Ross is about 75% of the way through his mission....sometimes that seems so hard to believe, other times I feel like the days drag by. I'm guessing for my parents, the days just seem to drag by!! We all love Tuesdays when we hear from Ross and it's funny to see my parents stare at their phones, repeatedly updating their emails, waiting for that one that says it's from Ross. We love our missionary so much and are so proud of him and his service to the Lord...but we sure do miss him!!
I've posted 3 of his latest emails to my mom below. I always say I'm going to try to do better at keeping this updated but I never do! In Ross's letter this week he mentioned that his new mission President's wife wants to start a blog for the families to read so we'll let you know if that is done and if you're able to access it as well. I'm hoping she gets a blog started, I would love to hear how things are going out there from the mission's point of view!
Ross is very grateful for the letters and gifts he has received from family and friends. I know you may not always get a return letter of thanks and updates, but just know your thoughts and gifts are appreciated. He is so so so busy and recently we've only been getting short notes ourselves on Tuesdays. But Ross ends every letter (to me at least) by saying "tell everybody that I love them" so I'm passing that on to you too. He loves you and is grateful for your love and support. :)
So enjoy reading the emails below and if you feel so inclined, his address is posted to the side and you can write him a quick note...because even if he doesn't write you back, he LOVES to get mail. Such is the life of a missionary I guess!!
Love,
Hillary
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Letter from June 21, 2011
June 21, 2011
Hey...tough week....but it refined me and things are getting better
Ninety percent of our teaching is in Spanish. The only person we teach in English is a 19 yr old girl but even then, her boyfriend doesn't speak English so we have to talk to him in Spanish. But yeah, everything is in Spanish. My area is just like something you would see in Mexico.
Well like I said this week was like the refiners fire. I'll relate it to sports. Remember the beginning of my senior year and I lost, what I like to call, my "swagger"? I just felt like I couldn't do it anymore? I just hit rock bottom? That is what happened this week.
Our investigators buffed us, we didn't really accomplish anything, and we had one investigator tell us they didn't want to be baptized anymore. So yeah.....I was humbled. On Friday night, after the night was over, I got on my knees and prayed. For awhile. Then I realized something. I realized that I was trying to do it all by myself. I was trying to do things my way. And the work of the Lord can't be done only by man. Its impossible. You have to be guided by the Lord in order to succeed. These things I was going through was a humbling process. The Lord was helping me realize that I couldn't do it on my own. I needed his help.
So Saturday it was a little better, but it was still the same kind of thing. Sunday was good. We only had 1 investigator show up, but then something happened to turn it all around. Sunday School was just finishing and President Lopez came and asked me if I could translate for the high councilor. I smiled and said, "You want me to translate?" What was going through my head was , "I have trouble translating what I want to say, there is no way that I can translate what someone else is trying to say." He smiled and shook his head, "si". I looked back at him and said, "Si, si quiere". He must have seen the look of doubt on my face and he put his hand on my shoulder said, "Si te puedes." He had confidence in me, but I had 0 confidence in myself. I remember looking around and thinking, "there are tons of people here who are fluent in both languages, why can't they do it?" So Sacrament meeting started and I prayed hard during the sacrament. I prayed for the Lord to help me, to put the words in my mouth, and to give me confidence in myself. So he was the first speaker and we started and it went great. I made a couple of mistakes but I was able to keep up with him and translate without a lot of long pauses or missed words. Wow. It was a powerful spiritual experience! I sat back down and then I just opened up my heart to the Lord for helping me get my "swagger" back.
Yesterday was great. We had some good lessons and our WML asked a lady straight up, "so..why haven't you been baptized yet? Do you want blessings?" The lord humbled me and now things are getting a lot better! It is amazing to see the Lord work in other people's lives but it is even more amazing when you see it in your own lives!
Well that's about it! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!
Ross
Hey...tough week....but it refined me and things are getting better
Ninety percent of our teaching is in Spanish. The only person we teach in English is a 19 yr old girl but even then, her boyfriend doesn't speak English so we have to talk to him in Spanish. But yeah, everything is in Spanish. My area is just like something you would see in Mexico.
Well like I said this week was like the refiners fire. I'll relate it to sports. Remember the beginning of my senior year and I lost, what I like to call, my "swagger"? I just felt like I couldn't do it anymore? I just hit rock bottom? That is what happened this week.
Our investigators buffed us, we didn't really accomplish anything, and we had one investigator tell us they didn't want to be baptized anymore. So yeah.....I was humbled. On Friday night, after the night was over, I got on my knees and prayed. For awhile. Then I realized something. I realized that I was trying to do it all by myself. I was trying to do things my way. And the work of the Lord can't be done only by man. Its impossible. You have to be guided by the Lord in order to succeed. These things I was going through was a humbling process. The Lord was helping me realize that I couldn't do it on my own. I needed his help.
So Saturday it was a little better, but it was still the same kind of thing. Sunday was good. We only had 1 investigator show up, but then something happened to turn it all around. Sunday School was just finishing and President Lopez came and asked me if I could translate for the high councilor. I smiled and said, "You want me to translate?" What was going through my head was , "I have trouble translating what I want to say, there is no way that I can translate what someone else is trying to say." He smiled and shook his head, "si". I looked back at him and said, "Si, si quiere". He must have seen the look of doubt on my face and he put his hand on my shoulder said, "Si te puedes." He had confidence in me, but I had 0 confidence in myself. I remember looking around and thinking, "there are tons of people here who are fluent in both languages, why can't they do it?" So Sacrament meeting started and I prayed hard during the sacrament. I prayed for the Lord to help me, to put the words in my mouth, and to give me confidence in myself. So he was the first speaker and we started and it went great. I made a couple of mistakes but I was able to keep up with him and translate without a lot of long pauses or missed words. Wow. It was a powerful spiritual experience! I sat back down and then I just opened up my heart to the Lord for helping me get my "swagger" back.
Yesterday was great. We had some good lessons and our WML asked a lady straight up, "so..why haven't you been baptized yet? Do you want blessings?" The lord humbled me and now things are getting a lot better! It is amazing to see the Lord work in other people's lives but it is even more amazing when you see it in your own lives!
Well that's about it! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!
Ross
Letter from June 14, 2011
June 14, 2011
We meet in a school because most of the members don't have cars and have to walk and all the other buildings are too far. There is no room to build in Barrio Logan so we rent out the school on Sundays and Fridays (activiteis). But maybe we will have a building soon, they have been trying for a while though.
This week was great. The members here are awesome. There is a lady who talked to her friends about the gospel and then called us and told us we had an appt with them and she would be there and together, we would baptize them ahhaha. That never happens. We had the appt last Thursday, they came to church on Sunday, we had another appt yesterday and now they have a baptismal date for the last Sunday of the month. God works with those that want to share the gospel. All it takes is a desire.
Yesterday was full of miracles. We received 3 referrals. One from a member in my last area. One from a RC for his parents and his 2 brothers. And one for another family of 4. WOW! I have been praying so hard for miracles lately and doing my best to be worthy of them and the Lord is blessing us. I dont know what we are doing, but God is blessing us a lot now. But with those blessings come a lot of pressure. God has entrusted us with these opportunities, now we have to take care of them and bring them in. It's going to be fun.
I love you mom!
Ross
We meet in a school because most of the members don't have cars and have to walk and all the other buildings are too far. There is no room to build in Barrio Logan so we rent out the school on Sundays and Fridays (activiteis). But maybe we will have a building soon, they have been trying for a while though.
This week was great. The members here are awesome. There is a lady who talked to her friends about the gospel and then called us and told us we had an appt with them and she would be there and together, we would baptize them ahhaha. That never happens. We had the appt last Thursday, they came to church on Sunday, we had another appt yesterday and now they have a baptismal date for the last Sunday of the month. God works with those that want to share the gospel. All it takes is a desire.
Yesterday was full of miracles. We received 3 referrals. One from a member in my last area. One from a RC for his parents and his 2 brothers. And one for another family of 4. WOW! I have been praying so hard for miracles lately and doing my best to be worthy of them and the Lord is blessing us. I dont know what we are doing, but God is blessing us a lot now. But with those blessings come a lot of pressure. God has entrusted us with these opportunities, now we have to take care of them and bring them in. It's going to be fun.
I love you mom!
Ross
Letter from June 7, 2011
June 7, 2011
I am feeling more settled in, but there is a sense of urgency that I haven't felt before..I think it is because I realized that I have 6 months left and its time to perform. But yeah, I'm more calm now, but we still have a long way to go before we get where I want the area to be
President Clayton comes in at the end of this month. He called Pres Donaldson and told him they were going to drive in the night before and stay in a hotel and President Donaldson said that's fine, as long as he stays out of the mission boundaries. After Pres Clayton is set apart, as soon as he steps foot in the mission boundaries, he is in charge and the keys are past....pretty cool
Well this week was great. We had a lot of success. We had a training meeting with Pres Donaldson and he re-explained the doctrine of baptism. That is the urgency I am feeling now I think. There is no way that the people in my area can truly be saved and receive the help from the atonement without me/missionaries. Its brought a whole new outlook and it makes me want to run to everyone on the street. It has been something that's missing on my mission so far, the urgency, but I have it now and I like it.
We have 3 people with baptismal dates and things are going great. My area is like Tijuana. There are no black people or white people, just Mexicans/Latinos....its awesome. Our branch president wants 2 baptism per month, so that is what he will get. The branch is awesome....story time: So on Sunday night we went to see a less active and we were just talking. I asked him how things were going and he said they are.....ok. I said, "M..., that doesn't sound too convincing. Whats up bro?" He then opened up and laid it all on the table. How things were rough with his family and how after his baptism all these trials came up and how he stopped going to church because he couldn't handle everything. I was thinking about what to say to him and I opened my mouth and told him how the adversary doesn't want him in church because he knows his potential. I told him the God needed him church to be an example for people everywhere that it is possible to turn their lives around. (He used to be in a gang and deal drugs and all this stuff and has been shot at now for what he did in the past). He teared up a little bit and said that he knows he just has to take the step. After I invited him to take the step this week and go back to church. He said he would and we have an appt with him tonight and are going to talk to him and his girlfriend, who is not a member. It was such a powerful experience. I have been focusing a lot lately on the having faith to tell people how it is and to promise them things with my priesthood authority. The spirit testifies to people when we do that and it is a powerful experience. AWESOME
Ross
I am feeling more settled in, but there is a sense of urgency that I haven't felt before..I think it is because I realized that I have 6 months left and its time to perform. But yeah, I'm more calm now, but we still have a long way to go before we get where I want the area to be
President Clayton comes in at the end of this month. He called Pres Donaldson and told him they were going to drive in the night before and stay in a hotel and President Donaldson said that's fine, as long as he stays out of the mission boundaries. After Pres Clayton is set apart, as soon as he steps foot in the mission boundaries, he is in charge and the keys are past....pretty cool
Well this week was great. We had a lot of success. We had a training meeting with Pres Donaldson and he re-explained the doctrine of baptism. That is the urgency I am feeling now I think. There is no way that the people in my area can truly be saved and receive the help from the atonement without me/missionaries. Its brought a whole new outlook and it makes me want to run to everyone on the street. It has been something that's missing on my mission so far, the urgency, but I have it now and I like it.
We have 3 people with baptismal dates and things are going great. My area is like Tijuana. There are no black people or white people, just Mexicans/Latinos....its awesome. Our branch president wants 2 baptism per month, so that is what he will get. The branch is awesome....story time: So on Sunday night we went to see a less active and we were just talking. I asked him how things were going and he said they are.....ok. I said, "M..., that doesn't sound too convincing. Whats up bro?" He then opened up and laid it all on the table. How things were rough with his family and how after his baptism all these trials came up and how he stopped going to church because he couldn't handle everything. I was thinking about what to say to him and I opened my mouth and told him how the adversary doesn't want him in church because he knows his potential. I told him the God needed him church to be an example for people everywhere that it is possible to turn their lives around. (He used to be in a gang and deal drugs and all this stuff and has been shot at now for what he did in the past). He teared up a little bit and said that he knows he just has to take the step. After I invited him to take the step this week and go back to church. He said he would and we have an appt with him tonight and are going to talk to him and his girlfriend, who is not a member. It was such a powerful experience. I have been focusing a lot lately on the having faith to tell people how it is and to promise them things with my priesthood authority. The spirit testifies to people when we do that and it is a powerful experience. AWESOME
Ross
Monday, June 6, 2011
It's Transfer Time!!
Ross was transferred to a new district two weeks ago but we weren't able to find out where until one week ago. Here are the past couple of week's emails....
May 24, 2011
Well....its come to an end.....
As you can see, my ministry in Sweetwater has come to an end. After 10 1/2 months here in Bonita 3, I have to pack my bags. I guess we will find out tomorrow where I am going.
Well, I guess I'm not surprised that I'm leaving, I've known it was coming since last Thursday. We had a meeting with our stake president and Pres Donaldson on Thursday to talk about the stake missionary plan/work. I had planned on talking to Pres Donaldson after because of a feeling I had been having for awhile. For the past couple of weeks, I have been feeling "detached" from my investigators. I love them and I taught them with the Spirit, but I didn't feel like that is where I needed to be anymore. It was a terrible feeling, but I guess you could say I was kind of feeling like I needed to leave and go somewhere else. So after the meeting on Thursday I talked with Pres Donaldson and told him how I was feeling. He asked me why I thought I was having those kind of feelings and I said I wasn't sure. He then asked how long I had been in Sweetwater and I said, "10 1/2 months." he said, "That's a long time. That's probably why. But, you don't have to worry about it anymore." And then he smiled and gave me that look like I was being transferred. So yeah, I've had an idea that I was leaving, but my name on the letter confirms it. Its a weird feeling to leave, but oh well. Its nice to know that I'm on the same age as the Lord.
My birthday was awesome! It was basically like any other day. I went to church, everyone there wished me happy birthday (No one said it in Spanish, they all said it in English to me ha-ha) then my WML invited me and my comp over to his house for lunch so we ate there. Then we went to my favorite family's house and they threw me a party and we had Chinese food and cake. (When yall come pick me up we will definitely come back to see this family. I love them so much) and then another member made me a cake. So yeah, it was pretty awesome! A lot of love. It definitely will make leaving that much harder.
Please tell everyone thanks for everything and I will start working on sending out thank you notes!
Well that is about it. I guess we will find out tomorrow where I go. Thanks again for everything! I LOVE YALL!!!!
Ross
May 31, 2011
Ross has been serving in the Bonita Third Ward in the City Heights area of San Diego for the past 10 1/2 months, a very long time for a missionary to stay in one area. He has been expecting a transfer for quite some time and we found out last week that the transfer letter came and had his name on it. So, that's all we knew for a week. He was gone, but we didn't know where. I am including part of my email to Ross this week to help you understand some of his response (~Martha)
Hi Buddy!
I saw you at 7-11...ok, maybe it wasn't you, but I did see the 7-11 Store on Kettner where you made a purchase with your debit card. Ok, what does it all mean?
Questions:
WHERE ARE YOU, What is it like, Do you like it there, How about your new companion? What ward and stake are you in? What are your responsibilities?
These past few days not knowing where you are have been some of the hardest--I think more so on dad. He has been obsessing--checking your bank account several times a day looking for transactions!!! Most of the time we can't get you to slow down in using your debit card and this week you have hardly used it at all--go figure! I suggested calling the mission office to ask where you are serving now and he said that you would be mortified if I did--haha! I didn't really think you would, but I figured I could wait until Tuesday. Dad woke me up at 11:30 Saturday night saying "I found him, I found him" (I know you are laughing). The pending transaction posted to your account and just said 7-11 in San Diego with no store number or address. YOUR dad called Chase Bank Customer Service and had the poor lady track down the address of the store and then he mapquested it and used the 360 viewer to see the area. He then spent the next 2 hours analyzing what ward, stake, etc. this store is in. He tracked this location to your previous areas, the mission home, and the mission office. He was just all over this piece of information!!!! (Now, I know you are really laughing). Hey what can I say, he makes his living analyzing! He has decided that you are in the San Diego Stake--is he right?
Ross' Reply:
Ha Wow...
Yes dad, your prediction was right. I am back in the SD stake. This time I am in Barrio Logan in the Logan Heights branch. I am a ZL here again with a new ZL, Elder Celment from Washington.
Hahaha well I'm glad to hear that dad cares about me. hahaha The 7-11 I stopped at was near our Branch President's house. I figured that I would throw you for a loop because that is nowhere near my area haha. He lives way out. Talk about an amazing priesthood leader. He knows all the members, less actives, inactives, and recent converts by name and face and has their addresses memorized. He runs the branch to perfection. He is way good. We went to branch council on Sunday (first time I have been to one since my first transfer) and I was impressed. He holds all the elders accountable to their visits and is always grateful but never satisfied. He is a little intimidating sometimes, but we went to his house my first full day in the area and got to know him and told him that I was all in. He trusts me already, I think, because he has been giving us a lot of people to go take care of and we have been having some success with those people. Its been good.
It was definitely hard to leave Sweetwater. I miss it still, but I have so much work to do I don't have a lot of time to miss anything. The Rodriguezes are supposed to get baptized at the end of the month, so I will go back for that. But other than that, I don't think I'll go back to Sweetwater a lot. The members in my area now are just as good, if not better than in Bonita. The branch is in the top 15 in the nation in baptizing. That's some pressure, but the success is coming along nicely.
So yeah, that's been my week. Just trying to get the area going again. The ZL before left us with nothing so its like white washing again, but it will come along. Actually, Pte Lopez (the branch pres) called Pres Donaldson and asked him about me. He already knew me when I got there and met him haha. It was kind of weird. He is pretty intense.
Well that is about it for this week. I've got a lot of stuff on my mind with the new area and everything so sorry if this email is jumbled. I LOVE YALL!!
Ross
May 24, 2011
Well....its come to an end.....
As you can see, my ministry in Sweetwater has come to an end. After 10 1/2 months here in Bonita 3, I have to pack my bags. I guess we will find out tomorrow where I am going.
Well, I guess I'm not surprised that I'm leaving, I've known it was coming since last Thursday. We had a meeting with our stake president and Pres Donaldson on Thursday to talk about the stake missionary plan/work. I had planned on talking to Pres Donaldson after because of a feeling I had been having for awhile. For the past couple of weeks, I have been feeling "detached" from my investigators. I love them and I taught them with the Spirit, but I didn't feel like that is where I needed to be anymore. It was a terrible feeling, but I guess you could say I was kind of feeling like I needed to leave and go somewhere else. So after the meeting on Thursday I talked with Pres Donaldson and told him how I was feeling. He asked me why I thought I was having those kind of feelings and I said I wasn't sure. He then asked how long I had been in Sweetwater and I said, "10 1/2 months." he said, "That's a long time. That's probably why. But, you don't have to worry about it anymore." And then he smiled and gave me that look like I was being transferred. So yeah, I've had an idea that I was leaving, but my name on the letter confirms it. Its a weird feeling to leave, but oh well. Its nice to know that I'm on the same age as the Lord.
My birthday was awesome! It was basically like any other day. I went to church, everyone there wished me happy birthday (No one said it in Spanish, they all said it in English to me ha-ha) then my WML invited me and my comp over to his house for lunch so we ate there. Then we went to my favorite family's house and they threw me a party and we had Chinese food and cake. (When yall come pick me up we will definitely come back to see this family. I love them so much) and then another member made me a cake. So yeah, it was pretty awesome! A lot of love. It definitely will make leaving that much harder.
Please tell everyone thanks for everything and I will start working on sending out thank you notes!
Well that is about it. I guess we will find out tomorrow where I go. Thanks again for everything! I LOVE YALL!!!!
Ross
May 31, 2011
Ross has been serving in the Bonita Third Ward in the City Heights area of San Diego for the past 10 1/2 months, a very long time for a missionary to stay in one area. He has been expecting a transfer for quite some time and we found out last week that the transfer letter came and had his name on it. So, that's all we knew for a week. He was gone, but we didn't know where. I am including part of my email to Ross this week to help you understand some of his response (~Martha)
Hi Buddy!
I saw you at 7-11...ok, maybe it wasn't you, but I did see the 7-11 Store on Kettner where you made a purchase with your debit card. Ok, what does it all mean?
Questions:
WHERE ARE YOU, What is it like, Do you like it there, How about your new companion? What ward and stake are you in? What are your responsibilities?
These past few days not knowing where you are have been some of the hardest--I think more so on dad. He has been obsessing--checking your bank account several times a day looking for transactions!!! Most of the time we can't get you to slow down in using your debit card and this week you have hardly used it at all--go figure! I suggested calling the mission office to ask where you are serving now and he said that you would be mortified if I did--haha! I didn't really think you would, but I figured I could wait until Tuesday. Dad woke me up at 11:30 Saturday night saying "I found him, I found him" (I know you are laughing). The pending transaction posted to your account and just said 7-11 in San Diego with no store number or address. YOUR dad called Chase Bank Customer Service and had the poor lady track down the address of the store and then he mapquested it and used the 360 viewer to see the area. He then spent the next 2 hours analyzing what ward, stake, etc. this store is in. He tracked this location to your previous areas, the mission home, and the mission office. He was just all over this piece of information!!!! (Now, I know you are really laughing). Hey what can I say, he makes his living analyzing! He has decided that you are in the San Diego Stake--is he right?
Ross' Reply:
Ha Wow...
Yes dad, your prediction was right. I am back in the SD stake. This time I am in Barrio Logan in the Logan Heights branch. I am a ZL here again with a new ZL, Elder Celment from Washington.
Hahaha well I'm glad to hear that dad cares about me. hahaha The 7-11 I stopped at was near our Branch President's house. I figured that I would throw you for a loop because that is nowhere near my area haha. He lives way out. Talk about an amazing priesthood leader. He knows all the members, less actives, inactives, and recent converts by name and face and has their addresses memorized. He runs the branch to perfection. He is way good. We went to branch council on Sunday (first time I have been to one since my first transfer) and I was impressed. He holds all the elders accountable to their visits and is always grateful but never satisfied. He is a little intimidating sometimes, but we went to his house my first full day in the area and got to know him and told him that I was all in. He trusts me already, I think, because he has been giving us a lot of people to go take care of and we have been having some success with those people. Its been good.
It was definitely hard to leave Sweetwater. I miss it still, but I have so much work to do I don't have a lot of time to miss anything. The Rodriguezes are supposed to get baptized at the end of the month, so I will go back for that. But other than that, I don't think I'll go back to Sweetwater a lot. The members in my area now are just as good, if not better than in Bonita. The branch is in the top 15 in the nation in baptizing. That's some pressure, but the success is coming along nicely.
So yeah, that's been my week. Just trying to get the area going again. The ZL before left us with nothing so its like white washing again, but it will come along. Actually, Pte Lopez (the branch pres) called Pres Donaldson and asked him about me. He already knew me when I got there and met him haha. It was kind of weird. He is pretty intense.
Well that is about it for this week. I've got a lot of stuff on my mind with the new area and everything so sorry if this email is jumbled. I LOVE YALL!!
Ross
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Recent Letters...
Here are three of Ross's recent letters....enjoy!!
May 3, 2011
Hi Mom
Ha yeah I heard. We were at the Mission President's Fireside when the Elder next to me in the choir got a text that said, "Elders good news. The U.S. killed Osama Bin Laden and they have is body." That message got forwarded around the mission pretty quick. Then we went and ate yesterday and it was even on ESPN hahah big news I guess.
1. Stake Conference was amazing. I think that our stake president, President Mitchell, will be a General Authority soon. He is the man! He gave an awesome talk about looking up and realizing how far off the path you are and getting back to the straight and narrow. Then Elder Bennett spoke (newly called member of the 70) and after him Elder Bednar. I'll talk more about his talk later.
2. Things are looking good for Skyping on Mother's Day. I'm going over to a member's house and using their laptop so everything should be set up. I'm going to finalize the plans today with them.
3. The Service project was awesome. Me and Elder Lawter were pulling weeds and cleaning out an area and I told him that when my mom told me it was time to pull weeds that meant it was usually time for me to leave hahah but I actually liked it. It was fun to get down and dirty and work with my hands aha so when i get home, lets pull some weeds (I'll probably regret saying that when the day actually comes) hahaha
So this week was great and really busy! On Friday, we had a lesson with one of our investigators that were having been working really hard with. She is always saying that she wants to change her life and needs more help. We invited her to be baptized at the beginning of the lesson (no point of waiting till the end) and she said that she wanted to learn more and know more. We then taught her more about baptism and really relied on the spirit to guide where we needed to go. We talked about her family, we talked about her life. I told her that she didn't have to know everything to get baptized. Too many times people think that an investigator has to know a certain amount of things in order to be baptized. False. Baptism is a covenant of willingness. Nowhere in the baptismal questions does it ask about knowledge. They all ask if they are willing to follow commandments and live the gospel. Baptism is a covenant of willingness and the temple is a covenant of obedience and knowledge. Anyways hahaha, so we explained that and then invited her again to be baptized on the 15th. The spirit had worked on her so hard, that she looked at us and said, "I dont know...can we do it sooner?" haha I laughed. So she is getting baptized this Saturday and all of her family from the desert will be there. Its going to be great.
Elder Bednar was awesome. He rebuked and called to our stake to repentance. He talked about the difference between a testimony and true conversion. He told all the members that if they think that only their testimony will help them when things get tough, they are wrong. We have to be truly converted to the Lord, rely on the spirit, bury all of our weapons of rebellion and become truly converted to the Gospel. A testimony leads to continuing conversion. It was really good. He quoted from our stake president's talk a lot. Thats why I think he is gonig to be a general authority. He also said that our stake has great missionaries and they are working hard. So give them a break and rely on your home teachers to help you move. haha. It was a great weekend.
Well the big move finally happened. Our mission grew by 50% yesterday. We now have 2 more stakes making 10 total stakes in the mission. So we only have 2 companionships in our district now. I stayed where I am and so did my comp, but Elder Lawter got moved up north which is tough. We were best friends down here because we have been in the ward longer than anyone else but its all good. There is nothing I can do about it now except put my head down and work.
Well that's about it. I am definitely looking forward to Sunday. It should be great! I'll call on Saturday to set everything up. I LOVE YOU!!!!
Ross
April 26, 2011
Hey Mom
1. To tell you the truth...I forgot it was Easter until I went to church on Sunday haha. That goes to show you how holidays are on the misison. But it was good. We had dinner with a family to celebrate Elder Lawter's birthday and then chilled with Elder Williamson. He went home today so he was packing and saying bye to people on Sunday.
2. Yeah I wear them both. I've really cracked down on working out in the morning and losing weight agai, so you can get me a mix of both. (see birthday list)
3. This saturday is Mormon Helping Hands in California. Every stake in California is doing a service project in the community. Ours is cleaning up an old school and turning it in to a rec center kind of thing. And yes we get the cool vests.....but they're yellow haha
So this week was pretty chill. We went and saw old members and investigators of Elder Williamson since he was going home today. It was cool to see people he taught and made a difference for...it kiind of got me excited for when i get to that point...8 months.
There was a big hit to the ward this past week and to me. One of my favorite members was deported this past Thursday or Friday. I'm not too sure how it happened but it happened. It was tough to see the family come to church by themselves. But, he is supposed to try and come back soon, so we will see what happens.
And yes, our meeting with Elder Perry was today. It was AWESOME! It was him and his wife with Elder L. Whitney Clayton (on of the presidents of the 70) and his wife. Pretty awesome. Elder Perry was pretty funny and talked a little bit about the Broadway play "The Book of Mmormon". He said that if the church did it we would have taken a little different approach but we are thankful for the publicity. He also talked about Jimmer and the publicity he brought the church (i just put my head down for that hahah). He then talked about the restoration and how there are 1000s of people that need to hear that story/doctrine in San Diego. It was a way cool experience. And it is definitely true....his voice is really booming when he bears his testimony...It was pretty legit!
Here is my birthday list that you wanted:
-Pillow
-White shirts (long sleeves and short. 18 or 17 1/2)
-Pants(black or pin stripped)
-MONEY (To buy stuff out here)
-MOJO Balance band (Ok...these band things are really cool. They help your balance and it uses the waves that pass through your body to keep your muscles from spazing out and relax....they are way cool. You can order it online at mojofuturtech.com)
-Gift Cards
--Socks(athletic and church)
-Ties(summer colors)
-Nike sandals (like dads old adidas sandals)
-Anything else anyone want to send me
Thanks for everything and I love you. I am way excited for May 8. It is going to be awesome!!!!!!!
Ross
Monday, March 18
1. Yeah I will call yall the day before Mothers Day to let you know what the plan is. Are you planning on making me trunky and going to the Rangers game again like lat year? haha
2. So about the whole Skype thing....I had an interview with President yesterday and asked him about Skype and if I could do it or not.....he told me that his answer was no.....until he asked the Missionary Dept about it and they said YES! hahah so dont be freaked out, everything is good to go. He gave me the ok, so I will be Skyping in 3 weeks. This is what I was thinking. Yall could set me up a Skype account and send me the info and everything. I can log on with that and then find yall or whatever. So just have Hillary make me a Skype name and send me the name and password and then I'll take care of the rest. If I dont have a member with a web cam, I'll probably just buy one. They are like 20 bucks at Wal Mmart. But I'm pretty sure I can find someone who has one.
3. Things are good with my comp. we have a 3rd wheel right now, which makes things better. The guy that is with us is going home next week. He is going to play football at Utah St so we get along just fine haaha Most of our nights are spent telling football stories and talking about football....we get along really well so its all good.
Well this week there is not too much to report. Just the good news on Skype. Our investigators are doing great. We have 4 people with a baptismal date right now and soon to be 5. We are teaching my recent convert's boyfriend now. He is a way cool guy. I like him a lot. We bonded pretty quickly and we just joke around all the time hahaha.
But yeah, Easter is coming up this weekend then after that I have Elder Perry a week from today, then Mormon Helping Hands service project on April 30 and then Elder Bednar for Stake Conference on May 1, then Mothers Day on May 8 then my birthday on May 22. And somewhere in between there I'll hit my 15 and 16 month marks hahahah its finally starting to pick up hahahah.
Well I love yall a lot and appreiciate everything you do. I'll send you some pics of me at the temple. They are pretty good. LOVE YALL
ross
May 3, 2011
Hi Mom
Ha yeah I heard. We were at the Mission President's Fireside when the Elder next to me in the choir got a text that said, "Elders good news. The U.S. killed Osama Bin Laden and they have is body." That message got forwarded around the mission pretty quick. Then we went and ate yesterday and it was even on ESPN hahah big news I guess.
1. Stake Conference was amazing. I think that our stake president, President Mitchell, will be a General Authority soon. He is the man! He gave an awesome talk about looking up and realizing how far off the path you are and getting back to the straight and narrow. Then Elder Bennett spoke (newly called member of the 70) and after him Elder Bednar. I'll talk more about his talk later.
2. Things are looking good for Skyping on Mother's Day. I'm going over to a member's house and using their laptop so everything should be set up. I'm going to finalize the plans today with them.
3. The Service project was awesome. Me and Elder Lawter were pulling weeds and cleaning out an area and I told him that when my mom told me it was time to pull weeds that meant it was usually time for me to leave hahah but I actually liked it. It was fun to get down and dirty and work with my hands aha so when i get home, lets pull some weeds (I'll probably regret saying that when the day actually comes) hahaha
So this week was great and really busy! On Friday, we had a lesson with one of our investigators that were having been working really hard with. She is always saying that she wants to change her life and needs more help. We invited her to be baptized at the beginning of the lesson (no point of waiting till the end) and she said that she wanted to learn more and know more. We then taught her more about baptism and really relied on the spirit to guide where we needed to go. We talked about her family, we talked about her life. I told her that she didn't have to know everything to get baptized. Too many times people think that an investigator has to know a certain amount of things in order to be baptized. False. Baptism is a covenant of willingness. Nowhere in the baptismal questions does it ask about knowledge. They all ask if they are willing to follow commandments and live the gospel. Baptism is a covenant of willingness and the temple is a covenant of obedience and knowledge. Anyways hahaha, so we explained that and then invited her again to be baptized on the 15th. The spirit had worked on her so hard, that she looked at us and said, "I dont know...can we do it sooner?" haha I laughed. So she is getting baptized this Saturday and all of her family from the desert will be there. Its going to be great.
Elder Bednar was awesome. He rebuked and called to our stake to repentance. He talked about the difference between a testimony and true conversion. He told all the members that if they think that only their testimony will help them when things get tough, they are wrong. We have to be truly converted to the Lord, rely on the spirit, bury all of our weapons of rebellion and become truly converted to the Gospel. A testimony leads to continuing conversion. It was really good. He quoted from our stake president's talk a lot. Thats why I think he is gonig to be a general authority. He also said that our stake has great missionaries and they are working hard. So give them a break and rely on your home teachers to help you move. haha. It was a great weekend.
Well the big move finally happened. Our mission grew by 50% yesterday. We now have 2 more stakes making 10 total stakes in the mission. So we only have 2 companionships in our district now. I stayed where I am and so did my comp, but Elder Lawter got moved up north which is tough. We were best friends down here because we have been in the ward longer than anyone else but its all good. There is nothing I can do about it now except put my head down and work.
Well that's about it. I am definitely looking forward to Sunday. It should be great! I'll call on Saturday to set everything up. I LOVE YOU!!!!
Ross
April 26, 2011
Hey Mom
1. To tell you the truth...I forgot it was Easter until I went to church on Sunday haha. That goes to show you how holidays are on the misison. But it was good. We had dinner with a family to celebrate Elder Lawter's birthday and then chilled with Elder Williamson. He went home today so he was packing and saying bye to people on Sunday.
2. Yeah I wear them both. I've really cracked down on working out in the morning and losing weight agai, so you can get me a mix of both. (see birthday list)
3. This saturday is Mormon Helping Hands in California. Every stake in California is doing a service project in the community. Ours is cleaning up an old school and turning it in to a rec center kind of thing. And yes we get the cool vests.....but they're yellow haha
So this week was pretty chill. We went and saw old members and investigators of Elder Williamson since he was going home today. It was cool to see people he taught and made a difference for...it kiind of got me excited for when i get to that point...8 months.
There was a big hit to the ward this past week and to me. One of my favorite members was deported this past Thursday or Friday. I'm not too sure how it happened but it happened. It was tough to see the family come to church by themselves. But, he is supposed to try and come back soon, so we will see what happens.
And yes, our meeting with Elder Perry was today. It was AWESOME! It was him and his wife with Elder L. Whitney Clayton (on of the presidents of the 70) and his wife. Pretty awesome. Elder Perry was pretty funny and talked a little bit about the Broadway play "The Book of Mmormon". He said that if the church did it we would have taken a little different approach but we are thankful for the publicity. He also talked about Jimmer and the publicity he brought the church (i just put my head down for that hahah). He then talked about the restoration and how there are 1000s of people that need to hear that story/doctrine in San Diego. It was a way cool experience. And it is definitely true....his voice is really booming when he bears his testimony...It was pretty legit!
Here is my birthday list that you wanted:
-Pillow
-White shirts (long sleeves and short. 18 or 17 1/2)
-Pants(black or pin stripped)
-MONEY (To buy stuff out here)
-MOJO Balance band (Ok...these band things are really cool. They help your balance and it uses the waves that pass through your body to keep your muscles from spazing out and relax....they are way cool. You can order it online at mojofuturtech.com)
-Gift Cards
--Socks(athletic and church)
-Ties(summer colors)
-Nike sandals (like dads old adidas sandals)
-Anything else anyone want to send me
Thanks for everything and I love you. I am way excited for May 8. It is going to be awesome!!!!!!!
Ross
Monday, March 18
1. Yeah I will call yall the day before Mothers Day to let you know what the plan is. Are you planning on making me trunky and going to the Rangers game again like lat year? haha
2. So about the whole Skype thing....I had an interview with President yesterday and asked him about Skype and if I could do it or not.....he told me that his answer was no.....until he asked the Missionary Dept about it and they said YES! hahah so dont be freaked out, everything is good to go. He gave me the ok, so I will be Skyping in 3 weeks. This is what I was thinking. Yall could set me up a Skype account and send me the info and everything. I can log on with that and then find yall or whatever. So just have Hillary make me a Skype name and send me the name and password and then I'll take care of the rest. If I dont have a member with a web cam, I'll probably just buy one. They are like 20 bucks at Wal Mmart. But I'm pretty sure I can find someone who has one.
3. Things are good with my comp. we have a 3rd wheel right now, which makes things better. The guy that is with us is going home next week. He is going to play football at Utah St so we get along just fine haaha Most of our nights are spent telling football stories and talking about football....we get along really well so its all good.
Well this week there is not too much to report. Just the good news on Skype. Our investigators are doing great. We have 4 people with a baptismal date right now and soon to be 5. We are teaching my recent convert's boyfriend now. He is a way cool guy. I like him a lot. We bonded pretty quickly and we just joke around all the time hahaha.
But yeah, Easter is coming up this weekend then after that I have Elder Perry a week from today, then Mormon Helping Hands service project on April 30 and then Elder Bednar for Stake Conference on May 1, then Mothers Day on May 8 then my birthday on May 22. And somewhere in between there I'll hit my 15 and 16 month marks hahahah its finally starting to pick up hahahah.
Well I love yall a lot and appreiciate everything you do. I'll send you some pics of me at the temple. They are pretty good. LOVE YALL
ross
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
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