S5 E1: Down here in Alec

 (Elder Cummings)

Good morning y'all!

As I mentioned last week, I got transferred over to Alexandria, Louisiana. Kown by it's native inhabitants as Alec (prounounced "Ellick"). A couple of the districts in my zone are the following: Many (pronouced manny), Opelousas (pronounced Opp-uh-loo-sus), Lecompte (pronounced Lecount) and my personal favorite, Natchitoches (pronounced Nack-uh-dish). What's crazy is this isn't just southern accents getting in the way, it is straight up how these places are pronounced. Gotta love it.

This week was great though. Brother Yost, an old Louisiana native was picking us up to head to a lesson. Per usual, he started rambling on about fishing and good places to catch some bass when BAM all of a sudden we hammered a goose that flew a lot too low over the road. The best part was that after Brother Yost exclaiming "what in the SAM HILL!" the goose just got up amd flew away like nothing happened. We were going 45 and nailed that thing! Unphased, Brother Yost keeps on driving and mentions how he hates it when that happens and went on about how dense geese are and how he'd shoot them 4 or 5 times while hunting and they'd just keep flying away. Next thing I know we're talking about how he mounted a 9 lbs bass he caught 5 years ago that sits on the wall of his living room to this day. Gotta love the south, and I'm not even in Mississipi yet.

We finally get to the lesson and it turns out amazing. Turns out Brother Yost knows the wife of the guy we're teaching named Mark. On top of that both him and Mark used to be in bands when they were younger. Absolutely epic. We taught the Restoration and Brother Yost gave a powerful, sincere testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. It was seriously like Brother Yost and Mark were the only people in the room. He turned to Mark and looked him straight in the eyes and talked about his journey of gaining a testimony of the Book of Mormon. He said as sure as he was talking to him he was sure what he was saying is true. He testified that Mark's life will never be the same when he opens and starts pondering the message of that book. And then, Brother Yost gave Mark the commitment to give at least 5 minutes of his time a day to the God that gave His Only Begotten Son to us. It was amazing. I hope we will all find time for the Lord who has already given everything to us. If you really want to, you will find time.

Elder Cummings

-some pigs 🐖

My bike is like a retarded donkey

 (Elder Slade)

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

We had a fairly rough week, but the Lord's hand has still been in it. Our friend Joseph was all prepared to get baptized Saturday, and then the morning of, his dad cancelled it and said he wasn't ready. Then another person we had on date for baptism backed out of her baptism for this coming Saturday. It was really sad, and took us by surprise. Those combined with a few other things made this one of the harder weeks of my mission. However, we still saw great things!

Saturday night, as we were biking down a street, a man waved us down and wanted to talk to us. His name is Justin, and he is tattooed from head to toe. He said he wanted to come closer to God. We set up to visit with him Sunday evening. When we got there, he just broke down balling talking about how hard his life has been, and his regrets. He and his girlfriend asked for blessings. We obliged, and as we gave those blessings that evening, the spirit filled the room, and Justin and Megan found peace. They calmed down, and we taught them a little about God, and read some of the Book of Mormon with them. The Lord made us instruments in His hands to bless them. It was a really cool experience!

I'd like to testify today, that no matter what challenges, struggles, and setbacks we face the Lord is always aware of us. He loves us, and gives us tender mercies as a sign that he is there to help us and support us no matter what we go through.

Pictures:

1-2. We got bikes! Let's go! My legs and butt are very sore, but we are saving so much time. The title comes from Elder Clove talking about his bike, and he's right! The brakes don't work, and the gears are all messed up. But it works.

I almost left the WEM

 (Sister Putnam)

Hey everyone!!

So a lot has happened this week! On Monday we went to Ostrums.   A cute little gift shop in our district, and then a farmer's market that was soooo fun!! And we also went to target!!

Tuesday we had exchanges and I went with Hermana Hludinzki and we went into the Spanish area, but unfortunately didn’t teach any Spanish lessons. We taught an English lesson to a guy from Algeria.  He introduced us to his family, and his wife and kids are so cute, and they all have names that I grew up around in Saudi.

Wednesday was district council and we've had a ton of yard work service and it was awesome!! Busy week, super exhausting!!

Yesterday I made mashed potatoes, and pasta, and set the stove on fire within the same hour so that was great.

Also someone gave us a helium balloon so I'll include a video if us putting it to good use.

Covid restrictions have lifted enough so that we can have district pdays now!!

Ok now for the explanation on the subject line of the email. So the Washington Everett Mission is commonly referred to as the WEM. The Seattle Washington mission is absorbing the Bothell stake, where I'm serving.  Usually when this happens the missionaries stay with the stake and go to the other mission. Well,  president begged to keep us, and they granted his wish so we didnt end up leaving the WEM, and we are getting transferred in 2 weeks. So, we almost left the WEM but we didnt.8

Sister Alyssa Putnam

Zone Leader

 (Elder Cummings)

Dear Elder Clayton Matthew Cummings:

Thank you for accepting the assignment to serve as a Zone Leader in the Louisiana Baton Rouge Mission. This is a position of great trust, responsibility, and influence.

As part of your assignment, you will have a sacred stewardship to:

1. Set an example for each missionary in your zone by planning for and achieving your weekly Key Indicator goals, having effective study of the scriptures and the gospel, being obedient, working hard, always improving your proselyting skills, and in all other aspects of missionary work.

2. Carry a full proselyting load in your area and work with faith and diligence to accomplish your purpose as a missionary (see Preach My Gospel, chapter 1).

3. Participate in the mission leadership council and assist the mission president in training meetings and zone conferences.

4. Lead, train and conduct companionship exchanges with district leaders and other elders in your zone (see Missionary Standards for Disciples of Jesus Christ, 2.3.1, 7.1). These exchanges are typically 24 hours in your proselyting area or the area of the elders in your zone. Throughout the 24 hours, you should be a diligent example of sacred planning, exercise, personal and companionship study, and effective missionary work.

5. Interview baptismal candidates within your zone, including candidates who have been taught by district leaders (see Missionary Standards for Disciples of Jesus Christ, 2.3.6, 7.1).

6. Look after the training and well-being of missionaries in your zone, especially the sisters, and ensure that you and all missionaries live in strict compliance with the standards regarding conduct with members of the opposite sex (see Missionary Standards for Disciples of Jesus Christ).

7. Ensure that all missionaries in your zone abide by the standards regarding their proselyting areas, service projects and other standards set forth in Missionary Standards for Disciples of Jesus Christ.

8. Appropriately follow up with missionaries on referrals.

9. Work with local Stake/Ward leaders and members to coordinate missionary efforts.

Please report any concerns you have to the assistants to the president. If these concerns are confidential or urgent, please report them directly to me.

The assistants and I will help train you about your duties. However, please recognize that you also have a responsibility to learn your duty and magnify your assignment (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:99-100; 88:80; 58:26). Answers to most of your questions will be found in the scriptures, Preach My Gospel, and the Missionary Standards for Disciples of Jesus Christ.

You are a standard bearer and a servant to the missionaries of your zone. You represent the Savior and the mission president. This is a great trust.

As you know, assignments in the Church come and go. There will be a time when your assignment will be changed. Please magnify this stewardship while it is in your charge.

I am grateful for your help in loving, serving, and watching over our missionaries. Sister Amos and I love and support you.

With much love

President John D. Amos

S4 E6: Westbank Best Bank #blessedbank

 (Elder Cummings)

Hello y'all! Got some news for you

I will be leaving the Westbank this upcoming transfer... It was sad news but an exciting change. I've lived here the past 6 months and have made relationships with the members and non members alike that I'll forever cherish. I love these people and I'll miss them sorely. Now before you get all excited I'm not headed for Taiwan yet, whenever that will happen, only the Lord knows...I just wish He would tell me sometimes.

I'll be headed to Alexandria, Louisiana! For those of you you who don't know where that is that's ok! The only reason I know where it is is because that's where I evacuated to for a hurricane. Where my 72 hour kit of protein powder, peanut butter, bread, and oatmeal lasted me 144+ hours.  Miracles are real people.

Either way, the work is the same no matter where we go, we testify of Christ and invite all to come to Him. I have learned a ton here in the Westbank, and Alexandira will give me a chance to learn things I never could here. What's awesome is I still got a lot to learn.

I could go on about this week. I grew to have a greater appreciation for the allegory of the Olive tree after I spent a whole day in an orange farm pruning and cleaning a couple of the 100+ trees that were there. However I don't remember Jacob talking about all the fire ants and poison ivy...I should've read up on that more.

One thing I learned is the care and attention it takes to prepare a tree so it can bear forth fruit. 1)God is very aware of us and what He wants us to be, He knows our struggles and challenges and knows what will be best for us. He is careful with us, much like the master is very particular and caring for his olive trees. 2) it takes pruning and cutting to prepare the tree for fruit, and ultimately a more successful blooming. Whenever we feel defeated or deflated we can always remember that God is the Gardener. He knows what He wants us to be. And we can say, when we bear forth fruit, "Thank you Gardener for cutting me down, for loving me enough to hurt me". Trust in the particular attention God has for you, and the high hopes and wishes He has for your life, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Elder Cummings

1. Why did the duck cross the road?

2+3 Before and after of some trees

4.just bragging about President and Sister Palmer, some of the kindest most loving people I have met in my mission so far. They give their all for the Lord even with their crazy busy lives and they're rocking it

W15: Hail is just angry snow

 (Sister Putnam)

Hi everyone!

It's been another week! I think this is week 15? I'm not sure lol. But on Tuesday we got a lot of hail and I am now convinced that hail is just angry snow. Wednesday was zone conference and Sister Madsen and I gave a musical number, we sang I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus, and Sister Clark in our district played the accompaniment on the guitar. On Friday (or Saturday?) we did service with this lady named Susan, she’s awesome! We did yard work with her and talked about the differences in what we believe and we had so much in common and that was awesome!

On Sunday I gave a talk on service and that was awesome!

Ok love you all!!

Sister Alyssa Putnam

The grumpy cat that followed us

 (Elder Slade)

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

Things are going well here in Idaho Falls. One big highlight this week was that we met with our friend Laticia, the slightly schizophrenic person we are teaching, and we taught about baptism. She accepted an invitation to be baptized on May 1! She has such a tender heart, and talks about heaven with such reverence as she talks about a place with rest, peace, no worry or stress. She is pretty awesome, and we're excited to be helping her! More exciting news is that our friend Joseph is getting baptized this Saturday! Pray that everything will run smoothly!

As for the title, last night, we knocked on an a lady's house, and she was trying to kick a stray cat out of her house. I said, "We'll take it!" So we took it, and started walking away. It was one of the grumpiest cats I've ever met! It was hissing, and complaining, but was just too lazy to really fight back! We asked a few people if it was their cat, and they said no. We ended up just putting the cat down, hoping it finds it's way home. We started walking home, and it just started following us. It followed us for a good mile and half, as we walked home! We aren't allowed to have pets, so we ended up knocking on a members door asking for help. They came outside distracting the cat while we just booked it home. It was a pretty funny experience!

A tender mercy happened because of it though. There were some people outside next to a fire that night. One of the people there was a man named Wade who we have been trying to work with, but he had expressed little interest before. When they saw us with the cat though, they invited us over to the fire, and started talking and laughing with us. Wade ended up really opening up, and he said we could come by anytime and talk with them. The Lord works in mysterious ways, opening doors that couldn't be opened before. I know the Lord has power to work in the details of our lives.

Love yall!

1-2. Zone conference. We're doing some role plays of teaching. It caught me rigytvas I was adjusting my mask.

3-5. The cat that followed us.