Hawaii, Honolulu Mission
January 2007 - January 2009
Aloha,Ka KouWell anyway things here are good.I got a call from the assistants asking if I wanted to go home a day early or go to the pcc,I was one day early fro shua I mean we dont get to go the the temple anyway I will come back and see the pcc another time, thats what I thought at least but I don't know what the other 12 people chose so we'll see what happens. It is crazy they will be bookin my flight very soon but if we do go home one day early then 60 days left oh my its crazy after this holiday season then bam it'll be practictally over. All the Elders are talkin about what movie to watch on christmas and I am just hey I don't care I'll be home like a month after that so whatevahs, and there just like shut up so then they proceed to remind me all the time that im going home soon, which is kinda irratating cuz Iam gonna miss it here and miss being a missionary it really is awesome stuff. This was the best choice I ever made the time has gone by so fast, Wow I just want to finish strong,and it is hard, I am training again and I am greatful I have had the oppertunity to get to do that so much. It is not easy for me but I know I have grown alot.Cuz mean time you have out here in da field bein one of Jesuses Guys live one life that stay to da max foevah bra so sweet da sky wen rip open and start fo shower you with da blessin from da Boss up in the Sky ho cuz its awesome sorry I stay speakin so much pidgin ovah heah dat i no can spell notin else sorry. Hey I say work hard you guys are all the bomb. Happy thanks giving, and a super Merry Christmas.I will see some of you soon. Daniel How are things going, My Bro. God speed. I cant wait to hear from all of you in the news letter. Time is really going fast. I am very greatful 102 passed in the states. Things are amazing in the plan, I could see were the Lord in these things happening.Well if we are prepared we shall not fear.My testimony has really grown and I am thankful to Be one of the lords Missionaries.it is getting scary to think now I have to return to a whole new life I donot know if I am ready for. Merry Christmas and the best to all of you dudes in 2009.Dont get trunky. But yeah about my comp thats true only 1 and a half more transfers with him I think Ill survive. Anyway thats about it. B Sexy B smooth B Smith
Elder Garrett Jones
Hi everybody,We are still working hard. We seem to find a lot of cool, nice people who want us to return and then are never there when we do. That's one thing about the Hispanic culture is that they are very nice to the point that they will lie to you instead of just straight up telling you they don't want you to come back like white people do. This may sound a little strange, but it's refreshing occasionally to be just straight up rejected. Don't let me fool you though, we are teaching some great people who have a lot of potential.The temperature here has really dropped with that amazing New York wind that ony seems to be there during the winter to make everybody much colder and miserabler (a new word). The winter clothing is officially out of the suitcases now. I know that I'm exactly where the Lord wants me to be and that this is his work I'm doing. It's amazing how many cool experiences I'm able to see and have each day and how different I feel when I come home after them. I love and miss you all and hope everything is going well. Love, Garrett
Elder Grant Huish
Hey Everybody, How are you doing? Things here in Oregon are wonderful! We had a baptism last week, it was a girl named Ashley Haynes. She is engaged to a member and basically already believed the church was true before we met her. Other than that, I am still in Oregon City with the same companion. For the last few days we have spent alot of time planning for our zone training and making plans for the zone this transfer. Which brings me to my next point, I only have 18 more minutes and I still have to type a bunch of stuff and send a letter to my mission president. Sorry. Love, Grant
Elder Daniel Anderson
HOWDY YALL! So this month was just as Crazy as all the other ones have been. At the begining of the month, Bishop/ President Nelson pulled some strings for me and got me in to the Mayo Clinic. Pretty much they are my last shot to make it back to the mission field so i was pretty excited to go. It turns out they said i have had almost everything possible done and that they don't think there is much they can do to help but they are going to try. So i have these two tests they are going to do and they are putting me on all kinds of different medicines so hopefully they will start helping. Oh here's another fun story, i went to see a shrink (psychologist) and she had the CRAZIEST EYES!! They were constantly moving and they could look in two different directions at once. I know some of you might disagree with this but this doctor told me that i'm a pretty normal person and that my mental state is not effecting my stomach.... YOU HEAR THAT? I'M NORMAL! Anyway on to bigger and better things. Later that month I took a trip to Utah to visit some of my buddies from my mission. I was there for like two weeks and I got to see yalls favorite cousin of mine, Sarah..... haha Jeff she says hi. After i was done hanging out in the cold Utah air, I drove over to Cali to visit my mission again because I was asked to escort a guy i helped through the temple. It was really cool to go and support him. He is the only active member in his family and there are only 4 out of 15 members in his family. We went through the Oakland temple and it was really pretty. I was nervous to take him through because i had never been and i didn't get the chance to go to the temple on my mission so it had been awhile. George just got his mission call to Minnesotta speaking Hmong and he reports December 10th so i'm way excited to see him off. After my big long trip to Utah and Cali i came home and my family went to the Sand Dunes for Thanksgiving. It was really fun being out there with everybody. Because its Thanksgiving and all, i just want you all to know how much i look up to each of you and that i'm thankful to have you as my friends. Love yall, Daniel PS - Brock i'll see you in 50 "ish" days (work hard!)
Elder Max Crandall
Hola, or should I say, hello. I got released from the Spanish program. President said it had something to do with the changin’ times. It’s weird but I feel great. I also got transferred. I’m now in a town called Snohomish and my new companion is Elder ****. We live in a member’s home. They keep their house about 5 degrees warmer than the temperature outside. Bought some thermals. Changed my life. I think this’ll be good for me. If I’m going to learn discipline any time in my life, I imagine it will be here. We went out with a ward missionary from the ward we are serving in. Our ward mission leader’s plan was to visit all of the members in our ward, share a message about missionary work, commit them to do something, and pump them up. The ward missionary told us that he had called 20 families but only got an appointment with one. Well, that’s fine. Mormons are busy people. The work here in Snohomish is finally picking up a little. Basically, God is great and rewards countless hours of pointless tracting. We are working with a nine-year-old girl. The other day, her older brother’s friend came over. He looks just like one of those 13-year-old-already-smoking-pot-skater-punk-trouble-makers. We asked him to stay for the lesson. He seemed embarrassed or mad at himself for getting trapped by the Mormons. “Why hello there son, would you like to learn about God and come to church?” “Gee, misters, that’d be swell!” “That’s Elders to you, boy.” Huzzah! By the end of the lesson he accepted to come to church, read the BofM, and be baptized. Woot! Thank you, Holy Ghost! Only problem is, his family is Jewish. I’ve never put a Jew on date before. Sure, he probably isn’t a practicing Jew, but it’s still cool. I hope Turkey Day was great for everyone. I’m singing in a mission octet with Elder Josh Ostler. Life is good. We’re all going to the temple on December 11th. Can’t wait. Happy, Happy, Merry, Merry – Elder Crandall
Elder Mike Kleinman
Hey Everyone! Well, I am out of the office and here in Alto Alberdi! I am loving being back into full time proselyting. We'll be baptizing two families in December which should be great. The Bishop here is super enthusiastic to help the ward progress in the work. Well, I can't believe christmas is coming up soon! The other companionship that lives with us went out and bought a christmas tree, heh.My companion is Elder Carter from UT. I am also living with Elder Oliphant, an Elder who was in my MTC group, so we already know each other really well. It should be a fun transfer, as long as I don't get shipped out, because transfers are on the 24th!! What bad luck! We had our own Thanksgiving by buying a big chicken, no turkeys here. It was a great feast. We are in summer now,and it's hot. I will have a month or so of cooler weather then I get to come home to summer again, Lucky me ! Time is flying by... Well camaradas, let's make the best of the little time we all have left. Till next time. All for one (the Lord), and one for all.
chau chau Elder Kleinman
Elder Jeff Stoker
Dear Elders,All is well. What can i say more. I cant believe that December is here, and there is no snow here yet. I guess that i am pretty lucky. It will come, so dont worry about that. You can hear my freezing to death stories. It has been an exciting month. I am still in my same area, which makes 10 months in the same city. Thanksgiving came, and me and my companion celebrated by eating some buckwheat, and potatoes. Quite tasty, i guess we had no choice, because it was the only thing that we had to eat. It is funny the things that you are willing to eat on your mission. One of our investigators made us squid, and my companion refused to eat it. I figured that i might as well try it, and it was definately an experience to remember. I wish i could tell you what other "wierd" foods that i have eaten, but to tell you the truth, i have no idea what i am eating most of the time. I find comfort in not asking, if i dont not know. The work is going really good here. We are working out butts off trying to accomplish President Hinckley's challenge. It is really hard when these visa trips mess up things though. We going on exchanges like 3 times a week. As i am writing this, we are in a threesome trying to cover two areas. I am having a blast though. I guess i will tell you a story that happened last night. So, we were sleeping at some other elder's place, and they called us and told us that they just got chased by a guy with a knife by their apartment. We we just happened to be exactly in that area. So as soon as my comp told me, we started to run, without a reason. We ran across the street, and i turned around and saw the guy that had the knife, and he was following us. Of course we booked it out of there, and he decided that he shouldnt chase us. Moral of the story, I am blessed, and so very lucky. Ok, and thats that. Everythings great. I love serving the Lord here in the Russia Samara Mission, which also happens to be the BEST mission in the world. (sorry about bursting all your bubbles.) I love you all, and i hope you are working your butt off. Time is too short. Have a great month. Elder Jeff Stoker
Elder Jimmy Miller
Ridiculous!!I have seriously like 5 minutes to write this and I don't remember what my last letter said. Well in short the last couple weeks have been pretty amazing. The three weeks ago our mission president promised everyohne a phone call of someone wanting to be baptized if we would continue to work diligently. So a week and a half after that we still hadn't received a call or really seen much of anything. Monday of the second week we planned to have 2 new investigators and both fell through. Tuesday was gonna be a great day, but it too failed. So Wednesday, P-Day, came not any too soon. Then that day, around 4 we were headed down to the church to email when we came out of the subway my phone buzzed that i got a voicemail. I called it and it was one of the Sisters saying to call her back quickly. So i did. She was screaming "Miracle!" when i answered. She said a friend of the area 70 had emailed him and said he wanted to be baptized and that he lived in our area! She told us to meet her and her companion at the Trump Tower that night for an appointment with this guy and the area seventy! It was amazing and he's set for baptism in December. I know that God is over this work and that He will assisst us as we show our faith. Keep it up guys. I admire those of you in colder climate than I. (Jeff in particular!) I'm dying with the cold winds we get here. We also recently had Elder Holland come and speak to our stake. It was amazing. He said he came to tell us that even thought things looked tough "Everything is ok!" It was powerful. We and our investigator got to shake his hand. It was sweet. Anywho. Carry on boys! Have a Merry Christmas!! LOVE ELDER MILLER
Elder Gary Chambers
I switched on you guys again! Haha Oh man that never gets old... and speaking of old, La Vega is now history, and I'm now registered in Buenas Aires... The Northern section of Santiago. I don't know so much about Good Air, but it sure is a neat lil area... Our entire area is made up of about 16 shortish streets, so pretty much everyone has had lessons, is an inactive, or an active member... not too much new other then that... OH WAIT!!....... no.... nope nevermind. I did get a new comp though who happens to be my FDC (First Domincan Comp) (like I even had to explain that one...) His name is Elder Mota and he sure looks like he's not a Dominican (it's his white skin). It's cool though, he's helping me alot with the whole language speaking thing because he doesn't know english. Oh yeah! I was walking up one of the 16 streets of ours, and I noticed this little girl of about 5 years staring at me (it's my white skin)... I thought, "aahhh... how cute, this lil girl is staring at me. I'm going to say hi when we pass her." So all geared up, we began to pass and I turned, smiled and in a friendly voice said, "Hola"... Almost immediately she responded... "Shut up!" It completely caught me off guard and I just started laughing right there... hahaha that lil girl is funny. Thanks for listening gents! Time is low so I must go. Loves! Love, Elder Chambers
I switched on you guys again! Haha Oh man that never gets old... and speaking of old, La Vega is now history, and I'm now registered in Buenas Aires... The Northern section of Santiago. I don't know so much about Good Air, but it sure is a neat lil area... Our entire area is made up of about 16 shortish streets, so pretty much everyone has had lessons, is an inactive, or an active member... not too much new other then that... OH WAIT!!....... no.... nope nevermind. I did get a new comp though who happens to be my FDC (First Domincan Comp) (like I even had to explain that one...) His name is Elder Mota and he sure looks like he's not a Dominican (it's his white skin). It's cool though, he's helping me alot with the whole language speaking thing because he doesn't know english. Oh yeah! I was walking up one of the 16 streets of ours, and I noticed this little girl of about 5 years staring at me (it's my white skin)... I thought, "aahhh... how cute, this lil girl is staring at me. I'm going to say hi when we pass her." So all geared up, we began to pass and I turned, smiled and in a friendly voice said, "Hola"... Almost immediately she responded... "Shut up!" It completely caught me off guard and I just started laughing right there... hahaha that lil girl is funny. Thanks for listening gents! Time is low so I must go. Loves! Love, Elder Chambers
Elder Logan Wells
yo wat is up my brothers and sisters? well guess its that time again its been doing great well i am still here chilling in the british virgin islands on the island of tortola well i keep hoping that daniel is gonna write me and tell me that he is coming to tortola on a cruise we get them in everyday and he just keeps going on all of these cruises, so that is an invitation, haha well yeah things are going great here we are see so much success right now, the lord has blessed me so much, we are getting people to church like every week and helping lots come back to the church. Its amazing what the lord will do if we just ask for a little help. i really see miracles everyday of my life, well saturday the 29 i am going to be entering the ocean, yeah its great whe n you have baptism there are no fonts and so we go to the ocean, so that is pretty sick. Well i love it so much, i look forward to your letters every month, i love hearing about all the progression on your missions, the holidays have me going for a spin becasue they were just here yesterday, so crazy. Well i hope all is well in all the places that you are, gary expect something around christmas there is a member that is going home for christmas and they live in santiago, you are actually in his area right now, if your still in la vega he served there for like almost a year his name is miguel bueno i dont know if you know him or not , well i love you all. merry thanksgiving and happy christmas
love you all logan
Anziano Scott Ball
Hey my missionary friends!Everything is going great here in Italy. I haven't written the past few newsletter letters, but I hope that they were good. I am now in Modena where they make balsamic vinegar and cheese! The food is amazing. I don't know if anyone heard that Rome is getting a temple! I don't think it will be coming soon, but we are all glad that it is coming. I'm now on bike for the first time in my mission and it is painful. I didn't know I could be sore in some spots of my body and I don't think I will ever get used to riding a bike. On top of riding a bike, it is very cold here and it was snowing the other day. Anyway, We have transfers the week before Christmas and I hope that I don't get transfered out of here. I hope that everyone has a good christmas and that y'all keep on keeping on!vi voglio un mare di bene e tanti auguri per natale, Anziano Ball
Elder Chase Judd
Hey friends,Well i have 8 months in the mission now i am getting pretty old. Well this past weekend was the rededication of the mexico city temple and we got to watch on sunday it was way cool to see all of the new things in there but yeah while i was watching it my backpack was in another room and some little beaner/frijolero stole my camera so all of my pictures are gone all of my memories especially all of my BAPTISMAL pictures ahhh! I love mexicans its just some are a little sneaky and it can happen anywhere in the world. I am still in Catemaco the witch and wizard place but yeah still havent seen any so its my goal before i leave here i bet i will leave this change. I love you keep working hard have fun don't get to serious like me i have changed alot. good bye. LOVE CHASEY FACEY O ELDER JUDD
Elder Blake Smith
Hello!
I am finally here in Argentina. Yesterday the weather was amazing it didn’t rain but it made walking around alot better. We finally had a break from the heat and Islept with a blanket last night. We have some pretty good investigators right now. I am still getting used to the food here, it just isn’t very flavorful, but I guess when you are here for a while you get used to it. ya so last week we played soccer as a zone. I scored three goals and it was so fun. We had one native play with us the totally blew us away. He was so good. And we have to play during the siesta or during the middle of the day so everyone was so burnt. Except me I got darker. I am going to be black when I get home. The funniest thing on the mission happened last Thursday. Ha ha we opened the mouth why we were on the way to an appointment. And the guy we were talking to was talking bad about the church and missionaries. He just wasn’t being nice. Ha ha and then some dog ran up to him lifted his leg and peed all over that guys leg. I had to try so hard not to just crack up laughing. He deserved it though. He was being mean. Man I love that dog. Oh something else that was funny so on one cuadra or block. Which these blocks aren’t very long we saw 21 dogs. It was so funny that is our record right now with 21 dogs on one block. This week we are really working on getting people to church I think we have 16 investigators right now and so we are trying to get them all to church this next week. In all reality only like 3 will show up but we have to invite them all. Have a awesome month. Love, Elder Blake Smith
I am finally here in Argentina. Yesterday the weather was amazing it didn’t rain but it made walking around alot better. We finally had a break from the heat and Islept with a blanket last night. We have some pretty good investigators right now. I am still getting used to the food here, it just isn’t very flavorful, but I guess when you are here for a while you get used to it. ya so last week we played soccer as a zone. I scored three goals and it was so fun. We had one native play with us the totally blew us away. He was so good. And we have to play during the siesta or during the middle of the day so everyone was so burnt. Except me I got darker. I am going to be black when I get home. The funniest thing on the mission happened last Thursday. Ha ha we opened the mouth why we were on the way to an appointment. And the guy we were talking to was talking bad about the church and missionaries. He just wasn’t being nice. Ha ha and then some dog ran up to him lifted his leg and peed all over that guys leg. I had to try so hard not to just crack up laughing. He deserved it though. He was being mean. Man I love that dog. Oh something else that was funny so on one cuadra or block. Which these blocks aren’t very long we saw 21 dogs. It was so funny that is our record right now with 21 dogs on one block. This week we are really working on getting people to church I think we have 16 investigators right now and so we are trying to get them all to church this next week. In all reality only like 3 will show up but we have to invite them all. Have a awesome month. Love, Elder Blake Smith
