May 25, 2015 - Final Email

Hello family!!

It was a really good week! I'm so happy about it :) the Lord blessed us heaps. me as well a lot. I felt completely normal this week. I was talking to Dean and he just said to plan times to think about home stuff. like packing and what not but other than that just focus as much as I can. so thats what I did. and it helped loads!! Dean is the man :)

I learned a good lesson this week though. Planning is soooo important. Out here we have weekly planning and daily planning. We set goals and plan things for each hour of the day. I'll admit I slacked a bit on that. we have some lessons that we get in late from and we just do a quick planning session and prepare for bed... so to all those future missionary's.. read some of chapter 8 of preach my gospel :) haha planning is honestly one of the most important things you can do to give your heart might mind and strength to the lord. get it done!!

Well I would love to leave you guys with my testimony. these last two years have been amazing! I love my mission so much. These last two years have changed my life!! I think about how much i have changed and honestly I just know how good it feels to do what God asks us to do. I know that with everything the Lord asks of us there is a blessing attatched. Nothing that satan gives will last forever, just for a short time. if we are on the Lords side we will not lose!!! I also love how God always gives us a way to get back to him as well. He gives us prophets, scriptures, prayer,church, family, and many more things. the moral of the story is that God is our loving Heavenly Father, thats something I know and something I will always try and help others find.

Joseph Smith was called by God to restore the gospel on the earth again. Thomas S. Monson is the prophet on the earth today. I know that he translated the Book of Mormon and that it is the word of God.

I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true and full gospel of Jesus Christ. and that because it is true we have a way that we can truly be happy in this life.

to say I know is pretty bold :) haha if you dont know for sure read this and find out for yourself. its in the Book of Mormon. Moroni 10:3-5

anyone who is thinking about going on a mission... just do it! you will love it so much :) its not even a sacrifice because of how much we get back.

I love you guys so much!! thank you for all the things you do for me. I really really love you all.

I'll talk to ya soon.

love Elder Wiser

Ossie Oswin - the Ward mission leader

its elder topou's birthday!! we are in town :)

having dinner with maria and her family. this is great!!!

May 18, 2015

Hey Mom, 

It is my last week!! what the heck!?

It is going to be so good. This last week was so amazing we have seen some miracles. 

I have re-learned some amazing lessons this week. Elder Magda and I have been teaching a man named Dave for a long time. Dave is awesome. He is really intelligent and whenever we go over we always laugh but leave with something to think about. It has been super cool getting to know him. So he is a former investigator of Elders Packer and Sever. Sever is in Palu's group and Packer is about as old as me. He is one of Deans friends so we thought we would stop by. It has been an adventure!! He can think so deep into things I always view as simple it's crazy haha it has helped me dig though. At the beginning he didn't know that God was there... after about two weeks he received and answer that God was there and that he loved him. but he didn't really want to do anything with that. He was just happy knowing God was there... but if God is there that means we need to follow him and we can tap into so much happiness in life.

So last lesson we just got pretty bold... it was so cool to feel the spirit that strong. We just testified about the commandments and everything. It is so powerful to be able to say "I know that is true" and we know it is because God has answered our prayer

We could see the spirit working on him pretty hard,, he had a good time of silence and he finally said.. alright. when can I get baptized? haha!! so he is planning on getting baptised this coming week.. its going to be so cool!!

I had the lesson of being bold reconfirmed this week. This is a scripture I read this morning.

D&C 121:43-44..... dang good :)

 43 Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

 44 That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death.

How are people going to know we know something if we don't stand for it?? if you know that Jesus Christ died for you and everyone then you better stand for it as much as you can..

Its like a little house :)

So here is a little picture I drew the other day... its rubbish but it works haha

So when we discover something we need embrace it, as soon as we have embraced it and seen the blessings ourselves then we will have so much power when we share it! its incredible how the Lord uses us as instruments to help other people.

Someone may be struggling really hard with a trial then one day just realize that God will help them so they when someone in their family has the same thing they can tell them how much God has helped them :)

I think that is so cool!! that means that each one of us is being fine tuned to strengthen our testimony so that we can help others strengthen theirs!!

"As soon as thou art converted strengthen thy brethren":)

I know these things are true!! everyone can find peace in the gospel of Christ. all we need to do is reach out and take his hand.

work on your testimony so that you can share it with others.

because that's why God gives them to us :)

love you guys!! have a great week!!

love Elder Wiser :)

This guy is Elder Allen..... sooooooo I saw him before a meeting and I said hello, and asked "are you one of the senior couples here?" It ends up that he has been on  the missionary board for like fifteen years haha how funny is that? but yeah he spoke for about and hour and it was absolutely brilliant :)

so this is Jodie! and her little son spencer. brother marshall is the member who baptised her :)

This is the suit I got! so I will be coming home with this one a blue one and the one American one I came out with. 

lunch with Ossie!

look at the huge truck! that's the first dodge ram that size I have seen since I have been here... I cant believe it was in Bulwell haha I saw a chevy Silverado one time but that's about as big as it gets.

This guy was so so so drunk.... we were going to help him get home but he was going to take the buss haha so he asked us to take some pictures of him and he took off his shirt..... so yeah ha it was funny!! I don't remember that in happening in Utah!!

stone soup...Ii remember the taste I'm sure you made it before mom.. do you remember that? I really like it!

another flower one

Found a bit flower patch! they use them for something but I have no idea what. Mom its your favourite colour!!

We were having a lesson in the park with Patrick and we invited these guys to sit with us haha!!! I think they had just smoked some weed but they sat with us and had a prayer so that's a little memory for them!! ha they said I look like Zack Ephron .. so I guess with a little bit of brain illusion I look like him :) that's good to know!

May 12, 2015

Hey everyone!!

What a crazy week it has been!!

The lord has been blessing us loads!! it has been super cool :)

So one thing this week..I left my camera cord home.. so i'll have to send all the photos next week.

But....... Jodie got baptised this week!! whoooohoooo!!

She is such an amazing woman. From the first time she prayed she felt the spirit.. she said that she felt like she was at home and felt peace.. its so cool how some people are just so ready for the gospel.

The service went good as well. Everything went as planned which was so lucky and we had some food afterward :) Elder Magda made some little pizzas and I made two cakes. I destroyed the cakes haha I didn't put oil in the pan and just threw them in so it was like half a cake... rookie mistake. but at least I wont forget again right? haha

I love those services though. it is a great time to remember your baptism and the things you promised. 

Other than that we had a great week of teaching people. Its been so cool lately I feel like all we do is teach. most of the investigators we have right now are down to meet up a few times a week. so we are just trying to balance that and finding. I have found that short bursts of finding is way more effective. but I have really grown to love finding so im cool with it however long we have to do it.

We had a family come to church this week as well. charity and Sergio are the parents and they have three kids. I think they really enjoyed it! having people who teach the kids is really great because the parents can just chill and listen in the classes.

I have really been trying to improve what I learn in church lately. and mom you always used to ttell me to come to church with a question. becaseu if you are looking for something you will find something or listen for something specific. so I have been inviting everyone to do that and I have been doing it myself.

Feeling the spirit is so dang good!! we had a time the other day when Elder Magda and I were teaching different people in the same park. We were teaching a man named akin and these kids that were biking started to yell at us.. I thought they were just taking the mic but it turns out that they actually wanted to learn stuff so I went to teach them and after about twenty min or so I finished and came back...  I walked into Elder Magdas lesson and I got hit with a wave of the spirit! it was crazy! he had just been testifying and it hit my like a wall it was so cool to feel.

The cool part about all of this is. is everyone is able to feel the spirit. anyone can pray:

Dear Heavenly Father.

whatever you want to say.

questions, things that you are grateful for. there is loads of stuff.

in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

That is how God tells us to pray.

by doing that we can communicate with God!

there is loads of ways that God can answer prayers...

what is one that you have seen in your life?

I get answers a lot from the scriptures.

there was one time about a year ago that elder higham and I were serving in Lincoln. we had a pretty rough day! we had been rejected loads and had been rained on... it was tough!!

so I came home and was looking for a bit of upliftment. so I opened the Book of Mormon and did a random flick and pick.

I read alma 26:29-31

29 And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again.

 30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.

 31 Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many; yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their brethren and also towards us. 

so that helped me reflect on some things... first off I hadn't been spit on or slaped... I wasn't thrown in prison... so I was being a bit of a sissy.

but in the last verses he says look at what we have done? we have had some tough times but look at our labors. our brothers love us and they love each other.

so at the moment it helped me switch my attitude to like ah man this is tough to we are being blessed with the people we have.

if we are grateful it makes everything better.

I know that God will answer our prayers. it has to be something that we actually need. I would love to drive a lambo but I don't think its something you really need haha there is so many examples of that. focouse on need not  want! its hard to find the difference sometimes when we are down here but if we are humble the lord will give us what we need

you need to be willing to act on the answer you get. like asking for direction. wither it be should I get baptised or what school should I go to. if you feel guided somewhere don't fight it. just do it.

always believe in Christ...if we put our faith in Christ we can do all things!!

I know that is true. this is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Christ is at the head of it and Thomas S Monson is at the head of it.

this Church is true!!

I know it!!

well I have two weeks left.. woooo!!! haha its going to be a good week :)

talk to you guys soon!!

love you!

Elder Wiser :)

May 5, 2015

Hey!! haha I'm so stoked as well!! its just weird that when I see your faces all be able to see them in sixteen days after that!! haha what a flippin day... this is all so weird for me! I have been sitting in appointments when teaching just feeling so comfortable and so good. I'm going to absolutely cram my last few weeks... stay up late and wake up early haha I need to make a list of stuff I gotta do so I don't die my last week but I'm going to work so hard. We have a goal to teach twenty lessons this week.... we have started off pretty good :) im going to leave my mark here!!!! this is going to be great!!

stuff is going good here. we are still teaching quite a bit and we have some awesome awesome investigators... I have really felt the power in bearing testimony this week... it has been insane. just really felt the spirit loads during them. even if people are questioning everything. just hit them with your testimony.

sorry.... this is going to be a little shorter.. there is a theology major dude sitting across from me that wants to talk... flip!!! so its going to be shorter

wo!! BYU-I it is haha flippin heck... I really want to pay for schooling... the thing is is there is a car in there.... lap top.... like... thinking about  it I just want to laugh haha I'm going to be so stressed when I get back... there will be no more buying candy all the time!! I'm going to be counting pennies :) I'm so excited to see what I can do though.... can I take the stresses of life on? I think so! its going to be great :)

 so it was Elder Palu's birthday last week  -Tuesday and we had a bbq planned.. then the zone lords called and said we would be getting four other missionarys to sleep over for a huge mission wide meeting we would have the next day!! and all of them were legends!! it was so much fun :)

we baked a cake for him! I did the inside magda did the outside :)

April 29, 2015

Hey mom :) man your harley ride sounds freezing.... plus going fifty or sixty miles per hour... frozen!! some of the stuff people come out with now adays though is really cool.. I heated jacket haha man.. Dad is a legend :)

We had an alright week.. Elder Magda was sick at the beginning so we only left for appointments.. which means this week we are going to suffer a bit... if you don't find for a week it takes three weeks to get back to normal... I'm hoping a lot of the investogators we have now will hold for this week. We have some really cool people we are teaching.

I am able to stay focused :) I don't feel trunky in a way that I don't want to do anything.. I'm excited but I feel normal.. it doesn't seem real to me haha its just weird that in four sundays i'll have been out for two years and on a plane.... man its so weird!! last night before I went to sleep I got really nervous about coming home so I started to read the Ensign and there was a quote that said "as seedlings of God we barley blossom on earth, we fully flower in heaven" I thought that was pretty cool. I was a bit worried about learning everything I should have, and things like that but going home is just the next step in the plan... if God sent me here in this time and this place then when I go home there will always be work for me to do.. I'm in the process of setting some home goals :) so moral of that lesson... out here I need to do what I can.. not focus on the past or anything else that is holding my back.. so yeah that was a good lesson!

My comp is way cool :) it's way weird not having an American. haha I found that Elder Winder and I have loads of slang that we use that doesn't make sense to people here... so I have had to work on my English a bit. as well there is just a different view on how to do things which is great, we are going to have sick last transfer of my mission!!! yeahh!!!

man palu as well.. he is so flippin cool. I love being around friends, him and toupu are legends!! we are going to tear it up!!

So we had a pretty cool thing happen.. the sisters in city center refered a Hungarian family to us because of Elder Magda. We were stoked!! so it was around seven miles.. so we started the trek and it was pouring rain!! it rained till we got there and got of our bikes. taught this family of ten Hungarians.... ten!!!!! what the heck! it was so cool!! they didn't speak much English so i just listened until the asked me stuff about America but it was really cool :) so we will be teaching them well I say we but I just sit there haha two or three times a week. I don't know anything of what was said but they seemed happy and were asking questions so that means good!

Man I only have four weeks left.... ahh man!!!!!

so I found a scripture this morning that was really good.

its D&C 101:8

I would type it but I left my scriptures so I could carry extra stuff.

Call upon God all the time!! Not just when things are bad. God isn't a bank he is a friend, we need to do things for him as well.  work for the lord and he will bless you!!

love you guys!

elder wiser

April 21, 2015

***Here are two stories I shared with Sterling - he commented on them so I wanted you to be able to know what he was talking about.

Sneaker Wave:

A few years ago I had an experience with deceptive appearances where the results could have been tragic. My wife’s cousin and family were visiting us from Utah. It was a calm summer day on the Oregon coast, and we were fishing in the ocean. It was pleasant, and we were having a good time catching salmon, when for some reason I turned around to see a huge eight-foot wave bearing down upon us. I only had time to shout a warning before the wave hit us broadside. Somehow the boat stayed upright, but Gary, our cousin, was thrown overboard. We were all wearing life jackets and with some difficulty maneuvered the boat, half filled with water, to where he was floating and pulled him aboard.

We had been hit by what is called a sneaker wave. It doesn’t happen often, and there is no way to predict an occurrence. Later we found that up and down the Oregon-Washington coast, five people had drowned that day in three separate boating accidents. All were caused by the same sneaker wave, which for no apparent reason had welled up off the ocean surface. At the time we went out over the bar, the ocean was flat and calm and gave no sign of any danger. But the ocean turned out to be very deceptive and not at all what it appeared to be.

As we make our way through this life’s journey, we must continually be on guard and watch for those things which are deceptive and not what they appear to be. If we are not careful, the sneaker waves in life can be as deadly as those in the ocean. (R. Conrad Schultz, “Faith obedience,” Ensign may 2002)

President David O. Mckay’s horse “Dandy”

I had great pleasure in training a well-bred colt. He had a good disposition, clean, well-rounded eye, was well proportioned, and all in all, a choice animal. Under the saddle he was as willing, responsive, and cooperative as a horse could be. He and my dog, Scotty, were real companions. I liked the way he would go up to something of which he was afraid. He had confidence that if he would do as I bade him he would not be injured.

But my horse Dandy resented restraint. He was ill-contented when tied and would nibble at the tie rope until he was free. He would not run away; he just wanted to be free. Thinking other horses felt the same, he would proceed to untie their ropes. He hated to be confined in the pasture, and if he could find a place in the fence where there was only smooth wire, he would paw the wire carefully with his feet until he could step over to freedom. More than once my neighbors were kind enough to put him back in the field. He learned even to push open the gate. Though he often did damage that was provoking and sometimes expensive, I admired his ingenuity.

But his curiosity and desire to explore the neighborhood led him and me into trouble. Once on the highway he was hit by an automobile, resulting in a demolished machine, injury to the horse, and slight, though not serious, injury to the driver. Recovering from that, and still impelled by a feeling of wanderlust, he inspected the fence throughout the entire boundary. He even found the gates wired. So for a while we thought we had Dandy secure in the pasture.

One day, however, somebody left the gate unwired. Detecting this, Dandy unlatched it, took another horse with him, and together they visited the neighbor’s field. They went to an old house used for storage. Dandy’s curiosity prompted him to push open the door. There was a sack of grain. What a find! Yes, and what a tragedy! The grain was poisoned bait for rodents! In a few minutes Dandy and the other horse were in spasmodic pain, and shortly both were dead.

How like Dandy are many of you young people! You are not bad; you do not even intend to do wrong; but you are impulsive, full of life, full of curiosity, and long to do something. You, too, are restless under restraint, but if left to wander without direction, you all too frequently find yourselves in the environment of temptation and too often are entangled in the snares of evil.)

Hi Mom,

dang.... those stories are for missionaries.. I have names come to mind that are just like the rebellious horse... but I also know the obedient ones :) I feel like most learn eventually but others dive head first into those oats and have to sort themselves out with what they are given... man im so glad i have learned what i have learned.

but ya!!! its my last transfer!! what the heck!! its way weird but im just going to act like im getting transferred again ha to the best area on earth!! the land of never ending p days haha that's what elder winder called it all the time :) there is a bunch of stuff i need to figure out for home so ill be thinking about that.. my thing is.. with these schools... i haven't had time that i can just sit and think about it.. there is always something going. but can i wait till i go home for it make it or should i just focuse more on it out here?

im down with either... BYU would be a better church experience.. and Utah state would be crazy and loads of fun.. i think BYU would be better for me so im in a good environment. after all the only thing that matters on earth is the gospel. so i should put that first. i gave into the fun side already haha so ill tell smart i need some more time... but i want to have some guidance of where i should go. that's just sort of what i worked out myself.. i don't know anything other than what you have told me. thing is i trust you guys loads...if you said go to BYU i would do it. i got that a bit from dads email. ha i think you guys know my personality really well.. i need structure or i get lazy but i understand that i need to choose because this is the beginning of my flippin life.. man its scary. but when i make a decision ill feel loads of weight come off me. ill make the right one. im just going to try and take Sunday evening and pray about it.. ill have a fast as well.. but based off my own mind i feel like BYU would be better for my future. i wont have loads of money to throw around when i come home anyway so ill have to find some cheaper hobbies :)

man i wish i could talk to you face to face!! ha im going to keep gathering info though. the hard part is all of it is opinionated out here. i get to talk to you may tenth though :) which is like twenty days away haha ah man..

with the guys who are depressed... i have that happen every now and again... the thing that keeps me going is to just talk with people or bear your testimony.. or like i try and have a good conversation with someone.. just something uplifting.. because if that's what you look for you will find it.. i have read the book of Mormon before just at random for some positive energy

.. hmm i would suggest to just find something that is positive that you can rely on to lift you when you are down.. its best to make it the iron rod though.. i have tried it with other thing but you can always count on that

mom i gotta tell you i love you so much!! during the week i just have moments where i testify of the family and the gospel and i feel so much love for you guys. i see the blessings from this gospel everyday :) i love it!

man i love my mission.

so with obedience.. that is such a good topic.. i really love talking about it.. one thing we talked about in family home evening yesterday was sins of disposition, sins of omission and sins of commission..

every bad decisions i have ever made was driven from bad thoughts... each and everyone. disposition is like dwelling on negative or like thinking like man im doing this why don't i have this! omission is not doing something that is good. so like your not breaking one of the ten commandments or anything but you see someone who needs help and you don't. or you feel like you should share the gospel with someone and you don't.. commission is breaking rules knowingly... 

so each one leads to the other. i remember times where i would do a sin of commission but i wouldn't feel the spirit leave... that's because it left at the first one disposition.. everything is a chain ha i have seen that so much on my mission.. 

like if for example lets say i have a tough companion... and i sulk about it all day.. i still do the normal stuff but im not happy to do it.... then i start to get lazy. like man why wont this dude help me GQ or something.... well im not going to..  i don't want to do everything.. and that leads to commission.. like listening to music to help yourself "feel better" haha rubbish. but i have learned that and i know that the only way to feel better is to repent and get back on track.. music or anything else we try and "feel better" with are just an illusion.. that is Satan's way of leading us down to the gulf of misery and endless wooooo haha if we follow the mirage? (spelling) that Satan gives us we will soon find that we have absolutely nothing.. one guy we are teaching has a disease called multiple sclerosis.. so when we are at his house he has everything he wants.. a great dog an Xbox and PlayStation a big tv..he has tried all these different drugs and everything he can do... (i felt like i was in a movie listening to this)... and he thought for about ten seconds and said... this is worthless.... i have everything i want and i have nothing.... there is a gap of want that i have that is never fully satisfied... dean was with us that day and he said.. man i used to do that same thing. i used to always thing ah man that new movie or song is coming out! then i would watch it one or two times and not again... or man i want to go there or get this motorcycle... but i never found anything that could fill that gap... until i humbled myself and asked god what i should do... he went on to testify about the gospel :) man!! cool huh? i am in a movie right now.... i read a scripture in Jacob the other day where he said that his life is passing away like it is a dream.. i feel that so much.. i have experiences where im just like wow... i bet that happened to alma haha its so cool :) i wish i could extend. 

I loved it :) then just like the days of old.. elder Palu and I testified of it and backed it with experiences we had haha I'm so happy to be around him.

so my new companion is elder mogda! he is from szeged, Hungary, he is 26 years old and has been on his mission for 14 months. man i can already tell you guys this transfer is going to be so dang good :) we are going to work our guts out :) he is the new district leader here!! wooooo ha

I had been district leader for 7 transfers. which is about ten and a half months.. i'll admit its way weird.. I came in the flat last night just doing what I have don't for the past year and then I remembered I didn't have to do it anymore!! man I'm going to miss it.. I learned so much being district leader

So a little poem I found this morning

"Champion"

Author Unknown

The average runner runs
until the breath in him is gone,
But the champion has the iron will
that makes him carry on.

For the rest the average runner begs
when limp his muscles grow,
But the champion runs on leaden legs,
his courage makes him go.

The average man's complacent
when he's done his best to score,
But the champion does his best,
and then he does a little more.

I feel like that is where I am at :) ha im so cheesy!! I love feeling like im a warrior! so when I read this I was like man... this is my last bit... I need to do a little more :)

This is my last transfer as a 20 year old missionary.. I'm going to try my best to leave a mark in this country, I'm gonna talk to everyone!!

if there is anything i know.. its that the church is true :) i love it so much. I have had so many experiences that tell me God is real and that Christ walked the earth 2,000 years ago so that I can become what I want to be and what God wants me to be. 

love you guys!!

Elder Wiser :)

man I had some time to email today! flippin heck that feels pretty good. I have time to ramble on and say stuff haha

im going to miss elder winder though.. he is a solid dude.

the new guy is awesome though!!

love you!

April 13, 2015

Hey Mom!! we had a great week this week :)

How are you doing?

Ha with stanton's letter... yeah it was good writing it.. I remembered lots of stuff I need to remember... I felt load of love for him as well... that kid is going to be something great... all covered in fluff :) haha remember that jackalope thing dad used to watch all the time? I honestly have so much confidence in him though its going to be fun to see how God uses him in Australia :)

Oh man ossie wrote you... that's cool :) He is an awesome dude! He is so flippin funny haha we will be walking to an appointment or something and he will just stop random girls and ask if they would give him the kiss of life if he passed out right then and there, hahaha it is so dang funny. I love that guy :) good old English humor.

Deans mini mission.... that was actually a pretty crazy week. ha! There wasn't loads to report on because all we did was find all week long.... we taught three lessons when we were with him.. he was really disappointed... he even had a day when he wanted to pack his bags.... he experienced what every missionary that serves experiences. There will always be times when you want to take the easy way out.. but only God knows what will happen if you stay :) because Dean was with us and all the hard effort we put in... we taught 18 lessons this week.. with ten new people who want to learn about the gospel. The week with Dean was a builder week :) but we didn't give up so God blessed us :)

Some of the people are so dang cool!!

We are teaching 2 familys.... which is my dream! it has been such a crazy week.. but we started fresh today so we have to do it again!! I fell like I'm finally finding a good system of how to be organized and not waste as much time running around contacting people that were not interested.. it works pretty good so far.. but I think we can sort something out so its better... we will see.

So a few of the people we are teaching..

One girl is named Jodie. she is a referral from the other missionarys.. she is so golden!! we took brother marshal with us and taught the plan of salvation.. at the beginning of the lesson she said she had read moroni chapter ten... but wanted to learn more so she started from the beginning and read six chapters!! what the heck!!?!! her son likes her to read it to her as well!! how cool is that?? then at the end bro Marshall was giving his testimony about how he received his answer 40 years ago reading and praying... he said he prayed every day expecting not to get an answer until one day he felt a really warm feeling in his heart.. he said he laid on his bed and couldn't stop crying... that's how he know. When he finished she was like no way!! I had that exact same thing happen yesterday. She already knows its true :) How cool is that? She is really prepared. 

One of the families is from Nigeria, they were taught in the past and are so dang cool. We have been over there twice and we are pretty good friends :) I love meeting with people who are friends! its a recharge for us missionaries and it helps the spirit be there.

I just feel good :) life is good :)

One thing though... the number of people you teach dosent matter.... as long as you do your best and keep working your a succesfull missionary.. even if we didn't teach anyone this week we would have found all day just like the week before :) that's what we do!!

True Nobility 

Edgar Guest - 1916 - A Heap o' Livin' 

Who does his task from day to day And meets whatever comes his way, Believing God has willed it so. 

Has found real greatness here below. 

Who guards his post, no matter where, Believing god must need him there, Although but lowly toil it be, Has risen to nobility. 

For great and low there's but one test: `Tis that each man shall do his best. Who works with all the strength he can Shall never die in debt to man.

sorry... I can't change the font or size, ha! I don't know how... but this is what we are called to do!! to man our post and testify of Christ. no matter what the results we do what God asks when we keep working.

God is good!!!

the church is true :)

love you! have a great week :)

love elder wiser

so I went off the rails a little and got some tattoos :) haha

April 7, 2015

Hey family :)

what a good general conference!!

I felt so edified during this one.. I was so so tired during each session but as soon as the opening prayer was said.. I was on the edge of my seat till the closing.. I flippin loved it!! I cant wait to watch them again.

So I felt like a huge part of the messages given was about marriage and fatherhood....... trunky!! haha naw I'm just kidding. 

I really felt the resopsobility the a father has though. It made me think of Dad and Grandpa and some of the other father figures I have in my life.. parenthood is the most important calling we can have.. it effects so much.

Marriage is more than love. its a link to the generations.. its crazy how the woman you marry... will effect every single thing in your life...from everything!! if my wife likes to eat gluten free mac and cheese ill eat lots! you know? that's sorta dumb but its like the smallest thing I could think of. I'm excited to have a best friend that I can work with in helping others. my mission has helped me loads with communication and things like that.. what I know is that a family who is built on the gospel of Jesus Christ will be a successful one. The church is true and if you stick to following the holy ghost and example of Christ.. you can't go wrong.

So with my new found drive to get married and have a family in a few years I got like a confidence in talking to girls haha so I know I'm a missionary so I wasn't being dumb but there was this girl that just got back from her mission from temple square. She is so pretty.. but I was like what the heck she served an hour from my house.. so I went up to say hi..... haha I got smacked with like high school and how scary girls are haha so don't worry mom ill be at home till I'm 30 :)

ah man jokes jokes :)

I love this gospel so much though..

Elder Hollands story of the cliff.. I have felt Gods hands lift me from the ledge. Jesus Christ will stand by me forever all I have to do is choose to stand by him.

I am a missionary from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints

I know this is Christ's church and I'm going to work so others will know that as well.

love you guys!

have a great week.

love elder wiser

Dean finished his mini mission with us this week.. it was so good!! we saw loads of miracles :) he is the man!!

I sent you some photos from Alexs phone as well. They visited Nottingham yesterday. I love alex and Wei Wen so much!! the sun is shining here as well. its the best!

mom. I was thinking about it last night and I want to go to Utah state :) is that ok? Elder Smart and the boys said that they will call you and sort everything out.. but the thing is is that I have zero money.. ill be able to get a job for the times im not in school and stuff but Smart told me that Utah state was more expensive... so me personally I would love to go to Utah state. I prayed about it and I feel that God is leaving it to me. I'm going to let elder smart know that I'm in but when he calls you, if you think BYU I is better. lll do it :) I just want to go to school ha life isn't about always chillin with the homies.. I can make friends wherever I go.. Utah state... man I'm so excited!! your going to love these guys mom ha they are nuts.

thanks mom! sorry for how bad I suck.. I wish I could talk to you face to face.. we can in a month or so but yeah.. i'll check my email in the week when I'm with dean. if you have an email you want me to see just make an eye catching subject :) and not that tuffy died or something haha I wont be able to see the email because of tears.

love you!

April 6, 2015

Mom!!! Hey :) Conference was so dang good!! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. haha I took loads of notes... I don't know if your remember the little orange book I used to have, but I filled it up with this conference!! so I filled a full note book of notes! I dont have loads of time left for today, it's bank holiday today so we are emialing at Deans house.  We are going into town today and meet Alex and Wei Wen! We are just going to have lunch and play some games or something.

 ill send some of my favorite thoughts though :)

What I got the most out of this conference was marriage and fatherhood, haha! the whole time I was getting hit with spiritual waves.. lets see

one from Dale Renlund.. a saint is a sinner that keeps on trying.. thats why we are latter day saints and not latterday sinners haha

man I look loads of notes

as well Uchtdorf talking about potemkins villiage... I feel like that quite a bit. so I'm going to try and be a normal human being.. I am me :)

I'm actually pretty districted right now ha we are going to emial for an hour tomorrow i'll compile some notes and stuff to share with you guys.

it looks like powell was way sweet though!! Dad sent some photos. Man the sunshine!!!! It looks way awesome.  

Shay ha I'm stoked to read stuff as well :) thats way cool with shelby auditioning for productions!!! i'll totally pray for her. what day is it?

you guys are awomse though!! I'll email the family email tomorrow.

love you!

April 1, 2015 - Bonus

Hey mom!! so Dean is with us on a mini mission.. it has been so good. We have for sure see some big miracles.  It has been super uplifting. Yesterday we were on exchanges with the zone leaders. So Elder Ross, Me, and Dean. So we swiched off street contacting with Dean.. we found 17 potentials in one day!! in Bulwell!!! how cool is that :) We were so happy. the Lord blesses us. on Friday we have 8 return appointments with new investogators haha I feel like im in a Utah mission!

March 30, 2015

Hey mom! holy cow.... its almost April!! that's my last full month before I come home!! ha I'm really looking forward it. there are some things I need to sort out but I think it will be really good to see how life goes.

The stuff you sent on faith is awesome. its funny how hardships can come in so many different ways. someone doing something or not doing something, our own halt in progression.. there is loads of stuff. its dang true though.. I have easily learned the most when stuff is super tough. it sucks in the middle of it but I have tried to have an attitude of building myself from it instead of weathering the storm.

what days are you guys in powell this week? that's going to be sick!! I'm super stoked for that.

Oh shelb has some eye issues... that's no good.  I actually feel like im going to fall apart when I get home. my teeth are on their last leg. my eyes. I'm fat. haha it will be good to get fixed in a few months. I'm still working out though so it will be fun :) I have planned a few things I want to do when I get back. some hikes and stuff :)

I'm going to Nottingham today! so im a titch short on time. 

love you mom!

March 23, 2015

hey hey hey!!

I love you guys so much!

it has been a way good email session today. you guys make me so flippin happy.

it has been a way cool week this week :)

first thing.. my companion.. Elder Winder.. is such a good dude! we are having such a good time out here. this area I think is going to be one of my favourites it has loads of potential and we are the elders that are going to get it done.

some cool things that happened this week:

We were finding in town center and we talked to this polish guy and his little boy.... we got a return appointment with them and they are so normal!! He is almost married, his house is clean.. he made lunch for his son from scratch. They had a families forever thing on the wall.... it had to have been made my Mormons! they are so elect! I have wanted to teach a family my whole mission and this one is so cool :) i'll keep you posted.

another one.. so at a family home evening the other day everyone one was talking so I decided to text random people in the phone... they texted back and when I told the people there they said that they do that whenever they go to a new area.. so that night I texted everyone in the phone.. it took quite a while. and quite a few texted back. but one in particular.. he is an English guy. he called and asked who we were... surprised that we are missionarys and said he could meet the next day. So we met him at the chapel...

We sat down and he said well... I better tell you guys my story. He said that when we contacted him he was contemplating taking his own life. The last 10 years of his life had been hell and he didn't know how to get out of it... drugs, alcohol, all the addictions humans deal with this guy had dealt with.. he really wanted to have a better life though and he felt like the missionary's were his chance. My companion and I bore testimony of the gospel, Jesus Christ and Heavenly Fathers love for him personally. It was such a cool experience!! We are seeing him again tonight but he wants to get baptised in April and feel the change that the gospel can bring :)

The church is dang true guys... I see it every day when I get out and work :)

I love it so much!!

eclipse!!

Dean a revent convert!!

oh and our boiler is broken... cold showers all week!! I'm tough haha

love you guys so much!

Elder Wiser

March 16, 2015

Mama bear!! :) hello!! time is going so flippin fast! I have been here for a half week already.... ah man... its so werid! I'm going to be back before i know it.

sooo funny news haha when I emailed saying I was going to Nottingham.. that's where I thought I was going. so the town I'm in is close to Nottingham haha I was so shocked when I stepped off the train.. it's really little! compared to Birmingham anyway! but we had an amazing first few days and I'm going to love my stay here. I'm honestly in the overtime part of my mission... its going to be a good couple transfers. my new companion is from Highland Utah and is named Elder Winder!! He is a legend!! ha we have been having a great time. He has been out for 8 months.. He is in palu's group :) all I have to say really is that I'm feeling really optimistic about this transfer. I love Elder Winder! and I love this area :) the members here are so cool! and I think I can use my talents a little better in a smaller ward. it's so weird that this is my last area..... so crazy! so on the map in the dining room its a place called bullwell.. 

my new address is 25 potters hollow, Nottingham. NG6 6PB.

I'm still district leader. which is crazy! that means that i'll have been district leader for a whole year of my mission. its been a good experience :)

It was pretty tough leaving all of my friends in Birmingham but we had some really cool experiences.. we found and taught some really cool new investigators! and some amazing people are coming back from China and want to start learning again... I think I should be able to go back and watch the baptisms! that will be really cool :) I have a photo of my last day i'll throw on.

I have learned some really important lessons this last little bit though.... my communication skills are terrible! haha well I have gotten a lot better and I think that will help me a lot in the future :)

little spiritual thought.. street contacting last night around seven thirty. there was a dude named Glen we talked to.. he had a pretty rough life.. but he said one day watching tv the channel went to the Jesus channel and wouldn't move from it. as he listened to the paster talk about how if we are depressed and lonely that God still loves us... he said it hit him really hard.. and that moment really changed his life. he had a scripture tattooed on his arm that I thought was sick. 

proverbs 18: 21 

in the foot notes it has matt 12:37 and alma 12:14 what we say shows what is in our hearts. be positive!!

there is a few different ways you can take that.. but the way that I took it.. is we control what comes out of our mouths.. we control our decisions.. we control how we deal with things we have in our lives!

there has been times in the mish where I have been unhappy.. whether its from a companion.. personal progression.. whatever.. we can choose the out come of the situation! 

good quote.... "those who say they can and those who say they cant, are both usually right" 

I know we can help any situation by being positive.. being positive is what the gospel of Jesus Christ gives us!!

the church is true!

love elder wiser..

this is the district... I went from ten missionaries to four haha and no sisters!! im going to have time to write letters now!! yay!

Elder Neilson from Montanna. he goes home in 5 weeks.. I have known him my whole mission.. he is a legend :)

Elder Toupo is from Tonga!! malo e lie lie haha I have been using all the tongan a know!! its been way good :) man anyone seeing this knows how sick this is going to be haha a district of four elders in Bullwell... its going to be so fun!! in call ins last night we are going to try and set up some activities for the transfer.. man I cant wait to see what we can do. I'm going to love this area :)

and I'm getting back in shape!! stant.... I'm coming for you :) haha we have a pull up bar here and push up space... it's going down!

Sooo Elder Sorensen was awesome and gave me one of his bikes he had. its a way sick one!! a little work needs to be done to it but there s a Frankenstein shop here that is going to sort it out with parts and stuff.. for everything to be fixed it will only cost about 25 quid when if I went to Halfords... it would be well over one hundred. i'll send you a photo when its done :) its flippin awesome!! and American. 

on the money side of things... mom i have been so bad... so that bike is about 25. I don't have money because I haven't sent in rembursments yet. and we have no food! dang it sorry mom... I really am trying to be thrifty but I spent a weeks worth of money for the old flat.. I paied for Sorensen as well.. and we flippin left haha both of us!! it was sick for the new guys though :) they came into a clean and food stocked flat. 

as well.. the glasses dude.. I just decided to wait.. and his good deals... were terrible. so he charged 60 pound for the visit..... 60 pound....... my face about fell off!! he did a really good job and everthing though. he was really detailed and told me what I should do when I get home.. thing is is i'm going to have to book a visit again when I get back and go through the same motions again.. i'll keep this paper with everything on it though... its worth 60 pound.

so mom could you pay for that as well? man i feel so bad. I should have just waited till I was home. the stuff I have is going to last me for a while and he said my persicription is pretty much the same its just that my astigmatism has gotten worse so my contacts stay off balance.

Sorry about all this mom. when I come home..... i have to get a job. I'm going to ask dad a few more questions about ideas he has but I think ill know what I want to do soon.. its between sales and manual labor.... thing is with sales... I suck at closing.. out here I can use the spirit.. I can't when its for money..... haha so we will see.. I just want to do something that I have to learn something.. whether its how to measure and do math or well just something!  we shall see :)

how you doing mom?

in response to your mail mom.. dang. thats a tough one.. thing is its pretty easy to be positive when you haven't ever felt real pain before.. your a tough cookie mom :) haha you are an amazing example.

God commanded you to build a awesome family even when you may not have known how fully. you did it! you will make it through this :) ill keep praying for you. i really love you mom :)

I get to hug you in like 10 weeks!! haha hwo crazy is that!! I'm stoked but at the same time! its all so werid to be honest ha I'm so used to being out here... I have so much more to learn!! ahh man!! we shall see :)

I love you mom!!

this is my new companion this is dean in the background. he was helping us clean :) that place was destroyed!