing as great as serving a mission. I am grateful for each and every single day.

I guess one cool thing that happened this week is KATHY GOT BAPTIZED!!!!! No big deal. She just passed her interview with flying colors and was practically jumping into the baptismal font. At the beginning of last week we weren't sure if it would happen or not because we still had 3 lessons to teach her and we couldn't meet until Wednesday, which was when her interview was. But the Lord provided a way like He always does when it's His will! Kathy's son, Dan, joined the church 2 years ago and he recently received the Melchezidek priesthood and is preparing for a mission. He got to baptize his Mom and stand in for her confirmation! I don't think there is anything sweeter nor more exciting than seeing that moment after Kathy came up out of the waters of baptism and to see her and her son embrace. Dan would never admit it, but he started crying! My heart melted and I was instantly filled with joy! In about a year they will be an eternal family. Last week in Mission Leadership Council, Pres. Fenn told us that we will now start teaching eternal families in the first lesson. Or at least the idea that we can be together forever as a family through temples. It's been so cool the miracles that Sister Jennings and I have seen as we have taught that on doorsteps this past week. Most Christian faiths believe that, but they don't understand how that's possible, and that's where we come in. So watching Kathy and her son made me so grateful for my eternal family! The temple is really so important. Yesterday in church we also got to see a baby blessed and it got me thinking just how each priesthood ordinance and blessing means more and more. First we are blessed as a baby, then baptized at 8, then receive the priesthood if you're a boy, and then temple endowments, all prepare us for the crowning ordinance of eternal marriage. Heavenly Fathers plan is flawless, and it just makes so much sense!

We received a headquarter referral a few weeks ago and we were finally able to contact her this week. She got online and requested a Book of Mormon so we were so excited to meet her. Her name is Tina and she is so sweet but we have a little bit of trouble communicating with her because she is deaf! Luckily we found an interpreter whose a member who knows really good sign language so she has to come with us. It's quite the experience teaching in that atmosphere because you have to say a thought and then pause. Plus you can't make eye contact because she's looking at the interpreter. But she's coming to church next week! And we also met this guy named Joe. He's a character and kind of reminds me of Bennie a little bit! But he only ever talks to my companion. I think he thinks I'm only her secretary or something. And he calls Sister Jennings Jennifer all the time! It's pretty hilarious. The people in Elgin sure are diverse!

So this week we had Elder Robert C. Gay from the first quorum of the Seventh come and visit our mission. Talk about a second General Conference experience, but in person!!! It was sooooooo good! He talked a lot to us about the atonement and doing the Lords will. He told us that too often we get in the way of the atonement. We let our pride, ego, and our own agenda of doing things get in the way of the atonement in others lives. The way to avoid that is to do the Lords will in all things. I've thought a lot about that and seen how true it is. So many times in our lives we don't repent, or we don't ask God for help, or we don't allow ourselves to be healed from the past. And in others lives as well when we fail to share the gospel with others, or decide not to do family history, or don't try to help those in need. Don't you realize that when we do these things we are not allowing the atonement to take effect in our lives or in the lives of others?! I know that if we do the Lords will in all things then we will be delivered and better able to help others "shake off the chains with which we are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust."(2 Ne. 1:23). He also said that one of the most important things we can learn on our mission is the principle of self-evaluation. If we can learn to evaluate where we are at and where we stand with the Lord, then we can set goals and plans to do better and apply the atonement by improving our lives. Whether our daily scripture study can improve, our missionary efforts, our prayers, or our temple attendance. Those trying to live a Celestial life can always find something to improve on. So I invite you all to open up your Preach My Gospel and evaluate where you are with God! Turn to the end of chapter 6 and take the Christlike Attribute Activity. Daily repentance is required for those trying to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. And I know that the more we repent the happier we are!

Speaking of happy, I got to go on exchanges this week with my past companion, Sister Dias!  She has become my best friend and I am so grateful we got to spend 12 weeks together last Christmas time. I got to serve in the Rockford YSA branch and met some of the coolest people ever! I also got to go to Sycamore Illinois and serve for the day. It's so fun witnessing miracles in other sisters areas! And so tomorrow marks the beginning of a new transfer. That means I will begin my last transfer of my mission and will be coming home in 6 weeks. Can I freak out now?!!!! I've learned that time will not slow down no matter what how badly I want it to so I have plans to make every day count and to have no regrets. 

Tonight we will go to the mission home, and yes we will eat deep dish pizza:)  We will give a training on helping our investigators pray about and read the Book of Mormon. And then tomorrow is the craziest day of the whole transfer when we leave our apartment at 7:00 am and don't return until after midnight. Oh the joys of missionary work! I think every missionary has plans to sleep for a week when they get home and mine are no different! 

Well, Elgin is wonderful! Mark and Brandon, our 10 year old twins will be baptized this Saturday! But Roy has decided not to be.... That breaks my heart but I trust in Gods plan. My memorization of the Living Christ continues to move forward and I hope yours does as well. Have a great week! And anyone who goes to Homecoming better keep an eye on Kirsten since I won't be there! Thanks a bunch! Love you all!!!!

Keep it real,

Hello everyone!!!

I've been staring at the blank screen for about 5 minutes now because I just can't decide where I need to start and what to say! It sure has been a crazy but wonderful week! Sister Jennings and I got to witness many miracles and be a part of some monumental moments. There truly is nothing as great as serving a mission. I am grateful for each and every single day.

I guess one cool thing that happened this week is KATHY GOT BAPTIZED!!!!! No big deal. She just passed her interview with flying colors and was practically jumping into the baptismal font. At the beginning of last week we weren't sure if it would happen or not because we still had 3 lessons to teach her and we couldn't meet until Wednesday, which was when her interview was. But the Lord provided a way like He always does when it's His will! Kathy's son, Dan, joined the church 2 years ago and he recently received the Melchezidek priesthood and is preparing for a mission. He got to baptize his Mom and stand in for her confirmation! I don't think there is anything sweeter nor more exciting than seeing that moment after Kathy came up out of the waters of baptism and to see her and her son embrace. Dan would never admit it, but he started crying! My heart melted and I was instantly filled with joy! In about a year they will be an eternal family. Last week in Mission Leadership Council, Pres. Fenn told us that we will now start teaching eternal families in the first lesson. Or at least the idea that we can be together forever as a family through temples. It's been so cool the miracles that Sister Jennings and I have seen as we have taught that on doorsteps this past week. Most Christian faiths believe that, but they don't understand how that's possible, and that's where we come in. So watching Kathy and her son made me so grateful for my eternal family! The temple is really so important. Yesterday in church we also got to see a baby blessed and it got me thinking just how each priesthood ordinance and blessing means more and more. First we are blessed as a baby, then baptized at 8, then receive the priesthood if you're a boy, and then temple endowments, all prepare us for the crowning ordinance of eternal marriage. Heavenly Fathers plan is flawless, and it just makes so much sense!

We received a headquarter referral a few weeks ago and we were finally able to contact her this week. She got online and requested a Book of Mormon so we were so excited to meet her. Her name is Tina and she is so sweet but we have a little bit of trouble communicating with her because she is deaf! Luckily we found an interpreter whose a member who knows really good sign language so she has to come with us. It's quite the experience teaching in that atmosphere because you have to say a thought and then pause. Plus you can't make eye contact because she's looking at the interpreter. But she's coming to church next week! And we also met this guy named Joe. He's a character and kind of reminds me of Bennie a little bit! But he only ever talks to my companion. I think he thinks I'm only her secretary or something. And he calls Sister Jennings Jennifer all the time! It's pretty hilarious. The people in Elgin sure are diverse!

So this week we had Elder Robert C. Gay from the first quorum of the Seventh come and visit our mission. Talk about a second General Conference experience, but in person!!! It was sooooooo good! He talked a lot to us about the atonement and doing the Lords will. He told us that too often we get in the way of the atonement. We let our pride, ego, and our own agenda of doing things get in the way of the atonement in others lives. The way to avoid that is to do the Lords will in all things. I've thought a lot about that and seen how true it is. So many times in our lives we don't repent, or we don't ask God for help, or we don't allow ourselves to be healed from the past. And in others lives as well when we fail to share the gospel with others, or decide not to do family history, or don't try to help those in need. Don't you realize that when we do these things we are not allowing the atonement to take effect in our lives or in the lives of others?! I know that if we do the Lords will in all things then we will be delivered and better able to help others "shake off the chains with which we are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust."(2 Ne. 1:23). He also said that one of the most important things we can learn on our mission is the principle of self-evaluation. If we can learn to evaluate where we are at and where we stand with the Lord, then we can set goals and plans to do better and apply the atonement by improving our lives. Whether our daily scripture study can improve, our missionary efforts, our prayers, or our temple attendance. Those trying to live a Celestial life can always find something to improve on. So I invite you all to open up your Preach My Gospel and evaluate where you are with God! Turn to the end of chapter 6 and take the Christlike Attribute Activity. Daily repentance is required for those trying to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. And I know that the more we repent the happier we are!

Speaking of happy, I got to go on exchanges this week with my past companion, Sister Dias!  She has become my best friend and I am so grateful we got to spend 12 weeks together last Christmas time. I got to serve in the Rockford YSA branch and met some of the coolest people ever! I also got to go to Sycamore Illinois and serve for the day. It's so fun witnessing miracles in other sisters areas! And so tomorrow marks the beginning of a new transfer. That means I will begin my last transfer of my mission and will be coming home in 6 weeks. Can I freak out now?!!!! I've learned that time will not slow down no matter what how badly I want it to so I have plans to make every day count and to have no regrets. 

Tonight we will go to the mission home, and yes we will eat deep dish pizza:)  We will give a training on helping our investigators pray about and read the Book of Mormon. And then tomorrow is the craziest day of the whole transfer when we leave our apartment at 7:00 am and don't return until after midnight. Oh the joys of missionary work! I think every missionary has plans to sleep for a week when they get home and mine are no different! 

Well, Elgin is wonderful! Mark and Brandon, our 10 year old twins will be baptized this Saturday! But Roy has decided not to be.... That breaks my heart but I trust in Gods plan. My memorization of the Living Christ continues to move forward and I hope yours does as well. Have a great week! And anyone who goes to Homecoming better keep an eye on Kirsten since I won't be there! Thanks a bunch! Love you all!!!!

Keep it real,"

Words from Elder Chandon Herring in Washington DC

"Hello family! This was a good week. Not much exciting happened but it
was fun. Nothing good happened until Wednesday so I will start there.

Wed... Regular morning but man it was hard to get up for some reason.
It felt like 45 lbs plates were on my eyelids. It was bad. But up I
went and began. I prepared a workshop I had to give on meaningful goal
setting. Our mission is pushing for more lessons and all but the
missionaries are taking it as the leadership does not care about
people only numbers. Well no! That is the only way they can measure,
They know that there is a name behind every number. It is irratating
hearing them complain. But it was a good workshop. We had a lesson
with Sister Luna today. She is so silly. Then we met with Bessie. She
is the baptist minister. we are trying to get her to church and her
grandkids are even pressuring her to come. She really does want to but
her pastor has her play a key part in her program. So she is trying to
work it out. She is coming to the Why I Believe at the VC though. We
then had a good ward coordination and bible study with one person. We
discussed the different plates and content of the BOM.  it was super
good to relearn that and clarify it.

Thur... The day i gave my workshop at District Meeting. The group is
all a little sick and we were all super tired so it was wild... not...  But
it went well and we went to Subway after. It was good. We had our
appointments cancel and so we checked up on fake referrals. That gets
irratating when people give you fake info. But we are supposed to be
around there anyway. I also got a new chain for my bike because my
other one was being dumb. It was beyond repair a Bro in the ward said.
So It is better. Still a few things to break it in but better. We dont
bike much anyway because Stevenson does not want to. grrr. so lazy...
When getting my bike chain at Walmart we met a guy named John. Super
cool and he came up to us as we were unlocking our bikes. He asked
about our missions and church authority. It was super cool and we are
going to try to watch GC with him.

Fri... Today we had interviews. We had fun waiting because we got to
talk with all the other missionaries in the zone. It is so fun. Then
in my interview president mentioned how he knew about my baking. haha
I laughed but it was a good interview. He did not say if I was leaving
or staying this transfer though so idk. Afterwards we went to Costco for
lunch. I need to buy a costco card. I love that store. I had a frozen
yogurt, hot dog, drink, and half a pizza. It was really good. But not
the best for me. I shared with Elder Brian. He goes home in three
weeks! NOOOO I love that guy! He is from Las Vegas and is a total
redneck and so fun! We at night taught sis Onyeka. She is still
jobless but she comes to church and seems to be very happy when
she is there. It is good seeing the difference that it makes in
peoples lives.

Sat... MY 4 MONTH MARK!!!! I have been out for 4 months! WHAT!!!!! I
got to go on exchanges with E Porter and it was a much needed break.
It is nice not having someone singing in the background literally
24/7. We went contacting for a long time and it was to no avail not a
single person cared. It was the first time on my mission that i did
not get any phone numbers. The people were cranky today. It was cold
and rainy but still... We talked to Ben Coleman who still comes to
church and he blesses the sacrament but he is no help in getting his
family to church. He is a punk. AHHHH!!!! We had a great lesson with
Annita. She has made so much progress since i got here. She has not
missed church in weeks and is active in all sorts of stuff. Her
daughter is going to be baptized.  Then we met with Sis Galloway. She
was babysitting her neice. She is so cute! We had a good lesson. We
watched the talk by Pres Uchtdorf from the Womans broadcast. It was good.

Sun... I love our ward. Ok so when we were standing out front
welcoming people Sis Dona Ferris-Jenkins who welcomes all of the
visitors at the end of sacrament meeting came up to comment about my
poundcake i had delivered to her. She came up and said,"Ohhhhhhh it
was sooooooo gooooooood. Oh Delicious! If you were a little older...
(wink)" It cracked me up. I love her so much. I sent a picture of her.
We had a great time and the talks in sacrament meeting really helped
me. I had so many prayers and questions answered in the last talk.
Then we had a great evening contacting and the Walker family made us
some stuffed shells. SO GOOD! Overall it was a super day.

So ya that is my life. I am loving it hear and am learning lots. I am
so grateful for your support and love. I miss you all and i look
forward to your letters. Thank you again and I love you!!!!!"

Words from Elder Kade Garner in Peru

"So this week we had a ton of meetings, we had interiews and we watched General Conferance. It was great! Sadly that means that very little missionary work got done, but hey I think we recharged our batteries so that we can be twice as good this week.

 

So you all know. I was not transferred... and neither was my companion. Yep, I am going to have six months in the same area with the same person. What is going on in Zion? I don´t know. 

 

This week we had Mission Council. Our president started off by asking us to do something very interesting. He had every member of the council stand up and state why they are members of the council. Or in other words, why they have their assignment that they have. This was very interesting to me. I think it is something that we should always do as members. We should always ask, ¨Why do I have my calling?¨ We should first think in the Lord and those we serve. First, the Lord gives us callings because He knows that we are capable of magnifying them and blessing others. Second, He gives us callings and assignments because there is something that we need to learn from it. Many times... no, ALWAYS how to better repent. I am now asking myself everyday, ¨Am I working hard enough to show the Lord that I trust in His confidence in me (magnifying my responsibility)? Am I helping God´s children like I should in this calling like He would have me do? Am I allowing my calling to make me a better person and more worthy in the sight of my Savior? Our callings are very important... even when they may seem the very opposite. The Lord trusts us and knows how capable we are, He wants us to serve His children and knows that they need our help, and He loves us enough to give us this special chance to become ever so more repentant and just a little more like the Savior Himself.

 

We learned this week that as missionaries we now have six lessons to teach. If you remember it was like that 10 or 15 years ago. However, we have not gone back to memerized lessons. We are more focused on the commandments like fasting, which was explained very well in conference and in Isiah 58, so that the people will become more converted. We also learned that the 12 decided that our area rule of making a donation a requisite of baptism contrary to the doctrine found in D&C 20. We how ever have made it a goal to teach this law in such a way that all our investigators will pay a fast offering before baptism. It is a good way to see how faithful someone will be in the future to tithing and we are looking for those who will be faithful... or in other words CONVERTS.

 

General Conference was so great. However, the feel of this conference was different than that of any other. And not just because there were many talks in many languages. I feel as though our leaders are sad with how we members act.The 12 really focused on a few subjects... and all are found in Alma 5. The rival game of SJ and RV is a perfect example of why they would be sad with us. As I was reading of all that happened in St. Johns this last week I could not help but laugh at a few things and also feel sad. How sad it is that EVERY Apostle and Prophet of the Lord spoke on how we should be as members to others. We heard of charity and selflessness and sostaining your leaders. Those piss pore examples that were given at this years rival game by members of the TRUE church of Jesus Christ were to me utterly saddening. How can members of the church listen to the prophets talk so much about bullying, charity, kindness and love and than act in such a manner? I know my family and my friends and the members of my ward were not part of that and for that I am greatful, but I do want you to know that when we act like those select few acted we are not sustaining our leaders nor our Savior. I understand that we have a rival and I understand that sometimes we will lose our cool but there is no need for what happened. We really should think before we act and even better think before we speak. Let´s sustain our leaders by living in the manner in which they teach us.

 

No for the fun part. This week we went to the Suaña family´s house. We have been teaching them for a few weeks now and they are really started to progress. We have decided to take it slow with them becuase they are not married and focus on the Book of Mormon and prayer. We figured by doing so it would solve all of our problems for us... and so it did. The family has started to pray and read together as while as individually. To be honest they do it better than most ¨real Mormon families¨ that I know. In doing so they started to live the commandments on their own. For example this week we walked into their house and noticed that their ¨images¨ of Jesus Christ had been taken down from their wall and in its place was a huge copy of the famous painting of Jesus leaving the tomb. The room was litterally freed from a dark and dreary presence and is now a happy place to be. The parents also had set a goal to be married the 28th of February but now they have the goal to get married the first week of December. They are reading the Book of Mormon and praying every day and because of it the Spirit is teaching them all that they must do to truly repent and we are just showing them how they can do it. It is so awesome. Last night we taught them about fasting after it had been spoken about so many times in conference and next week they will be fasting as a family and giving their offering to make sure that it is a true fast. They are so great.

 

That was my week it was pretty fun. Oh, I forgot to tell you. This week we also went out with Hermana Archibald ( the president´s wife) to check mission apartments. While we were with her she asked me what I want to be when I grow up. I talked to her a little and than she told me that I should go into business and by a middle man. She has been so impressed with some of the negotiating I have had to do for her as a zone leader and she told me many times that I should really think about it. Who knows, maybe I will. While we were with here I also felt my shoulder get wet. I thought it was a pigeon right away because it happened to my comp last week and I died laughing ( I thought it was carma). However, I noticed that it was from no pigeon. I looked up and there were two people sitting in the window of a five story building. They had spit at us. I could not believe it. If any one knows my they know how much spit grosses my out. I would rather have a pigeon poop on me. Even though I was traumatized from the insident I was glad that it had landed on me and mot Hermana Archibald. Sometimes it is fun to be a missionary, but hey it is all in a days work.

 

P.S. I am going to try to take my president´s advice and be more like Joseph Smith. ¨The damn nicest man they´ve ever met.¨ Yes, he told me just that. I love interviews. Oh, and I am so excited that you are taking your temple classes! Happy late Birthday Mom and Spenser!... I did not forget, I just forgot to send a letter."

 

Words from Elder Bo Mullenaux in California

     "This week was great! We had a lot of fun and worked hard. Our mission is really focusing on finding families. Last week, as a zone, we found 7 families!! We are seeing so many miracles and i KNOW that it is because of obedience, hard work, faith, and hope in promised blessings! This week we are going to work even harder and hopefully find twice the number of families we found this week!! I know that this is the Lord's work. It IS hastening. If you are not on the Lord's train of missionary work, i invite you to find one good excuse why you aren't. Then realize it is probably a terrible excuse, and then get on the train! haha :) I hope you all have a great week! I love you!"

Words from Sister Brittany Platt in Colorado

"What a beautiful time of year to do missionary work! Here in Parker all the leaves are starting to change and the weather is gorgeous! I wish every day of the year looked like this!! It makes tracting and finding so much more fun!! But, I am excited for the winter. Apparently, it snows a lot here, but the sun always comes out and the snow doesn't stick for too long. It's going to be a wet winter, from what we've been told, but that just means that more people will let us into their homes because they'll feel bad for us!!! :) Yay for the Lord working miracles like that!

This last week has been busy but great! My companion and I try our hardest to make sure we're exactly obedient and that we're always busy. "A busy missionary is a happy missionary!" Oh how true that is! This last weekend we had Stake Conference and on Sunday it was broadcasted from Salt Lake. Elder Bednar and Elder Scott spoke and holy cow, talk about powerful! They basically chastised us, with eloquence mixed with boldness, and I felt the spirit so strongly. They told us that we, as members, are getting too caught up in the good things in life that they're taking over the best things. They said that we are too busy doing good things, like being involved in sports, projects, work, playing time, etc that F.H.E., scripture study, service, missionary work, church worship, etc are being ignored. They said that NOTHING should take precedence over those things and if they are, we need to sacrifice those things. It was amazing!! It got me thinking about what things, as a missionary, I do that take away from the best things and there are definitely things I need to sacrifice! I'm always a couple of minutes late to personal study, and laughable as that may be, it makes a noticeable difference in my day! We're always told as missionaries to be exactly obedient so that's something I'm working on. Also, I'm not very good at street contacting because I feel awkward and that's definitely something I'm working on overcoming!! It's amazing how, as a missionary, weaknesses you thought weren't that bad are manifested ten fold on your mission! But, it's also amazing how they humble you and turn you to the Lord.

So, the work here is still a bit slow with regards to finding people to teach, BUT our stake and ward are so incredible! The members are letting us teach them the stake missionary lessons and we're starting to see miracles! Several members have been inviting friends to church, church activities, and the movie Meet The Mormons and there are starting to be successes! We've got a huge Trunk-or-Treat party on Saturday and members have been inviting their entire neighborhoods to come! They're expecting over 100 non-members to be there!!! I'm absolutely ecstatic about it! Please pray that we'll be able to get at least one investigator! I know that the Lord will provide as long as we are faithful and obedient!

So, our investigator, Megan, said no to being baptized next month (mostly her husband is against it), but she did say she will be baptized one day and she wants us to keep meeting with her every week. She doesn't really read the Book of Mormon like she should so we're going to start reading with her and we have members coming to the lessons with us. We also offered to do an F.H.E. with her and her husband and she really liked that idea and said her husband would probably be up for that. So things are slowly progressing! 

We/I had a small miracle last night. We went over to a member's home (she's a single mom who's going through an awful divorce right now), and we met with her and her mother (who isn't Mormon). Her mother is very skeptical of Joseph Smith and right before we left, she challenged me as to why I thought he was a prophet. I bore testimony of him and of modern day prophets and the Book of Mormon and I was VERY bold!!! It was the first time I've really been that bold and the spirit was SO strong. She was speechless after I was done and was really sweet to us as we were leaving. They invited us back next Sunday so I'm hoping we'll be able to eventually teach her mother more. I'm so grateful the spirit spoke to her heart! And that the spirit spoke through me and helped me! It was just wonderful.

Something that I want to leave with all of you is, please print off and read "The Fourth Missionary" by Elder Coordbridge. It is one of the most incredible talks I've every read and it pertains to members just as much as it pertains to missionary. It truly is changing my life!! As members, please support your local missionaries! I know you already are, but if we don't have the full support of members it makes things very difficult! Being able to go to members homes and teach them and get to know them creates a bond of trust between us and we're uplifted and given courage to be better missionaries (members and missionaries alike). I love my ward here, because when we have a cancellation (especially at 8 pm), we can usually find a member who will let us in and let us teach them! It's such a blessing because we're not allowed to find or tract after 7. So, please continue to support and love your missionaries, especially the ones who are having a hard time! Missionaries are far from perfect and many of them are still so young and homesick. Members are such a blessing to us missionaries and I'm so grateful for all of you amazing members!!!!! I truly am so blessed to know so many great people and have such amazing examples in my life! Thank you for all you've done and continue to do for me and for those around you! I feel like the luckiest girl alive because I'm blessed with amazing friends, family, and acquaintances.

God bless you all (especially in your missionary efforts) and know that you are so loved by Heavenly Father and that He is constantly and continuously blessing you! Keep looking for those miracles every day and you will find them. Love to you all!"

Words from Elder Garrett Anderson in Brazil

     "First i want to apologize because i wasnt able to respons personally to everyone. Since it is transfers, our time on the computers is shorter than normal so ya, sorry.

     I am so excited for this last transfer. I am going to train a new missionary from São Paulo, Elder Lima, he will be fresh out of the MTC and he will get here tomorrow. I am so excited! I had decided this long before but i reaffirmed that this missionary and i will work so hard and he will be trained so well these six weeks that his potential will be enormous. To be honest i was a little discouraged with my last companion because it seemed like he was the one dying not me! I will work like a mad horse, i dont know if that makes sense in english but it does in Portuguese. 

     This Sunday in church, one of our super elect investigators bore his testimony and it was his first time in church. I was sure impressed because he was nervous about going to church thinking that someone would call on him to talk or something of the sort, so he was apprehensive to visit. It turns out that in the middle of fast and testimony meeting, he stood up and bore his testimony. He talked about how he would like to one day be a member and that he felt something different in his heart when he was there. I was so amazingly happy and relieved when he said that. (relieved because you always get a little nervous when a recent convert or an investigator goes up to the pulpit, never knowing what they are going to say.)

     This week in my studies, i studied a little bit about the nothingness of man. ( inspiring topic, i know.) In Moses we read about his talk with God, then the encounter with Satan. In 1:10 it reads, "And it came to pass that it was for the space of many hours before Moses did again receive his natural strength like unto man; and he said unto himself: Now, for this cause I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed." Then in Heleman 12:7  it reads, "O how great is the nothingness of the children of men; yea, even they are less than the dust of the earth." Heleman wasn't worried too much about hurting feelings here, he was telling it like it is. We always here that we are the best, that we have been reserved for the last days, and then we find scriptures that say we are nothing? Continuing in Heleman 12:8  it reads, "For behold, the dust of the earth moveth hither and thither, to the dividing asunder, at the command of our great and everlasting God." The dust ALWAYS obeys and sometimes we are rebelious. We are nothing, "without God." Without God, we are less than the dust of the earth. An explination is found in Moses 1:13 " And it came to pass that Moses looked upon Satan and said: Who art thou? For behold, I am a son of God, in the similitude of his Only Begotten; and where is thy glory, that I should worship thee?" We are children of our Heavenly Father, we are made his image, he is real and has a tangible body. We have the potential to become like him, but to become like him  and be where he is, we have to do what he would day or what he would WANT us to do. 

     I know sometimes it is discouraging. Even missionaries get discouraged and everybody thinks that we always have all the answers. I know the gospel is true. I have taught it for two years and learned about it for many more. This is the only path to eternal happiness and eternal life. I love you all."

Words from Elder Jared Anderson in Brazil

"Well the time sure is passing by really fast. We are coming up on another  transfer here in a week, which is crazy because it seems like i just got here yesterday. Church was great we had 63 people there so i was supere excited! And had a family we contacted on the road suprise us with a visit! 

We having been focusing much of our efforts with re-activation. I really love it, trying to help people find there testimonies again but it also comes with those who have apostasized and hardened there hearts against every truth with testify. It was especially sad seeing a family that had been active 30+ years in the church who had served in the stake presidency, young womens and all other positions you can imagine profess that they did not believe in God. This work comes with a price as we all must realize we must know the moments bitter and sad, so that we might recognize joyful and happy as we are taught in the Book of Mormon.  I am so grateful for these experiences and i love my mission! Love you all!" 

Words from Elder Kade Garner in Peru

"Happy Monday Family,

 

So, it sounds like everyone is doing so well. It is so crazy that almost all of my friends are home. I am the only one left... but hey, they always save the best for last... or so they tell me. 

 

This week was pretty good. On Monday we played volley ball with the district and we are going to do it again today. Next Monday we are going to carve pumpkins with the zone. Yes, we actually found pumpkins here in Peru. Happy Halloween... just so you know it is a very American tradition. 

 

On Tuesday we were going to look for an old investigator in Oquendo... yes part of my old area that is part of the area where I am currently at. Anyway, as we were walking I noticed an old couple sitting outside of their house together. At first glance, they came off as a ver crusty old couple, but I noticed that the lady watched us for a very long time until we got close to them. I decided that we should contact them. We asked them if they knew the family that we were looking for and then we started talking about other things. We got to the subject of religion and the husband invited us to share a message with them. They turned out to be so funny. They reminded me of Grandma and Grandpa Mesa with how they talked to eachother. We found out that they have been married for 48 years (that never happens in Peru!). We talked about the Book of Mormon but we did not have any to give away. The hermana Ventura asked us if we could come back another day to sell her one. We told her that we would love to go back another day to give her one for free and share our full message with them. They were so excited. We also found out that they have three kids that still live with them. We`ll see if this family turns out to be ¨una familia de oro.¨

 

We have our investigator German who is from Cusco and he is progressing very well. This week he went to church again and in the chapel he told me that he is very excited to be baptized. He said that he has been visiting churches (he goes a lot with his mom to the Catholic church) but says that this is the very first time that he has felt comfortable in one. You know what that is called? THE SPIRIT. His brother too wants to get baptized but we cannot baptize him because he is going to move back to Cusco in a few weeks where he has his wife with whom he is not married. Dang it. Anyway they really are to very great people and I am very excited to see how much they are progressing. We saw something sad though. Yesterday after the meetings they wanted to see the baptismal font. We went to look at it and on our way out you have to pass in front of the women`s bathroom. A member saw them and immediately was rude to them for going into the women`s restroom. I followed and not being a very good missionary I got after the man. I told him that they wanted to see the font and that if he had a problem with them he could talk to me about it. He was a member from the other ward and he just looked at the floor and walked away. It was bad on my part I know. However, we as members should be so careful with how we talk to those in the chapel whom we do not know. They did not have Sunday clothes on and so it was obvious that they were not members. We as members have to be as kind as we can to the investigators and visitors. Small things like that scare people away from the church. I was not about to let a member from the other ward talk down to my investigators. However, next time I will try to be a little more like Christ.

 

Oh funny story. We have a family we are teaching and after the lesson the seven year-old was telling me all about his girlfriends. I told him that he needed to have one in every class so that they do not know that he has so many and fight. His response to me was the greatest ever. He told me, ¨Yo tengo una novia en cada asiento de mi sala para que se peleen por su gordito.¨ He essentially told me that he has a girlfriend in every chair of his classroom so that they fight over their fat little man. He is so funny and really is so chunky but hey, at least he accepts it. 

 

Love you all and until next week. Hey I hear you all are basically counting down the days until I get home. I am not going to do that, but thanks for being so excited. Can I tell you all something? I am starting to get a little excited too."

 

Words from Elder Chandon Herring in Washington DC

"Why Hello family! how is life treating you? It is going great here in
DC. It is starting to get super cold! But it is only October so I am
probably going to die in January. I hope this next transfer I am moved
to a car area. I love this ward and this area but not enough to stay
for the winter! haha Just teasing I would be fine staying but I would
not be mad in a car. We are still not having any luck finding people
but we will keep going. We are going to be visiting a lot of members
this week to see if they will A.) Come to church. B.) invite a friend
or recommend one for us to teach. That is where we find success. It is
through members. So all of you reading this you need to find people to
share the gospel with. It is what makes us happy and it is what we
need to do as members.

I am going to baptize someone now! Annita who
was a Less active has a daughter who is 8. Annita is now active again
and progressing like no other and her daughter Annija now wants to be
baptized. They do not like missionaries to baptize members but she is
practically a convert and she said she asked me to because she is sure
everyone else will drop her. :) I am so pumped!

Tue... ok today was the day of epic failure. It all started with
lunch. I had purchased some meat from Walmart that was on sale. It was
27% fat... so... no good meat. I made it into several hamburgers. They
tasted super good but they crumbled and would not stay together. I was
able to convince E. Porter to give me one of his Idaho Potatoes sent
to him. I put that in the meat. It was divine. When I cooked them
though I have never seen so much grease come from anything in my life.
It was so gross! Then later we were at the church to prepare for
watching some GC with people who missed it. It took me two hours to
figure it out. And NO it was not because I am retarded it is because
we did not have the correct cable to connect the ROKU box to the
projector. so the main reason for the super long time was we had to
wait for Bro Linzou, 1st counselor of the Bishopric to bring the right
one. So we had good family history time and FB time. Annita came and
she loved it. You could tell it was a lot for her to take in but she
needed it. We also had a great FHE. Mostly because of the brownies and
ice cream after. :)

Wed...Wet Wednesday... Today i saw the most wet stuff fall from the
sky than i have ever seen before! I think it is called rain. I sent a
video of that day. It was so much water!! WOW! We were out contacting
and knocking doors when it happened. We first off were not having any
luck and people were kind of mad that we even said hi to them, so
weird. But it started pouring. it came on fast too.  I unlocked my bike
as it was starting to sprinkle then before I had gone 20 yards on my
bike I could not get even more wet. I was soaked. I could not see
anything! The rain was so thick! That video I sent is as it was
calming down about 4 hours after we were in it. We were closer to the
church so we went there. We also got a call from the AP's saying that
the entire mission needs to go indoors. It was that bad. Also there
was a tornado warning so that might be the true reason but it was
canceled before the call out by the AP's. We had a good ward
coordination that night after we were nice and dry inside. We had a
divine enchilada dinner too!  I love Mexican food any way i can get it!
No one that we needed to see came to Bible Study so we went contacting
and I met a super cool guy named Grant. He played Football at Iowa and
his wife is looking for a new church. We can help with that! We are
going to try to meet with him and his wife. He is so cool!

Thurs... District Meeting and Weekly planning. E. Humphrey who is our
DL is awesome! He did a workshop where we read Alma 26 and talked
about it. YOU ALL NEED TO READ THAT CHAPTER!!!!! Well the whole book
of Mormon but that chapter is good to! He has an amazing testimony and
the biggest heart ever! I love him and our district so much! We had
planning and then went out after to check on some referrals. We had a
super cool.... fake address. again. But we talked to people over there
because we were supposed to be there. I started the Cafe Rio chicken
today to. IT IS AMAZING!!! Thank you so much mom for that! It was
sooooo goood!!!! We were able to see sis Bonner that night and talk to
her. She needed to talk and we love listening so it was good. It was
so funny she says she is super shy but I have met few people who talk
as much as she does. :)

Fri... Today we were able to see Bro Belemu. He is a great guy who
always has a few friends sitting outside with him. It is fun. Then we
saw Bessie. She is the Baptist minister. She has been sick and we gave
her a blessing. She is so cool and we are going to try to get her to
come to our church one of these sundays she wants to and her kids do
but she has obligations at her other church. But she is trying. We
love her. We also got to see Sis Luna and get juice. :) I love that.
We are going to for sure visit her when we come visit in a few years.
She told me I have to. :) At night we had the Young Single Adults
building grand opening. It is the old chapel by Columbia Heights that
has been empty for years. It is now going to have a lot of super cool
stuff in it to help local YSA people of all Faiths. good turn out to.

Sat... We were at the zoo all day! We did a finding activity out
front. We met some cool people and some not so nice ones here. I loved
what this one man said to me. He was telling me he was Muslim but not
like any others. He considers himself to be a reborn Muslim. He said
that if I asked him 15 years ago if he believed in God he would say
yes. He then said,  "ask me now" so I asked if he believed in God and
he said, "NO! I do not believe in God... I Know there is a God." I
loved the whole conversation with him as he bore powerful witness of
his experience with God. It just continued to remind me that there are
really good people everywhere! I love DC! We also had a chance to see
Sis Galloway. She is doing well. Her grandkids are going through a lot
of struggles but she is doing her best to love and help them. She is
so cool! We taught Family History.

Sun... Best day of the week! We had a super good sacrament meeting
with a transplant couple giving a talk before they returned for their
home ward. They talked about how bad things happen to good people and
that we need to rely on Christ to get through it, understand it, and
grow from it. It was great. Then Umu who is a recent convert from I
think June this year gave her first lesson. She taught on Charity. Umu
is so amazing! you would love her testimony. Then A lesson on prayer
in priesthood. We need to take time to plan out prayer. Think of who
and what we need to pray for before. Prepare for it. YOU ARE TALKING
TO GOD!! Then we had our first dinner appointment. The ward mission
leader Bro Wade feeds the missionaries once a year or so. We went to
his home and I helped prepare and make a lot of the food. His wife is
so cool! great cook, kind, and so genuine. They are such a cool
family. We had lasagna and it was divine! We loved talking in a non
formal setting and it was great. We then went to the Walker families
Bday party for their 1yr old named Suki. She is so Cute! They are also
great cooks. We were only able to stay for a short while because of
Why I Believe but we got to see them do the Piñata and man there were
a lot of members that I love there so it was great. YOU WOULD LOVE
THESE PEOPLE! We were super disappointed for Why I Believe though. We
had 4-8 people who could come and only got two darn. They were members
who were going anyway not a single less active or investigator. It was
such a perfect night for them to come to! We had Bro/Sis Castro who
were both former Pastors of about 10-15 years each. They went to
school and everything they are fairly young still but they were
converted about a year ago. They were incredible and they spoke like
pastors but with true doctrine! It was so funny Sis Castro in her talk
said that when she was still a pastor and while investigating the
church she began to quote apostles in her sermons :) HAHAHAHHAHAHAHHA
It was so funny!! she said people would come up and comment much more
on her incredible sermon and she would be thinking, " I know right?!"
It was great. I am going to try to get a copy of the event to you
guys. If I get a terabyte for my bday i might be able to get this one
and Dennis Pita's next month and all the other super cool videos and
events that I see all the time that you dont get to!

Mon... Today we had a zone activity early. We did sunrise pictures at
the Mall and had a great breakfast followed by an amazing race. The
mall in 2 miles long and the ZL had taken pictures and assigned
challenges to weird places and monuments that we had to find and do to
win. Our group came in a close second. Technical errors caused our
defeat. Then I was able to go on an exchange with E. Jensen and lift
it was so nice being able to lift again! We then played chess at there
apartment and talked. It was super nice.

So that is my life. I am sorry for the long letter. I just like to
share life here. It is so good and fun. I love you all and thank you
for your support. I have one suggestion. You should for your next
letter make a video of you talking so I can see your face and hear
your voice. It would be cool :) LOVE YOU ALL!!!
PS I hope you get better Sister Crosby! I am sorry to hear about that
and I hope that all goes well. i love you! You are tougher than an old
truck! ;)"

Words from Elder Garrett Hollembeak in West Virginia

"It has been a great week in West Virginia, the leaves have mostly
changed and its gotten down into the thirties this past week. It is
transfers week again so today is our P-Day. Elder Mackelprang will be
going to a different zone and I'll be staying here in Charleston with
a new companion Elder Degooyer. Eventually I think they'll send me a
companion with a normal last name. We taught a family this week for
the third time. The guys name is Greg and we're teaching him, his wife
Donna, and their grandson Drake. The first time we went over we taught
some of the Restoration and the second time we saw him we cleaning out
his gutters. He recently moved into his new house and that's been on
the forefront of his mind so we're trying to make it so he can come to
church and not have to worry about the house. The next time we taught
him we read 3 Nephi 11 with his family and they all really liked it.
The coolest part of the lesson was when at the end Greg asked Drake
how he felt as he read from the scriptures. Drake said that it felt
different, and he didn't know how to explain it, but that it was good.
Greg told him that that feeling was God getting you to keep doing
something good. It was great to see him feel and recognize the Spirit.
At the mission office they have an engraving machine so we put each of
their names on a copy of the Book of Mormon, it was a good way to
motivate them to read because it isn't just something the missionaries
tell you to do, its got your name on and its your Book of Mormon. On
Monday we went with Brother Foote and taught them again about the
apostasy and the restoration. Brother Foote knew Greg previously so it
worked really well to have him bear his testimony of knowing that
Joseph Smith is a prophet. We also went up up to Boone County this
week to follow up with a couple of our potential investigators. The
whole county doesn't have a single member that we know of living
there, and missionaries haven't worked very much up there so we're
hoping to start a Boone Branch. It is super rural and you hear a lot
of stories about crazy things happening there. The great thing of it
is the people are prepared. We knocked on maybe a dozen doors and
placed five copies of the Book of Mormon with return appointments.
There's a scripture in Alma that talks about angels coming down from
the heavens to teach the gospel from the very beginning. We don't
always see those angels or recognize them for who they are but you can
tell when people have been looking for the truth. We also taught a
really neat guy named Ernie. He's from Florida and currently is
homeless but he loves the Book of Mormon. He left home when he was
eighteen and is twenty two now and just goes from place to place. We
normally teach him at a day shelter or under the bridge where he stays
when the weather is nice. We are confident that the more he learns and
accepts truth, the more his life is going to improve in all aspects.
It was a really great week and we were able to get things prepared for
this next transfer in our zone. We are removing all of the programs
and fluff and extracurricular stuff that seems to pile up in the
mission field and inviting our missionaries to become converted to
Jesus Christ through the scriptures and Preach My Gospel in a way that
will move them to find, teach, and baptize regardless of how cold it
is, or who their companion is, or how much they have to tract. It's
been really great to have that inward reflection and ask "How
converted am I" I think Alma Chapter 5 is a great test for that
standard of conversion. The work is going really well here. I'm
excited and happy for the opportunities and challenges up ahead. I
love you guys and hope you are safe and happy. I love you."

Words from Elder Eli Frazier in Peru

"Hey everybody!! Had a great week! And i have my baptism this week! We have two kids that we are baptizing and also we are rescuing their parents this week. i will be baptizing Luis who has 13 years and my comp will baptized Yulitza who has 10 years. Im so excited!! Luis is mute and deaf so it was difficult teaching him with pictures and hand motions and videos and through his parents. but we did and now he is getting baptized!

Also on a side note the mail system is finally working hahahah.

Besides this just lots of work work work! Hope you all have a fun Haloween:) Love you all!"

Words from Elder Garrett Davis in Thailand

"and another one bites the dust:)

 well this week was a good week a little slow but its all good:) this week i had the chance to switch off with the zone leaders and the companion i got is a khon thai so as you can imagine i feel like my thai really picked up but there was also a lot of quiet silences:) i only know so much thai:) the we have one investigator who is pretty solid i believe i am going to have the opportunity to baptize here this week in a river which is going to be sweet:) i am excited we invited a lot and i did get a few numbers i think we will get a few more investigators this week:) so we were biking to get mail this week and on the way there i decided to turn the corner to sharp or something and well i crashed again haha i guess my petal caught something and i fell off my bike and roll onto my back humbled of course because the people watching:) yeah i guess you gotta learn to laugh sometimes:) and happier news we did get more free bananas:) but one thing i have learned this week is missions are different they are exciting but difficult but when it comes down to it its all on you. its all on you if your going to learn the language or not or simply get someones number:) 

I love you guys" 

Words from Sister Brittany Platt in Colorado

"Hello everyone!!

Hope you're all doing well. Thank you so much for your e-mails! Sorry I'm not good at responding to all of them. I wish I had more time for e-mail! But I'm truly grateful for all of you and all of the news and encouragement from home. It helps so much!

So we've had a busy, crazy week! We had exchanges on Monday night to Teusday night and it was wonderful! The Sister Training Leader that I went with is Sister Hunter and she is from Holden, UT right where I grew up! I knew her family! So cool and such a small world. We had a day filled with miracles. We taught so many people and we got two potential investigators that are really promising! One lady, she went to Columbine highschool and was there during the shootings. She had such a sweet spirit about her and I could tell she is just ready for the gospel! Sister Hunter is such an amazing missionary and I felt the spirit so strongly that whole day. Probably one of the highlights of my mission! 

We met with our investigator, Megan, on Wednesday and had a member with us. It was an amazing lesson! We read from the BOM and the member bore her testimony. The spirit was so strong! We went back to Megan's house on Friday and did service for her and I could tell she was really touched! She told us she will join someday. She's progressing very slowly, but she is progressing and I am so excited for the day she and her family are sealed in the temple. That is the whole point of missionary work! To have families be sealed for eternity!

Some other cool things that happened this week is our ward had their Trunk or Treat party and there were several non-members there! We met a lot of them and two of the families we met we offered service too and they are planning on having us come over in the next week or two! It was a wonderful time and I absolutley love this ward!

Yesterday Sister Courtney and I sang in our ward and also taught Young Womens. It was amazing and the spirit was so strong all day. We also participated in a youth missionary activity. All of the young men and young women were assigned companions and called on missions. They went to assigned members' homes to eat dinner and teach lesson one. I went on splits with a laurel from the ward and we had an amazing time! She bore powerful testimony to the family we ate dinner with and taught and I could tell the spirit was there! It was such a cool activitiy for the youth and for us.

Last night, Sister Courntey and I taught a member who is struggling with smoking. We're starting the Stop Smoking Program with her and she's so excited about it!! She is an amazing woman and the spirit was so strong as we taught her last night.

Well, those are all the miracles this week! I love missionary work and I love it here in Parker! Something I'm really excited about is I just got called to be on a committee for our mission. I'm not sure exactly what that entails yet, our first meeting and training is on Teusday, but my mission president is really excited about it and I can't wait to start! 

Thank you for your prayers and all you do for me! Please continue to support your local missionaries and don't be afraid to do missionary work! Satan wants us to be fearful so don't let him win! Every time you feel fearful about missionary work, remember it's Satan and thank him for reminding you to be a better missionary! I know that sounds weird, but it helps me a lot!

Well, God bless all of you and I love you!"