Hey fam!

It was quite a funny week. I had my birthday... my camera died out on me... The rain soaked my scriptures... I got to see my neice in real life... I got to talk to Mom and Dad... I made myself a funfetti cake (which i put too much batter in too small a container which made the outside nice and crispy and the inside still liquid) *idiot* and that is about it. I had so much fun though. I thought the rain was going to kill our goal of handing out the rest of the 25 Book of Mormons we had planned but the Lord provided man. Although everyone stayed inside while it was raining the Lord placed certain people in our path that needed to have one. Lets see I don't know what to say. See ya next week... This will probably be the last email session so don't worry about writin' next week. Love you all so much. Thanks for everything that you've done for me. I can't say thanks enough. Can't wait to see ya. Peace!

Hey!

Sorry the library was closed yesterday so I have just a few minutes to write to you. To answer questions. on thursday I will be home all morning till 10 and at night around 9. Some of the other missionaries want to take me out to subway or somethin that day so I wont be home for lunch. So probably around 9:30 am would be best. if that time doesn't work out then just have her give me a call me. um yes to the rest of the questions. yeah I can't believe it's almost here. I don't think it will hit me till I'm on the plane. um that is about it... I can't wait to see you all! Loves

Hermanos y Hermanas de la familia de Dios

Whats happenin?! Man that conference was great. I loved how elder Holland testified about the Book of Mormon. The same testimony burns within me even now as I am talking about it to you. I was mentally exhausted after all the wonderful talks. I'm playing some tennis today with another missionary that played on Highlands Ranch high school team back home. His name is Elder Spear. He's pre sweet. I gotta practice up so i'll only be semi embarassed when I play Ky. This week was cruddy. My companion last monday sprained his ankle and so we rested it up the whole week. I planned on reading the old testament all the way through. Needless to say I made it through genesis haha. I kept getting distracted by the cool footnotes and wound up reading most of the Bible Dictionary. Some day I'll make it thru the Old Testament. Luckily though it looks like his ankle is mostly healed up so we are back on the streets baby. We had Zone Conference on Friday and I had to give my "Departing Testimony." It was weird. Tell alexis that I'm going to get ahold of her monday two weeks from today to give her some stuff to hold on to. I'll also leave my bike at the mission office the day I get shipped out so that they can pick it up. Tell her because she doesn't read these. That was super weird when I came back and the proactive was on the porch. Anywho I can't wait to see you all again. I keep having dreams about seeing everyone. I love you all! Especially Mom because of her faithful emailing haha. Peace!

Hello!

Hey sorry I didn't get an email out last week. We got to the library and there was a huge line so I only had enough time to read your emails and send a little one to Seth. So I am having a blast. I asked Heavenly Father to help me be like some of the great missionaries of old like Paul, and the super sweet companionship of Alma and Amulek. I still have many weaknesses that keep me from being more like them but the Lord is helping me. We have seen some sweet miracles lately. We talked to this lady on the street late the other night and she told us of the passing of her husband. We talked to her about the Plan of Happiness and she said that she would like to learn more about it. She mentioned right before we parted that it was a strange "coinsidence" because she has wanted to talk to missionaries before and that she had already taken a walk that day with her kids and something told her to go take another. That morning I made it specific in my prayers to plead for Heavenly Father's help to seek out someone He has prepared to receive the Gospel. She was. We're making an effort to talk to as many as our brothers and sisters as possible. I was listening to a lecture by Truman Madsen and he noted the instence where Christ refers to His disciples as friends. He explained the Hebrew and Greek origin of the word friend which involves familiarity and how in the scriptures servants become sons and daughters and then become friends. A servant does what the Master asks maybe without knowledge of why he is doing it whereas a friend does what the Master asks being familiar with the reason why the Master would ask it to be done. Friends understand eachother. I wonder at all that goes over my head as far as scriptures go but am ready to receive line upon line. This upcoming week we have zone conference and it is my turn to get up and bear my "departing testimony" along with my friends that are going home with me. It is weird because you never think that it is your turn and the time arives all too soon. The area is good. The ward is strugglin a little bit but I'm looking forward to helping in any way that I can. My companion is Elder Yang. He is cool. He's grown up in a lot of ways since the time I last saw him about a year and a half ago. We're having fun. If you don't mind I am super low on Proactive so if you could send some out that would be great. Like super low. Thank you for your prayers. Go cougs! Love you all

Boy Howdy

Hey! so I'm getting transfered to Rocklin CA. It will be fun. I'm finally on a bike again so I'll get to get in shape before I get back. plus I don't have to deal with paperwork anymore! My new companion is Elder yang from Samoa. He's had a rough past in the mission but I hear he's straightened up. I had you all in my prayers for this past weekend. Know that you will always be. Something that has really struck me lately is how increasing understanding of the Atonement increases desire to share the Gospel. I believe that I have mentioned that before but I want to share with you what knowledge has been given me from our Heavenly Father on the subject. When dealing with the issues of the other missionaries the Spirit has told me repeatedly in the past that the fix to it is helping them focus on other people because i believe that about 99% of problems that we face can be greatly minimized by remembering the Atonement of our Lord Jesus Christ and how it affects you and those around you. Namely in every choice between right and wrong we learn that if we choose the right we are happy. The effects of the Atonement and its application in your life hinges on the very moment when you say in your mind that in this case, "I am going to choose the right." When you realize the importance of that concept you desire the happiness for you and your fellow man. It is when, in the pride of our hearts, we say "woa is me" that we fall into selfish acts that, if not now, eventually lead to poor mistakes. The Lord teaches us this as we go thru our trials and tribulations. Our weaknesses, if taken to the Lord, humble us and bring us to that understanding of the Atonement. Anyways off of my soap box. I'm excited for home. I'm not too trunky i don't think but I am excited to see all of you and meet my neice. Since I am going to be in Rocklin I could give all my stuff to Alexis minus the essentials and go on the plane with a backpack and one suit case. that would be super sweet. Give me your number and I'll get it cleared with President and maybe even get lunch out of it haha. Chipotle or no dice! haha anywho I love you and let me know what I can do to help any of you out. Thanks for all the advice too. It helps alot. Loves
Elder B

Hey!

Huh that is some depressing news... This is a prime example of the knowledge of the Plan of Happiness giving us peace. Those family members who really understand the terms of the Gospel will mourn only for the short time that we will miss her. Easy for me to say because we were pretty distant in relation. I heard about the BYU Oklahoma game. I can smell the fresh-cut grass at the beginning of a BCS bowl game already. I'm stoked. This week has been pretty hard out here. It has been one of those weeks where you feel that the whole weeks efforts to help these folks repent have been in vain. It seems as if no one that we are teaching really cares enough to read or pray or anything. Enough of the pity party though this isn't anything new. You gotta just keep crying repentance and soon those who are willing to humble themselves will do it upon hearing the voice of the Lord thru us. I am indeed grateful for the Lords help. It is a privilege to work so closely with the Godhead especially helping some of these people feel the influence of the Holy Ghost testifying to them of the Savior and our Father in Heaven. I will continue to praise the Lord for the grace that I receive daily. He must look down with eyes of divine pity as He sees me struggle thru such minuscule trials. Enough about me. Have fun this Labor Day. Ky you got somethin comin buddy I promise. I just haven't found the right thing yet. President said I might be getting transferred one more time so just heads up. I'll know next week. Love you all and know that my prayers are with all of ya.
Elder B

Howdy!

Happy B-day Ky! Dang the big 1-3. Oh buddy. Are the girls pretty cute to ya yet? Alright I'll stop. I'm gonna send you somthin sweet but I haven't found that something sweet yet so keep an eye out. That was very saddening to hear about Tate's wife... Missionaries now work very closely with Less-active members of the church. As I am seeing all the walks out here I am realizing how and why Satan works the way he does. Often we use a little object lesson to teach about sin in its different varieties. We fill 2 pitchers up one has great tasting kool-aid and one with dyed water with the same color. Sin is the dyed water that looks very appetizing at first and upon tasting it is found to be unsatisfactory and void of anything worth while. The kool-aid on the other hand is great tasting and very fulfilling. You could have guessed that the Kool-aid represents the good choices in our lives. We all know about the snares of the Devil but what are we doing today to prepare for the firey darts of the adversary. It takes constant fortification if we are to shield ourselves from these blows. As we discuss these things with our LA members we explain that the road back maybe hard but it is worth every step. I have a constant and firm belief that if we will listen to and act upon the words of the prophets of olden time as well as those in these latter days then we will find ourselves on the path. Especially reading the Book of Mormon. There really is no substitute for strengthening us spiritually and drawing us closer to God than that of the ancient record of the Nephites, Lamenites and Jaredites. If you find yourself in disagreement with the standards of the Lords Church established on the Earth then turn to 3 Nephi. Do the things that Jesus Christ asks with a broken heart and a contrite spirit and prove Him. It is simple. Every single person finds out at some point that if we follow the commandments then we are happy and if we do not then we are not happy. Prove Him. The Gospel is our rock. Those who fall away will not receive pure joy. I know these things. I love you all and hope you have a great week!! Vian con Dios mi familiasita

Hey!

Well it is great to hear from you. Holy cow Mom that is great that the ball is starting to roll with that program and school and such. Your a true saint. I find myself bragging about my fam often. I can't get over the blessing that it is to have the fam that I do. I must have done somethin right up in Heaven. Actually they do say that the some of the blessings that we have were predicated upon the laws that we obeyed in Heaven aka the fam. That is cool to think about. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to serve. I say that often but it is such a blessing to be learning and growing as much as I am and helping others with their eternal progression. After all that is what this life is all about. One of the great truths that has hit me recently is that our Father in Heaven loves us despite of our constant yieldings to sin. When my mind is ready to shut down and I get slothful in the work and feel that I am doing just a small fraction of the work that needs to be done I feel the warmth of the Comforter come over me and raise my chin letting me know of the great love that my Father in Heaven has for me and of His constant care. I'm so grateful for that knowledge... I am going to get off the computer so elder Aho can get on. He's sweet. He's from tonga and he teaches me some of it. Anywho I thank you my family for the constant care that I receive from you. I feel your love and prayers... Thanks and Love ya
Peace Elder B
P.s. Yeah that is cool if you come pick me up but problem is we wouldn't be able to do anything but sit and talk and eat and sleep, but hey I'm down if you are.

Sup yo

Hey Fam!!
This week has been good! I can tell that I'm going to miss alot of the people down there in Auburn but I look forward to getting to know the people here. So it was like Christmas today because I received around $60 during Christmas for Walmart but there wasn't a walmart in auburn so I did some shoppin. Got a family size frosted flakes. Dorky but its a treat. So my new companion is nice. He's the peculiar type. He wore suspenders today... Reminded me of my days in middle school haha. So ky your the big guy on campus now huh? How is the new school? Keep up the good work in tennis! Man it is weird having a change of scenery after being in a place for 7 months. Oh cool story. Last night we had one of those lessons where the Spirit was super strong and the set-up was near perfect. A man and his son had us into their home to "get back into the good book." We started off as we usually do by praying and talking about Heavenly Father and His love for all of us. This man voiced his opinion that he beilieves that it is just a bunch of bogus. Someone wrote a book and it stuck is what he expressed. After addressing the fact that he can know of its truthfulness for himself and I expressed how I came to know that it is true. We left him in suspense as we explained that we needed to build a foundation of knowledge before we tell him how he can know. We talked about the Savior and His role in everything... He listened. The Spirit whispered to us to talk about the empowering ability the Atonement gives us to rid ourselves of guilt and addiction. We described that these addictions come from the adversary. He exclaimed how he desperately wants to get rid of the extra baggage that he has carried around and how he wants Jr. to grow up with a clean life. We explained how that was possible. We continued to talk about Joseph Smith and his role as a prophet of God followed by a short summary of the Book of Mormon and it's origen. We commited him to read and pray and promised him with all of our earnestness that if he would read and pray, he will be able to rid himself of the guilt and addictions that he has by coming to know God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. In a tender expression of earnest desire he pleaded with us... Please come back and teach me more. I just want to get rid of all of these negative things in my life. I want Jr. to grow up right. Plainly put he wants to be clean. We told him that it requires change of attitude and behavior and that it comes from learning the gospel. My heart leaped for joy for this man. Through the grace of our Savior he can be cleansed. I testify that the power of the Atonement is real. It's tangible. As we strive to know God and His Son, we receive their grace. We can be clean. Thanks for continuing to write me and everything. I appreciate all of the love and support. Oroville fyi is in the sticks. The only thing that keeps this place running is an indian casino right inside the city. Yes its great and spacious. ummm there was more that I needed to tell you..... oh when are we going to come back and tour the mish? People keep asking. Thanks grandma for the package! I don't really have a preference on classes... I trust you all. I would like to take spanish that would be fun.... Welp I love you all!! Thanks!

Hello hello

Hey fam! So news... I am getting moved back up to Gridley. I am going to orroville in the Gridley Stake... It is a super interesting place from what I've heard. For matt and alexis that is about another hour and a half up the hill next to yuba city. President told us Friday so it was easy sayin bye cuz I did it all at church. It is sad leaving alot of my friends down here in Auburn but that is the missionary life. I'm excited for the new surroundings and the chance to meet and make new friends. My new comp is elder king. I've heard that he is pre tight so I'm excited to meet him. I've really grown to love the people here. They are great people. I'm happy to say that the thought of home in 3 months isn't effecting me too much. There are some missionaries that you can tell that it really gets to 'em. "Trunky" I learned that that term is like 100 years old. I was talking to a brother in the ward and he used trunky as he was talking about when he was serving the Lord. I thought it was funny. Anywho I'm excited for the move. I had someone set up a facebook account so that some people could keep in touch so feel free to request me to be your friend. I won't be using it till I get back but it is an easy way to keep in touch I figure... Anywho Thanks for all the help and everything. I'll email my new address either tomorrow or next week. I love you all!! thank you

Hey Drewbee

P.S. Mom and Dad jacked our movie idea, those hosers...

Hey good to hear from you!!

Sorry I didn't get the chance to email yesterday. To answer your Qs I did do the passport and got the school stuff faxed off and everything so that is all set. um.... I spoke in church this past Sunday too! The Bishop asked me to speak on inviting others to come unto Christ. It went pretty well.... I can't believe that rich is finally gettin hiched. Good for him. Welp sorry I don't have much time. I love you I don't really need anything but I'll let you know if I do. Love You!!
Elder B

Hey sorry not much new this week.

I will have all the passport and school stuff done by this friday. Not much time to chizzat today but I am grateful for all of you. Thank you for your prayers. I'm doing good. ummmm the lady said that the overall cost of the passport stuff is about 100 bucks. ripoff if you ask me. Anywho the work is going well. I've got a special treat for ya next week. A longer email. ok no but we're making a song. it'll be sweet. ok love you!!!! peace

This week went great!!

I am seeing many miracles thanks to the Lords hand in the work. The other day I got the prompting to test my faith. While I was telling Heavenly Father about the day the Spirit hit me and an idea came to my mind. Every night we plan out our day and schedule the people that we need to see that day. The Idea that came to me was to step out the door Saturday morning and walk and talk to everyone and not come home until we teach one of Heavenly Father's children and set up a time to teach them more. So we planned it in and put our hopes and prayers on the Lord. Mind you we can go a whole day without anything close to a lead on teaching someone new. In my mind I knew that the Lord would put that person in our path sometime in the day but I figured that it would take a while, like the whole day. Lo and behold the fourth person we talked to is a lady named Heather. We walked up to her as she was bar-b-queing. We started talking about the Restored Gospel and she invited us to sit and tell her more. So we did and followed the Spirit as He gave us the words to speak. Close to the end of our conversation we started talking about Heavenly Father and how that is personally one of my favorite titles (Heavenly Father) because that shows His true nature. He is our Father. Suddenly I saw it click within her. She mentioned to us how she was reading the words of Christ as he prays to Our Father and how He speaks to His Father. Well long story short we're going back this week to teach more. I am grateful for those experiences. All glory to our God. Well I'm doing well thanks for everything. I need new slacks so I'm going to hit up Ross probably today plus before I get transfered I need to give some stuff to Alexis So i don't have to ship it or take it home with me when the time comes. Love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!11 peace

Dang man those close ones hurt the worst!

That is insane that roddick did that well against the Fed. Reminds me of my good ol' days in the grand slams. I just couldn't get over the hump to beat petey sampras. The 4th was great. We had after 4 o'clock on as a pday and so some of the missionaries got together and we played cards for a while and went to the parade here in A town. It was fun. We also went and watched some of the fireworks over at an investigators house. His name is Bob and he's a crack up. He's like 85 and just waiting for his death date. He was talking to us about how all of his friends already died off. It was sad but he was laughing about it the whole time. Anywho Alexis is preggo huh? Surprise surprise. Let's do a nephew this time around. How far along? just barely? I half expected someone to answer me just then haha. So miracle #2 which is added on to the aforementioned miracle #1, The person I told you about in the last email who hasn't been to church in a decade... Now his girlfriend wants to take the lessons. It is exciting. I'm going to tell you a secret which is not so secret... I have found lately that the statement in Preach My Gospel is true: Increasing your knowledge of the Atonement will increase your desire to share the Gospel. I don't think that we realize that with the restoration of the gospel, we have learned many things about the Atonement that no one else knows. Not only that but if you look at each page of scripture, it outlines some aspect of the Atonement. Keep that word in mind as you do your personal studies in the scriptures. It is amazing how much there is to understand about the Atonement of our Lord. Anyways I don't need anything right now but I'll let you know if I do... I love you all and am grateful for your prayers and thoughts. Thank you

Elder B

Boy Howdy!

This week has been stellar as usual. I'm getting to be good friends with an elder named elder aland. There aren't too many missionaries that, knowing me, I'm not going to keep in too much contact with. But he'll be down at snow college while i'm wherever I am. P town Provo. We first met while we sat on the plane ride out here. He's pre tight. Anywho both of us talked to president today about school and stuff. Aland hasn't really thot about school or anything until now and President was telling both of us to get on the ball. Which brings up my next point to thank all who are preppin the way for me to get back. Thank you for the effort to get me going as soon as I get back. I appreciate everything. It's weird to be thinking about all this stuff but I guess it is inevitable at some point. Lets see. Not too much has gone on this week except for this huge miracle in the lives of one of the families in the ward. They have a son that, from when he was 20 until now when he is 30, has not wanted much to do with church or anything. Every move they made towards getting him to come out has just pushed him the other way... This Sunday was the first Sunday in ten years that he has stayed for church all three hours. Bishop was talking to us as we were out visiting people yesterday about a "Alma the younger" moment that this man had. Bishop said that the man would be in contact with us soon. Sure enough he called Elder Powell and I to set up an appt to teach him and his non-member girlfriend the lessons. He was talking to me about how he was praying one night with all of his heart and that the Spirit touched him in a way that he had never felt before. After that he was surfing the internet and in his head the word Atonement kept popping up in his head. All the sudden all the teachings he had received as a youth and in primary started rushing into his head. It was a tender moment as he started to bear his testimony to me over the phone. I felt the spirit so strongly. I feel honored to have witnessed a miracle like this and share it with you not casually but trusting that this witness will help you feel the spirit as well. I'm grateful for a loving Father in Heaven. I'm grateful for the strength that our parents have in dealing with us as we stumble along the path. I am in awe of the humbling and enabling power of the Atonement. The 4th is going to be fun. We have an early morning bar-b-que with the ward. We don't get to do too much but I'll enjoy the company anyway. I've still got to do the passport thing and let me know if there is more that I can do to help out with the plans when I get back. I love you all!!!

Hey Familia!

Hey familia!! The pic is of a girl named Jenicca Gute that we taught the lessons to. Her dad is a recent convert and he was able to baptize her. It was great! Fam'lies can be together forever.... I was singing that while I typed it. Yeah that would be fine to go to a SL campus... I'll just have to buy a moped to get up there haha. Decked out with flames... maybe a sweet jacket. Uber cool. Well this week has been a good one. I found out today that i'll be stayin here another six weeks. I was excited to get that news because there are alot of good peeps here. Our zone is getting 3 greenies haha. I think this is president's "experiment" zone. Of course he is inspired to do everything so in reality this is God's experiment zone haha. I really like the missionaries here. They are getting better and better as time goes on. I bring good news that the work is progressing forward... I've said it once and i'll say it again, we are on the verge of great missionary work as the Lord's church continues under His direction. I am honored to be a full time part of it. Well sorry it seems like there is less and less time to email you every week but I hope that my pathetic efforts to write will suffice. Happy Father's day! This lady we were talking to said how come you get to call your moms on moms day but you don't get to call on papa's day? Whats the deal. I said it's probably because the moms need it more. No offence on either side. I'll get that faxed to ya this week for sure. Much Love. Keep on keepin on. Peace.

Hidee ho!!

Hidee ho!! Sorry it's been a quick pday so I have just a minute to write you! So This week has been good. The ward is making great progress toward breaking the barrier between the full-time missionary efforts and the wards themselves. It is great... There are going to be major strides in the work as soon as that barrier completely crumbles. I don't know how much that means to ya but you'll start see the Work increasing greatly. It is good to hear from you. So we are eating with a very nice family in the ward tonite. They are the Macys. They always treat us like kings. Sorry I don't have more time to write but I am grateful to you for the love that you show to me and always for your prayers. Keep 'em up please. I love you all!!!!!!

Peace

Fam-a-lam

What is happenin'. It is great to here about the things that are going on back there. It is weird how close it is getting to that time... It will be fun. Have you all done much boating yet this summer? You better!! So this week was an interesting one. First of all I was stressin' about this meeting that we have every first sunday of the month with the stake pres out here. We have the missionaries with their ward mission leaders fill out some questions so that we can tell pres brower how the stake is doing with the missionary work. Last month in our meeting we found that the answers that we were getting from the missionaries were way to subjective and didn't really tell the true story. So this month we did similar and found that the answers were the same so two days before the meeting Elder Powell and I sat down with pres Pendleton and prayerfully discussed what needed to happen and then we came up with something and worked all day saturday to type it all up and took it into the meeting and they loved the info that we provided. It is a very different aspect to missionary work to make spreadsheets and make a report for the stake presidency but the principles are still the same. Through prayer and reliance upon the Lord and His power, we may know exactly what needs to happen. So this week is definately going to be a little less stressful thank goodness. But enough about me I am grateful for all of you and your spirits. I find myself, in lessons, constantly relating experiences that I have had within the home and with the family. I am amazingly blessed to have the oppurtunity to be in the family that I am in. I must have done somethin' right up in heaven to diserve the blessing of a great family. I got the birth certifacate so I'll get that done asap. I have a feeling that I am leaving Auburn in 2 weeks but who knows. I love you!!!!!!!

Peace be unto you and your posterity forever. (thats me and my kids haha)

Hey hey!!!

Hey family!

This past week has been pretty normal as well. In the mission right now we are focusing on having strong commitments especially with the baptismal commitment. It is exciting. There has been many miracles in just the short amount of time that we have been instructed on it. One of our investigators has accepted the commitment to be baptized on the 27 of this month. She has a long way to go and many humps in her way but she is earnest and we are going to be there with her as she continues to grow. We are having some peeps come from SLC to talk to the mission and so the leadership is having a meeting on tuesday and i'm looking forward to the instruction that we are going to receive. I have an instense testimony of the promises that the bretheren extend to us as missionaries and as members in general. If we do the things that they ask then we will reap the blessings that are promised. I've seen it and felt it as well. I'm grateful to all of you for your constant prayers and other help that you give to me. I reflect on the glory years (namely my childhood) and think about how many blessings that we have received from the Lord and it blows me away. He has done so much for us. But if there is anything that I can do for any of you let me know. I love you all and look forward to hearing from you more!! Loves

Elder B

Hidee ho

Soooooooo........ This week was good!! We had a meeting up in Gridley on Friday and played softball afterward. Sister Pendleton is crazy haha. President Pendleton was on our team and he is pretty good at softball. He'd call the hole he was going to drop it in and then do it. Needless to say we dominated 23 to 11. It was fun. My hair is growing back slowly but surely. Oh there aren't any walmarts out here so I can't get any rogain (don't laugh). So I'm gonna need a ship job. Or if Alexis could just drop it off at my doorstep sometime that would be great. Yeah I'm excited to stay here. I love the people. Let's see here... Oh our mission song is being remade so that it is a little slower and appropriate for sacrament meeting and we are going to professionally record it and give CDs to all the missionaries. Its pretty sweet. We got some great missionaries here this transfer and I'm excited for the progress that is going to be made. These past couple transfers have gone by so quickly. It is a reminder of how quickly the time is going to go by. Its crazy. Oh And Elder Powell and I came up with a sweet transfer focus. As a zone we are going to go on exchanges with the apostles of the church. We made up index cards with pictures of the apostles and expectations that they have. Like Elder Perry's is the 20 lessons and following up with investigators. Elder Cook's is declaring living prophets to everyone they talk to. So this week we prepared by cleaning up our apartments and cleaning the cars and updating our area books and this tuesday we are going to randomly hand out an index card to each companionship to start the exchanges. I'm really excited I think it will be fun. Anyways I am doing good... I don't really need anything. I'm grateful for all of you and your support and prayers. I hope that you all are doing good. Have a less busy week will ya? Alright adios mis hermanos y hermanas de dios. Love You!

HEY!!

Hey what's happenin'!

Um so it was great talking to you yesterday! I have to admit that that was the most I've ever thought about home on the mish haha. Pero esta bien. I knew that school was going to come up! At least we got some stuff figured out. So....... Um you're pretty much up to date on my life..... You know I did not get the opportunity to share much of my testimony on the phone so I am going to take that privilege now. There is so much strength in the Lord. It seems like a no brainer but it is true. I've figured out a few things out here and those things came from giving myself up. I have felt the Lord guide me through many things out here. It is hard out here. It is hard keep going through each rejection of the Gospel but salvation is not easy. Some folks miss the mark on that one. Salvation and eventual exaltation comes through faith in the Christ, constant repentance and saving ordinances performed by and through the Priesthood. As we learn and follow our given Example, the Great Mediator, we start to see things as God sees them. Of course only to our limited and finite thinking but still we gain divine perspective of ourselves and others. I know that I am God's son. I know that He loves me and wants everything for me. As we study and understand the Eternal Plan of Happiness we start to have the desire to continue in discipleship of Jesus Christ. I am grateful for that knowledge because it carries me. I know what I must do and cannot lose focus. I share my testimony given me in the name of Jesus Christ. I am staying here for the next transfer and am excited for the people that we are working with! Also I have needed to repent for a while now. I need to use my myldsmail account to email so that is what I'm going to do from now on and just use this email account as storage. So if you need my other account it is dcalbaum@myldsmail.net. You don't need to send a duplicate here because it just forwards automatically from my other account. I love you so much and wish you a happy week!!

Hey Hey!

Hey Fam!

Soooooooooo... I'll tell you about a super cool experience that I had recently. So a couple of weeks ago we were going around a park and talking to people. We came across a guy that was fishing. We introduced ourselves and then asked if we could share a message about Christ's Gospel. He said that he had some time so in about 15 minutes we shared the message of the restoration of the heretoforementioned Gospel. The lesson was great, the Spirit was there and I could sense his earnest yearning for truth. We commited him to read and pray and he said he would. As we continued around the park I looked across the lake and saw him studying the things that we left him to read. It made my heart swell. So yesterday we went to his home and he invited us right in. We taught him the Plan of Happiness to him and he said that it made sense and that he really enjoyed learning about it. God has been preparing him for a while now. It has been a cool experience because in all that I do out here I can see the Lords hand in it. Out here it is hard pressed to find someone with an open heart and mind. But I know that if I keep seeking, Heavenly Father will place me in their path and visa versa. In short I'm incredibly grateful for the oppurtunity to be a tool in the Lords hand. I'm lovin it

Love you all and thank you for your support! Have a great week

Elder B

I will praise Him all of my days

Super short email for blog purposes haha,
I absolutely loved Easter and even mor than that I love the symbolism involved with that and even more than that I love the Savior to whom all of the symbolism points to. I am indeed grateful for Him and His constant care. I will praise Him all of my days.
Loves
Elder B

New Pics...

Elder Drewbers sent some new pics!
He must have loved his Easter package!

He's a chubber!

His Zone? Must have been a fun p-day!

Cool picture!

Hey!!

Hey!!
Thank you so much for the basket and shirt and such. It was great. Check out the pics. I'm grateful for your prayers. It is so miraculous to think about the many prayers that are directed toward us and the Lords work in general. I had quite an experience this week. There is a less-active guy that started coming to church about 4 weeks ago. The bishop suggested that we teach him the lessons as a refresher course. At first he was taken back at the suggestion because he is an RM and thought that he didn't need it but he casted away his pride and accepted the invite. As we taught him yesterday the Spirit came over me and started to testify of the love that our Heavenly Father has for each of His children. I started to break down as I admited that I was fearful that I cannot reach more of those children in each of the areas that i'm called to. But then the reassurance from the Lord came to me that it was ok and that He is proud of my efforts so far. The greatest gift of the Spirit to me is the comfort that comes through Him and from our Heavenly Father and from our Savior. I relate it to the blankets right out of the dryer that Mom would throw around me back home. Anyway the experience helped me realize that my best will do. It is the same with all of us. Our best will do. After all we can do, the Lord steps in. I believe in the enabling power of the Atonement. I know from experience that He will make our weaknesses strengths if we take them to him. I am grateful for that knowledge. On a more temporal not I'm starting to get my passport stuff filled out so I need a birth certificate and the birth places of Dad and Mom. I love you all and am grateful for you

Drewbers

Sup mi cuates!!

Sup mi cuates!!
Sorry I'm getting this one out a little late today. I freakin loved conference. My fave was (sorry ladies) priesthood sesh. Man it was great. It the biggest spiritual intake that i've had in a while. Fave was probably the medal of honor talk by President Eyring and then in close second was Elder Holland's talk. I get way too emotional during their talks. Man I get reminded constantly of how much I appreciate being out here. A few times during conference I sat pondering on how sick it is to be here doing what i'm doing. And not only that but doing what i'm doing at this time in the worlds history. Along with that i get constant reminders of how many weaknesses i have. The Lord is helping me through them though. I'm glad to hear that the fam is doing well. I am grateful for all of you and the strength that i get from your prayers. Please keep saying them for me. I love you and miss you guys.

Hey fam!

Hey fam!
So there is not too much to say... My new comp is elder powell. I lived with him in Gridley and it should be tons of fun. I like the kid.. He's sweet and a pretty hard worker. It's going to be a good transfer. I'm very excited. We had the best 5th sunday lesson ever in church. It was about the present dispensation and how revelation works. I'm excited for conference. It is going to be sick yo. I was teaching this guy with the spanish elders and in broken spanish i was teaching about prophets and helped him see that if we just listen to them we will recognize the spirit that they have as ordained prophets of today. I love having my testimony of them reaffirmed each time I hear them. Also Dad you got a letter comin but it will be a little late. I love you all
Thank you for everything!!
Loves

I glory in my God.

Hey Fam!
So there is not a whole lot going on. I think the biggest thing that has happened in this past week was that we are starting to teach this girl that seems really open to hearing about the gospel. I'm excited for her. She had a bad experience with a so called "jack mormon" that left a bad taste in her mouth but she is searching and is very ernest. I have high hopes for her. I am reading about the present dispensation in Jesus the Christ right now and it is giving me a great appreciation for the knowledge that I have. I am so glad that I can tell people that I know without a doubt that Jesus is the Christ and that His church was restored on the Earth today by a prophet of God. That knowledge is priceless as all of you know. I thank my Father in heaven for that knowledge. I will forever praise his name as Ammon did in chapter 26 of Alma. I know that They live. I know that They look out for me. I glory in my God.
Elder B

Latest pictures of Elder Drew Baumgartner. This young boy was baptized recently.

Baptism programs.

Drew and his companion with this great young man.

Looking at the camera.

Funny missionaries showing off their ties.

Drew being... a nerdy elder

Here are some videos that I promised. The first one is Drewbee and the second one, well, we have no idea what this is, but we're putting it on here because apparently it was important enough for him to upload and send it to us... It's weird, just like Drewbee!

(Original date received: Mon. Feb. 16, 2009)

So that is my story for the week

Hey family!
So this week has been a stress and a half. We're prepping for Zone conference here in Auburn while we hed to do about 6 hours of computer work over a three day period. I'm a little groggy from it. But some great news is that another sheep is coming into the fold! There is young man 12 years of age who is getting baptized this saturday! I'm excited for him. The past couple lessons we've taken some of the deacons in our ward over there and i found out that we should really just send 12 year olds out on the mish. These kids were testifying more powerfully than i can even know. They will be great missionaries. So that is my story for the week. These kids are crazy cool. But i'm greatful for everything that you all do and i hope i say that enough. I love you and hope that this email wasn't too lame.

Well That is the scoop!!!

Hey!!
This week has been a great week! There are alot of things going on... I learned alot about personal sanctification this week. It is something that has been on my mind all while i've been out here. We had a missionary meeting in Gridley and President talked alot about sanctification. Really everything that we do out here and the results that come from those things depend on our personal purity. It sounds pretty basic but it goes much deeper than it appears. It's one of those layered gospel topics. Purity and perfection are very closely intertwined. Perfection is more long term and building purity is what gets us there. Of course there is that aspect that with a purer vessel the Holy Ghost is more frequent and stronger within it.... I don't know there is a lot that i've learned about it but it is hard to put it onto this email. I'll have to find a good way to express it and then get back to you. Sooooo that is what I learned this week. Elder Hiatt and I are getting along great! He's learned a lot and it is nice learning from him. He looks a lot like richard. I'll have to send you a pic of him. The work is going great as well. I'll tell you what I got a reminder of how much I have to depend on the Lord this week. I've been working on praying more earnestly and meaningfully. As I've put it into practice I can tell the blessings that come to each person as I pray for and serve them. There is such power in prayer and fasting. I can tell you that I know that. I know it by and through the Holy ghost after the practice of faith. I love the things that I am privileged to learn out here. I feel so undeserving for the many blessings and lessons that I receive out here. It seems the harder I try to improve myself the more imperfections I see within myself. But Heavenly Father knows that. He helps me overcome them. We are having tons of fun. The snow up here is fun! I missed it. The rain is killer too. Luckily we are in a car. muahahaha. Well That is the scoop!!! I love you all and thank you for everything!!!

A picture is worth a thousand words... I guess?

So this week, Drewbee didn't send us an email, but he did send us two pictures and two videos.

Apparent elation at the sight of snow.

The elation continues as he hops around. You'd think he'd never been exposed to the white freezing fluffiness.

There are a couple videos that I'm going to put on here, it's just not working at the moment.

God's image and countenance is imprinted on our souls.

Hey Fam!
Sorry very short on time! as usual. But here is something sweet I learned this week. So Jesus tells a bunch of Pharisees off in a response to a question regarding taxes given to Caesar. Remember that one? Well He responds saying render unto Cesar what is his and render unto God what is His. So in observation one can notice that the coin presented Jesus had Caesar’s image on it. So it is also with our souls. God's image and countenance is imprinted on our souls. Not only does Christ expand on the relationship of church and state but also He tells us what we should render to Him and God. And that is our whole souls. Neat. I'm sorry I have short time. I enjoyed all of your emails. Ky nice hit holmes. Alexis and Matt have fun on the drive. That is so crazy how close you will be. Mom and Dad I'm so happy that you had fun. Mexico! I went on splits with the Spanish missionaries and came the closest that I'll ever come to having the gift of tongues. It was sweet! I love you all and I'm doing good... I do have a favor to ask of one of you. One of the elders is having a birthday and he always talks about how he was stuck in the friend zone with girls so I was thinking about getting him a shirt that says chicks dig my friendship. but there are no shirt shops around here. I don't know if that would cost a lot to get a shirt with that but if you could check in on that for me that would be great. His b-day is on the 22nd of this month. anywho Love you all so much!!!

Your lovable um... guy

Hey family!

So we had to do a bunch of stuff prior to this so I don't have much time. But I've been reading in the great Jesus the Christ by Talmage and have been thinking alot about miracles. It's very worthy to note that the miracle was ALWAYS preceded by a comment or action of faith. This is very important to all of our lives. Before Jesus raised Lazerus from the grave He was among Mary and Martha and some others and while He was with them He gave some pretty sweet hidden lessons. He asked questions like where is he laid? and asked for them to take Him to Lazerous. And other questions that I cannot think of right now. These questions he asked were not for His knowlege because He knew excactly where he was laid. Rather these questions were presented for the purpose of inviting them to use there agency to do all they could before the miracle happened. He also asked, when they arrived at the grave, for the people to pull away the rock in front of the grave. After the people could do no more, then Christ showed forth the wonderful, miraculous and divine power that He had received from God. So it is with all of us. We need to do everything in our power to help fulfill the purposes of God. Then will He show forth His power. I was also reading President Monson's talk in the past conference and he addressed us all as the Royal Priesthood. It dawned on me how much of an honor that was. Anyway I hope everything is going good back there. I love you all!!!!!

your lovable um... guy

Elder BDrew being... Drew.


His comp?

Hey Family!
As far as the week goes it was a great one! Yesterday we had the high councilmen speak in church. One of the talks was on personal revelation. It was a great talk. I have received a strong burning testimony of the importance of personal revelation in all of our lives. I am so grateful for the chance that we have to have Heavenly Father Himself speak to us. What an incredible blessing. Of course we cannot forget the importance of the Holy Ghost in conveying the messages that God wants to tell us. yesterday we had a lesson with a less-active member in the ward and we got on the subject of personal revelation. As I was able to explain what it is and even now as I type this email I can feel the Holy Ghost witnessing to me that revelation is a gift from God. I enjoy always telling people about the First Vision and its significance in telling us that God does speak. From the mouth of the beloved apostle of the Lord, Elder Holland says (quoting scripture) that, "He speaketh not spake!" I have found that the promise from Joseph Smith is true... It is vain to minister without [revelation]. There are so many profound things that Heavenly Father wants us to know and His willingness to give is predicated upon our willingness to ask, seek, and knock. I am eternally grateful for the lines and precepts that I receive from my loving Heavenly Father and from our Lord as well. As far as the work, it is rolling on. There are many great things that President Pendleton has presented to us and our wards. I'm excited for the new things happening. We are trying to bridge the gap between the ward members and the full-time missionary efforts. The gap has been there ever since missionary work has been established in this dispensation and probably in prior dispensations as well. But that gap is closing and with the progress being made there are many sweeeeet things on the horizon. Exciting for sure. So crazy stuff happening at home. Alexis movin, scubaing, stuff. One of the missionaries that I new just went home before Christmas and he came back with his fam and I saw him last night. It was so weird seeing him normal haha. Well thank you all! I love you!
Elder Baum.

Good ol' auburn.

Hey fam!
Super short email. So story time. We were tracting a street where the houses were super set back on their properties so the driveways were long. So we park and go tract. anywho we get done with the street and we are about a mile from the car and we start walking back. A cop pulls up and rolls down his window and asks us if we're parked in someone's driveway. We told him no and then we head back to the car. The cop ends up telling us that this lady called the cops on us because she thought that we sat in front of her house and watched her for an hour. haha talk about paranoia. Good ol' auburn. Sorry thats all I got time for but I love you all!!!

It was kind of a JEEZ moment...

Hey Fam,

Feliz dia mi familia. This week has been a good one. I'm getting use to the area and everything. It is much slower than Roseville. I think I got spoiled there. So I ate dinner over at this family's house where they had a twelve year old and I thought to myself woah, Ky is that age. I'll get back just in time for the pimary pimple poppin' haha. It was kind of a JEEZ moment. I am so happy right now. I say that alot don't I. Every once in a while Heavenly Father gives me blips of divine perspective on the world. It is hard here in many ways to progress the work. It is just a more rural area. I'm sinking on time but I can't tell you How much I appreciate the support and also how much I appreciate my Heavenly Father. I thank you all for helping me realize that I am a son of God. That priceless piece of info would be enough to get me through many things. I love you all and have a great week!