Miracles are Everywhere

April 18, 2016

New transfer! It's been an awesome week jam packed with miracles. The problem is that the better the week, the less time I have to write in my journal cuz I'm way too tired.

Tuesday morning we woke up, I worked out while elder Brink finished packing. Elder Fehoko showed up at about 9 with his gym and we got him all unpacked and headed off to work. We taught J.-crazy deep doctrine lover-and then taught N., and had elder Manarin from the Philippines come help us teach so she could understand a bit better.

Wednesday we had a great district meeting. It was a great day, we met a bunch of potentials and set up appointments. We taught K., who was so ready to be baptized! Then taught N.. She probably won't be baptized on the 23rd, she wants to read more from the Book of Mormon. It's too bad, because she had an answer but her husband kinda changed her mind about the answer not believing that she could get one so fast. When we got home we played pool with Philipe. Elder Fehoko won, he is a pro haha. 

Thursday was busy, after elder Fehoko's language study we had lunch with a ward mission leader, then had a zone introductory meeting. There are 4 missionaries in the zone from Arizona. rad. We taught Brooke and D. (C. was sick) about obedience, the Sabbath day, prayer, and scripture study as commandments. They love the gospel! On our way to dinner, we were bookin it cause we were late and we rode past a lady, and decided to turn around and talk to her anyways. Her name is E., and she hardly knows anything about the gospel. We set up an appointment for 1:00 on Friday. 

Friday was awesome. After weekly planning we went and had lunch with the Blocks and correlated, and I used their computer to make Kaiden's baptism programs. Then at 12:30 E. called and said she was at the church ready to learn. Sick! So we booked it over there and taught her. She's now accepted the date of the 14th to get baptized. Then we
rushed to A. and taught her, she's still doing awesome and said she'd come to church. After that we rushed back to the Block's house and finished the baptism programs, then rushed to K.'s last lesson as a nonmember. We taught a few other people and at the end of the night were headed across a busy road to go home. We crossed in a big break of traffic, and looked left and saw a dude walkin down the sidewalk and kinda stumbling a bit... Then he falls into the road... Then tries to get up and falls further into the road. The cars are getting closer and there's no way they'd see this dude wearing all black lying face down on the pavement, so elder Fehoko and I book it over there and yank him out of the road literally only a few seconds before he would've gotten hit. He was soooo drunk. So we got the cops over there and they were kind enough to take him home. Haha. Just a testimony builder that the Lord can put us In the right place at the right time.

Saturday morning we woke up at 5:20 and went to the temple to watch S. do baptisms for the Dead for the first time. It's so cool to see those that you bring to the truth continue to progress! Also, K. got baptized! It was a great day.

Sunday he was confirmed a member by his uncle and we got to participate. E. was embarrassed because she doesn't own any church clothes so she didn't come to church but tomorrow the relief society president is takin her shopping. So awesome. We taught her about the word of wisdom cuz we felt that would be her biggest struggle, and she agreed to live it and said she knew it'd be the right thing to do.

Miracles are everywhere, just gotta find em.

Love
-Elder Ray

Elder Ray and Elder Brink with K.

The new West Jordan Zone

Elder Ray and Elder Fehoko

Stayin' in West Jordan

April 11, 2016

Another stellar week in the books. Tuesday we taught a somewhat mentally not all there old man who asked us the same questions he asks us every time we go over. He is less active and has some weird philosophy's on religion haha. We decided to tract out a random apartment building we don't know much about and met a woman named E. who is not a member. She said to come back Wednesday cuz she'd like to learn more, but she wasn't there when we tried back. We will keep tryin! 

Tuesday night we split, elder Brink taught K. who is still solid to get baptized Saturday, and I taught N. (Filipino lady). She has such a strong desire to learn and do what's right! We put her on date for April 23rd and is looking solid for that date! 

Wednesday morning we taught a less active lady outside her house in the beautiful weather and committed her to come to stake conference. Not sure if she did or not yet. Then we had lunch with a ward mission leader, then taught J. and his wife. J. is a member, just inactive. His wife is not a member. J.'s problem is that he loves deep doctrine. Advice to everyone: stay out of deep doctrine, especially if you don't have a testimony of the first principles and ordinances of the gospel. It just drives you crazy. J. is literally crazy. So yeah that's something we're trynna fix. Wednesday night we taught N. again. She loves the plan of salvation and is still solid for the 23rd! After N. we taught an inactive lady in the apartments who has used the excuse of being sick for the past 9 months. Lame excuse... We shared elder christofferson's video 'daily bread: pattern' (which I love, it's in the Mormon messages, watch it) and invited her to church. She said she'd try, and we asked what would be keeping her, then she said her health. We talked for a minute and then shared my favorite scripture (3 Nephi 13:30-34) and promised that if she came, the lord would make it possible. She said that scripture has been on her mind and we got a solid commitment out of her! Our ward mission leader offered a blessing and she gladly accepted. As we were leaving, we get in the car and he just looks at us and goes "wow, is every night this spiritual with you guys????" And it kinda took me by surprise... And I realized that, yes, it is. Being a missionary is the best. The lord puts us where he needs us when he needs us to be there.  

Thursday we set up a ton of lessons with both non members and less actives. Always good to have lessons set up! We taught J., a 9yo recent convert who has too much energy despite his mom never letting him have sugar. We have been trying to get him to read a chapter a week from the Book of Mormon  but he struggles with that cuz he's pretty busy. The good thing is that he read it a year ago and remembers exactly what happened. No joke. We talked about 1st Nephi chapter 4 and he told the whole story without having read it in a year. Crazy. We then taught B. (nm) D. (Nm) and C. (LA).We've been trying to figure out how to get B. more interested (at the beginning she made it VERY CLEAR she was not interested, that she was just there to support D.). But, we taught them the plan of salvation and put D. on date for the 23rd. We didn't feel right about asking B. to be baptized so we didn't. As we were leaving she comes up to us and says "the 23rd is not gonna work" and we're just thinking 'crap, she doesn't wanna let him get baptized' but she tells us they just remembered they'd be camping there. Huge relief. So we said we'd figure out another date at our next lesson Sunday. Fhew. Then we taught a less active in the richest home in our stake. She is so awesome. Her husband passed away a couple years ago, and he never had his temple work done. Her uncle did it but they haven't been sealed, and that's her goal. It's going to be really cool to see her progress toward the temple!

Friday a lot of lessons canceled. But we still got a lot done, talked to a lot of people and got referrals and set up lessons. We taught A., another less active man with mental health issues who wants to get back to the temple. Saturday K. got interviewed for baptism. Stoked! That kid is so happy to get baptized! (see pic) then we taught KD and talon who are ready to get baptized as soon as their mom gets outta the hospital. Then we taught J., a 40 year old inactive return missionary who loves the gospel more than most active members. His only problem is the motivation to get to church. Lame excuse. 

Now Sunday. Wow. Ok. So we had stake conference in the morning, and elder Durham of the quorum of the 70 presided. We got to meet him and talk to him for a bit which was cool. Meeting general authorities is always a neat experience to see how normal they are and feel the immense spirit around them. After that, D., a recent convert we've been working with, received the Melchezidech priesthood. 

Then we rushed and ate a quick lunch, then went to a lesson with a less active lady named K.. We needed a member to come with us since she is a single lady, so we called one and got him to pick us up and take us. When we get there we sit down and start talking, and it turns out the 'random' member was her bishop a while ago when she was going through a bunch of trials. We were able to share a message to strengthen her, and she asked for a blessing from the member. It was so spiritual to know that everything fell into line as guided by God. 

Then we taught M. (?), a non member from India that married a member. Both of them are completely active. His problem is that within Hinduism, it's basically your religion to adopt practices and beliefs from different religions. So he struggles to commit to one. We will help him see the truth in the restored gospel tho! Then we shared a quick message with W., an excommunicated man who is active and wants to come back. He said it completely answered a question he has been prayin about for a long time. 

Then we taught B., C., and their 9 year old boy, D. again. So we went in and talked for a bit, and discussed the baptismal date. B. said that because of some court things with D. and his real dad (not Cory)  they were gonna be going thru a lot and wanted to push the date back a couple months. Dang! But we explained how having the gift of the Holy Ghost would help him through those trials. We expected her to argue, but she just paused and then said that makes sense. Sweet. So we decided that May 14th would be the best date for him to be baptized on. Then we taught them the gospel of Jesus Christ. We asked B.what she thought about the gospel and she opened up. We found out she was raised LDS but her parents never let her get baptized. After talking a bit more we just said 'the gospel is for families, and we want you to have the opportunity to be with D. and C. forever through the restored church' and then invited her to be baptized despite our fears. She didn't say anything for like 10 seconds (which is scary cuz this lady shows no emotion) and then she looks at D. and goes 'what do you think D.?' And he says "Hmmmm, I think YES! I believe in God, and I believe in Jesus Christ!" And wow, the spirit just smacked all of us like a railroad tie. We truly all felt the presence of the Holy Ghost in that moment. Then she turned and said 'well it looks like D. and I are getting baptized on the 14th!' We were so excited! Such a miracle, the simple, short testimony of a 9 year old has the power to bring the spirit strong enough to have the converting power of God himself. We are so blessed to be here! 

Speaking of being here, Today we found our about transfers. Elder Brink is getting transferred. He is switching places with... Elder Fehoko! So he is going to be with elder Mestre in draper and Elder Fehoko is my new companion. I'm excited!


Love
-Elder Ray

Elder Brink and bikes

Last Pic of the District before Transfers

April Fools and General Conference

April 4, 2016

Hello!
So Tuesday we had a really good zone training meeting that was focused on how we can be as effective as possible. It rocked. Great motivation for us to always try and be better.

Wednesday we helped a less active pack up to move. He bought us Panda Express, so totally worth it. Wednesday night we found a new potential, a lady who is from the Philippines who moved her and is married to a man who is returning to activity. She has already been to church a couple times, we have an appointment set up to meet with her this week!

Thursday a lot happened. Of course, the day before April fools, we went to Smiths and bought window paint. And some gum for one of our less actives who has been going cold turkey on smoking. We bought some extra gum and wrote a little note saying "you're doing EXTRA well, keep it up!" She loved it. At lunch we got a call from the Assistants to the president saying they wanted to meet with us at 3:00. We were a little scared cuz usually that only happens if someone is in trouble, and we haven't done anything wrong so we had no idea what was going on... So we met with them and sat down in a stake center and they say "Elders... Don't worry, you're not in trouble, we just wanted to congratulate you on all the hard work and thank you for all you are doing!" Fhew. They wanted to know what kind of things we were doing to have the success we were having. It was cool to find out president Chambers recognizes our hard work and it pays off! That night we had an appointment with randy but she wasn't there, so we talked to her husband and came to the conclusion that she wasn't ready. She isn't progressing, her concern is that she has anti-LDS family and coworkers that she wasn't ready to confront with joining the church. It's too bad and we were disappointed, but we felt the confirmation of the spirit telling us it's what needed to happen.  Then we taught D., one of our 9 year old investigators who has a non member mom and less active dad. His mom says she is not interested, but when we teach D, she always sits in and seems way interested. Hmm... Gotta play our cards right on that one.


Friday we started exchanges, I left the area again and went with our district leader, elder stout, to work the Spanish area, once again making me wish I could speak Spanish. Dinner in the Spanish area is usually fun, but I got pasta last time... This time the lady was like "my husband said not to cook pasta cuz missionaries always get pasta" and we were all stoked to hear that. Then she brings out pasta and says "but this pasta has chicken in it so you'll like it."...... If you feed the missionaries, no pasta, nuff said. But we are still grateful nonetheless.


Saturday morning we watched conference with a super cool family (in English, thankfully) then ended exchanges and elder brink and I watched the Saturday afternoon session, then went to dinner, and went to the priesthood session which was so great. The President of the quorum of the 12 spoke, the general young men's president spoke, and the entire first presidency spoke. Wow. It was great. I encourage all of you to go watch it if you haven't yet. After that we had a killer lesson with another inactive member who has a great desire to progress. 

Sunday morning we only watched a bit of the first session because we had to be at the Trax station by 11 to head downtown. We got to go to the Sunday afternoon session which is a huge perk of this mission. We got tickets with the mission and got to sit 7 rows from the very front. It was awesome. I saw two people I know from back home which is always cool, and another perk of this mission. Today we played softball as a zone which I haven't done before on the mission. New is good.

What is new back home?

Love
-Elder Ray

Elder Ray and Elder Brink (left) at General Conference

Pranking the Sisters on April Fools

Part of the West Jordan Zone

Bunny Week

March 28, 2016

We started the week with a fast on Monday. It was great, we ended the fast as a district with pizza and watched the testament movie. After that... We had another dinner with our investigator Austin. The lesson we had with him was so good! We were able to keep the rest of the family from hijacking the lesson and taught him lesson one. He felt the spirit so strong! As soon as he is able to work out a couple things keeping him from baptism he will make the plunge for sure.

Tuesday we had a district meeting. Elder Brink and I gave an awesome training on our purpose and fulfilling it through being bold with all we meet. We taught a few lessons too.


Wednesday we cleaned all the floors on the ground floor of Tina and Philipe's home. Took us so long! When we were done they brought us home Bluetooth speakers tho so it was worth it. After lunch we started exchanges with elders Stout and Austin. I went to their area with elder Austin. It was an awesome exchange (besides the fact that I don't speak Spanish and it's a Spanish area). We oymed a kid who had some crazy stories, but was super receptive and took the first lesson very well. But overall it was a great day

Thursday I woke up with the worst headache I've had in my life. Like... I threw up twice cuz it hurt so bad... So I didn't do too much. Actually I slept. Till 4. Then downed sum Advil and went out to work cuz we had a night planned full of lessons. We taught a recent convert, then a recently reactivated man, then taught A., a less active who, after only like our second lesson, decided to quit smoking. I've never seen someone so stoked about getting back into the gospel. She is awesome and is finding so much joy!

Friday I forgot to write in my journal so nothing happened in my mind. But Saturday was awesome. Our zone set a goal to invite 450 people to church in the week, which came out to just over 56 people per companionship. Elder brink and I invited 58. ON SATURDAY. So we got 106 for the whole week. Yes, we are overachievers. Yes, our district leaders bought us a box of donuts for slayin it. Saturday night Tina and Philipe did a little Easter egg hunt for us and hid snacks and stuff around the house. They're awesome. Coolest landlords ever.

Sunday we went to church as usual, and B., a recent convert, got ordained a priest and received the Aaronic priesthood. It is so cool to see those we bring into the church progress in the gospel! We had Easter dinner with one of our ward mission leaders and his entire
family which was nice. Not really anything else happened, being Easter and all... Not too many people want to set things up.

Now we're bowling. So sorry if this seems choppy, I'm writing between turns...

Have a killer week erryone.

Love
-Elder Ray

"One of the Zone Leaders hopped into our photo."
(with Elder Brink and Elder Ray)

Grave Diggin' and a Busy Week

March 17, 2016

Well, sorry I wasn't able to email on Monday. They switched our pday to Thursday this week because today we went to the Temple. Monday we got our backs adjusted for free... It was cool to get hooked up to electric pads and shocked for like 15 minutes... That night we taught two recent converts, D., who is awesome, and B., who is also awesome.

Tuesday we had zone conference. It's always a great opportunity to hear from our mission president. He gave us two pieces of advice for life to stay on the straight and narrow. 1: ALWAYS communicate with God. Never close the lines of communication, pray always so he can hear us, and study the scriptures so we can hear him. And 2: Keep your eyes on your keyholder. Usually that means our bishops, and as we follow the counsel of the leaders chosen we will never be led astray. The church has been organized this way for a reason, and whatever the reason, it's what God wants.

Wednesday we had district meeting. Good enlightenment. Roleplays are always fun with the MLS (member and leader support (elderly)) missionary couples. Ha. One of the new MLS elders told us we shouldn't push baptism... That didn't go over too well considering the guidance from the prophet and a new program implemented by our mission president is to do so...

Thursday we taught R. Her husband is an active member, she is an active Non member. With a calling... We were able to discover that the main thing keeping her from getting baptized is that her family and coworkers are Anti-LDS. Unfortunately the lesson didn't last as long as we would have hoped for because she had to leave early for a girls camp planning meeting because that's her calling. It's the best excuse I've never heard! After that lesson we taught Paul, a recently reactivated man who received the priesthood the Sunday before. It's so cool to see people progress in the gospel and be so happy!

Friday was a bit weird, we only had one lesson. It was totally impromptu, we were going through a new move in list and knocked on a door in the apartments. A large, overweight dude answered the door wearing only basketball shorts and told us to both leave and come in the same sentence. Long story short the guy was super drunk. Not much happened Saturday, we had another lesson with B.

Sunday, a lady came up to us at church and said 'hi elders, I have a grandson living with me who is ready to be baptized, can you come teach him? #miracle.

Monday we had no pday, but we spent a large part of the day doing service for Tina and Philipe (our landlords). We raked all the leaves out of their front yard. It was a beautiful morning to do it... Until it started snowing and raining. So we went in and had lunch, then Tina took Ciel, their dog, to the vet to get put down since she was incompetent, blind, deaf, 14 years old, etc. So after lunch we dug the grave and buried the dog.

This is where our week blew up. We are at 11 Lessons so far which is pretty good.

Tuesday we taught the grandson, K, that wants to be baptized. He is almost 10 and is one of the smartest kids there is! He wants to get baptized super bad, so we put him on date for April 2nd, not realizing that was general conference, so we will move it up to March 26th when we meet with him on Friday. When we asked him when the next time he wanted to meet was, he tossed his fists into the air and shouted 'Tomorrow!' So we went by last night to teach him, but he got grounded for some reason and his grandma wouldn't let him meet with us. HORRIBLE PUNISHMENT! Parents, don't punish your kid by taking away things that will help them grow closer to God! Anyways we will teach him tomorrow so no big deal.

Wednesday morning we took D. to temple square to get started on family history. He found a lot of names he plans on taking to the temple! I don't think I've ever seen anyone more in love with the gospel than him. It's great!

And Today we had the opportunity to attend the Oquirrh mountain Temple.

It's been a great week so far! The Lord has blessed us with a ton of work and we are loving the busy schedule! Have a great week!


Love
-Elder Ray

Grave diggin. (Took forever to dig for how small the dog was.)

Most of the Zone at the Oquirrh Mountain Temple

Seth and his companion, Elder Brink

West Jordan!

February 29, 2016

West Jordan! We started the transfer off great. The first lesson we had Tuesday was with K., who elder Brink had not met yet, and we put him on date for baptism. Win. It took a few days, but my butt is finally adjusted to being on a bike all day again. I love it, especially since the area is flat. 

Wednesday and Friday we taught S., a 17 yo girl who we are baptizing on Saturday. She is awesome. She already has such a strong testimony of the church and can feel God's love for her daily. 

We have a lot of apartments in our area which is where the majority of our work comes from. I don't have a whole lot to write about, everything's been going pretty smoothly this week. I miss Draper, but am already starting to love this area. We live in a member's basement, which is super nice. Then we just share their kitchen. The only sketchy thing is their 14 year old poodle that is vicious. And on its death bed... It wanders around the house giving everything (mainly our feet) the death stare.

But yeah I'm doing great! How's everyone else doin?

Love
-Elder Ray

Elder Ray with Elder Brink in their West Jordan apartment

Peace Out Draper.

February 22, 2016

The weather this week was awesome. Reminded me of home... It was in the high 50s nearly every day except for one random day that it poured, then hailed, then snowed for a couple hours. And today when it decided to be snowing when we woke up. Tuesday we had district meeting and were surprised when President and Sister Chambers showed up... But they brought lots of snacks so it was totally okay.


We went on two exchanges this week. The first one I went to the other area with elder Lund from Texas. He has been out about 4 months and is a good missionary, just... Shy. Haha. The second was with Elder Mestre from France. He has technically been on his mission for 6 months just like me, but the first three were in France waiting for his visa before he came to the MTC.


Wednesday night we split up, elder brogan went out with a Ward on some visits and I ran a mutual activity for a Ward that is going to send out all their youth in 'mini missions'. It was a blast. Working with the youth is so much fun since I basically still am one. I taught them the basics of being a missionary, then taught them how to teach the plan of salvation. Then made them all roleplay it. It was a blast and the spirit was so strong. Awesome experience.


D. had a work emergency and had to go in so he canceled our lesson. Also he didn't come to church for the same reason. We have a lesson tonight... If he cancels I'm going by anyways. Ha.


Saturday morning on exchanges with elder Mestre, we talked on Baptism and The Gift Of The Holy Ghost at a kid's baptism which was neat, then we also got to stand in as the father confirmed him a member and gave him the gift of the Holy Ghost. Convert or not, the power of God truly is manifest when ordinances are performed by proper authority as we read in D&C 84:20. I am so grateful that power is restored to the earth! Saturday evening I had to take elder Mestre to practice singing with the sisters and elder fehoko, all four of them were gonna sing at a missionary fireside Sunday. But, elder fehoko was 'sick' and didn't want to do it. So, I got roped into it. So I had one practice to sing in front of too many people. You should all know I don't sing. Also, I had a solo part. In Spanish. I don't speak Spanish.

Whelp we found out today that I am getting transferred to West Jordan! I'll miss so many things about draper... The people... The food...The car... The mountains... The car... I won't have a car in WJ. Bummer. But it's where I need to be and I'm excited to work there! Have a killer week everyone!

Love
-Elder Ray

Elder Ray enjoying some Utah winter sun

President and Sister Chambers (center, back) with Seth's District