Monday, September 9, 2019

Kissed By The Sun

Well, the week started off like 95 degrees and now we are dealing with like 60 degrees, and honestly, the contrast is making me shiver a bit. Rainy days have smitten the land. This is the first year I didn't have to inhale smoke all summer, so that was cool.

Speaking of the flaming temperatures, one day became too much for your boy, Elder Ruth. We had some people who needed some major wood split. They gave me a wedge and a sledge and set me to work. It was so much fun splitting large rounds and feeling super manly. It got less fun when Mr. Sun came in like a wrecking ball. I had to stop, due to some serious heat exhaustion. I felt kinda weak the rest of the day and was having a hard time eating, but I still got out there and kept working. I mean, lots of water, a nap and other care first, of course. Don't worry mom, I'm fine.

There's a family that we started teaching as soon as I got here. We taught them twice, and then we were unable to teach them again, supposedly because I invited them to be baptized, and the excommunicated member woman who wears the pants says that we are pushing way too hard. Anyhow, we tried all transfer and finally gave up on them this week. We traveled over there and we talked with the guy who really wanted to meet with us. The woman shut it down again. All I know is, we didn't do anything wrong, we followed our purpose in inviting others to come unto Christ, and the woman is directly responsible for halting the salvation of three others. If you couldn't tell, I'm not pleased with her.

I was so excited to one day get an email from the church informing me that the Book of Mormon videos are coming September 20th. I waited literally my entire mission for this. Anyhow, we mosy to someone's home who hasn't allowed the Book of Mormon in for over 30 years, and I ask if I can show them a video. Boom! Our member support then bore a testimony, and then I finished the job with more testimony. It was so hot, I don't know if she had a tear or a sweat drop streaming down her face. She says, "just one problem Elders. We don't have any Book of Mormons." Which is absolutely huge. We slopped two Book of Mormons into her and her husband's hands. He is so excited to read it, saying it's something he has wanted forever but never pursued because of her. These two are now well on their way. Sweet!

I didn't really want to tell our military academy boys that I was leaving, but a member dropped the news. They were sad to hear of my departure, but they all expressed their love and appreciation for me. I enjoyed bearing testimony to them, comparing the academy to a mission, and how they can do hard things when they rely on the Lord. It was sad to see them go, but I'm glad that liked me and that they are going to keep coming to our class. Three of them expressed they considered going to the catholic gathering instead because of how fun it is, but they will keep coming here because they know our church is the Church of Jesus Christ. Reminds me of when Jesus said to his friends, "will ye also go?" And the apostles all said they'd stay because Jesus is the way to eternal life. We aren't an exciting church with roller blades and a rock band, but we are the only true and living church on the earth. This is where you will find lasting joy and happiness.

I guess I don't really have much else to say. Orofino has been good, but my family has me excited to come home. Elder Haws is staying here for a third transfer, so he is happy about that. We ran over a skunk late at night in our car and it still stunk the next day. I also saw a raccoon, which is a far less common sighting than I thought. Missions are great. The church is true. I survived two years. Time to go home and do some serious girl hugging. Gird up your loins, boys, we're going on an adventure!  


Looks like my cat from home!



Monday, September 2, 2019

The Beginning of the End

Well, thus begins my final week as a missionary. Not that anything in this email relates to my final week, since I'm not Marty McFly, I'm just putting this out there. I'm fixing to come home in nine days, and I couldn't be more excited. It's bitter sweet, but missionary work doesn't end just because you've finished the mission. 

So Elder Larsen, my companion from December to February is up here, and he can't seem to sleep in his apartment in Kamiah! But any time he goes literally anywhere else, he sleeps as good as I wish I could. President had us do an exchange which lasted 3 days, where I was left in charge with Elder Larsen once again at my side. One of my favorite things I noticed is, people often change and become better than the last time you saw them. He's not the greenie I remember training! Anyhow, me and him got out to slop the streets and let the good times begin. (The good times are also present with Elder Haws, I love that guy.)

So we have a family of gators who up n moved that I wrote about in my last email. I wasn't pleased with this, and so I started some serious detective work. We eventually learned the general area of their new location. We gave details to the ward mission leader who gave us faulty directions, landing us atop the Dworshak dam, which is huge. I enjoyed doing a hand stand atop one of the cement barriers with the dam behind me. We then scurried around searching for anywhere else it might be. The other side of the dam was not the place. Finally we returned to the one who gave us the dirty deets on the families location and ended up becoming pretty good friends with her. She will become an investigator here in just a bit. Anyhow, we finally find the supposed campground and park the car. After walking through the woods, we scoped em out along the river! Boom! They were so glad we found them since they didn't have our phone number. So now, we are back in business teaching this family.

Another time, we were walking to a referral we received, and I felt sheepish since a party was going on at that house, and people were outside just staring at us. We just kept walking and I pulled us down the road into the first turn, landing us in a trailer park. I believe that for us missionaries, there's usually a reason for us when something like that happens. I decided we would knock on two doors. The first was a no answer. I stared the park down and then selected your boy, Devante's trailer. He's a Muslim kid who frankly doesn't care about that since he's a christian who only converted because his family did. He isn't sure if he can have us over, but before he closed that door, I dropped the dirty, "so what do you know about your family history?" Two days later, we had that man in the family history center. That's right, boys!

Saturday was one of the longest days of my life. We went to Kamiah for BBQ days. Woke up at 5:40 to leave at 6:00 and arrive at 6:30 AM. *grumble* Me and Elder Haws were way down a street holding a sign to direct runners in a 5K. Unfortunately, the people before us directed them wrong, so we were standing around for nothing more than to enjoy the excuse of the mountains they have. Later, we helped people set up for a parade, serve dinner, and then fold up bouncy houses. We finally left at 8:30 pm. The highlight of the day for me was no doubt when I was sitting under a pavilion, and a lil sparrow flew in and landed on my head! I had never had such an experience! The other elders joked about how they wish it was a dove so they could say the Holy Ghost descended upon me. 

Lastly, we got to teach at the military academy again this week. Only four boys showed up this time. So sad.. but they were the ones who participate the most and the ones I've developed the best friendship with. My patriarchal blessing talks about how I will learn to love the people that I serve on my mission. I could see that start to be the case in airway heights (and I'm referring to the people who I didn't know, since I loved my investigators) but that day, I saw the prophecy come true. You see, my whole mission, I've struggled with the word "love" when it came to other guys. I've had companions who say "love ya" just before bed, and I stayed silent because I had a mental block. I think Elder Herem got me to say it like twice. That day in the academy, I was able to look at these boys who I almost never get to see and barely know, and tell them that I love them, and they can make it. The military academy isn't easy, but neither is a mission. I heard them describing how they missed basic things, like seeing their family every day, or being able to just go home and lay down or open the fridge whenever they wanted and have food provided in abundance. They told me they'll never take these things for granted again. Me and the boys have learned, and I know because they told me, the Lord will always provide a way for you to make it. He will never leave you totally alone, and when you rely on Him, He will be with you and get you to the finish. I stand as testimony. 

I had my final interview with President, and he asked how it felt for me to have made it this far. I said, "I didn't think I would make it this far," and he said, "you know, Elder, I didn't think you would, either." The Lord provides a way. 

So there's my second to last mass email I'll ever send to this specific audience. Thanks to everyone to has supported me this whole time. It's been good. Anyways, Gird up your loins, boys, we're going on an adventure!

Check out this view!

Dworshak Dam

Monday, August 26, 2019

My Groceries!

I'm not saying that we should just nuke the paper mill in Lewiston, but if everyone in the town just decided to go and visit another city, I wouldn't be opposed to a bomb or two destroying the paper mill. We went three times this week, and each time, it smelled like the sewer released some brand new challengers who wanted to fight.

So anyways, they had us all travel to Lewiston on one of the occasions to go and find people for those elders to teach. I got paired up with their ward mission leader and was let loose. We were able to share a nice message at the less active members house and get her a ride for church, and then it was up to us to try and find new people. The ward mission leader didn't feel like tracting so he pulled me on over to an old folks community to talk to his other less active friend. That friend had a friend of her own over, who when she saw us coming, was starting to leave. She blew past her and went to his friend, so I did the first thing I could think of and comment on the escapees shoes. That started some nice conversations where I bestowed upon her the knowledge of parkour and some teenager lingo. Eventually, I learned about her husband who passed away a few years prior who she missed dearly. I was able to teach her about the resurrection and some of the plan of salvation. She was pretty grateful, and now those elders have one new person from us to teach. Nice. 

This week was harder in terms of finding. Not only could we not quite find any new people, but one of the families we found prior was living in a tent along the river, and they just moved without us knowing! Unlucky. Our other investigators have supposedly been the busiest people in the world. I didn't come out of the MTC yesterday, so I know what that means. :p but it's all good. Some people just aren't ready, but as we demonstrate our faith, God will lead us to others who actually are ready and will embrace the gospel. 

One day, we had been gone from the apartment for several hours, so we turned the air conditioning off. We return home around 9 and the power was out. I became so frightened for my newly acquired groceries! But also, it was roasting in our trailer. I tried to cool it down by opening and closing the door several times. I didn't struggle falling asleep, though I did have a hard time staying asleep as always. I was awake at 3:30 am when the power returned, scaring most of my life out of me. But as I lay pondering in my bed, I realized that I would be the dominant husband. My wife can sleep with ear plugs in because each time our baby cries at ungodly hours of the night, I'll already be awake and will therefore have no problem getting out of bed and helping it chill out. Let's go, boys. 

Not much else of interest really happened this week. I had my final zone conference, and I got a letter from the mission office telling me all this stuff to do before I return home. The temperature is dropping from the hundreds to the 90s, deer are just about everywhere, and the new trend we are in is now plums, instead of blackberries. Someone warned me that plums can also curse you with Montezuma's revenge, so I've been careful there. Other than that, there you go. *insert some comment about the stake president and hugging girls here*

My Last Zone Conference

Maybe there's more money on my card?  Here's to praying

Monday, August 19, 2019

Orofino's Alive Now

Ho ho ho, who wouldn't go? Even though most music in our mission is now banned, I can still listen to my Christmas music if it appears in the hymn book or can bring the spirit. Every night has been a silent night, and I have heard the bells on Christmas day every day. Let's go, boys.

We went on exchanges, kind of. A zone leader spent the day with us, so we had my favorite thing, a trio! Anyhow, here's the story of how I was "trolled by the holy ghost." That's what I call it when it lies to you to make you go the right direction. I felt strongly we should go and visit this old man who lives in a trailer park. He ends up not being home, so Elder Haws feels that we should walk over to the restaurant. As we are going, we pass an RV with tents and some angry dude smoking. Me and Haws both had no desire to talk to him, but the zone leader strolls on over despite that man's complaints. After a couple minutes of not much, the old man's wife and grandson arrive on bikes. It was quite interesting, each one of us talked to each one of them for a minute and then traded places until we had each talked to each person for a couple minutes. Old man softened up, and his wife and grandson ended up really wanting to hear more, so that's the story of how we netted 3 new people to teach in one go.

We were able to have a lesson with a potential investigator family which turned them into two new investigators on Monday. We taught the restoration with lots of power and all that jazz. Due to weird schedule stuff, we sent me in alone with a member to go and visit. The husband had been called in for work, so it was just her. As I talked with her, I was very surprised to hear that not only did they keep their commitment of reading the introduction of the Book of Mormon, but he just kept going and in two days made it from 1st Nephi 1 to Alma 26. Like geez, man! I haven't even done that before. I also learned that he really wanted to go to church, and she was thinking about baptism in the past. I bet we can invite them to be baptized shortly. Woot. Anyhow, before I went to that lesson, I had expressed to Elder Haws that I was hungry. As I waited at the members house to be picked back up, they fed me a roast coupled with jello and a protein shake. Couldn't believe it. Miracles. 

One day, I didn't really know what we were doing, I was just following Elder Haws. We mosy our way into a home that has a big ol buffalo sticking out of the wall. We talked and hung out for a while and I really had no idea who they were. Then Elder Haws asked me to share a message. I started by asking them who they even are. I was dealing with a less active woman of 30 years and her nonmember husband who would love to join. It was satisfying to open the book randomly and know the contents of that specific chapter without skimming. I shared with them a message that basically says that when you show God you are willing to listen, he will guide and direct you. He thoroughly enjoyed the message and he said that they had many missionaries in the past, but for some reason, I was the first one she had allowed to even open the Book of Mormon. I don't know what was special about me, but I know God prepares very specific people for the missionaries in an area, and we were lucky enough to stumble upon one for me! Now we are teaching him and his granddaughter as his wife participates. Nice. 

Something that I have fallen in love with in Orofino is the presence of berries everywhere. You can't walk very far before scoping them out, growing along fences and trees. I was wary at first of just picking a berry and eating it without washing, but after seeing enough locals and Elder Haws eat them, I finally went for it. Now I am always picking berries and staining my fingers with their purple colors. There was one day where we just kept coming across berries, and so I must've eaten over 300 berries. None of the locals bothered to tell me about Montezumas revenge, so now I understand to chill on the berries and only eat 300 or less. 

We had the great privilege of having Elder Stevenson of the 12 apostles come and visit us. It was so cool to shake his hand and look into his eyes and feel the spirit so intensely. He is basically like Peter or Paul or any other ancient apostles. I got to sit on the front row and was in awe at how he made eye contact with me so many times. You can really feel the love that he has for all of us, despite not really knowing us. He is so kind and genuine and really wants us to be happy and successful. The coolest thing to me is, that's how they all are, even the scariest of them all, Elder Holland. 

So that about sums it up for this week. The once dead area of Orofino netted us six new people for the week. Berries galore. I'm having so much fun driving my sweet rav4. My mission is almost done and I haven't given up and won't give up until that stake president says to go hug girls. 

Behold, the berries

We drive on lots of mountain roads

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Resurrect Orofino!

Another week another dollar.

My whole mission, I had heard tales of lore of the stench of Lewiston, due to the crafty nature of the paper mill. We showed up in Lewiston and I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it wasn't that bad! Over reacting scoundrels ;) So anyways, they had us go tracting for other missionaries, so we shake n bake our way through those sloppy streets, and after a few doors, find our way into three new people to teach! A nice family has been patiently waiting for the opportunity to be closer together, and after we testified how the gospel can bless their family, they instantly wanted it. Nice! Anyhow, when it was time to go the next morning, a foul stench seethed through the air, singeing each nose hair I currently own. I take it back, the rumors are true. Lewiston is nasty.

So back to Orofino. This area has a history of lower success due to the nature of the residents. So many people live so far away, it is hard to try and visit them. The small towns in existence have often been tracted out, so it can be discouraging. However, God sets you up if you show your desire! So we mosy on over to the town of Pierce, where we slip n slide straight into your boy, Gary, and his lovely wife, whose name I've forgotten. He has had enough of his time as a Jehovah's Witness, and he wants a family friendly church that will help them be closer. That's a common trend recently. He is a busy boy, but he very much so wants to have us over. He will receive his investigator status next week. Also, his name isn't Gary. I just can't use their real names ;)

Later on, we slopped our way through the town of Weippe (Wee-ipe) and found ourselves talking to a gentleman working on his car. His wife used to investigate the church, and she has fond memories of it, though shes lost contact with missionaries. He has heard her talk about it, so he also desires to have us over. He excitedly agreed to have us over on Monday, where we will begin teaching him and his wife and sister. Boys!

We get the opportunity to go and minister at a military academy each Sunday. It is such a humbling experience because the attendants aren't forced to come, they all show up if they desire. It rained and rained and rained this week, and it wreaked havoc at the academy. I was shocked to see water gushing out of the ceiling. It conveniently landed near a sink, so we had a bucket going which drained into the sink. Water ran down walls and dripped through the ceilings, yet each of these young men and woman were there because they wanted to be, and they gladly read scriptures with us and had good gospel discussions. It is so cool to see young people take the gospel so seriously. Wouldn't that be something, if we could all love the gospel so much that we would sit through the water falling on us just to hear the words of Christ?

Last but probably not least, we were perusing through what felt like a Hawaiian jungle when we stumble upon a guy who is basically Willie Nelson. His wife died 20 years ago and he misses her real bad. Long story short, after lots of his stories, we talked about the plan of salvation and now we've got a new friend to teach. 

So an area which is almost "dead" and bare has had some new life breathed into it. Because of our faith, we have already begun to wrought miracles and start to resurrect the final area of the Lord's vineyard He has appointed me a steward over. I'll be home in like 30 days, and I am proud to say that even though I am so tired and have stress and other things, I didn't and won't stop working until that stake president meets with me and says, "peace out. You're released. Go hug girls."

Reminds me of my cat at home

3 Nephi 14:20  Wherefore, by their fruits ye shall know them

Monday, August 5, 2019

Orofino

Boy oh boy, what a week. I had to peace out with one of my best companions, the sun scorched us with over 100 degree weather and I moved into a trailer park. But that's enough of that jazz, let's get to the point.

So just before I headed out, we mosyed over to our family of 3 who had been coming to church and girls camp and more. After teaching about the temple, they were starting to get very enthusiastic with the idea of being baptized. Your boy Elder Willis just up and asks them to be baptized without having taught anything before hand, and to my great surprise, they just said yes! Woah! What a nice treat it was to leave my second to last area with three more people on date to be baptized, and in the hands of two of my friends.

So anyways, before we headed out to Orofino in Idaho, they had us just go out and tract. If you know me, you know I have other methods of finding, so I rarely tract. I figured we would walk to the farthest building of the complex and then to the farthest door. God knew of my silly ways, and so in that very door was a young married woman who just wants to find happiness. She was a bit hesitant at first, but warmed up really good and we had a great experience teaching her on the doorstep. She is now in the hands of some sister missionaries. It felt nice to be able to provide a new person for the sisters to help come unto Christ. 

So we travel on down to Moscow. I guess I didn't know just how far away Moscow actually is. I couldn't believe it, I was dying in my seat. Like two hours later, we finally arrive, only to be stranded at a church for two more hours. Eventually, our ride shows up and takes me on another ride, until we finally arrive in Orofino at 10:15 PM. I was very glad to finally arrive home in our dirty trailer. That being said, I spent a lot of time the next day cleaning it up and making it nice again. It took a while, but now we have a very clean trailer and it's pretty luxurious.

Here in this area, we have very few investigators. It's tough, everyone just lives so far away. It takes about an hour to get to any of the investigators that we currently have. We have to travel up winding mountains and across vast prairies to really get anywhere. I dont mind when I'm the driver--ive been given the best car in the mission! A 2019 Rav4. I just have a hard time if a member is driving us. I cant stand just sitting there doing nothing and getting somewhat sick from driving and turning everywhere. Anyhow, we go to a family and we teach them the plan of salvation. They are supposedly very difficult to teach and constantly interrupt. However, for the first time, they stayed invested and asked questions and waiting their turn and it was supposedly a huge deal. We went back again the next day with the same results. We don't have the exact date yet, but this family will be baptized in October. Looking forward to it!

Anyhow, I guess that's what we have got for this week. Just constant hour long drives and trying to lift this area in the name of the lord. 5 weeks remain for me, and some good stuff is happening. Goodbye my friends!


Bye Elder Willis! 
Resting for a second


Monday, July 29, 2019

The Sixth Seal Broke

I would ride my bike 5,000 miles and I would ride my bike 5,000 more. I kid you not, I almost rammed into a wild turkey. Good thing I didn't, that son of gun wouldn't have stood a chance against these chevrolegs! But anyways, let's get to the good stuff.

There's a pair of slacks I've had my whole mission which got ripped at the knee several months ago. I've toted them around for a long time and they've just taken up closet space. I decided this week that I would make them a pair of shorts. I didn't really know how to do it, but I knew I could do it. I cut the legs below the knee off the pants, then folded the jagged edge back to make it look neat. Then I took my needle and thread and started stitching the pants up to the best of my ability. An hour and a half later, I had a pair of Shacks. Short slacks ;) Boys!

We were just minding our own business, sitting outside with some member friends in the evening when the sky started to turn dark. It was very odd how quickly it faded away. Lightning frequently illuminated the air in searing purple and white light. We watched in fascination until it was too close. The friends bid us farewell and we escaped to the car. Things were fine and dandy until the lightning became even more frequent. Then all at once, thick sheets of rain rapidly pelted the car. Fierce gales of wind blasted past us, rocking the poor Corolla back and forth, pushing over trees and signs and anything else in it's wake. I white knuckled that steering wheel as we pressed on, shouting "Whoa!" And doing our best to see the road. Thunder bolts and lightning, very very frightening me! It became so intense that people started just pulling over and camping out. We braved the storm and finished our 7 mile drive back home, fighting our way through the demonic hosts of hell and dodging branches and more. The rest of the night was spent watching electricity violently surge through the air and strike the dank land of Spokane. 

We mosy our way onto the airforce base every Tuesday and volunteer from 10:30 AM to 1 PM. The airforce prints out a pass for us when we have an inside man come with us to the office. We received our passes and were good, so we proceeded on to the guarded gates. The guard takes our passes, frowns, and asks, "when were you issued these?" He showed that the passes were to expire at 10 AM instead of 1 PM. Two guards with large automatic guns joined his side and frowned at us. We explained that there must have been a mistake, it was supposed to be 1 PM. They had us pull forward, where we were blocked by a Barrier in the front and armed military police in the back. As I sat there pondering, I had a nice thought. Wouldn't it be really cool if when you were at the gates of heaven, if somehow a mistake was made, you could just sit there and wait without a shadow of a doubt that you were innocent of any wrongs. This was a situation that we could be afraid in, but I sat there, perfectly calm, knowing we had done nothing wrong at all. After 10 minutes, we received an all clear because the people at the office acknowledged the error over the phone and we were permitted to enter the base without bullet holes or a jail sentence. I know that I am not a perfect person, but I know the grace of Jesus Christ helps the repentant sinner be clean, and I aspire to be as calm as I was in that moment when I someday stand before the judgement bar of God.

One fateful morning, I received a call from the mission president and was asked to go off speaker. I was prepared to tell him that whatever he heard I did, I didn't do. He instead sorrowfully informed me of some terrible news which rightfully so could have debilitated me for the rest of the week. I kind of stood in the darkness for a minute or two in awe, then remembered a pep talk I used to give myself all the time. It is, "so what are you going to do about it?" I realized that just sitting there and taking the day off or even the next few days off would do nothing but allow me to soak in the depths of sorrow. A scripture in Alma showed me exactly what must be done. Alma 4:13 in my own words says "these people who had suffered something terrible could have sat and felt sorry for themselves, but instead they served each other. Because of it, they felt joy even in afflictions." I've learned from working out that pain is a minigame. When it hurts the most is when you can not quit. You must press on and finish, for when you feel the pain is where you grow the most. I slapped this situation in the face, got up and began to serve. We had one lesson planned for the day. Instead, I uppercutted fate and led me and an exchange companion on into three unplanned lessons and one new investigator. It was very gratifying to see that when I was willing to take some steps forward, the Lord added his strength to mine and led us to victory. Not only that, but as I've "lost myself in the work" I've found the pain diminish near entirely and I feel as good as I did last week. Now if only that worked for sleep.

We got our transfer calls, and I am peacing out of airway heights and entering the dank land of Lewiston Idaho. Commonly referred to by missionaries as Lewistank, they have a paper mill which makes the whole town smell like rotten eggs. It's always sad to leave a great companion and many friends, but I have been here for six months, and so I'm ready to go to my final area. 

That's about all the goods I'll be sharing for today. Catch me next week in Idaho. Or, in like 6 weeks in Utah, I guess. Bye!

We had to do service and luckily I had these clothes in the trunk of the car!

Look Mom!  A Crawdad!

Hike with some of the guys

Me and my Shacks

Monday, July 22, 2019

A Pie In July

Oh hey everybody. Are you all having the best July of your life? There isn't smoke everywhere, so that's nice. Unless you're in Spokane. These people saw too much "dragon tales" as a kid and now they are always puffing smoke. But, anyways.

I had an exchange with a zone leader today, and it was a really amusing time for me. We exchanged right before dinner, and three minutes before it ended, he went to use the bathroom. I got my bike ready and had my helmet on. 10 minutes later, I was sitting on my couch. 40 minutes later, I was laying on the extra mattress. I eventually fell asleep! I slept for an hour, and he was still dying in the bathroom. It was so bad and constant we didn't go outside at all, so I put our DVD player by the bathroom so we could both watch Mr. Kruger's Christmas. The next morning, he was doing alright, so I put on my bike helmet and ready to go, and screams, "my hair!" He didn't want to ride bikes because his hair would get messed up. I told him it was a 2.1 mile walk, but he was persistent, so a walk it was! We have a good lesson, and when it's over, I say, "ok, we are going to be late exchanging back, so we have to jog. Ready? Go!" And he just screams "my shoes!" I guess he was wearing a really fancy pair of shoes he could not scuff, so we had to call the other elders and tell them we would be like an hour late. It was honestly a hilarious exchange for me. 

We are always going around, talking to people and doing cool stuff. It's a bit less common for people to tell us this, but once again, someone was telling us that they could see light emanating off of us. He said it wasn't a figure of speech, but he could physically see the light. I thought that was neat. 

This week was a bit harder on me. Maybe it was because I don't have a lot of time left. Maybe it was because of sleep deprivation. All I know is that I spent a few days kind of depressed and quiet. I found it interesting that those terrible feelings left whenever I was teaching the gospel and helping people. It's been harder to teach lessons with everyone cancelling lately, but when we were able to have them, I felt much better. I guess the gospel really does bring peace.

There is a family who just moved into our ward, and they have so much stuff!! But we brought 8 other Elders, so we got the job done. Mom and Dad are members, 11 year old girl isn't baptized because a missionary told her when she was seven that she didn't need to be baptized. So here we are! Dad tells us that she doesn't like missionaries and she never lets them teach her, so give it your best shot. I strung my sweet spiritual bow with two arrows at once. She loves art, so I talked to her about it for a while, then made a promise to return the next day with a brand new canvas for her to paint on. She was so happy! We then got in, had a 20 minute visit, shared a fun video and really made it entertaining for us to be there. Our innocent lil 11 year old had no idea being with missionaries could be so much fun. I also told her we'd bring like 3 other 11-12 year old girls to meet her, and now she is hooked. That's the story of how we added an "impossible" person to our teaching pool.

If you haven't noticed, I love teaching and being with younger kids. I'd teach them my whole mission if I could. One day as we were slopping through the dank streets of Airway Heights, these three kids see us across the way, and the boy is holding a container a mysterious blue liquid. He shouts, "wanna feel this stuff"? And I instantly agree and mosy my way on over to meet my three other new kid friends. They made a really thick slime and just couldn't wait for us to give it a feel. We hung out with them for like 30 minutes. They were so sad we had to go! We came back a couple days later and they were so excited to see us. I guess it's really just up to their parents now, but they would love for us to teach them some "Jesus stuff".

I dont have much else to say. We got three new people to teach this week, one person came to church for the very first time, I held a baby bunny, and I made us another delicious crock pot dinner. The field is yellow, all ready to harvest. 

Lookit the baby bunny

The field is ready to harvest

Because I can

A train picture for mom



Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Sunburns and Other Turns

This week was just great. Wait, I changed my mind. I don't need to write an intro. 

So some family invited us over to their home for dinner one evening. It was fun and games until they unveiled the meat that would be in our tacos: fish. Unlucky!! We could choose from fish sticks or shrimp, and I've had an unlucky history with both of these. I was willing to give it a shot, so I threw two fishsticks into my taco and doused it with cholula sauce. To my pleasant surprise, it was bearable! I didn't go for seconds, but I was able to get two whole fish sticks down the hatch. Maybe it was because I said a prayer to God, asking Him to make them tolerable to me. In any case, there can be miracles!

What luck! A few months ago, we passed a trailer, and even though we didn't say anything, the guy sitting outside told us that he was good. We got a referral to that exact trailer, unveiling my favorite kind of person to teach, a native American! I absolutely love to teach them about the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are so humble and willing to learn. She really absorbed the message of the restoration of the gospel. We left her as she felt the spirit strongly. She enjoyed the message so much that she smiled the whole time and could feel of it's truth. Yes.

I was reading in the book of Philippians, and there is a part where Paul is saying, he is torn between the idea of dying and being with Christ or staying and teaching the people on earth. I was really impressed with what he said, because it reminded me of my own mission. It's been tough as heck, and I've had recommendations to go home and get the help I need for my sleep multiple times. I've always just looked at that option and known that I should stay out here and fight my way through the fatigue. One day, I was so tired I couldn't even really reply to Elder Willis, I just followed him around. Well, when we finally got someone to answer a door, newfound strength overcame me and I was able to come alive and testify, helping us get another new investigator. Shortly after, I reverted back to my tired self. It's interesting that even though it feels impossible, when we do the work of the Lord, He provides a means for us to accomplish what he asks of us. I'm not citing that scripture. Anyhow, I, like Paul, would love to return home and rest and be with my family I haven't seen in almost two years, but I'm still needed out here, so I'll fight until the end.

Being a missionary is so weird. I've started to notice that some people have started to just like confess every crazy thing they've done or have had happen. I was talking to a bishop this week and realized we share the same perspective with sin. When someone comes up to me or him and confesses, we both generally think "I don't care that you did all that." And that's in a nice way. The reason we don't care is because the atonement is infinite and Christ can help turn the bad things you've done into a learning experience to help you grow. As long as you are willing to repent, no one really cares, and that fear you have from coming forward and saying you've done something bad comes straight from satan. Therefore, I say unto you, all 35 people who read these, shake off the chains with which ye are bound and come unto Christ. Give satan no more power over you to submit you to the yoke of bondage. Be ye free!

And that's all I really have to say for this week. It was a swell week. Maybe this next week will be even sweller. Maybe.

Doing service

Elder Willis and me at church 


Monday, July 8, 2019

Two Months Left For Me

I sure hope everyone had a great Independence Day! One interesting thing to me is that Nephi in the Book of Mormon saw in a vision America obtaining freedom from England in 1 Nephi chapter 13. Anyhow, if you wanted, you probably got to enjoy some nice fireworks! We had a major tree blocking off our view, but I was able to see some through two other people, so that was a blessing! 

As we were slopping through the city streets of the town of Spokane, we decided to peruse over to a particular apartment. One series of knocks later, a woman slides open the door along with her cute 18 month old daughter. This woman was taking the lessons and wanted to be baptized two years ago, but stopped taking the lessons because she went on bedrest five months into her pregnancy. She then moved from Cheney to here. We started teaching her again along with her brother in law and her less active husband. What a sweet blessing it was to find someone who had been hoping to once again make contact with the church. I love how God can lead us to his children in what seems to us like complete chance. 

One of the biggest things that stuck out to me this week was a lesson we had with a father who is engaged, and has been for years. When we asked him why he hasn't married her, he explained, "in my culture people don't stay married. It always ends in divorce, and it's too much work." I just sat there, almost heart broken, listening to how he says that you just can't have a happy family. I testified to him that it is possible to have a happy family. I told that man, "when I marry my wife, she'll be my queen, and I'll love her so much, I'll work to make sure that we can be together for time and all eternity." Who am I to talk about marriage, having never been married myself? What I do know is, a marriage takes work, and it isn't a walk in the park, but the privilege of starting a family with the one you love is one of the greatest blessings in existence, and a relationship touched by the hand of Jesus Christ can make it to the end and beyond. It is possible to have an eternal marriage, and with both members of the relationship working together, it will happen. 

Well. It's not very easy to write up a whole new email when you've only got three days worth of stuff, and not all of it is incredibly notable. I suppose I can share a funny story. We were walking around a woman's trailer, taking down all of the "no trespassing" signs as she requested. Well, we have giant dandelions up here, and if you kick them hard enough, it knocks off the bit that will eventually sprout tons of pollen and other nasties. I kick one and my shoe flies into the air and lands on the roof of the trailer. I had to mosy over to the front door, then reach to the roof and shimmy across by my fingertips until I reached where my shoe was, then pulled it down, and we finished the job as if nothing had happened.
So that's it for this week. Another successful week, we found five new people to teach. We refilled the fridge, rode bikes, visited friends and wrought miracles in the name of the Lord, and our loins were girt the whole time. 












Thursday, July 4, 2019

Woah, A Thursday Email

Contrary to what you may believe, I did not forget to write to all of my friends this week. Our Pday was moved to today, July 4th! This was risky business in behalf of our stomach. Last P day, our debit cards were not refilled, and so we were low on money. Elder Willis was broke entirely and used some personal funds on some important food items, and I had little money left. We bought what we could and rationed as best as possible. It would be longer than usual before our next grocery trip, and the fridge certainly showed it. The shelves became more and more bare by the day, until that fateful morning when we discovered there was nothing left, aside from condiments and some butter. 

So anyways we've been busy here and there and everywhere in the name of the Lord. One cool person we've started teaching is a Muslim woman whose name is Kholoud. Her name is super fun to say, since it's difficult for people who only speak English. We had so much fun meeting her and talking about Christ and her culture and more. She showed me my name in Arabic and I showed her hers in Japanese. We asked if she could speak some Arabic for us, and so she said in Arabic, "thank you God for sending me these two handsome young men!" Man, we just had the greatest time hanging out with someone whose religion is closer to Christianity than you may think. She may not be "Christian" but I can see from the bounteous miracles in her life that "God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in". 

One day as we were slipping through the city streets, a couple had been discussing that they loved God and that they really wanted to return back to church. Just imagine their surprise as two young men in white shirts and ties show up at their door, proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ! They are a young couple who moved recently and just had no idea what church they should attend, though they have been fond of ours since they have family members who have joined the church. We were able to return back the next day and share some more with them about how faith in Christ will bless their lives more than anything. (My definition of faith in Christ is to believe in him enough to do what he says. Most people up here believe in him but don't follow him.)  Anyways, they are going to mosy their way on down to church this week. Nice.

One day, we were waiting in our car for just a few minutes and contacting people through technology since our investigators weren't quite home yet. This 14 year old kid just prances on over and asks for a bible! I asked if he was referring to the "Mormon bible" or the actual one, and he wanted the Book of Mormon. We were able to just sit down with him and talk all about it and how God loves all his children. He said that he hadn't been baptized and he wanted to be, and he wants to join our church. I kinda just laughed to myself at how much the Lord has been blessing us lately. He doesn't live here in our area, so two missionaries near Moses Lake are about to receive what many people call a "golden referral." 

Break time for the biggest thing I learned this week. I was watching Elder Herem and just reflecting on how far he has come and stuff. He is a district leader now and just led his first district meeting. When he was being trained, I used to just throw tasks on him which seemed terrifying and unachievable. I knew he was capable of doing everything I asked, even when he didn't. I was then looking at my week, and how God had asked us to do impossible things. Days where we had headaches and leg cramps and no food and it was too hot and people were mean. We could have just called it good and went to the apartment and sat around, but instead, we went out to work. We didn't know where to go or who to talk to, but we went, using as much of the spirit as we could feel through our suffering, and every time we persevered, we found someone who needed us and "our burdens were made light, that even we could not feel them." Since I was a "father" to Elder Herem, I was able to understand why God would make everything so difficult. Like God did with me, I never left Elder Herem by himself in those situations. I only needed him to try, and once he tried, I would join and together, we forged legends. So now I understand, God will from time to time test our faith and put before us tasks which seem impossible so that we will have an opportunity to grow. As soon as we put one foot in front of the other and press on, he will add his power to yours and help you overcome the enemy. 

There is a widow woman of the Lutheran faith who is the aunt of one of our dear widow members, and they are next door neighbors. Like President Monson, I love to go over and visit the widows and help them feel friendship and love and all that jazz. We come over two to three times a week to get a drink of lemonade, even if we aren't thirsty, then spend some time on them deck and share spiritual thoughts with them. We have helped her with service many times and even helped the Lutheran one too. She has heard enough of our little messages and felt the holy ghost enough that she has decided that after all these years, she "better listen to those missionaries!" And so we have started going over and sharing the actual lessons with them. It has been a dream going and reading from the Book of Mormon and sharing the restored gospel with her, and seeing her brain put together these missing pieces and understand even better who her father in heaven is. She has enjoyed it so much that she also will be coming to church this week. Nice.

This email is getting long, so I'll just sum up with we found two more people, a brother and sister who moved from Hawaii. My Dad had talked about Hawaii and surfing enough for me to slip my way into their hearts, coupled with my love for spam and rice. They love us and we have a blast each time we see them. So that's 6 for the week! Other news: I reached my mission goal of 100 consecutive push ups, took more pictures with people's pets, learned how to ride my bike while standing and not hold the handlebars, made an incredibly tasty chicken in a crock pot and grew even stronger in a love and knowledge of our savior Jesus Christ. That's all for this week! Hopefully no one's Dad sets off a firework that blasts across the street and lights the canal trail on fire. 
Behold my crock pot dinner
Look Ma, No Hands!
I found another little kitten
Me and Elder Willis doing service 







Monday, June 24, 2019

How Many Cats Can I Put On My Shoulder

I legit think you can get a hangover from Benadryl. I always give people's solutions a try to be able to sleep, and someone suggested some extra strength Benadryl to knock me out for bed time. I didn't get knocked out, but it did feel like my bed was taking me on a pirate adventure across the seven seas! And then when it was time to get up, I had a dizzy headache. I won't be doing that again!

So anyways, I came across a few kittens this week that I had a lot of fun with. Every time I found a kitten, I'd pick it up and plop it on my shoulder. I have pictures of like three different kittens on me. I was going so crazy with my trend, I borrowed someone's like 15 pound chubby gray cat, Charlie, and tried to place him on my shoulders. 

Ok, so I typed all this out and it was a good email. everything before this point was original. Then my computer decided to not keep any of the stuff after this point, and I am not typing up that storm again. Let me be like Inigo Montoya. there is too much. let me sum up:

We found 3 new people to teach.
I played my jaw harp for a herd of cows.
we put our 10 year old girl on date for baptism.
miracles are abounding.
a drunk person fell into the road and I was able to dodge them at the last second in our corolla. they got up and stumbled away.

That's just about it. Sorry for the lack luster email. It was really good before that dumb computer deleted it.