DIY Bomb shelter, (our apartment after construction)

We got Chick FIL-A - making all the missionaries in my mission jealous,
because its the only Chick FIL-A in the whole mission

I am so sorry I did not send the pictures last week, I completely spaced putting the pictures in after I put in the text for them.

Our area is dead..... We are only teaching a handful of people in both ward's, and in all my time here I have only met one of them, her name is Sabrina. 

The only things worth taking note of are that we had a Sacrifice Saturday two days ago. This is when the whole zone of missionaries only go finding for the whole day in a certain area. The only problem with that is when you all blitz in one area there are few places left for missionaries to tract........ So we are now a little limited on places to go. But at least we have two new potentials we can visit.

Me at the breakfast club.
(breakfast with a member on P-day last week) 

Now I sent a video to my family of the "major remodeling" going on in our apartment right now, for those who have not seen this video, my apartment looks like a bomb has gone off, there are wires hanging off of the ceiling, several panels of the ceiling are missing and there is sawdust allover the floor. I have another video to send to my family.  Hopefully they will find a way to share it with you loyal readers.

Our apartment also does not have water right now, so we are planning to stay in another elders' apartment for the next week, so that we may be able to shower and get all our clothes washed before the week is done.

I am sorry this is a short one, but I don't have that much to write home about.

I do have one small thing worth note. Today we went to a local pizza stop owned by a member, and we got the chance to make our own pizzas, it was a cool experience for us, especially being able to hang with the rest of our district while munching the freshly baked pizza we just made. 

Somebody got a little tied up
(he was fine with is all, until we started talking about leaving him
in the construction workers truck bed) 

U have a scripture that helps explains why we have another Testament of Christ, The Book of Mormon. 

2 Corinthians 13:1

1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

Lots of what we call "The Boones"

We don't just have three witnesses, but we also have prophets, seers, and revealators, whom of which all have a special witness of Christ, they regularly testify of the divinity of the Book of Mormon and any of the other standard works we have in the world today. 

Thanks a bunch for reading what I throw together. It really means a lot to me when I get letters and responses from those I write, thanks again. 

That's a squash growing in a tree.

Lots of what we call "The Boones"

It's been pretty.

Up Next: Huckleberry Plum Bob and transfers/ the next episode

As you may have guessed from the title, I had Huckleberry pie, I ate almost ripe plums, the guy who gave us both is named Bob and I'm going to Moscow, Idaho. 

It seems a little confusing doesn't it? We were sure confused when we first met Bob. 

We were walking in an old military housing area looking for an old potential on our list, and this guy walks up to us calls us brothers and asked if we needed a drink of water. It turns out this was the man that we were looking for. We immediately got a nice cold glass of water, after a little bit of small talk he asked if we wanted some Plums, then without our answer he started off towards his neighbor's Plum tree. 

After eating a few unripe plums we told him we had never had plums before, so he yelled at his son to jump his other neighbors fence and get a few different types of plums from there. We then ate some of the most bitter crab apples I have ever tasted in my life. He invited us back into his home for some Huckleberry pie (now keep in mind we have no idea who this guy is) during all of this commotion we are introducing ourselves and trying to find out if he is a member or if he has an interest in what we teach. He apparently didn't care for our message saying, "We only have room for one book in this house." He did, however, say that if we ever needed a place to rest for a second we were welcome anytime. And that is the story of Huckleberry Plum Bob. 

I went on exchanges with Elder Rusick to downtown Spokane. This was a crazy adventure for the both of us. We walked a ton, and we're unable to find any new people to teach. We encountered a crazy lady. We knocked on her door and she invited us in. After we had talked for a bit, we found that she believed in prophets, and that there has to be some still around today. Then we got excited to talk about the prophet Russell M. Nelson, but before we could tell her about it she started talking about another bloke, and said that he was a prophet..... Some bloke "who foretold of Trump becoming president", the 9/11 incident as well as a few other super general things. 

She eventually started praying for us and a few moments into the prayer she breaks the prayer to ask for our names, then she starts praying for us specifically, and a few moments after that she asked us if she can pray for our mates... (I have never in my life been asked a question like that before) we said go right ahead, then she starts saying "Lord, please bless these young men, that they may find Godly mates. Please hide the indecency of the women on TV and other places, how is a man supposed to keep his covenants with the way they dress nowadays. Lord, please hide them in the shadow of your wings, quote from Psalms 67". I must say that I was flattered with what she had done thus far, but she takes it further, she starts singing for us.... for at least two minutes. 

Once she was done singing we thanked her for the song and left her a pamphlet that talked about what we tried to go over. 

So sorry I was unable to send this email last week, I had more to talk about but not enough time to say it. 

Anyways, I am now in Moscow, Idaho covering the Palouse River and Paradise Ridge Ward's and my new companion is Elder Martineau. So far we have been unable to do much because we mostly walk. We are in a car share with another companionship but they cover all of Moscow where as we only cover southern Moscow. 

Cool thing that happened.

At church last Sunday some random guy just walked in and said that he would like to learn more about the Church. So we we sat with him all throughout the two hours, telling him about some of different things we do in church and he genuinely enjoyed his visit. However after we told him about the YSA ward (that's Young Singles Adult ward) because he is a college student, but the idea of that seemed to upset him in some way. He told us that he will think about coming back, so we hope we will see him again. 

Not Much Has Happened This Time Around, Well...I Guess a Few Things

I would say some of the only things worth mentioning are that we had to move the Martinez family's baptism date a little further back, because when we shared the Word of wisdom with them, they thought the idea of giving up coffee was ridiculous. At least they still want to meet with us and want to still come to church. So that's a plus.

Yesterday, two of our other "on dates" came to church, and as many of you know, the first Sunday of the month is a Fast and Testimony meeting at church, meaning that anyone who wants to talk about the blessings they have seen in their lives can walk up to the pulpit and share their testimony. We Nathan and Kirsten both have been having great experiences at church and have been loving every second of what we share with them. So anyways, during the testimony meeting there were several people who stated that "whoever this message was meant for, I hope it helps" our a Nathan knew that it was meant for him. Well then my companion shared his testimony and quoted something from an old movie, and that is what pushed Nathen to share his testimony next. He said " I felt as if there were a clenched fist in my stomach, it made me feel like I had to go up there and speak. I eventually did, but the feeling didn't go away until I was done speaking and stepped off the stage" I know none of you know this man like I do (mostly because the only way you know about him is what I have told you) but this was a huge deal for him. My companion and I are so excited for his chance to get baptized.  It is going to make a huge difference in his life.

We had some crazy service this week. 

We helped some of the people we are teaching move their trailer. Boy it was a crazy move. The husband (his name is Ken) never served in the Navy, but boy can he curse like a sailor, his wife Sandy was a lot easier to work with. My job during this move was to crawl under the trailer (with all the big FAT spiders) with a jack, and use it to lift the trailer and kick out the wood and cinder blocks that held the trailer up. I can't lie, I thought it was pretty fun, my companion though did not like it one bit. 

I came dressed in jeans boots and a good shirt that can get dirty. My companion came dressed in shorts running shoes and a decent shirt but not one you would want to do any work in (These people we helped move were pretty much rednecks, and boy let my companion have it, they thought he looked foolish). 

At this move there were more than us and the couple helping out, and while I was under the trailer many people kept getting in and out doing various things to help wrap it up.

It may be because my companions birthday is 3 days before mine but we have been getting lots of cake from people we see all the time for random reasons. None of them beforehand knew that it was our birthdays, but here we are, getting way too much cake to handle. 

Not enough time for pics sorry.

Bad planning again, some of us can't make choices quickly. 

A Pair of Pants, A Borrowed Guitar and 4 Jars of Peanut Butter

My Companion and I

Hello there, I am speaking to you people I cannot see, and there are yet Many of you whom I will not for a long time, at least another 365 days until my time is up, and I become one year wiser.

Thanks a bunch for the HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes, it was really cool to be able to read the many emails and messages that you all sent me. 

We have been busy this week. To add to an Apostle coming last week, we had Zone conference on Wednesday. This meeting takes up most of our day, and we are lucky if it isn't far away and won't eat up our miles. Regardless, it is a great experience. Many missionaries get a chance to show the talent they may have in playing the piano, the violin or even singing. One Elder, who happens to be my zone leader, played us a Hymn he arranged himself. This was his last Zone conference, so he put his heart and soul into what he played. It was a very sweet moment for us who knew him. This Elder in particular is a masterful piano player. He, just for practice, would have two piano - one on each side of him, and he ,without looking, at each could play almost any song we could request, he is GOOD! 

My Companion is a Piano Man

I was able to finally meet with a new family of members that moved in in the past month. They are a very talented bunch. They each like to participate in plays or in other "Theater production" as they might say. They also "Dabble" in guitar and singing.  The mother of the family makes the clothing for may different theater programs, so right on the spot she offered to tailor our suits, hem up our pants and even fix any ripped clothing us missionaries could bring to her.  

Missionaries help lots of people move in and out of homes, and many of those times we don't get a chance to dress in normal clothes. In one of the experiences I had helping people move, I squatted down to pick something up, and heard a "tearable" sound, a sound that once heard can never mean anything good. Sure enough my pants had ripped, but not completely, I was temporarily safe.... butt not for show. 🤣 (I'm so funny, laugh with me not at me).  Anyways these members have saved me. 

Our Entire Mission when the Apostle Came to Visit

We were looking for one of our friends we had lost contact with in the past month, we didn't catch him, but before we left this trailer park we got a feeling that somebody there needed our help. So we started tracking and found Brandy.

Brandy is a super cool lady. She is heavily involved in another church and works hard to serve those who have less than she does (homeless people). She loves our church and what us missionaries do for the people. She talked with us for a long time, while conversing withe her, we found that she had just finished moving and was on her way to her new home. It was about then we found that we were going to be late for a meeting. We got her new address (then lost it later) and before we could go, she told us about somebody who had just lost almost everything and his electricity was turned off. His name is Lewis. 

We came back to the trailer park to meet Lewis the next day. When we first met him he was hesitant about talking to us, saying he was too busy and did not have time for us. Then my companion at the time (we were on exchanges), Elder Robb asked him, "what if meeting with us is God trying to reach out to you". Those words stumped him. He told us that he was baptized into our church a few years ago, but he fell away because he felt like everything he worked hard at failed, he thought that it meant that God didn't love him. We met with him the next day and he told us that his wife (who alps happens to be a member also said that, "meeting with us was probably God trying to reach out to you". He then knew that he no matter what had to come back to the church, and try his best to repent and come unto Christ. It's so cool to be apart of a conversion experience like this.

A Gift - They only have girls, which explains the bag

Reminds me of another conversion story in the Book of a Mormon. 

In Alma 38:7-9, Alma is talking to his son about how the Lord helped him turn from his old ways and repent. 

  7 But behold, the Lord in his great mercy sent his angel to declare unto me that I must stop the work of destruction among his people; yea, and I have seen an angel face to face, and he spake with me, and his voice was as thunder, and it shook the whole earth.

  8 And it came to pass that I was three days and three nights in the most bitter pain and anguish of soul; and never, until I did cry out unto the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy, did I receive a remission of my sins. But behold, I did cry unto him and I did find peace to my soul.

  9 And now, my son, I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn of me that there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness. 

Yesterday, the members who were feeding us found out it was my birthday, and for my birthday, they let us borrow a guitar and sent us home with 4 jars of peanut butter! OH YEEAA! I couldn't have gotten a better gift.

Anyways, thank you for your letters and messages, they really help brighten my day when I read them. 

A Moment of Silence

Cool New Way of Tying a Knot - Elderedge Knot

Lots has happened since I wrote last. Some moments good and some moments bad, but overall some experiences that I will never forget.

On Tuesday we met this referral that was given to us by the Marshalese missionaries, they were going around on our turf and found a nice older woman. After meeting with her we found that she is an avid reader and that she was given a Book of Mormon from the other missionaries. She hadn't started yet, but she promised us that she won't be able to put the book down until she had read it all.

Now yesterday we tried to go back, but we ended up missing her by a few minutes and we instead met one of her kids along with his friend. We talked for a bit getting to know them, and they seemed pretty normal for a couple of teenagers, (especially nowadays). We asked them what they knew about God, and they told us that they had a very limited experience with church and God. So we started in the beginning by telling them who God is. "He is our Loving Heavenly Father". Then we proceeded to tell them about His plan for us starting our life with Him before we came to earth... They thought it was so cool. We did not have too much time to talk with them, but we did leave them a little pamphlet that explains the whole Plan of Salvation along with our number in case they have questions. Now we got them excited for us to come back and talk with us further, and hopefully they will tell their mother about the fun experience with missionaries.

My Turn

We went to an ARP session, (we were invited) and I would say as a missionary I am not too used to it yet. For starters we are asked to come in normal clothes, but still wear our badges, (it's weird because missionaries don't normally go to any meeting without proselytizing gear (white shirts, slacks, and a tie).

It was a really cool experience, I can't relay talk about the details because confidentiality is a big part of the activity, it brings a great spirit to be felt. Just a genuinely cool experience, and you ought to try it some time.

We finally were able to meet with Nathan and Kiersten again. It's been way too long since I've been able to talk about them again. They were both able to sit in on a lesson this time, Nathan just got laid off of his main job, so he is now more free than ever before. We taught them about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and they felt that what we taught them was true. They wanted to look around our church building so we offered a church tour and they got super excited about it. 

Hard Day of Work at Camp Comia

The tour was on Saturday, and once they came in the less religious of the two said that it felt right. From there they enjoyed every part of the church, especially the primary room, but once we got to the baptismal fount they told us they both hadn't been baptized...... and would like to be. So right then we set a date for September 7th! 

They came to church the next day and had such a good experience. The members were all over them, showing them around and inviting them to book clubs and game nights. Some members even set up a lesson for us on Wednesday! The members in Sunset Ward are on top of it this week. The greatest of it all was that Nathan and Kirsten felt right at home, and they even identified the spirit and knew that this church was the one they had been looking for for quite some time now. The search had finally ended. 

Cages of Rats and Mice

On Thursday, we had some service lined up for us, but the day before we had gotten a call to help somebody move first. We had the Silverlake companionship join us because they needed some service for the day. Anyways on the way to help this guy move in, we get a call from a dear good friend of ours in the ward. She was in tears because at that moment her dog was dying in her arms, (the culprit was old age). She is an older woman who's family has moved out, so this dog was part of her family and she was about to loose it. 

We drove as legally as we could in our rush to make to to Jeanies, but we were too late. The dog had already passed on. 

After a prayer for comfort and peace she asked us to help us bury the body (she has a fake arm and a broken arm) she was unable to dig on her own.

The rest of the story, we wrapped up at our friends then went to help out with the move, we moved tons of snakes and rats to feed the snakes. This guy breeds snakes as a cash hobby..... It was gnarly.

This talk about a death makes me want me to share a quick scripture about where our spirit goes immediately after we die. 

Me - Aged with a Face App

Alma 40:11

11 Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.

I myself have never died, but I can imagine it can be an excruciating experience and because Heavenly Father loves us, and we are his children, I know that he would be there with us to comfort us and to guide us home to Him once our time comes.

Thanks to those who sent me an early birthday present, but you are a couple weeks early, my birthday is on the 25th.

Thanks you guys for reading this far and for the support you have given me thus far in my mission. 

Smoky Evening - Fire Season

We Crashed a Party Before it Began

Looking Dapper at the Thrift Store

Well, we had transfers last Thursday, and I had to day goodbye to Elder Ruth.  Now my new companion is Elder Nelson. Even in the small time we have been together we have seen many strange miracles, many of the people who were left as potentials from previous missionaries are being found by us.

      The first of the people we found (literally the first door we knocked on this transfer) we were looking for this person named Eurma, but found Esteban instead. He is a very humble man.  He has suffered many rough and dangerous paths before coming to Airway Heights. He and his family was even shot at and suffered a few bullet wounds. "But we were safe and protected by God, I knew we would be okay." Wow! He is just an amazing man, and I say that mostly because he can play the accordion... This goes out to all the missionaries I send my emails. How many of you guys know a person who plays the accordion? It is such a cool instrument, but man, talk about an expensive and excessive hobby. Anyways. We have been trying to get with him again, but he has been too busy.

Good Bye, Elder Ruth

      Next we were walking around in an area we go to a lot. (We have lots of people being taught there) We walked d by a woman who seemed to be having trouble with her bags. We offered help, but she said she had it. Then from there we had a very engaging conversation about her life and how her and her husband Jeremy have been through lots of crap together. She was mostly concerned about her baby on the way at the moment but that didn't stop her from trying to get a job to support her husband, whom of which is trying his hardest to make enough money to keep his apartment, even after he lost his job.

      We were able to get a lesson in with them yesterday. Unfortunately the wife was not able to make it, but Jeremy was there and told us how he had had it rough since he moved out of his parents house at 18 and he had been misused and abused by people his use to trust. But he knew that he had gone through these tough experiences to become who he is right now, and he is happy with that thought.

My New Companion, Elder Nelson

 We taught him about how the church is centered on families, and showed him,The Family a Proclamation to The World, and shared Helaman 5:12 from the Book of Mormon with him:

12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

After hearing what we had to say, he said he would like to talk to us again, and build his future family on a sturdy foundation, which is Christ.

      We had many more things that happened and people that we got to meet and talk to, but I have to explain what the title is about.

Elder Woodhead - who can whistle like me

We were looking for a potential in the area, and we like to talk to people as we see them and as we go. We met a few nice people that just brushed us off but just at 8:00 we saw some "college age" kids smoking on their 3rd level patio. It started as most average conversations go we asked them, " Hey, How's it going?" They said "What's up?" Then we told them we were missionaries and what our purpose was. Then we asked, " Do you believe in Jesus Christ?" They said, "Yea, I believe in Jesus." Around this time more and more heads were poking out over the balcony down at us. Some of them whispered and giggled while looking at us as if to say, "Look at those silly Mormons down there". At this point we asked them "What are you all doing up there?" and they said something in the lines of, "We are going to a party and get so used.." which translated from edgy young adult to English means, very very drunk.

      After a while, more of them started showing up, and some even came down to talk to us. We sat in the grass and just answered questions. If you have been on a mission you know what questions they asked, but for those who don't know they asked us: 

• Can you drink? 
• Can you smoke? 
• Why? 
• What's the word of wisdom?
• What do you think about repentance? 
• Why do you have the law of Chastity? 

This went on for an hour, and I would say there was about 20 people in this group setting in a circle. So that's how we crashed a party before it began. 

A Red Sunset

That's about the whole of what happened in the past few days.

16 Miles And What Do We Get? Another Year Older and NOT Deeper in Debt

Great Hike - First One I Have Been to in the Area

Hia Hia, It's's been longer than most people prefer, but being a missionary have I have an excuse.

We had a scary moment trying to get on base on Tuesday. We normally go on base every Tuesday to do some service at a thrift store called Airman's Attic. When we are there we take every chance we get to talk the the airmen that come. 

Anyways when we got our day pass from the first Check-in station, our print outs usually say that our visit will last from 10:00-1:00 because that is usually the time frame of our visit, but they goofed and put the end of our visit at 10:00. So when we drive up to the gate, they check our IDs and our passes and saw the inconsistent time thy asked us when we had gotten the passes, and we said 5 minutes ago. To make this story short, for the sake of of space. The guy who checked us in knew us, but his boss was right behind him so he had to pull us aside and check in with the Check-in station, and we sat there for 10 minutes before we got the all clear from them. My companion was super intimidated because the guards today were a little bit more armed than they usually are, not to mention they had twice as many people today, so it was just a little nerve-wracking for us to be stopped and pulled aside.

Caught a Frog

We had exchanges the other day, and I went to Spokane. This particular day was not a normal one, because both companionships of the Spokane 2nd ward's were out of commission (on a count of bowel movements so bad they had to both take turns and breaks from the restroom) so I went on another exchange with the only other Elder there who was still well, Elder Woodhead. He and I had major success on our previous exchange, so we were fired up and ready to start Tracting.

The first house we knocked on was a less active member that was incredibly friendly with us and even invited us to dinner in the future. She told us that she always loved talking with missionaries in the past but they stopped coming over 20 years ago. Score! We then found some other people who loved to share the gospel, but the majority of what they used was just the Bible. So we had to tell them what the Book of Mormon was as well and why we need it. After, he told us that we should have a "discussion" sometime and that we could come back another time. Score!

Finally, after a long day of knocking on doors and talking to people, we decided to visit some potentials that lived on a far away street, and for the sake of miles we walked there. Once in the area, we saw some people sitting on their porch smoking, so we went to talk to them. After some pleasant words on the sidewalk, we used the excuse of not being able to hear them that well to move in close. Upon further pleasantries we found that this house was for women who were recovering drug addicts. The lady who was the head of the house told us of how she was baptized into the church when she was younger, but she didn't do much else and then fell away from the Church. Right when we were about to ask if we could visit sometime and share a message that could provide a spiritual recovery, this lady asked us if we could come over! This house hosted 7 lady's, and apparently they all just decided together that they wanted to be closer to Christ! How awesome is that!

Huge Storm - Couldn't See the Road

So we don't have that much miles for this month left, and in our effort to save them, we decided to bike 16 miles yesterday. We had an appointment with a guy, but he was too busy and our next appointment was dinner at a members house over 9 miles away, so we biked there. During this our joyride over, I was able to listen to some awesome talks by Brad Wilcox. (He is a great speaker 10/10)

 One of the things he mentioned in his talk was about the special witness we have as a church especially when compared to other churches, We are not limited to just one witness of Jesus Christ, we have a Prophet, Apostles, the seventy and the Book of Mormon, all of these testify of the same thing... That we have a loving Heavenly Father, who sacrificed his own son so that we could be perfected and live with our Father in Heaven again. It's important that we listen to all of God's servants 

D&c 1:38 

"What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same."

Sorry I couldn't send you pictures last week, I needed wi-fi but I had none. 

So I will send oven more pictures! MUA HA HA HA HA 

Pretty Lake on Our Hike