Navajo Code

       Yaa Teeh!

       Transfer week! Let's see what happened! :)

       Monday we had a Zone Activity where we played a couple mini games involving basketball, church knowledge, rock paper scissors, and water balloons. :) That was a lot of fun and I think everyone enjoyed it. We then went back to the house and I finished my college essays and sent them off. Then we had a lesson with one of our recent converts, Robin. He is so smart! He's bishop material, not that I wishing it upon him cause I don't wish that upon anybody.

       Tuesday we had 5 lesson. 4 of them were with 3 different members. It's great to have all that member support! We had several good lessons. The members here are great and are really starting to catch the vision of missionary work!

       Wednesday we met with Fred and his family and taught him the Plan of Salvation. They are really interested in being baptized! Then we went to Farmington because I had choir practice for the mission tour tomorrow.

       Thursday...... MISSION TOUR!!!!!! Elder Carlson of the seventy came down and taught us. He retired for the US Air Force as.... a 4 star general.... :O Wow.... don't make him mad. :) He was so awesome! He talked a lot about being obedient. I always love hearing from the leaders of the church. He told us a story of how he works out at the church gym in SLC and that Elder Christopherson and Elder Oaks come in and work out too. He said Elder Oaks lifts some weights and then goes walking. How cool would it be to work out with an apostle! Then we had a Mission Leadership Council with Elder Carlson. He taught us about Christ like leadership... so good!

        Friday we did a lot of finding. I finally got a quote everyone talks about. So I'm talking to this guy and I ask if he's ever met with missionaries before, "No, I'm Christian." (I almost smacked my forehead with my palm in front of this guy. :) ) I replied, "Oh really! We are too!" The look on that guys face.... PRICELESS! Then I showed him the back of the Book of Mormon where it has the church logo. Again, he was shocked. Then I gave it to him and set up a return appointment. Oh the joys of missionary work. :)

       Saturday we went on splits all day with two guys that have there mission calls. I went with Braden from the Flora Vista ward, he's going to the Lima, Peru East mission the 2nd of July. Elder Rushton went with Drew from our ward who is going to Rio Rancho Cucamonga mission in California in August. That was so much fun! We knocked on one guys door, Ed. He's not really into religion but we gave him a Book of Mormon and he said he'd read it. It was pretty cool cause he was in the Army Airborne and when I said I was a Marine that really helped him respect us a little more! Then we got a phone call from a girl in our ward who I've never met asking what time church started cause she wanted to go. So we went to her house and talked to her about it. It went really well. She also brought her dad and mom with her! Then we had transfer news... dun dun dun... :) I'm ..... staying in Aztec! I love Aztec! Elder Rushton is being transferred to Winslow. My new companion is Elder Martin! He came out with me and I know him. He's awesome! I'm so excited! He's from Wyoming. This is going to be a good up coming transfer.

       Sunday we helped out and taught sharing time in Primary! I love primary! Then we went around and took pictures for Elder Rushton.

       So there's my week! Hope you all have a good week! Until next time, Hagoonee'!

Elder Chipman

Navajo Code 6/9

       Yaa Teeh!

       One of the best weeks I've had here in Aztec! Here we go! :D

       Monday for work out we asked our Tongan Ward Mission Leader to come teach us to play rugby. We also had a priest for the Flora Vista ward come play. So much fun! Later that day we played Ultimate with us four. Again so fun! Then we met with one of our recent converts. He loves to talk but he is very engaging.

       Tuesday we had the housing coordinator come and take care of an ant problem we had. Then we met with a 12 year old investigator, Cayden, who is moving to Las Vegas this week. We gave her a BOM and she had us sign it. Then we went to the park and saw someone playing Basketball so we joined in and played a game in our proselyting clothes.

       Wednesday was great! We went and contacted some Former Investigators and got one that was interested. He's a Nuclear engineer. He started off it the Navy, sad... but I'll live. ;) Then we walked about 3 miles going to peoples house. I love walking. It lets you be seen. Then we had a lesson with a man named Fred. This was the first time I personally had met with him. We set some expectation and put him on date forAugust 2nd! Yeah! We have someone on date! Then we went out with members that night. We had a great night with lessons. The members are great. They invited those we were meeting with to church and the classes! AWESOMENESS!

       Thursday we met with Tyeler. He's come a long way since the missionaries were told to stop by his house by the bishop 2 months ago. He wouldn't even let them talk! He just closed the door. Now he is reading AND applying the scriptures, praying on his own and with us, coming to church, and he loves meeting with us! It's a miracle to see the mighty change of heart in this guy! Then we had dinner at another recent converts, the ones with the kids that are crazy about going to the temple! The youngest and only daughter is hilarious! She comes up to us and goes like this, "Can I get a whoot whoot!" While pushing her hands in the hair. Mind you she's about 4 or 5. She would argue with us if we tried to change thee whoot's to anything else. HAHA! :D

       Friday during studies we got a knock on our door. That means we are getting a package. So we both run down stairs and answer the door. It wasn't the post office lady at the door, nope! Two Jehovah's Witness darkened our doorway..... great. I will say this is the best encounter I've had with them on my mission. They were very nice to us and we had a nice little 5 or 10 minute conversation. But to be honest, I'd still rather have the post office lady at the door. :P

       Saturday there was a carnival at Riverside Park so we went. Passed out like 5 BOM's and got a return appointment. I must say... I ... am ...... BRILLIANT!!!! I bribed 3 girls from the Flora Vista ward to pass out 2 BOM's for me. I gave them each two pieces of gum for there labors. Awesomeness! Then we went to go teach a referral in Flora Vista ward boundries. We didn't let the sisters take it because of the safety concerns we had. Well we knock and out comes this lady who tells us that the guy we were looking for is in jail. But she is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO EXCITED  to learn about the church.... Lucky sisters. Now that there is no safety concern they get to teach her. All well, they need good investigators too. :)

       Sunday after church we had a correlation meeting with President Dugger and President Batt about missionary work in the Bloomfield Stake. What a great meeting. We learned what the vision is for missionary work is and how we can accomplish it. Then we had a great lesson with Luis and Christy. They are so sincere about the lessons. They have some doctrinal concerns but they are reading and praying. Luis gave such an emotional closing prayer. He blessed us, the members who are fellowshipping them, themselves to know if this is true all while giving great praise to God. Wow.

      Well, it's been a great week! Until Next time, Hagonee'!

Elder Chipman

Navajo Code 6/2

       Yaa Teeh!

       Interviews this week = MLC =PURE AWESOMENESS!

       Monday we stayed at home and I got to finish my essays for College. I get to re write them and send them home today! Finally! Then for the holiday we had dinner at the park and played some games with a couple of families. Botchy ball was one of them. Fun stuff!

       Tuesday we had MLC. I really love MLC. We get to meet with a total of 30 missionaries, President and Sister Batt all in one room for about 8 hours! I learn so much during that meeting! It's probably my favorite meeting as a missionary! We talked about finding because the mission is struggling with it, we also discussed being a dignified missionary along with some other things. It was pretty interesting, for the closing prayer we decided to kneel down. Well President Batt got a cramp on his way down. He tried hard to get up then almost fell over! It was amazing to see how many people were right there with arms outstretched to help him. That is how much we love our Mission President!

       Wednesday we met with Tyeler. He is going through some ruff stuff right now so we just watched some Mormon Messages with him. I love Mormon Messages! Then we went for a walk... a mile + walk..... in 88 Degree weather!!!!! We did get some potential investigators out of it. :) And guess who rode a longboard?! :D Ok, what I should say is, Who almost DIED riding a longboard. :D :D Ya that was fun. I only rode about 15 feet and almost face planted it 3 times! I'm so skilled on a longboard it's not even funny. LOL. :) Then we visited with the Savages. They showed us around their garage where they had taken apart an engine to clean it. I may have just discovered an interested in auto mechanics.

       Thursday we got to do our interviews with President Batt. We go in a room and we get to ask him any question we want! He's so knowledgeable about the gospel! It's AWESOME!!!

       Friday we did MORE walking in, now, 90 degree + weather! But hey, we enjoy it and people see us, so it's worth it. Then we helped move a boot making machine that weighed about a half ton! Dolly's are so nice! We went to go wash it off at the car wash and I found a dollar bill just laying there! YOU NEVER FIND A DOLLAR BILL JUST LAYING AROUND! Maybe a coin but not a bill! Then we went to go see the less active family with the kids that are OBSESSED with going to the temple.

       Saturday Elder Rushton wasn't feeling so good so he crashed during studies and after studies I did the same thing only downstairs! Sleep is such a wonderful thing! Then I got to see one of the people I taught in Flora Vista. I think one of the most interesting parts about serving really close to where you have served before is that you really get to see who you effected while you were there.

       Sunday we went to go contact a referral, come to find out that it's a really nice less active family! Then at church we had fast and testimony meeting. Well the mom of the family we visited on Friday (With the kids that are OBSESSED with going to the temple) gave a really powerful testimony about needing to be at church. She told of how everything just lined up perfectly so she could receive her answer. Well she got her answer at 12 40 (We have 1 o'clockchurch) and went over to her husband and said, "We are going to church, Get Ready!" That must have caught him off guard! But hey, they came! Then we had a really good lesson with Luis and Christy about the Plan of Salvation. They had read the pamphlet and had several good questions about it! They are so sincere! It's great! Plus the lesson was in a members home! I love member missionaries!

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

Elder Chipman

Navajo Code 5/27

       Yaa Teeh!

       So the holiday through the emailing off. All well. :)

       Monday for P-day we went down and played two games of ultimate. Always fun. There was a good wind blowing though which did make it kinda hard. But it was still fun. Then we got to teach one of our recent converts. He is just soaking everything up like a sponge!

       Tuesday we did a lot of walking 1) so more people could see us and 2) so we could contact people on the street. No one else seemed to be walking... lame. Then we were driving around and I need to text someone. So I'm texting and next thing I know I almost have to pull my head out of the dash board because Elder Rushton saw some chairs on the side of the road so he hit the brakes kinda fast... I will say the chairs aren't half bad. :)

       Wednesday I went on exchanges down in Bloomfield with Elder Hullinger. We helped someone move for the first half of the day. Then we went out and tried a few people. Best part of it all though is that it's a biking area! Score! I miss biking!

       Thursday we had district meeting and lunch as a zone. We played the game of don't let ball touch the ground. Oh wow... that game can get a little crazy. Elder Rushton and I had both come down with a cold so we came home and took a nap. We then had dinner and went to basketball night. The people that play here are really good! wow...

       Friday we went and saw some less actives. We taught one family were the kids are OBSESSED with going to the temple. We did a lesson using the three cups and three knifes (CPR cups) and they loved it. At the end we were about to say the closing prayer when one of the kids said, "WAIT!!! WE HAVE TO PUT A PICTURE OF THE TEMPLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FLOOR! WE HAVE TO DO IT SO WE CAN GO TO THAT TEMPLE!!!" Oh that kid is funny and awesome all at the same time!

       Saturday we did a lot of walking again. A lot of walking. We walked for most of the afternoon. We then had dinner then we had an appointment with a less active guy. We watched a Mormon Message then talked about overcoming trials.

       Sunday was great! We had church then we headed over to my recent convert family in Flora Vista! The mom Rachael asked if I could give her a blessing. It was SOOOOOOOOOOOO wonderful to see them again. We talked then I gave her a blessing then we got to talk a little more. She is going through some ruff stuff right now. That family means so much to me! I just love them so much!

       Monday we just stayed home and did stuff around the house. I wrote letters and finished my essays for BYU. I also got them check by an English major who is going to go teach at TCU. So all I have to do now is re-write them one last time and send them in! Yeah!!! Then we had dinner with a family at the park. We played a few games with them. The main on was the one with a small white ball and two bigger balls that you try to throw and get closest to the white ball, what ever the name is. :)

       Today we just got back from MLC. So good! We learned how to correct with love and how to be better examples of exact obedience!

       So there's my week! Until next time, Hagoonee'!

Elder Chipman

Pictures coming soon!

Navajo Code 5/19

       Yaa Teeh!

       So the title for this week is going to be villains week......

       Monday we went up to Mesa Verde with our Ward Mission Leader and went to the cliff palace. Pretty cool. I was worried because I thought there were large ladders we were going to have to climb. We aren't supposed to be on ladders. Well I prayed about it and got a really neat spiritual confirmation that it would be ok. So we went. There were ladders but they were quite small and I'm sure they were ok. What a magnificent experience!

       Tuesday we went to Crane's Roost, the assisted living center. We helped them serve lunch. Those older people are funny and we are excited to go back this week and play bingo with them. Then we got to go visit Josh, a recent convert. We talked about the importance of scripture study. We watched a Mormon message about Elder Holland testifying of the Book of Mormon. Think about this for a second.... Elder Holland + Testifying of the Book of Mormon + Big Flat screen TV + Surround Sound = PURE AWESOMENESS!!!!

       Wednesday I was on exchanges in Escrito with Elder Meng. He has some bad headaches during the day so President has given him permission to wear his sun glasses while tracking. So we go to this house and get out and walk toward this Navajo that is outside. He sees us walk up and Elder Meng goes to shake his hand when the guy steps back and makes a fist like he is going to punch Elder Meng. We take a step back and the guy asks, "You FBI?" LOL!!! Oh shoot, that is the first time that has ever happened to me. So we explained who we were and why we were there and ended up getting two new investigators out of it. Funny enough when we were leaving in the back of his truck he had this really nice decked out rifle. He even offered to let me hold it... If only I wasn't on a mission. All well, a mission is better. So we drive around and then we need to go back to the house for something. So we push HOME on our GPS right, no problem. So we start driving then we see the way we came in isn't the same we the GPS was taking us. We change routes and it tells to go a different way that goes around the back of the house then out to the main road then to the house instead of just straight to the house. So we ignore it until we get to the main road. The house is just a half mile to the left of our turn off, simple right? Not for the GPS, it tells to turn right, take another right back to were we were and go behind the house and come on to the main road a mile away from the house and then drive in. WOW...... I hope I never need to use that GPS for real... After that we got to go teach a scripture study class for the members there. It was pretty cool.

       Thursday we had Zone Training. I trained on the Power of Testimony. It went ok. Not the best training I've ever done, but still good.

       Friday we were doing our weekly planning when we had a knock on out door. A black guy started talking to us about donating money to buy books for kids in the hospital. He basically invited himself in and went and sat down at out table. After a little bit we said we were poor and couldn't help him, at which point he left. Well later in the day we heard that there was a scam going on were people were trying to get money from people by making them think they were donating it to books for kids in the hospital. They also wanted to get into the people's house to see what there was that they could come back and steal. Great... So we got home that night and made our apartment better than Fort Knocks. :) So far we haven't had anything stolen.

       Saturday we helped some people move into our ward then we went and saw one of our Less Actives. Well he started telling us a story about how he had picked up this hick hiker and had driven him around and the guy got some oxycodone and he had shared it with him. He had been doing this for two days and then his mom told him that the guy was wanted. His mom told him to leave him were he was and drive away. The Less Active is now questioning whether he should've left him there. He was trying to defend the bad guy! I really didn't say much that lesson because I didn't want to say something that I would regret. That was crazy. Then we had stake conference. Elder Falabella of the Seventy came down to talk to the stake. Good stuff.

       Sunday we had Stake Conference. Nothin else really happened.

       So that was my week! Until next week, Hagoonee'!

Elder Chipman

Navajo code 5/12

       Yaa Teeh!

       Fun week filled with Transfers and meeting new people!

       Monday I got to play a pump organ over at the fort for the senior couples devotional. That was weird but awesome all at the same time! Then after we got our studies done we went up to Blanding so I could get some pictures with people. Then we hiked up to 17 room ruin. That was a lot of fun. A little scary because it's a really steep climb and it was a little muddy. Then I got to go say good by to Randy and family and play dodgeball in the tee pee circle one more time. :)

       Tuesday was transfers so I met up with Elder Rushton and got right to work. Elder Rushton is from Blackfoot ID. About 6'2" likes sports and is a really great companion! We got to meet with a less active family that really wants to come back to church. Oh and the dad is a Marine! Always a bonus. :D

       Wednesday we went and did service for a member of the ward. I had actually worked with them in Flora Vista! So it was fun to get to see them. We helped them put in some new plants in their yard. Then we went out and tried to find a potential named Shaun. Well Elder Rushton thought it was one house so we knocked and it wasn't. They said they didn't know a Shaun but they knew a Juan that lived next door! So we went and tried it. It wasn't the guy we were looking for but he said that he wanted us to come back on Saturday! Awesomeness! Then we taught a lesson to a family that wants to learn more about the church. Go figure, right? ;) It went well we went over the Restoration. Then for dinner someone had given us 50 dollars so we went to a Chinese restaurant. We ordered and ate about 20 dollars worth of food. When we went up to pay a guy that had just came in ran up to the cashier and said he'd pay for it. That was cool. :)

       Thursday we had district meeting and then got to go help our 1st counselor put up a barbed wire fence. That was a lot of fun. I got to drive in the poles! :) Then we got to meet with Lloyd. He's a former member that wants to get back into church. He too is a Marine! This is awesome!!!!

       Friday we went and taught seminary. Then we had an amazing lesson with Amanda and Benny! They are two really solid investigators. We taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ and invited them to Baptism. They accepted! They are the first people that have been on date in this area in over 6 weeks! Then we had dinner with a family in the ward. The dad was in the Air Force and gave me all sorts of grief for being in the Marine Corps. It was a fun. Then we got to milk their goat. That was really interesting. Then I saw a member of Flora Vista Ward and started talking to her. While that happened one of our other investigators pulled up and Elder Rushton was talking to her. So it was all around good! :)

       Saturday we helped clean the church. Then we did some service. I actually wore jeans. It was super SUPER weird. But I do think it looks more dignified. Then we taught a lesson over at our 1st counselors home to Luis and Christy. They are some of the most sincere investigators I have ever met!

       Sunday we had church. We have1 o'clock church and Flora Vista has 11. So when I walk in the first people I see are some of the people I baptized. My "Little Sister" had this shocked look on her face and walked over to me and gave me a hug. A lot of people remembered me and came over and talked with me. I got a lot of hugs, one person actually started jumping up and down while shaking my hand and she was over 50 years old! lol. Then we got to Skype our families. That is always fun. It really feels like I just called them at Christmas, weird how fast the times flies on a mission!

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

Elder Chipman

Navajo Code Cinco de Mayo

       Yaa Teeh!

       So this week has been crazy, again.

       Monday for P-day we went biking in the back trails of Bluff. SOOOO FUN!!! It was pretty windy but still well worth it. Then we traveled down to Farmington for MLC.

       Tuesday we had MLC. We talked a lot about companionship unity. As always it was amazing! Then we traveled back and had dinner with a senior couple.

       Wednesday we went over and helped at the elementary school in the computer lab. So much fun! Those kids are crazy and smart. They make me laugh. My name was being called like every 5 sec. Then we had a lesson with Randy and family. We had a good meeting then played with the kids outside. Then we went and taught Tristan and McKayla. We were just about done with the lesson when their dad showed up with a hick hiker from Australia! So we got to talk to him for a little bit. We gave him a Book of Mormon.

       Thursday we had District Meeting then we came back and went down to Little Water. We played with some kids. We played dodgeball. Well some kids got the bright idea to grab my shirt tail and just hide behind me. I tried to get them off but I only have two hands and there was about 10 on the back of my shirt. LOL. :) Then we taught a couple of lessons to people we taught would be new investigators but turned out to be less actives. Still good that we found them. Then we got a recipe for granola and german pancakes from a senior couple. 

       Friday we had a meeting with the stake president in Monticello which went really well. Then we had dinner with a senior missionary then played basketball. 

       Saturday we taught a lesson to Lasean then played some basketball with him. Nothing like playing basketball on the reservations uneven ground. Good ol' Rez ball! :) Then we headed up to 5 points and got to teach 3 kids. They are awesome! Then we taught a 70 year old Navajo. Then we came in for Transfer news. I got transferred! I was really hoping to stay at least one more but all well. I'm headed down to Aztec NM. Flora Visa is part of my zone! It's actually touching my new area. Crazy. That's happened to me twice now; Blanding and Bluff, Flora Vista and Aztec. Crazy stuff.

       Sunday was church and pictures.

       My new mailing address is:

504 S. Park Ave. #4

Aztec, NM 87410

       Well I'll email you next week, until then. Hagoonee'!

Elder Chipman