The Elder's Ward: Letters from "The 'Couve"

I'll Try to get Pictures up as soon as Possible!

February 3, 2014

So I got a letter in the mail this week. It said that I'm being transferred to the Rama 6 in Vancouver. Its pretty exciting! I love our branch here, and I've been grateful for the opportunity I've had to be part of the incredible growth here. But, I have been feeling like I need a change right now, and Vancouver seems like a good fit right now. My companion will be Elder N. He's from Layton and is actually in my uncle and aunt's ward. I'm excited because I'm going to become a killer. (Which means I'm just going to end up sending a missionary home). Elder N. just got his Trunkie call (Which is just the call to confirm flight plans and such, usually happens 2 transfers before you go home.) President is also bringing one of our old ZL's back to the Spanish Zone to die here this transfer. I know... Mission lingo is weird huh? Also my dad (trainer) is going to the Dalles.

So this week, we didn't have the most successful Spanish work week, but we put someone on date for some of the English Elders in our area. We went knocking and knocked into this guy who's name is S. ). He recently had a kid and he had a bunch of really cool questions. But I think we dropped the ball a little too. I don't think he realized we were Mormon Missionaries until we brought up Joseph Smith and he said "Hey, didn't he start the Mormon church?" So we just rolled with it. But he said he was really interested in the Book of Mormon and when we gave him a Soft baptismal invite he said "Yeah, sure, actually I've never been baptized and I've always wanted to be baptized, and I want my son to be baptized." So he's getting baptized on the 22nd

January 27, 2014

So, its been pretty cold here in Gresham. Also, this has felt like the second longest transfer since I've been out. (Really its been the longest, 7 weeks cuz of Christmas.)

So we (finally) Started teaching M. She is the sister of our old group's Sunday School teacher. She's had a rough couple months. Her Husband died in November, and then her Granddaughter ran away the week of Christmas. She's come to church and even a baptism, and we've finally been able to teach her and get her on our records and numbers. We taught her the first two lessons and they've just been awesome. Both MP's and they were great.

We've been walking a ton. We're running pretty low on miles because, well, our dinners are all over the map. But whatever helps us get to know the branch better. Hopefully everything will be worked out next month. Its been surprisingly sunny and not wet, which I'm assuming is why its so cold. Maybe you guys are just getting everything we should be getting.

OH! And since we have like no miles, we got to be RUNNING MISSIONARIES. It was awesome. We started a weekly finding activity for the branch where we play sports. So we got permission, to save miles, to just run to the church building in our sportss clothes. Our ZL's said that we had to just take Mormon.org cards and our name tags, so we ran to proselyte. Twas the bomb.

January 13, 2014

So.... Funny story time. We went a tracting last night. (Shocking right, a missionary knocking doors). So we knocked into this really tall African-american fella. He opens the door, we do our whole "Hi we're missionaries from the Church of..... Do you have a faith in Jesus Christ for yourself?" He said "No, I'm an athiest, I don't believe in God" And personally I'm thinking "No you're not, you're black, and blacks tend to be Christians" And so Elder C. goes, "Well, can we share a message about Jesus Christ with you and your family?" He says "No I'm an athiest, so that means I don't really like you guys." We kinda look at him for a second and he goes "Nah I'm just messin with you, I'm a Christian I believe in God and Jesus and Stuff, But my family's just busy right now We're about to eat dinner" "Well can we give you a card?" "Oh fa sho! Comeby another time" We also knocked into another black guy who thought that Mormons believed that blacks could not go to heaven or hell, and another family who we're pretty sure was a nudist family. It was definitely an.... interesting complex.

We had this super amazing lesson with some investigators about a week ago. But we've come by like 4 times and every single time they haven't been there. This last time we came by, and we could see the mom cooking in the kitchen through their sliding door, so we knocked on the door, we heard the door knob jiggle, but they didn't open. We walked back and the blinds were shut on the glass door. Either that or their illegals and they think we're the FBI. Believe it or not, that's happened before. Oh the Joys of being a Spanish elder.

The branch is doing awesome. We've set a goal to make it a Ward by next stake conference, and to have 12 baptisms by the end of February. We're so stoked. The ONly real need I can think of is just a hooded sweatshirt to go running in in the mornings

December 30, 2014

So this week.........it was ridiculous. We have tons of stories.

First, We went a tracting in a trailer park last Monday. We were doing our 6 a las 6 (basically we go tracting at 6 pm and try to OYM 6 people.) and we knocked into a lady named K. She didn't speak Spanish, but said she was interested in our message. We taught her the 1st lesson real quick on her door step. As we were kind of finishing up, her husband poked his head out to kind of see what was going on. We totally thought he was going to be mean but he was actually really nice. He told us about his friend that was LDS and that they had quit going to another Christian Church because they felt like they were hypocrites. He said that he liked what he heard about the church and said that when they knew more they might want to join the church. So of course we grumbled for a second and said, "Well, you may need to be taught a little... Oh ok" Hahaha. So we sent that referral off. on Friday we ran into a set of the Elders in the Blue Lake Ward. Turns out, the other set had gone over to D. and K. and had a lesson with them on Christmas, and put them on date for the 25th of January. The entire Gresham Zone is talking about their Miracle Family, and we found them for them.

Christmas we went over to our Ward Mission Leader's house to Skype. All 6 of the Missionaries in the Ward were there. After we Skyped, we all got into a Nerf gun fight. Well, three of the sisters and us two. The other one was gathering all the darts on the ground and making us recite Scripture mastery to get them back. Some people just kill fun sometimes. (She said, "I'm not killing the fun, I'm making it more fun." So I shot her. Mwahahahaha). And then we helped Our WML set up his kids new Trampoline. That was fun. Just goes to show that trampolines with nets just aren't as fun.

We had Christmas Dinner with a recent convert and her family. That was fun. Her name is M, and she is super cool. I'm pretty sure I've told you about her before.

Yesterday we had our Facebook Training in the ward. Everything was going pretty well. I had to train on using Chat and online member presents and stuff (So mom, If you got a message from me, thats what was up.) And so, Bro.B opens a Chat box with me (Mind You, the entire ward can see what's going on on my Facebook right now) and suddenly like four or five chat boxes open up on Facebook. People start posting stuff on my wall and all sorts of crazyness ensues. But, The training still went good, but everyone was just laughing at me. At least the Ward loves me.

D. Didn't make it to Church, so he won't be able to get baptized in Gresham. He's moving to Alaska on like Saturday and G. is Moving to Houston too. Which stinks, we had gotten permission from President to have a Shotgun baptism with waterside confirmation! I was kind of excited! So that ship is sailing. (Litterally, D is a fisherman by trade and got a fishing job up there.)

So its going. 2013 was incredible. President says that 2014 will be even better

November 12, 2013

We have recently been informed that beginning in January, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be utilizing Social Media as well as the Internet in their work with the full time missionaries. This will include the use of iPads. After being tested in A few missions for the past few months, the Church is starting a Pilot program with this method in Thirty Stateside missions. Among these missions is the Washington Vancouver Mission. Basically, what I'm trying to say is..........

Yeah, so we're getting iPads. Pretty Sweet. We're excited.

So We're teaching a great couple right now. They are super awesome. They are so prepared to hear the gospel. They have a little son about 18 months and he is one of the cutest kids er. He's hysterical. Also the mom is about 7 or 8 months pregnant right now. The dad accepted an invitation to be baptized in December. His Wife will most likely be too. She had to go put the son to bed so she actually wasn't there for most of the lesson. But The read like nearly all of 1 Nephi in a WEEK. Crazy.

Remember Jorge? He was the first person baptized that i have taught. He Ordained Gilberto to the Aaronic Priesthood yesterday. Super Crazy! But it was awesome. Both are fantastic.

Sorry its been so long but here is his latest letter

October 28, 2013

So we should, fingers crossed, have another Baptism this Saturday. His name is G and he is one of the Cuban Refugees that we are teaching. His life is pretty rough, but he's making incredible sacrifices not only to get his family into the states but also to become a part of this gospel. He's one of the most prepared and converted people I've ever met. And that's saying something considering some of the prepared and converted people I've met. We're teaching 9 Cubans right now. The joke of our Zone is that Gresham is going to Kick the Idea of a spanish Branch and Just go straight for the Cuban Branch. I don't know if you've ever heard a Cuban talk, but lets just say that the closest thing to the Language they speak is Spanish. They hardly use the s sounds and their ts are d's and it sounds like they have marbles in their mouth. Its a very.....Interesting dialect. Yes both of my companions are spanish speaking, one was actually in my district in the MTC. Its been an interesting ride. But I should have my own companion next transfer. I feel like the Lord still needs me here in Gresham, so i think I'll be here at least until next transfer (Christmas... No seriously, transfer day falls on Christmas day, weird right?) Yeah, So next month I hit a quarter of the way done. Weird huh? I'll have spent a quarter of my mission in Gresham if I'm here one more transfer. Which is nuts. Its gone by like the blink of an eye. I don't know how time moves so fast out here. Days feel like hours. Transfers feel like weeks. and it just gets faster from what I here. I'll wake up tomorrow and be on the plane ride coming home! (Or not, we'll talk about it....... hahaha) Anyways, we just keep teaching, keep inviting. Sure its been tough. My heart is definitely broken because some of my investigators have chosen to kind of stiff arm them selves away. But thats just part of the deal. I love looking back at these rough times I've had. Not only do they show me my growth, but they remind me on those days that I might feel a little down, or trunkie (That means homesick, i guess that's the easiest way to explain it) or even like I don't have my heart into it, I look at those times and see that I do have that eye single, and that I'm serving with all my heart might mind and strength. And then just seeing those people whom I've helped back on the path to Salvation, And not only see them change but see them grow together. My last day before i get transferred, I'm going to look and see the Group that I serve in, and Its going to be completely different, i hope. John Bytheway says that Ordinary missionaries take trinkets home, but extraordinary missionaries leave testimonies behind. My whole goal is to come home just a skeleton. So tired and worn out that someone will have to Fireman carry this exhausted bag of bones off the plane. (Again.... We'll talk. hahaha). Trust me,, Its going to happen. I've been so flipping tired lately.

I. is doing well. She's been struggling with some weird, Weird stuff (Sadly not the weirdest I've heard, though). The Bishop is working with her and that's helping a lot. A got enrolled in seminary and has still been going everyday so far, C's been passing the sacrament. K Loves primary. Everyone is Doing well. Even her stone cold husband Javier is starting to warm up to us. Jorge has been doing well. We haven't seen him in a while. We're going over today around 6 to see how he's doing. The group is growing. Fellowship is happening. Cubans are being Baptized! The work is hastening.

This is awesome. I love it so much. Miss you all.,

Kia Kaha,

Elder Ward

August 12, 2013

So, I am getting close to the end of my first transfer in Gresham. I've made some awesome friends here, and I've heard of some awesome experiences from other missionaries I've met going all sorts of places. We've seen all sorts of miracles.

We've been doing some great rescue work as well as teaching investigators. Member Present lessons are key for baptisms, This I truly know. Recent converts are great, but the Lord needs us all. We´re really excited for our new Convert, we´re hoping for a few more in the next month.

July 15, 2013

So, I am currently serving in my first area, serving the Spanish speaking community in a town called Gresham, Oregon. My Trainer is awesome, Elder J. He's from the awesome town of Blackfoot in the Great State of Idaho! (Woohoo! blood and Spuds). My other companion (yeah, I have two) is Elder T. He is from Spokane, and he is currently waiting for a visa to go serve in Colombia. He's pretty cool too.

Anyways, We already have a Baptism on fount in two weeks, and we just committed another this past week. I had the opportunity to extend that commitment. No big deal. Anyways, We taught 10 member present lessons this week. 10! That's fantastic! That has helped our investigators so much. It really helps them to have some friends and fellowshippers in the Church. That is why it is so important. Anyways, I love it out here, we're doing really well. And I get to see Elder Holland next month, so I'm excited for that.

June 6, 2013

So there is a lot going on here in la CCM. The First Presidency and the ENTIRE Quorum of the Twelve will be here. Pretty cool huh? They're coming for the New Mission President Seminar, which the World Wide Broadcast will be a part of. So Guess what.... I'm Gonna be in the choir. Pretty cool huh? its gonna be me and 2349 of my closest friends in la CCM. Oh, and I get to meet my Mission President tomorrow. Sweet.
I leave for Vancouver on July 9. Hopefully I'll have some stories and some Buddies for you to write while I'm out.
Hasta Luego.

Elder Ward

Elder Ward is enjoying the MTC and he says its extremely busy. Within the First week he was teaching the discussions in spanish. He says all he does is study , but he is learning so much because of it. He became the district leader there in the MTC which requires more work but he know it will keep him focused on becoming the best missionary he can become! Here are some of the pictures we got this week!