Navajo Code 12/29

       Yaa Teeh!

       Monday we got to go out and see Mark. He is getting baptized on the 3rd of January and we still had a few lessons to teach. Then we had dinner with some members and we helped them with their TV because it was giving them problems. 

       Tuesday we went on exchanges with Indian Wells. I brought one of them down here. We had a great day. We had 7 set lessons and we taught all 7! Busy days are so nice to have!

       Wednesday we went tracking and knocked into a man named David. Super awesome guy! He let us right in and started talking to us. Super prepared to receive the gospel and he works with the Winslow stake president along with several bishops! He already has, and is reading, a Book of Mormon! Good stuff! That night Elder Cook had a gift that he wanted to give a member but he didn't want the member to know who it was from, so we put it in a bag and doorbell ditched the house with the gift on the doorstep. Doorbell ditching on Christmas Eve, that's new for me! :D Then after we were in for the night we got a knock on our door, and there was Santa! He gave us a box of Chocolates. Lol. :)

       Thursday was good. We had district meeting which went really well. Then we got to go talk to our families, awesome, and then we went out and spent part of the evening with Mark watching some Bible video's on the life of Jesus Christ. 

      Friday was crazy. So Elder Cook had a doctors appointment in Winslow at 9. So we went to that. Well, he's doing good. At the end the doctor told him that he need to get some blood drawn. So we go to get his blood drawn and everything went great. I never have liked getting blood drawn but I watched the whole thing and did just fine. Then we got to leave.... and I got REALLY  light headed. Really, wow..... Who's the Marine here. Lol. :) Uh... it just made me mad. I was talking all day that I just wanted to go back and do it again and just get over it. But all well. I still don't really care for getting blood drawn. I have figured out that if I am around blood in a controlled setting, no good. But, if it's not a controlled setting I'm fine. Figure that one out.... :)

       Saturday we had a good day. We went out and saw a few investigators including Mark. Elder Cook and I were kinda sorta wrestling and he was behind me. He had one of my arms and was trying to get the other when I used some of my training from the Marines and about put him on the floor. He was like, "WOW, Where did that come from?!" :D

       Sunday we took some members out to Marks and finished the lessons. He has really bad pain in his arm. So his wife asked if we could give him a blessing. That was a really cool experience. The priesthood is such a wonderful thing. 

       So today we are heading up to Farmington for MLC. Fun stuff! :)

      Thanks for all the support! Until next time, hagoonee'!

Elder Chipman

Navajo Code 12/22

       Yaa Teeh!

       Monday for P-day we went slack lining, kinda like tight rope walking but different. Fun stuff. Then some guys came over and started talking to us about the slack line. Then we ended up playing Ultimate. Love it! Then we got to go out and see Mark. He's great and is super excited to get baptized!

       Tuesday was a blur. We started working but then we had to make some changes to our plans because the Assistants got in late cause we were planning on going on exchanges. We went on splits with two youth and went out and picked up the Assistant and Elder Cook went to a lesson. Fun stuff.

       Wednesday we finished our exchanges with the assistants. Then right after we finished that exchange we started another with the Sanders Elders. I brought Elder Jacobs to Holbrook and we had a great day. Around 7 30 we didn't have anything to do, so we went out and contacted some people. Well we decided to go see Yolanda. We knocked on the door and she came out and said that she had been wanting to talk to us today but had lost our phone number. We then listened to her vent for about and hour and 15 minutes about questions she had. Is was one of the most intense parts of my mission. We just stood there and listened outside on her door step. 

       Thursday we had zone training. It was great! We had the first councelor in the mission presidency train on magnify your calling then we had our stake president and one of the bishops train on working with members. Absolutely great! I learned so much from them. Then we took some members with us and went and saw Yolanda. The members, as always, were great. They discussed some things with her. It's going to take a while to help her progress in the gospel but she is worth it! Then we went down to Woodruff and taught Marvin how to use his new I Pad. We showed him how to use the gospel library app. 

       Friday I got to go on splits with Bishop Miller. What an increadable man! He is as old as Chris and is a bishop. And he is the best bishop I have had on my mission! Wow, he is just so fun to be around and is a great guy over all!

       Saturday we went to 2 baptisms, one for the Painted Desert Ward, one for the sisters. Then we got to teach Mark and then we had the Painted Desert Ward christmas party. Fun stuff. 

       Sunday we over 10 investigators/ less active/ recent converts come to church. The Gospel Principles class was full of people we teach! It was awesome!!

        I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas! Until next time, Hagoonee'!

Elder Chipman

Navajo Code 12/15

Yaa Teeh!

       This week was a lot of fun. Before I forget, again. Happy Birthday to Tristin and and Bri!!! Sorry I forgot!!!

       Monday we had a crazy busy P-day just getting random stuff done. Then we got to go teach an active member family to improve our teaching skills and seek referrals.

       Tuesday we went out to Adamana to visit with Mark who is on date to be baptised on January 3rd. Well before he got married he lived in his "Man Cave" and we got to see it. Now it's his work shop for making all his bracelets and stuff. So it's pretty cool. I love that guy! He is so much fun to be around. He has been through a lot but is still very spiritual.

       Tuesday we drove up to Tuba City for a Tri-zone Christmas party. After we had an hour devotional from President and Sister Batt, so good, we split up into two groups to play some games. The Page Zone Leaders took half and then Elder Cook and I took the other half. We played a Rock-paper-scissors race game, I really have no idea what you call it. lol. :) Then we played this really confussing fun game of tag. I'll just have to show everyone one these games later. They were super fun. After a while we switched groups and did it all over again. Lots of fun.

       Thursday we went to Winslow for a district meeting. Then in the evening we had a meeting with the stake president. Good stuff.

       Friday we had weekly planning. We did have one of our less actives call and ask for a blessing. That was neat to see him exercise his faith in doing that. He went to the ER on Saturday but he went to all 3 hours on Sunday so that was really neat!

       Saturday I got a letter from the Harringtons!!! Super awesome! Then we spent a good portion of the day tracting. So things are going pretty good.

       Sunday we had church. I then got to interview one of the sister's investigators for baptism. She is super solid. She's been through a lot but is staying true to the faith! It's some good stuff!

       So people are starting to ask me what I want for Christmas... I really don't want or need anything. The thing is if I get anything I have to pack it around with me where ever I go, so ya. :)

       Thanks for all the support! Until next time, Hagoonee'!

Elder Chipman

Navajo Code 12/8

Yaa Teeh!

       Monday I still wasn't feeling really great. So we didn't do much.

       Tuesday I picked up Elder Cook. Aw snap! This is gonna be a sweet transfer! Elder Cook is from Sandy, he's a soccer player, super chill, good humor, and is a FANTASTIC missionary! I'm super blessed to be companions with him. Well after I pick him up we went out and tried some potentials. We were going to someone's house when we saw a couple people standing around, so we talked to them and actually got invited in to teach one of them. SWEET!!! The lesson went pretty well. Less active wanting to get back into things. We read the first few verses of 3 Nephi 11.

       Wednesday we went tracking. Elder Cook likes tracting and it's productive to pass out the He is the Gift cards.

       Thursday I finally got over the bug that has been making me sick. So I feel great now. We had district meeting with a district leader that just moved in. It was a really good meeting. He trained on obedience. Then we went and saw Micheal, a less active and watched the first half of "On the Lord's Errand". He really enjoyed it. Then he asked us to give him a blessing. It always amazes me to see how the spirit can change people. It does gradually but it definitely happens! Then we went out and saw Mark. I love Mark! He is super fun to talk to. He's a Marine and he makes those para-cord bracelets. Well we wanted to get him started on reading the Book of Mormon so we read Alma 43 with him. Oh, he loved it! We said we needed to leave and he replied, "You know I have to read the next chapter right?!" That was great. He has really gotten into the Book of Mormon since then.

       Friday we got to go try a potential family. We took a member with us and when we got there only the wife was home, but since we had the member with us we could go in. The lady opened up to us and the member really did a great job and answering her questions and making her feel good. Member missionaries are the greatest!

       Saturday we got to go see Mark again. He had read the next chapter and he spent some time talking about it. We then taught him about the Plan of Salvation up to, "Our life on earth". Then we got on the topic of Zion's Camp.

       Sunday we get to church and Mark comes up and starts talking to us about Zion's Camp. He had research it and really enjoyed learning about it. We told him to look up the Mormon Battalion. He and I get along so well! He's excited to get baptized on January 3rd! Then we got to watch the First Presidencies Christmas Devotional. Always good. :)

       Thanks for all the support! Until next time, hagoonee'!

Elder Chipman

(Bryson also wanted me to mention happy birthday to Bri and Tristin. He thought about you during the week but spaced putting it in his email.)

Navajo Code 12/1

       Yaa Teeh!

       Monday we just had P-day. Happy Birthday Deklan! 

       Tuesday we went out and tried to find some new people to teach. Well, we knocked on this one man's, Stephon, door. He came to the door and invited us in. (We were going through the ward list so the guy was Less Active.) Well we came in and sat down and started talking. He really likes music and plays the piano except his eye sight is going bad. Well he played us some songs and then I played him "River Flows in You" that I had gotten in Flora Vista from the Harrington's. Thank you Harrington's! That song really touched him and he invited us back the next day.

       Wednesday we went back to Stephon's house and I played him "River Flows in You" as well as "Cristifori's Dream". We brought a member with us who said he'd be willing to come get Stephon for church. We then talked about the Book of Mormon only to find that Stephon has a strong testimony on it. That's fine with me! :) Then we got to meet with Mark and investigator and had a really powerful lesson on the atonement. We watched a few Mormon Messages about the Atonement and shared some personal stories with one another. 

        Thursday was Thanksgiving. We had district meeting then we did our studies and had dinner with some members and did our weekly planning that night because we had to go to Gallup in the morning.

       Friday we drove into Gallup to trade out the jeep so it could get fixed. So we are now driving a Nissan Frontier until the jeep gets fixed. I was told that I'm going to loss my driving privileges. Then we had a really neat lesson with a less active named ryan. So on Thursday we knocked on his door to set up an appointment and he said something like, I don't know if I can go to a church that doesn't let me drink beer. Jesus drank wine so why can't I have beer. I'll give you guys one chance to tell me why. So we went over and we talked about Joseph Smith being a prophet and we can know that by reading and praying about the Book of Mormon. He said he'd keep reading and praying. :)

       Saturday.... Right when you think you get out of the fire you get tossed right back in. President Batt called me and asked if I would accept a calling from the Lord to serve as a Zone Leader in Holbrook. I will also be training a new Zone Leader. My new companion will be Elder Cook. I'm excited to be with him. Then we got to go visit Mark and we put him on date for the 3rd of January. (It's so crazy to be setting dates for 2015!!!)  Then we got to go see Jimmy for the last time before he moves to go to school. Good stuff.

       Sunday. Woke up at 1am and puked. repeated almost every hour until about 1 pm. Then wasn't feeling great the rest of the day. Did go to a meeting with the stake president. Feeling a little better today but not a 100%.

       Well thanks for all the support. If you are waiting for a letter from me I promise I haven't forgotten about you things just get crazy on P-days. I will write you back. Hope you have a great week! Until next time, Hagoonee'!

Elder Chipman

Navajo Code 11/24

       Yaa Teeh!

       Monday we spent the day with Landon. He took us to Walmart in Winslow, we also got to watch him make a long board. Pretty cool. :) Then we had a really great lesson with Jimmy. The members play such a vital role there. We wouldn't have even been able to get close to where he is now without the members!

       Tuesday Elder Jensen hurt his back a little so we stayed in most of the day. I was able to go on splits and go to a few appointments. 

       Wednesday we went on exchanges with the Dilkon Elders. I brought one of the Dilkon Elders to Holbrook and sent Elder Jensen to have his first Rez experience. :) We had an interesting day. All our appointments cancelled. So for the most productive use of time was to make a list of people to go see. Well we were at the church next to one of the glass doors that lead outside waiting for an investigator that didn't show up. Well the sisters drove by and spotted us. While they were turning around we got up and ran into a room. After a while we continued working. Soon I needed more light to keep writing so we moved into the room. Then we heard this snicker and the classroom next to us the door slammed shut so we got up. We realized it was the sisters trying to scare us so we went and grabbed a couch and set it in front of the door. They were kinda surprised that there was a couch there. :) 

       Thursday we had district meeting and then we did some family history. Then we went down to Woodruff to see Marvin. He's doing good. He's getting close to set a date for baptism. :)

       Friday we did a lot of contacting because we only had 2 set appointments, one of which was with the Stake Patriarch to seek some referrals. :) (But that went went really well. :) ) 

       Saturday we got to meet with Mark, he gave me another challenge coin. He has a few of them, they are so cool! We started teaching him the restoration but we didn't get very far cause we need to get back to Holbrook. Then we had another great lesson with Jimmy about Faith. That also went really well thanks to the members!

       Sunday we were at the church by 6:30 for a PEC meeting. Everything went well. We left around 2 to go and get our studies done. The Stake President here is amazing! We get to meet with him every Sunday nightand see how the work is going. He gives such great advise!

       I love being a missionary and I LOVE Holbrook! The work is moving forward in leaps and bounds here. It is such a wonderful thing to be a part of. :) Thanks for all the support. Until next time, hagoonee'!

Elder Chipman

Navajo Code 11/17

       Yaa Teeh!

       Monday was a lot of fun. For P-day we went up to the church and threw a frisbee around. Then we had family home evening with a member family and one of our less actives. Then we had an appointment with some new investigators. Well when we got there, there wasn't another male in the house so we called and got there across the street neighbor to come with us. They are a great family. We got 3 new investigators!

       Tuesday........     ...........     ...............     HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIKI!!!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D For me, Tuesday was spent in Winslow on exchanges. They went well. :)

       Wednesday we went with Landon (a ward missionary who's 19) and did some service for James, a Less Active. We helped him with his green house and we moved some brick for him. Then we went to Landon's house and helped him split some wood. I love splitting wood! Then we had a lesson with some less actives when there non member grandson's were there. The oldest, Daymion, was asking a lot of questions about baptism. He really wants to get baptized. He's a really smart kid. :) Then we went with some other members to Kyle and Jordan's. The members here are great! They teach and testify so powerfully. We taught them the Plan of Salvation. Then we got talking about temples. I love the temple! We committed them to get married in the temple at the one year mark of them both being members. :)

      Thursday I got do some more work in Family History. I love doing Family History but I'm still a little confused how to do it. All well, something to learn a little later. :) Then we had a really great lesson with Jimmy. He's a returning less active. Again, the members make all the difference here! They answer all his questions and support and encourage him.

       Friday we got to meet with a man named Bob. He's a really cool guy. He wants us to come and read the Book of Mormon with him! Sounds good to me! :D

       Saturday we had a lesson with some investigators and picked up our 8th new investigator. (That ties the most new investigators I've found in a week before.) We taught them the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At the end of the lesson they shared this experience. "2 Sunday's ago I didn't want to go to church. During the week we had to go to Snowflake for something and grandpa drove us to the temple. It was just so peaceful there. When we left I kept telling him to turn around and go back because I want to be there! I'm willing to do whatever it takes to go to the temple!" What a true example of wanting to go to the temple, the House of the Lord! It truly is filled with peace. Then we got to watch the cultural celebration for the Phoenix AZ temple.

       Sunday we got to go to all 3 sessions of the dedication of the Phoenix AZ temple. I love the temple and I can't wait to go again!

       Well I hope you are all doing well and staying warm! It got to 14 degrees last night here in Holbrook. :) Fun stuff! Until next time, Hagoonee'!

Elder Chipman