July 2008 News

Elder James Michael Miller
New York New York North Mission
December 2007 - 2009






Greetings!


This past month has been very eventful. I had a unique experience, my mom came out the beginning of June and she and I drove to New Hampshire for my one year heart check. It was kinda weird to see her but it was good and everything with my heart is perfect! My surgeon was very pleased. I've even put on 23 lbs. since surgery! Then on top of that I went home for a couple days this last week. A few weeks ago my Dad was diagnosed with cancer so I came to see him. He's so awesome. He has such a great attitude and he is determined to beat this. He's such a great example. As for the mission itself things are excellent. Transfers were this week and I'm still in Connecticut but I have a new companion, Elder Eyre. He's pretty cool, he's from Wyoming. I don't know him very well yet because I left two days after we were put together. The day I left we had mission conference and had the honor of having President Uchtdorf speak to us. He talked a lot about the importance of Preach My Gospel and using it to build our testimonies, and the faith of both members and nonmembers. We got to shake hands with him and his wife. Sister Uchtdorf asked me the infamous question - "Do you play basketball?" - I guess I shouldn't be surprised. The work continues to move forward. The ward I'm serving in is doing a 40 day fast for missionary work. There is a lot of excitement about missionary work in the ward so hopefully we'll see some fruits of that this cycle. Well I hope you're all doing well. Keep spreading the good word!


Love, Elder Miller

Elder Mike Kleinman
Hey kids!I hope everyone is enjoying their mission summer (or winter)! Here in Argentina things have been going great! We are seeing a surge in progress here and its a very exciting time. I will let you in on an insight of the Argentine people. Everyone is very specific on what they eat. And I mean everyone.For example: Today I went to go get a couple of burgers and while I was waiting for them a girl of about 14 yrs. came up to me and asked if I could give her something to eat (as in money). Well, I wasn't going to give her money so I gave her two cheeseburgers. I felt pretty gracious (self pride boost!) about giving them. Then she said, "Do these burgers have comdiments on them?" They did. And she was like " Ew! Condiments! I don't want condiments on my burgers!" And I was like, "WHAT KIND OF BEGGAR ARE YOU?!!" She took them still grudgingly. I swear everyone is a complete character down here. Anyway, now that I have my filler story in, I would like to say that I liked Daniel's asian button-up shirt he was wearing in last month's photo. Nice! Well, thats it. Till next month.
Elder Kleinman

Elder Chase Judd
Hola,Well I don't have very much time we are going to the church to eat in 20 minutes a missionary just returned from his mission, and I am so hungry we only eat 1 time during the whole day from 2 to 4. It is really humid holy Hannah, its hot here but I love it. Oh by the way I am in Veracruz as of the 20th of June. It is nice to be out of the MTC. So me and my companion have been teaching a ton of people and we invited 4 kids to be baptized on Saturday and they accepted, so I could be getting my first baptism this week, I am so excited. Well my companion is awesome he works so hard and walks so fast, he is from Mexico City and he never waste time. I am lucky he speaks English pretty well and can answer my questions if I have them, but we still only try to speak in Spanish. I can't really understand when people talk, but I am trying to speak it and read it so yep* So yesterday which was Sunday we went to a members house and ate clams, whole fish with the scales in a soup, and another kind of fish battered in guacamole and flour then fried, it was actually pretty good since I thought I hated fish, but yeah* I am excited I love the people, and the members feed us everyday it is awesome so many coconut trees and juice. They kept me in the city of Veracruz, my apartment is tiny, you could shower and go to the bathroom at the same time, way cool huh!!! NO air-conditioning everyone just has fans besides the church. Today we are teaching lesson 4 to those kids one I have never taught I am excited!! Well until next time*
PeaceElder Chase
P.S. We baptized the 4 kids it was awesome!!!!

Elder Brock Smith
Aloha Ka Kou!
Well once again the month flew by I cant believe how fast it goes. Tommarrow is transfers and I'm gettin transfered which sucks I am pretty bummed Ive had so many areas I can never stay anywhere long enough to really get things movin I really am sick of it I want to stay some where for more that 4 1/2 of three months its flippin crazy but hey I got believe in Revalation and all that and know that its where the lord wants me to go Well thats about it dont really feel like writtin Peace Out! Elder B Smith

Anziano Scott Ball
Yeah, its going great here. Our english class has grown from 2 students to about 10. We had 5 investigators in church last week and we are planning to send out baptismal dates to them this week.Anyways, not much to say this week except that it is amazingly hot here. The humidity is killing me off. I could never live anywhere else than Arizona. I get out of the shower and I dry off and still after that I FEEL WET. I hate this feeling. I hope that it is a short summer. We are today going to go buy better fans for our house and do some things here!Hey, good story, We were up north in the town called Conegliano doing street and just walking along. I noticed that a guy was running after us, so I turned around and he said "Hello!". We started talking in english and he spoke poorly. He said that he met us in the past and wanted to meet us again. So, we got his number and set up an appointment for Wednesday. We arrived at the train station and waited for 5 minutes, finally, we looked over to our right and he is dressed up in a shirt and a tie and is with a friend with the same thing. Also, both carrying bags. My companion said "oh poop, Jevoah's Witness's". So we met with them right there and he started asking us if we had ever seen this book which explains the Bible. We both said yes and then he went on about what they do.. Spreading the word of Christ. So far, I was cool with them, just having a good attitude.. I imagined Jesus against the Pharisees. It kind of reminded me of this. Anyways, They asked us.. "Where do we receive the will of God from"?.. (meanwhile holding a Bible). I don't know what came over me (the spirit), but I felt that I gave them one of the answers that Jesus would have of given them. I said, "Well, we get the will of God through prophets that he has called and they are they who wrote the Bible and also other works." That is all I had to say and their faces looked as though they couldn't say anything. I left it at that and they said they would give our number to some english members that they have to 'talk' about the Bible and they will call us in a little bit. I left that sitituation feeling that Istill had the spirit and that I acted fine.You could say I felt proud, but I knew that it was due to the spirit. Anyways, Ciao! Anziano Ball

Elder Jeff Stoker
Brothers,I am pretty sure that i just wrote the one for June about 2 days ago. Strange. So i just got another transfer, but it is to the same city i am already in, but about an hour bus ride away. I am also serving with Elder Waltman. For those of you who were at the MTC with me, Elder Waltman was my MTC companion. We are tearing it up. It is way fun. We dont even have to take the time and get used to each other, which is a huge advantage. We also found out that we cant go to Estonia to renew Visas any more, so now we get to go to the Czech Republic. I kinda feel like a missionary who just contacts on planes, trains, and buses. it is pretty nuts. The work here is going amazing. It is amazing how if you just be STRICTLY obedient, how much more you will be blessed. (by the way, i still got a while to go before i am 100% obedient, but dont let that suprise you guys, i dont want to ruin the perfect Elder Stoker image in your heads.) So this month has pretty much just flown by. I cant believe that i am already twenty. I can already feel the wrinkles. I love to hear about everyone in these things. It makes me laugh to think of Brock being my district leader, or Mike being my office elder. Whats next Max as a Zone leader. HAHA. (that was a joke). I love this work. It definately beats ANYTHING that we could be doing at home. I mean where else can you learn the things you are learning on your missions. Well just wanted to tell everyone to Keep on Keeping on. The time is flying way to fast to let any opportunity slip. Love you all, sometimes... Have a great Month.
Elder Jeffery Stoker

Elder Daniel Anderson
Hey Everybody! We just got our transfers last week and what do you know I am finally*STAYING IN STOCKTON!! Haha! My mom said I should name my firstborn after it! My new companion*s name is Elder Yang*the other one. He is also Hmong, but was born in North Sacramento. The area here in Stockton has really been picking up. We have been doing a lot of work in the south side of town, so it has been pretty interesting. We have a really big teaching pool right now, I just hope that we can keep it up. We are looking at some potentials right now and in a week or two we should have some baptisms. This one girl we are working with is so tight. Her name is Houa (it means cloud). She is 18 and just loves to learn about the gospel! She always asks questions when we teach her. She came to church last week and felt the spirit and she is going to pray about it. We met a family that knows the Hmong script, it looks like Egyptian, but it*s super hard and the guy that has it won*t teach us how to do it so it*s hard to learn. I have almost cracked the code/pattern and so I*m hoping that when I come home I will be able to write in it. We borrowed his book for a little bit but I don*t understand how it all goes together yet. I am the senior Hmong elder now because I have been in the Hmong program longer than any other Hmong missionary. Elder Lee who was in the MTC with me and came here with me went on one English transfer. It*s super weird that all of my friends in the mission have left*it*s kinda sad but it*s all good, the work will go on. I finished the Book of Mormon again this last week and one of my favorite scriptures is in Alma chapter 7:11-15 ish*I don*t remember off the top of my head, but I can see it on the page. You should all read it, I love it! I miss all of you * have a great month!
Daniel

Elder Gary Chambers
Big shout out to my dawg JIMMY BOY! Mr. Spotlight ;) Hope your mission is kickin' butt! Well, I promised you guys I'd let you know how the area is, so here I go... Once again I'm no longer in Constanza, I'm in Navarrete, and the people are great, as far as I can tell. The problem is I can't tell much from the kitchen window... All I know is the kids in my neighborhood really like to play stick ball (kinda like baseball, but lamer) every day and that the dog on the corner should either have its voice box ripped out or it should at least be shot. That bark really gets annoying. I know that the neighbors Mango tree produces alot of fruit, much of which falls onto their roof where they can't see it... Kinda makes me want to go roof hoping for a lil treat, but I can't find a safe route. I know that in front of the colmado on the other corner is where all the teenagers like to hang out (QT flashbacks), and attempt at making music with their wierd lil instruments... I almost threw a few eggs at them one night from how retarded it sounded... but that was my breakfast, and omlets are just worth too much to me. I know that whenever my comp goes to the bathroom, he takes at least 30 minutes... que se yo... I just try to use it when its open. I feel like I'm the main actor in that one movie where that kid with hair is on house arrest and he like spies on his neighbors... Only difference is I don't have a hot girl with me haha....... dang it. Yeah well, as you might have guessed by now, that means I haven't been leaving the house. OH NO ELDER CHAMBERS HAS JOINED THE DARKSIDE! Hahaha.... no. My comp is super trunkie and does nothing but sleep, eat, poop, and dream about home while chanting "8 more weeks." I hate it... I'm new to the area and he's taught me nothing about it... we leave more often to check his myspace than we do to teach a freakin lesson. Well, sorry, but Navarrete hasn't been a great experience yet... Sometimes I catch myself chanting quietly to myself, "8 more weeks..." Wow, Life is too good to be true. Satan's got me pinned guys... I'm screwed until he loses his grip on my comp... in the meantime, give him the 'ol one two for me and spread the word! My home is a prison... Love, Elder Chambers

Elder Grant Huish
hey everybody.Thiings here in Oregon are going farely well. It has warmed up quite a bit, and hasn't rained in Days now. I still have the opportunity of cruising around on my bicycle, which I thoroughly enjoy. I am now serving in a town called Aloha(pronounced incorrectly as seems to be common in Oregon). The work here was, well, non-existant when i arrived. It is starting to pick up slowly but surely. I am currently serving as a high and mighty DL because I am amazing. Just kidding, I'm not amazing, but I do enjoy the opportunity to go on more exchanges. My companions name is Elder Haynes. He is from Vacaville, California. For those of you who don't speak Spanish, that means cow town. I am pretty sure the lady sitting at the computer next to me has already been drinking this morning and its 10:30 am. She smells of beer profusely. Well I would tell some amazing story, but I don't have one sorry. S Later Grant
well i guess thats it for now. love ya


Elder Max Crandall
Gentlemen * Hola. Que Honda? So, pretty crazy I*m out here in Seattle. S*all good though. I am serving in the Greenwood Ward and we are actually the only ward in our mission that is in Seattle. Yup, so I*m here on my bike, training Elder Guillen. I knew training was going to be hard, but it isn*t hard in the way I thought it*d be. I*m tryin* to teach my boy values. I thought it*d be more of training him to teach and preach but it*s more of trying to steer him in the right direction. Then as he gets more experience, I throw in my two cents about how it went or what he could do better. He*s really a great kid. Elder Guillen was born in El Salvador where he lived until he was five. Then he moved to Virginia for a couple more years and then to Highland, Utah (American Fork area). He was only in the MTC for three weeks because he speaks both English and Spanish fluently. It*s been odd trying to train him. Mostly, I feel inadequate and could think of a billion better trainers, but I keep telling him that he has to learn from my mistakes and be better than me. At least that*s my parental desire. I think Elder Guillen and I will both be staying here on bikes through this next transfer, but you never know. Apparently there were a ridiculous amount of *midnights* this transfer. For my mom*s information, a midnight is when the mish pres decides someone needs to be transferred immediately instead of waiting until the next transfer meeting. Usually happens because boys are naughty. Silly billies. Anywho, sweatin* to the oldies isn*t as bad as I thought it was going to be. Don*t get me wrong; bein* on a bike is terrible. But I*ve been losing all sorts of weight and developing a stunning, manish figure (like I didn*t have one before). I was excited to hear the news about good ol* Elder Wells. I*m stoked that he can get back to the grind relatively soon. I*ve been praying for him too. Please let him know that I love him beyond the earthly limitations of my flesh. Those exact words, por favor. Gracias. Okay, so on to story time. One day Elder Guillen and I were riding down the side of the road on our bikes. Suddenly, the bushes were closing in on the left and the ditch on the right was getting bigger. All of a sudden, I made a girl noise and screamed, *Gauchito!* My bike slid into the ditch and I flew over the top of my bike. I probably shouldn*t have yelled his name because he promptly flew into the ditch right after me. As I removed my face from the dirt, I stood up to find Elder Guillen holding a bedazzled cell phone. *I found a phone. It works.* It was the weirdest experience. We went through the contacts and called *Mom.* Apparently this little, teenage Asian girl had been searching high and low for her cell phone and was very distraught. *Mom* thanked us profusely and gave us a box of fruit parfaits. Sometimes it is delicious to be a good Christian. I love telling that story. Probably because Elder Guillen and I laugh really hard every time we talk about it. I really like him. Kind of like a son. He*s teaching me a lot of Spanish and we*re working with a ton of people right now. It*s great. Just wish I had a car. Here*s something weird. Turns out that one of the Elders out here is the son of a guy my mom went to high school with. We figured it out when I told my mom that sometimes when we*re in the line at the Taco Bell, Elder Bussio will whip out his wallet and say, *This one*s on Vince.* So I tell my mom that Vince is Elder Bussio*s dad and my mom goes, *Vince Bussio that went to high school in Provo, Utah, a hundred years ago?* Turns out, same guy. I think that makes me and Elder Bussio related in some creepy, Mormon way. I guess that*s okay. Elder Bussio is a great guy and he pays for my Crunch Wrap Supreme. Well, as Joe Dirt says, Keep on keepin* on. Other great quotes include: Life*s a garden, dig it! AC/DC rules. I am happy. I smell good.
--Elder Max Crandall


Elder Logan Wells
Yo What a do...Well these past 2 months have been awesome. I can't say I have been doing much missionary work. Just chillen watching movies, and playing guitar hero. I had my surgery on the 18th of June, turned out to be the easiest surgery with the fasted recovery, no rehab or physical therapy. Well over the 4th of July I got to go to Mexico with the fam, we had fun quading, and being lazy. It was way fun for sure. Next Tuesday, I see the Doctor, he will sign me off and give me the heads up to go back. So next month no letter from home for me. It's so crazy, but all will be well. I have seen the Lords hand in my life these past couple of months. I know that if I did not go back I would regret it the rest of my life. I am just glad I have the opportunity to return to Puerto Rico. Oh, and I will still be back next summer. Thanks for all the support and prayers, I am so excited to get back out there and serve the Lord. I wouldn't have it any other way! PEACE Logan

Elder Garrett Jones
I am now writing to you from New Rochelle, NY, which is upstate. I met my new companion and he handed me the keys and said I had to drive. It has been a year now since I have touched the wheel of a car and I was terrified to be thrust into the driver's seat in the middle of New York City! My new companion, Elder Miranda and I are zone leaders here and are in charge of the Westchester zone which covers Yonkers, New Rochelle, Scarsdale, and White Plains. My new pad is by far the funnest, craziest apartment I've been in, with an Australian, a Singaporian, a Mexican, me, and two Elders from California and Utah. We had an amazing Sunday this week since a bunch of investigators all came to church. The ward really got excited to see all the nonmembers there and were fellowshipping them all like crazy. We are especially excited about the Herrara family, a sweet family of seven from Quatamala. I know this work is true. It is such a blessing to a servent of the Lord like I am.? I love and miss you all very much. Garrett

Elder Blake Smith
Hello everyone!!!!Whats up? Well I have just been getting ready to leave. I have been getting my visa and all of my things together. It takes longer than I thought. Three weeks ago I went through the temple and it was amazing. It was nice to have Logan here and to have him come through with me. I am so excited to get out in the mission field. I just got back from camping with my family and had a really good time. The next time we go up we are going to go to the Snowflake temple which I am really looking forward to. Other then that I have just been working and just finished up some school. But I will keep on preparing and can't wait to join all of you. Thank you everyone for your example. Blake Smith