April 29, 2013

Hello mom and family! It's been a great week with lots of exciting stuff happening.  This week we found some new investigators that we are going to teach.  This next week we have appointments. Next is one of our investigators that has been investigating for 6 years is getting baptized on my birthday.  It's his wife's also, but I'm so excited for him to have the blessings and priesthood power to bless his own family. He is a 37 year old Samoan. He is the best!  His name is Aaron Voaca. He is a great inspiration to all that he comes in contact with.

 

Mom, you're not slacking on the email writing for sure -  trust me, mom.  It's just nice to hear from home with what's happening and how y'all are doin' without trouble maker me, but dad should be getting a card from me in the mail today for his birthday, so it should be pretty great, haha.  How old is he now?  Can I officially call him old? Cheyenne has been slacking! I have only gotten two emails ever from her and like I said its really nice taking to someone other myself or my companion.

I am very happy out here. It's hard to get up some days when you know your going to have certain people judge you even before you talk to them and all they want to do is bash with you but I don't because I think it's dumb because in the bible says "thou man that judgest another his soul is condemned" so I think I'm good at not judging people. Other than that I love teaching and visiting all the people that we get to come in contact with. I love to teach them about how much their Heavenly Father loves them and all He wants is to see you again and have you live in His presence. He wants us to have eternal families and learn from our mistakes here on earth. You can only progress so much before you wanted to come to earth. That's why we're here!

 

Sounds like grandma and grandpa have been slacking.  Tell them to write and send leather!

 

 

Well for mother's day I am going to be able to Skype you all to the home computer.  I will call you the day before or the day of to make sure everything is working.  Make sure when I do Skype you, everyone is around.  I only get 40 minutes, so use it wisely haha.

 

Sounds like you are going to have fun this weekend going to Cedar City. Here its 80 degrees and pretty humid, but at the end of the week they say that it's going to snow. You have got to love redoing the bathroom with the toilet in the living room.   I would take it out of the box and sit on it when I was to watch TV haha, but I know you would roll your eyes at me and smack me behind the head.

 

I love my Savior and Heavenly Father and what they do for me.  What they continue to do for me is unimaginable. I'm grateful for my support from you at home and my ward family here even though I get home sick sometimes I always remember that Heavenly Father feels the same way about all of us!  Keep your heads up and let'r buck!

Elder Davies

April 22, 2013

Well howdy family! I have had a great week this week.  There have been a lot of exciting things happen this week. We found a lot of lost sheep, which means very less active members, but now they are going to church. We had another baptism yesterday.  He is a nine year old named Cooper Kelly. His mom is a member and he couldn't decide if he wanted to get baptized until he turned nine then it was turned over to us. I found out Wednesday,  taught him Thursday and Friday, had his baptism interview Saturday, helped move his family out of theire house that same day, then had the baptism yesterday. It all happened in a super fast pace I know,  but he was glowing when he got out of the water.  It was amazing!

 

Transfers were this week and I was kind of scared what was going to happen, but it's all good!  I stayed with Elder Moody in the Blue Mills Ward for another transfer which is exciting!  The great thing about missionary work is you learn to talk to people even if you're scared too.  I just walk up and start talking about how Heavenly Father has a plan for us and it's called the plan of salvation and they look at me like either I'm stupid and crazy or I am answering their prayers.  It is soo much fun!

 

You started demo on the bathroom?  That's always fun and you better control dad so he doesn't tear the whole wall down and build a deck too while he is at it haha, but sounds like it was a bunch of work. I'm sorry the  supporting beams to the wall were desecrated. That is a bad thing, but it's a good thing I didn't fall through again haha. Sounds like y'all having fun redoin the bathroom with the grandma toilet which is perfect for you.  Don't want you both to break a hip hahahaha, might as well make a walk in bath tub so you don't slip as well. Dad would love that!

 

(Jonathan sent some picture home-this is his explanation of some of them.)

 Well the old guy is Richard.  He has bipolar disorder.  He is a member that calls us three times a day making sure we are going to visit him. He is a great guy, just doesn't have all the screws tightened up stairs.  The MTC photos that I took the most of the pictures of are the guys that are in Minnesota. They are who I hung out with the most.  The Samoan priests are in my ward that we take on splits. They are great guys too.

 

Well everything is great out here its just same missionary work just making each day a blast trying to keep it lively, haha but I love you all have a great week!

 

Love

Elder Davies

April 8, 2013

Well I loved conference too! It was very different watching it as a missionary. You listen a lot closer. I didn't fall asleep because I was listening for my investigators. I love them so much. It was quite exciting to me. I went with the hope on how to teach my investigators better to there specific needs, and we got lots of insight on how we can teach them better and just bear your testimony when you don't know how to explain it perfectly to them, so I will do that! We watched conference at member's houses first and with the Te'o family, then at Bishop Talimatasi house. Haha, the bishop said that he couldn't cook so I told him find me something to cook and I will cook it for you, haha, love it! He got beef short ribs out of the fridge and said "Okay, Elder Davies, go ahead." So I got a marinade and made bomb steaks. Yes I'm talented, I know. That was the very first thing I have made on my mission. I am pretty boss! I loved all the talks! What stood out to me was in a couple of the talks when Elder Scott said "stay on the Lords side and you will win every time" and when Elder Stanley G. Ellis said "bloom where we are planted". Those really stood out to me being a missionary. It gets hard sometimes but I just remember that there is a reason I am at this mission at this time, and I need to live up to my full potential to invite all those to come unto Christ. I know with the Lord on my side anything is possible.

Yes the Lord's work is hasting and you need to jump on the train as fast as you can, as you can tell with all the new missionaries. It's so exciting for them to get the chance to do the Lord's work right out of high school. I wish I could have, but its so cool to be here now.

New neighbors are always fun. Sounds like they are super fun. First be there friends, ask if they need any help around the house and with the kids (get Cheyenne after that) and the rest will come. Bear your testimony to them, that will make a lasting impact.

Well mom wait until July when i get transferred out to where I cook for myself and then send my recipes haha, but i love that food. I love this work and keep pushing on at home. I love hearing back from home! It makes me want to work harder even when it's hard to get up because I walked 15 miles every day and my whole body hurts but I pray for strength every day and it feels lighter and I can do it! Invite all to come unto Christ every opportunity you have and blessings will come. I love you and pray for you.

Love,

Elder Davies

April 1, 2013

Well it's true, another week down! Dont' know where it went, but its all good just when your having fun doing the Lord's work it goes by really fast.  Cheybug has spring break? That should be fun for her. Tell her to go start the atv and ride it around, haha.

But its a nasty day over there sounds like but here its sunny at 55 degrees somewhere around there haha perfect weather for us missionaries. Yes, it is very bipolar and humid!

My baptism went great!  It was a very spiritual day for us. We all were crying cause you know that Heavenly Father was extremely happy with what was taking place. You know, my first baptism I will never forget her. She is the best woman convert I could ever ask for.  The Lord will bless her and her family for as long as she is faithful in keeping her covenants.

Sounds like Brother  Mckell was having fun with the missionaries.  Its good to have fast pace lessons especially with members cause most of the time they know what your talking about! 

Transfers really depend on how long.  It's all done on inspiration. You could stay in one area your whole mission but most of the time its less than 7 months. Each transfer is 6 weeks.  I will probably be with Elder Moody at least till my training is done in may, so probably till then at least, but I think I will stay with him till July.

Yes, the package from you and from Bonnie and Ty and Sonnett all were great!  I LOVE getting jerky!   Thanks family! It is great to hear from all of you and love getting to know what's happening in your lives so far.

I pray for all of you at home that you will be blessed for my service here being a missionary. I love serving so I know you will all be blessed according to your faith and trust in the lord.

This week was way cool.  We went on exchanges which is when you trade companions for the day and proselyte in their area all day with someone you have never taught with before. It's very fun. The hardest thing right now is loosing more weight and finding new investigators.  They are just sooo hard to find when they don't want to talk to you, but I know anything is possible with the lord!

I love you all keep up the great work I know you are doing! Talk to y'all next week

Elder Davies

March 25, 2013

Yes it is and was cold. It's sooooooo cold... dumb humidity. It sucks, but good thing that I have warm gloves and sweaters! Sounds and looked like Milles and you guys was having wayyyy too much fun without uncle Jon there.  Hope it was super fun.

I loved that trip to the visitors center. Mom,  it is one of the best ways to teach your investigators without you talking but when you do talk they start crying because the spirit is so strong, I love Sister Mavis Te'o and that new family we are teaching.  I relate and can talk to the boys and dad of that family very well.  They are what we call the "golden" investigators.  They will be baptized soon, but it's all in the Lords hands to make it known to them that this is the only true gospel and it makes it so families can be together forever. Um, that is so cool mom. Get the ward invovled in the work. They help so much in converting people and just being there friends.  FEED the missionaries please mom if they need it . I haven't got any packages other from you mom so unless they haven't shown up yet or got stolen haha idk what happened. 

1. Cheyenne, walking is essential to missionary work.  I love to walk,  just my feet take a beating when they are cold and wet all day long but you know this big strong cowboy can take it so its all good. 

2. Favorite new thing I've tried... I would have to say koko samoa and chop sui.  The koko samoa is a drink tastes like nothing you have tasted before. It's kinda weird cause you have to chew it a little bit to get it down.  Chop sui is rice noodles and meat and its sooooo tasty i love it! Mom and Dad I couldn't have gotten here today without your help! I trust in the lord every day knowing everything is going to be ok.  I love this work! Keep pushing forward!

love you all

Elder Davies

Fill in the blank...

Dear Family,

Well that's way cool. I hope Cheybug had fun with her whoopin' dancing.  Well, I made it here safe so no need to worry! We live in a ghetto place!  Mom believe me when I say it's worse than West Valley, haha! Only me and my companion live in this apartment. I have lost 15 pounds, but I am eating great, having eggs for breakfast and a salad for lunch than a portioned Samoan dinner, haha. My favorite Samoan food is chop suey. Way good!  Look it up and cook it, haha, yum!  

Elder moody is the third oldest in his family. He has two older brothers and one younger one and younger sister Cheyenne's age. He is the first missionary in his family.  He is showing by example. He has lived in Utah his whole life.  He wants to be a professional bull rider when he gets home. I am his first companion he has to train. He has been out for 8 months, crazy, he says he feels like he just got here hahah!  We get along just fine. We have the same interests and I love that we do everything the same.  He just is cool!

Testimony and conversion, hard topic!  (I told him that I had recently spoke on that topic)  Just saying it's not easy to convert people.  I hope it went well cause you will be blessed for it. Oh I'm jealous that you're going to see my big guy and the rest of the family. I miss you and pray for them every day all day! (I told him that I would send pictures of Miles "eating" his birthday cake)  Haha, be sure to send those pictures that would make my day even better. (I told him that grandpa was having surgery)  Oh that's not good.  Tell him to cowboy up and everything will work out. I hope he heals fast and I will pray for him. Trent is in that competition,  fun fun!  I hope he takes the whole party!  Kris bought a animal, hahahaha, well she is getting old and soft after all!

Below are the answers to his fill-in-the-blank for the week:

1. Tell me about your flight and your experience in the mission home:  Oh I hate flying. Never again, mother!  I don't like the turbulence. I love being up there and seeing everything, just like it better on the ground!

2. Tell me at least one good thing that has happened to you this week:  Well one good thing that happened to me last week was we got 8 new investigators and we eat very good all the time haha!  First baptism is on the 30 and the next is on the 6. So excited!

2.5   The bad things about last week... You would be proud of me!  So we were tracting with one of the priests of the ward when a white van with the words "I laugh at hell cause I'm going to heaven are u?" drove past.  He was a baptist and this guy was laying into us on how were wrong and how Joseph Smith is trash and so is the Book of Mormon. All he was doing was bashing on us! I stood my ground, I smiled and said I'm glad you think that but you're not right. He gave us bible scripture to look up to prove we were preaching false doctrine.  Yeah, it was all talking about him. It said "for he that judge, he is condemned to hell."  Well, he ain't goin' to heaven, haha.

3. Tell me one thing that has you discouraged:  Well we have to memorize the preach me gospel lessons word for word and it sucks, but I will get it done.

4. Are you doing our laundry?  Of course mother. I have done it 5 times already, haha.   It's not that bad. We do it at a members house as were having breakfast, haha.

5. Are you cleaning up after yourself?  I am the only one in the apartment that cares about cleaning. I clean when I get something dirty or anything.

6. Is there anything you need?  Anything I need?  Um more of my friends, preferable the girls to send me letters. I think that's everything. All else is good, thanks mom.

7. Describe the Warrensburg area to me.  What does it like? Weather?  We are in the town of Blue Mills.  It's city with hills and flat parts too. It looks brown lots of trees, acorn trees with LOTS of squirrels haha. It's way big. It's like Spanish Fork size but more populated. We have a part time car. I like to walk more but I hate using the car cause I don't lose weight driving a car, haha. The weather here sucks, humid, one day its 82 the next its 32. It is ripping my immune system apart, but I'm getting through it. It's kinda ghetto with a lot of pitbull dogs in some parts but mostly good all the rest.

8. Have you heard from anyone else?   I loved the package you sent me, but I wish there would have been some jerky in it.. I'm sharing it with Elder Moody. He loves the stuff!  It's always good to send stuff. I love getting jerky and the Mio energy.  It's the best here. I have not heard from anyone. It sucks, but two days and I will be at my one month mark!

 

I love you too, Mom. Miss you, keep up the great work!

I love you, Dad.  I will do as the Lord see fit for me to do!  I am glad I can be a person that the other young men can look up to.  If they put forth the effort, the blessings will come.  I can promise them that!

First Letter From the Field

Hey family! I had a great first week out here. Love my new companion. His name is Elder Moody. He is a bull rider from Delta, Utah. We are a great fit!  My first area is the Warrensburg Blue Mills First Ward. Ha ha, well got to tell ya I live in the crappiest apartment ever! My ward is 99 percent Samoan. Its a Samoan ward.  Good thing all we do is walk hahaha. Hopefully I don't gain any weight. I am walking about ten to fifteen miles a day, but they feed us every night, even twice a night haha! Way good food. I have two scheduled baptisms. A big black lady named Natalie who is about 30 and a little Samoan lady, about 22. They are so much fun to teach about the restoration and how it can help in their conversion. They feel the spirit a lot and I tell them how they can recognize it. My pday is on Mondays so feel free to email me or mail me. Anything new at home? Hope everyone is doing great. I love u all!  Stay tuned for the next installment of Elder Davies's adventures!

Its the best ward ever. They are so nice and make me feel like I'm home,. They treat everyone like they want to be treated which is how I feel it should be. Like I said my ward is a Samoan ward. They love to feed the missionaries so much you can't leave till you eat three plates of food packed to the brim with way good food. Um my companion loves to bull ride and hunt. They are his main hobbies. We get along just great. He likes the straight forward approach so do I. I love teaching all our new investigators on how the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can bless there lives. There are a lot of other religions out here... A LOT of baptists. They are so annoying.. blah blah blah.." I'm saved cause all I did was love Jesus" but I still drink and smoke. I love them still cause they don't know what they are talking about. I have been tracting. I'ts fun but scary walking up to a door and trying to talk to them when you know they don't want to talk to you. Anything else you guys want to know just email or mail me and I will get back to you. Love you all!

Elder Davies