Email Letter - December 31, 2012

Hey everyone, it was another good week here in Orland, just kickin it with the Christmas holiday and the such. It was a blast, we just played games with the bishop and his family after the call, and the such. It was a good time.

The next day we went back to work, and had a few good things happen. The coolest bit is a little miracle we had in church on Sunday. We got out of our morning meetings and walked out to the foyer, and there was a man sitting there. I didn't recognize him, so went up to say hello, and we got to talking about how he hadn't been to church in about 20 years, and was ready for his life to change. We invited him to sit with us, but he sat with a member family that invited him to sit with them in stead (this is my new favorite family in the ward by the way) and he joined them for sacrament meeting instead. After that we went to class, and the lesson was on exaltation, which worried me a bit with the people that come to the gospel principles class. But it went really well.

Let me simulate a conversation between Dennis, that's the guy, and Brother Henderson the Ward mission leader that was teaching the class. Bro H "To be exalted we need to get to the temple and receive our endowments and also be sealed, that is the only way." Dennis "how do I get to the temple?" Bro H "you have to be baptized for a year, and then you can go for the endowments and such." Dennis "How do I get baptized?" Bro H "talk to those young men next to you." Dennis (turning to us) "How do I get baptized?" me, with a huge smile on my face "We can teach you just how to do that."

Of course it was paraphrased, but how awesome! It was amazing to have that happen, we only get stories of that. You always hear about stuff like this at home before your mission, but then you get out here thinking that is the only thing that happens to missionaries and it doesn't, that it's a rare occasion. But it does happen, and it's going to be a wild ride with him. We're super excited to begin teaching him, when he feeds us this Saturday.

 

Other than that there isn't too much that was monumental. I hope you all have a wonderful new year's eve, take good care of yourselves. I love you!

Email Letter - December 24, 2012

Hey all, and Merry Christmas! Things went swell this last week, we did hours upon hours of service, which was awesome. It snowed, not so awesome but still cool. We also had a few really good lessons, and our Christmas conference. The conference was really good, we had each zone from Yuba City up to Redding there, and we went to the Bishop's Storehouse here in Chico to do service there and that was awesome. It was a really good week, but not much to report, I love you guys and those that I will call tomorrow, I'll see you then!

Email Letter - December 17, 2012

Hey there everyone! this week went well, things are still pretty slow but they're going good none the less.

This week we did something fun, we helped a sister in the ward, tag her sheep! So basically we wrestled sheep and pierced their ears and stuff. It was pretty fun. Sheep are so stupid. It's no wonder the Lord compares us to sheep. They literally need a shepherd and a guide in everything that they do. It was pretty cool though to see some of the correlations between the sheep/shepherd relationship and how ours should be with Christ. They immediately went to the sister when she called, she was easily able to sort out the ones that needed shots and those that didn't, and a number of other things. as I said, really cool.

 

We also had a few pretty good lessons with the people that didn't cancel. And we're really focusing on getting the people we're teaching now to have a baptismal date, and focusing even more on finding those people that are ready. It's tough because the town is so small it has been canvassed over and over again, so we're trying really hard to focus on member work and referral work. We're also planning on getting some service hours in at the food pantry and the senior center, kind of like we did in Weaverville. We think that will help us out too.

 

Well I'm looking forward to the call next week, I sure love and miss you guys. Take care and I'll talk to you again soon!

Email Letter - December 10, 2012

Hello everyone! Comin at you from Chico, CA. It's pretty different here, mostly because I'm actually in Orland, which is about 20 miles outside of Chico. A really small town, about 6.5 thousand and mostly spanish speakers out there to farm. There are ranches, orchards and rice fields everywhere! It's pretty fun though.

Elder Knight is my new companion, go ahead and make the jokes. a king and a knight walked into a bar... I don't know a punchline for that but it's only a matter of time before someone in the ward comes up with one. There are about 60 people in the ward that come every week, and a lot, a LOT of less-active members here. It's one of those places people go to get away. Good thing I'm so familiar with that.

The area has been slow for a few weeks now. They had a lot of baptisms recently but didn't find anyone to replace those people to be taught. And the town is very familiar with missionaries as it's been tracted up over and over again. But that happens, it won't stop me. I'll build this area up again with my trusty Knight by my side, and also the Lord. Mostly the Lord

Anyway, I know it's a short one but nothing monumental happened this week. It's the start of a new life here, and I'm stoked for the work. I love you guys!

Email Letter - December 3, 2012

Hello one and hello all! It's been a good stay in the Redding area, but it's time to be gone. I'm getting transferred to Orland, a little farming area near Chico. It'll be good, and I'm excited to Jump start another area. It's kind of a bittersweet farewell though. As it always is, We've got a lot going here and it'll be hard to go. A few baptisms coming up in the next couple of months if all goes well and the less-actives we're working with are coming to church. But at the same time I've been here for a very long time, and I was getting pretty burnt out.

This last week was pretty full, there was a big storm that was rolling in, and everyone was pretty afraid of flooding and the such, but it went north of us. We spent a few hours of one of the mornings last week, filling, loading, unloading, and placing some sand bags. about 170 of them. at about 50 lbs a bag. It was definitely a long project. But we helped out some less-active members bag up the creek that runs through the property they own. And it was worth it, they were at church on sunday. And that makes it worth it. But that was a blast. It was really fun riding the bike in the rain, through the puddles, and up the muddied hills. That big goofy smile was on my face the whole time. Elder Jackson didn't enjoy it too much though. We also had an exchange, a really good p-day activity, and some solid lessons.

 

We had a few of our investigators commit to getting baptized when they know it's true, and that was really exciting. One of them didn't believe in God 2 weeks ago, but had some prayers answered and is really progressing in coming closer to Christ. It's so cool to see the changes that people go through. The other is a "friend" of one of the young woman in the second ward. a real salt of the earth kind of guy. He is a humble truth seeker and is really enjoying coming to church and also the lessons.

 

That's all folks! I love you guys and will talk to you next week.

Email Letter - November 26, 2012

Hey everyone! This week was pretty rough. We had almost every appointment cancel. That's what happens when you have a big holiday though. So we understand, but it's a bummer when only 1 of your 13 set appointments doesn't fall through in one way or another. In any case we had a great week. Thanksgiving was great, we spent it with one of the families we're working really hard with, and we've really enjoyed working with them.

We're gearing up for transfers next week. We're pretty sure but I'll be leaving, but you never know. The bishop here thinks I'll stay and Jackson will go, which honestly I wouldn't be surprised either way. We never really know. But I'm getting pretty burnt out on redding. As fun as it is and with all the work going on. That's how it is with each area I've been in though, start with nothing, leave just before the fruits of our efforts come. But I sure love it. I wouldn't have it any other way. I got news of a guy that I started teaching in Yuba City getting baptized last week. That was really cool!

I hope all your thanksgiving day excitement was great. I love you guys and will talk to you next week!

Email Letter - November 19, 2012

Hey everyone! We had a great week this week. Things are going really well. Although the baptism in hayfork was postponed the man still wants to be baptized and is planning on it happening in December. It would be sooner but we have to get him interviewed again by the zone leaders before it can happen and things will go from there. Things up in Hayfork are starting to get Icy and snowy though so we'll see how much longer we'll be going up there. We got ourselves some chains from a member and we've got front wheel drive, and I know how to drive in the snow, so whatever happens we should be alright. I'm not looking forward to the cold though. I hate the cold. The Redding heat has destroyed any immunity I had for the cold.

Down here in Redding things are on fire. Not temp wise, but missionary work wise. We've picked up new investigators each week for the last 3 weeks, and we are set up to pick up two more this week and set dates with two others. The work of the Lord rolls forward. It's great because this is more work than this area has seen in years. So we're super stoked about it. The ward is excited and we've got people that are helping with lessons and are asking when they can come with us again, we're getting media referrals and some solid member referrals as well. We're also working with some great less-active families and all is going great. I'll be sad to leave if that's what the Lord asks in a couple of weeks. But if it does then such is the way of missionary work, and I'll be happy to go to another area that I'm needed in and work hard there too.

We had a great meeting with President Weston this last week too. A zone conference with the Chico and Anderson zones there too. It was a blast. We had some training on finding and the Book of Mormon, and about the new Christmas webpage that the church is launching. Among other things. I really enjoyed it. We received a really cool challenge too, each missionary was given a fresh, paper back Book of Mormon and given the challenge to read it in the 85 days following that zone conference. The Idea was that Joseph Smith Translated the Book of Mormon in 85 days, and that means it would have been about 6 pages per day translating. We're reading it at the same pace, while also marking references to Jesus Christ, His attributes, His words spoken by Him or His prophets while prefaced "Thus saith the Lord" and also doctrines and principle outlined in the Book of Mormon. Things like prayer, faith, repentance and so on. It's been really good. In the first six pages, plus the title page, introduction, and testimonies of the 3 and 8 witnesses and also Joseph Smith, Christ was referred to over 100 times! Pretty amazing huh? It's been really exciting to have this challenge and to see what the Lord has done with His people throughout all time and is doing even now with us.

Anyway that's all for now, have a wonderful thanksgiving and week! I love you all!

Email Letter - November 12, 2012

Hello all! Another good week here in Redding, CA. We had a zone meeting here this week, and it really raised everyone's faith and vision. Almost every companionship had 20 lessons taught this week, there were 2 new baptismal dates set, and every companionship in my district found a new investigator. Booya! It was pretty exciting. We got a new investigator to teach, she's been coming to church for a couple of weeks and we were finally able to sit down with her and begin teaching her. She is really sensitive to the Spirit and feels really good at church. And with us. It's been really cool. The only problem is her friend is in 5th ward, and she wants to take the person we're teaching over there. That's a problem because in order to progress and be baptized and the such she has to go to church in the area she lives, and be taught by those missionaries. Which is frustrating for her friend who wants to take her to the other ward. But we'll work it out. It'll all be alright

The only really negative thing that happened this week was Peter, the investigator that is supposed to be baptized in Hayfork this week, failed his interview. He shouldn't have, we went over the questions with him the last week, and the answers he gave us were correct. For example, he bore Testimony about Joseph Smith to us, but with the zone leader he said something along the lines of "Yeah, I guess he could have been a prophet." It was frustrating. So the baptism isn't happening this week, before thanksgiving like Peter wanted. It's a bummer but it happens. We roll with the blows and move forward, take what we can get and work. It'll all work out.

 

Not too much to say, we had a fairly average week. It was good, and we had some good success.

Anyway, that's all I have, love you guys and have a great week!

Email Letter - November 5, 2012

Hello one and hello all! It was another fairly average week. We're still pushing really hard with our less-active work. I've been trying to teach Elder Jackson that I'm pretty sure the Lord sees a reactivation as the same as a baptism. They're all His lost sheep and need to be found, and we're the ones called to bring them in. So that's what we're doing.

 

Not to say that that we aren't trying to find new people to teach, that aren't members. That's always at the forefront of what we do. We're working hard on pushing member help to get this work going. And it seems to be working, we're still working with the ward council and getting plenty of referrals.

Talking to people on the street is something I'm getting more and more comfortable with, we're doing that more and more. Elder Jackson leads the way on that a lot, because it's not something I've been easy with. That's probably been the hardest proselyting thing that I've had to do. But I'm working on it, and I'm seeing the Lord bless me and Jackson. And it's going great.

 

Things are good. I'm loving going on all the exchanges with the other missionaries as district leader. It's been fun serving them and getting to know them. It's been a blast

Anyway, love you guys. Take care and be happy!

Email Letter - October 29, 2012

Hey all! It was another fair week. We did a few fun things like street contacting at the sundial bridge, went up to hayfork, had an exorcism performed, and had an exchange with the zone leaders.

At the sundial bridge, people were really cold. The only people that let us talk to them were some bethels. They were nice and all and it was good. Until we exchanged prayers at the end of our talk. We went first, said a nice simple prayer, and it was great. Then they went, it was kind of weird, they took turns as they went and were really casual. They prayed for interesting things like that we wouldn't be dizzy on our bikes. Then, when the last girl was praying, she was standing next to me, she briefly put her hand on my arm. NOT COOL! the really not good thing is, if you remember the rule from the first time I was here, was that they can pray for us, and "leave a blessing on us" as long as they don't touch us. I felt really icky. It was not good. It was the kind of feeling I have when passing the ouijii boards in Wal-mart. Not good. Not at all. So we hurried, after we had finished talking with them, up the mile long hill, and to a member's house so the evil spirit inside me could get exorcized. Yeah. Not kidding. We got there, got a blessing, and I immediately felt better. 

I sure love the priesthood and being able to discern what spirits are good and which are not. It sure is a blessing.

It was overall a really good week. No complaints here. I sure love you guys, have a great week!

Email Letter - October 22, 2012

Hello everyone! It was another good week, we're still working hard with those less-active families. We had a couple of them show up to the halloween carnival last week, which was great. We, and the Stake President, judged the chili cook off and the costume contest. It was a lot of fun!

The day after that, so Saturday, we made out way out to Hayfork to meet with Peter, one of our investigators up there. It was a great lesson, we taught about faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. It was really cool though because as Elder Jackson extended the baptismal commitment, peter went on to tell us how he had been talking to his brother earlier that day and that they had talked about how they couldn't straddle the fence any longer. Peter has decided that he wants to be a "warrior for God" and join the church on November 17th! We're stoked. It's amazing when you have things like that to tell and share, how the Lord prepared Peter to accept the date just earlier that day. I think that if we had gone up on Sunday like originally planned we wouldn't have had the same result. It's amazing how that happens. There are no coincidences. Only miracles.

As is says, it's transfer week. We're both staying here to cover our 3 wonderful areas, and I was just called as the district leader. I'm excited to be able to serve the missionaries around me with a greater capacity. That's what it's all about, for me anyway. We'll see if my horrible group teaching skills improve. I know the Lord will help.

Anyway, that's all for this week, except.... HAPPY ANNIVERSARY CARTER AND ANNA! Congrats on you temple trip, and enjoy the sealing this week. I love you guys, and I love you all!

Email Letter - October 15, 2012

Hello everyone! Another fabulous week here in red-hotting. Except it's not so hot anymore. Last week it dropped 20 degrees overnight and has stayed down in the 80s for the most part, it's been nice and cool.

We've started teaching and working with a few more less-active families and a few others as well. It's been really great, the ward's attitude really has changed. The bishop and Ward mission leader attended a meeting with a member of the mission presidency this last week and that really pumped them up. And we were finally able to follow through with a few referrals and assignments that we were given, and some that past missionaries were given but never got to, and have received more referrals and assignments. We feel the ward trust is really going. Momentum is on the rise!

This last week we finally organized something I've been wanting to do with these families for a while. We've been working with some older less-active couple, the Klaassens and the Donovans and in addition to our regular appointments we've set it up with them to have a "Book of Mormon book club" type thing. It's going really well. Everyone is at their own part of the Book of Mormon, and they all have different questions that are really good. The idea behind it is for the less-active couples to participate in teaching, and not just the learning and question asking part. It's been really exciting for this to finally turn out. We feel that with them helping teach as well as learn that the Spirit will testify of what THEY say and not just what we say, and with that they'll have more of a desire to come to church, and also a desire to participate.

It's been a really great week as I said. We got in contact with a lot of people. We found a less-active who has been coming recently, and her husband wants to take the lessons, and a number of other things. Elder Jackson and I have finally found a teaching pattern that is working for us, and giving him some responsibility in the area has been working out really well. It's been absolutely wonderful. Good things are a coming!

I love you each and all is well. Talk to you again soon.

Email Letter - October 8, 2012

What a week it was! We had a really good week, our plans on working with the ward council here are paying off and we're finding new people to teach. We had a lesson earlier today with a woman whose family is returning to activity. We're going to be working closely with the home and visiting teachers, as well as the leaders of her children's quorum and class leaders and teachers to help them gain Testimony and Conversion, like Elder Bednar talked about.

Conference was fabulous as always. It's always a joy to get to hear from the prophets and apostles of the Lord. I particularly enjoyed Elder Cook's talk on singing the song of redeeming love. It's a big section for missionaries to read in Alma 5 where we're given the self check to see if we are really reflecting the Lord's image on ours. As well as President Eyring's talk about removing the pavillian from ourselves, that it isn't covering God it's covering us. Those were two of the big ones for me.

As for the work, it's going up, as mentioned above we're really earning member trust and working really well with the ward leaders. It's enjoyable and we're doing well.

Sorry it's another short one but we're short on time. I love you guys!

Email Letter - October 1, 2012

Hey everyone. This week was alright. Things are still slow, and we're still hitting a lot of doors and talking to a lot of people.

We had some good lessons though in our trip up to Hayfork last friday. We had one with Pepper, who was on date but hasn't given up smoking and she's out of time for that. Also, when we got there to her house there was a huge pot plant hanging up to dry. Needless to say I was ever so pissed. Intrigued, but very angry none-the-less. We're really frustrated with her and her fiance, who is a member that uses. They're adamant that they won't be giving it up, so they can't move forward. We can't help them because they won't help themselves. That's been a real struggle with them. We'll do what we can but they need to make some big steps before they can move forward.

The other Hayfork investigator is doing really well on the other hand. He was working on the fire a few weeks ago so hasn't read or prayed as much as he should have been but he's working on it and committed to read at least one page a day. That's a start. He also told us that it will be soon that he's ready to commit to a date for baptism, but that he isn't quite ready just yet. Overall it was a productive trip out there, we went to the ward dinner in Weaverville, and got to see many of our old friends, and then had a lesson over there as well. The investigator there isn't taking it seriously anymore so we don't think we'll be working with him much longer. It's been a struggle with him but we work with what we've got.

Down in Redding, it's hot. It was over 100 yesterday, and will be again a few more times this week from what we hear. That's no bueno. But we'll get over it. Lots of water! Lots and lots.

We had a really good lesson here in Redding the other day actually. We stopped at a families house that recently returned to activity and we've been working with frequently, just for a surprise visit. They've been struggling lately, so we felt we should go by and while we were there I felt like I should show them a video from a talk that I found out here and really like. F. Enzio Busche's "Unleashing the Dormant Spirit" is what it was. And it was just a segment where he gives a list on how we can better have the Spirit with us in our lives. After the video was done they asked if we had been stalking them and knew exactly what they needed to hear because we knew their lives so well. We told them that we haven't stalked them at all but in a sense God has. It was pretty funny and the Spirit was strong the whole time. It's always good to listen to those small whisperings. And always worth it.

I love you all and have a wonderful week!

Email Letter - September 24, 2012

Hey all! Hope all is going good and that you had a wonderfantastical week of good great adventures of fun! I sure did. We knocked a whole lot of doors and met a whole lot of people. Weird people at that. It was different. I think the craziest was this guy that was baptized years and years ago in Layton, and started traveling, and hasn't been back. He wants to share his story with us this week. Kindof a lune but we'll have fun with it.

We did have a good time helping out some of the members I got to be pretty good friends with the first time I was here. A few months ago we helped them move into their new house and basically just threw all their junk into the garage, well last week we organized it. Then after they fed us we played a game of Magic, the gathering. Weirdest card game ever. It was sort of fun. But I don't think we'll play again any time soon.

That's about how my week was, we're headed back out to hayfork for a day this friday and that'll be a blast. It's a good place to  be, especially with the fire out now. We're looking forward to it!
Love you guys and have a great week!

Email Letter - September 17, 2012

This week was a long week. We got down to Redding on Tuesday, and for the next 2 days cleaned the apartment. If you remember, we live in a garage at a member's house, missionaries have been there for a few years now, and it had never been deep cleaned. Pretty gross. The floor is covered with rugs and we took those out and washed them, and while they were drying we went in and cleaned up the floor under the rugs. Needless to say it doesn't smell as much like dirty socks in there anymore. Plus it's more conducive to the Spirit which is really nice. We're hoping that will help us pick up this dead area.

By dead I really mean it. Elder Bennion and I picked up a less-active couple just before we were sent away, and they're the only ones that Jackson and I are working with now. While we were gone the other missionaries covering this ward didn't do much, they didn't really care they were just focused on the other area they were in.

So we're back to tracting into the Bethels and the Simpsonites, the members don't help much here either. They have no fire. It's a bummer. But we work hard and life is good. We know the Lord will reward us for it, if not in this area then another. That's just how it goes sometimes.

We still cover Hayfork and Weaverville too, which is fun. We'll go up every so often and work up there, and continue to help those we were already working with progress. That'll be good!

Stats: for the first 5 days, we had 3 flat tires, 1 crash, 2 broken bike pieces, 4 total lessons, 4 people ask to pray for us, 1 piece of anti material brought up, and many many many miles on the bikes. Plus all of the blessings from God which I really can't number. It's a happy life, I love being a missionary! I'll talk to you all again soon, I love you!

Email Letter - September 10, 2012

What's crackin' homies? Have you heard? Hayfork es en fuego. That's probably awful grammar but for those that don't speak spanish, Hayfork is on fire. It's really bad. We couldn't even see when we were leaving the smoke was so bad. Some guy apparently removed the spark guard on his chainsaw and caught the forest ablaze. It's burned a few thousand acres so far and wasn't contained at all when we took off on sunday. I don't have my bag or I would send pictures but I'm sure there are plenty online (found and added by Dad - see below) that you can see if you check it out.

Out of the fire and into the frying pan. We found out on Wednesday that we would be headed back down to Redding, effective tomorrow, and closing down Weaverville/Hayfork. We'll be going up every so often, but not as frequent. Oh well, I have faith that President is inspired and that Redding 2nd ward is where we need to be. As much as I didn't want to go. It'll be nice and hot here for us, back on bikes.

As far as the work goes, it'll be good to be in Redding, things were back to dead in Weaverville, and that was where we spent most of our time it being bigger and tractable. Redding will present some different problems but we will be alright. We'll be sure that the Bethels don't touch us and that we will win every bash with the Simpsonites, even when they quote the NIV.

Jackson and I are getting along, fairly well I think. No complaints here anyway. Though he probably thinks that I'm too weird to be a missionary. I'm trying to teach him to have fun while he works hard. He doesn't think the two go together. He's wrong! And now that we're on bikes I'll show him many a fun thing to do while not interfering with the work.

Anwyay, I love you all, be good and have a wonderful week!

September 7th, 2012 - Hayfork, CA

September 10th, 2012 - Hayfork, CA

Email Letter - September 3, 2012

Hello one and hello all! Another good week, fairly slow but that's okay. We had some really good success in Hayfork this week, one of our few investigators there decided to buckle down and read 318 pages of the Book of Mormon in just 6 days! How incredible is that? Pretty incredible I think. Things like that are happening in both areas, we've had some really good lessons with each of the people we're teaching. We see them changing their lives and becoming better people all around. It's hard to explain but the Spirit is working with them in ways that neither they nor we could imagine. It's truly amazing what the Lord can do.
Aside from a few small miracles like that there isn't much to report. Don't be grumpy with how short this email is. I love you all and hope all is great.

Email letter - August 27, 2012

Another great week in the mission field! This last week we had that half mission conference with Elder Cardon of the Seventy and that was really enjoyable. The message was mainly about the spirit and how He works and how we can let Him work better with us. It was basically split up into 3 session of teaching from Elder Cardon himself. between President and Sister Weston speaking and before lunch, just after lunch when right after that session some missionaries spoke and Sister Cardon, then after that he spoke again. Each session was a little bit different and focused on a few different things and details. The first was mainly on how the Spirit works and how we can allow Him to work better with us. The second session was great, we went on a long scripture chase in the bible about Peter and how he saw so many things and had so many great spiritual experiences but then denied Christ. Why? Because he didn't have the gift of the Holy Ghost yet is what was presented. He had forgotten, or doubted, the experiences he had. And how after the day of Pentecost he couldn't be restrained. Because he had the Holy Ghost. Then that was related to our investigators. The third session really focused on us not letting ourselves get afraid and really being bold and getting to work. Not being afraid to extend bold commitments and promises for keeping them. That was really beneficial as well.
Aside from that the work is going really well also, We set another baptismal date and picked up a new investigator, both in Hayfork. It's really starting to pick up there. I love when people walk up to us and say they want to be taught. That's the best!
Other than that not much has happened, just a few big things. But I'm not complaining. Things are going great. Life is good!

Email letter - August 20, 2012

Hey one and hey all! It was another slow but good week, again there isn't much to report. But that's the usual. This last week, just yesterday actually, Elder Jackson and I were tracting and this guy opened the door and said "I've been expecting you come on it." now usually this is either be a really good thing or just end up in a bible bash. This time it was neither. It was this crazy guy who has some strange religious beliefs. Basically a combination of Jehovah's Witness and Buddhist religions. He was strange. He talked about how Jesus couldn't have been the only savior because he only suffered for people before him and there needed to be others to suffer each in turn for the people before them. He also said that thought, knowledge and a number of other things are imperfection and limit us from getting into "the Kingdom". Kind of a lune, that's only the beginning though. The devil has quite the hold on that man. Too bad he wouldn't listen. Oh well we can't force them. Just invite.
That's all my adventure for this week, we have our annual half-mission conference this week with Elder Cardon of the Seventy so I'll talk about that next week. That'll be a lot of fun! Anyway, love you guys and I'll talk to you soon.

Email letter - August 13, 2012

It was another good week, we had our baptism in Hayfork that went well. It was a long journey with a surprise expedition to Redding, but that's another story for another day, the thing is he got dunked and life is great!  a picture from just before the baptism is attached.
Aside from that we had a good week in Hayfork, we went to the fair and talked to people, getting a few referrals and by chance running into a less-active that wants to come back and have us teach her grandchildren and get them baptized. What are the odds? Things are going well there, Weaverville is still lagging a bit, with the move last week and a long meeting on one of the other days we weren't able to get too much done. But we're working at it. Hopefully we get it going enough to stay here past this transfer period. I would love to stay longer. Absolutely love it. This has been my favorite area.
Next week we have a meeting with Elder Cardon from the seventy and that'll be good, I'll report on that in a couple of week but for now I got nuthin'. Love you and talk to you guys later!

Email letter - August 6, 2012

Holo all! Another good week, I got myself a new comp, Elder Jackson. And I'm slowly tricking him into liking country music with my new church cds with some twang. Just thought you'd like to know. Elder Jackson has been out 3 months, just came from Chico, and is from Hurricane, pronounced "hurrcin" Utah. He's goofy, a hard worker and seems to be a bit on the crazier side. So much like me. It was a good week, we knocked doors, drove about 300 miles, and we taught people. So fairly average. There isn't too much to say about it.
President Weston and I had a talk this week about the area. We're still not sure about whether it's going to stay open or not, but if things don't shape up quickly then it won't. Which would be a real bummer, and I wouldn't be too excited about it. But whatever happens happens, and I know that what will be what is supposed to be. That's one of the things I've developed out here is just to trust what comes from the Lord and go with it, because you're going to be where you're most effective. So if we stay then great, but if we go then just as well. But I do love it here.
We have a baptism this week in Hayfork which will be great. I'm excited a lot for that, especially because I'll be getting wet up to my waist. That'll be fun. We're really excited to have some fruits of our efforts there. And are expecting some more to come soon. It'll be great.
Anyway, there isn't much to report, we're just pushing on as usual. Have a great week you guys, you're all in my prayers and I hope the best is coming to you.

Email Letter - July 30, 2012

Another week in The beautiful trinity county. We have a change up though, Elder Bennion is being transferred away. Sad news, but that's how mission life works! My new comp will be Elder Jackson, coming from Chico. He's been out about 3 months now, and was trained by my good buddy Elder Fullenwider from the MTC. It'll be a whole lot of fun, hopefully he'll be able to put up with and be patient with my silliness. In any case, it'll be a good start to a new transfer.
This week not too much happened. We have half of the people we're working with either out of town or confined to bed due to recent surgery. So we didn't meet too much with them. We knocked a lot of doors and have a few people to go back and see but that's about it. Sad news is that if that keeps up then President Weston will take us out at the next transfer. There'll be nothing to do between appointments if we've literally talked to everyone in town. Especially in a town that is very anti and does not accept us at all. Not just us the missionaries but us as in the whole church. That's just how it is here. A whole lot of prejudice. But we work through it and do our thing and they can't stop us.
Sorry there isn't much to report this week other than the change, but it was not a monumental week by any means. Hope all is well with you all, take care and have a wonderful week!

Email letter - July 24, 2012

Hey all sorry I'm a day late. The library computers are down and we had to wait to get permission to use a member's house. All is well though.
This week was another good one. No complaints here. We're working hard and doing well. This last week we found another person to teach in Hayfork. Everything to do with this investigator is an adventure. The members that found her for us used to own two companies in Vegas, but sold it all so they could travel in an RV and go and do whatever they please. Where she lives is an adventure to get there. She lives about 10 miles outside of Hayfork, about a third of the way to Hyampom, in the mountain country famous for people wanting to get away and "farm". To actually get to her house, after you get off the paved road, you still have 3 miles to go, through a creek, around a "farm" and another miles strait uphill. Sounds like a blast eh? I sure think so. I'm just glad our little car was able to make it. I think we'll film the way out to her place and use it to convince the senior missionary over cars to give us a truck!
In other news, just one of our frustrations this last week was our Branch President moving the baptismal date of the investigator we've been working hard with out in Hayfork, without talking to us about it first, so his wife could be there. I'm not too big on moving dates back, not that I'm worried about this particular investigator, but it just gives a bit more time for the adversary to work on him. Plus, our investigator was heart broken, but went with it anyway because he is a very good guy. He wanted to join the 27 club, by having his old life end on the 27th. But in stead it'll happen on the 10th of next month. There's a transfer between now and then so we hope that both Elder Bennion and I are still around for it. There's equal chance for either of us to go, if either of us do. We'll see how it goes I guess.
This last week between the 2 areas we had 2 investigators and 4 Less-Actives at church, which is fantastic. We're happy to see them all progress. It makes us happy to see others let themselves become happier by following the Lord's commandments.
Other than that there isn't too much going on. Just the usual with the same people, doing the same thing. At least we know repetition is the Lord's way to teach right? Right! Have a great week everyone I love you all!

Email Letter - July 16, 2012

Hey one and hey all. This week was another good week. We spent a lot of time in good ol' Hayfork. Doing as much good as we can there. There is still a lot of Anti in the smaller towns like that which is sad but we're doing our best to dispel the hate. One of the cooler things I've experienced on the mission happened in church on Sunday. The third hour was a presentation on evidences of the Book of Mormon given by Scott Gordon, the president of FAIR (Foundation for Apologetics and Institutional Research) which is an organization that is meant to combat Anti-Mormon junk. That was a pretty cool presentation and we had a few non-members show up. It was in the county paper which was pretty cool as well. A not so exciting thing that happened in Hayfork this week was when we knocked on an investigator's door she answered and said "Hey guys I just finished smoking some pot, come on in." That's Trinity County for you. The thing is we're teaching more people in Hayfork than we are Weaverville. So we're spending more and more time there, which is rough. It's a really different area because we've been told that we are not allowed to tract or anything like that. Which makes for some dead time between appointments where all we can really do is go back to the house, and study, or practice teach or something along those lines. It's tough but we do what we can.
That's all for this week everyone. Except for the fires. We're starting our fire season as well. There's one in Igo which is just south of Redding and one in our area near Del Loma which is west of Weaverville in the canyon towards the coast. Aside from that all is well and safely in. Love you guys!

Sunset after the fire...

Email Letter - July 9, 2012

Greetings fellow human beings! It's a great day here in California, supposed to reach about 100 degrees today and such is the life! This last Saturday while we were in redding for the baptism of Hunter and Kenzie, we were leaving around 5pm and it was 105 according to the high school's marquee. FLAMIN'! I'm so glad I'm not on a bike in Redding right now, especially since it's going to get hotter this week. At least it isn't humid right?
Oh yeah, back to the baptism, it was really great. Elder Bennion did the baptisms and really enjoyed getting wet. We filled the font just a little higher just for him. One thing that was really cool and special, was their aunt had a recording of their grandpa, who died a few years ago, and what he wanted all of his posterity to know. Specifically about the church and being happy. It was really special, almost everyone there knew or was related to the man, and just about all of them had tears in their eyes. Who knows what kind of impact that had on those of them that are less-active or whatever, but there has been another seed planted.
On Sunday I confirmed the kids and that was really special to be able to do that. It was very cool to have the opportunity to have the spirit speak specifics through me for them. Such an awesome feeling.
Things are also going really well with John our other investigator in Weaverville, we had a really spirit led lesson with him about the Restoration yesterday and we think that he knows the Church is true, it's just a matter of time before he agrees to be baptized. We're excited for him, and so is his wife who is a member. We all felt the spirit in that lesson and really enjoyed it.
Things in Hayfork are also going really well, the baptismal date we had was moved back to the 27th but we're not complaining, it's going to work out really well. We also found another person to teach and we would have set a date with her if we were better prepared. We went into the lesson expecting something completely different than what came out of it, and we plan on setting a date when we meet with her this weekend.
It's great how things are going. We're working hard and receiving the benefits of it. Plus we're getting along really well which makes a huge difference. Especially since we spend close to 3 or so hours at least in the care each day. It has been a lot of fun!
Anyway, not much else to report this week. Except we had a guy try to rip down the flag pole at the soup kitchen we volunteer at each week. That was an event. Anyway, love you guys! Have a joy filled week!

Email Letter - July 2, 2012

Hey there everyone! We had another good week this week and have been enjoying the work up here in the rolling hills of trinity county. This week we were able to pick up a new person to teach in Hayfork AND set a baptismal date with him! Granted, he's been going to church for almost a year now and has finally decided to be baptized. So teaching will be really quick because most of it will be review and basically just a check to make sure all is well. He's excited to be baptized on the 21st of July! We also have a baptism coming up this weekend, which is exciting! The niece and nephew of our Relief Society president are getting baptized and are really excited for it as well. They're super fun and really just some good kids. Elder Bennion is also excited to get into water that is more than ankle deep. Other than that there isn't too much to report, we just keep trucking' is all. I love you guys and I'll see you in a year!

Email Letter - June 25, 2012

Hey all! Things are good here in the hills of California. This week was qutie the interesting one. I handled my first marijauna bud, learned how noah's ark and the ark of the covenant really represented the sun and the moon respectively, and had a big cottage meeting with a bunch of people that don't have grass but in stead pot for their yard. And that's just in Hayfork! Let me explain. When we got to hayfork on thursday, we went to visit a part member family and since the member wasn't home we got to talking with her husband and he showed us his garden. First he showed us the tomatoes, then the peppers, and a few other things. Then he showed us his Nor-cal gold. We learned a bit more about uses for the marijuana, like putting it into beeswax and using it as chapstick, or bathing in it to relieve aches and pains. We also learned that each individual plant is worth 2-4 THOUSAND dollars. How bout that?
The cottage meeting was really good, we had it in town at a member's house and enjoyed meeting these people. They live in a place called trinity pines, where there is no electricity or running water. Everyone has generators and hauls in water in large buckets. Each person we met had a great story about how they ended up in the Hayfork area and what is going on in their lives. We even met a family of 7 that we're hoping to begin teaching this week or next. It's fantastic! I love it there in Hayfork. I wish that it wasn't such a drug ridden little community though. It's kinda sad.
Anyway, life is good, and the work is going great. We were stopped by a few people as we were riding our bikes over to the library this morning and were able to set some appointments and share the gospel and all that good stuff. It's pretty wonderful. It just goes to show that no unhallowed hand can stop this work, even if they try really really really really hard.
Love you guys have a great week!

Email Letter - June 18, 2012

Hey there everyone. Sorry I'm on the late side today, things just turned out that way. This week went alright. We went down to Redding a couple of times for our weekly district meeting and then again for Stake Conference. There wasn't a visiting authority but it was still excellent. The themes that really showed up during the conference, in the adult session and the general session was changing yourself to be more like Christ, parenting, and true conversion. It was interesting because none of the topics were really assigned, at least that's what the Stake President said, and there were a lot of people that shared the same scriptures as each other and things like that. It was pretty cool to see how the spirit really worked with the people that were speaking to help them prepare messages that the congregation needed to hear. It was impressive.
Something I've noticed about here in Trinity county is that no one has any sense of comittment. This week alone we had about 6 appointments that when we showed up the people we were planning on meeting just weren't there. It was super frustrating. To me that is the worst thing that could happen because we just wasted 30 minutes of the Lord's time traveling to your house and you aren't there. Not only that but the members that came to help us, their time too. It has been rough, now that summer is here. Everyone is out on the lake all day. So no matter what time of week, or day, no one is really home. It's hard to be productive because of that.
Other than those couple things though life is good. Elder Bennion and I are happy and working together well even though the work is going slowly.  Really what it comes down to is having the patience to trust the Lord to help you find the people that need the word and are prepared to hear it. And that's what we've been working on the most lately as a companionship. Maybe that's why nothing is happening. You can't pray for patience and expect it to come right away right? Oh well, we're looking forward to this next transfer and are excited to be together for at least another one barring some conflict either between us or one we have to facilitate. In any case, it's going to be a glorious transfer! I love you all, take care and have a wonderful week!

Email Letter - June 11, 2012

Hey all! things went good again this week. We spent a lot of time in Hayfork actually, most of the week even. Basically we did service all day one of the days and finished up the next day. It was a whole lot of fun, we built a staircase for a mobile home of one of the members out there. That place sure is interesting. It's too bad it's known for not so great things. Like how much pot comes out of there every year. You can definitely tell which houses belong to growers too. 6 foot wood panel fences and barking pit-bulls and boxers behind them. Definitely growers there. There are a few other things too, but I won't elaborate. The area is still wonderful. We even broke 20 for sacrament meeting there this week! That was really cool because that hasn't happened in a very long time. That branch will grow yet! Basically if it doesn't while Elder Bennion and I are there it will be closed down. So it HAS to grow, we don't want that weighing on our conscience. That would be a real bummer for the people there. Some people already drive over an hour to get there, and it would be an hour longer if it closed. We can't have that now can we?
In Weaverville we started teaching our Relief Society President's niece and nephew and set baptismal dates for them at the end of this month. WOOHOO! That'll be fun. They'be been attending with their aunt for a while and have been really wanting to get baptized, so it's been a long awaited event. The ward is excited and so are they, and so are we! It'll be great! It's good to see some success again, especially since we've been working so hard for it.
Anyway, that's it for this week, I love you all, take care!

Email Letter - June 4, 2012

Hey all! Another good week here in Weaverville, just the usual. I guess the usual is a bit different now though isn't it? Well let me give you a break down. Eat, sleep, drive, proselyte. That's about it! I guess the only real difference is drive in stead of bike.
Anyway, things were good this week. We had an exchange with our zone leaders so they could throw some suggestions at us for our area. It was good. Do you guys remember Elder Tigges? My wonderful, fearless, red-headed district leader from Yuba City? Well now he's my wonderful, fearless, red-headed zone leader, and we were on the exchange together. It was a blast. I love the guy and it was good to serve with him again for a day.
So the pictures include a few different things. The deer at the church, a couple of the views from around the area, a deer that was about 8 feet away and a sandwich I ate the other day. It was delicious.
Anyway all is well and things are great. I love you guys! take care!

Email Letter - May 29, 2012

Hey everyone I hope your memorial day was fantastic and that all went well! Sorry I'm a day late but libraries were closed and the such due to the holiday.
This week has been interesting to say the least. Stressful for sure.
We got up to Weaverville late Tuesday night and have enjoyed it up here. It's really amazing, the views and all. We found out the other day about a few interesting facts, first, if you were to lay trinity county flat, it would be larger than Texas. Second, there are a grand total of 0 traffic lights in the whole of the county and third, well there is no third but it flows better when you have three.
The members up here are great, a lot of them are really wanting to help out, and many of them have people for us to teach it's just a matter of setting appointments and getting things all worked out.
Until then we'll continue tracting, In Weaverville anyway. We actually found someone to teach from tracting last week. It's the first one my entire mission that said he was interested at the door and then kept the appointment. He said he was looking for us to bring some light into his life and that's exactly what we'll do. He's out of town all this next week but after he gets back we're excited to meet with him
again, especially since he has some great questions about the plan of salvation. We're excited!
Aside from that there's a whole lot of the usual around here. We think this next p-day we'll check out some of the local stuff. Joss house, the various museums and all that good stuff. It'll be so much fun!
Anyway, take care all, sorry if this didn't get to everyone the comp we're using is old and didn't want to enter a group so I went individually. But in any case have a wonderful week and I love you all!

Email Letter - May 21, 2012

So big news, I'm getting transferred! You're probably thinking, "wait, didn't you just get to Redding 2 weeks ago?" yes, yes I did. Elder Bennion and I are both leaving the Redding 2nd ward to open up the Weaverville ward and Hayfork branch. We got a call from the zone leaders on Thursday letting us know what was going on, and we're headed into the hills. It's gonna be a blast and it will be much enjoyed. Effective tomorrow we'll be covering that area, which is pretty much the northern 2/3s of Trinity county. Our Hayfork branch alone is about 23 miles from one end to the other, or maybe it was 23 miles to the furthest active members house from the church. I think the latter. Good thing we'll be in a car!
We actually went up to the Hayfork branch conference for church yesterday, and met all 15 active people in the branch. We'll hit Weaverville next sunday and meet the rumored 70 active people. There's a lot to do and we're excited to be the ones to have the chance to do it.
Aside from that the week has been pretty average. We went to the Sundial bridge to talk to people the other day and we took a few good pictures and a video, pictures included in this email and the video will be sent seperately. We tracted a lot again this week but other than that we really just got ready to pass the area off to the missionaries taking over. It's going to be a long process.
Something that will get old, but will add a whole new challenge in is that we will be living in Weaverville half of the week and Hayfork the other half. It will be rough, but splitting all of our stuff and living out of a suitcase kept in the car will be fun, at least maybe for the first week. Maybe. Anyway, it'll be good no matter what because we have a good attitude and are going to be working hard so we know we will be blessed!
Now it's just a waiting game, we get our car and go up tomorrow after our Zone Conference. it'll be great! There are also some other pictures, one of the valley just outside of Hayfork, and one of the King street sign. Love you guys and have a good week!

Email Letter - May 14, 2012

Sorry about the lack of email last week, really there wasn't anything to say that was exciting. Just that I got transferred. I've had a first week up in Redding. Elder Bennion is great and we're having good success. Up here there hasn't been a lot of work in a long time and we're going to be fixing that. It's kind of a bummer to always come to a dead area and then leave when it's revived. But that happens, and it seems to be my calling and when President Weston trusts me to do. I'm alright with that I guess.
So a little bit about the area: It's hot, really hot. It was in the mid 90s almost all last week, and it's only getting hotter. At least it isn't humid. In the area there are a lot of different churches, two of them also happen to be schools. One a university like BYU the other a ministerial school. The Univeristy, called Simpson, is mainly for non-denominational Christians, and they hate the church. If you're a mormon and you try to go to Simpson they make you publicly denounce the church to attend. The other, called Bethel, is into signs, wonders, and miracles, especially healings. Sad thing is that it all happens for them and they think it's the true church, so they're VERY devout. They don't get that it's all false. So in this area there is a lot of opposition to the church, but it's just one more thing to overcome. We're not too worried about  it. We'll do our job to invite, and they'll accept or they won't.
Anyway, not too much to say about the work. We knocked a few hundred doors this week, not counting the Less-Active's and former investigator's doors we knocked on. Which was another good amount.  We'll keep going, and keep our heads up while we do it.

Email Letter - April 30, 2012

Hey everyone. Things were good this week. We finally moved it, on Tuesday. It was a pain to wait and live off minimals but sometimes you need to do that. At least the members we were with are pretty great. We're in probably the nicest apartment in the mission now. It's awesome. I like it.
Thursday I was able to go to the temple with Elder Roley! It was really great. I really understood more this time than I have before, and because of that it was a lot more meaningful and the revelation was excellent. You know how last time I saw Ian Bliss at the temple? I didn't see him again, but I did see Nathan Tubbs! Homeboy is fat! I asked how much he weighed. I won't give the weight, but we'll say that he is about 40 lbs heavier than he was when he graduated.  Apparently the Santa Rosa mission goes every 3 months, and depending on where you are in the mission you go to the Sac, Oakland or Medford temple. I think that's how it should be done here too. Oh well. It was good to see Tubbs though. I love that kid! I would send some pictures but the computers at our complex are really lame. About as lame as they can get actually. Looks a lot like windows 98 to me. It probably is. In any case, the Operating System is old school. And there are a grand total of 0 available USB ports. Bummer.
Saturday was Mormon Helping Hands. It was awesome! We did a lot of work at an elementary school, moving sand from one playground to the other, then filling the one we removed the sand from with woodchips. We also removed weeds and put woodchips in their place around the trees on one side of the school. Planted some flowers and fixed up and painted the backstops on one of the baseball fields. That was a whole lot of fun and we got the work done fairly quickly as well. just a couple of hours. I have some pictures from that too, but again, I can't send them. Oh well.
Yesterday The family we've been working with finally came to church! I think they had a good experience. We're making contact with them again tomorrow and are going to find out. There little one was a hastle but other than that they seemed to enjoy it, they participated and definitely felt the spirit. And it was good to finally have them there!
As you can see the week was pretty eventful, and enjoyable. Transfers are next week and I should know what is happening by the time I email. So we'll see how it goes. I think I'm going but you never know. We shall see. Anyway, I love you guys. Have a great week!

Email Letter - April 23, 2012

Hey everyone. This isn't much to say about the last week except the weekend was very busy and very exciting. Saturday was move day for us. Kind of. After we had packed everything up and loaded it into the mission trailer, the senior missionary in charge of apartments realized that it was not us that was supposed to be moving, but the other elders! He flip flopped the days on us accidentally thinking we were the 6th ward elders. Whoops! We decided we would try to move on with the move as best we could and try to get into our apartment anyway. It looked like we were going to be able to, but ended up we couldn't. We got the keys, opened the door, and there were cleaners inside! They won't be done until later today it seems. So we'll either finish up moving in today or we may have to wait until tomorrow. Either way, we're stuck without an apartment. So what are we doing until then? Staying at a member's house of course. We've been taking turns sleeping on the floor and sleeping on the bed. Sadly I think the floor was more comfortable and if we stay the night again tonight I'll be fighting for it. Kind of a sticky situation and not super fun but you do what you have to do.
We had the Roseville stake conference this last Sunday as well, which was excellent. We got to hear from a few people in the congregation, a member of the stake presidency here, President and Sister Weston, President and Sister Baggs (of the sac temple) and from Elder Cordova, whom is an area Seventy in so-Cal. It was great. One of the things that Elder Cordova talked about was recognizing that the most important meeting in the church is Sacrament meeting, because of the Sacrament itself. He told us that we needed to make the chapel as holy as the temple. When he asked how we do that he said it is by recognizing the angels ministering to us as we renew our covenants. He then invited all of the primary children up to sing I love to see the temple, and when they finished he asked if anyone noticed the angels like he did. It was excellent. I love getting the opportunity to go to meetings like that and hear from church leaders. It almost always helps me see a new perspective on something in the church or in every day life. Usually both.
Anyway I think that's all for this week, I love you all and take care!

Email Letter - April 16, 2012

Hello all, things are going good! This week we had all sorts of doors that we knocked on. That happens a lot these days. It's a good thing I really enjoy tracting. I find it fun meeting all sorts of different people and having all sorts of conversations with them. This week we had a really good conversation with a "Christian" man. Non-denominational, one of those "Lord Lord" guys. He criticized us for teaching doctrine on one scripture in the bible. Like baptism for the dead as an example. But only had one scripture to justify what he was talking about. About all we have to do is confess that Jesus is Lord and accept Him into our lives and there won't be anything to stop us getting into heaven. In the end he called us heretics, we said he was wrong, bore testimony, and got up and walked out. Poor guy, too blind to see the truth right in front of him. That's how it goes sometimes. Especially when people think they're educated on our religion because they took a class offered by their church that teaches about us and our doctrine. Oh well.
That's all for this week. Congrats on the Baby Carter and Anna! And welcome little Savannah into the world! I love you all. Take care.

Email Letter - April 9, 2012

Happy easter all!
Things went well this last week. We're still not having as much success as we would like but we're still working hard and trying to find those people that are the elect and searchers for truth. They'll come around for us, it's just a matter of patience. It's a good thing I'm so full of that Christ-like attribute. Not. I need some help in that aspect, but maybe that's why this is happening how it is. Whose to say?
Yesterday I was blessed to teach the Gospel principles class. The lesson was supposed to be on fasting and that's what I had originally planned on teaching but it was suggested about 20 minutes before church that I should teach on the Atonement. It was Easter after all. It fell right so I did, and it was perfect. It was probably more for me than it was for everyone else in the class, to tell the truth. I got a lot out of it, but I think the best part was that I was able to feel the spirit teach through me and testify to the people in that class of the truth of what I was saying. It was far too long of a gap of time from the last time I was able to really feel that way about something that I taught in an organized lesson. Knowing that the people were listening really helped as well. It was good to testify of the Atonement and have the spirit confirm it to myself as well. I think that's the most important thing that came from yesterday's lesson.
That's about all of the fun events from this week, hopefully this week will be filled with more excitement and adventure. because we all love that! Take care and enjoy!

Email Letter - April 9, 2012

Hey there daddio! Yeah the mission let us get on mormon.org/easter to post something about Christ. There was a big campaign this last weekend where they showed advertisements during youtube videos to direct people to that website, so they can see we believe in Christ. We were allowed to participate. Which was great.
That's rough for quin. I know that's not what we wanted to hear, but in essence quin is the one in charge of his body and can do what he wants. In saying that, it's hard not to play but sometimes that's what you need to do. There are more important things than football. But if he feels good enough to play and wants to do it then the doctor really can't stop him. He needs to remember though that if it hurts, he needs to stop. Period.
Anyway, things here are very good. Still working on finding people to teach, still not having success in that aspect, but we're having fun. We recorded our tracting approaches this last week and then shared them with the other missionaries. That was a really good laugh, especially when we brought up that the big bang is only as likely as a dictionary being formed from a printing shop explosion. They people on the door step didn't know what to say. After some silence they said "maybe there is a god, but that doesn't mean you're right about it!" and slammed the door. We thought it was humorous.
Well that's all I really have to say, except happy birthday Jessica! and Happy easter to the family. I love you daddy. Take care.
-Sean

Email Letter - April 2, 2012

HI everybody! (Hi Elder King!)
This week was so great. I just love conference. The Prophets, Seers, and Revelators are just my favorite. I won't go into too much detail about talks but I will say I think my favorite of all of talks was President Eyring's in the saturday morning session. I think I pulled more out of that talk than any other and it really just hit home to me. You know how sometimes you feel as if the prophets are speaking right to you and not to any of the other 14 million members of the church? That was one of those talks.
Things this week were pretty rough still, that's what happens when you're core study is Christ-like attributes at the time and you happen to be studying patience in depth though. It happens.  But it was so much better than the last few weeks. Elder Warren, who is from Wyoming not Idaho, just right on the border between the two, has made all the difference in the work. It's nice to have someone that just wants to have fun but wants to have fun while he works hard. We match up really well that way and we get along super well too.  So even just in that aspect it's been really good. We're working really hard to find some people to teach right now, we've had to turn over just about everyone we've been teaching except for Kristian and Vitta, who came to conference Saturday and happened to see Elder Holland's talk. We're hoping that'll juice them up and help them to see the need to be baptized.
As far as moving goes it hasn't happened yet. We're hoping it'll happen in the next couple of weeks. The senior missionary in charge of the housing is checking out all of the apartments today and will be making the decision. So we should hear about it soon and then hop to. It's going to be good to get out of the place we're at now, the spirit just can't be there. We feel bad for the people moving in after us though, poor people. Have to deal with weed smell and munchies and the such. But at least I'll be out of there!
Anyway, there isn't too much to say about the week. But I love you guys, I hope all is well. Take good care and have a happiness filled week!

Email Letter - March 26, 2012

First off thanks everyone for the birthday wishes! You're all great! This week was great. We did quite a bit and ran into some very interesting people. I think we ran into someone from just about every race, religion and denomination that's available in Roseville while we tracted and talked to people. We had a guy tell us that we could murder or commit adultery and still live in Christ's presence as long as we accepted Him and  that was it. That case, with many others, made me really see why missionary work is so important. Not to degrade any of these great people but they're absolutely wrong and need to hear the Truth and His message. Sadly most of them won't.
We're doing well with the people we're teaching. We're getting ready to hand off Maria and her daughter to some other missionaries. We found out she doesn't live in our area so she isn't within our stewardship. It's a bummer but it's the right thing to do, and needs to be done. We're still searching and trying to find those "seekers of truth" as Elder Maynes put it a few weeks ago.
Transfer calls came in last night. I'm staying and my new comp is Elder Warren, a missionary that came out the same time Elder Thueson did. From what I understand he's a hard worker and is in the good habits of working hard from his last area. It'll be good. I'm excited to have him. He's from Idaho, so I'm on a no Utah companion streak of 4. Not one from the home front. It's kind of different from most missionary's experiences I think. No big deal, I love them all anyway. Besides, if the Utah vs Idaho conversation comes up again, all I need to say is Idaho touches Canada.
Love you all, take care, and have a great week!

Email Letter - March 19, 2012

Hey there everybody! This week was a good week. It rained a whole lot which made me happy. I started riding my bike really really fast through the puddles like I did when I was younger and it was so exciting!
In other news, we have transfers next week, on the 27th and things are looking like Elder Vergara will be leaving. And the big joke is that Elder Roley my mtc comp that lives in the same apartment and myself with be training, and we're going to train two that were comps in the mtc as well. But you never know, it could happen. Probably won't though. Mostly I'm just excited for some change. It'll be good to have a new comp and get the work going again.
Things are going well with our current 'gators. Just doing our thing and helping them progress towards baptism and the such. We're always looking to add to the teaching pool too though. We knocked about 200 doors this week. We had a pretty good ratio of people inviting us back too! 1! That's one more door than the last 200 doors so we're pretty excited for that as well. Things are looking good!
Again another short letter. Things were pretty monotonous this week so there isn't anything very exciting to say. But take care, I love you all!

Email Letter - March 12, 2012

Hey everyone. We had a much better week this last week. Sorry about my lack of writing last week as there wasn't much to say. But this week we had a nice treat that I didn't mention anything about last week. We were very privileged to hear from Elder L. Tom Perry and Elder Richard J. Maynes this last week in a bi-mission conference. Us and Sacramento Mission. It was really cool to be in the presence of an Apostle of the Lord. We talked about a lot of different things, about how to work better with members, and how to better share the Gospel, things like that. One thing that sticks out to me is the comment that was made by Elder Perry saying that we're where we are because this is where we're the most effective. Mission, zone, area, companionship. That was something that was really emphasized. At least to me. Another thing that was emphasized was keeping our temple covenants and also "The Rescue" which is the Church's big thing right now under President Monson. Needless to say there was a  lot of very good discussion and it was very well enjoyed.
We had an amazing lesson yesterday. While we were at church we get this text from a member saying something along the lines of "Elders call me as soon as you can, I have someone for you to teach." This member and her family are converts of a few years and one of their good friends had some stuff happen that made her, and her daughter, super prepared. It's interesting how that sometimes it takes an event to happen to prepare someone for the Gospel, kind of like the Zoramites that were 'compelled to be humble'. This was one of the best lessons I've been a part of and the spirit was super strong. We're meeting with them again on Wednesday and planning on committing them to baptism then as well.
We had a good lesson with our other investigators as well, Kristian and Vitta. Vitta told us the reasons she wasn't baptized the last time she met with missionaries up in Chico, and we feel we can settle her concerns. She feels that us calling out to her husband before we could even really see him and striking up a random conversation is a sign from God that she needs to join the church. Which it is, and she needs to do.
Anyway family, I love you guys. Take care! Have a wonderful week!
-Sean

Email Letter - March 5, 2012

Hey everyone. This week was tough, probably the hardest so far. Even the earth itself seems like it wants us to fail. The wind has been awful and it's always at our head, adding on average about 10 minutes of travel time to any given destination, then when we get there people are too busy to keep appointments. In order to keep our spirits up we've been telling jokes, but we've both run out of jokes. Anybody have any good ones?
As for the work, every single appointment dropped or fell through. Enough said. I really don't have much to talk about today guys. This week was long and hard and I'd rather not look like a whiner and complain about it all. Just know I feel your prayers. we're setting some personal and companionship goals to help not have another week like this and we feel like it'll never happen again.
Love you all, take good care.

Email Letter - February 27, 2012

Another week in Roseville. This one was much better than the last few have been though! This week we found a family to teach, Kristian and Vittatoria and their kids. Which is pretty freaking awesome! It's interesting though, because they've met with missionaries before up in Chico and already know a lot. I don't think the missionaries there actually taught what they were supposed to though, and there's a lot that needs correction. For example, they have read through the Pearl of Great Price and Doctrine and Covenants already, which isn't normally something we talk about too much. We try to stick in the Book of Mormon and The Bible. But it's pretty great anyway. I'm super excited to meet with them again and really begin teaching them. We just got to know them for the most part this last appointment, found out what they already know and what they believe and the such.
Things other than that have gone well too. But not too much to report. My bike is mostly fixed and rides a lot better. I post-poned a few things because 1) I was able to get a few things from the scrap bikes we have and 2) the bike shop has a tune up special this week and didn't last week. So I figured I might as well get it done for cheaper. Right?
Anyway, I love you all, take care!

Email letter - February 20, 2012

Hey everyone! Things went well this week. A lot like the last few though, with a lot of doors. We did find someone to teach though. His name is Taylor, and a funny fact is that his best friend's name is Sean. Coincidence? Yes, I think so. He's pretty great though, we had met with him before but we actually had a lesson with him this time. It went really well, we feel that he will do well.
Since I got to Roseville I have been having bike issues. In the last 2 days, I've managed to pop 2 tubes, one of them twice, and break a spoke, plus in the week prior I managed to pop two other tubes. Who would have thought that possible? Not me, I didn't have any issues in Yuba, at all. It's been a real pain. But whatever, we have good members who take care of us. It's been a real pain though. It's super frustrating when you bike 15 minutes into your area, and something goes wrong with the bike, and walk 45 minutes back to your apartment, because you've already used your spare tube. That's been the biggest trial lately. Nobody to teach and bike issues. It's a good thing it's helping me grow right? And develope my tire changing skills.
Anyway, that's all for this week. I love you all and take care!

Email Letter - February 13, 2012

Hey everyone, it was another really slow week. Slower than the previous one. It's been a bummer not having a lot of work to do but we're still trying hard to change that. There really isn't much more to say there than that.
We got our transfer calls last night, as tomorrow is transfer day, and though neither Elder Vergara or myself are going anywhere I'm really excited about who is coming into the area. Elder Roley my MTC comp is coming to the neighboring ward and will be living in the same apartment as I am. And Elder Netane, also from my MTC group, is coming to be our district leader in one of the other wards. With the three of us, plus another elder that is in our district we have one person from every ward in the district from my group. Plus another elder from my group also in Roseville. Making 5 in total. This will be a lot of fun and I'm very excited to hang out with these guys and enjoy a good time with them.
So even with the lack of work that's been going on I'm still happy to be out here, I know it's stressful and frustrating but I also know I'm blessed. This is the Lord's work. No doubt about it.

Email Letter - February 6, 2012

Hey everyone. It was another one of those longer weeks this week. It's been frustrating. I think when people tell us a time to come back they intentionally tell us a time that they won't be home. It's been super annoying. So I don't have much to talk about because I'd rather not vent about all of that stuff.

Aside from all of that things are going really well! Elder Vergara and I are working well together and we've developed a few different ideas to help get the members involved in missionary work. That seems to be the one thing members won't do for us, is give us referrals. We're working closely with the ward missionaries now too which will be good. As part of us trying to get the members more involved we feel that extending the commitments will hold a bit more of an effect when they're extended from an adult they know and trust and not some punk kid missionaries like me and Vergara. It seems to be a good idea.

Well that's where we're at right now, there isn't too much else to say. I love you all, take care.
-Sean

Email Letter - January 23, 2012

This week was exceptionally long. I attribute it to the lack of sunshine. It's been raining almost non-stop since Thursday. There was a break Thursday but that was not enough. Welcome Winter! But not really, rain and missionary work don't go together very well.

The rain has slowed the work too. The people are depressed, they still don't like missionaries, and Elder Vergara doesn't like the rain either. It's been a struggle the last few days. We do have a baptism this week though! Our friend Elyssa, she's 12, and great. Her mom decided she wanted to make all of the children wait to be baptized until she thought they were old enough to really know and decide for themselves. That's not the Lord's way, but whatever, she's chosen to be baptized and it's happening. Which is great! Plus, we get fed really well whenever we go over to teach them. Her dad went to Japan on his mission and always makes us some food he learned how to make over there, and it's typically pretty good. Nice people.

I'm also going to the temple in the next couple of weeks. I'm super excited for that, I miss the temple. That's going to be a highlight for sure. It'll be great.

That's it for this week, there's not a lot to report this week. I love you all, take care!

---Elder King

3rd Nephi 5:13

Email Letter - January 16, 2012

Hey everyone. Things went well this week. That's usually how it goes though.

The work in this area is tough! The people are a lot less receptive than those in Yuba City, probably because of the higher amount of wealth here. Sadly that's how it goes sometimes.

Despite that though, the work is picking up really quickly. We should have a few new people to teach starting this week, we've been working really hard and there have been a couple of people invite us back.

A fun story behind one of which: we were out tracting, probably at the worst time to tract the entire week, the last minutes of the 49ers game. As I'm sure many of you know, it was a very tight game and people weren't very interested in talking to the best looking, hardest working and humblest missionaries around. As we're going though I was getting really sick of people telling us to buzz off in no uncertain terms, so this door we knocked, I saw the game was on, and in stead of the usual pitch I spit out "We just want to know what the score is". So the guy let us in! We watched the last minute's worth of game, told him who we were and what we were doing, he said come back, and so we will! Pretty great right?

Good to know that even when I'm more interested in the score than salvation, the Lord can still use me to bring salvation. Mostly I like to think I'm a pretty adaptable tool in His hands.

Anyway, that's all for this week. I love you all, you're great, I validate you, etc. Take care!

---Elder King

3rd Nephi 5:13

Text Message - January 15, 2012

I received this message a few minutes ago! Super cool to get these kinds of surprises.

"Proof that they are fighting for the light side of the force. We enjoyed having your son over for dinner tonight."

Email Letter - January 9, 2012

Comin' at ya from Roseville! Things here area going really well, I've had a good first week here and expect to enjoy the rest of them as well. The first week in each area is particularly tough though, so I'm looking forward to this week even more than last. It's just tough to get around not knowing the area and the little things like that. One of the things I like in Roseville though is the high amount of bike trails and that almost every road has a bike lane, unlike Yuba which had hardly any. It's nice being here. I can't wait until things turn green though, Roseville has a city ordinance or law or something that ensures that a certain percentage of land stays undeveloped. So there are a lot of fields and parks and wildlife which is a lot of fun, I hope I get to stay until summertime to see all of that even more so.

My new comp Elder Vergara and I get along really well too which is great. He is a hard worker which makes me happy; we've both enjoyed working together, at least for this week. It seems that the other elders in our apartment really sabotaged the relationship with his last companion and that's not cool. We're going to keep that from happening though, because that kills the work. There hasn't been work in this area for a long time sadly. I think President has put me here to revive the area like I did in Yuba, which is tough but possible. We're going to be working hard so the Lord will bless us in our efforts. I'm not worried.

Something fun that happened this week to Elder Vergara and myself was when we were tracting, we ran into a catholic priest, father Martin. He first let us in because he thought we were the bishop of his parish St. Lucif... Clares. He's a fun guy; we talked a lot about the similarities and differences of our churches. Of course he disputed our authority saying that it didn't come from Peter, which was funny because our authority comes from Christ, which is something they don't claim. He also disputed our mode of baptism, which is funny because we baptize how Christ was baptized, which is something they don't do. There was a lot talked about, he accepted a copy of the Book of Mormon, and we're going back this week when we finish tracting his street.

The thing I'm most excited for is the temple. I get to go as soon as I find someone to take me and another missionary that can go, Elder Vergara isn't eligible time wise because he went a few weeks ago. I can't wait, I've missed the temple a lot and since it was closed while I was in the MTC I haven't been for a little over 7 months. It'll be so great to go, since there are other missionaries from my group that just came from areas that they weren't able to go I'm sure one of them will be able to go with me, that'll be a lot of fun. To get to reconnect as we visit the Lord's house. It'll make me very happy.

Well that's all for this week, I love you all, take care and have a wonderful week!

---Elder King

3rd Nephi 5:13

Email Letter - January 2, 2012

Well it's been an eventful couple of days, I wish I could say the same about the rest of the week but again due to the holidays it was unnaturally slow. I do have some big news though; as you can guess with the subject of this email I am indeed being transferred! I am leaving the Hillcrest ward and heading south to the Roseville 5th ward, which if I remember correctly is the ward that Randy and Chele used to live in. Maybe I'm wrong. Either way I'm very excited, it'll be a new challenge to help me grow even more. I've heard a little bit about my new companion as well, he's from Colombia, and doesn't speak English very well as of yet. He's been out a little bit longer than me, I think just one transfer, and his favorite band is the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Lately, I've been practicing on the piano; I've felt the need to. So I've been playing various hymns on p-days the last couple of weeks and I'm getting pretty good, I can sight read the top hand most hymns that only have one sharp or flat, and I'm improving each week. Maybe I was meant to play the piano after all mom!

Pertaining to the work, again, a slow week. People are still out of town or were busy, that happens but its okay. Elder Thueson and Elder Richie his new companion should get along really well and do some good work here, besides, if they don't, Brother Tafua will hurt them.

Anyway, that's all for this week, sorry I wrote late and that it's short again. I love you all, take care!

---Elder King

3rd Nephi 5:13