President Passey - Monday, June 30, 2014

Hey family!

This week has been pretty different! This morning President and Sister Passey arrived in the mission, and in an hour or so President and Sister Killpack will be headed home to Delta, Utah! I'm excited to see the different changes that come with having a new mission president. We have a whole bunch of meetings this next week with him and the following week, I have my first interview with him. 

Things in the Central Ward are going great! We are working hard and finding lots of new potential investigators. I'm fairly certain I will take over the area next week, which I think will be good. Haha! One of our investigators, Perseus got his leg amputated this week and we went and saw him a lot in the hospital. Makes me grateful for all that I have and the body Heavenly Father has given me.

This Saturday was insane. So my area covers all of down town Tucson and surrounds the U of A campus. So it's a huge college town. The college kids are always crazy drunk on the weekends. It's pretty funny and makes for good stories for street contacting. This whole crowd was like shouting at us and cussing and yelling at us as we were walking by on Saturday. It was scary! It's crazy how much the adversary is working. We need to work harder! This morning we went and toured a HUGE Catholic Cathedral. It was pretty cool. There was lots of gold and silver and fine twined linen.



I'm sending some stuff home today including PICTURES! I know mom will be excited about that! haha! I learned this week a little bit about grace and about the Atonement. There are some pretty good articles in this months Ensign! There is one by the 2nd counselor in the presiding bishopric. Once he was asked if God will ever give us challenges that stop our progress and his response was NO! Absolutely NOT! He would NEVER EVER do anything to stop our progress in life. However, he does present us with opportunities to grow. Look up 2 Nephi 2:1-2. There Lehi talks about the Lord consecrating our afflictions for our gain. What does consecrate mean? It means to make holy or sacred, or it's used as a big purpose. So we go through experiences in life that are very personal and very sacred and if they are not endured by OUR choice, they can destroy us, but when endured well with the Atonement of Jesus Christ, they are used for our spiritual gain. In order for ANYTHING to get better, it must first get worst. In order for us to experience the blessings of the Atonement, Christ had to suffer and be crucified. Three days later, he rose again fulfilling the Atonement!

It is the same with us. In order to grow and learn, we have to "take up our cross" and bear our trials with Christ. And if we do that, we will come out stronger than ever. A lot of times we ask in life "why me? Why did this have to happen to me?" When really we should ask the question "What can I learn from this experience? What is Heavenly Father trying to teach me?" I know I have a hard time doing that, but when I do, I find that I am better able to endure trials and challenges with an eye of hope! I love you all! And next week is transfers, so I will talk to you on Tuesday! 

Testimony v. Conversion - Monday, June 23, 2014

Family!

This week was an emotional roller coaster. This last Friday, we had our farewell conference for President and Sister Killpack. Holy cow was that the saddest thing I have ever had to go through. The spirit was so strong as I listened to their final testimonies. I couldn't even sing the last Hymn "Till We Meet Again" because of the emotions and the spirit I was feeling. When I feel the spirit I'm a huge cry baby, it's awful! After the Conference I went up to President Killpack, and I tried so hard to hold back my tears, but I couldn't, it sucked! But I was able to mumble out how thankful I was for him and how he helped me change my life. He gave me a huge hug. It was pretty scary. He's a pretty big guy. He told me to keep going, that I was on the right track, and that he was proud of me. President Killpack is the most Christ like person I have ever met. He is a spiritual giant, but is hilarious, and outgoing. I'm going to miss the Killpacks so much. I can't tell you how much they have affected me and how much they have helped me change my life. Missions are full of goodbyes, but I know I'll see the Killpacks again. We have a reunion every October. So right after I get home next year, there will be a reunion in Delta I think. I can't wait. I got a picture of Sister Killpack cutting my tie. She's awesome!

President and Sister Passey are coming in next Monday. It's going to be very different. I feel like a huge chapter of my mission has come to a close and I'm ready to embrace the new one. Next Friday we have our first Zone Conference with him, and then we have our one on one interviews. I'm looking forward to it. 

Yesterday in church I learned the difference between a testimony and conversion. A testimony are things that we know to be true, but conversion is when we actually live it and see the blessings then. For example, we know we should eat healthily and excercise. It's a universal truth, but do we all do it? Nope. It takes dedication, and hard work. The same is true for the Gospel. I have had a testimony my whole life. I have never doubted that the Gospel is true, but have never truly been converted. I believe it has taken me getting on my mission to start the conversion process. Conversion is a life long journey, and there are inevitable ups and downs. For example, on Friday at the Zone Conference I felt the spirit probably more than I have ever felt before. That day I had a true and sincere desire to do the Lord's work - and love it. Then on Saturday, we talked to four people in a row who were completely set out on convincing us that there was now way there is a God. They used every logic and every reason they could to denounce the existance of a God. They were preaching at us!!! All of them! I couldn't believe what I was hearing. They mocked and spat on our testimonies and tried to stop my conversion. I felt hopeless., but while they were blaspheming, I just prayed and prayed, and held on to my faith. At the last person, I was able to stop them and bear my testimony. I don't think I have ever speken so boldly and with conviction as I did then. It didn't change their mind, and I walked away in total bewilderment, but I knew that I had become stronger. I felt like Satan and his armies were targeting me. I felt the spirit so strongly the day before, and the next day, Satan tried to destroy it. However, because I held on and stood true to the faith, I feel much stronger.

I feel like that is the process of conversion. We will face terrible challenges in this life, but we CAN overcome them! It's incredible! When we do, we are stronger for it! I thought I should share that experience with you! I hope all is going well at home! I love you all! Have a great week! 

Happy FATHER'S Day - Monday, June 16, 2014

Hey Fam! 

Things are going great in Tucson! Just one thing before my email...... 

HAPPY FATHERS DAY DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!

Sorry I didn't get to skype home for Sunday! But Dad is the best dad in town! Hope you know how much I appreciate you dad! I look to you for an example on most everything! I hope I am as a good a father as you are! Love ya dad!

Anyways, back tot he email... This week was pretty slow, cuz most all of our appointments fell through. It sucks biking 45 minutes to find nobody home! Oh well, it's good cardio! It also gives us more time to find more investigators. One day this week we went into a park where a lot of hobos live, and we got threatened to be shot cuz they thought we were cops!!! That freaked us out! So we got out of there pretty quick! This week we also blitzed our area! The Zone Leaders came and we went on a mini exchange to do that. I went with Elder Gosper, and we knocked on a few houses, and then this lady came out and was like "OH COME IN! PLEASE! Come in!" She was so happy to see us! She told us to sit down and make ourselves comfortable! We were a bit shocked, and didn't know if we should go in or not because this was pretty rare.. We went in anyways, and it turns out she and her husband are just really nice people and like to talk to everyone! We shared the message of the Restoration, and the spirit was really strong. It was an awesome lesson! Sometimes in missionary work, you will either find the elect, or the elect will find you. So that was great! Now we just need to stay on top of them.

I feel like all o our investigators are falling through our fingers. Central ward is a very unique ward. It's the highest baptizing ward in the mission, but has the lowest retention rate. So the area needs some tender loving, especially the members. Anyways, this Sunday, a returned missionary gave his homecoming talk. He served in Ecuador. One of his friends told us that she didn't think he changed at all from before his mission. So I was anxious to see how his talk went. He had a very simple testimony. Shared some experiences from his mission, and closed. A very generic talk. However, he Spirit was so incredibly strong in that talk. It has always been my worst fear to return from my mission and be the same person, and have the same personality. But the truth is, I don't think our personalities change a whole lot when we return, but what changes is our hearts and our desires. We are still the same person, but our desire to do good and to serve God increase substantially. I have focused a lot on changing myself and my personality. Yeah, there are things you learn on the mission that make you choose better choices, but our main focus in rooting our testimonies in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We cannot change who we are, but we can recognize who we are. We are each children of God with unique talents and attributes, strengths and weaknesses. Once we have a true understanding of this, who we want to become falls into place. Our mission motto is "choose to become". I hope we all do that as Children of God! Love all of you have a great week! 

Prayer's Answered - Monday, June 9, 2014

Hey family!

This week was pretty crazy! Riding on bikes in 100 degree weather is tough, but it's not too bad!

We found a new family this week! The Crosby's! They were a referral from church headquarters. We went and taught them the first lesson. I swear it was almost scripted. The Dad, Bryan, said he has been going to all these churches, and he felt like some of what they say are true and other stuff not. It keeps him up at night as he studies the Bible and can't come to a conclusion on which church was right! CRAZY! So he just went to a whole bunch of church websites and asked all of their church representatives to visit him. So far we are the only ones who showed up. It was really awesome hearing his story. He was just so frustrated that he was on the verge of giving up on God. When we shared with them the message of the restoration, it strengthened my testimony, to see him feel the spirit, and to say that he knows his search has come to and end, and that God does truly answer prayers. It also strengthened my testimony when we gave him his own copy of the Book of Mormon. You should have seen the way is eyes just glowed as he opened and just felt the pages inside. They happily accepted a baptism date on the 5th of July. We have lots of other Investigators who we are trying to get to progress.

One is coming along. His name is Victor. He was part of the Hell's Angels. That is a biker group I guess way back when. He only has one leg, and is an older fellow. Totally looks like a biker guy. Haha! I love being in down town Tucson and just hanging out and talking with all the hobos. They are pretty cool, and some have awesome stories. I met a guy who is from Vancouver Washington!! He said in a year and a half he's gonna come visit me in Vancouver! haha! We'll see if he remembers. Anyways ,the work is progressing! I love you all and have a great week! 

Wokin' in the City - Monday, June 2, 2014

Family,

It's interesting working in a city. It's so much different. My last area was a lot like Camas, and it's like working in downtown Portland now. It's hard to find new investigators, because they are all hobos, and everybody else is mean and rude! It's tough... But I'll keep working hard! 

It's also hard being on a bike. My legs are killing me. I'm so out of shape... This week wasn't very productive either. Elder Malcarne doesn't like calling people before appointments, so we bike 20 or 25 minutes to an appointment, and they aren't there!!! Now I'm being negative.

We have lots of investigators, but none of them are progressing. I like the ward though. The members are awesome. There are some characters in it, but for the most part, they're sweet. I need to be more careful on the bike. Last night on our way home, these guys stopped and backed up suddenly, and there was a car behind them, so I couldn't see it, and it was backing up into it's driveway and he almost hit me. I looked back pretty traumatized and then looked in front of me, and WACK! I ran right into a parked car at a stop sign. There was not damage, and I'm ok, but GEEZ! It's hard to be alert and pay attention when you're dead tired. But I need to be more careful. Isn't much to report on this week, so I love you all and hope you have a good week! 

AREA 51!! - Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Hey everyone!

Welp I'm back in Tucson Zone! I left the Countryside and Tortolita ward and am now am serving in the Central Ward! It's all of down town Tucson. It's pretty cool. It's kinda like down town Portland - but HOTTER!

Boy, it's getting hot here... Aaaaaaaaaaaaand I'm on a bike :'( All my luck being in a car finally caught up to me. My companion is Elder Malcarne. He's been out about 3 months. I'm his third companion. His trainer and the person finishing his training both were visa waiters to South Africa! So I'm his first companion who isn't a visa waiter. Haha! Well it was completely surprising that I left the North Zone. I thought for sure Elder Jones was going to leave. It was hard leaving the Blanco family and all the cool people in the North. Now I'm back to talkin' to hobos. It'll be fun! 

This last week in my last area, we didn't really have anything to do, so Elder Jones and I were driving on a whole bunch of dirt roads. And one night we were doing that, and we went on these windy, twisty, skinny dirt roads in the middle of nowhere. I was asleep in the passenger seat, but Elder Jones had apparently drove past a whole bunch of "no trespassing" and "private property" signs, until he stopped, and yelled "Elder Wise! Elder Wise Look! ALIENS!!!!!" So that woke me up. lol. I looked out the front windshield. And we were parked in front of this gate. It had a sign on it that said "WARNING: Area 51" and it said a whole bunch of other stuff including "Do not enter. Use of Deadly force authorized" So we got out of there. I just thought it was fake, but I asked someone in the ward, and they said there was a nonoperational missile sight that was I guess a branch base or something of Area 51. So that was SICK! Got pictures!

Man, it was hard to leave the North zone. I loved that zone. It's weird being back in Tucson. Haha! Well that's all that happened really this week! Love you all! The Book is Blue and the gospel's true! Have a great week!  

The 4th Missionary - Monday, May 19, 2014

Family,

This week was productive for the most part. Transfers are next week by the way. I want to share with you something I learned in my personal study. I read an article called "The 4th missionary" where is described 4 kinds of missionaries. The 1st missionary is disobedient, is lazy, and refuses to work in the Lord's service. The consequences are that he almost always goes home early from his mission, he finds it hard to fit in back home, where only awaits him shame and guilt and regret. The good that he would have done, goes undone (at least by him), and most likely goes inactive in the Church itself. The 2nd missionary is also disobedient, does some work, but without his heart, usually serves a full mission, but doesn't labor diligently in the Lord's service. The consequences are that he doesn't grow from his mission. He wastes two years of his life that he will never get back. The good that he would have done goes undone (at least by him), and when he returns home, he faces guilt and regret all his life. People at home will applaud him for his full time service, but he knows the shame that he brought home with him. The 3rd missionary is successful, changes lots of lives, and brings lots of people close to Christ. Labors hard on his mission and usually meets exceptional standards or numbers on his Key Indicators. The consequences are that he enjoys the success that he has on his mission. enjoys the company of the spirit that came with working hard, and returns home honorably. The 4th missionary contains the exact attributes as the 3rd with the addition of one more, which drastically and definitely changes his consequences. His attitude. His heart. Himself. The 3rd missionary SACRIFICED himself and his time to work in the Lord's service, whereas the 4th missionary GAVE all that he had as himself and all that he possessed. He gave the Lord all of his talents, hopes, desires, dreams, weaknesses, strengths, triumphs, defeats, disappointments, and expectations. This is called lining our will with Christ's, and ultimately, our Heavenly Fathers. This is what the 3rd missionary lacked. Christ teaches us that if we are going to work in his service, we need to labor with ALL of our heart, might, mind, and strength. The 3rd missionary labored with his might and strength. The 4th missionary labored with that with the addition of his heart and his mind. He gave himself. The consequences of the 4th missionary are that he brought others, including himself unto Christ. He grew incredibly from the spirit, and enjoys the constant companionship of the spirit. He actually enjoys and is edified in his testimony every time he looks back on his mission. He grows immense charity. He has the literal light of Christ. He experiences the same heartaches, and disappointments that come with being a missionary, but because he gave his whole self to Christ, he experiences eternal as well as very immediate blessings. Blessings of contentment and peace in the Lord's service. Blessings of happiness, and true joy, both of which are qualities of the Kingdom of God, which Christ teaches is really found within ourselves. The 4th missionary is a disciple of Christ and is redeemed from the natural man or missionary, who may work diligently, but fails to give his whole self to Christ with his heart and his mind. This can apply not only to missionaries but to members with a calling. May we give and loose all ourselves, and work with not only our might and strength, but with our heart and mind. Only then will we be not followers of Christ, but true disciples of Christ, making us like him. I love you all. Have a wonderful week!