Wednesday, March 19, 2014

The Orcs were all around us....

March 17, 2014
Good Day Mates,
Oh what a week it has been. I would love to say something exciting
happened, but really it was just a slow week as ever. This week tho we
had many miracles because of the heat. More people could see our white
shirts because we weren’t wearing our rain jackets. We had multiple
people approach us and tell us how they knew the Mormons or they were
once members. So this past week we did a lot of work with less active
people and recent converts. I would have to say the highlight of my
week was giving a blessing to a lady in the hospital. We had the
hospital call us and ask us if we were Mormons and asked if we could
give this lady a blessing at her request. It was an amazing
experience. I was able to pronounce the blessing upon her head and I
felt so lucky as I could feel the spirit direct my thoughts and words
to best meet her needs. I know that all priesthood holders have felt
this amazing authority of God. How blessed! I feel especially lucky to
hold this priesthood because it comes from My Father-passed down from my dad - who taught me the ways of the Jedi. Speaking of my dad.. I think of him daily. I'm constantly think what would my dad want me to do.
I'm a workman and I need to show that I work. This
past week I went on exchanges with an elder who lives in cottage
grove. The best town in Oregon. Totally hick town. But totally
awesome! So many off road trucks, the sounds of chainsaws up in the
hills, amazing! Totally reminded me of my dad and all the great
times I had with him making benches, and cutting fire wood. And then I
saw a truck with a four wheeler In the back. And fighting off the
tears, and struggles of not being able to go camping or riding I
managed to notice that it's carburetor was missing, so I chuckled and
said to myself, " ha sucks for them.. They won't be doing any riding
soon either." And I managed to get a smile back on my face. My dad has
been such a great example to me. I'm extremely proud to call him
father. I brag a lot about him up here. And his words are always going
through my mind when I'm doing The Lords work. Dad I'm so grateful for
you. Thank you for helping me with scouts and not letting me fail at
anything and always pushing me to be better. It's because of your
example to me that I am able to stay out here, and never give up. I
love you best friend.
 
Awesome! Now that that's off my chest we can continue with the story..
So the orcs we all around us... Surrounding us, I had no choice but to
fling a couple arrows into their heads. I reached back to draw another
arrow when I realized that I was out. This was not good as I had 60
remaining foes. I drew out my sword... The sword of Rohan, passed down
to me by my father on his death bed. It's hilt, pure gold. Outlined in
diamonds. The blade, as sharp as an exacto blade. I could feel my
fathers of past giving me strength to conquer the enemies around me...
Oh wait wrong story, my bad folks. But if you think about it this
could be applied to missionary work. But I'll let y'all figure it out.
Haha.
 
Missionary work is awesome! Some weeks are better than others. I have
become addicted to the scriptures. I know my mom is probably rolling
over in her bed, saying I told you so. But the stories and history the
book contains are amazing ! If I could do life over again I would
force myself to read them. So amazing ! To all you youngsters out
there.. Ima point out some of my brothers in the ward..Ryley, Connor,
and  Braxton , Jaren, Luke and Ben, Seth,
Jaren, Robert, Carson, (side note there is an
elder memmot out here who is legit) Derek(congrats on your call
to Peru), carter (also congrats on yours), and all you other
brothers of mine in the 801.. If y'all aren’t reading your scriptures
daily, READ THEM !!! They will answer all your questions and make your
days easier. I promise you this. I promise that as you read them God
will bless your life, and give you a testimony of the church. If your
testimony is faltering, I beg of you to not give up. To stay strong
to the word of God, and read the Book of Mormon. The truest book in
existence in this world right now. I beg of you to never give up in
the gospel. Don't waste years saying you'll read it later, or that
you'll join the church when your done partying and sinning. If any of
you lack wisdom in the gospel, ask God for help, and read the BOM. He
will make things known to you. And if any of you say that you can read
because you don't understand, than read Ether 12:27.   God promises
you that he will make your weaknesses your strengths. I can also
testify of this scripture as I have found it to be true. Now I love
y'all :) sorry if I made ya shat yourselves. That part of being a
missionary. Hehehe. Enjoy the week boys. Miss my homies in the 801.
There are however only like 8
young men in Eugene 1st ward. That includes all 3 classes of Aaronic
priesthood. So I miss the bigger wards, and friends in my ward.

Awesome awesome email mom. I miss home a little. I loved all the quotes. Ether 12:6 is amazing. It is only after the trial of our faith that we will be made strong and feel the blessings. Mommy fear not for The Lord is always on your side. (I guess he picked up on my worry over his sister in Costa Rica/Nicaragua) Things may cover the path but all we have to do is clear them from our way or step over them. I admire your courage to keep going. I admire how much you turn to The Lord, Our Savior. I do. Trials make us stronger. And I will pray for you like I always do :) "You could sell a ketchup Popsicle to a old lady wearing white gloves." Temples are amazing and I'm so proud of you mom. You make my heart swell how much you are doing for those around you. Stay strong and be of good cheer. Never get discouraged. I love you I can't believe London is already home. That's crazy. Welcome home dude! Let my bros know I love them. Haven't heard anything from them for a while.
Well that's all for today folks. Tootle-doos  and ta-ta for now.

 



Ps heheh I love you mom.
Pss I love you Megan.
Psss I miss you both sooooo much.


GRIZZ 👻

Elder Mechams two cents (I add it cuz I love the extra perspective on the work):  This week was ballin! We taught 18 lessons, our new record for this
area. This next week we should blow that out of the water. We had 1
investigator and 3 less  actives. We activated one lady and were
supposed to have about 6 other people at church. The Lord is certainly
pouring out blessings on us this past week.


Monday, March 10, 2014
















Finding Nemo and Enduring Love

NEMO Stamp
NEMO Sticker

 My two cents: Love his Nemo moment… I seriously dug for that stamp. I knew I had an awesome one and just had to find it. I had no idea why… Also, I love the Mormon Message he refers to. It is a tearjerker. And a great example of my parents and their 54 years of marriage.  If you know Brayden, you know he loves photography. He mentions he has only taken 300 photos with his camera and the rest are on the iPad! His mission scrapbook will have to be digital! Lol  I posted some photos on his blog

March 10, 2014                 
What up my peeps in the 801! Missionary work is awesome ! Although I
don't have any incredible baptism stories yet I still get amazing
experiences. Yea yea. I'm coming at you this week in reverse, I would
have to say the highlights of my week came from visits to many elderly
sisters in the ward. And late last night as we visited a widowed sister in
the ward. Sister O. Very sweet and kind lady. Well all old ladies are
sweet and kind but she was extra sweet and kind, ok now that we got
that settled.. We went there with a ward missionary, who is an elderly
man. As we got to know sister O the more I could feel the spirit in
her home. I had grown a love for this lady. She started to remind me
of my grandmas. I got to tune in to her life story and how her and her
husband met and all about her children who are all very successful,
and the losses in her family and how she missed her husband and loved
him dearly. We gave a short message about resting with God and our
loved ones. We asked her what gave her hope. And she replied "knowing
that I'll be with my husband again." We then continued to show her
"Enduring Love" by Richard G Scott. https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-06-010-enduring-love?lang=eng  It is a short Mormon message. (My daddy shook just like this man and was in a wheelchair. My momma did so much for him. Grab the tissues if you watch this… maybe it just really hits home for me… and makes me miss my daddy - Diane)
I would advise my parents to watch it, and think of what it means to
them. As well as all couples reading this email. Or single peeps I
guess. In fact lets just say.. How about everyone watches it. And
thinks to themselves, or tells their spouse what they mean to them.
Y'all can make it romantic too. Something us missionaries don't get.



 Haha. Point is while I watched this video it made me cry. Yep thats
Deer in back with it's fawn
right, I didn't even cry when my parents dropped me off to the MTC,
yet I managed to stream tears down my face when watching this quick
video. My thoughts went to my parents. And how they have shown their
 love for one another.  And how they are married in the temple and can enjoy the blessings of eternal marriage, and everlasting love for one another. Then my mind shot to my grandma Carol, who lost her husband a little over a year ago but still has that unconditional love for him
and always will have that love. Who still talks to his spirit in times of need or missing. Who still hears the echoes of my grandfathers voice in her head. Not a creepy voice but one of love and gratitude. It brings so much joy to my heart to see the amazing examples in my life. They have had such an influence on me. They have helped me realize how important eternal families are. Any who I'm grateful for
this experience this week. We also visited an assisted living home. And visited two sisters that lived there. I have heard many incredible
stories this past week. We all know that old ladies like to brag about
their husbands and kids. And I was the happy recipient of these
stories. These stories helped me through my week.
This week was also transfers. I am lucky to say that Elder
Mecham and I are staying together in Eugene for another 6 weeks. This means we will be able to help our progressing investigators hopefully get
baptized. Also I received great news from the ENT, when he pulled out
an ak47 bullet sized piece fungus and mold out of my ear due to
infection. And I finally bought a football! Goodness I was going
insane without one. Cool interesting story.. So last Wednesday I was
telling elder Mecham how badly I wanted, and was craving to watch
“Finding Nemo”.. At the end of the day when we decided to check the mail
I received two letters. One from my beautiful sister and one from my
beautiful mother. My mom had sent a “Finding Nemo” stamp on my letter and my sister put a “Finding Nemo” sticker on the one from her. I found this to be one of Gods tender mercies. What are the
odds that the day I'm thinking about Nemo, I get two letters in the
mail that are stamped and stickered with Nemo :) This week has been
great ! And again I'm thankful for all the examples in my life of
everlasting love. Also I love my sister Megan ! :) been thinking about
you :)

Hello mommy
I sure do love you more! What joy it brings to me to get your
letters. Also totally was thinking about Finding Nemo. So cool. You'll
see the rest of this story in my weekly email. I got the package one day.. on Tuesday morning.. Then on Wednesday I got the letter from you and Meg with Finding Nemo stuff. so cool.!!  It was totes legit ! I loved it! So cool and creative. Why the heck tho haven't I gotten a letter from Ryley and Connor. I mean common man.
Also I need instruction in how I send my photo card home. Honestly I
haven't taken a ton of photos, only like 300. Maybe a little more. But
I'm using my iPad more because it takes a better photo. But I'll send
home a card. I don't really remember the red head lady in the temple. (She talked about how The Lord is the Great Pay Master. We can never get ahead or begin to catch up to Him with the good that we do. He will always be way far ahead of us on blessings.)  Maybe that was when you went by yourself? It awesome story she told. I would have to agree. Blessings always overcome what you can do. I like to think of myself as the lucky one to be blessed in the home I was in and the family that showed me love :) I like to think of it a Vegas Vacation, when Russ kept winning all the cars, but instead of cars on the podium, it was my family members. Ha just picture that. It's kinda funny, Lol :) I love you so much mom! Misses you:) 😘 love you
Love  Your son :) 👨
I got this in a sweet letter from Elder Mecham
:  I would just like to say this, the worth of having the Holy Ghost to guide us is infinite. When we pray and turn to the Lord for guidance, he guides us through the Holy Ghost. I see it everyday. He puts people in our path or puts us in other people's paths. We are able to serve people, pray with them, and just get know people. I wouldn't ever have imagined just going up and talking to anyone. Now it is normal. We roll by the spirit. If it wasn't for my companion (Elder Workman) always reminding me that we need to pray, we wouldn't pray as much as we should. The power of prayer is more than you can imagine. Don't underestimate it. It is amazing and a gift from God. DON'T FORGET TO PRAY! Aye?  Love Elder Mecham