I Would Hire You

I can now say that I have done some logging. Bishop owns a logging business so he grabbed us and we went to his job site. It was a “take your missionaries to work” day, haha jk. Anyway, I GOT TO DO A LOAD! Man it was pretty fun getting up into those big ol' machines with Bishop. He let me drive the skidder and then told me to move back after my mission to hire me as a logger ha! That was way fun!

We are teaching this young couple and we bore strong testimony on the ability to be forgiven. We shared Mosiah 3:19 and we “likened” the scriptures unto him and he finally is working on letting go of anger. He is super interested in read the Book of Mormon now. We also got super stoked about the BoM because in Zone conference that is all we talked about. Now all I want to do is read the Book of Mormon with my investigators because it says in PMG, “It is the greatest tool for conversion.” I can testify to that!

We have also finally found this great community service at this place that is a lot like DI. I found me a pair of overalls and I now own it! I am so happy to find some that fit me! I love this place, even though there is like only 20 people, I still love it. Oh speaking of which, our Stake President came down for ward conference and he sounds just like a baptist preacher. I think I attended my first revival. Dude, he was spitting fire about doing missionary work and I had feeling of, “Amen brother! Preach it!” And on the other hand, the ward might hate us so hopefully the fire and brimstone helped.

Anyways, I love y’all and hope y’all have a blessed week! BTW I am on an exchange with Jasper and we are gonna do a district Pday. Packi ball here we come!

Love, Elder Q

 

The Popo

It's been a pretty exciting and adventurous week.  This week we got the cops called on us which meant I got to ride in the back of a cop car.  No handcuff's or anything, don't worry.  The cop was super cool and gave us a ride, in the back seat of his cop car, back to our car.  It was awesome!I

I also want to wish my mom a happy late birthday! I am so very grateful for her being my mom. For all of you that know her, you know she is a super fun and loving person. I can always count on her to make me smile and to go on adventures with. She may not be perfect but she definitely is a perfect mom for me.

Some other highlights from this week..... we went on exchanges with the Pikeville Elders. We had so many miracles these past two days! One day we got a drive by referral. That has never happened to me before. This old lady popped out the window and gave us her contact info and said she would like a visit from us. Another miracle was that we found an apartment complex!!! I love those because they are straight gold mines!!

Whenever anyone tells me, "oh, you can't do that," it's just a taunt and a chance to prove, "I can,"  so this week I did.  Someone said I couldn't make a clean jump over a hedge.  Of course I took the challenge. While I did clean the jump, my landing was painful AND hilarious.  There is a video attached.  I walked around the rest of the day like a very warn out old man.

I gave a talk this weekend. It went pretty well I think. I gave it on growing our testimonies. I would like to share just the beginning quote I used by Elder Craig Christensen:
Some people speak of a testimony as if it were a light switch—it’s either on or off; you either have a testimony, or you do not. In reality, a testimony is more like a tree that passes through various stages of growth and development. Some of the tallest trees on earth are found in Redwood National Park in the western United States. When you stand at the base of these massive trees, it is amazing to think that each one grew from a tiny seed. So it is with our testimonies. Although they may begin with a single spiritual experience, they grow and develop over time through constant nourishment and frequent spiritual encounters.

I would like to say that the most important testimony is that in the Savior and his restored gospel. I love that God loves us so much that he gave his only begotten son so when we live the gospel we can be saved. Not only that but through His grace He can make weak things become strong.

Also, I got to see Autumn Coates! She was a Sister Missionary serving in TN.  She went home in December but came back for a visit.  She is so awesome and just glows! I am so thankful for her coming with her mom to see me. That is another thing I am thankful for from my mission.... that I get to meet some amazing friends.

I love y’all youins! Have a blessed week!

Love, Elder Q

 

 

I thought Mormons Don't Drive Red Cars

This week was interesting. I will share a few highlights with you. The snow weather migrated from Utah to here. A member about beat in a persons door. Elder Bednar spoke to us. There is a new first Presidency. I am an awkward human being. I have a talk this week. We had an exchange with the ZLs. I about became dog chow while serving. Last but not least, the Book of Mormon is the word of God.

O queso, the reason that I am awkward can be summed up quickly. Elder Mathews, Elder Hamblin and I were tracting late at night in an apartment complex. We knock on this dude’s door and he flung it open. Three thoughts instantly crossed my mind. First, “this guy doesn’t have pants on!” Second, “He is part of the KKK” and third, “this guy is going to stab me.” None of those thoughts were true but what was true is that he was wearing all white and this light was shining up on him. He had OCD or something because he was emotionless and we ould tell was very clean and organized. I got to talking  with him and Elder Hamblin proceeded to stand out of his line of sight but in mine. Then he made a funny face, making fun of the guy, and then one giggle comes out of my mouth. Just like that, I couldn’t stop myself from laughing! I literally had to turn away and say “I can’t do this.” Thank goodness for Elder Mathews who stepped in and tried to save the experience.

I have another story, last Pday we got a referral from HQ for someone who needed help with their garbage. We called the Pikeville Elders and ask for their assistance. We got to the lady’s house the next morning and there were three huge German shepherds just waiting for the call to eat us. The lady proceeded to tell us that only she can calm them down and that we should stay out of line of their leashes. We get to going around and picking up garbage because it is everywhere! I didn't pay attention to how close I got to the circle of death but then I heard a deep rumble. In slow motion I look up and one of the dogs were lunging at me. Approximately 6 inches from my face the dogs jaw snapped and he slingshoted back from the leash. I got a huge spike of adrenaline and probably jump 15 feet back words. I have never so close to the end of my life before.

Last of all, we had Stake Conference and they broadcasted it from HQ. Elder Bednar spoke to us about developing “faith unto repentance.” I have been studying that pattern recently and man it has been good! I got so pumped after that talk that I felt like Ammon when he said he would like to preach with angelic zeal. Faith and repentance are connect not separate. Y’all have no idea how excited I am for General Conference! Also, that means I can go to the temple again! I dislike waiting for 6 months before I can go. I know the Lord is at the helm directing this church. I know that President Nelson is inspired of
God. I just love how perfect this church is. I love y’all and hope you have a blessed week!

Love, Elder Q

 

Squall Bag

Man I can’t believe that it is Wednesday! This week has some pretty good things that happened. First off, I got my newbie Elder Clarke. He is from Arkansas! It is pretty funny because he says that Altamont is a lot like his town back home. He is not shy to talk with, he is super nice, and he has a pretty good memory. He did a lot of theater back home so when he reads out loud it actually sounds good. He also loves to cook so I am not complaining.  Oh, and if you want to know anything about pigs he could tell you.

Anyway, on his first actual door he knocks on we experienced a miracle. We spoke with this family and one of the girls got really interested and started asking lots of good questions. She said that she had been praying to get back to church but didn't  want to go to her old one. She asked what was different about our church and we taught the Restoration! She was just going right along with it. Cool thing was that we studied the doctrine of Christ in Comp study and how to invite people to baptism. I gave Elder Clarke “the look” and he invited her to be baptized. She said yes! We have her baptism scheduled for the 27th but Satan is working hard on her.  We may need to change the date but she is so repentant! And she just loves he Book of Mormon!!

I also love the way we are doing Elder’s quorum now! I absolutely love the council and mainly the action plan! If people go through with the plans that we set then a lot of good things will happen. The Lord is definitely hastening his work in these latter days. I absolutely love being on the front lines of the greatest work of all.

We got roped into some awesome service splitting frozen tipped logs and it was all in the cold rain... ha! We had a lot of fun but man was that work hard to split! You would think it would be easy because of the ice but the rain made it damp. We still got it done in good time thanks to Elder Meyer and Elder Cleverly.

I absolutely love my district too!  We are all homies and doing some awesome work. I like the unity that we have and the love that we have for each other. Plus, being in a District with only Elders is just a party in its self. That is all this week. I love y’all youins! Have a blessed week!

Love, Elder Q

 

 

Finishers Wanted

I have to start off my email with my love for President Monson. I am sad that he passed but I know he is with his beautiful wife and having a good time with all the other prophets. My favorite talk or article from him is called “Finishers Wanted” from the June 1989 Ensign. He has blessed my life with so much wisdom and I know he was a prophet because his promised blessings from the Book of Mormon have changed my life for the better.

This week we got transfer calls. Cool story for ya... we had just got back in from a morning of tracting and right as we sat down the phone rang. This was a Saturday morning by the way. We look at the caller ID and it is President Stone! He started off by saying, “The zone leader area will be moving to Tullahoma and none of you will be going there.” I thought, "Oh man! We got demoted hard... ha!" But then he continued talking and told us that I will be training as new missionary! He also said after this trainee I would also train another and most likely finish my mission in Altamont!! I am so excited! There  will be 2 districts in the zone and I will be the District Leader for the east side! I am so stocked! I love the elders in my district! Guess what?  Elder White is going and being the new Assistant to the President! I am so excited for him!  He left on Monday so I have been in a trio with Elder Meyer and Elder Horsley. Oh p.s. my son Elder Hamblin is the Zone leader here now!

I also went on an exchange last week with Elder Crawford.  He goes home today. He is so cool and I haven’t found a guy until now that has a lot of the same likes and dislikes as me. I wish we could have served together or at least been in the same district more. Other than that this week has been full of finding, teaching and serving the people on the mountain. I absolutely love it here and I am excited for this new adventure.

Love y’all! Have a blessed week!

Love, Elder Q