This is the end. Peace out Y'all!

Dying days...

Well, I never thought it would come to this, but here’s my last email.  It’s so surreal to think it has been 2 years and that it is now over.  Right now, I don’t know exactly how to feel, I’m just a wreck of mixed emotions.  Anyway, here is the happenings of week 104.

Lovin' y'all in the south!

Monday we walked the big dam bridge with Paul.  So, funny story.  I don’t know if y’all remember, but last Sunday I spilled a little water on Paul during sacrament.  Well, on Monday, karma hit me like a freight train.  Only, it wasn’t water.  I literally knocked a whole soda on my pants because my arm decided to turn into Velcro and catch a straw by a millimeter of the top and yank it all over me.  So I got sticky and wet and couldn’t focus on my pizza.  But I was able to shower and then Paul took us to the chiropractor where a member worked on us for free.  Not a huge fan, not much was fixed on me...bummer.  The Smiths fed us dinner and it was some good curry!  I think I had 2 or 3 plates.  After that We went shopping that night and got hit on BAD by 2 Walmart workers lol.  One snatched my Book of Mormon cause she wanted mine instead of Elder Roberts.  It was also kind of gross, cause they were asking super weird and gross questions, so we gave them Book of Mormons, said a prayer for their sanity and morals in our hearts and left.

Tuesday we literally tract and knocked doors all day.  We found a couple people who said to come back, but not a ton.  It was so hot and humid, I had a butt sweat that was so noticeable you could see it from a country mile away.  Paul picked us up and took us home for a shower and refreshment haha.  We played basketball that night for the last time and I did alright.  I made a 3 and boy you woulda thought I won the World Series I was so happy!  Not a bad night.

Coinage

Wednesday we had district meeting and then afterwards we went out and cleaned up a less actives shed.  Y’all, this place had every bit of disease and filth I have ever seen.  It smelled, it was wet and groggy and clothes and old mattresses every where. We went and got gloves so we could tackle the monster.  Some guy stole my bible while we were at family dollar.  I hope he reads exodus 20.  We got back and went in for the kill.  Oh, side note, I bought Sister Palmer gloves and family dollar gave me a pair of right hands....that’s what we get for being cheap lol.   I ended up picking up an old mop and guess what surprise I was taken for?  There was how ever many years old turd on the handle and lucky me got it on my glove.  It was towards the end of the service due to it started raining, so I threw the glove away.  It was horrifying how gross that place was.  We came home and studied before Ethan picked us up for dinner.  I love the Hendersons.  After dinner, Ethan took us to choir rehearsal and I said bye to him cause he was heading to Iowa for a job for 3 weeks.

Thursday we had our interviews with President.  Mine wasn’t too long cause I’ll see him tomorrow for an exit interview.  I made goals for my last 5 or so days in the field and all that.  We changed, gave the car to the sisters and started out walking again.  It was HUMID.  We were drenched in 30 minutes.  By the time we got home after that, I started to clean up and pack a bit before the Franks picked us up for dinner and took us to Cracker Barrel.   After dinner, which was awesome, we went to volleyball and it was literally just us, the Otter Creek Sister’s and the Hermana’s.  Oh well, it was fun!

Ballers

Friday we went out with Paul after my last weekly Planning (I’m so happy I don’t have to do that again).  We went finding, contacting and visiting less actives, but we only had 1 lesson happen.  But it was a solid lesson!!  Her name is Mrs. Dean and she is a sweet heart.  She had a lot of questions about “Old Joe Smith” lol.  But she was genuine and wants to learn more as we explained the restoration to her.  She was so happy and upbeat that it made me smile the whole time haha.  Paul had some real good input cause they were both baptist at one point and they really connected!  She also knows a few members of our ward, so we are goin* to try to contact the, to go with us this coming Friday!  As we left she was saying “I’ll see y’all next week!  Well, besides Adair, he’s gone” and that’s when it kinda hit me that I go home soon, but I brushed it off and laughed.  Paul took us out to eat at La Hacienda and it was so good.  Kinda funny side note, there was literally 10 year olds working there...talk about family restaurant.  But la hacienda is a chain, so we were taken for all sorts of turns.  Paul kept saying he was gonna call the mariachi band to play me a song and make a scene, so I slammed my street tacos and we left lol.  He took me for a drive around Pinnacle Mountain one last time and it was so peaceful and the sunset was gorgeous and the air outside got cool.  Imma miss Arkansas something fierce I’ll y’all what.  There ain’t nothin but the humidity I ain’t like.  I can’t believe it’s coming to a close.

I gotta sing what?

Saturday we went out and mowed Sister Stuckey’s lawn.  We invited her the the General Authority visit that night and she said she would go (we could only go if we brought a returning member or investigator).  Then we went to help Brother Dixon move a couch, but the guy at the
gate couldn’t open the gate.   So we just got lunch instead.  We then went with a returned missionary named Adam.   We went to try a few investigators but everyone didn’t answer.  Well, Etheon told us to come back later.  We did, though, get in contact with a new person we found on Tuesday.  Her name is Akia.  We gave her a Book of Mormon cause she asked for it Tuesday, so we came to follow up and teach a lesson.  Well, her husband was outside and made it known about 6 times that he was Muslim.  In my head all I could think was, “man do i gotta add Muslims to the list of ‘I gotta make it known’ along with vegans and cross fitters?”  He was ranting on the side as we talked with Akia.  We didn’t get a lesson in due to her questions...which were very odd.  She legit asked what the difference between the new and Old Testament was...then asked how the Book of Mormon compares.  We had to explain that like 5 times.  We taught a little about Joseph smith but not much cause Mr. Muslim came back.  We invited them to church and all of a sudden Mr. Muslim is make a deal how that’s his rest day cause he works every day (literally he works from 8 pm to 11 pm at a gas station).  Then, he basically commanded Akia to go to church, so I’m what, what is going on?  Well we got a ride situation all settled and left.  We came home for a bit before Brother Loken came out with us to try some more people.  Our appointments that night fell through and so we went back to Etheon and Sharon’s.  Well, they dropped us...that was hard.  We went to visit a deaf member named Peter.   It
was cool cause Brother Loken signed as we taught about the 10 commandments.  He took us home and we got ready for the devotional.  When we got there, we waited and called Sharon a few times but no answer.  She never came...so we dropped our suit coats in Spanish Elders car and went finding.  We tracted out an apartment complex and found only 1 guy who told us to come back.  He took a Book of Mormon and our card cause he wants to learn how to love more.  We also found probably the nicest ex Mormon haha.  Other than that, we walked home, tired as all get out and sweatier than a pig in blanket.

Pals

Sunday was really long.  We did our missionary choir at Benton ward while there were 2 general authority 70’s there.  Elder Johnson visited with Elder Robbins a few months ago and said he remembered me, not to brag or anything.  Also, Elder Clayton of the presidency of the 70 was there as well.  He’s awesome!  After the sacrament meeting, we went with Brother Loken and tried to see Akia, but she avoided us like the plague.  More funny story again.  As I went to knock, the door was kinda opened, so I knocked on the side of the door.  Well, I did that twice and no one answered.  I stayed and knocked one last time, but silly me hit the middle of the door and it sprung right open to reveal a woman on her phone.  Well, Mrs. ma’am about died lol. We asked for Akia and explained who we were and she shut the door to find her. Another lady then came out and asked if we had walked into her house and said she was scared to death.  So again, we explained who we were and she laughed it off.  Apparently Akia wasn’t interested though.  There is a door and a small room right by the front door and I saw someone in it thinking it was her husband, so I didn’t bother cause I didn’t want another episode like the previous day.  Well, we were told Akia was in there, but she didn’t come out and so we left.  Then we saw Sharon Stuckey and she said she will come to church next week.  We went to church, sadly no one came.  We stayed after church cause we also attended Spanish branch.  I said my goodbyes and got a ton of going home advice haha.  Ammon Henderson gave me a dope tie as well as the young women in the stake made all the missionaries goody baskets.  Such a good day at church.  We sang there too.  It was pretty funny cause Elder Roberts and I were straining our necks trying to poke our heads closer to try to understand words and phrases so we knew what the branch president was saying lol.  So in total we were at church from 8:15 am to 4 pm and took the sacrament 3 times.  So not gonna brag, but we got extra sanctified this week.  Either that, or we sinned so much that we needed extra spirit and remembrance.  We went to Sister Bernal’s for dinner afterward and it was pretty hard cause that was the last time I was gonna see the dog, Macy, for a few months.  I wasn’t worried about Sister Bernal cause I have her phone number, but Macy...that was hard.  We came home and I packed my bags for the last time.

I can’t believe it’s been 2 years already.  I feel like it was just yesterday I was wrestling my brothers in front of the MTC, walkin in with a grass stain on my elbow.  I can’t help but express my love and gratitude to my God and Savior for calling me to this wonderful part of the world.  I wouldn’t trade anything for it.  I have learned to love, to cherish the little things, the be humble, to give freely to those in need, to always rely upon my savior, to serve with all my might, mind and strength, to look outside of myself and put myself away for the benefit of others and to gain a testimony of the work of the Lord.

The beginning and end of a well spent journey...welcome home son!

I can now say with all energy of heart, I know this is the true church of Jesus Christ again restored to the earth.  I know Joseph Smith was a prophet.  The most important testimony gained, was how I know my Savior lives.  He is more than just a man in a Book.  He is more than someone people talk about.  He is more than a story told at Christmas or Easter time.  He is the living Son of the living God.  Although I hear nonbelievers say all the time, as did Mr. Muslim, “Jesus didn’t die for me,” he did.  He died and suffered more than anyone on this earth, for everyone on this earth. There isn’t anything anyone can say to persuade me from that testimony.  There is a God and he is our Father.  The Book of Mormon and Bible testify of this truth over and over again.  I promise whoever should read the Book of Mormon with a sincere and open heart, the Holy Ghost will testify to them of the same truths I know.  It’s impossible for this not to happen, but you have to be willing to act on the promptings you get.

Many times I have been asked to share what I have learned on my mission.  Well guys, that is the most loaded question I can be asked lol.  I can’t explain all of the experiences I have had on my mission in an email.   It is literally impossible.  There is no way to do it properly without feeling my emotion as I speak.  The people of the South truly have a piece of my heart and there is no way I can get it back.  This is my home and this is the land I got to serve my God.  If I could just say one thing about my service, it would be I’m changed. I didn’t get the opportunity to baptize anyone in these 2 years.

I didn’t get the chance to see the end goal for 99% of the people I taught and I hope to God they find the missionaries again.  I stood in the water but once to assist in a baptism, but my feet are dry.  Though many people may say I might be ineffective, maybe they’ll say I failed, maybe they will think I was just unlucky, but as for me, I say I’m about as successful as I could be.  I done performed my calling to the best of my ability and I can say without a doubt I left it all on the field.  I can say as Paul, I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.  I’m my one.  I just hope and pray I had a good effect on the people I came in contact with. I love every single one of y’all and am so grateful y’all have been there to support and love me through these 2 years.  Y’all are the greatest.  I’ll see y’all soon.

Signing off with love for the last time as a full time missionary, Elder Adair

Kings Do King Things
Goin' Buck Wild

THAT DANG COW, Space Jam shorts don't give you b-ball powers, and sadly no one was sawed in half.

So you’re probably wondering, why in the world am I Mormon cursing a cow?  Well, my good ole pal, Elder Brownell, is our Zone/District Leader and he gave a very interesting story at district meeting.

Sometimes you gotta take a dam picture.

There was a boy and his father.  They worked on a farm and for a while and the dad did all of the work.  Well, the boy got older and the dad thought it was time for him to be able to help.  So, he started him off small with weeding.  When he got a little older and a little better he gave him other tasks to do until he got older and better at those as well.  One day, the farmer decided he was good enough to work the tractor and plow the field.  So, like a good father and mentor, he hopped on the tractor with his son and showed him the ropes.  He taught him how to keep the line straight.  He told him, “you gotta fix your eyes on something in the distance, and keep on that course!” So he left him to the work and went about doin his own thing.  About an hour later he comes back to check on the kid and the field was HORRIBLE!  He stopped his son and asked him what the heck was goin on?  To this he replied, “I did as you told and kept my eyes focused on one thing, BUT THAT DANG COW KEPT MOVING!!”

I hope y’all laughed as hard as I did.  Anyway, y’all are probably wondering what the heck this has to do with anything.  Well, at first I thought the same thing, and I’m not gonna lie to y’all, I forgot the whole reason, but I know it had to do with goals!  So here is what I got from it as I read it again.  When we set goals, we have to make sure it’s focused on something steady that isn’t going to move and take our aim off of what we are trying to accomplish.  I hope that made sense, but if not, it was a funny story anyway.

Somewhere on a beach...

Well here’s the week y’all!!

Monday we went to Joseph A. Bank and I got fitted for a suit, but that’s literally all we did.

Tuesday we hiked to the church for the one and only, MyPlan.  This week was extra special cause I got to set goals for....DATING!!  So I left it all blank.  Kidding, but I wanted to get it over with.  Elder Pickering and I did it at the same time and so we were sending our answers to each other and it was a friggin hoot.  Paul came and picked us up and we went out to check on some of our potentials and some formers.  That wasn’t successful, so we tried some less actives...same turn out.  We went to the Loken’s for dinner and it was a hoot!  They’re super awesome and told stories of their missions.  The kids made us breakfast burritos and they were stellar.  I had like 3.  We went to basketball and let me just say, the Tune Squad Space Jam Short I bought does not give me basketball powers.  I think I just needed some of Mike’s secret stuff cause I SUCKED!  But a bunch of less actives came so it was awesome!

USU Women's Rugby in Arkansas

Wednesday I woke up feeling like crap.  I had to lay down for a bit to make sure I didn’t blow chunks everywhere.  Thankfully, my cries were heard and I was alright.  We went and knocked out another area but no one was having it.  We tried some potentials but only got one answer and it was his brother who said he don’t know when he is around.  We planned to put my pictures on a flash drive, but the family history center was locked...so we ate dinner as I wrote some stuff out for my departing testimony.  I also got my flight itinerary so that was interesting.  We had Book of Mormon class and then rehearsed for a song we will sing on Sunday.

Thursday we had district meeting and then we exchanged.  I went with Elder Bolos to Benton.  We taught a really good lesson after having District lunch.  It was with one of their top investigators and he was awesome!  We really only got to teach repentance cause he said he wasn’t ready for a baptismal date yet.  He is waiting for that “a-ha” moment.  We had a little dinner before we headed out to go help a family move.  Crazy thing, they’re from somewhere near Seattle but their daughter is going to Weber here in a few weeks.  So that was cool.  We had an exchange review and hit the hay.

Not posing at all.

Friday we exchanged back and helped an elderly family move.  We unpacked boxes and arranged their garage and rooms.  We found this big ole saw and Elder Brownell and I were tryin to do a magic trick with Elder Roberts but he wouldn’t.  I guess he doesn’t have trust that we can help him after we cut him in half.  Whatevs.  They fed us pizza and then we came home and changed so we could go out with Brother Boushka.  Sadly, no one answered the door...but hey we tried, I guess.  Well, one person did.  Her name is Mrs. Dean!  She’s a southern ole lady who is just so sweet.  We set an appointment for next Friday cause she had a nail appointment.  We came home and then Paul picked us up and again, no one answered the door.  So it was a tough day, but, just another day.

Saturday we had Theresa’s baptism.  She was taught by both the Otter Creek (Little Rock) sisters and the Bryant sisters.  She’s adorable.  She is 91 and Elder Roberts and I had the chance to baptize her! Elder Roberts did the ordinance and I stood back to help lift her cause she is fragile.  She was so happy and full of life, it was amazing!  I’m so glad I got to be a part of it, even if I didn’t get to perform the ordinance.  We went home and studied and then went again with Paul.  Sadly, Etheon and Sharon didn’t keep their appointment, so that was a super bummer.  Kim wasn’t home, and neither was anyone else.  Well, we did set some appointments for this week, but a couple were less than solid.  But hey, try and try again am I right?  Paul got us and the sisters dinner at Church’s Chicken and we ate at the church.  For y’all who don’t know what that is, it’s just a ghetto KFC.

It's been a good run.

Sunday was chill.  We had a good church meeting and it sounds weird to say, but I bore my last testimony in church.  Holy cow that’s weird.  Anyway, no one came and I was pretty bummed, but there ain’t nothin you can do with others agency...even if what you wanna do is wring em by the neck and force em into sacrament.  But sadly, I think that’s against like 3 commandments.  We went to Sister Bernal’s house for dinner and we had El Salvadorian tamales.  They were good!  The Rugby girls were there again and thankfully no one was set-up haha.  But we actually got their names this week.  We went out for a bit after that, but nothin happened.

So some fun information, were goin to have a devotional on Saturday with 2 members of the 70 this weekend!  What a way to end!  Then we get to sing for them.  It’s gonna be cool cause one is Elder Clayton, the longest member of the 70 presidency!  I hope y’alls week was bomb!  I only have one more weekly to write and then I’ll see y’all in person!  Thanks for all the love and support y’all have shown over these past 2 years!!  I love y’all!!

Kings Do King Things
Goin' Buck Wild

All things come to an end...

Are there Transformers in heaven?

So the subject has minimal relevance to this week, but Elder Short just thought he might bring up some of his own doctrine in the car with us and this was part of it.  Like, y’all know in Transformers 3 when they are introducing Optimus to that one government guy and the black dude says “God created us in his image, he created him.” Well, apparently that’s doctrine now lmao.  Not really, but something funny from today.

Monday we went to Third Realm with Spanish and the zone leaders and then just chilled and played sports.

Tuesday we helped Ethan Henderson move some couches for Sister Worthington.  Right after that we had a zone blitz in our area and we were able to get a ton of referrals from the zone!  It was awesome!  I went with Elder Bolos and a 16 yr old member.  I had a door actually slammed in my face and Elder Bolos and I actually thought that was quite refreshing cause that hasn’t happened in a while for both of us haha.  We knocked for a little over an hour with no success.  We talked to a ton of people but no one wanted to have it.  The last door we knocked on, we ran into a lady named Veronica and she was awesome!  She took a Book of Mormon and actually asked us to share our testimonies on it.  She loved our enthusiasm and gave us her number.  It was so stellar.  We got back and studied and then went to basketball and as we walked to the church (at 8:15 pm) we got a call from the AP’s telling us we had to be in Stuttgart the next morning for an emergency exchange...but to start the call he says “sorry we didn’t tell you earlier.”  Like, Y’ALL STRESSING ME OUT AND Y’ALL KNEW 4 HOURS AGO?!  But it’s all cool, I played basketball and got wrecked...but a ton of non-members came and we talked to a bunch of them.  It was a good night!

Wednesday we had district meeting and then exchanged with Stuttgart.  It was pretty cool!  It’s very flat out in the Delta, but a ton of dope fields.  We rode all day and taught a dope lesson to a couple who is SO prepared!  I’m following up with Stuttgart this week to see the progress.  Stuttgart is actually the world duck hunting capital of the world and it’s also, as the sign says, the rice capital of the world.  So I made history, I guess!  I got to ride my bike down a high way and a bunch of dirt roads.  Like, when I got called to Arkansas, Stuttgart is what I thought I would get haha. I got some rad pictures I’ll send.  We were drenched in sweat, but hey, we talked to almost everyone we saw and taught some good lessons!  We missed a couple, but hey, repentance!  We went to bed way early, as well.

Thursday we exchanged back and went out riding our bikes to see a few people.   It took us a little bit longer to get out cause my tire popped...and then while trying to fix it while I was doing some administrative stuff for the mission, I heard a pop noise and then Elder Roberts say, “uh oh.”  Great haha.  He popped another hole but we fixed it with duct tape and a patch.  Not much success as we were out and about, but we got to sweat a bit I guess.  Ethan picked us up and we ate dinner at the Henderson's.  It was awesome!

Friday we weekly planned and Paul took us out.  We taught a super good lesson to a guy we found last week named Etheon.  We taught the plan of salvation and he loved it!  We gave him a Book of Mormon and explained how it can help him cope with the loss of loved ones.  We told him to read the introduction to gain more insight on why it’s important as well.  This is important.  We went out and tried to knock a street and contact people, but not much happened.  A couple people said to come over on Saturday.  Not a bad day!  Our dinner cancelled, so Paul came in clutch and we got Wendy’s.  We went back out and tired to visit a few other people.  We also met a kid from Salt Lake who was out selling security.  He said he was baptized but not active and left before we could get any info.

Saturday was good. Well, we called a referral and set up an appointment for that day, and then legit 5 minutes later, she calls back and said she don’t want it no more.  Like, who’d she talk to in 5 minutes?  She must have been very easily persuaded haha.  Oh well, we went out with Paul and met a guy named Darian and he was cool.  He was busy and told us to come back on Thursday.  We went to Etheon’s and his wife answered the door holding the Book of Mormon.  In my head I was frantic thinking, sonuva gun, she is giving it back and they ain’t interested.  Well, by the grace of God and to my absolute surprise, she opened it and said “what were we supposed to read again? My daughter was reading and lost the book mark.”  Y’all I threw a fit!!!  I was ecstatic!  We went in and taught her about the Book of Mormon and talked about the introduction and then she told us she works with Bishop Warner.  My heart swelled up and I was on a high!  They have 5 kids.  One 16 and the rest were 7 and younger.  One of this kids kept hugging us and it was precious.  Anyway, we went out and not much success was found as we were out.  One lady even answered the door and then as she went to grab who we were looking for, she never came back to the door.  They literally waited until we left after 5 minutes of standing there...like, y’all just tell us if y’all ain’t interested.  It’d be so much easier for all of us!  We got back had went to dinner at the Dixon’s.  It was awesome!  He is our Elders Quorum President and gave us some insight on who we can help in the ward.  We left and I finished some MyPlan.

Sunday was a good church service.  No one came to church for us, but the sisters had a few and it was great!  We had correlation and then went to check on Brother Accquah and Brother Bellerose.  Brother Bellerose is moving so we got his info and then headed to dinner.  So, this dinner was off the hook lmao.  Sister Bernal invited 4 girls who are visiting from Utah, who are all on the USU Rugby team.  They were super dope and hilarious, but then it got SUPER awkward.  Sister Bernal started to try to get Paul to be set up with them and then told them all that I go home soon and need to open my eyes lmao.  We all just passed the water around and made it a joke to cool down haha.  Sister Bernal then took us to visit a kid that’s dating her friend's daughter.  A lot has gone down with this family so we went over and taught this kid a little bit about God and invited him to pray and ask if he is there.  It was super good!  We gave the member a blessing and blessed her home.  It was a great day!

So this week we have gotten our area book up to speed and have more and more people to at least go visit.  We have been knocking relentlessly and finding lately.  All is well now!  We’re on an uphill climb!  These last couple weeks are probably gonna kill me, but that’s okay, cause if I die for Jesus, what better way?  I love y’all and sorry this is is so late!

Kings Do King Things
Goin' Buck Wild

Operation Fast Hog

Howdy y’all!

So this was a SUPER hot week full of stuff.  I can say I put my blood and sweat into this week.

Monday we hiked Pinnacle Mountain with Ethan, a member who got his mission call to Mexico!  Fun fact, my post mission trip falls on his last weekend and farewell!   Woot woot!  Paul took us and Elders Bolos and Brownell bowling and I got slaughtered.  He then took us and spanish out for shakes!  Later that night we got a phone call.  Well, here’s the catch, the ringtone wasn’t ours.  But of course silly me still told Elder Roberts to answer it (he had the phone in his hand).  We went on a search after seeing it wasn’t out phone ringing.  Yup...the zone leaders left their phone at our place haha.  We called Paul to give us a ride to their apartment cause the sisters had the car.  We felt bad cause he had just gotten home and pulled up in his drive way as we called.  But we got there and informed the AP’s but they told us to wait at their apartment until they get home.  So we did as told.  Around 10:15 we called the sisters and asked if they could drive to our apartment and see if they were waiting for us at our place.  Well la-dee-freakin-dah!  They did the same thing as us haha.  They came back to us and we got home around 10:45.  Great night.

Tuesday we went out with Paul and knocked out our list given to us by the Elders quorum president and then went and did some finding and found a guy named Travis.  Good ole Travis has a sweet corvette and as we talked with him at his door, we realized homeboy was in his underwear haha!  Paul took us back home after we we’re drenched in sweat from knocking.  We had dinner at the Anderson’s and they’re awesome!  Sister Anderson is actually Brother Devoux’s, from Hot Springs, daughter!  She made some bomb enchiladas.  It always gives me a chuckle when people tell us they are sorry for their kids acting out when company is over cause I just think about my family and tell them “if y’all only knew” cause not every family has a Crew hahahaha.  We went to basketball and I am not improving.

???

Wednesday we met a new investigator named Sharise!  She is super cool!  We taught her the plan of salvation, but I think I my discernment was off cause after we got done she made a few comments about needing direction on truth and I immediately felt chastened cause we should have just stuck with the restoration.  But the lesson went fine!  We invited her to church and to read the pamphlets!  We then went out for a late lunch with Brother Bailey, who was with us in the lesson.  He is our ward mission leader and super awesome.  He dropped us off to get the car from the sisters and then went door knocking and then went to Book of Mormon class.  After that, we had a rehearsal for a song we are going to sing with a bunch of other missionaries my last Sunday in the field.  We then had a short correlation.  This is where the night got crazy.  The sisters never texted in and so the zone leaders called us.  Then the commencement and perfect execution of Operation Fast Hog took place.  We strapped on our safety vests and running shoes to travel the 1.5 mile ruck.  Well, to ensure we arrived at the LZ in a timely manner (within 15 minutes), Elder Roberts had to hop on his bike.  My bike got taken out of commission by some commie screw and blew my tire.  But nothing stops the Bear.  I took to my feet and got a runnin.  We got there dripping in sweat and crampin like none other.  The sisters were safe and apologized at least 12 times.  After securing the sisters inside and making a sweep of all missionaries in the area, we made the sprint back.  We were back in and safe at 10:30 and had a great nights rest.  Operation Fast Hog was a success.

Thursday I was sore lol. We went finding again and found a guy named Etheon.  No other success was found.  Bishop Warner came out with us and we saw some members and brought some women in the ward flowers!  It was great!

Friday started off with a downpour of rain.  Then 20 minutes later, I kid you not, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky and it reached 115 degrees of skin melting heat.  So, we weekly planned and exchanged with the zone leaders.  I went with Brownell!  I love that dude!  We taught a guy named Mark who’s a member.  Fun fact, I taught this guy one of his new member lessons with Elder May last February!  Then we went and checked on one of their investigators.  She was super cool and let us in and we answered a lot of her questions.  We went to Taco Bell for dinner and then went to try some other people before calling it a night.  I guess a huge storm rolled in that night as well.

Saturday morning we exchanged back and Paul embraced me with a huge hug cause he was glad I was back haha.  We knocked out another list given to us and tried a bunch of other people as well.  Right before we exchanged, Elder Roberts and Elder Bolos had a really awesome lesson with Sharise.  So I was happy.  Other than that, no one was home.  Paul got pizza for us and the sisters and we ate and had a mini correlation.  We went out again and tried to see Sharon Stuckey, she was gone at a friends house cause her power was out.  We tried to see Kim and Randy and another lady Elder Roberts met, but none were home.  Paul got us shakes on another Sonic run and then we came home.

Sunday was good!  I woke up super sick but it’s okay cause Sharise came to church!  She loved it!  She said it was a lot to take in, but other than that, she loved it!  We had correlation and then ate at Sister Bernal’s with Paul.  It was amazin!  I love that family, but it was supper weird without Christian...but he’s on to bigger and better things in Mexico!  Paul took us back to the apartment after that cause I had to make sure I got all of my boxes ready to send home and so I could get some rest.  We called a bunch of people to set up appointments, but to no avail.  The power is still out in a lot of areas.  The sisters and Hermana’s got to sleep at President Jones’s house cause their A/C went out.  Lucky.

It was a super hot one and we done knocked a ton of areas out, but we’re still on the grind!  Our goal is to find at least one person to prepare them for baptism and to build up a good teachin pool.  Right now, teaching pool is better, but we still gotta find more people.  All shall be well in Zion! We’re ending with a bang and are finding more than ever.  If y’all have ever taken anything away from my emails, I hope it was that we are trying our hardest.  We can’t quit cause Our Savior didn’t quit on us.  When it got hard and his closest friends either betrayed or left him, he still carried on and he still
 gave literally all he had.  I’m just asked to knock doors in hot weather.  Ain’t nothing.  I love y’all so much!  Have a great week and carry on!


Kings Do King Things
Goin' Buck Wild

We’re knocking that way...sing it.

I hope y’all read the subject to the Backstreet Boys' “I want it that way” tune.

Monday we spent the day with Paul and the zone leaders!  It was so fun!  We played cards, got pizza and hung out.

Tuesday was full of finding.  We knocked doors and found a guy named Randy who let us in and we taught the restoration!  That t was great!  No one else was having it though.  Jabari wasn’t home and so I went home to do MyPlan but it wouldn’t work so I was sitting there yelling at my phone for 30 minutes.  Yup, inanimate objects got the best of me that night.  We went to the Warner’s for dinner and it was wonderful!  We had a little plan of salvation lesson and I loved it!  The Warner’s are great!

Wednesday we rode to Cedric and Marcus’s place for appointments and they weren’t there.  It was hot so it sucked.  We studied with Christian and Peter and then went out with Christian.  We saw the other Cedric but he said he was moving.  We just set a return appointment to get his details on Saturday.  We attempted MyPlan again...which worked on the computer, but it sucked cause I didn’t finish.  We went to dinner with the Dixon’s and then to Book of Mormon class.  We had a small correlation and got a list of people to visit.

Thursday we had a Really good zone Conference and it really hit me that it was my last one.  As we sang How firm a foundation, during the 7th verse, I just couldn’t hold it in and I cried like a baby.  It was so hard to realize it was my last.  I gave a departing testimony and that made it real.  I love my mission so much.

Friday we went out with Paul for a couple hours to try a referral and some investigators but no one was home.  We came home and built a bike for Sister Marshall.  Let me tell ya, when I have kids, they’re getting motor bikes cause them things is a pain in the booty to put together!  I cut myself like 5 time and almost stripped a bolt with pliers cause we didn’t have a wrench.  So yeah, fun time.  Sister Worthington made a dinner for all of the Zone.  It was so good.  I finally finished MyPlan as well.

Saturday again we went out with Paul.  It was actually really good cause we visited a ton of people, but sadly the less actives we visited didn’t answer or didn’t want us.  There was a glimmer, though.

A less active talked to us and said she’s only inactive due to her son who has Down syndrome.  We’re passing her off to the relief society cause she was awesome and needs ministering sisters.  We saw, Kim, a lady Elder Roberts and Bolos found on a blitz.  She was great!  We taught the restoration and she loved it.  And according to Elder Roberts, Genesis and Exodus were prophets haha.  I love the kid.  Paul and I looked at each other and chuckled.  Kim didn’t catch it but it was so funny.  We went to see Randy but he wasn’t home.  Paul took us home and we went with a member from Pinnacle Mountain to get a washer for Sister Worthington.  We had dinner with Sister Glazier at Taziki’s.  It’s a Mediterranean place.  She’s great.  Paul picked us up and we got shakes and saw Cedric.  Turns out he isn’t moving next week like he said, and he said he might come to church.  So it wasn’t too bad!  We went for a little drive and started a fast with Elder Roberts and I.

Sunday was great.  We had a great lesson 2nd hour and had to do some security for the church cause some random guys came in and so we talked to them.  We have had many break ins and sketchy things happen, so we were security.  Turns out they were with the spanish Branch.  We went home and did weekly Planning and then went to Christians farewell.  It was great

This week was HOT and HUMID and walking and biking wasn’t the best, but hey, we done had a great time and talked to a ton of people!  I love y’all so much and hope y’all had a great week!

Kings Do King Things

Goin' Buck Wild

Murica splosions, flames, dying Elders, and the last transfer has come and gone!

Howdy y'all!

Well on Monday I started my last transfer.  It’s a pretty crazy feeling if I’m being brutally honest.  But anyway, Monday started off with us riding to Cedric’s house and he wasn’t home.  That sucked.  We had a zone p day where we played minute to win it games and my team got slaughtered.  To be fair, there was a lot of cheating on the winning team, so I’ll take integrity over a cheap win any day.  We went to the Jones's for dinner and it was great!  They’re awesome!  Sister Stuckey had to reschedule our appointment with her so we didn’t see her.

Tuesday we drove to North Little Rock to say bye to basically all of my mission friends.  That was the hardest thing I’ve done in a while.  I about cried when I had to watch Elder Barron and Elder Parks leave.  I was also super upset watching Elder Paopao leave cause we have had plans for my last district meeting for almost a year now.  We had a ceremony and everything, now he’s in Mississippi. We drove home and did studies and then went to basketball.  I still suck.  Oh and I started MyPlan, which to be short is the trunky course for dying missionaries to readjust to life back home.

Wednesday was, of course, the best day of the year, the birthday of the best nation on Earth.  The United States of America.  We started off the day with helping a lady in our apartment complex move.  It was freaking hot, but worth it!  We were there until about 1 and gave her a Book of Mormon and she wants to come to church!  Sadly it’ll have to be in the Pinnacle Mountain area, but hey, planting seeds am I right?  We came back and showered and did our studies before Brother Bailey picked us up for a huge party at the Henderson's.  It was good, wasn’t as big as they made it out to be though.   But we were able to talk to a bunch of non-members and I let Elder Roberts wear my American flag tie as I wore my constitution.  Lots of compliments ensued.  We had to leave to help Mrs. Jasper (lady we helped move) unload at her place, but apparently they already unpacked.  She wanted us to bless the house the next day, so we passed her on to Pinnacle.  Paul took us to clean his car and then get shakes at Sonic.  Y’all wanna hear something strange?  We went to a sit down Sonic.  It was like a restaurant but there was a phone on the table that you ordered on.  That rocked my world something fierce right there!!  We started back to watch the fireworks but then a house exploded in front of us from “fireworks” (were convinced it was a meth lab).  But that fire was HUGE!  We saw the flames over the trees on the highway.  We missed fireworks, so we watched random people’s as we drove home.

Thursday we went out with Christian and I swear I cannot get a good day when he is with us!  I feel horrible because now, missionary work is going out and literally all of our appointments falling through!  No one answered and it kinda really sucked and upset us, but there is nothing we can do about other peoples’ agency.  One lady told us off pretty bad.  Nothing new.  Brother Webster came and picked us up with his son (he is special needs and in a wheel chair) so we could visit Brother Bellerose.  He is a vet who lost his legs.  He is super awesome though.  We visited and taught him the restoration cause he wants to remember more.  He told us stories of his service and this man had some serious guts.  Great man and I respect him so much.  We went to the Loken’s for dinner and set up a time for us to walk with them and meet their neighbors!

Friday we studied with Christian and he took us to get cansadas (anyone with Latino background forgive me if that’s spelled wrong) and then went to give a guy a blessing at the VA.  He was nice and told us he needs us to visit his son (Hot Springs Elders are already teaching his son) and wanted us to pray with him as well. Super nice guy.  We came back and weekly planned until Paul picked us up to visit some people and clean the church.

Saturday was finding galore.  We went out on a blitz with Paul, Benton Zone leaders and Otter Creek sisters.  We found about 5 people with interest and it was a SUPER nice day.  Although, when we pulled up to park, it was in front of a lady at her house.  She was like yelling at the sisters car cause we pulled away.  Then this chick pulls out a switch lol!  We drove off and found somewhere else haha.  Then we went out with Christian and again...NO ONE ANSWERED.  What a life haha.
After that we had a goodbye party for the Hess’s (the mission nurse and wife) and I about cried.  It was a surprise and they were so shocked haha.  I’ll miss them so bad.

Sunday I woke up with a train wreck of a head ache.  I slept it off for a sec before church.  It was a good church service though!  We went out with Christian again and again no one answered.  Well, a girl we found named Tierra was home, but she had to reschedule.  Funny story on that, she answered the door in what we thought was lingerie....she’s a heavy set girl and her swim suit was a little too small...so yeah...awkward haha.  But we ate with Sister Bernal and it was STELLAR!  We had steak and chicken and mashed taters!!  Afterwards we tried Markus but he wasn’t home...sadly even though he said he would be home.

It was a good week! I mean, we’re still struggling but nothin a little work can’t fix!  Love y’all!

Kings Do King Things
Goin' Buck Wild

Agency: The Best/Worst Gift We Received

Bass Pro Shop is a p-day destination.

So as you can read from the subject, it’s been a week.  But what can I say, it’s tough!

Monday we went to Carissa’s and when we got there, she came outside and said “the Mexican doesn’t want to do the Mormon.”  So of course I chuckled at the grammar, thanks mom.  We then went to the Warner’s for dinner and had a great time!

Road rash.

Tuesday we had district meeting.  We did a three legged race for companionship unity and your boy won.  I exchanged with Elder Brownell.  I love that kid.  We went tracting as we waited for the Tooks to get home.  We found a girl named Sierra so that was great!  We accidentally started a fight between 2 women (that’s a long story, I’ll tell y’all when I’m home.  Ask me about it.) and heard the fight at the opposite end of the apartment complex...let me put it this way, we were at least 200 to 300 yards away from them, with buildings separating us, and we still heard the swearing and yelling LMAO!!  We had dinner at the Henderson's and gave Sister Henderson a blessing.  We played basketball and I balled out again, and then they put a dude comparable to Dwayne Johnson with the skill of MJ on me and I didn’t touch the ball haha.

Wednesday we went out tracting again and a dude named Cedric pulled us over and we talked and he wants us to come over and teach him.  We had Book of Mormon class and exchanged back.

Some churches have whirlpools...

Thursday we went to help Sister Worthington at this homeschool book sale.  They totally didn’t want Mormons there, but we were the only ones who accepted to volunteer.  I was able to get 12 other missionaries to come help and it was a huge success!  We played bouncer and security to make sure no one stole anything and we helped set up and take down.  A couple elders were approached and told the church ain’t true but other than that, there was no altercations!  I got a a forensic science book and it’s pretty dope.  Oh, I slipped and fell and tore up my hand before this started and had to perform mini surgery in getting the rocks out of my hand.  That sucked.

Friday was weekly Planning.  We then had interviews with president and then went back to weekly Planning and sent off like 100 people to another area as we cleaned out our area Book.  We tried to see a few people and NO ONE ANSWERED THE DOOR.  Let me tell ya does that get old.

Saturday we mowed Sister Stuckey's yard and then moved a desk for another member.  We went out contacting and tracting and again.  NO ONE ANSWERED THE DOOR. Like, y’all, get the net! We out here in the blazing heat tryna bring y’all to Christ.  It’s okay though.  I ain’t even mad.  Although, this week has had like 4 days where it was over 100 degrees with high humidity (a couple days were low though) and we were biking and walking and santa vaca (holy cow in Spanish) it was rough.  But hey, I’m alive.

...and saunas!  Count me in!

Sunday was a good day...church wise.  We had a great second hour and a couple non members were there.  President Jones from the mission presidency acted out an amazing visual on the war in heaven and how both sides tried to get us to come over. It was AMAZING. I learned so much!  After church we went and had pupusa’s at Sister Bernal’s!  It was fantastic.  Pupusa’s are my favorite Latino food by far!  We went contacting again and Cedric set an appointment with us for this morning, but sadly he didn’t answer the door...so that was upsetting.  We then saw Sierra and gave a brief restoration and gave her a Pamphlet.  She is super excited to meet with us on Thursday!  Paul took us out for a drive to tell us about his experience at the temple!  He took out his endowments and he was SO excited!!  It was awesome!  I loved hearing his testimony and the excitement in his voice was amazing.  I do, though, ask for prayers cause the area is really struggling and the work is slow.  We’re working but we need some extra faith.  Thanks y’all!  I love y’all!


Kings Do King Things
Goin' Buck Wild