Week 8: 12/5/2016 Oh My Scaredy Pants Mailer

{the first part of Michael's mailer today came from a response to a question I asked him. After he typed the response he decided to include it in his letter to everyone because it was so powerful and came straight from his heart!}

 

Well today in the #LightTheWorld Initiative is Jesus Healed the Sick and So Can You. It suggests giving blood or something. Is that something you can do? If not go look at the other options on Mormon.org on every day there is always something that anyone can do. Do you know why? Because anyone and everyone can follow the Savior. Doesn't matter who you are, sinner or saint, disabled or world class athlete or genius, poor or rich, anyone can follow Him. And follow His example. Nephi says in 1 Nephi 3:7 that 

"...that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them." 

Well the Lord Said unto the Nephites and to us (for the Book of Mormon is for our day) 

"48 Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect."

Think about that. I just know that the more you focus on serving as he served the closer you will grow and the more powerful and sweet you testimony of Christ will be. That's why missions are so powerful. You spend all day every day following his example. One of my favorite scriptures is Abraham 3:16 which says

16 If two things exist, and there be one above the other, there shall be greater things above them; therefore Kolob is the greatest of all the Kokaubeam that thou hast seen, because it is nearest unto me.

I read that years and years ago, and when I did I was struck by the power of the spirit in such a way that by reading and teaching about it I am always struck again to this day. Abraham was shown the entirety of creation, or at least as much as it's possible for mortal man to be shown, the vastness of eternity and the universe, all of Gods creation, and among all the incredible sights he saw, the nebulae in their abstract beauty, the stars, worlds without end and peoples and creatures too, and the greatest of all of that was Kolob. Why? For no other reason, than the simple fact that it is closest to our Heavenly Father. Not because of size or shape or power or beauty, just because it is nearest unto Him. That's what following the Savior does for us. Following his example makes us perfect. Draws us too him. Makes us great. So that one day we will be like him. As it says in Moroni 7:48

48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

Pray that ye may receive that which is given to TRUE FOLLOWERS of the Son. Those who follow His example. And do it to become the Sons or Daughters of God. When Jesus Christ comes again, we will realize that we have become as He is. By following. By coming nearer. Becoming greater. THEN we shall see Him as He is. If we are like Him, we can be cleansed like him. As a missionary I follow in His footsteps in almost every aspect of my life. THAT'S why missions are so powerful, why missionaries are so powerful, not because they have the spirit more abundantly, or because they are blessed, or people love them, or they have good experiences, although all of those things are true and good. But rather we have the Power of Christ because we are like him. We follow Him. And as each of you follow Him, that power and greatness because a part of you as well. I can give you that promise as a representative of Jesus Christ, a messenger who has been given the keys of the ministering of angels, in His holy sacred name, Jesus Christ. Amen.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Ok now the email I had planned to send :P

How do you fill a pair missionaries with an intense mixture of fear, anxiety, spiritual enlightenment, immense joy, and excitement when you're a mission president? When they txt you to let you know they have a baptism the next day (cuz that's what you're supposed to do) you say the following.

"Great, I'm meeting with Elder Cook, I'll see if he wants to skip out and come to you baptism with me :) Enjoy!"

Yeah so that happened. Talk about momentary panic. Like we were 90% sure he was kidding, but President would totally do it sooo... yeah. Unfortunately (or maybe luckily) Elder Cook did not attend the baptism but the baptism was great nonetheless. Alright so with that let's go back to the beginning of the week....

Oh actually first, just FYI but last Sunday I met Batman and this week I not only met with but also ate dinner with Santa so yeah. Cool week.

So last Pday we played Bang and Liars dice with T. like all day after the other district we were gonna play with wimped out on ultimate frisbee in the snow. I found a sweet sweater at DI though and got some other stuff too. Oh and a recent convert we are taking to the temple next Friday called us cuz she got a flat tire that need replacing. I have never changed such a frustrating tire in my life. Just getting the spare down from under was a pain. And it was supposed to be easy! But we did get it eventually, and we did get our little corollas jack to work, thanks to extensive engineering and practical/applied physics experience... super sketchy. And it was frigid in the snow and slush and I didn't get my gloves from the Cutlers until Thursday. Seriously... worst tire ever. But we eventually managed it and we got dinner and cheesecake out of it so I'm not really complaining.

Tuesday we just had a bunch of service planned... which fell through cuz it's hard to shovel snow when it all melts the next day by the time we're out of studies. But we stopped by the Jarvis's and cleared gutters for like four blocks and managed to make contact with some less active members and others in the process. Then I went and learned how to do sheet rock. So that was sweet. More service followed by a great lesson. Then food and more lesson. Then we got to take a recent convert to the temple, and here's a miracle for you. So we got there and discovered that because City Center is closed for cleaning and this is the busiest time of the day and week, that there is more than a two hour wait to do baptisms. We were crestfallen and disappointed. As we discussed out options with the Bishop and Young Women's president who were there to help D. (our recent convert), the gentleman at the recommend desk stood and said he had someone to talk to. He came back a few minutes later with the Brother overseeing the baptistery that night. After assessing the situation he told us to all go change and that we were making this thing happen. So essentially we cut ahead of several hours worth of youth to be able to make D.'s first temple experience as incredible and worthwhile as possible. That was super cool.

Wednesday wasn't too exciting, just talking to some old people in a nursing home, lots of finding then lots of meetings. It was also the last day of the month however, and I don't remember if I told you all this but we had a meeting in Heber that ate up almost 90 miles we were told wouldn't count... well the Assistants to the President changed their minds after we got home so we were pretty short on miles. We parked at the zone leaders apartment with exactly 599 miles out of our 600 for the month. Luckily Thursday was December and also my first exchanges so we survived. 

So yeah first exchanges. I loved it. I learned sooo much, my companion is a district leader but other than the ZLs we only have sisters in our district so no exchanges for obvious reasons. But that also means we do exchanges with the ZLs for which I am so grateful because Elder Gallegos and Elder Schwantes are just incredible missionaries. So we spent that night with them Wednesday night then all of Thursday was myself and Elder Schwantes together and Elders Connelly and Gallegos together. To be fair we had district training that morning anyway so we were altogether anyway most of the day, we went to great steak for lunch and ate way too much. When we finally got to proselytizing I was just blown away by Elder Schwantes tenacity. It was incredible to watch. With Elder Schwantes I was able to see a great missionary in action and learn and grow from it. The whole day was just wonderful. Plus we ate dinner with Santa that night (soup bowls for the win!) I have some pictures but they're on Elder Schwantes IPad. I'll try to get them for you. No promises.

Friday was a little like Wednesday, not too exciting, just normal missionary day. It would've been pretty awesome except half our appointments canceled on us :( we did teach B. again and we met with A. late in the evening to get the final things figured out for his Baptism the next day. But nothing to insane or incredible. We did attend 3rd wards Christmas party and had some great food, plus Sis. Cox took some pictures which she posted on the Missionary Mommas fb page (her son enters the MTC this week before leaving for Cambodia) and Sis. Dean (whose son comes home in less than a month and is currently serving in my companions home stake) took pictures and texted both of our moms, but anyway on to the exiting stuff. Saturday! If you want those pics you'll have to bug my mom for them, I don't have them.

Ok so things started with a donut, a reprimand, a little boys baptism, and our own baptism with A. Yes, I got pictures for that one :P oh and that was all after getting that txt from president... again we were pretty sure he wouldn't bring Elder Cook but you just never know.  Anyway about the baptism, unfortunately since we suck at scheduling and the times kept changing we didn't have many people there but A.'s daughter S. gave the talk on baptism, we had her read a poem about it from an old Friend magazine, she did great. I sang 'I Have Not Seen, Yet I Believe' which was kind of tender for me, it was one of the first songs I ever really performed on my own for a solo. It wasn't quite the first, that was 'He Sent His Son', arranged by Sally, but it was the first one I really made my own and I think the first one I chose. Anyway the rest of the baptism was great, Elder Connelly did the actual baptizing, for which I'm rather grateful since the water was apparently freezing. After the baptism we headed to Salem for lunch with a bunch of people from my companions last area, it was good food but there just wasn't enough :P  then to Payson for a mission wide meeting with Elder Quentin L Cook, as well as the 1st counselor in the presiding Bishopric, and the President of the 1st quorum of the 70 if I'm not mistaken. So yeah that was pretty awesome. We received some fantastic, very specific advice and some powerful Apostolic blessings. I wish I had taken better notes.

 Haha and I also played the piano for about 30 seconds ;P so Elder Lee was playing prelude when they started to go around and shake everyone's hands, and when it was nearing our row, President kind of signed at me to go take Elder Lee's place at the piano when I'd shake all the hands... I was a little confused but I did as he asked. As I approached the piano, Elder Lee was playing Abide With Me Tis Eventide, and he paused mid phrase, slid off the bench, and I slid on and continued where he left off. He went to go shake hands then when I finished the hymn I started 86 How Great Thou Art (Jason would be so proud)  then about halfway through he came back and I stopped and he started right where I was. Haha I thought it was pretty slick. If I do say so myself. And one of the senior Elders thought so too so there. 

From there it was straight back for more dinner, then just a couple visits and meetings before bed and Sunday rolled around. B. was at church along with all his siblings, we had a ton is other wards. Taught two lessons to the young men in different wards, sang The First Noel three different times (and it was the special musical number at the big mission meeting), went to 8 hours of church, had two dinners and tried to teach Plan of Salvation plus a ton of deep doctrine before bed. Also got fed extra desert, lost our bike rack again, and got a call from the ZLs asking for a sleep over. So yeah. I'm pooped. And I told President so too. I literally started my letter to him yesterday 'Hey President, I'm pooped.' But Goblin Valley today so I think I'll get over it. It may be a little chilly though, my warm clothes came just a day too late ;P it shouldn't be too bad though. Haha and sorry this kind of turned into a play by play. We just did a lotta stuff this week :P See ya in a few

Love,

Elder DeFord

 

A's baptism

Lakeside Third Ward Christmas Party

Also Third Ward's Christmas Party

District

Dessert

 

Week 7: 11/28/2016

Alright well... holiday weeks are weird for missionaries. This was probably our least productive week since I've been out. We had a follow up trainer/trainees meeting Tuesday morning. That was several hours. Then we had District training meeting in the afternoon cuz we had President interviews which were awesome. So that was pretty much all day. Then Wednesday was kind of normal... ish. But everyone was getting ready for turkey day so we just kind of went around contacting referrals all
day... we did find someone cool but I'll talk about that when I get to the Christmas Initiative. Then Thursday... that was great. I should get some pictures from some other Elders sometime today and
I'll add those. But yeah we slept in... oops. Then I played Ultimate for 2 hours. One of the Elders, Elder O'reilly, actually played in school and on his state team. It was fantastic. I got a little torn up
but it was sooo worth it. Then we just had dinner with a family and then played games at some different homes. Somehow... Bishop Jarvis and his whole family had no idea what Phase 10 was... so needless to say, they are now hooked. Last Monday I downloaded like 40 Sally songs on my iPad so now I can play whenever which is great.

Friday then was just sharing the Christmas Initiative with basically everybody we come in contact with. So if you don't know what it is, listen up. Go on Mormon.org and click on the picture of baby Jesus and Mary. Watch the video. Then do the stuff. Basically, it's an advent calendar that describes the life of Jesus Christ, each day focuses on a different aspect of his ministry and service and gives ways to emulate him. So go forth and do! Also this is my next level commitment that I've extended to everyone we've talked to. As you serve everyday, whoever you go serve, invite them to join with you,
show them the video and invite them to follow the example of the Savior. I know that as people reach out to others and invite them, the spirit will spread, love will spread, and we will all rise together.
As the Quakers say 'I'll lift thee, thee lift me, and we'll ascend eternally'

Do it

Now

Go on.

You can read the rest of my crap later, just go do it already.

I'm waiting.

Alright so cool story about the Initiative...

Ok so this is an excerpt from my letter to president this week and I'm not editing it so it may not make total sense but.... deal with it.

"One in particular... I think it was Wednesday, we were just biking around contacting referrals when we pass a woman unloading groceries. We helped her then talked to her for 30 minutes to an hour, she's a less active member who moved not too long ago and has decided she really wants to start getting back into the church. Super high energy and super aware of the Lords influence in her life and His constant care for her and guiding her. We promised her we'd come back Friday and share the initiative because she kept talking about how she was looking for a way to focus on Christ and talking about how much she wanted to serve... wow. Golden. So we stopped by Friday evening and
just had an incredible lesson with her and her family, and it was exactly what she was looking for. Then the next day we had a similar experience with some one else."

Saturday was super slow. Just visiting people we missed Friday, did some service, Skype into a baptism. Nothing too crazy. I ate more thanksgiving leftovers that day than I did actual thanksgiving the day before if you can believe it. Sunday was cool though. Mostly just two things. So I sang in 4th ward, and somehow got roped into singing in 3rd ward. Oh right and we helped ordain our soon to be missionary friend to the Melchizedek priesthood then his farewell was Sunday. Also I got this sweet pair of pants from his dad who is kind of like Rob and is gonna take us to Goblin Valley in a couple weeks. You'll see the pants just be patient. Anyway so after all that stuff Sunday we had an awesome lesson with V and M, they're Armenian and Georgian respectively.

Anyway...So... do I speak really fast or is it a Washington/west coast thing? I never really noticed in the MTC until Elder Montoya who is a drama kid and specializes in accents and impersonations, went through and described the different ways we all talk and he described mine as a little faster and something else. I didn't really believe it but then he did it and he sounded.... normal. It was weird, but after hearing him impersonate me I realized how much slower most other people talk.... then with V and M, mostly M who is hard of hearing and doesn't speak English as well... oops. I had to get reminded to slow down a couple times.... haha it was a really fantastic lesson though.

I love being a missionary.

K. Picture time. Here we go.

With Bubba because hes awesome

Drama Llama

More Drama Llama

Elder Connelly and Elder DeFord

Herd of sheep (obviously)

Turkey Bowl with Elder O'reilly who played Ultimate Frisbee in high school and college

Turkey Bowl with Elder Duncan who has never played Ultimate Frisbee but kicked trash

New pants and suspenders. Woot!

I'm cool!

Week 6: 11/21/2016

Alright another week down... just a 101 to go or something like that :P 

It's been good week. Seems like they all are, never perfect, there are always harder days and times when life is more difficult, but the weeks are always good. The Lord really does watch out for and protect his servants. That means all of us, not just me, not just the full time missionaries or the general authorities or bishops. No, everyone receives these blessings if they choose to become His servants. There is a scripture that I was guided to while in the MTC, I think about it pretty frequently, especially when life gets hard for those I teach. I actually found this scripture because I misread a reference I had in my scriptures, but the scripture I found was perfect. So I had a sticky note from Sunday school that said 2 Peter 3:10-13. I instead went to that same reference in 1 John this is what it says, starting in verse 9 actually

9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

That last line really got me. And it was perfect for the TRC I was working with at the time. But it basically says, evil things attack good things, so when you get closer to God, why are you surprised that evil people and evil things attack you and life gets hard? Then I think of Nephi's Lament in 2 Nephi 4, he says in 17-19

17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.

19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.

As sad and hard as it is, sometimes we know that we're doing things right because life gets harder, because Satan is trying to stop us from doing good things, to keep us from our blessings and the reward of eternal life. But choosing to trust, to act for Him and be His servant then "Be[ing] still and know[ing] that [He is] God" I know in whom I have trusted, and He keeps me safe, He guides me, and He will bring me safely home again in a few years. Alright... that was a lot more than I expected but... deal with it :P

So like I said it's been a good week, I made several cakes * (5 now actually) for different families and investigators and people. Every time I learn the recipe a little better and it turns out a little better, they're pretty good if I do say so myself. We've been teaching and eating and doing all the things. 

We did have an experience either early this week or late last week that was kind of cool. So we were getting gas and this guy stops us, he's dressed in kind of farmers work clothes and stuff, pretty good drawl, but he just asks if he can share a poem with us. We weren't sure what to say to that really. So we said yes, and he shared a really cool poem with us all about the gospel and he shared several more with us as we went. We gave him our number and email and asked him to send them to us, unfortunately we haven't gotten them yet but when we do there's another cool story I have for you. But yeah that happened.

So unfortunately not baptisms this month because A., my baptism for this Saturday pushed it back a week to December so his sister could be there, but that also means that we're going to have an insane number of baptisms in December... hopefully ;P it should be really cool. We're planning several for Christmas Eve which will be awesome.

It did finally snow here... but just a tiny bit and it melts away before it hits the ground all the time. It's gotten a little chillier but not too bad, it's still way too warm for Utah... it's been pretty weird. Oooh and I get to go to the temple 3 or 4 times in the next couple weeks! Woot. A few for baptisms for the dead with recent converts, and then also December is the month for the mission temple days so that's super exciting. Anywho, any questions or what not just ask away. Still doing great and learning and growing all the time.

Oh yeah and I sang in church on Sunday, and I'm singing next week, and the week after in a baptism sooo yeah.

And we may have killed a friend of ours. Ooops.

And hopefully a fun adventure in the next couple weeks.

Love you all,

Elder DeFord

Elder Gallegos, Elder Schwantes, Elder Polar Bear (aka Elder Connelly), Elder DeFord

 * Caramel Apple Cake

1 pkg of moist yellow cake mix.
1 pkg of jell-o vanilla flavor pudding.
1 cup of water
4 eggs.
1/3 cup oil.
1/4 cup of milk
3 Granny Smith apples peeled , and coarsely chopped
20 caramels.
And 3 tbsp of milk.
Oven at 350. Beat first six ingredients in bowl until blended, stir in apples pour into a greased floured fluted tube pan.  bake for 50 min. Cool for 15 min then transfer onto cooling rack or serving plate Finally take Carmela and milk, melt until liquid then Pour directly over cake before hardens ... Then enjoy super yumminess

Week 5: 11/14/2016

Ok so this week has been interesting already. I'm starting this on Wednesday (11/9) because my companion/trainer/district leader is doing a training that takes like 3 hours. So after I left you all Monday, we had several great recent convert lessons. We're working with a brother and sister who are... interesting. They actually got baptized in March, but never received the recent convert lessons. The area got whitewashed (both Elders get moved out and two brand new ones go in) soon after they were baptized. That just makes it even more important that I do everything I can, that I love them, and take care of all the people I can. I promise I'm doing great, it's really awesome.  My district is good. 

Anyway same deal, yesterday (Tuesday, 11/10) we had some really good lessons, but the morning was kind of weird. We were super excited to see the R family, the people I was talking about last week. We were all set to teach his daughter so she could sing in the primary program but they flaked on us. They went out to dinner when our lesson was supposed to be so we came back later... and we thought he was gonna drop us. We all sat down around the table and he just started talking. Thankfully, as he continued to talk, he really opened up and shared some of his concerns and we found out that on top of everything else, there were some major issues that he was confused about, things like baptisms for the dead and becoming like Heavenly Father. But we talked about everything, and it ended up being an incredibly spiritual and sweet experience. We made a lot of progress and our relationship is so much stronger. I'm grateful, so grateful for that opportunity. 

Ok yeah... the rest of the week has been pretty good. I honestly don't remember a ton, we had a ton of lessons, did some service, met lots of people. The change in people hearts is really incredible to watch. And the food is great all the time. Bro. R’s daughter got to be in the primary program, which was awesome in so many ways. The mom is less active but we got the family to come and be part of it. I also sing next week in 14th ward and I'm getting scheduled in 4th ward sometime soon. We finally got in with some people this week who we'd been having trouble contacting. There's one family that's less active but the mom basically just came and said, “Hey we want our boy to be baptized and get back into church.” We're helping them with that. We also got back in with the UFC fighter, but he's gonna be gone for a week doing his trial for his second degree black belt or something. The man is incredible. He asked us all about how the church started and Joseph Smith and stuff at the end of our last meeting, we just have to start with the restoration next time. It’s really interesting because he has dealt with a lot of substance abuse type issues, so he's an AA mentor and goes around the country doing talks and keynotes and stuff about how it affects people, how to be free. He talks at schools, jails, all sorts of places. He's so cool, I just worry that his analytical world side is going to keep his testimony is check.

Anyway life is good. I got a free Frisbee, and we're going to play with some scouts in a couple weeks. Woot :D also my weight has remained a total constant. Not getting fat over here :P ok I think that's good enough... it was just weird cuz I started Wednesday...

So.... I get to see D (someone he taught while he was in the MTC) on Saturday. Like in person. Which is way exciting! There ended up being 6 missionaries at that meeting, plus one of his 'adopted' granddaughters who's an RM: me and my companion, the APs, plus a senior missionary couple. So I didn't get to say much, but I am sending him the Garden to listen to and I got to see him again which was great. We also accidentally left the mission... ooops. We get to see a general authority on Wednesday and an apostle in the beginning of December I think. 

“Mormons? I thought they were just a choir.” Quote of the Day from a lady we had dinner with who was telling her conversion story.

Alright see ya, ask away, love you all

Elder DeFord

p.s. Ok sorry I totally forgot, I probably have to explain about my companion this week. So he is Elder Polar Bear, I think that's just what we're going to keep calling him. If you really want to know his name and stuff, he's the back-to-back national wrestling champion, heavyweight Greco style. There ya go. And he's a giant Polar Bear. So he's the one really working out with our UFC fighter. Haha I try to keep up but it's tough for sure. He's from Oklahoma and is several months younger than me. He's been a member since he was 11 and he also went to Catholic school his whole life so he knows a ton about their religion which has been super nice. There ya go. That's Elder Polar Bear in a nutshell.

Elder DeFord

Bonus: New Testament Reading Challenge--Starts TODAY!!!

Hey so sorry I can't say much but basically this is a reading challenge
we're doing as a mission and I'm allowed to write home to invite
everyone to do it! So if you could get the word out to as many people
as possible that would be great. Basically it's studying the Harmony
of the Gospels, so everyday you look at the topic for the day, and
study the scriptures that relate to it in each of the four Gospels.
We're also supposed to highlight or underline all of the spoken words
of Christ. This is a really cool thing I hope everyone does, remember
today is day one. Reading about John the Baptist, Mary and Elizabeth,
the Annunciation, and the Genealogies.

Love you all

Elder DeFord

Click on the picture below if you want to open a pdf version.

Week 4: 11/7/2016

Sorry about no email last week. We ended up
being pretty busy all of Tuesday and not having any time.
Thankfully President is on top of things and took care of all you
worriers :P It sounds like he was like a multimillionaire, uber successful
businessman before he became a mission president. That's just what
I've heard though I don't have any solid evidence. Sis. Hodgman is a
great cook though. We had homemade tortellini our first night in the
mission home... wow, it was good! There wasn't nearly enough though :P
I ran into Elder Minson, he came out with me, and the day I entered
the field was Elder Barfuss' last day. Kind of a bummer though cuz he
was super chill. Also it turns out if I want to teach D. I have
to become AP... oh right I never did tell you about D., did I?

Ok so D. is seriously like my favorite person in the
world. If I could adopt him as an extra grandpa I totally would. He's
about 74 and is the best whistler I have ever met. He works as a TRC
at the MTC. TRCs are people who get taught the lessons by missionaries
in training, some are members, some aren't. You get a schedule at the
beginning of each week with who you'll be teaching, where, and for how
long. So D. is of Italian descent, raised as a strong Catholic.
He used to go to mass twice a day. Every day. And I just love him.
More than I can possibly describe. He's really searching and he's
highly analytic. He makes observations not judgments. He lives up in
Provo canyon just down the road from one of President Monson's homes.
He sees him occasionally and always waves, then President Monson
waves back. He's even met President Monson in person a couple of times.
Unfortunately that area is part of the AP's area and the only way to
get that area (which includes BYU and stuff) is to be one of the AP's.
So it may take a while... but gosh dang it I'm gonna teach D.
again if it's the last thing I do. I'm sorry this doesn't really do
him justice... you're just gonna have to wait a couple years until you
can meet him ;P

So yeah. I've talked to Elders Bental and Wiltsie (the current APs)
about him a couple times. It sounds like they're still teaching him.
But I know he's waiting for me ;P. I'm in the Provo West
area, I'm over only 1 stake with just 7 wards. Its actually one of the
smallest areas in the mission. So it's kind of nice to actually be
able to get to know some people. Oh that reminds me, don't let me
forget to tell the Buttars and the Moses' family who I met down here.
Anyway my trainer.... is literally a Polar Bear.

Some people we've met and we're teaching... I put someone on date for
baptism Thursday, my second day in the field in case you didn't catch
that, he's great, but his daughter is even better. She's nine and just
totally full of energy and a desire for the gospel. She was so sad
when she came to church this week and found out the primary program
was next week so she probably couldn't sing in it. She has a great
little voice. I think I'm gonna see if I can't get copies of the music
so she can participate though.

We're also starting to work with C.  He's a champion UFC fighter,
who we have a lesson with then workout with. I seriously couldn't
stand up afterwards. Haha its going to be quite the learning
experience for sure. Also I would just like everybody to know that
in spite of all odds, I actually lost weight in the MTC (despite eating
at least two plates a meal, sometimes three, plus extra stuff) and
have managed to stay stable thus far for the first week of my mission.
Only problem is.... the holidays are coming ;P plus we have two dinner
tomorrow... I'm gonna have to start working hard in the mornings to
keep up with all the food.

The members here are great. My first day in the area we met with
Bishop H. and his family for dinner. That was the best corn chowder
I've ever had. They were awesome and even better.... they had a baby
grand and even better... guess what was on it? That's right the
Garden. Woot! I've actually found several people who know what the
Garden is. Yay Utah. I'm also singing in Bishop H's ward in a couple
weeks because we were talking about music stuff and so our spiritual
thought was a song and it just kinda went from there. I need to choose
a song today actually. We've actually seen a lot of miracles in the
past several days, it's been super cool.

Which again reminds me, we ran into the Dennis's by accident because
we were looking for service opportunities on Saturday and helped them
with their leaves and had some really good talks with brother Dennis.
Then our dinner cancelled on us that night and they had us over for
dinner instead. Turns out Brother Dennis is good friends with Mont
Buttars so if we could get this to him or tell him that'd be great.
Even better though, back when he was Bishop Dennis, he introduced and
later married Eric and Sherry Moses :D So from Brother/Bishop Dennis
to the Buttars and the Moses' families he sends love and regards and
says he misses you all :D

Alright I think that's pretty good... any questions just ask. Or ask
my family or something :P I'll try to answer. It looks like for us
with iPads, our emailing is pretty relaxed on pdays so who knows, I
may be able to respond :P oh yeah and I have an actual address now, if
you want it talk to my mom ;P

Love and stay strong

Elder DeFord

Week 3: 11/1/16

New missionaries to the Utah Provo Mission 11/1/2016

No email this week. Today Michael left the MTC and entered the Utah Provo Mission home where he will be assigned his first companion and area. We should get a letter later this week giving us more details. Meanwhile we received the picture above with the following letter:

We received your wonderful missionary today, Tuesday, November 1, 2016.  We are eager to serve together in the Utah Provo Mission as we endeavor to invite all we come in contact with to “Come unto Christ.”  Thank you for preparing such a faithful missionary to enter the mission field.

You will receive a letter in the US mail letting you know of their assignment and trainer in the next couple of days.  You will also hear from your missionary by email every Monday - their preparation day.  They will look forward to an email from you every Monday as well.  Letters and Packages may be sent at any time the mission office address below. 

Attached is a picture we took with them at the Mission Home.  What a wonderful group of missionaries … thank you for sharing them with us and The Lord!

Sincerely yours,

John C. Hodgman and Vicki Hodgman

Mission President

Utah Provo Mission

85 North 600 East

Provo, UT  84606