Back to doing what I love

Funny: Elder Fenton played his last joke on us. For about 3 weeks he said that he had brought the dinner calendar to church and had given it to our relief society president. He in actuality had not. So, we had one dinner this week. It was with a part member family. During dinner we mentioned how we had no dinners and they sprang into action. They loaded us up with a ton of food. Healthy food too!!! It was such a funny miracle.

Spiritual: This week was full of miracles. I probably saw more small miracles this week than any other week of my mission so far. We had so many opportunities given us to share the gospel. We were tracting an old apartment complex when we ran into a family. They had been taught by missionaries in the past, but no one had made a record of them and they dropped off the face of the earth. They are so humble and ready to be taught. We are so excited for them.

Where I am at: This transfer we are taking a more aggressive role with our members to motivate them and inspire them to do missionary work. We developed a plan and we are working very closely with our Bishop and Ward Mission Leader to help the work in Bayfield flourish. We are so excited about this transfer and I love my companions. They are both incredible missionaries and are highly motivated for the right reasons.

I love you all

Elder Black

Update- I asked him if he needed help with food and he said that the members really stepped up and were helping them out. So they aren't starving. Bless the good members in Bayfield.

DEER!!!

Funny: There are a lot of deer in town. We were driving back from Forest Lakes and we saw one stop by the side of the road. This is a fairly common occurrence so we didn't pay it much attention until we were about 15 feet from it when it jumped out in front of our truck. We turfed the deer in the back legs at 55 MPH. Thankfully, no one was hurt and the only damage to the truck was a small dent. The deer went flying but got up and ran off. It was really scary when it happened but now looking back on it, it is really funny.

 Spiritual: We had one investigator at church. His name is Johnny. He is one of those eternal investigators ​who have been taught forever. We finally got him to come to church which is a big deal because he hadn't been in probably 15 years. It was really special to see him walk through the doors into the chapel.

Where I am at: I am staying!!! Elder Eaton and I will be joined by Elder Howlett. We are excited to meet him because we don't know anything about him. Elder Fenton is going to Lukachuki which is deep rez in Arizona. It'll be exciting this next transfer. We are going to be doing a "cleansing" of the Bayfield area. What that means, I don't quite know but that is what President Adams said so here we go!

The "not so" humble 3rd grader

Funny: We have a family in the ward who need a bit of help and so they asked us to teach them the lessons. We were going over the restoration and we asked them what God had given their family that had blessed them the most. Their 8-year-old son piped up "ME". We all laughed up at that and then went on. The lesson went a bit different than we had planned and we got on the subject of pride. We again asked the kids who knew what being humble meant. Again the 8-year-old son piped up "it's basically me". Haha.

Spiritual: We had zone conference this week and it was all about Christ and member missionary work. It was incredible. The training that Sister Adams gave was on perspective. It is so neat to think about having that eternal perspective and we decided to do that for the rest of the week. We had a lesson with the Andersons where we had to take them off date because of reasons out of their control. We were able to use that training on perspective to help them see that it is God’s time not our time.

Where I am at: Life is good. We are working hard and feeling the Spirit testify through us. We were going to go on a hike in Pagosa Springs today but there is a beautiful winter storm going on right now and so we will have to do that another week. I hope that you are all staying warm and busy.

Oh Deer!

Funny: We went to a member’s house in Forest Lakes and they were talking about some deer that are very friendly and we were kinda laughing but he said that they were and that he would prove it. So, we went outside and he took some crack corn in his hand and started whistling. My companions and I were chuckling because there weren't any deer anywhere. Then all of a sudden out of nowhere 8 or 9 deer showed up including two good sized bucks. It was a very neat experience

Spiritual: We had a lesson with one of our progressing investigators Hailey who is going to be baptized on Saturday we were having a really good discussion and we heard the doorbell ring. It was her neighbors who had never met the missionaries before and they had just stopped in to see how she was doing. We had a marvelous lesson with them. usually we are knocking on others doors trying to share the gospel not the other way around.

Where I am at: The work is still fantastic here in Bayfield. We had a few sick days but we are back at work and it just snowed to everyone is happy and we are excited for another wonderful week!

Putting the Petal to the Metal

Funny: We finally had investigators at church. We had three of them. One of them is named David White (slightly Ironic that I am his favorite missionary). at the end of testimony meeting he got up and for the whole ward to hear he bore his testimony on the truthfulness of the Holy trinity and how it has blessed his life. We still have a way to go with him.

Spiritual: One of our other investigators that came to church was Hailey. She is on date for February 17th. she had been taught by the missionaries for a long time but this was the first time she has ever come to church. It was so wonderful to see how the ward members just swept her up and loved her. It truly brought tears to my eyes because she is a very shy girl and was very nervous about coming to church.

Where I am at: We have had our miles cut by 500 miles this month. At first, we thought that it was going to be problem but God prepares everything. We were able to get bikes from some members and now we are loving the 50+ degree weather by biking around. It has been wonderful. The work is great, we are happy and the church is still true.

Love ya 

Another Week Out here Among the Cattle

Funny: We were out at a member’s house helping them move. They had Elder Fenton and I load up a big mattress and as we were caring it out I slipped on some of the ice and fell. I didn't think anything of it until we had loaded it up and we were heading back to get some more stuff. I realized that I could feel a really cold breeze. I realized that I had ripped a huge hole in my jeans. Haha it was really funny but also kinda awkward because i hadn't noticed for several minutes.

Spiritual: We were able to put one of our investigators (David) on date. He has been really nervous about giving up smoking and we were really nervous about teaching him because last time he had gotten offended when we brought it up. But, we decided that we just needed to show a lot of love and it worked! The spirit was so strong and it was one of those classic missionary experiences. 

 Where I am at: I think a better way to phrase that is “Where to Begin”. There are so many wonderful things here in Bayfield. The work is going well and the scenery is so pretty. The one downside is that we only have a little bit of snow. But I will take whatever I can get. There are a lot of cowboys down here and I find myself picking up a few of their habits. Such as sunflower seeds. I eat a lot of those now. ha oh well.

 I love you all and I can really feel your prayers

Elder Black

Culture Shock

Funny: I was on an exchange with the Zone leaders in Durango and we went to an appointment with a less-active member. Halfway through the lesson (which was not going how we wanted it to) her son who is also less-active told her "you are in denial" she then straight-faced shot back "That is a river!" I had a really hard time not busting up laughing.

 Spiritual: We were out in Forest Lakes (which is a mountain subdivision of about 2000 people) and we had a lesson with one of our progressing Investigators David. He is so ready to be baptized but has some concerns about the Word of Wisdom. Elder Eaton (this was his third lesson ever) bore a really strong testimony and the Spirit was incredible. It doesn't matter how long you have been out, God will use you if you are willing.

 Where I am at: I do believe that I have left the promised land and have entered the Celestial Kingdom! I cannot describe how beautiful and different Bayfield is. There are trees and there is snow and there are mountains and there is dirt not sand. It is so pretty I am still in a bit of shock. The area here is also huge. We cover up to the mountains with beautiful lakes and massive forests and down to the Ute reservation with cliffs and juniper bushes. The members here are also the best. I recently learned that we don't have to go tracting because members give us so many referrals! It is mind boggling but true. This area is blessed!!! As for my companions I am truly the luckiest missionary there is. Elder Fenton has been out for 6 months and is a solid missionary. He likes hard work and having a good time and doesn't ever want to give up. Elder Eaton has been out for 7 days and is a hard-working cowboy from Lusk Wyoming. Together we have already seen so many miracles. Also, the other thing is that we have sisters in the district. It was so weird after almost 5 months to see sister missionaries.

I love you all

Elder Black