Transfers...

Dear Family,

 

Well what to say, that is my biggest problem, I never really know what to say.  Missionary life is awesome, but it flies so every Monday when I sit down to write you a letter, or email it is a little bit hard for me to say anything, because it doesn't seem like that long ago!  Does that make any sense?

 

Well anyways it is my first go at transfers, and all week there have been rumors flying around. I tried to ignore them but they were focused around Elder Thompson so of course a listened.  One thing was for sure, Elder Allen was going home today, but that was about it.  When we finally checked, well I am going to tell you about my week first.  

 

This week as a wrote in my journal I decided to change the focus of my writings, I have been writing about people, and lessons, but I realized that I shouldn't care as much about that, I will still write about my investigators, and a select few members, but I want to focus on my growth, my learning, and spiritual expiriences as well.  I will do that in my letters, and emails home as well.  

 

I had a pretty good week, my studies did suffer a little because Allen was all over the place.  I wouldn't say he was trunky as much as I would say he was antsy, ready to go.  But as a result everybody had a pretty bad study week.  

 

We are continueing to teach Amber Griffith twice a week, but Justin's mother has flaked two weeks in a row now on picking him up.  Without them, the Griffith's car is not big enough to fit the whole family into it, so they can't come on their own.  It is frustrating!!!

 

Sunday we had Regional Conference broadcasted from salt lake.  President Packer, President Eyring, and President Rasband were all their, and spoke.  It was very cool and Eyring's talk was incredible.  He talked about the Prophet, and how we can and should support him. 

 

This week we ate dinner with a part member family, and the non-member husband was willing to have us come and help out on Saturday, so we went, and chopped up a fallen tree, and burned all of the branches... the flames were probably 20-30 feet high, it was awesome, we had so much fun.  He also came to conference, it was awesome to see him there.  

 

This week we were able to give two priesthood blessings as well.  One of which was an answer to a less-active lady's fast.  It is so cool how the lord inspires missionaries in the simplest of ways.  I love being a missionary, and it really does fly, I have now been out here for two months or 61 days!  I am not counting, I just kind of realize the days.  Well I had better wrap this up.  I love you all a bunch. Be safe!

 

Love Elder Ellsworth

Nick's email kinda left us hanging... he never mentioned transfers. About 30 minutes later we received this follow-up.

Well I kind of figured that you would now be freaking out about transfers.  Elder Thompson is going to Yuba City as a Zone Leader, my new companion is Elder McAllister.  Never met him ha well this goes to show that Missionaries can have a sense of Humor!!  

Darn!!

Well this week was a little bit of a let down.  I was expecting a package  everyday, and it never came!  Ha, oh well I was just giving you a hard time.  But actually the only mail that we got this week was a wedding announcement for Elder Thompson's friend.  What a bummer. 

This week was not as great as the last.  We were able to meet with Amber Griffith and her kids two times, but Justin wasn't there for either lesson, and they did not get to church this week.  Neither did Ron or Kara, so we went from six investigators to church last Sunday to zero this Sunday.  There is some good news though, but not for us really. Kara is getting baptized.  But it will be in the singles ward up in Redding, so we will go, but it isn't our baptism. 

Well time is flying by, I have already been out here in California for 34 days!  Next Monday is transfers!  Elder Thompson thinks he will get transferred, I hope not. . I think it is a safe bet I will stay in Cottonwood, also I personally think Elder Thompson will stay here as well.
Every time I look up it is P-day, or Weekly planning which happens every Friday.

Also Elder Sommer has been really sick this week for like four days, so I have been going on exchanges with Elder Allen for a couple hours a day, because it is Elder Allen's last week, and he doesn't want to spend it at home.  It is really strange to think that Elder Allen is going home, while I am just starting.  To tell you the truth every time I think about the next two years I get a headache.  This week I also packed away my photo album, as well as the framed pictures, and my calendar.  I am working hard to avoid getting home sick.  I even had a dream that I saw you all at Wal-mart this week, that was pretty weird.  Overall I am doing very good, a little discouraged, but well. 

I love you tons, and I am doing really well out here, I will let you know what is happening with transfers next week.

Sorry I don't have more to say today

With Love

Elder Ellsworth

Glory Glory Hallelujah his truth is marching on!!!

Well for the first time this week I felt like a real missionary.  I guess I will start with last Sunday.  

We visited with the Griffith family, Justin, a less active member, seemed very reserved, and didn't seem excited to have his family learn about the Gospel.  There is a sister in our ward named Sister Cuellar (quay-ar).  She works for the start as a foster parent.  She is incredible, and the state loves her, but they always send her the worst of the worst.  These boys are on their last chance before they enter the Juvenile system.  That is where Justin came from, so as you can guess he is a little rough around the edges.  Justin is just 21, he is married to Amber who is 34 and she is investigating with her four sons from another Marriage.  Sean is 13, Seth is 9, Michael is 8, and Zachary is 5.  They are all super smart kids, and very small for their ages.  Zachary is just about the cutest kid in the whole world.  So on Sunday we met with them, and set up an appointment for the following Saturday. 

Monday of course was P-day, which is always a good day.  On Tuesday morning I went on exchanges with Elder H.  He is a disobedient missionary in the worst possible way, he actually has two strikes, one more and he will be sent home.  I spent until Thursday morning with him, and I was really miserable, we did no work, and I wasted a lot of the Lord's time. 

Thursday we had Zone Conference, and it was great to get back to doing some actual work.  I met back up with Elder Thompson, I had never been so grateful to see anybody in my whole life!

 Friday was amazing, and that is when I felt like a real missionary.  In the morning we had weekly planning, which went very well, but after lunch we met with Julie Morales a less active lady, Tracie Mcaninch a recent convert, ate dinner with Brother Gingell a less active man, and Bishop Baer we had a lesson about missionary work, he of course is very active.  It was awesome to be so busy!

  Then Saturday got even better, we met with the Griffith's in the morning, and I was floored by the change in Justin.  He was eager to learn, and to teach the boys.  Amber had to go to work halfway throught the lesson, and when we all kneeled down around the table to teach them how to pray.  Justin taught each boy in tearn while Elder Thompson and I cheered inside.  The whole family agreed to come to church, and to read the pamphlet that we left them. 

On Sunday we went to church and were waiting to see who would come to Sacrament meeting, to our delight Julie Morales was there, Fay Chenoweth was there, Ivy Wall was there, Ron Coulombe was there, Tracie McAninch was there, and so was her non-member daughter Kara!  To our disappointment the Griffith's never showed up.  As we walked out of the meeting to my delight the Whole Griffith family was sitting in the Foyer for the whole meeting!  We helped them to send their kids in the right direction and went to Sunday School, They even stayed for Priesthood, and Relief Society!!!   I was ecstatic about it.  I don't know if I have ever felt that way before.  And they are really excited to meet with us again tomorrow!  It is so incredible the change we have seen in Justin Griffith.  The Lord truely works in mysterious ways!

 I look forward to another succesful week, in the end we had six investigators (Griffiths, Kara, and Ron)  and 5 Less actives (Julie, Fay, Ivy and other that I don't know).  What an awesome week!  I love this work, I love this oppurtunity.  Is it easy ... no definitley not.  But if the Griffith family will change their life, it will be worth it!

Elder Ellsworth

P.S. This week I get letters from Alyssa, Natalie Bristow, Matt Scherbel, and Michael Crouch, and Emily.  Please Thank them.  Also thank Amy, Effie, John, Cliff, and Susan! I love the letters and will answer everyone as soon as I have time!

January is flying by.....

Well I will tell you what the time is flying by.  Which is not necessarily a bad thing.  It feel like just yesterday I was emailing you last.  Well we had a very nice week this week.  Well I am always Tired... Always.  I can't ever seem to get enough sleep.  I am up in bed until eleven or later every night, and I am awake at like 5;30 every morning.  It is driving me crazy!!!  Today is probably the worst day yet, but hopefully I can't start to feel rested.

 

  I am sick of not having very much to say in my emails, so today I brought my Journal with me, so it can help me to write more.  This week went pretty good, it started out with me teaching my first lesson in District meeting, it was about being a succesful missionary, and I thought that it went pretty well. 

 

On wednesday I went on my first exchange, I went about 20 minutes away to a little town called Palo Cedro.  I went with Elder McNarry.  He is very soft spoken, but a really powerful missionary.  We taught a 13 year old girl, and he comitted her to Baptism, and also an older man, and I recounted the First Vision.  It was great to finally teach some real Investigators, and once you start the lesson there is really nothing to be nervous about.  The place they live in is a Penthouse compared to our place.  It is above a members garage and it is so stinking spacious, I was green with Jealousy about it.  Coming home, and back to the place I know was also good. 

 

We had a couple of cool mid-week expiriences as well.  The first one was we were out tracting, and this guy opened the door, and said "Elder's I am so glad that you are here".  I did not recognize hime from the Ward, but he promptly explained, that he is the Elder's Quorum President down in the Gridley 2nd ward.  He told us his mother was very sick, and that he would like us to give her a blessing of comfort as she passes on.  Thankfully I always have my vile of oil on hand, and I was asked to annoint because of it.  He sealed the blessing, and we were shortly on our way.  A couple of times during our visit, he would exclaim to his Sister who isn't a member "I did not even call them, they just showed up".  It was a very cool expirience.  We followed that by giving a blessing to a less active lady the next day!  The Gingell's even agreed to feed us some Elk Steak Dinner next week. 

 

I was asked to give a talk in church this Sunday as well.  I was just as usual stressd about giving the talk.  It was ten minutes long and about building Testimonies.  I prepared probably the best talk of my life, and I only took up a little paper that stated the main points, and scriptures I was going to cover.  I felt the Spririt strongly as I gave the talk.  I was impressed with myself.  Many members of the Congregation said I did wonderfully as well. 

 

The Highlight of the week though was we finally got and Investigator to teach!  The Griffith family had already accepted the invitation to be baptized, but when they did Elder Thompson was on exchanges.  Missionaries we never able to get in contact with them again.  So Elder Thompson and I had never met Amber, the mother.  We dropped by Yesterday afternoon with 5 Books of Mormon.  They accepted, and also expressed that they would still like to pursue this, so next Saturday we have an appointment with them!  They have 3 Children that are old enought to be baptized, and the Father is a less active member.  Well that is about the jist of my week.  I had a great one, and I can't wait to hear from you again.

 

   I printed out some pictures at Wal-Mart today, so I will send those home in a letter.  My MTC district, and my Humble abode, are just a few of the Highlights.  I know that every week that I ask for more stuff, but I would love you forever, if you would look into a way to get a shrunk Preach my Gospel.  I have seen a few since I have been out here, and would love a mini copy.  Well that is just about the story of my life.  I love you all!  So much!  But I have a job to do 1Nephi 3:7 so peace!!

 

Elder Ellsworth

New Years

Well it is already P-day again, it feels like it was literaly yesterday that I was emailing you.  I cannot even describe how grateful I am to the wonderful members here is Cottonwood California.  I have yet to eat a dinner on my own buck.  Which is just a blessing.  New Years Eve as well as last night we ate with Bishop Franklin.  He is the former bishop of the Cottonwood ward, and he was a former caterer for his career.  And I will tell you this, I can see why.  The man can cook.  Two days ago he made us Tri-tip steak, It was divine.  He had two whole steaks left over and uncooked.  So he gave them to us, and they currently reside on our fridge.  Last night he made us some melt in your mouth barbeque ribs.  Wholly Cow,  They were so good, we also ended up again with left overs.  He is a great man, and he does all that he can to help us out.  Feeding us is not hurting I will say that much.

 

 Still have not taught a lesson which is a little bit frustrating but hopefully we can find somebody this week.  Ron our smoking sort of investigator is moving so we don't even have him anymore.  Tracting is highly ineffective we probably walk more miles than houses we knock... a slight exageration. 

 

Basically we are not having very much luck with our work at the moment.  But I am trying not to get discouraged.  I love you all very much.  I am so grateful to be in the Service of God.  I hope that it will bless you as much as it has me. 

 

Oh I almost forgot wants and needs list.  Do not buy a GPS yet, I won't need one until I get transferred so I will let you know.   I need singulair eventually, as well as Advair sooner than that.  remember the advair are in those silver envelope type things.   My running shoes would be nice to have...well I am sorry it was short again, just not that much to say about it.  I love you all so much, and please send me dad's email address, I don't know what it is!

 

Here is what I do know.  I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God.  I know that because I have asked, almost every day out here.  I have had that confirmed to me by the Holy Ghost.  I know that the church of Jesus Christ is God's church and his Gospel restored in these latter Days.  I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet, called of God.  He was for-ordained before he was even born to restore this church.  I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, he atoned and then died for my sins, and yours.  I know that Thomas Monson is a mordern day prophet on this earth.  I know that I am doing God's will out here, even if I am not having success.  I hope to have one convert out here, and that will be me.  I love the Lord.  I love my Family.  I love my friends.

Love Elder Ellsworth