02/09/2015

Dear Family,

Thank you so much for the letter. Things are going great here in the Cherry Park ward. Jeffrey got baptized on Saturday and confirmed on Sunday. He was so ex I guess his baptismal interview was pretty entertaining. Elder Parks asked him what it meant to him to have a living prophet on the earth. Jeffrey answered that it meant when you fix it (meaning repentance).  It wasn't quite right, but he passed anyway. I will send pictures of his baptism.

We took Shaylah to the temple Saturday night. She had such a great time and felt the spirit so strongly. Then she didn't show up to church and cancelled our appointment and we don't is kind of weird. Hopefully she will turn around.

Kate is so solid. She has quit smoking and drinking coffee. We have had some really powerful lessons with her. The Brinkerhoffs have been great fellowshippers too. We usually have the lessons in their home. Her husband is also ready to come back. He has been off smoking as well. It is crazy how much this reminds me of Julia from Gresham. They both married inactive members who never really lost their testimonies. Then they had kids and wanted to come back. They were both put on date for their 26th birthday. They both want to get sealed on their birthdays next year. Their baptisms were both the same day as a ward party. Haha. It's pretty cool.

So the YSA guy is awesome! His name is Noel. That is one of the best lessons I have experienced. He is so set. The only problem is with his wife. They don't get along well in the first place, so this might push it over the edge. It is bad because we emphasize families so much. I know that he will do his best. He is so excited about the church and Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. He loves coming to church and he absolutely knows that it is true. He said it is like a bunch of guys in a comfortable room, about 70 degrees. It feels normal and fine. Then somebody walks in out of the cold and comes into the room. It is a huge difference. Sometimes I wonder if we just get into a cozy room and we forget that we are not freezing outside. That is why it is so important to have spiritual experiences/witnesses that this is true. We may even have to spend some time in the cold to appreciate the warmth. I thought it was a good thought.

I am afraid Jordan and Mark are falling off. Neither of them were at church. Hopefully they will turn out, which they can, but it doesn't seem likely now. We will see. On a side note, two people called the Bishop this week and want to be taught by the missionaries. The Lord is blessing us so much and I am excited to see where together we can take this ward.

Nice sharing time mom! I will have to try that. We are teaching the 7 year old daughter of a recent convert  so that is a good idea to try with her.

So girls basketball is over? It seems like it went fast. The boys are about done? Who is the favorite for district?  I'm glad Austin and Carson are doing well. I bet they have made great improvements. I can't wait to see how they are when I get back. A lot of lessons can be learned through sports. Keep it up.

Here are some quick tangents to answer your questions. It is pouring rain right now and the wind is blowing hard. It is a circling wind so you never know where it is coming from. It has been fairly cold, but nothing like home. Low 30's is about the coldest it gets. There is no snow either.

Matt will make a great bishop. Just establish missionary work through the ward, not the missionaries. Different missionaries will come and go, but if the culture is there, then it will stay like that and it may even help some wayward missionaries. I will be sure to keep him in my prayers.

Here is a thought that I had this week. As a mission, we have been focused a lot of faith. Almost everybody has faith in God. I believe that God has the power to baptize everybody in Oregon. The part where most people falter is faith in themselves and others. I don't have the faith that the people of Oregon are ready for that. So try having more faith in yourself this week. Also realize that Heavenly Father deals with imperfect people. We don't have to be perfect or even close to perfect to accomplish something. We just have to be humble enough and willing to let Him help us.

I think that is about it for this week. Thank you so much for the mail. Everything else is going great here. I am so thankful for Jesus Christ and His gospel. I am looking forward to the package and the emails next week.

Love, Jaxon