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
No comments:
Post a Comment