Easter and New Comp photos. (family as well)

Eugene Oregon District

I cannot imagine my son, on a stage, acting! This is nuts!! 

Then, you see this one and realize, HEs NOT! ha ha ha

Picking up our oldest missionary at the airport!

Elder Workman was there in Spirit!

And at the Homecoming Fiesta after her talk!

Our life size cut out of our ELDER WORKMAN!

The roses Elder Workman sent for his sister, Hermana Megan Workman!

He is waving his yellow glow stick welcoming home his sister from her mission. We had over 300 of our friends out in the neighborhood waving yellow glow sticks to welcome her home. What a site to see!! It was VERY heartwarming!

Easter Morning!! 

Ryley made a sign to say I LOVE YOU while missing his great example of a brother!

His brothers miss him... this was his dyed egg...

"Love teaching the Book of Mormon Class on Thursday Nights."

A VERY special Investigator!!

Elder Jardine and Elder Workman! New Companion!! 

He can play the violin!

LOVE you all! ~Grizz

Wahoo! Family!

April 28, 2014  Wahoo!

So this last week was awesome! We had transfers, and I got a new companion. His name is Elder Jardine, he's quiet, from Lindon, Utah, has 7 kids in his family, he's third oldest, and he plays the violin. I love it. It's awesome! All last week I gave all the lesson - with Gods help. It is actually good for me because I'm learning and it's busy. So I'm lost in the work. Since Elder J is quiet, it makes me have to talk now. I love it though. My brain is constantly thinking and analyzing things and topics. I can definitely feel the spirit 10x stronger as I have to rely on his help. We set a record in our area last week with the number of lessons we taught. We taught a total of 22 lessons. Which may seem like a small number, but for Eugene it's huge.

I also got to meet with my biological aunt. (my mom's full blooded birth sister) Which was the highlight of my week, and so far my mission. The spirit was so strong in our lesson; I knew it was my grandma MaryAnn helping me out and helping out her lost daughter. She truly is seeking, and desiring to change her life and it's a great thing to see and be able to help her out. She cried. Wasn't expecting it. But she felt the Holy Ghost. She does look like you, mom. It wasn’t hard to teach her as she felt like a normal investigator. I did have to get permission from President Young to teach her. The trick is to not overwhelm them. It takes time to change. And through our faith in Jesus Christ he will help us.  I met with my cousin  on Saturday. It was really awesome. I told her about the power of prayer and how it could help her. She gave us some meat to eat. Was glad for that. Was dying of hunger lol. Trying to talk to her brother. He's the last one here. And your sister didn't come to church yesterday. I was pretty sad but she apologized hugely because she had some other things to deal with. I know I can help, and if not me, then God for sure.

I am constantly learning more and more everyday. This past week I finished the Book of Mormon again. Just short of three months. I absolutely, 100%, know that it is the true word of God. And if we read it, it will give us strength to climb those mountains in life. So I had many cool experiences the day I finish the BOM. And I shall take them from my journal... "amazin day! Omgoodness! So today started out slow. I finished the BOM. Amazing book! I took Moroni's challenge and prayed with all my heart, I had a warm feeling, I knew at that time and will forever that it is a true book. I had already shown my faith by reading it and know that it is true. So today was so successful. We went shopping for a quick sec during weekly planning, (our supplies were running thin. And Albertsons was having a killer deal on meat that we couldn't pass up). After shopping we clean our apt. I love a clean apt. And will always have one no matter the companion. The spirit dwells in clean things. Mom you were so right. We had the car today, so we were able to move much faster to our appointments. We were meeting with a golden investigator who has had her struggles in life and has desired change. We had his awesome game plan to teach her about the gospel of Jesus Christ. When we got there she told us she was feeling sick and didn't want to meet for a long time. She didn't keep her commitment to us so we ended up reading it with her. Mosiah 4. Really sweet chapter. I had a feeling as we were reading this chapter to ask her what baptism meant to her. So I did. And she said it means a fresh start. I also told her that we get the gift of the Holy Ghost, and talked to her about that as well. Then I decided I would just go for it and asked if she would be baptized on May 18th to show her trust and faith in God. She said it was a great goal and she would shoot for it. After this awesome lesson we continued on to meeting with a special woman with handicaps. We have to teach her as though she was a child due to a brain injury years before. She told us that she knows that God can help her, but he's not. So as I was listening to her and praying to God to help me with a scripture that would help her understand that he cares for her. I opened up to a random page. First it was Alma 7. Which is about the atonement. Knowing her intelligence I decided not to read that one with her. I prayed again and opened up to a random page, which happens to be one of my favorite scriptures... Alma 26:12,37. And told her God can help her because we are strong in his strength. She was totally happy and had a huge smile on her face. Made me feel so good. We did some finger exercises with her and I told her to quit smoking. I am very bold. No fear at all. Because I know the strength of The Lord will help me. Turned out to be an awesome lesson. But the day was not nearly over. We went to THE Best investigator ever. We talked and chilled. Then I figured it was go time and we needed to give him a spiritual uplifting. So again I turned to God and asked for help as I picked a scripture for us to read. We turned to Moroni 7. Super awesome chapter. He loved it. Told us he knows Joseph Smith is true and that the BOM is true. But still refuses to get baptized. Bummer but hey progress is progress."  

Now I do not desire to finish the writings in my journal as they are simply a waste of your time. But know this.. That through my experiences on Thursday April 24th, I know that God was telling me that the BOM is true. I have had many other experiences this past week with relying on Gods help to help those in need. And every time He has delivered. I love missionary work. I wouldn't trade this experience for any other in the world. I'm glad that I get the opportunity to be so close to my biological family who is in need. I know it is not by chance that I got called to Oregon Eugene at the crucial time.

Family, I understand a slacker family just not a slacker mom lol :) no breaks for u mommy. I love you mom. I am super happy today. Life is beautiful ! :) So amazing to be a missionary. I love you mom you make me laugh!  Your funny. I love the cut out of me. Need more mass though haha. Like a gut and some muscles, maybe a brain lol. But it's cool. You are a great mom.

Megan's talk.. I couldn’t hear it. It was sent as am mp4. Our iPads were stripped of a lot of things to keep us out of trouble. I don't have a memos thing. Or quick time viewer... I don’t know what the answer is lol. I wanna hear it so bad though. President is very family oriented. He is soft about my sister. He will let me hear it for sure. I’ll try again on Wednesday at the Family History Center. What's pura vida ? Yea a lot of people here do that finger snapping too. It's kinda annoying. Freak I ain't ever doing it. Totally lame. Keep them missionaries comin over Good! That's awesome Megan invited the stranded couple to church. That's what it's all about. I’m proud of all of you for helping them out of a tight place. Service! I got the maps of Alma's Mission and the War years, and the letters from the family. Super awesome to hear from y'all. Thanks.

Does dad like paddles now? Four wheeling? What changed his mind? Paddles?? No way this is you, dad!! Paddles. What?? Lol. Did u put paddles on yours? Lol Connor rocks! :) And Ryley. Dang that's legit! Proud of my boys. I'm afraid when I get back I'll be a baby. Haha. Xander ran all the way up the face??!! That's insane! Strong dog he is! Holy moly Hey stupid is harsh for him… Let’s say he is incredible!

I might also add in this email home that I love service.  Seriously relaxes you from the week. Your thoughts are on improvement and helping others. One of God’s tender mercies. I hope everyone reading this had a great week last week. I also hope y'all make a goal this week toward improvement. For we must feast upon the words of Christ. So we can be perfected in him.

GRIZZ 👻

Enjoy the Tender Mercies in your life!

APRIL 21, 2014

TENDER MERCIES – Happy Easter y’all!

Wow what a week. Totally been crazy. A mix of emotions for sure. First holiday with out family, transfers, loosing Mecham, new companion, and Megan, my sister is coming home. Definitely been tuff. But has been fun as well. I look back on the week and as I try to decide on what to say there has been one constant theme to it all. And that is found in 1 Nephi 1:20;  "But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance." Tender mercies have been everywhere this week.

Now I got an email from my sister where she reminded me that The Lord takes care of his missionaries on holidays. This is soooo true.

On Saturday after me and Elder Mecham dropped off our bikes, so that Meacham’s bike could be put in a box for transfers, we walked over to the library to do our daily #becauseofhim Facebook messages. When we walked into the library we found a nice little corner with some chairs set up and decided this is where we would online proselyte for the day. This guy approached us as I was reading an email from my sister about tender mercies, (Yes! I was excited to hear from her) and told us he wanted to do what we did. He said he wasn't a member but wanted to become one and go serve a mission. We were so excited we gave him our number told him about the BOM and sent him on his way with a smile on his face and on ours. By the way this NEVER happens in Eugene. So it was surprising.

After we were finished with fb we decided we would stop by a few people so Mecham could say good-bye to them. After a little failure, and nobody answering their doors we walked discourage to where we decided to have our final supper together. Five guys burger and fries. On our way walking we decided to OYM (open your mouth) and this lady was walking towards us.. She was extremely nice and very friendly. She had read the BOM before but asked if we could pray with us because she liked how Mormons prayed and said she liked the feeling she got. So we prayed with her and talked to her. She asked if we would share some scriptures with her. She was a super friendly gal, but we weren’t able to get any info but we made a good rep about Mormons.

At 5 guys as we were ordering one of the dudes was way interested in missionaries, he had a buddy that's a member, and he was asking us all the questions. Pretty cool experience. There were many more. And my heart was full on such a sad day. I was missing my family and The Lord was taking care of me. I feel so blessed to be a missionary. You make thousands of friends. People that you get so close to in just 5 simple minutes.  I love everyone. So many people to remember and try to keep in contact with.

Transfers are today. Was a sad day. I lost Mecham, he is going to be a Zone Leader in Jacksonville. It was hard to say goodbye. Kinda became a part of me lol. But I'm getting a new comp. and I saw some people that were in my district in the MTC! It was sad to see them go to new areas and start new adventures. Elder Jardine is my new companion… Looking forward to getting to know him. Supposedly he's pretty shy and quiet. Which is not good because I'm quiet too. Lessons are going to be tuff. Haha. So pray for us.  A mission is really an adventure. I feel like Bilbo Baggins on The Hobbit. There are so many things to discover and find. Someone is waiting for you to help them or reach out a hand and make them feel loved.

I feel so much love and support. I know God cares about me and me personally. He has helped me when I've been in despair. I love it. I wouldn't trade this experience for a different one. I feel extremely blessed. I do miss my family but I know it's only for a short 2 years. I've already been out for 3 months. Which feels totally crazy. I don't feel that old already but I am.

Family, four hours of church is nothing! hahahah but still way awesome story… How great that Megan got to hear Hermana Hamblin’s Homecoming report in Delta.  We do 6 hours of church each Sunday with meetings and everything. We are over 1 ward, the Eugene 1st ward.

We loved the package! Thanks mommy ! I love you so much! Easter was great! We had dinner with the stake president and a couple sets of missionaries.  We made cupcakes… they turned out great. But we were on bikes so we didn’t share them….  we ate them all lol. Sister W loved your gift. She bawled. And cried and told me how much she loves you.

I'm glad to hear Megan's homecoming reunion at the airport was awesome. Sounds like y'all had fun. I love you so much. I hope y'all's had fun camping. Miss you! Btw the lady emailed me back and said I already won the contest for best mommy. She was just sayin mine won in her eyes. Love y'all so much. I am nothing with out my family :) absolutely. But it makes us stronger. My heart has missed more. But it loves more and more :) Megan touched a what !! That's scary. No way. Never. I can't believe that. That's scary. Blah ! Freaky. Sisters should not touch snakes by choice!!  Sister! Your letter made my week! I love you so much! I'm glad you like my puppy. He's pretty awesome. Super cool dog. So what are your plans now? Like work and school? I saw all the pictures of me at the airport. Remember I'm on fb 3 times a week haha. Also I get y'all's emails anytime I walk into a hot spot, with wifi. So I got your email on Saturday. Totally was awesome. Also how was camping again ? Enjoying  it. I'm sad I'm missing all your campfire stories:( enjoy and I love you so much! 

Anywho I love this gospel. I love the joy I feel every single day. And I can't wait to see my family in 3 weeks on Skype. I hope everyone has a blessed week and enjoys the many tender mercies in their lives.

GRIZZ

ENJOY. "Men are that they might have JOY".

April 14, 2014

Many feelings and thoughts cross my mind this day as I prepare to send

this email home. So many things to talk about. So many things I want

to talk about and say. But I think I will only hit on a few.

This past week has been very busy and stressful. With transfers coming

up everyone is in a hurry to hit our baptisms goal. Lessons are being

planned and canceled, hours and hours of tracting are being done,

meeting with members to have them invite their neighbors, and much

more that causes the brain to melt down and drain out your nose. It's

not till my brain is out of my nose that I realize we need a laugh and

have fun. Super important for all u future missionaries to understand

that laugher and fun is the antidote to stress. Lucky for me I learned

this when I was young and would tease my daddy when he got stressed

about things. I think this can apply to any life situation. We have to

realize that.."yea life is hard at times." And things are going to

happen that makes it stressful. Laughter, is the pure antidote to

stress. Stepping back and analyzing the situation and how to make it

better is important. And like in Elder Uchdorfs Sunday morning talk,

we must be thankful in our circumstances. Trials make us strong, Build

our testimonies, and give us more appreciation for the restored gospel

of Jesus Christ.

Ok there is my spiritual uplifting to y'all.. Next is to address the

hot topic of the next few weeks. MY SISTER IS GOING HOME IN A FEW DAYS!! 

Oh how crazy! Super excited for you Meg. I know it's tuff though.

I can only imagine the feelings. So many emotions and thoughts. At the

beginning of your mission your begging for it to go by fast, so you

can be with your family again. And half way through you realize that

you like it and want it to go slower (I am not quite yet at this

point).. And then you worry about the real life. And how it's going to

be back home. Scary. Glad I don't have to worry about that for another

21 months. Ha ! Good luck sis! I love you, and you have given me

strength to stay out on my mission. You have set the ultimate example

to your younger brothers. You have served your country proud, and I'm

sure God as well. Also good luck with the dry air of Utah.

So I'm pretty sad I won't be with my family on Easter. I miss flipp’n

camping and I'm pretty sure y'all will b camping. But it's all good.

:) it'll just be weird. Hooray to first holiday with out my family!

On that note I'll declare that tonight is a blood moon, once

in every 17 years, the moon will be red. It'll be at 11 here so I

imagine it'll be at 12 there. Enjoy ! Hahah.

I love my mission. I'm finding that I'm learning everyday, and how

awesome prayer is.  We also did a lot of service this weekend. So stoked

about that. My goodness it's nice to mow a lawn. Never in my

life have I wanted to do it so bad. I mowed 2 lawns this weekend. Both

were on acre lots and the grass was 2 feet high, no lie. So stinking

long. And the one yard we bagged it. Ha. So much fun though. We also

split wood and stacked it. And put all the branches in a pile. So much

fun. Me and elder spencer, exchanges buddy, moved a 300 lb tv. A very

old HDTV, that was sitting on top of a dresser. Dad and mom it was

bigger than the one that fell on your floor. And I was stuck moving it

with tiny elder spencer haha. Was totally funny too because the lady

was making us laugh and we couldn't hold it because we were laughing

so hard. Was great ! Exchanges are amazing and make a week go by

faster. They are the best ever! We made a couple music videos this

last weekend that totally made my mission that much better.

Well that's all for this week. Hope I didn't bore

anyone :) in the word of Panda Express, " enjoy".

GRIZZ 👻

I'll let you know when I get the Easter things. I’ll still be with Squeaky… that’s the nickname I gave Elder Mecham… I’ll give him the stuff you sent. And about the talk on Easter Sunday, we were just given an assignment to make a 15 minute talk on the atonement. So that's all that is. The atonement means so much more to me now. Ha isn't it funny how we both said enjoy at the end of our letters. Lol I'm seriously dying. And last week Meg and me did Harry Potter things. Lol so funny. I love you family!  Work is getting good. The fruits of our labors are finally showing.

It's just hard because people are so opinionated here. Hard to talk to them. People are firm in there beliefs. And they are usually all

drugged up when we talk to them, so they call us names and they spill on us and spit on us. Doesn't get to me it's just annoying. Gotta love

them the same though. I get a new comp next week. I'm taking over our area I believe. I am learning a ridiculous amount about the gospel. I

have almost finished the BOM again. And I only read an hour a day. Any chance I get. Taking a dump, morning studies, lunch, dinner. Every

chance. I want to finish this month. I only have 100 pages to go. I will send you a copy of my Easter talk.

This was from Elder Mecham in his letter home… then a little special one for me. I feel so blessed to know that he is the trainer for our missionary! What a great friend/brother/companion for Elder Workman:

Elder Workman told me we should try a new way to church, cause we are

there a lot. So see hiked up a small hill, and from there we took back

roads (neighborhood roads) to the church! It was all down hill! Fun!!!!

Glad I got Elder Workman to keep things fun! He loves to read the Book

of Mormon!!!!!!! You should all too. I am sad for the upcoming week

because, holy smokes, there are going to be a lot of changes! I will

miss Workman (Bookmaker). There is an inside joke there. One of our

investigators thought his name was bookmaker and it was so funny that

it kinda took on as a nickname.

Elder Mecham

You know your son, my most favorite companion ever! Is a great guy. I know that on my Birthday I have never felt so special in my life! At least on my birthday. I usually had a track meet or something else going on. It was basically a surprise birthday! Your son keeps me light hearted, and happy! I can be a serious guy sometimes, and my emotions fluctuate a lot. I can tell that a lot of people pray for us! It certainly makes a universe of difference in my life! I will continue to do my best to help your son, he is like a brother to me, haha. Makes me laugh to think about it. Do me one favor and ask him one thing he studied in PMG each week. :) or the Book of Mormon. I know he would write you a 30 page essay on that. He is the best.

Love, 

Elder Mecham

Pretty sure these are for Grandma and Grandpa Workman