Monday, November 28, 2016

Too much here to work in a witty title...for the second video, I have no words.

Are they giving us the stink eye?
Well...this week was amazing.

We had 3 thanksgiving meals so that's great haha.  We went over to a few members homes for dinners and Chikeda is gonna make us pie cause she's awesome and we're gonna dunk her.  Elder Edwards and I have made it our goal to baptize her this transfer because we've put in too much work.  We have a date set with her for December 10th so we're gonna work with her to get her to stop smoking and then SPLASH!

We had a turkey bowl on thanksgiving and it was great!  I dislocated my jaw and popped it back in after catching a ball and immediately being hit by another elder who is a state champ wrestler haha.  But I caught it and got a first down so it was worth it!  We found a cat too!  I'll send videos and pics!  She's the Celestial kitty.  Mom don't freak out, it's a nice cat and didn't hurt anyone!  It cuddled with us!

Because the kitty makes them look tough...
This week we were able to reactivate a less active and teach a lot of new people.  We found a few less actives and started working with them and they just need rides and stuff so we're gonna figure out stuff for them.

Oh, both elder Edwards and I had an experience that was fun.  So we went to check on this guy who is inactive and we knew it was gonna be fun from the instant he looked through the window.  He saw us, rolled his eyes, opened the door and very dully said "alright come on in" hahahahaha.  It gets better.  We start talking to him about how he was doing and all the "get to know you" introductions.  We asked why he hasn't come to church and this dude tells us he wants to remove his records!  He doesn't agree wit a lot of things the church does.  He's VERY liberal and "very into equal rights" so I guess you already know what he has a problem with...there's 3 things he HATES about the church...1.  The churches stance on gay marriage.  2.  Women can't hold the priesthood.  3.  We don't allow alcohol...so he said until we allow all those he won't come back...we politely told him ok and gave him the details on how to remove membership and that the church will go on with the work and stick to its guns because all of those were commandments from god (all found in the Bible too).  He likes the missionaries but doesn't want to have anything to do with the church.  So that was fun haha.

Ah...a Christmas card moment!

No idea...
The reactivation is actually a funny story too.  We got done with an appointment and elder Edwards wanted ice cream so we flipped into a McDonald's and ended up getting hot coco cause it's colder than balls out here now.  We pulled up to pay and I looked at the kid at the window and asked Elder Edwards if he was Dakarius.  Before we ask, Dakarius looks at us and goes "are y'all Mormons?  I'm a Mormon!"  Hahaha.  We went and saw him the next day and we've gotten him also friends with an RM and he's gonna take him to the singles ward!

I have an idea, but make it go away!
Do y'all remember that family that got into an argument?  The one where the less active's wife was super baptist and so was the daughters husband?  Well we saw them again a couple days ago...get this.  The husband, 5 days after rejecting us and our message...died.  The dude fetching just up and died they said.  And 2 days after that, the wife (super baptist) got super sick with bad pneumonia and was even pronounced dead at one point!  After that ordeal, the wife, Joan, stopped smoking and wants to keep meeting with us!  We saw her yesterday and she was so sick that she couldn't talk or move and so Henry (the member) asked us to give her a blessing.  We did and within 5 freaking minutes she was talking with us and getting up and laughing!  It was amazing!  We're gonna try our hardest to baptize them!  We can't wait!  They got so excited over the plan of salvation and eternal families and temples!  It's amazing seeing the light and spirit flick on in a persons eyes!  Tony is getting baptized this week!
Walmart famous...
We've had so many miracles this week.  We even had a member call and ask if we wanted a pumpkin pie on Saturday haha.  The members are starting to love us!  Life is a complete 180 from what it was like a few weeks ago!!  God is spoiling us!  We've only heard 3 gunshots this week too!  So violence is down!!  I love the mission so much!  I can't wait to talk to you guys on Christmas!  We've been jamming holiday music and houses are decorating and it's amazing!!  Of course it gets me trunky and homesick but I'll get over it haha.  The cold weather is definitely a reminder of Utah though!  And flagstaff!  And congrats Kaeden on the baby being a boy!  Be prepared because that little bugger is gonna be my little minion!  Also I'm gonna use him to attract the daughters of Zion when I'm home ;) haha I hope you guys had fun on thanksgiving!  How was it?  It was peaceful right?  No contention or fighting between anyone?  Haha!  Have a great week y'all!!




Kings Do King Things

King Ad-Rock, King of all Kings






Monday, November 21, 2016

Food glorious food...because that is what missionaries like...oh and spiritual experiences!

This week was full of testimony builders.  I can't go into detail, but I will tell you that I know for sure, without a doubt, that this church is fetching true...it's true and God answers your prayers!
Mine were answered through another's experience, that other persons answer was a direct answer from another's prayer.  It's so freaking insane how much God loves all of his children.  It's crazy to see that he loves me so much, even though I've purposely gone against him so much and hurt him so much.  Just to even think about how much pain I made his Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior go through.  It makes me think...how much blood of his was from me?  Which drops of blood were from me?

He suffered so much for us, and we take it for granted so much...I will never see this the same way again.  I've seen his work and love this week.  It's saved a life and saved a mission for 2 people.  The spirit was so strong with us and so many tender mercies happened that confirmed to me that God is looking out for me and that God is showing me I'm doing what's right.  This week, we had a couple cool experiences with members.  I think it was Tuesday, Sister Babcock (super sweet member who sings so good) called us and said "hey guys! So I just ordered a pizza, and it was too big for me to eat!  Do you guys want it?"  And she drove to us and gave us a whole, 3 meat pizza from Sam's club!  That's not even the best part, IT WAS STILL HOT!!

Then yesterday, we got fed by a member (who's actually from Thatcher, AZ which is in Elder Barron's old ward) and after dinner, they asked if we needed anything and we of course said no but do you need anything?  And they get up and ask if we need food or toiletries and we said no we think we will be fine!  Then they say, nope you're going shopping, here's some stuff!  And they pack us a box full of cereal (Cookie Crisp 😍 and golden grams), pop tarts, laundry detergent, soap, spaghetti noodles and sauces, tuna, 2 12 packs of Charmin ultra strong toilet paper, a 10 pack of bounty paper towels, a suit for elder Edwards, toothbrushes, peanut butter when we help them pack up and moved (in December 😢), a trench coat, cup of noodles, a bunch of oatmeal (brown sugar and maple and apple cinnamon), a big bag of herbal tea and since he's in he army, he gets free sunglasses and he gave us all a pair (they're like shooting range glasses, but indestructible and worth $200).  We've been so blessed this week.  Not to mention we've fallen into some cool people!

We brought a bible to this one lady named Kristy and she invited us in.  We talked for a bit and she called in her sisters to come listen.  Let me tell you, I've never smelled beer so strongly in my life than when this lady comes and sits down by us.  We talked a bit and she was so stuck on that there's no such thing as one true church and she tried to bash when she was drunk at 12 noon on a Thursday...so that tells you how much she needs Jesus haha.  But Kristy was so into the temple and plan of salvation because her daughter was killed last year in a car crash right after she graduated high school.  It's so sad.  But she wants to be married in the temple (she's never been married) and she had us download pics of the temple on her phone and she has a date for December 3rd!

We have a bunch of other dates with a lot of people but it doesn't matter the number.  Chikeda, Tony and Kristy are our top investigators right now.  I have a strong feeling Elder Edwards and I are going to baptize this transfer (yup...I'm in Memphis with Elder Edwards).  Elder Thornton was transferred to Olive Branch (the other elder area in our district).  He's replacing elder parks!:(. Elder Parks and I got along so well.  He became such a great friend and he lives in logan and went to Mountain Crest!  He is going to Jackson, AR.

So how was cedar?  Did you see anyone besides grandma and grandpa?  I'm so sorry to hear about grandpa...did dad give him a blessing?  We've seen miracles happen from blessing out here so make sure he gets one.  How long will he be on the tube feeding?  Is he doing good enough to you  know...make it?  I'll make sure to pray for him and I'll email grandma.

Kings Do King Things

King Ad-Rock, King of all Kings



Tuesday, November 15, 2016

It was bound to happen - a short letter!

This week was alright.  Nothing great.  We did though, find like 10+ new investigators in a day.  All of our plans fell through and Thornton's tire popped so we decided screw it, and just walked.  We talked to everyone we saw and even set 2 dates with 2 guys we found that day.  It was pretty cool.  Besides that not much happened.  We found out one of our older investigators had started to stop smoking little by little and even stopped drinking coffee little by little without our help.  That was cool!  We're printing off pictures of temples for her so that she can have her goal in mind always.

That's literally all that happened.  Sorry for the short letter.  Like i said, not much happened.  I'm in the Memphis 2nd Ward, but I think I'm getting transferred this week so no promises about finding members.  About my package, send it to the mission home due to transfers.

Tell Crew and Ella I'm so proud of them!  Does Crew weigh more than Ella yet?  And tell Cort that indoor track is the best time of the year!  It's soooo fun!  Tag in the school was the best part!  Especially when we got everyone together!  And it ends with Simplot!!!  Boy do I wish I went there all 3 years!  Cort, you do your best to make it there!  I expect it so you best do it! :)  How big is Cort?  Is he 6 foot yet?  I don't think I'm 6 foot.

You guys sound like you're gonna have so much fun in Cedar this weekend!  Who all are you gonna see?  Just the grandparents?  How long you there for?  I'm so sad to hear Grandpa is in pain :/ how long ago did the cancer come back?  He's definitely in my prayers.

I love you guys!  Keep being awesome!

Kings Do King Things!

King Ad-Rock, King of all Kings

Monday, November 7, 2016

No matter the place the good exist...along with gunfire. :)

Haircut or all cut?
What's cookin good lookin?  Not much happened here!  But we went on exchanges and found this yard sale and this guy gave us these superhero key chains for free!  Then when we exchanged back, these kids were playing around and came and said hi to us and asked if we had toys cause there's broke and they don't have any more.  It broke our hearts so we gave the, our key chains and then as we were unloading, 5 more kids came asking for toys haha we gave them all the rest of our key chains and they all hugged us and we're so excited about them!  It was so cool!  And then right after 14 shots popped off on the street next to us.  Those little kids got so excited over it and we're shouting "14!  There was 14 that time!" It's sad to see how happy they get over that.  

Last week some random guy showed up to church and wanted to learn more about it, so we set up a time to go see him and when we saw him, he was so happy to see us.  He pulled out this list of church sites he wants to visit and how he loves our church's history and stuff like that!  He read a book about Mormonism and loved it I guess.  But he comes to church all by himself, he walks 4 miles every Sunday!  The dude is dedicated!  We're gonna go see him tonight again!  We might baptize this guy!  But that's really all that happened.

Stripling Warriors
I'm happy to hear everyone is doing well!  I'm proud of Cort for sticking it through and doing good in school!  Have track practices started yet?  I think they have but make sure Cort is building his relationship with Ricky!  And Tell Ella I'm proud of her!  Haha the boys are getting riled up over her dancing?  Nice!  Are you turning into a dance mom?  Because I can see that happening!  For thanksgiving we had a dinner but she had to move it to the day before due to some reason.  We've started focusing on members hardcore lately to build relationships with them to get and build trust.  Missionary work is dying in this ward so we're trying to build it back up. 

I'm so proud of crew for his reading and accomplishments!!  Good job buddy!  I swear the name Titus is dope!  If it's a girl I'm taking that name!  I got Mason's shirt and elder Edwards is jealous and wants one haha. I'll send a pic of what I want!



Kings Do King Things

Elder Co-Driver Trainee Junior Companion "AP Bound" Kai Adair




They run in packs...