God's Favorite Thing About You

 (Sister Putnam)

Hello, all!

On Tuesday, I went through the temple, & an hour later, I was set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Wednesday, I arrived at the MTC, or, rather, I logged on, since, due to recent events, Missionary Training has moved online. My companion is Sister Israelsen, & she's amazing, she's actually also going to the Everett Washington area, so it's possible I'll be one of her companions when I'm in the field. She's great, & despite being so far apart, I feel we're unified as a companionship.

We've had daily personal study & companion study, & it's been interesting to note that rather than studying for ourselves like we did before the mission, we've studied in preparation for the people we're about to teach. I've found that in doing so, the study is more meaningful, at least to me, that it was before the mission when I was only studying for myself.

In one of the workshops we did, we talked about how we need to be converted ourselves in order to help others be converted, & how conversion is a lifelong journey. One of the teachers brought up a quote by I think Gordon B. Hinkley, which was, "if you know who you are, & you know the way, then that is enough," & because this was over zoom, the zoom group chat naturally started filling up with a ton of people saying "This is the way."

     In addition, here are some other notes from my classes!

- the cleaner the vessel, the better the spirit is able to work.

- as you serve the lord out of love, his ability to bless you increases

- the world would shape our behavior, but christ changes our nature

- as we work to bring others to the savior, we come to him

- as a missionary, I am a significant resource for enticing others to follow God's commandments

- the savior is not intimidated by the storm. Because he is on our side, we don't need to be intimidated by the storm either.

- missionaries' families are blessed, even when their families aren't active or aren't members of the church

In one of my classes, we were talking about how Nephi's family was blessed in the wilderness, & the miracles that happened, & we were directed to find one & talk about it & how Nephi's family was blessed for his righteousness.

When Nephi's brothers tied him up in the wilderness, (1 Nephi 7) & they were going to leave him to be eaten by wild animals, Nephi exercised faith & prayed to God to help him break the ropes, & the ropes were loosened because he acted in faith.

      If Nephi hadn't acted in faith, he might have been left in the wilderness, & been eaten by wild beasts like his brothers planned. He wouldn't have been there to build the ship & his family wouldn't've made it to the promised land. Or, say his family managed to build the ship anyway. Nephi wouldn't have been there to pray to the Lord to stop the storm, & Nephi's family might have been lost at sea & drowned. Or, say his family managed to also get to the promised land without him. He still wouldn't've been there to lead his family when Lehi, his father, died, or to lead his family away, when Laman & Lemuel became dangerously wicked. Without Nephi's righteous acts of faith, Lehi's family would likely have become spiritually lost, & we might not have the Book of Mormon today.

In another class, we were challenged to ask God what his favorite thing about us is. So I want to challenge you to do the same, to ask the Lord what his favorite thing about you is.

I love you all!!

Don't forget that you are a beloved child of God!

~Sister Putnam

Update

 (Elder Petersen)

Alright everyone so I know it's been a while so I will try and bring y'all up to date. So last time I wrote I was up in Franklin with Elder Dawson since then I have moved down to Richmond UT with a missionary named Elder Hager. He is an awesome missionary and very hard working! In the couple of weeks that we were companions I learned that he loves to fish, he would if he could fish every day and every hour of each. Unfortunately for him however we were only able to get to a place that he could fish once and that was the Logan River. In his time in Richmond he had managed to find a pair of Waiders so that he could go fly fishing. So because of that when we got to the Logan River on our P-Day (Mondays) he started fly fishing up the river. While he did that I sat on the bank and entertained myself while he slowly walked up the river. And this went on for a couple of hours as he slowly walked up the river and I followed him along the bank. This lasted until he past an inlet to the river and continued on past where I could follow him before we realized that I couldn't follow. And this continued on me watching him walk slowly farther away until it was time for us to leave and he started heading back. The funny thing is that was our last P-Day together because the next day we got a call from the Assistants telling us that Elder Hager was getting transferred out to Preston as the District leader their my district leader in fact... And I got my new companion Elder Bedah that day. He got there and unpacked, then 6 days later we get a call from the Assistants to the President telling us that Elder Bedah was getting transferred again down to Willard. So last Monday I drove for four hours to not only drop him of in Willard but also to drive up to Garland to grab my new companion who's name is Elder Quiton who just so happens to love cooking and baking just as much as I do so we have eaten really well since we became companions. Also since we became companions we have found 2 new people to teach, one of them is a 9 year old named Emma who wants to be baptized and is already ready to be baptized. The others name is Jace who is not as ready as Emma but is a pretty close second. We have not had a chance to have a first lesson yet with either of them but we have a lot of hope for both of them!

S2 E1: Commend Yourself to the Lord

(Elder Cummings)

This week has been another busy one, jumping from driving to biking, from lesson to lesson to service to lesson all over the place. What a blessing it is to have a lot to do in the mission field! Because we had a lot of lessons I have a lot of stories, but I'll only share a couple:

We show up at Joseph's house and he's like "yeah guys I mightve broken my foot" as he's walking perfectly fine towards us. Turns out while doing some demolition and trying to be a big boy hunked a massive piece of concrete and it landed on his foot. He said he's fine but the guy definitely broke it. After that we sat down and had an AWESOME lesson. He had a ton of questions about the Book of Mormon and the Bible and expressed sincere interest in the Holy Spirit. He's awesome!

We're teaching a friend of my brother's over zoom! Talk about a guy who is letting God prevail in their life. 1)he's a genius and does tons of research on stuff but still holds his own spiritual experiences as greater evidence than anything. 2) when asked if he wanted to get baptized, he was like "you know what, if God desires it of me, then it is something I should do". The guy's a beast!

This week we had a goal of 6 new people (people with whom we have a lesson and then a follow up lesson scheduled). Sunday morning we had 4 new people and had lessons scheduled and plans to get our last 2 people with return lessons. Unfortunately, all of our plans fell through on Sunday and we were left sitting at 4. But when we were gonna do some companion study I was like "hey let's do it at the park". We head over there and started talking with two young kids, then we start passing the football with them and then start playing with them. Later we went to finish our study and they come back and ask if they could join our Bible Study. We were like "oh yeah! What do y'all want to talk about?". Long story short Keedin and King loved talking with us and we loved talking with them and ended up teaching them about Christ and how we live his Gospel. We had a lot of fun and we agreed to meet at the park the next day at 5pm(today). Afterwards Elder Christensen was like "whoa they're two new people". And I was like "whoa they're two new people". It was so cool and such a tender mercy on our lives. Obviously, our goal of 6 people isn't super important and it's just a goal we set. But we set it with real intent and did what we could to reach it and God saw fit to bless us for our efforts. So cool!

I love the phrase used in Ether 6, when the Jaredites are about to set out across the ocean in their barges. It says that "set forth into the sea, commending themselves unto the Lord their God". What a beautiful phrase, they completely turned to the Lord and relied on Him to deliver them. When we all commend ourselves to the Lord we are expressing our desire and willingness to follow Him and to "let God Prevail". It's the way to live a happy, purposeful life so don't miss out and just let God prevail in your life!

Also don't miss the amazing opportunity to hear global faith leader and prophet and president of our church, President Russel M Nelson this Friday at 12pm(CT)!!!!! It's only gonna be 15 minutes of hope and healing!

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/message-coming-nov-20-hope-healing-president-nelson

For all the people who wanted it last week, here's the dumpster chair I fixed up last week...the hydraulics are broken, lost it's fluid or something, but I fixed the recliner using some screwdrivers and some WD-40, made the armrests stay on with an old innertube, and stuffed it with some old blankets where it was missing stuffing. Don't worry I've washed it...

Elder Nabrotzky's Birthday

 (Elder Slade)

To the best friends and family a person could hope for,

It was Elder Nabrotzky's birthday on Friday! We celebrated by having cake for breakfast, and no-bake cookies (his favorite) for lunch. I know, we are eating healthy. But we had fun that day throwing a party for him. I'll include some pictures.

We also, did the lettuce challenge this week, of seeing who could finish a head of lettuce the quickest. I took us about 30 minutes. It was one of grossest things. I didn't know lettuce could be so bad! Elder Nabrotzky blended his into a drink, and it looked nasty. We were all close to throwing up. But, worth it for the memory!

We also did an exchange this week, where I went with an Elder Holmes, also from Colorado! We had a fun time, but in the evening it got really cold and started raining really hard. We were out in that all evening, and nobody let us in. We needed to soaking and cold. To most people it would be a miserable time, but Elder Holmes and I were able to remain in good moods. What I realized from this was that the gospel not only brings happiness, but it brings stability. It brings a consistent joy that can withstand hard times, if we rely on Christ. The happiness we do receive from the gospel can be lasting if we last with Him.

I love you all! Idaho-pe you are doing well!

1-2. Elder Nabrotzky'a birthday! And me serenading him with a guitar.

3. The lettuce challenge

4-5. In the rain.with Elder Holmes.

5. Elder Huang's parents sent him some nasty Chinese eggs through the mail. We tried one. One of the grossest things I've eaten.

6. Elder Nabrotzky playing dead at a member's home, because they left their halloween decorations out.

7. We all had to take flu shots as a zone. If we were the first zone to all get flu shots we get a pizza party. Hopefully we win!

S1 E6: Take Cool Pics or Its Just Not As Cool...

 (Elder Cummings)

Hey y'all!!

This week has been been really busy, which means really awesome.

It was transfers this week, which means missionaries are moving around. Elder Christensen and I will stick around in the West Bank for my training but Aldana got booted to Lafeyette. It's a bummer but exciting, he's gotta start a Spanish group up there.

Also I found a pretty nice gaming chair next to the dumpster one day and I snatched it, Don't worry I cleaned it and fixed it up, now I don't have to sit in a plastic folding chair anymore!

The highlight was probably meeting Crezell and Luis. We had an appt with them earlier in the week but some guy straight up slashed her tires and she called and had to cancel(completely reasonable). But she was like, "We gotta meet as soon as possible!" so we set another appt on Saturday. When we knocked on the door Luis opened up and we got to know him well and man does he like to talk. Anyway, we had an amazing lesson and they were soaking it up and engaged completely; for Luis that meant saying something every 10 seconds or so, but man did he have good things to say too. When it came time I recited the First Vision of Joseph Smith: "I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me...When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!". The Spirit was so strong it felt palpable. We were all silent and you could see both of them feeling it. The next day they came to church and thanked us. They both said "this is what we needed, thank you". Man did my heart melt. Being able to be a part of a spiritual revival of someone is one of the most hopeful and exciting things. We talked for a bit and Luis was like "Hey we have to meet with you guys every week" and we both were like "YES that would be AWESOME!" So cool.

I want to testify of the truthfulness of the Bible and the Book of Mormon. I know that they are true because they have brought  me to a knowledge of and a peace in God that I cannot obtain elsewhere. I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives. I know that because it has changed mine. I know that you can obtain a personal testimony of the Book of Mormon and Bible. I know that because I have one. If you don't believe me, awesome, prove me wrong, please. Read from the scriptures, feast on them, pray about them and you will see a change in your life. I can testify that in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Stay safe,

Elder Cummings

Photos!

Just some beautiful New Orleans for ya

Halloween!

 (Elder Slade)

To the best friends and family a person could hope for,

I can't believe we're actually in November now! This year has been one of the weirdest years, but it seems like it's flown by. For Halloween we had to stay inside for the evening. We chad a pumpkin carving contest, ate a lot of candy, and played some games. Let me know which pumpkin you think is better! I also cooked acorn squash for the first time! I think I did it wrong, because it was not very good.

Apart from that, not much has happened. We do have a baptism on November 14th for a girl named Angela that we've been teaching for 3 months though. I am looking forward to that! She has been really fun to teach. Through her I know that happiness does come from the living the gospel.

Later today, we're going to have a lettuce contest, where we see who can eat a head of lettuce the quickest. It's going to be quite intense. We are going to get quite a-head in life! Lettuce not throw up though! That would be vegi-terrible! Haha!

Pictures:

1-3. Our pumpkins. Elder Nabrotzky and I's is the Boogie man, and Elder Holmes and Huang's is the bug-eyed one.

4-5. We went to a thrift store and tried on some jackets.

6. We put Donkey Kong in the microwave as a joke.

7. Our mission President and wife dressed as Nacho Libre and a nun for halloween.

S1: E5 - Loaves and Fishes During Hurrication

 (Elder Cummings)

Hey y'all!!

This week has been like no other, let me run it down for ya real quick:

Monday night: We got word that Hurricane Zeta was heading straight for New Orleans and that we needed to leave the next morning. We packed and got everything ready and had to cancel on many of our plans we had the next couple days. (WE WERE TOLD 2 NIGHTS)

Tuesday: Left at 8:30, we stopped at WAFFLE HOUSE realizing it would probably be our most real meal the next couple days. Drove 3 hours to Alexandria, to figure out that 12 Elders were gonna be living in a 2 bedroom apartment the next two nights. Got to meet a ton of different missionaries who are all awesome.

Wednesday: I woke up on a deflated air mattress(will not be the only time this week). Went an played dodgeball with the other Elders, then drove about 30 minutes to the middle of no where to meet the other half of my district, who were staying at another missionary apartment, for some district council. So cool, we would've driven farther but then we'd lose service and that's a bad idea.

Thursday: I woke up on a deflated air mattress(you probably see the picture by now). Then all 12 of us and about 6 other missionaries went to the Food Bank and packed meals for the needy and homeless for about 3 hours. After that we spent the rest of the day studying and calling people in our area to make sure they're ok and seeing if we could do anything for them(assuming we would be back the next day). And then we learned that we would be staying indefinitely until we were directed to go back to New Orleans.

Friday: Woke up(you know). We went to the Food bank again and put together meals for another 3+ hours. Met some awesome people there. One guy had the last name Prayer! So cool. Then we learned that our apartment back in New Orleans didn't have power still. All our meat and milk...gone. There was some lamenting and gnashing of teeth, but man we were having a great time the gnashing of teeth ended as soon as it commenced. We then spent the rest of the day calling and making sure people were okay, setting up lessons for next week, etc etc. We talked to some awesome people we had never met before but were more than willing to meet with us again!

Saturday: Woke up! this time in an actual bed, which was nice. Did our studies and reading, then went to a Brother's house who was doing construction. He wasn't a member but had some church friends and we were invited as well. We then spent the next 3 hours scraping off wood slats glued to his floor. THAT was a workout let me tell you, I haven't worked that hard in a long time. Reminded me of construction/demolition working for Bro Vines. Thank you for teaching me how to keep breaking and destroying stuff even when I'm tired and don't want to.

Sunday: Woke up, back in a deflated air mattress(too much to explain why). We went to the church service their and listened to wonderful testimonies given by people of all ages from 6 to 87. All bearing truth of Jesus Christ's divinity his role as our Savior. Amazing. Then we learned we finally had power back home! We packed up and made the 3 hour drive back to throw out all the meat and milk.

Sorry for the long explanation, this week was just too awesome to not talk about. It sounds kind of hard and not so awesome but let me tell you: I slept great, despite basically sleeping on the ground by about 2 in the morning. I got to serve people like every day!! When you lose yourself, you find yourself. When you focus on others, you realize your problems matter so much less. And now, for one of the greatest miracles I think, which brings me to the title of the email. I basically survived 6 days on instant oatmeal, protein powder, and peanut butter sandwiches. Every once in a while some members would give us some snacks, had 2 meals from them as well, which was much appreciated. But besides that, I was somehow completely ok with basically nothing, and it lasted! If that doesn't remind you of the miracle of the loaves and the fishes I don't what does.

I'd like to share my testimony that service really is the key to so many problems. Now serving others doesn't usually solve your problems, but man does it make everything easier. It makes your problems seem more manageable, less stressful, and easier to overcome. It makes you happier! Wow! and therefore your happy even though you have problems! How crazy is that. Christ really does speak the truth when he says: "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it". When we lose ourselves in serving others, like Christ would, we will find a happy, meaningful life despite what challenges we have.

What a wild week! Thank y'all for reading the whole thing🤣here are some pics