09/21/2015

Dear Family,

Here are the answers to the questions:

So I am serving in the Ridgefield ward and the Salmon Creek ward. It has been pretty tough keeping both areas straight because I have never done it before. We live with members. It is so funny. We live with a man named Brother Stamps. He is in his 70's and his wife passed away a few years ago. About 5 years ago he took in a man that needed a lot of help; his name is Bill. He still lives there as well. The house is pretty small, but that's ok. It is actually a really good situation. Brother Stamps was talking to me this morning and he said how much women hate to share their kitchen. Haha. So am happy with the living situation. The only problem is we live so far away from the rest of the zone so there is a lot of commuting. And...we drive a minivan! It's the worst! Haha! It is pretty humbling pulling up in a minivan and trying to talk about Jesus. But I am getting passed it. Elder W reminds me so much of Justin Coburn! Wow! I am constantly laughing. I found a reason of why I am here. The Vancouver West stake is at the bottom of the mission as far as missionary work, so we have a lot of work to do. We also pretty much don't have a teaching pool right now, so there is nowhere to go but up. I am excited for the challenges that lay ahead. The Ridgefield ward mission leader is awesome. His name is Brother B and he has been in the position for a few months. We had a really good correlation meeting with him. The ward mission leader for Salmon Creek is Brother S. He got called a week ago and we had a correlation meeting with him. I will get used to him and I'm glad he is really engaged and is looking forward to magnifying his calling which is good. I have a good feeling about this transfer. It might take a little while longer than Gresham to get things moving, but I am excited to see where we will be in 6-12 weeks. My area is mostly rural. It is pretty similar to Crown Point ward as far as that goes. IT is a beautiful area. Bothe of these wards actually touch the Battle Ground ward so maybe I will see a few familiar faces. Also a bright spot is Sister Butler from the Bean's stake is in this zone! Uncle Gordon set her apart as a missionary, so we have exchanged some Oklahoma stories.

So I have already made a few connections while I have been here. Gavin Ihasz was a visa waiter in Fresno that went to Sau Paulo Brazil and got home in June and he knows Jourdon. He doesn't know him super will, but he said that I look like him. I also met the Raymond family. Ja Nes graduated from Skyline High School in '79. She said she didn't know any Harts, but here might be a connection there. Her husband grew up in Menan. He said that he knew Bud Hart. I wasn't quite sure who that was, but it was cool. The best connection was the Bingham's daughter! She is in the Salmon Creek Ward Apparently she is moving to Rexburg soon. she looks so much like Sister Bingham. I had heard that she was in this ward, but I couldn't remember what she looked like. as soon as I saw her  at church I recognized her, though. She asked if I had just come from Camas. Haha. I was like no, I have served in four more wards since then! Maybe you can write her when you get a chance.

Thanks for all the updates from home. Sounds like football season is in full swing. I hope the Browns can have a decent season. I thought the Indians were done so that is a nice surprise to hear that they are in the hunt.

Things that little kids can do to prepare for a mission for your sharing time:

Bear testimony; teach how to pray; invite; understand the stories in the scriptures; pray; that's about it. Those all apply to pretty much all of us so hopefully that helps.

Elder Wilson and I had a pretty deep discussion about missionary work. We were basically trying to figure out why sometimes baptisms just come out of nowhere and why sometimes we work out tails off and nothing happens. The Ridgefield Ward had about six baptisms in the months of February and March and there has been nothing since. Then we watched the primary programs for both wards and it dawned on me how simple it is. Even little kids can teach the doctrine. It is not complicated. This is the Lord's work. We can either take it or leave it. We shouldn't get stressed over what we are or what we are not doing. As long as we are doing our best, we will return to live with God again.

Thanks for the email! I love you all and I can't wait to hear from you next week.

Love Jaxon

 

The first three pictures are with one of my favorite families. Sister Fann is the tall one and the others are her mom and daughter. They are all recent converts. She is the one who gave me the book The Infinite Atonement. The next two are with this awesome guy we tracted into.
Elder Reiley

 

 

 

This is Alex, an investigator that Elder Martin and I found tracting. I never seen anybody so devastated that a missionary was leaving. Then there is Elder Martin and I. He has been one of my favorite companions. Remember that video when they made fun of the introductions for football players? Look what I found! Haha
Elder Reiley