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