Navajo Code 12/30

       Yaa Teeh!

 

       What a crazy week it has been in Flora Vista!

 

       Monday we went to the church for P day and I started to learn a Piano Guys song by ear. That's some hard stuff! :) Then we went to a members house that had recorded the first presidency's devotional for us because we were practicing the Messiah when it happened. It was sooooo good!

 

       Tuesday I got 3 packages! It was awesome! Then we went and I got to have a vocal training session with a ward member because I was singing a solo on Sunday and I wanted some help with it. That was really neat! Then we went and looked for some wood because one of our less active members was out of fire wood. So in New Mexico the electric company goes around and cuts down wood that is getting close to the power lines, then they stack it by the road for people to come and pick up. Well we found this pile of wood next to the road and we started to load it in the truck. Well this man comes out and says that it's his wood and the electric company was supposed to throw the wood on the other side of the burm. He said that we could take a what we had already. It was really nice of him.

 

       Wednesday we had studies then opened ALLLLLLLLLLLLL of our gifts. Not going to lie, being a missionary on Christmas isn't half bad. ;) Then Elder Krstyen called his family and I watched a DVD I got, Mormon Messages 2, so good! Then we went to a members and I got to Google Hangout with my family. That was way fun and very good to see and talk to everyone. Then we went up to dinner and we had Prime Rib and Crab. That was some good stuff! I'd never had Crab before but it was pretty good. Then we went down to our recent converts and spent the night with them. It was a great day!

 

       Thursday we went on exchanges with the Zone Leaders after District Meeting. I had Elder Jamison in Flora Vista. We were out trying to catch an investigator that we hadn't seen in a while. So we go knock on his door and he isn't there. Well we start to walk back up his drive way and this truck drives past the drive way, sees us, backs up and pulls in. I'm thinkin', "Aww crap." Well he rolls down his window and starts taking to us. Come to find out he'd been trying to get a hold of us for some time and so we went to a better place for a lesson and started teaching him. That was pretty sweet. Then we did a practice for my solo. So I had a ward member play the piano and another play the violin. The song was, "Savior, Redeemer of my Soul". It went really well.

 

       Friday was somewhat uneventful. We had some lessons during the day then at night we went down to our recent converts and they had non member family over. So we started to teach them a little with out it being a formal lesson. It was really cool.

 

       Saturday, oh Saturday... So we started studies and about 30 minutes into personal study we get a phone call from President Batt. Elder Krstyen answers and then says that he wants to talk to me. So I take the phone and talk to President. He asked me if I would accept a calling to serve as a Zone Leader. I said I would. I asked him where I would be serving. So I'm going to be serving the next 6 weeks in.... Bluff, Utah! And since I'm a Zone Leader I can go on exchanges to my first area in Blanding! Crazy! But the sad part is that I'm leaving Flora Vista. :'( So then we got to travel down to Escrito to do some Baptismal interviews for the missionaries down there. I got to interview 4 people. It's a really interesting/ heartbreaking feeling when you have to tell someone that they aren't ready to be baptized. Luckily I only had to do that to one of the 4.

 

       Sunday we had a missionary homecoming talk and then I got to sing. So if you haven't figured it out yet, I'm really close with the recent convert family here. Well they were sitting on the front row. Right when the music started for my song the mom and her 2 youngest (Who never cry) broke down in tears. The spirit was in the room as I sang and I am so grateful for that. We then spent the day taking pictures.

 

      Tonight I get to say good bye to that recent convert family. That's going to be really REALLYREALLY hard. I'm just glad that I live so close to my mission so I can come back and visit afterwards.

 

      Well my next email will come when I'm back in Utah! Until then, thanks for all the support! Hagonet!

 

Elder Bryson Chipman

Navajo Code 12/23

       Yaa Teeh!

       It's been an interesting week down in Flora Vista, New Mexico!

       Monday we went to a less active's to eat and we got talking about some funny things and the topic of putting tape on cat's feet came up... yep, they have a cat! That was lots of fun! Then we went to another lesson and we found out that he had let is ferret out of it's cage. So it was crawling everywhere. It almost got into my backpack. :D

       Tuesday we had a tri-zone Christmas party. We had a good devotional then we got to play some games. That basically took up the whole day.

       Wednesday we had to go into Farmington for a doctors appointment. We stopped by the mission office to see if there was any mail. We stopped by in the middle of a devotional held by the mission office staff. That was so cool, they really do love each and every missionary! Then we got to go see a less active family that is trying to get off some word of wisdom hang ups. They are so motivated! They have two daughters who are really helping them. We are so excited for them! Then that night we got to go caroling with the YM and YW. That was loads of fun! They got a kick out of my "Take 10" version of Rudolf. :D

       Thursday we got to meet a missionary who had just come home from his mission on wednesday. He is so cool. He was telling us how weird it was not to be in missionary clothing! Oh man, scary thought! lol :D

       Friday was a slow day but we got to have dinner at one of our recent converts houses. That's always fun case they have lots of energy (at least the kids do) LIKE ME!!!

       Saturday was a day of service and second chances. We tried one of our investigators that we had an appointment with but he wasn't there. So we went around trying some other people. Then we got called by a less active to go help him haul some christmas tress. That was fun. I think that was the first time I've hauled something on my mission. We hauled 2 christmas tree's. :D Then we went back and tried the investigator again and had a really good lesson with him!

       Sunday we had church then we went to an appointment which cancelled. Well we brought a member with us. She told us that she needed to give us something but it was back at her house. So we followed her over to her house. She gave us some subway gift cards. Then she turned to us and asked, "Do you have a lunch appointment? Be honest!" We said no. So because she is a single sister we can't be in her house alone with her. So she tried calling her grandkids to she if they could come over. She couldn't reach any one. So she went in side and made us some waffles, eggs, and bacon then came out told us where everything was then left. Weird. So we go in and start eating and about 10 minutes a truck pulls up. More weird. People get out and see us inside the house. They come towards the house and knock on the door. This is just straight up awkward. So we let them in, because we think it's her grandkids. So they come in and start looking for the sister. We tell her that she isn't there. It was her daughter and grandkids. She came back and all was well, but it got really awkward there for a little while. :) Then we got to go help deliver one of the christmas trees we had hauled. That was a good experience. 

       Well I hope you all have a merry christmas! Until next time, Hagonet!

Elder Bryson Chipman

Navajo Code 12/16

       Yaa Teeh!

       It has been a really crazy/ interesting week down here in Flora Vista!

       Monday we got up and... our water had froze. So we didn't really have any water that morning. Fun stuff, needless to say we have left the water dripping every night since. :) We had a Zone Activity, we played a game called Death Ball. Basically ultimate dodgeball, really fun! Then we played Greek Dodgeball. Yes, lots of dodgeball, but it was fun. Then we went on exchanges. I took Elder Manumaleuna to Flora Vista. Mind you that he is from Hawaii and it's been dropping below 0 almost every night. :) Well we got to go help a member decorate their tree, I think total right now I'm up to 5. :D 

       Tuesday we did a lot of walking. Elder Manu (that's what I normally call him) doesn't walk much in his area and he is a BIG Samoan so he was really sore at the end of the day. We had dinner with our High Priest group leader and his family. Their daughter, who has a missionary coming home on Wednesday, took our pictures and sent them to a family member. Mine got sent to Niki. 

       Wednesday was interesting. We went out tracking and talked to a guy who we later we found out was a member. He started talking about Joseph Smith and then started comparing him to Hitler. Ya... that was interesting. Then we got some mail. I got a letter from Chris and Bri and family. I hardly even recognize Jayde and Harper! WOW! It's going to be really interesting to see them (and Deklin) when I get home!

        Thursday we went to District Meeting then came home cause Elder Krstyen wasn't feeling good. So I got to watch all of the D&C Video's. It was really interesting and I learned a lot.

       Friday Elder Krstyen was sick again so we stayed in and I got to watch more D&C video's and walk around our small barn. :)

       Saturday we had a rehearsal for Handel's Messiah at 8 30. It went well. Then we got to teach a few lessons. Then we went back home and I studied the Law of Moses. Question, Why was the Law of Moses created? :) Then we got to go to one of our recent converts and have dinner with them. I really enjoy going over to that family. 

       Sunday we had church then some meetings and then we got to perform the Messiah! AWESOME!!! It went really well. Another missionary got photo's so I'm going to see if I can snag some. We'll see.

       So that was my week. Hope you all have a good week. Thanks for all the support! Until next time, Hagonet!

Elder Chipman

Navajo Code 12/9

      Yaa Teeh!

 

       It has been a crazy week!

 

       Monday we were in Farmington most of the day doing medical stuff for Elder Krstyen. We did get the Old Testament on CD and started listening to that. Within the week we've finished all of Genesis!

 

       Tuesday morning was pretty rough. We went to one of our best investigators and he was SUPER drunk. He even offered us some whiskey! That was a first. Then we went into Farmington again for another appointment. Then we went up to the Apache Building (Mission Office) and got the mail. I got a letter from a family that I taught in Blanding! They have moved up to Clear Creek Utah now but they are doing really well! We used to go over there and read the Book of Mormon with them and now the dad has the Book of Mormon on tape or CD, i'm not sure which, but he's listened to it 10+ times! It only takes him 3 days to listen to the whole thing!!!!! That was so good to get that!

 

       Wednesday I was on an exchange with Elder Harward from...   WEST JORDAN UTAH!!!!! BUT... he went to Kearns. So we went walking, in a mild blizzard and we walked past this house and a dog came running at us. This thing was mad. Well I keep rocks in my pockets for this very reason. The dog got about a foot away and I took out the rock and threw it at the dog and hit it in the face. Ya the dog didn't really bother us any more. Then I turned to Elder Harward and asked if he had any rocks handy. He said no. So I asked if he wanted one, "Yes please." Oh good stuff. Then we walked around that corner and got to another corner that was filled with mud. A truck drove by followed by a car. The truck stopped in the mud then spun it's wheels. It missed us, thankfully, but drenched the car following it. I'm still not sure if they were trying to hit us. Then we had a really spiritual lesson with one of our less active Navajo's. We read from the Book of Mormon and then watched "Joy to the World". He really felt the spirit. He said that all he wanted was to be happy like that. It was great!

 

       Thursday we had a zone training with district meeting. After the zone training was finished we split into our districts with about 5 minutes left. Ya so I just had everyone bear testimony about the Book of Mormon. That was really cool to see everyone else's experiences with it. Then we got to go down to Bloomfield and help with an event called Joy to the World. The stake puts it on every year, what it is is everyone in the stake brings their nativities and pictures of Christ down to the church and set it up. They play some spiritual music. IT IS SO COOL! My favorite was a painting called, "Peace is Coming" by Jon MaNaughton.

 

       Friday we got to go into Farmington again for Elder Krstyen. I got to read for a while, it was good. Then we went to another one of our best investigators and he was SUPER drunk. He could barely even stand up because he was so drunk. So basically 3 of our best investigators got SUPER drunk this week. 2 of them we met with and the other cancelled because he was so drunk. Such is the life of a missionary.

 

       Saturday we had the ward christmas party. There was a piano and I got to play for a little while. Later that day we went up to an investigators house and started reading the Book of Mormon with them, in 2 Nephi 14. Oh and this particular investigator asks question on everything! So we got to explain an Isaiah chapter, but with the help of the Spirit it went really well!

 

       Sunday we woke up to an inch to an inch and a half of snow. We the roads were pretty slick, and the church is on the top of a hill. So we made it up ok but right before church started we noticed that people were having a really hard time making it up. So with the help of another bishop we walked down and told people of a different way to get up to church. It was so cool to see some of the members help other people get to church.

 

       It's been a good week and I'm looking forward to another good week. Thanks for all the support! Until next time, Hagonet!

Elder Chipman

Navajo Code 12/2

       Yaa Teeh!

       It's been a crazy week.

       So I only have 30 minutes to write today instead of an hour so it's going to be quick. We are emailing in Farmington instead of Aztec (Flora Vista is basically Aztec.)

       Monday we met with an investigator that is really going to town on the BOM. He is already in Helaman! He is really struggling with the Word of Wisdom though. So we are really trying hard to help him with that. The ward is doing a great job with fellowshipping him.

       Tuesday we walked the back canyon onto Crouch Mesa again. We had a lesson with the guy that has 6 Akida's. We were able to talk about the Atonement and the Restoration. I love being able to talk about the Atonement. It really has meant so much more to me since I've been on a mission. Then we had dinner with a family. I don't think I've had that much meat in a long time. I had ham, pork, and brisket. IT WAS SOOOOO GOOD! Then we went up to the Mesa and taught a family that we haven't been able to catch since conference. He's gotten a job in the oil fields so he's here for 2 weeks and gone for 2 weeks. It was really cool because we got to show them how to better access the gospel on their personal electronic devices. That family really reminds me of Chris and Bri and family. Thy have 2 daughters that are the same age and the youngest daughters name is the same as C & B's youngest! Crazy!

       Wednesday we were hiking back through the canyon. On the way back down we saw a fox within 100 yds of us. That was pretty sweet. I'm sorry Dustin but I can't take pictures while out proselyting, I guess you'll just have to go on faith. ;) Then I got a letter from my dad FINALLY telling me that I have a nephew!!! He wrote me like 5 weeks ago saying it should be within the next two weeks. LOL fun stuff. :D I also don't know how much I've talked about E. Krstyen so I'm going to act like I haven't said anything. He is from SLC, he went to Skyline HS. He played soccer and wrestled. His whole family are members except his dad. He's been out a transfer (6 weeks) longer than me. He's a lot of fun to be around. He is about 6 feet tall. So ya...

       Thursday, Thanksgiving. Don't worry dad, I got fed... a lot. In total we had 4 meals from 3 to 8. Ya that was fun. :D While at one of our dinners I gave one of their daughters, 16 yr old, a game. It's a game that you have to connect lines and with out crossing, I can't talk about it more cause I don't have time. Well any ways she worked on it for about 15 minutes, then we had to leave. So I told her that it was impossible. SHE... FLIPPED....OUT!!!!!!!!! It was really quite funny. And yes, she was laughing to. :D Then at our last dinner appointment I got to learns some guitar and we sang some songs with the family. I really want to learn the guitar when I get home!

       Friday was a fairly uneventful day, except for dinner. The family we were eating with brought their parents over to eat as well. Well the mom of the member asked Elder Krstyen where he was from. She actually was from Sandy. Elder Krstyen asked about WJ. She started dissing WJ... a lot. I was just sitting their smiling. Then, when she took a breath Elder Krstyen pointed to me and said, "That's where he's from." Gas to get to dinner - $2; overall cost for dinner - $15; The look on her face after he said that -PRICELESS!!!!!! Oh it was so funny! She tried to start digging herself out but it didn't work to well. It was all good though. :)

       Saturday we did a lotttttttttttttt of walking. I really like walking, it's relaxing. Except when you are late to an appointment. Which we were but it was all good. We walked about 3 miles to an appointment, but that appointment was soooo good. We taught this young family the Plan of Salvation. They had lots of questions but were really interested. I love being able to teach the gospel! Then we went to a less active's house and had lunch with them and watched 17 Miracles. 

       Sunday after church we went up to dinner. The fog was really thick! Like can't see 50 yds away thick. It was AWESOME!!!  Well at our dinner appointment we helped them set up their christmas tree. So fear not, I have set up a christmas tree this year. I'm actually going to count how many we help set up cause I know of one other family that wants us to help them. :)

       Thanks for all the support! Until next time, Hagonet!

Elder Chipman

Navajo code 11/25

       Yaa Teeh!

 

       It's been a great week but I don't have a long time so here we go!

 

       Monday after P-day we went over and visited one of our less actives. It's really interesting to try and teach drunk people. They are all happy one moment, then not so happy the next. And when you come back you don't know if they remember anything.

 

       Tuesday was transfers. I got to be with Elder Deakin for a day while his new companion came up on the transfer van. Transfers are 6 weeks long btw. Then after we dropped Elder Deakin off at 6 we went and had dinner with a less active family. I love giving them brain games. They are obsessed with them and they are so much fun to watch! Then we went and taught a lesson on the plan of salvation. When we went home I tossed the keys to Elder Krstyen so he could go unlock the door. When he got their he said, "This is why I don't want to go to the Telestial Kingdom, it's to dark." Haha. :D

 

       Wednesday we went up to Crouch Mesa and taught a family. I had the impression to talk about temples and family history work but sadly I discounted it because she is really busy and wouldn't have time to do family history. Well we started talking and the subject turned to temples. Spiritual... Slap... in... the... face.................. But we all need to learn some how! :D They were absolutely obsessed with going to them temple! It was great!

 

       Thursday I taught my first District Meeting with Sisters present. That was different. So Aztec 2 was elders but at transfers it got switched to a sisters area. I did the lesson on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The best part of the whole thing is when I got to show the DVD Grandma and Grandpa Lynn sent me. That was so spiritually powerful for me. Then we decided to hike a canyon to save some miles. That was such a nice break for us. It was really relaxing to be out in the canyon. Then we came back and went down to a four way stop. Mind you it's dark now. Well there is a dirt patch where we normally wait for people. Well a Sheriff was just sitting there. Now me, in all my brilliance drove into the dirt patch and behind the Sheriff. Well about 15 seconds later he moved his truck and positioned himself right behind us with his lights on. After about 5 very awkward minutes he finally took off. After that we had a really powerful lesson on coming closer to Christ through small and simple means with an investigator that is really having a hard time with the Word of Wisdom.

 

       Friday we FINALLY got a new investigator! Thank you so much for the prayers! It was raining that day and we still decided to go tracking. No luck but because we decided to sing hymns as we went tracking has never felt so good!

 

       Saturday we had Interview with President Batt. He said that I'm doing a really good job. Then we taught a lesson to one of our recent converts. Elder Krstyen wasn't feeling really good so we went home. We went out to one more appointment about 4 hours later but came home and cancelled our last appointment because he really wasn't feeling well. That was a good catch up on sleep day for both of us.

 

       Sunday we woke up to snow on the ground... yeah.... But it had been "snowing" for the past 2 days. I really don't think it's going to stay for very long. YEAH!!! :D Then after church and a couple lessons we went to rehearsals for the Messiah. I have so much fun with Elder Chadwich, maybe to much fun... :D We just talk back and forth but we also sing too so no worries. Then I called around for numbers for the week. Come to find out that our mail was still going to Aztec 2nd's instead of Aztec 1st like it was supposed to. So the sisters had my mail and were tormenting me about it because I had gotten mail from girls. lol. I got my mail... this morning. But none of it was opened.

 

      Good stuff! Thanks for all the support! Until next week, Hagonet!

 

Elder Bryson Chipman

Navajo Code 11/18

       Yaa Teeh!

 

       What a great week in Flora Vista. Lots happened including transfers. :)

 

       Monday we did all of our P day stuff and then had a lesson with a less active family. It was cool cause we got to watch, "Come Join with Us" by Elder Uchtdorf. I absolutely love that talk! Then we went down to one of our recent converts and we got started talking about Trek! I WANT TO GO ON TREK! I loved trek. When we got home I asked Elder Krstyen for a blessing because my knuckles have been really dry for the past few weeks. They are still dry but they don't really hurt at all any more. :)

 

       Tuesday we started the day off tracking. We were about to head home for lunch when Elder Krstyen said that we should go knock on one more house. Yep... that was the house that we found a potential investigator at. LOL. Always knock the extra house. Then we saw an old lady trying to rack up her yard. So we asked if we could help. She said yes so we started racking up her leaves. We did this for 45 minutes, our lunch time, and all I kept thinking is, "The Lord will provide." Right before we finished she asked us if she could make us a sandwich. The Lord takes care of his missionaries!

 

       Wednesday we walked a lot of places because we were trying to save on miles. We looked down and saw that we had 8 sets of our footprints on the dirt road when we were heading back to our truck. Then we had a lesson with one of our investigators where the topic also went to trek. So we decided to watch 17 Miracles. They absolutely loved it! It went so well!

 

       Thursday for District Meeting I had everyone prepare a 5 to 10 minute talk on one of the Christlike attributes. That is probably one of the best district meetings I've ever had! The spirit was so strong! Then we all went out to eat as a district. We went to a place called Panda Garden. They have a buffet of Chinese food for breakfast and lunch for like 8 dollars. IT WAS SOOOOOOO GOOD!!!!! We actually went back later that week for dinner. They didn't have the buffet but they had a dinner plate that was also pretty cheap and was really good! After District Meeting we went up to one of our investigators houses. He is doing so well! He has developed a plan with his doctor to FINALLY stop smoking. Needless to say we're pretty happy about that. :) Then at dinner I had one of the boys (14) challenge me to a chess match. I haven't played that game in FOREVER!!!  But I still was able to pull it off. It felt good to play again.

 

       Friday was a really spiritually building day for me. We've been seeing this investigator for some time. She thinks that all religions are true. I've never borne such a powerful and bold testimony before. I love having the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. It's wonderful! If any of you have done something to draw yourself away from the Holy Ghost do EVERYTHING you can to get it back. It's well worth whatever you have to do!

 

       So on Saturday we went to another set of missionaries baptism. They did the confirmation there to because it was stake conference weekend. So the person doing the confirmation was calling people up. He said, "The missionaries, ... and the other missionaries too!" It felt really good to feel so loved by someone who I didn't even know. Then we had Stake Conference for the Adults that night. It was focused on... Hastening the Work of Salvation. I feel so blessed to be on my mission as the Lord is truly hastening his work. We also got transfer new. I will be serving the next 6 weeks in... .... .... (Pause for effect) ... ... ... Flora Vista! YEAH!!! I'M SO EXCITED!!! :D

 

       Sunday after Stake conference we went to our other recent converts house and had lunch and watched only a stonecutter per request. It was really good. Near the end the oldest daughter brought out her guitar and started playing some songs so we were all singing as we left. Then I got to try out for a solo in the communities Handles Messiah. I did ok. I really didn't practice much. If I get it, cool. If not, all well. I sat by Elder West and Elder Chadwick during practice. Man we had lots of fun together!

 

       We've really been struggling to find a new investigator and to get people to sacrament meeting. Any and all prayers would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for all the support! Until next time, Hagonet!

 

Elder Bryson Chipman

Navajo Code 11/11

       Yaa Teeh!

 

       It has been a good week down in Flora Vista New Mexico!

 

       Monday we had a lesson with an investigator where we talked about gratitude. It's amazing how when you are grateful you are happy. It any of you out there are un-happy try giving just a prayer of gratitude. It works, I promise! :)

 

       Tuesday I went on an exchange with Elder Vance. We stayed in Flora Vista. One of the appointments we went to was to a less active and we watched "On the Lord's Errand". Oh that movie is great! It really helped him see that miracles and prophets are real in this day and age. We also walked to go contact some referrals. We almost got attacked by some dogs. I'm getting better on how to defend against dogs. That really comes in to play tomorrow, Wednesday. We also went to the house that has 6 Akita's... I was wearing a black suit when I went in. I came out with a light grey suit. :D

 

       On Wednesday we went and taught the some less active the we watch "On the Lord's Errand" with but we watch a movie on the Atonement, actually the one that Grandma and Grandpa Lynn sent me. (That thing is AMAZING!!!) Then he expressed an interest in repenting but he didn't really know how. So we pulled out a pamphlet and started talking about it. It was really neat to see the spirit work through Elder Krstyen and I. Elder Krstyen has such a powerful testimony. And he is really humble. He is such a great companion. Then we got to go tracking. We went up to this house with a small chain link fence around it. I kick it to see if any dogs came out. None. So we walked in and knocked. I thought I heard a back door open then the next thing I see is 3 dogs come running around the side of the house. Aw crap... So the biggest one, funny enough, comes right up to us and starts rubbing us and lets us pet it. The other two are growling and barking. So I turn around when we are walking back to the gate and we made it out of the yard with out a scratch. I love being obedient, it brings so many blessing. :) And the prayers of everyone else is really helpful to. :D Then I remembered that we need a movie that I had lent out for a lesson that night. So we decided to walk about 3 miles one way and grab it and walk back. We had about an hour and fifteen minutes. Well we got it and we were heading back and we were late for our next appointment and then we see a truck pulled over on the road and this guy moving stuff around. He asked us if we needed a ride and so we climbed in and got to our appointment only about 5 minutes late instead of like 30. The cool part about this though is 2 other people had pulled over and asked if we needed rides but they were both females so we couldn't. The Lord really does bless the obedient.

 

       Thursday, for every appointment but one we watched a movie. I'm good with it. It helped the people we were teaching and I like movies! But Elder Krstyen is even better than I am at watching movies. He has watched "On the Lord's Errand" about 20 times in the past 2 weeks and he is still going strong. He's great! That night we went up to the basketball night and had some fun. We are going to try it for a little while longer but I'm not sure if it is going to be productive or not, we'll see.

 

       Friday we did service for most of the day for our Elders Quorum President. We helped him install a mail box. Built some chairs and helped him move some machinery. Good stuff. He also showed me a sling that he used in the Army for throwingGrenades! He said he is going to make me one. SCORE!!!

 

       Saturday we had a lesson with one of our investigators and we watch the movie on the Atonement. He really enjoyed it. Then after the lesson his wife and I had a discussion on the lights in the kitchen. Like where they should go and what the should be. That was funny. We also got to visit with one of the youth in the ward about his beliefs about the church. He is a really smart kid and I'm excited to start teaching him!

 

       Sunday we had church and then a lesson with another youth in the ward. We talked about the 10 commandments and why they are important. Then we tried to see how long we could keep 3 balloons in the air both by ourselves and with a partner. That was a lot of fun!

 

       Well I'm loving my mission! Thanks for all the support! Until next time, Hagonet!

 

Elder Bryson Chipman

Navajo Code11/4

       Yaa Teeh!

 

       This week has really been an interesting week, I'm going to call this week, the week of patience. :)

 

       So on Monday after we got finished with E-mails we needed to go to Farmington to have some interviews with President Batt. We did those and then did our grocery shopping at wal mart around 5. Well we were in the check out line and E. Reeder said something was wrong with his heart. We called Sister Batt and a Doctor and we were instructed to go to the Urgent Care right next door. So we did. They took him back and I stayed up front and filled out the paper work. Funny enough while I was waiting, without a companoin, for them to come get me the person that was their was a member from Farmington that was either an Elder or High Priest. Then he left and right then a couple came up and sat down and started talking to me. They were members and he had served a mission. So I was still with a make shift companion almost the entire time. Finally they came and got me and took me back. They were going to take E. Reeder to the Hospital in an ambulance. So I took his clothes and climbed in the truck and waited for the ambulance. I was hoping for a big escort to the hospital with lights and all. Nope. Just regular traffic rules. It was REALLY  weird to be in the truck alone. REALLY WEIRD!!!!! So I got to the hospital and waited to be shown where E Reeder was. Finally I got back their. We were then informed that President Batt was on his was down. So he got there and we just sat and waited, doctors and nurses came and went doing different things. But the entire time E. Reeder was talking even though both Pres. Batt and I were asking him to be quite so his heart rate would go down. That was the issue. His heart rate was at 147 while he was laying down. 3 hours past in the hospital, so it was around 10 and we had the Zone Leaders come and one of them went with me. (They were in a trio.) So I had E. Jamison and E. Tolman and E. Krstyen were together. So we finally drove home and didn't get to bed until 11ish.

 

       Tuesday we got a call early in the morning to get ready and go to the hospital and do our studies their. So we did. While we were their a hospital clergy walked in. E. Reeder almost flipped out. It was rather interesting. I think the only reason he didn't is because we were there but also Sister Batt was their. Around 11 President Batt came. He told us we could go and do some prosolighting and that he had talked to Salt Lake and E. Reeder was going home. They don't mess with heart issues. They had also found out what was wrong. It was an atreal flutter, an electrical problem with the heart. So we left and did a few hours of prosolighting and then we got a call from President to come and get E. Reeder. So we did. President Batt also gave us some instructions for the next few days. Mainly no seeing people, and that their had to be 2 missionaries with E. Reeder at all times. So E. Jamison and I stayed together with E. Reeder.

 

       Wednesday was an extended P-day by Presidents orders. He also told us to go to the Aztec Ruins. So we did, it wasn't really that good, the only realy cool part was the great Kiva in the middle. The whole thing took about 20 minutes to see. It would've costed 5 dollars per person except I had my Military ID so I got us all in for free. :D Then we went up to the church and I started learning a new song on the piano that someone had given me, "River Flows in You". That song is SOOOOOO cool but pretty hard at the same time. Then we went back to the house and heard non-stop talking from E. Reeder. That night I was in charge of Mutual. We played a donut on a string game. Where they had to eat the donut that was tied on a string without using their hands. We also had some other games, I had a good time.

 

       Thursday we had District Meeting. I love being able to be lead by the spirit while I am teaching. It makes things go soooo much better. I gave my lesson on how to change people, how President Monson had said to do it. Then we went into Farmington and had E. Reeder do some stuff before he went home. He got his flight info and we learned who would be taking him to the airport. We didn't have a meet up place or time yet. Then we spent the rest of the night at home with just the 3 of us. I also learned that my new companion would be E. Krstyen, E. Jamison's companion in Aztec 1st ward. So that is how I spent my Halloween. :) Later that night we got a call and were told where we were to meet up with the person who would be taking E Reeder to the airport. We were to meet him in a grocery store parking lot at 5 30 in the morning. This is sounding way to much like the Marine Corps sleeping schedule here. :) haha.

 

       Friday we got up at 4 45 and got E. Reeder all ready to go. Then we made the switch and we went over and crashed at Aztec 1st until 6 30. Then we had studies and I took E. Krstyen to Flora Vista. He is awesome! I really enjoy being his companion. He is from a town close to Holliday Utah and he played soccer in high school. :D Ya, this is going to be good! :D :D We did a lot of planning that day so nothing else really happened.

 

       Saturday we had a lesson with a guy who was really aggressive with us. Eventually I said, "If you want to know for yourself if our religion is true, read and pray about the Book of Mormon." That was an interesting lesson. We also had a really great lesson with our recent convert family. We watched the movie on President Monson's life.

 

       Sunday we had testimony meeting. The father of our recent convert family got up and started talking about how when he heard we were coming over he was disappointed that he couldn't watch his own movies. Then he said that he had really been inspired by the movie on President Monson. It's cool to see how the spirit works in people. :D Then E. Krstyen, when we were home asked me to give him a blessing. I'm so glad to be worthy to do that!

 

      Well I gtg. Until Next time, thanks for all the support, Hagonet!

 

Elder Bryson Chipman

Navajo code 10/28

       Yaa Teeh!

 

       This week is going to be titled, be careful what you PRAY for. :) (by the way the I'm emailing in the Aztec library and their is a guy right next to me who is listening to music who must be almost deaf because I can hear every word. He's listening to "That's What You Get" by Paramore, one of the bands I listened to back home. LOL :D )

 

       Monday we got to go play some basketball up at the church. So other than that, for about a week now I have been praying for.... greater patience. Well, Elder Reeder finally opened up this week and hasn't every stopped talking since. :) So I have learned to be a little more patience, although I might need to learn to talk again because I haven't been doing much of that lately. haha. :P

 

       So on Tuesday we had been asked by the bishop to go visit one of the less active members we had dropped about a month ago. This is the less active that has 6 Akita's. So we walked in and got swarmed. That.... was.... AWESOME!!!!!!! Although several of the dogs went on a licking spree, so my head got a bath/ shower... thing. :) It was fun. :)

 

       Wednesday we got to go teach a lesson to a less active who has a problem about Christ. He doesn't understand how one person could take upon himself all of the sins of the whole world. We watch "Finding Faith in Christ" and he then understood it. He then just was wondering if it was true because it had happened a long time ago. So we shared some experience we'd had and about modern day prophets. Then we got to go out and take down some Russian Olive tree's, mostly by hand. When we almost done they brought out the hand saws. (*FACE PALM!!!*) Then we got to go do some clean up work with another less active and then we got to have a discussion about faith with him. That was an interesting lesson. I don't really know how to explain it. He hates the word faith. He feels it's a two edged sword. And E. Reeder and I have completely different thinking on how we should go about it.

 

       Thursday we got to have zone training. E. Tolman, who was doing the training, did the whole thing on the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Talk about a powerful experience! The Atonement has really grown in meaning to me since missionary. Then we got to go visit a less active family. We just asked the question, "What is your relationship with God?" And because I asked the question I answered first and we went around the circle. The last person was the father of the family. He is a returned missionary and bore a really strong testimony that the gospel is true and that we need to watch ourselves when we get off our missions.

 

       Friday was really rough. We went back to the less active who hates the word faith. E. Reeder just tried to tell him everything that he needed to do to get a testimony, even after the man had already he'd tried it for the past 11 years. E. Reeder just wouldn't stop. That was really frustrating and we had a little argument after that discussion.

 

       Saturday was a day of learning and counsel. So we had a lesson with another less active and E. Reeder was dead set on giving her a blessing to heal her completely. I suggested that a blessing of comfort would be better but he said no and proceeded with the blessing. After the lesson I called the Zone Leaders and went over to their house and sent E Reeder with another missionary to our other appointments. I talked to the Zone Leaders about what was going on and that really helped. They gave me some idea's on what I could do to better myself and the companionship. We also scheduled an appointment where I could go talk to President Batt. (That's happening in about 3 hours from now.)

 

       Sunday was really cool. Both of our recent converts got to talk about how they were converted. I really love these people. I'm so grateful that the Lord sent me here to them. Their is now where else I would rather be.

 

       Thanks for all your support. Prayers would be greatly appreciated. Until next time, Hagonet!

 

Elder Bryson Chipman

Navajo Code 10/21

Yaa Teeh!

 

       What a fun week of exchanges!

 

       Monday we had a zone activity where we played Ultimate Frisbee! OH I LOVE THAT GAME!!!!!! So after that we got ready for zone conference the next day.

 

       Tuesday, Zone Conference. Always a big plus. After that we went on an exchange with Escrito. I brought Elder Manu up to Flora Vista and Elder Reeder went down to Escrito with Elder Tingey. We got to visit with a Less active family. They made us dinner and had us play, pin the tail on the donkey. Oh and the rigged it for Elder Manu. They moved the board. HAHA! :)

 

       Wednesday we had a lot of appointments cancel but it was still a really good day. We got to see some of our people on date and they are progressing really well, except they missed church on Sunday so the are not on date any more. We got to play some tether ball with Elder Reeder in the dark. Ya, I kinda hit him in the face with the ball about 4 times. That was interesting. I'm such a nice companion. But we get along really well together. That night I went on an exchange with Elder Moser. So Elder Reeder didn't spend the night in Flora Vista for 2 nights. The life as a District Leaders companion.

 

       Thursday I spent all day with Elder Moser. It's so weird to be training someone done on an exchange that has been out twice as long you have. I love Elder Moser. We showed each other some object lessons. He showed me one about prayer. You get a cord and you hold the ends in your hands. You can't let go and you can't shift you hands. The goal is to tie a knot in the center. The way you do it is by crossing your arms, like your praying, and then grab the string and pull you arms apart. It's really cool. So our dinner appointment has a daughter that just came home and she was showing me all of her object lessons. Well that is one of the ones she showed me. It was good fun.

 

       Friday we got to teach seminary at the high school so the teacher could go to the temple with the Stake. We had a lot of fun. I blew their minds when I showed them 2 Nephi 12: 2 and how it is talking about Utah and it spells out Utah vertically. :) Then we had an appointment with a potential investigator. We went over there and started talking to her. She was really nice but she said that she wasn't really looking to change religions at all. I asked if we could still teach her about what we believe. She agreed. We started by talking a little about a picture of Christ found on the cover of the Restoration Pamphlet. She was already in tears before we got into the main part of the lesson. At the end we commited her to be baptized and she accepted! Oh good day!

 

       Saturday was a day of first for me. We got to help our Elders Q. pres. move. While we were waiting for him we cleaned their chicken coup, with a pitch fork. I have now, officially, used a pitch fork. MWHAHAHAHA. :) Also this one chicken escaped the fence like 3 times so I got to chase a chicken for the first time. After dinner he showed us his mugs that his mother had gotten him from Germany. One of which had a piece of the Berlin Wall on it. I have now officially touch the Berlin Wall on my mission, in New Mexico. What now?! Haha! :D

 

       Sunday was the Primary Program. It was awesome. Then we got to go in and help teach primary about being missionaries and how we decided to become missionaries. I love talking and teaching kids, they have so much energy.... LIKE ME!!!!!

 

       Well that's all for this week. Until next time, Hagonet!

 

Elder Bryson Chipman

Navajo Code 10/14

Yaa Teeh!

 

       So on Monday I finally filled up my camera memory card!!! We also got to see one of our investigators who are preparing for baptism with. It was also the last night that I was with Elder Deakin.

 

       Tuesday I got to pick up my new companion, Elder Reeder, 22 from Morgan UT. He's been out for 3 months and we are having a great time. That day we got a voice mail that was just a phone ringing. That was really interesting. We also had a really spiritual lesson on repentance with a less active who is trying to get off alcohol. It's so amazing when you get to talk about the atonement! We also got a call from someone we had dropped about 2 weeks ago and we went and saw him and he committed to be baptized!

 

       Wednesday we got to go tracking. E. Reeder is really good around dogs, me... not so much. :) He did say something that really hit me though. If you are feeling fear, you can't feel faith. That was powerful! Later that day we had a lesson with us, an investigator, and 4 members. That's the biggest member preseant lesson EVER!!! I also got to hold my very first baptismal interview that night. It is so cool to see and feel the spirit work through you and tell you if they are ready to be baptized!

 

       Thursday we went out with a member and we went and saw one of his old friends. The member we went with was/is the Air Force, the person we went and saw was in the UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS!!!!!!! Ya we got along pretty well. :) Although we didn't get to talk very much because they hadn't seen each other in a very long time.

 

       Friday during studies we got a call from President Batt... Oh boy. He talked to me and told me that my Endorsment for BYU was in. (Chris, I'm still working on the essay's. Essay's and I don't get along really well.) Then we got to go out tracking and we ran into someone that moved from Mt. Pleasent 10 years ago. This lady, L.D., new Amber B! Crazy stuff! She worked at the schools there! Later that day we went and taught one of our recent converts. The 9 year old gave the prayer during which he said, "Thank you for the new Chipman". Apperently he had been calling the missionaries Chipman. :) LOL. Then after the lesson we played tag with him. I totally slipped and have a big mud stain on my pants now because of it. :) But it was totally worth it. I still got away. :)

 

       Saturday we went tracking and a guy came up to us and tried to sell us a 60 dollar water bottle. He had me do this flexability test with out holding the bottle and then with holding it. He said I went farther the second time because the bottle had "energy".... In reality I didn't go farther... at all. :)

 

       So on Sunday I got to sing in an actual choir again! The Bloomfield Stake is hosting a community envolved, Handel's "Messiah". That is some hardish but fun music! I love singing in choirs!

 

       I got to run. Thanks for all the support! Until next time, Hagonet!

Elder Bryson Chipman

Navajo Code 10/7

Yaa Teeh!

 

       Oh how I love conference! It is such a great thing!

 

       Tuesday I had a cool experience. I ran completely out of water and we went to an investigators house and she right away saw me and gave me a gallon of water. What a neat experience. We spent the day emailing and shopping. That night I went on an exchange to Escrito with Elder Tingey!

 

       Wednesday I got to make some stuff for some fellow missionary friends. It was pretty cool. I put stones into some name tag clips so they look a little cooler. :) Then we taught some lessons. We then went out and started to try and contact some people, we went to a house and saw it had a no trespassing sign so we couldn't knock on it. When we climbed back in the truck I saw some one waving us down from another house so we got out and went and talked to them. The guy we talked to was drunk, it was pretty interesting. He laid out his whole life story basically.

 

       Thursday we had District Meeting and after that we went back and help set up for a tri ward Raingutter Ragata! I was setting up tables and chairs and I just lean the chairs up against the table so that when I'm done with that I can just go around and set them up really quickly. Well this guy came out and started talking to me in a frustarted voice about not setting them up right then. I told him it was faster to do it this way but if he wanted to he could start setting them up. So I kept going and finally we had all the chairs ready to set up so I go around and start setting them up and I was going at least 4 times faster than the other guy. He looked at me, stunned, and asked "What did you do for a career back home?!" I turned to him while moving on to the next task and simply said, "United States Marine Corps." :) Then we went and taught a lesson and then returned to the Ragata because they were having a chili cook off and that was our dinner. A police officer from our ward came and I got started talking to him about being an officer. That's always fun. Then we went up and had a really productive lesson with another one of our investigators who looks really prepared. The only down fall is he just got a job in the oil fields so he will be gone for the next two weeks. But we did get to watch a session of conference with him!

 

       On Friday we did our weekly planning and then went up to the church. I spent 2 1/2 + hours on making a General Conference Bingo board for kids who we were going to be watching conference with. They look really good and they worked!

 

       Saturday we watched conference with two of our investigators then we went to the Priesthood session. Oh I was so excited to hear that Mr. Dehaan was conducting the music! During the middle break song where we can see his face it felt so nice to be able to be lead by him again. It was really nice because he was a good leader and I had been lead by him before. Then a thought came to my mind, what is it going to feel like when we are personally lead by the savior again. WOW!!! That will be one of the greatest feelings ever! After Priesthood session we got transfer news.... I am staying in Flora Vista. Elder Deakin is being transfered to Kirtland. So my new companion is going to be Elder Reeder. I'm so excited to meet him!

 

       Sunday we watched General Conference with one recent convert and with an investigator. Then we went around getting pictures for Elder Deakin. So not much happened that day.

 

       Well it has been a great week! Thanks for all the support! Until next time, Hagonet!

 

Elder Bryson Chipman

Navajo Code 10/1

        Yaa Teeh!

       What a wonderful week in Flora Vista!

 

       Monday we had everyone in the District come and we played some football. That was lots of fun! Then we got to have some baptism interviews with some of our investigators, they both passed! While we were waiting for them we were playing with the 9 yr old boy and we went out to our truck to grab a soccer ball. Well we came back into the gym and we couldn't see him. Then he came under the curtain and yelled to try and scare us. I had previously put my suit coat down on the stage so I could play some sports. Well he slipped on my coat and fell head first onto the gym floor. Ya, that wasn't the greatest feeling ever. Then the kid popped right back up with no sign of any injury. I will say that it looked really cool! While we were playing with him I was really sore for playing football that afternoon. lol. :)

 

       Tuesday I saw the biggest Dictionary I have ever seen! This thing is massive! Then we went to a house and visited a man. He has a black lab named, Blacky. I would pet it and play around with it. When I stopped periodically it would paw me to start again. This went on for about 10 minutes. AWESOME!

 

       Wednesday I went on an exchange with Elder Vance. We had some good times talking about what we liked to do and the friends we had. Then we got to go visit one of our recent converts. As we were there the recent convert drove in and got her Brand New car stuck in a ditch. She wasn't very happy. We worked for probably half an hour to get the car out. We did so with no damage. Good stuff!

 

       On Thursday I found out that we have an amazing hearing pianist in Elder Manu from Hawaii! This Elder is good! We had a pretty slow day after that though.

 

       Friday We got to give some service to an older lady who is investigating. We took a sowing table from her van into her house, then covered her chimney and swamp coolers on the roof. That was so nice to be able to give service like that. I love service! Then we got to talk to her about General Conference. I'm excited for Conference because it's awesome, I'm not excited for Conference because that means we have to wear suits 24/7. Well it's gotta happen some time! :)

 

       Saturday we had probably the most interesting baptism of my mission. We baptized the mom her son. I got to baptize the son. Well after we baptized him and all got changed the kid had vanished! It took us like 5 or 10 minutes to find the kid. LOL! :) Then we got to go visit another investigator. This dude was H-I-G-H WOW!!!!!!! I asked if we could have an opening prayer and he went off on they were in his other pair of pants, his good ones. Then later we asked if we could come back and he asked if my kids were coming. Um..... he then told me he needed to know this because he might have to get the high chair for them. That was only part of the conversation! ..... :)

 

       Sunday we got to church and went through the ward business and then the bishop announced the Sacrament. I looked at Elder Deakin and raised my hand and pointed at our recent converts. The bishop then remembered.That was fun. :) We also got to meet our other recent converts first missionary. We took some pictures and stuff and talked about the mission.

 

       Monday, yesterday we went up to Monticello to go to the Temple. I love the Temple! It is such a wonderful place. The feelings there are just so amazing! If you haven't gone recently, GO!!!!!! That took all day so that's why I didn't write yesterday. The temple trip only happens once per year.

 

       Thanks for all the support! Until next time, Hagonet!

 

       Elder Chipman

Navajo Code 9/23

       Yaa Teeh!

 

       What a great week for the Elders of the Flora Vista area of the Farmington, New Mexico Mission!

 

       So on Monday I got to go on an Exchange with Elder Manumaleuna (Elder Manu for short) who is from Hawaii, around North Shore I think. Is that where you went Dad? The crazy thing is that we went to one of our less actives and his MTC companion was from the same area and Elder Manu knew him. It's a small world after all. :)

 

       Tuesday we taught 8 lessons tracted a little then we had dinner. So the family we ate with has a daughter that plays Alto Sax in the Marching Band. All through dinner I kept saying "Should've been a Trumpet, Should've been a Trumpet." Oh man You could feel the fire coming out of her eyes, WOW! :) Haha.

 

       Wednesday we went and tried a former investigator and found him home. We made a little small talk then he said that we could read the Bible with him but not the Book of Mormon. So we sat down and started reading the Bible. He started reading and the message was the same but the words were different. I then realized that he was using a different version of the Bible. Ya, that was interesting. Then we went up to Crouch Mesa and found a new investigator. She is cool but man oh man can she talk, WOW. We were there for probably an hour to an hour and a half and said maybe 50 words total. She talked about interesting stuff but if she finds a tangent, there she goes. :)

 

       Thursday we met with one of our families that is on their way to being reactivated. The two boys got some paper and started doing some origami. It was pretty cool. Then we got started into riddles. Thank you Jessica and Chris! That was fun I stumped them a couple of times before we had to leave.

 

       Friday we got to talk with a family that has an inactive son about how they could better feel the spirit with him. I showed them the section on listening in Preach My Gospel. That was a really neat experience. Then we had a successful appointment with someone we found tracking. (That almost never happens.) It was a little rushed and crazy first lesson, but still very effective. The man is really into history, including history of the church. So he is willing to learn more about it. :) Then we had an appointment for the lady we have on date to be baptized this Saturday! She is ready to go! I'm so excited for her and her son, who is also being baptized. Then we had an appointment with an investigator who is starting to overcome heavy drinking. He has been off alcohol for 10 days now!!! It's wonderful!

 

       Saturday we decided to do a little bit of tracking. So we walk up to this house, the dog is out side. It's a small dog but still a dog. So we walk up and knock on the door with no problems. Then we start walking back. Well the dog is sitting at the edge of the driveway connects to the walk to the door. It's about 10 feet from us. Well when we turn around from the door and start to walk towards to leave it got a little angry. It barked and kinda showed it's teeth and Elder Deakin took off. Of course the dog chased him. Almost got him too. I looked back at the dog, ready to kick it all the way to WJ if it came at me. So that was an interesting experience. Then we got to go help our recent converts build a fence. That is a fun thing to do. Especially trying to get the wire across the stream/ small river in their back yard. Good stuff. :)

 

       Sunday we had church and a storm rolled in. So during Elders Quorum the lights in the church flickered. :) Then one of the boys that was making some origami stuff for me on Thursday walked up and gave me this huge paper star thing. Pictures coming when available. Then we had a lesson with our recent converts and when we were driving up a horse was trotting by going the other way. "That was interesting" I said. Then I see two of the kids we were going to see run after it. So we kinda got to help catch a horse. Kinda because when we parked the truck and walked up to the horse it had gotten calmed down so one of the kids put a rope around it's neck and took it back inside the fence. Oh fun stuff. :)

 

       Well, it's been a good week! We had a total of 27 lesson this week, tieing the area record. Well I better get going. Thanks for all the support. Until next time, Hagonet!

 

Elder Bryson Chipman

Navajo Code 9/16

  Yaa Teeh!

 

       So this week is going to be called darkness and light.

 

       So on Monday we had to go get some signatures for the baptisms that we had coming up on Saturday. Then we went to the store and we started talking to this OLD guy. In the middle of talking to me he asked Elder Deakin, "Who are you? His dad?" Oh man..... I had to really try hard to NOT laugh. So I look older and I am older than Elder Deakin but the guy still asked. LOL. :) Then we went and played basketball for a little while up at the church. Then we had to go get a haircut. So we go in and I say I want a 4 on top and a 2 on the side. So I sit down and she starts cutting my hair. She cuts and cuts, oh and I'm not facing the mirror so I can't see anything. I say to myself, "This feels a little short. Well when it was finished and I got to look in the mirror I had a 2 on top and a 1 on the side. So the problem was that I had already asked my mission president if I could cut my hair shorter because I like is short. He had told me no and I was ok with it, except I was going to see him on Tuesday. Ya..... I was a little freaked out. Haha. :) Then we had a first lesson with an older lady, she's an interesting individual. :) In a good way. :) Then we got to visit one of our investigators who we haven't been able to meet with in a long while. I got to show him the CPR cups and then the LDS gospel library on his phone. Good stuff!

      

       Tuesday we got to meet with a Less Active member who we met when he came to church. I wish we could meet all people at church, that would make our job SOOOOO much easier. :) But all well. So this guy has overcome smoking on his own and we got to hear some stories of his life. This guy is an Army Vet. So I got along with him pretty good. (It would've been better if he had been a Marine. ;) ) Then that night we had the baptism interviews for the family we've been teaching. So it's a part-member family, the people getting interviewed was the mom, who had been investigating for almost 5 years, a 9 year old son, a 9 year old daughter, and an 8 year old daughter. So the mission president had to come and interview the mother. So that interview started like 5 to 10 minutes before the others. Can I just say the waiting for baptism interviews is really REALLY stressful!!! They all passed!!! :D

 

       So on Wednesday I went on my first exchange as a District Leader. I went the the other Elders area. We did a lot of tracking. But crazy enough we talked to a guy who had been in the USMC attached to 4th LAR Charlie Company! (The same unit I was in before my mission!) CRAZY SAUCE!!!!! So we talked to him for a little while about the Corps and who was still in. Good stuff.

 

       On Thursday I got to teach District Meeting. So I had District Meeting planned and I started in on my lesson and I had some prompting to add some things and to do somethings a little different. If anyone has a doubt about following the spirit, JUST DO IT!!!!!! IT'LL BE BE-AMAZING!!!!!!!!! That was such a good District Meeting. So we'd been getting some pretty good rain all week. Well Thursday we got the BIG storm. Big enough that our house started to flood. My "Box of Sunshine" (where I keep all my letters) was right were the water was and I caught it just before it got completely soaked. Only the bottom got wet, thankfully. I have pictures and video's but my computer won't let me send them this week. :(

 

       Friday. Friday could probably be the hardest day of my mission. The day started out good. We had a lesson with an investigator that pointed some stuff out in D & C 89 with tobacco. We worked it out but it was a good experience. The we met with our 1 remaining recent convert. When we went over she was smoking, she was drunk, and she was high. None of which we have seen her doing before. I can't really talk about the rest of the lesson because there is some legal stuff involved. Later that night she texted us and asked us never to come back. :( Then right I after I got that text I got to call my dad for his wedding. :) Well I call and my brother picks up and tells me that my dad wasn't there, he was in the ER. Ya, not cool. But after like 2 more calls to them and my mission president I got to talk to him so that was good. In my journal that night I wrote, "The darkest night always comes before brightest day." What a true statement!

 

       "Saturday is a special day"! So true. We had the baptism for the family and it went awesome!!!! Mean while I knew that my dad was getting married!!!! Let's just say I'm not going to forget this family that was baptized because every time I see the date of my dad's marriage I'm going to think of this family! I love this Family!!!

 

       Sunday we had the families confirmation. They walked into Sacrament like 5 minutes before they were confirmed. Ya, my heart is still pumping, that for sure. :) Then we had two great lesson that night about baptism with another investigator and then about the Law of Chastity with another family. We brought a member to the LOC lesson and it was AMAZING! What a great lesson!

 

       So that was my week. Thanks for all the support! Until next time, Hagonet!

 

Elder Bryson Chipman