June 30, 2014

Hey!

That is crazy that Cara is old enough to serve a mission... Wow! I wish her luck, missions are the best!

So did Stephan tell you our potential plan? He wants me to room with him when I get home. I think it would be fun! He wants to room until he gets married in April. What do you think about that?

Well, we had a day full of finding people to teach and then the next day we had people swearing at us and telling us to get off their porch. haha. Those are always fun!! Some people are crazy. So funny story, we were knocking on this one door and this guy comes around the corner and just starts talking about all sorts of crazy stuff. He was a white guy and he kept mentioning how he believed in a black Jesus, and that the Pope is trying to take over the world. We even told him that we don't follow the Pope, but he wouldn't believe it. haha. He was nuts! After he talked to us for about 5 minutes he said, "sorry, I suffer from anxiety and schizophrenia." And let's be honest, it was some weird crap! I just remember looking at my companion and thinking what in the world?... We probably won't go back there for a while.

Anyway, this week is going to be great. We are driving down to Des Moines tonight for our meeting in Iowa City tomorrow and then we are going on exchanges on Wednesday with a companionship that is really struggling in our zone. So it should be exciting! And I guess we have our Zone Training Meeting this Saturday too. So ya, lots to do!

The weather here has been crazy lately. It just got done raining quarter size hail! Hopefully our car isn't damaged..... We shall see!

Well, I love you! Have a great week!!

Love, Elder Elder

 

p.s. here is my address.

928 3rd Ave N

Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501

11 weeks left! (added by sister, he's not really counting down haha)

Yeah, I should be a photographer! Best sunset ever!

The other day this old church burnt down. It was crazy!

June 23, 2014

Hey!! 

Well, The Bestenlehners ruined the surprise of where I am.. haha. So I am now in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Yeah, we went out to eat with the Jensens on Saturday night. It was awesome. They are super sweet. And when I told Brother Jensen that I knew the Bestenlehners he went nuts. haha. I agree with them though, the ward is great! I will serve here until I leave. So they actually put me with an Elder who is older than me. He goes home this transfer and then I follow him the next one. Fort Dodge has been struggling for quite some time so they put two old missionaries here to try and get thing up and going. So no pressure right? We really don't have a lot to do, so we are out finding a lot. I am excited though, it will be fun. We are both still Zone Leaders, and the Zone really isn't doing that well either. We have our work cut out for us here. I just hope that 3 months is enough time to make a big difference here. I would like to leave it way better than it is now. It is never fun to leave an area worse than when you found it. We hope to find a lot of interested investigators soon and get some baptisms in this short time. My companion only has 5 1/2 weeks left and I have 11 1/2, so we are pressed for time. And that also means that I will be getting another new companion in August... But that is just what it is, it has been fun to work with so many great Elders.

So my companion is Elder Bagshaw. He is great. He has been out for 1 transfer ( 6 weeks) longer than me. So he goes home this transfer and like I said, I follow right behind him. He is from Utah, somewhere north of Bountiful. He went to Vewmont High school. Isn't that where dad went? And his Dad is a pilot, so that is cool.

Well, I love you!! I will have to fill you in on some more details from Fort Dodge next week when I have more than just a few days in the ward!

Love, 

Elder Elder

This is the Borbor family!! They are so cool! I am going to
miss them. They were in Cedar Rapids.

Me, James Martin and Elder Bagshaw. James was a mini missionary
that came out with us the past few days. He came and knocked on
doors with us and taught with us. It was a lot of fun.

The West family

June 16, 2014

Hey, 

I have a few questions to start off this email so I don't forget.

Well, this isn't really a question, but I got sick and it was almost pneumonia... It was terrible, so I had to go to the doctor and I believe the insurance covered it all, but I did have to buy medicine. So I am not sure if I have enough in the account now to buy those shirts for you all. Sorry to be a burden with that.. Hopefully I get feeling better with this medicine that they prescribed me.

Well, this week was great!! Ashton's baptism went great! Everything as according to plan. Unfortunately I am getting transferred on Thursday! Probably to my last area. I am sad because we have so many people who are really progressing well!! Do you remember Jay? Well, his son Coby is getting baptized in July and I sure hope I can make it back to witness it! That is always the lame thing about leaving. You leave all of the friends you make. But, I am excited to see what my new area has to offer.

Tell Erin congrats on the Silver!

Well, I love you. Share my love with the family!

Elder Elder

Ashton's baptism

June 2, 2014

Hey!!

So who else went with you all to Lake Powell? I am concerned that Brad isn't going to come with us in September because of school. Did he say anything about it? And that stinks about the prop!! So will there be more or less water in September? If it is already low, then in a few months it is going to be super low!

That is sad that Ella is home now. So I was curious to ask. Did she ever show interest in the church?

What and where is Hibbett Sport? I havn't heard of that place. I'm sure she will have a great time. So I have a question about work! Where can I work for a couple months when I get back before I head out to Orem to start school? I need something that will keep me busy and out of trouble right? haha.

Time sure is flying by though! 3 months and 10 days.. Not like I am counting down or anything! haha. I sure do love it out here and am going to be sad to leave it all. But I do miss home, so that is a positive thought!

So we had a cool experience this week that I wanted to share with you and the family. So as we were visiting this member family in this apartment complex, apparently there was a lady across the street in a different apartment that saw us and was prompted to speak to us. But she didn't. Anyway, after our lesson with the members we were heading back to our car and thought that we would try a potential investigator who happened to live in the same apartment complex as that lady I mentioned above. We tried Scott, the potential, but he wasn't home. So we decided to head out. But as we passed her door she stopped us and asked us if we were Jehovah Witnesses. We of course said no. She smiled at this and continued to talk to us. Well to make a long story short, two days later she and her boyfriend came to church and really enjoyed their time there and committed to come again next week! They are very prepared! We have an appointment with them on Wednesday to start teaching them the missionary discussions! We of course are excited for them! We will see what this week brings!

Well, I love you all!! And hope all is well at home! Go out and do something great! And always remember that the church is true!!!

Love, Elder Elder

p.s. You need to read this book, "The Power of the Everyday Missionaries" by Clayton Christenson. It is incredible. 

May 12, 2014

Hi,

Yes, it was so great to talk to you guys! It always goes by so fast! But at least I don't have to wait until Christmas to talk to you all again. Come September we can do more than just talk, I will be able to give you a big ole hug!

So speaking of that, I sent Dad a copy of the paper that we were supposed to send you guys. And I will talk with the mission office today and ask them what they think about landing in Vernal? I of course don't really have any preference, just as long as I get home. haha. I will let you know next week what they say. And if you find out any info, you will have to let me know too.

I will start looking for some cool Iowa shirts! And I just wanted to check, Andrew wanted a small right? I feel like he would out grow it in a hurry? let me know.

So Elder Ellsworth.. Well, I have only been with him for half a month, so I don't know him too well yet. Except that he is a super hard worker! He loves the work and loves tracting! So it is going to be a great time serving with him. He is from Boise, Idaho and went to BYU for a year. He is super smart too. I think he skipped the 10th grade and he has never gotten anything less than an A in his life. He has an academic scholarship to BYU. He can play just about any song you tell him to on his vila. So needless to say, he is very smart and talented. Well, that is really all. He is great and it's gonna be fun!!

 

Well, I love you I will talk to you next week!

Love

Elder Elder

May 5, 2014

Hey,

I love the Leaders of this church. They are so inspired and knowledgeable. This Church is definitely led by God!

Well, transfers are Thursday. Elder Porter is getting transferred. After a little over 4 months. I am getting a new Zone Leader to train. It is going to fun. I just hope that he likes sports as much as Elder Porter, because let's be honest, I need to get into shape for Lake Powell... haha. 

I did get the Easter gift! Definitely already went to Red Robin! haha. Thanks so much! I love you. And that is the only package so far that I have sent. I am going to send another one today with some clothes in it and a couple books.

So Sunday, I will call in the morning sometime to set up what time we should Skype. Our church here gets out at 12, so it would only be 11 in Utah. So I will probably wait until church gets out for you so maybe like 1:30? It would be 2:30 here. Think about it and we will finalize the details Sunday! I can't wait.

Love you!! Have a great day! See you Sunday.
Love, Elder Elder 

This is our district!

Kesha! She is a cutie. She is Zach's daughter.

The Burns Family

This is Ben. He is a great guy. Leaving for a mission sometime soon.

April 28, 2014

Hey!

Wow, it sure sounds like your week was crazy! I always love the busy weeks. It makes me think that I actually did something. haha. Luckily all of my areas have been pretty busy, so I guess I did do something? haha.

So the baptism went very well! Jay was baptized. And the coolest part is his 12 year old son also wants to be baptized too! So we are going to start teaching him soon. 

So you asked about our other investigators. Well, we have quite a few, but sadly not too many are progressing. We have Jay's son and a 10 year old less active member's son, Ashton, and they are our most solid investigators. This week we are going to consider dropping some of the others. They just aren't prepared right now so we are going to give them some time!

So I invited Taren to come to Lake Powell with us! I hope this is alright. So you should talk to him about it and fill him in on the details since I don't really know too many details. ha

So did you get my packages I sent home? I sent some of my books and winter stuff. I have some more I need to send, but I might wait a little bit. No rush to send it I guess.

Well, I Love you! Next week is our last email until I get to Skype! Booya!!

Love, Elder Elder!

Jay's baptism

April 21, 2014

Hello! Happy Easter to you as well!

So first off, some questions: When is Cameron and Andrew's birthday? It is July 16th? For some reason I always forget theirs? haha 

So when I first read your second paragraph I got really upset! Haha, because you are right, Lake Powell is not the same with out wave runners! Just tell Dad to not get Polaris again. haha, because let's be honest, we have had a lot of problems with ours... That will be pretty cool to have new ones to use there though! 

So any more news on who is coming? I can't wait!!!! I saw a boat the other day and my companion sure got it from me for the rest of our car ride! haha. When I see boats I almost instantly start talking about Lake Powell! Not in a bad, distracted way though! haha. I want you to know I am focused out here! I know why I am here and plan on serving with all my heart for the rest of my mission! So you don't have to worry about me getting too homesick and not having my thoughts in the work out here in Iowa!

So we will be having another baptism this weekend! We sure have been seeing a lot of fruit here in Cedar Rapdis! This will make it 7 baptisms for our zone this month! It is incredible to see the Lord hasten his work. Sadly though one of our investigators got into some Anti-Mormon stuff on the internet! She hasn't talked to us since, which is sad because she was pretty excited about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon. Hopefully the spirit keeps working on her and she allows us to come back. All the Anti stuff does is put doubts into people's minds and we know that faith cannot exist where there is doubt and fear!

Well, I love you! Have a great week too!

Love Elder Elder

Ok, well I never knew this, but bed bugs are actually real! So that saying, “goodnight, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bug bite” has meaning to it! That is a picture of a squished one! They are nasty little bugs! Luckily though I haven’t been bitten yet, buy my comp gets bit every time he sleeps in his bed. So hopefully this week we will get it fumigated. It is expensive though! Like $1000 that the mission is paying for!

April 14, 2014

Hey!
The baptisms went awesome!! Zach and Deondre were baptized! Our mission president was able to come as well! And right after the baptism another one of our investigators came to the church and was interviewed for baptism, and will be baptized on the 26th of this month! It is so cool to see the fruit of our labor here in Cedar Rapids.

Last night we were even blessed to find a new investigator to teach. Her name is Rose! She is great. She has turned her life around and is searching for truth. Good thing we know where to find truth! We are going back there tonight and are going to invite her to a baptism date. Hopefully she accepts it and starts progressing towards it. I tell you what, it is so much fun teaching people this gospel! There are so many people out in the world who are so prepared for what we have to share with them. And when you find those that are prepared, they just eat up what we have to teach them.

Stake Conference was incredible. Elder Craig A. Cardon of the Seventy came and spoke to us all. We learned a lot about the gospel!

Well, on a different note... So this youth had the coolest rubix cube I have ever seen! It is called the Ghost Cube. It is all one solid color and is way different. Ya!!! So like if you ever wanted to send me something.... hahaha!!!

 We get to talk soon! And Mother's Day is the day before my 20 month mark! Crazy right??

Have a great week!

Elder Elder

Beautiful Iowa sunsets!

Zach's baptism

The Mecks were at stake conference.

March 31, 2014

Our new truck! A Nissan Frontier!

March 24, 2014

Our truck!

Someone ran into our truck when it was parked on the street.
At least we get a brand new truck now!

March 9, 2014

Hey!!

That is crazy that Jared is home now! Everyone I know is returning home! It's crazy. That is awesome that you are going to Jordan's homecoming. He will love to have you there. Man I sure miss all my great friends! But hey, isn't it great that all of my really good friends served the Lord for 2 years? I think it is incredible.

So to answer your question, I will be flying in on September, Friday the 12th sometime in the afternoon I suppose. At least that is when the transfer date is. So I could give my homecoming talk on the 14th. If this changes I will of course tell you! But that is pretty solid that I will be home the 12th. I don't anticipate anything changing.

I can't think of anybody else to invite to Lake Powell! Wow, I just thought that the Kellers would be a blast to have there! I did hear that they are moving to Arizona! So he was an administrator at the hospital in Clinton, but he lost that job and now is looking into something else, but I can't remember!?? I am going to send them an email right now though to say hi. I do think that Jordan wants to come to Powell too.

I love that puzzle book! It is fun! I try and do it everyday for fun!
I definitely think that that was a very inspired thought that you had to have family home evenings every Monday night! Isn't great how the Lord has given us so many tools to be happy? We as his imperfect children slack on using them all to their fullness. I know that as you do that, the family will be so greatly blessed! I will start sending home stuff next week I think. I don't know if there really is too much stuff, but it is getting warm so I might as well send them. I will send some books and other stuff that I have collected that I wanted to take home too. 

So this week Zach was able to overcome his word of wisdom problem and has committed to be baptized with his son on March 22nd!! It is so exciting! He is such an amazing guy!

Well, I love you! Have a great week!

Love, Elder Elder

Look at my great wall decorations!

This is Sister Fernandez and Me! She is incredible!

This crazy squirrel climbs on our roof every day!

March 3, 2014

This less active member we are working with is taking a cake
decorating class and guess who she gives the cake to...
YUMMY!!!

We all went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner after a meeting in
Iowa City!!

March 17, 2014

Hey!

So we should be having a baptism this Saturday. Zach and his son Deondre. It is going to be so much fun! I love going to baptisms, the spirit is so strong at them. Especially at convert baptisms! And transfers are next week! Hopefully Elder Porter and I stay together again! I won't be leaving, but he could.... :(

Last night we went to a less active members home and started teaching her boyfriend! He is a really great guy, we are excited to start teaching him! And the member has a couple kids that havn't been baptized either so we have our work cut out for us there! The Lord sure does guide us to those of his children that are ready to be baptized! I love this work mom!

Well, Not much else to say! I love you! Hey, only like 2 months until mothers day!!!!
Love, Elder Elder

On exchanges with Elder Smith. See, I can grow facial hair!

Just studying on St. Patty's Day!

Our zone. They are amazing!