Week 23

This was Christmas Week so he did not send a letter since we were able to talk to Ryan on the phone Christmas morning and then Skype with him in the afternoon. He spent the week hanging out at a part member home, that took great care of him. They even sent me a text asking for a certain recipe for Ryan's favorite chicken soup. They also sent this cute picture, and they tell me that they love Ryan and he was so helpful in the kitchen.

 
Ryan said it is still hot and muggy in LA, looks like he is hanging out at a pretty nice place and getting spoiled. After Skyping with Ryan he said they were going to go out and race golf carts around the neighborhood because everyone had golf carts and that was the thing to do.

Week 22

Ok so this week I had transfers and I said good buy to Elder Ralph as he went home!  I got a new comp and his name is Elder Floyd, a  cool kid from Las Vegas  he's been out for 17 months, and he has been good to me so far, but anyway this week was way too short! It really was. We got a new bishop this Sunday and I am way exited because he's a awesome guy!
Ok there is one thing that has been on my chest this week, so we have this less active sister that we go see, she is awesome, i love he to death, and we were getting to know her story better. The other night she told us why she went inactive, and the reason why she left broke my heart! She loves working with the young women because she feels that she can help them where she failed, when she was their age! She was getting a calling to work with the young women's, some of the mom's did not like that at all! Mind you this member ha lived and has been inactive from time to time but she has always come back, and she has lived a hard life and she is all tattooed up and does not look like a regular member of the church. So when the mom's saw that she was going to be working with the young women they went to her and to the bishop and stopped it. So she (the less active) is sad and mad because she did not have help from anyone. That just breaks my heart, members judging other members! That is wrong and needs to stop! So if you see that going on in your wards or in your home stop it because it not worth a soul getting lost!
Anyway I love you all, stay true to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and remember why we celebrate Christmas!

Love Elder Gordon 

 ok so I got see sister Stassi

then one of the missionary's Elder Roy the big one with a blue jacket he's like a big brother

then Elder Ralph on the last day! Then Elder Park in-front of the temple .

Week 21

Wow I cannot for the life of me remember last week at all, and oh I did not get any kind of head injury if that's what your thinking! But there two experiences I would love to share.

1- Elder Howe. So Elder Howe got hit by a car 2 weeks ago, he was riding his bike down a road and a Tahoe hit him going 55 mph, he was in a coma for a week, with major brain bleeds/swelling, he woke up last Sunday (Dec 4), and everyday he has made improvements towards health and memory. Well the other day (Thursday) we got to go see him with his mom and dad. So we visited for about an hour and wow, what an experience. This kid was looking way too good for going through what he had. He was talking, moving and he remembered Elder Ralph right on the spot, who he had not seen for about a year, and the only thing Elder Howe wanted to do was find his shoes and go to work, and to go serve the Lord. I kid you not, he did not have a skull in his head at this time because of the swelling, and he WANTED TO GO TRACKING. WOW! It blows my mind to think that he got hit by a truck that size and not even 2 weeks later he wanted to go out and knock doors. No one likes knocking doors, mind you, but it just shows how the Lord will bless you when you do his work. That and, if he was not a missionary he would be dead right now, that's a fact! So I can testify to you that the Lord does bless you! And even more so as his missionaries! 

2- We had family home evening last night at the Marchen's, where we talked about the light of Christ and how it shines through us to others. And how the lightness will always shine out the darkness no matter how dark of hole or how deep.( dankness is sin) so let those around you shine, and shine with them because, we are the light of the world, just like Christ is. 

Anyway love you all wish you the very best! And please let the light of Christ shine through or on you!

Love Elder Gordon 

Week 20

OK I am not going to to go through my week this time, because I can't remember most of it to be honest! But I did have some cool moments that I would love to share!

 ZTM- (zone training meting) we had on Friday morning and I was asked to give a spiritual thought for it, so I did! And wow I kinda did a throw down! But as I was pondering what to say or what scripture to give, I came across one that I liked a lot it is in James 4:7-8 it says 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands,... So I gave that and then I said "We don't have the right to act STUPID" then I went on talking about how we are held to a higher standard then the the rest of the world. But ya that was my two cents for the rest of the missionaries here. It was a real good ZTM and I learned a ton from it.

 

Ricky- so we went to a members home Wednesday night and we met Ricky (one of the sons) I have never met him before, but wow what a awesome guy. He is a member but a less active member. We talked with him that night and we invited him to come to do service with us the next morning, which he did and it was a blast to have him there. Then Friday night came and we were siting in our APT making dinner, when he gives us a call, we talk and he needed our help to give a blessing to a friend that is in the hospital. So he came and picked us up, and on the way we taught an awesome lesson to him about all sorts of things. We got to the room and we talked to the friend, and Ricky was so good at teaching him who we are and what we were going to do. We had the blessing and that was really cool. then Ricky said a prayer  and that just really brought the spirit, and I was just super happy and excited. We got back into the car heading home and it was raining so we asked Ricky if he could drive us to an investigators house, so he did and we had the best lesson with him we helped him read the intro page to the Book of Mormon and Ricky explained the the book so well to him and in a way that made sense to him, more so then I could have. We had a closing prayer given by Ricky and oh man when he was done our investigator and his dad had tears. so ya that was an awesome night for sure! 

 

Church- so we are getting closer to the ward and they are liking us more and more every Sunday which is the best. This past Sunday we started doing missionary moments, which is where one of the missionaries gets up right before sacrament and tells a story about an experience they had the past week or so and then shares their testimony.  It went really well and everyone loved it a ton. The only bad part was I had to do it. But oh-well it was nice to have the ward get to know me more! 

Love you tons,

Elder Gordon

Week 19

Note from Michelle: Ryan had a hard week, one of the elders from his area was hit by a Yukon on Friday and is in critical condition in a coma. Ryan didn't want to talk about it but asked for your prayers for Elder Howe. 

Hey y'all this week was a dozy for sure! So first off! If your car dies under the bath-tub don't wait two weeks to call the missionary's,  just don't OK. Then  don't make the missionary's eat a ton of food especially when that are going to more appointments after your house on Thanksgiving, you're not helping! But idk if that's a problem other then here in the South! And black Friday sucks a ton!!!

Ok Monday. P-day, the AP picked us up and we went to the institute at LSU where we were going to meet up with other missionary's but they did not show so we got back into the car and went to the stake center to see what was going on there, which was nothing! Then they dropped us off at the apt where we did nothing there until dinner at brother Shoutay's house, that was nice to see him and get some more homemade bread! 

Tuesday, was fun we went to district meeting which was fun then we went out for lunch at Olive Garden, because the soup and salad are cheep, and good. We had a good time there, then we came home, went to help out a member who was moving, and that was fun and lasted up until dinner. Brother Smith took us out to Applebees and that was great to get to talk with him, and eat good food! 

Wednesday, we did reg service at the food bank which is always fun, then went to McD's for lunch which was sad :(, then we came home, took a shower then the north elders came and picked us up to go see if I could get my watch fixed. On the way we got stuck in traffic and the the Spanish elders called and they need a ride so we got out of traffic and went to pick them up as well.  We already had 4 elders in the car and we were going to pick up 2 more so wow, that was tight fit and we still didn't get anywhere, so then we went to our meeting with the sisters that are in our ward, to see how we can further the work in this area, and to get the members to like us more and to have them help us more. Then we went to Costco for food and dinner. We came home, went to our neighbors to play cards. then we did a hard workout. 

Thursday Thanksgiving! We went to breakfast at the Saints, and that's was awesome we told funny story's  one included sister Saints 73 year old naked comp ruining down the hall get chased  by a rat. Then we went to the Sanders for round 2 and that was fun we played bumper pool, then we headed out for Miss. Patty's for round 3, where we talked, ate more food... then we came home and played monopoly ( I don't like that game ) 

Friday. we biked to the mall after studying, and I do not like the mall at all, nope don't like! We were there all day and there was no good deals to be had. Then we had a movie night which did not work out to well. 

Saturday. In the morning we had to bike to the church which was 10.5 miles on a big busy road, for a funeral service, for a member, so we did it in like 35 min's  and then the rest of the day we did not dp too much but nap and get ready for Sunday.

Sunday. We had church always the best! Then we had to deal with a dead cat, don't ask! Then we ran around trying to do reg missionary work, which we ended up in a real ghetto area, so we went home before it got too dark, then we played cards with out neighbors again.

Yep that was my week it was interesting for sure! Anyways love you and hope the best for you y'all

Love Elder Gordon 

Week 18

Hi All,

Not much time this week, but it does feel like I was just here the other day, writing an email to you y'all. But anyway I had a way good week we had dinner at a member's house Monday night and on the way we helped this nice guy move into his apartment.  It was pretty cool to help him out because he had no idea how he was going to do it by himself. I am just glad that we went early to our dinner appointment. This week we had Zone Conference, that was fun we talk about how to keep the cars in better working order, then we talked about bike safety, then watched a cheesy video about biking stuff.  We had dinner at this one member's house and that was way good we had a lesson about the plan of salvation and it was a way cool discussion. ( you can never know to much about it).

This week it got a lot colder, we went to get on our bikes to go to a lesson and we made it out of the parking lot and the wind hit us and we were like nope... we went back inside to get hats and jackets then we left. But the other day we were riding to the north Elder's apt to get a ride to go do some service and we were in shorts and I was drinking my smoothie and boy I was cold, so ya I guess that winter finely hit the south  yep ye. 

But this week was fun, I hope the next is ever better! love you all  have a good Thanksgiving! 

Love Elder Gordon 

Week 17

Another week gone, just like that. I am coming to love Baton Rouge, I still love Marksville more,  and miss all the people but this week was kinda interesting.

Monday, was fun we went to the stake center, everyone goes to the stake center so it was fun. We played basketball for a good while, then we played volleyball, after that we went to a members house for dinner, which was nice to get to know them better. 

Tuesday, we had district meeting then lunch, we went to a  Philly cheese stake place and that was really good, after that we went to the mission office to get some more things like pass a long cards and more Books of Mormon's, because we hand out a ton. After that we went to knock doors, but then brother Smith took us out to dinner at some nice place and I came to the realization that I love blackened (just really good seasoning) oysters, sounds crazy, if you know my at all, but I love them! But ya we had dinner and it was the best! 

Wednesday, we ran a ton of errands (which takes a while on a bike), we went to the dug store, back to the mission office, to get something else for our area book, then we came home to drop off the stuff and we went back out to tract, for the rest of the day then we came home to workout (which we do every night), and the workout was killer but way fun. 

Thursday, we planned for next week then we went out tracing, came back for dinner, then the North Elder's came over, and we went out to get some things at a sport's store it was nice to get out and go to the store. 

Friday, regular day some tracing, then we went to Costco for food, and we came back with 15 dozen eggs and a king size blanket (the blanket is mine) that was fun, for diner we went to a members house and he fed us, red bean's and rice, then he sent us with the rest, which was like 3 pounds of rice and beans, which is crazy. we also snagged a few loafs of bread which he makes every week.

Saturday, we went to do service at the food bank for like 3 hours that was super fun, then we went to see a new-ish member, then we had interviews with the president, that was great to get to know him better. then we went tracing.

Sunday, we went to church, we had a linger longer it was nice to get to talk with the ward members and we got a lot of pie. Then we came home and took a nap, because well it the day of rest... then we went tracing which is not really effective on football Sunday, so that was my week. 

Anyway the Gospel is the bast thing that can and will happen in your life! 

Love you all a ton have a good week, 

Love Elder Gordon,

Week 16

I am doing good. My new area is super cool, I am in Baton Rouge and the part I am in is called Tiger Bend and my word is large. My new comp is a way cool kid from Ohio, he has been out for almost two years and he's going home next transfer so I am killing him off. (which means I will be his last comp). At first I was mad about leaving Marksville because the work there was looking up and I was loving the people there. But then I came to the realize that it is all in the Lord's hands and He can't mess up! That and the sister missionaries that are up here are the best so it all ok.

Alright so first off I did leave my last area Wednesday morning at 7:30-ish  but, it was sad to leave my first place. We had done a lot of good, also it was hard to leave all of the good food that was in the fridge we had about two racks of ribs in there :( and a ton of other food like ice-cream and just good stuff but it all went to a good cause (the sister missionaries). Oh that and I do miss the people a ton for sure. but we drove down to Baton Rouge in the morning to the stake center there to see where I would be going, once I got there I was told to put my crap in that car and my new home is in Tiger Bend, and I was like ok. So ya I am here in Baton Rouge, Tiger Bend which is in the Baton Rouge 3rd ward and we share the ward with two sets of awesome sister missionaries.  Anyway I am now on a bike which is awesome and I mean it, ( I think).  (Ryan told me his butt was sore) My new comp is Elder Ralph and he's is the best, he follows the rules and works hard which is the best because I don't think I  am ready to deal with a careless comp yet! Anyway we have a big apartment with two bathroom's which is so nice because I don't have to share. Since I have been here I have changed my eating plans a ton Elder Ralph has a smoothie ever morning and he can't eat dairy nor soy and he eats super healthy, which is that best, so I also have a smoothie ever morning and sometimes for dinner and I put a ton of spinach, strawberry's, pineapple, banana's, protein powder. chia seeds, flax seeds, and a whole ton of almond milk, it's real good. No junk food, no sugar, and it's all good. but other then that life is good I love it here in LA. 

So  the other day I finished studying Christlike attributes and holy cow I have a long way to go, before I will be ready to meet my maker. They are all so good but faith, hope and charity are most importation because without those three you are nothing see ( Moroni 7:45-47). but ya the gospel is the bast and it the only way. 

Love you all so much and I wish you all the very best. 

Love Elder Gordon

 

 

Week 15

Holy cow this past week was insane! It went by super fast I don't remember much. Monday was the same we carved pumpkins but down here in the south pumpkins don't last at all because it's still like high 80's and my pumpkin just died overnight in then in the sun, and elder Deakins was infested by ants by Wednesday.

Tuesday we had district meeting it was great and very heartfelt because everyone is leaving. 

Wednesday was fun we did the same as always bible study, saw people and had a good time. 

Thursday was another fun day we went on splits I stayed in Marksville with Elder Bown and we had a really good time we drove everywhere trying to talk with people but we ended up back at the apt. so we did a workout while dinner was cooking (dirty rice) and the workout was insane, by the end of it I could not lift my arms above my head, and I also threw up a ton because it was just that intense! 

Friday was awesome,  we had ZTM and it was the best, we had a basketball activity which was bump (lightning,speed, whatever you call it) and it was with the whole zone so like 40 people and I won, me out of everyone, it was fa un throw down in my nice pants and vest and tie. Then we went home took a nap, went to see a family that we are teaching and it was good for sure. 

Saturday was a big day it was Brittney Wrights baptism!!!!!!!! that day was fun and very interesting. It went by fast and the spirit was super strong. It makes me happy to know that I helped Brittney make the best decision in her life. 

Sunday was a good normal day, went to church, went to see the Griffins, then wet to some baby naming thing out in the backwoods with some members. 

Monday it was nice we went to see a bunch of people and they were all home. Then we went to go have lunch at the browns and holy cow sister brown can cook up some good ribs she made like 4 big old racks and then gave us the rest so that was awesome! Then we had to be in the house by 6 because it was Halloween so we got some ice-cream and watched the restoration video like 10 times  it was fun. 

Then today Tuesday was interesting we got up to Alexandria early and met the district at I-Hop for elder Butlers birthday it was nice then we got a call from president and he told us ( me and elder Deakin) that we are both leaving Marksville tomorrow for transfers, which make me sad because I don't think it is time for me to leave.  There is so much work here to do and we have made a lot of progress, I don't want to loose that progress.  But no, I am out in the morning and I have no clue where I am going yet. But it's all ok because it's all in the Lord hands and he knows what is up, all I need to do is trust him! 

Other then that I love life, it can't get much better! The Church is true, if you like it or not. And we can all live with our Father in Heaven once again if we abide by His teachings and His commandments. 

Love you all!

Love Elder Gordon 

and here are the pictures of the baptism I think my tie was appropriate for the occasion because you know ducks and water. 

Week 14

Week 14

IDK if I should even write this week because I did not get a letter this week! But that's ok I know that you're on your way to make a change! This week was super busy and fast but I do not expect anything else! This week we had a bunch of lessons and a bunch of new investigators we have a baptism coming up this week on Saturday so that exiting🐼 

This past week I was studying Christlike Attributes and wow we can all learn a ton from the Preach my Gospel on the Attributes. But the most important are faith, hope and charity. Because without those life is much harder. 

I know this church it true. I know that God love us all individually and has a plan for all of us, if you have faith and hope he'll get you to where you need to be and you'll be happy there! I love you all and sorry for the shorter letter. 

Love Elder Gordon 

Week Thirteen - part 2

Kelsie is such a nice sister she immediately sent Ryan a slack line since he said he wanted one in his last letter. Ryan sent these pictures later today.

Week Thirteen

OK first off I learned that squirrels do fall out of trees, it was the funniest thing ever, we were walking to a house one afternoon when we saw something fall from the trees above. (about 60 feet high)  It looked like some sicks and leaves, but once it hit the ground it got up (the Squirrel) and took off running. and Elder Deakin and I were just in awe after watching the squirrel fall and get up and run off. 

This week went by super fast it felt like Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday weren't there, but they were because it says so in my journal. But some cool thing happened this week. First an investigator let me barrow and sharpen his sword which is pretty sick, but there is not much I think  can do for it because it's not really meant to be sharp, O-well. Then we got to go see this guy named Colonel Bill Price, and Holy Cow!!!!!!! He is a nice guy if you on his good side, however, if you're not on his good side he might just kill you, and I am not joking one bit. He is what we like to call an Eterna-gater ( an investigator for life) the thing is, he knows it is all true but he does not want to change one bit from his life style. But we will keep stopping by because he's funny and he promised to show me how to make real corn bread and good Gumbo. We got to see Brittney W a couple times this week and she is doing good, still getting ready to be baptized on the 29th so keep her in your prayers. 

The other day I wanted to make my scripture study actually mean something so I went and got a new journal, and in this journal I will put everything that I am learning or studying,  so I am super exited for it because it is 440 pages  and I am going to fill every page with wisdom from God.   

Other then that my days here on the mission are growing old! lol. No, they're not they just stared. I love it here and I love the people, and I love the food, and I love everyone back at home. 

Love,

 Elder Gordon   

Week Twelve

ok where to begin?

This week was super busy it started off with p-day which I have come to not like that much.  I don't really fit in with the other missionaries that well, because some them are Utah boys that love to work out and that is all they talk about and do, which I mean I like to work out but I do not like to talk about it for hours on end and then not actually do it, they like to talk more than work out.  Then we have the missionaries that like to play card games and talk about video games and there life back at home, and other things like that, so I feel that there is not much of place for a PNW boy here. So I am trying to do activities that I can do by myself and have fun like hacking / napping. Last week I tried to buy a slack line but I don't have very much money so I will try again next week to get one. 

Then we moved into our regular weekly business. On Tuesday we did missionary work and made a ton of muffins like 50 or so for breakfast and because I really enjoy muffins, they are chocolate chip, butterscotch chips and banana, they are the bomb. On Wednesday we again fasted and the day went by slow and we planned poorly, because when we woke up we were hungry because we were fasting, and there was this amazing smell still in our apartment from the night before, and some of the 50 or so muffins just siting there on the counter, so ya the day was long and hard but another lesson learned. On the bright side we already had dinner made lol, no we had leftovers. Thursday was our weekly, it is where we plan for the next upcoming week and it takes like 2 to 3 hours so we don't get much done other then that, but it was nice to get the weekly out of the way.  Then came Friday and we had ZTM (zone training meeting) it happens like once a month, and its where all of the Alexandra Zone gets together and talk and learn. After we went on splits with the other missionaries in our district. I was up in Alex's Friday and Saturday with Elder B. and what a cool nice guy, I love him a ton and he's a good friend but he is not the best missionary out there and I learned a ton from his example, on how I don't want to be.  Other then that I had a good time with him and I like hanging out with him but I am here to be a missionary not to hang out and have fun. Saturday was just another day to serve God and that is what I did, cool story we got one of our investigators Brittney W. set on date to be baptized for the 29 this mouth so lets go... Sunday was the best we had church, we had two investigators there and they loved it so  much, then we had dinner at the Griffin's and they feed us pizza and I helped them carve there first pumpkins so that was way cool because if I did not get to carve one this year I would have been super sad. After that we went to see the Browns and brother Brown is getting super sick but he has this big golf thing up in Atlanta for like 14 days and he thinks that is what is going to kill him off for good, but I think he is mostly joking or I hope so. They were a less active couple for the majority of there life and about 6 mouths ago they started to come back and they are trying to get sealed in the temple before he goes for good. 

This week was long but really good, I learned a ton and I still have more to learn. 

Love you mom, and love y'all so much I hope/pray for the best for all of you.

Love,

Elder Gordon

Week Eleven

It's good to see that my magazines, aren't just collecting dust and they are getting put to good use! It's also good to hear that the house is almost all painted. And ya I had forgotten about McKenzie's poor days it makes me feel rich now lol! But it is crazy to be needful of something like food because if you are diligently doing what you are supposed to like missionary work just like in Malachi 3:10 ( ...if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.)  and the room is like our fridge where there is not much room in it anymore.

Funny story, Elder Deakin ate a really hot pepper that was like the size of a finger on a newborn baby. And holy cow did it pack a punch Elder Deakin could not talk for a bit after that, nor breathe right and his face was sweating out of control and he later said that it hurt like heck. So ya that was super funny because the investigator was laughing quite hard and his wife was quite mad at him. But in all fairness there was this Mexican guy  that almost died too, so it was a really hot pepper! It was called a Tabasco red pepper!

This week was just another week down here in the south it's not that hot anymore it's around 75 so much  better then 85 degrees. We also so taught a bunch of people, so that was super nice. But most important to me was watching General Conference which was amazing and I am so glad I was able to watch the whole thing. My favorite quote was " The way you treat your kids is how you see your kids, and how you see your kids is how you kids grow up or turn out." I am not sure who said it but it really meant a lot to me, because I have seen over my life the effects of  good parents and he effects of a bad parents. And a lot of parents blame the kid for growing up and getting into bad things or going off the deep-end but I believe that if you have the best hope for you kids and you love them unconditionally and support them, you come to see that they too also love you and want to support you and they become good people! And Joy is much more cooler the happiness, because Joy in the book of Mormon meant to become like Heavenly Father. Like it teaches in 2 Nephi 2:25  "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy." and Joy is meant to become like Heavenly Father. 

Ok well I am done with another week, last week was good we went on a hike on P-day and on this here hike I found hills which was like the coolest thing ever because down here it's flat as a pancake, so ya every week has some new thing to see and do and I am excited to go and see what this week has to throw at me. Love you all so much and want the best for you, so keep your life center on Christ. 

Love Elder Gordon 

(From Michelle) I had a chance to IM with Ryan for a little bit this morning and I wanted to share something he said. 

"I am going to be honest if I came home now, I would be more changed then I could have ever been if I were anywhere else doing anything else..... but don't worry I am still the same boogie. 

(Love that kid)

Here is the letter Ryan sent to Scott...

Hey so how is it going? I want to say it's good that you sold the pathfinder but at the same time I am very sad to see it go I loved that car with all my hart it has so many memories good and bad. It helped me through a ton, it was the best car that I could have asked for growing up and I love you for helping me obtain it and maintain it over the past couple of years, I am so glad to have had a car, so thanks!

Other then that I think it is getting colder here too like this past week it was in the 70's to low 80's it was so nice.  Conference was super good, did you get a chance to watch much of it?  Did you watch the priesthood session at all?  Did you like on how it was all about Home teaching, and missionary work?

  For sure time is flying, it's been 76 days since I said good-bye to you that morning at the airport in Bellingham I cant believe it's been so long, but I have come so far and I have so much more to go I can't wait! 

You wont believe what happened to Z. M. last week! He crashed on his bike and broke both of his wrists and hurt much more. idk what he was doing, but o my! 

Anyway I love you and what you have done for me in this life, you are my best friend and the best dad I could have ever asked for! 

 

Love

Elder Gordon  

Week Ten

OK first off I sent some pictures last week and that's all I got. So sorry!

We met with Zach and he does not want to take the lessons anymore nor come to church anymore so that was  little sad but I will live. We have this other Investigator named Brittney, she has been investigating the church for many years but this time she has made a ton of changes she is trying a lot harder to stop smoking and is doing good at it, she came to church this past week and loved it. She is going to try to make it more and more, so that is good. 

This week felt a bit longer then the others idk why but it was. But cool a thing happened I got my driving card so I drive the car, which is the best thing ever because my comp does not like driving and he's not the best at it ether! So yea!! Other then that this week was pretty uneventful. One cool thing though since it's the end-ish of the month we are out of money and food, so we were like crap, because not every many people feed us down here and it's funny we only get like $1.60 per meal so it's hard to make it last. But when we were almost at the end of our food supply we had a knock at the door and sister Horner handed us a big plate of sandwiches, then the next day they (Elder And Sister Horner) asked if we were doing OK on food and we said we were good, but they knew we were lying too, (and we were lying because we would have felt bad if they spent their money on us) but they took us to the store and bought us what we needed to get by for the rest of the month. so I learned that if you have faith you will not starve you will just get close too it. Other then that this week was good but long, I am trying to find a good sleeping pattern, and I am trying to fallow the rules the best that I can and I am trying to get better every day. Anyway love you all and miss you mom!

Love Elder Gordon     

Week Nine

Ok what happened this week... first off we had Monday, P-day which is always kinda fun, we almost always go up to Alexandra to hang out with the other missionaries and play some sort of game like volleyball or four square or just kick the ball around. We come back for dinner, we have a lesson or  two then plan for the next day. On Tuesday we would usually have district meeting but we had other meeting later in the week so we just had a normal day, so regular studies in the morning then out to go and teach, then planing.  Wednesday was just like Tuesday but we had seminary and bible studies. On Thursday we had Specialized training which is a big meeting with he whole Zone. The mission president comes down and talks with us and we all teach something cool, it is also when they inspect our cars see if it is sill all there, it was fun but very long. Friday was good we had a lesson with Zach and it went killer and we went to see more of our other people that we see. We went to go see the Brown's they're an older couple that just got reactivated  in the church, and they love having us over to talk and get to know us better, but they have this massage chair that is so wonderful to sit in, so I really enjoy our visits with them. Saturday was a lot like Friday, had study then had another lesson with Zach and it also went good then we also had a lesson with Rodney and he fed us lunch, it was some super good red beans and rice. Then came Sunday Church was nice, the talks we on keeping the Sabbath day holy and it was good but after sacrament  meeting Zach had to go. which is kinda sad but we thought  oh-well. Once we got home we got a call from Zach and he said the he does not want to get baptized anymore that he does not want to change and he wants to go back to his old church. so that turned my Sunday to crap. We are still planing on seeing him later this week to hopefully fix any doubts that he may have had, but we'll see. Other then that I am just keeping it real and trying my best.

Love y'all much,

Elder Gordon

After a little harassing Ryan sent me some pictures.

 

Week Eight

OK first off I keep forgetting to take pictures because there is not that many things to take pictures of. It is flat with lots of trees and because it humid here the lens on the camera just fogs up the moment I bring it outside, so I will have to find a way to fix that. I will keep trying and I forget to bring my camera with me Monday mornings to send pictures, but here are some from the other day.

OK what is a normal week? ( if ya'll even knew what that's like lol) it is the same as always. I went to Alexandria to hang out with the district and we ended up working out then we talked forever, then we went to Walmart to get food, we watched "On The Lord's Errand", which is an awesome movie if you don't know what it is about, look it up. We went on with our week, Wednesday we fasted for what felt like forever because on Wednesday we have seminary at 4 then at 5 we have bible study which go's until 6:30ish so by the time we got home or to a place to eat it's like 7 at night. But it's always a blessing, because on Thursday some Elders from up in Pineville were at Walmart doing whatever, and  this guy came up to them and had asked the elders if they belong to the church of Latter-Day Saints and of course being a missionary they talked to this guy and the guy asked if there was a building down in Marksville and that's where I am at. SO the elders gave us his contact info and we called him up and set up a lesson, and holy cow this guy is so ready to learn. We taught him the first lesson of course, and talked about his background with churches, he grow up as a Catholic but did not like them much he tried out Baptist and did not like them at all, but he had met Mormons before and he liked how happy they were. ( so even if you not a missionary you're still a missionary because even though you don't know it there are people noticing us, noticing what we do and how we do it) So he (Zach) started to read about us, then he found the missionaries up in Pineville. It's kinda funny because he got a Book of Mormon from the other elders the day before, and he told us that he was sorry because he had only read one chapter of it, and we were like " oh my " because no one reads especially before their first lesson. But anyway, we are teaching him and it going amazing. Then I had had an impression to ask the big Q (which is if he wants to be baptized) and he is set to be baptized Oct 7, YA  that's killer for sure!!!!!!!!! ( this was on Saturday) Then on Sunday he came to church on time AND he brought a friend who also wants to hear hear about the church!!!! They both stayed for all 3 hours and loved every minute of it. He had told us that he will be coming to this church for the rest of his days ( he is 21), SO that made my weekend, I just felt the power of God so strong and many answers to many prayers!!! 

Other then that, being in a small branch I had to speak again on modesty, it went really well I spoke for about 11 minutes and had a very powerful message behind it.  Other than that life is good for sure.

I am loving it down here.

Love,
Elder Gordon

Week Seven

Ok first off I did not remember that the scripture I now love was the mutual theme for this year and that Noelle sang that song! But ya absolutely I want that scripture on my plaque because it applies to so much in our life,  in everyone's life!

It's crazy to think about the time and how fast it is moving. It feels like just yesterday that I was driving my car fast, riding bikes, and not caring about time; now I am not driving, and I have to worry about time quit a bit.  I did have a cool experience, we went on splits (where we trade missionary's for a day) so I went and stayed up in Alexandra Thursday through Friday. Up there they don't have a car so I got to bike yay, too bad it was on a hot day and my shirt was so wet with my sweat it was insane, but I still got to ride my bike!  The splits were also super fun we went knocking on doors down this rich neighborhood over in Alex and not one person opened the door. It was funny because they all believed in Jesus Christ but did not want to hear our message or what we had to say. After splits we had ZTM ( Zone Training Meeting ) on Friday and that was cool it is where we gather all the missionaries in our Zone and talk, get to know one another better, and talk about new things that have or are coming up in the mission.

This Sunday was fast Sunday and I never thought that I would fast twice a week, since I fast every Wednesday too. I have now done it and it's not bad at all. My testimony of fasting and the power of it has grown so much. I can see the blessings that come from it. 

I can't think of very many weird things that happen to me down here, I don't know why but it's pretty normal here. However, we do come across many different people with many different stories, like the other day we knocked on this one house and an older black woman came out all excited, she was all like "Hey I am a  missionary for my church too!" She goes on telling us about her church and  what she believes in and trying to counter our beliefs, Down here a lot of people believe in the trinity (where there is only one God, no Son nor the Holy Ghost) which is strange to me because the trinity does not make sense at all. When we try to teach her/other people, how there is a God the Father, and a son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, all they do is get louder and louder saying, "There is only one God" and at this point, there is no point in trying to teach them because they don't want to be taught so we leave. 

Something that was cool -  Way last week during P-Day in the stake center me and some other missionaries started to do some works-outs, that is going to become a usual thing now, this is good! At the end of the work-out we did yoga that was so fun because I am not getting fat out here, it is not going to happen, no sir. Other than that I cannot think of anything exciting to share with y'all.

OK last but not least, ya I picked up my package and by the way I am in apt 21 not 1 but I got it. Thanks for the socks I am going to try really hard to make sure that they will last the two years. The fig bars were a nice touch because I love them and I can't find that kind here. Also thank the Canadians for the candy eggs even though they were in a million pieces, they were still the bomb. Also the talks you sent are dope to have.

I am not sure about the next package yet,  but I will let you know for sure next week.

It is funny, I am playing chess at lest twice a day and I am getting pretty good, same with the yo-yo I got a cool yo-yo from Amazon and it is super fun to play with. Other then that I am living life and pressing forward!

Love,

 Elder Gordon  

Week Six

If you have not got my mission plaque yet I know what I want to put on it, if you have already done it don't worry about it. But I have come to love 2 Nephi 31:19-21 because that's is what I am trying to get people to do, to endure to the end and to come closer to Christ.

First off I am not getting fat... yet, and yes we did get two diners again this Sunday night which is super nice. 

This week was alright, kinda the same as all the past weeks, we wake up do study then lunch then we'll have some lesson's hopefully planed, but if we don't or they are not home we pick a town (because every town is really small) and go see all of our investigators, knock on doors, go home to get dinner, and go back out to see some families in the ward or less actives, or to see some more investigators or knock on more doors. For the most part we drive around trying to get to our less actives or new/newly active members. One of my goals here in Marksville is to strengthen our ward, have the members that do come, become temple worthy members, and be members that will come for the rest of there life, and be members that will seek out opportunity's  to teach and preach the gospel. Then I want to bring more people into the church. Because if we don't strengthen our foundation it will be all pointless. One of the ways that I am doing that is to go see a different member at less twice a week to get to know them and to teach them something new and teach them something to strengthen their testimony and faith. There is this one family in the branch and every Monday they fast just for that,  so me and my comp started to do that as well except we fast on Wednesday, so ya every Wednesday we fast to grow and strengthen our branch and to get more investigators. And let me tell you that last Thursday was the best day yet, because everyone was home, we were feed dinner by a less active family that has been dodging us for  the past month or so, and we got two new and strong investigators. We ended up teaching 5 lesions between 2pm and 8pm, which is way good for around here. 

Other then that we had stake conference which is always fun especially when there are like 16 missionary's there to get to know.  Yes the time is flying by. And I hope your hand is going to be ok. 

Love and miss you all,

Love Elder Gordon

Week Five

Hello everyone,

 First off,  I am either cool or a little warm, because it has been super nice here with a little rain, I have had one day without rain so far. The AC in our apartment is always on (because we would rather be cold then hot) so in the morning after I get out of the shower I throw on that blue Arcteryx jacket  so I don't freeze, then I get breakfast which is a bagel with a banana, or life cereal with a banana, or banana pancakes or just two bananas, depends what I am feeling up to. Then I start my personal studding which is usually reading out of the Book of Mormon for a chapter or two then read out of a different book like True to The Faith, or Our Heritage, or Our Search For Happiness or Jesus the Christ, so far I am half way through True to The Faith which is an awesome book because it brakes down doctrine from the church into more understanding info, which is very helpful the majority of the time. Friday I started Our Search For Happiness by M. Russell Ballard, and I finished it last night (Sunday), So yay for me for reading a book. But if you have not read this book, it does not matter if you are Mormon,  if you are a less active Mormon, or not a Mormon at all, whoever you are this book will change the way you look at life and at the LDS Church forever! It's a good, small book with a strong and powerful message about what we as a church believe in and why we believe in it and where the info came from. Trust me this book it incredible so please read it. I know I am going to read it again and again. But any who, after I read for a little bit I jump into the Preach my Gospel ( a book/manual that help us as missionaries teach the Gospel better and more effectively) and I study out of that and the Book of Mormon for the rest of the hour. Then at 9 in the morning, having been up since 6:30 already, we start Comp study for an hour, and in comp study we talk about what we learned during personal study, we read out of the missionary handbook then out of Preach my Gospel then talk about what we learned in the two books, after that we go through our day and where we are going and who and what we are teaching. Then we go about our day. So that's my morning every day, it probably sounds quit boring but if you know me at all, it's so nice to have time like that just to study.

 I am not aloud to help the with the flood efforts because it out of our zone, but there are a ton of helpers from the church all around Louisiana and more are planing to come down from South Carolina and Georgia, which is so cool. It's kinda funny, but not really, our mission office, which is in one of the stake center buildings down there is still under water like up to its roof.

 

Anyway, this week we was quit interesting. I had my first Gumbo experience ( pics are attached) and for anyone that does not know what Gumbo is, it was accident in the kitchen. There is some sorta broth looking soup and a ton of shrimp, chicken, eggs, sausage, crab ,and other meats fell into the broth and they were like o-darn, we will add some rice to this and call it... Gumbo! But it was super good. Other then that last night (Sunday) we had set up two dinner appointments on the same night, which sounds like a problem, but it just meant that we had two dinners which was awesome. So down here people don't drink the water so everyone buys water from the store and I did not want to keep buying water so I bought a self-filtering water battle from Kor-Nova and this water battle enhances the tastes of the water, so I am super exited about it, it came Saturday from Amazon. Oh and me and my comp we made a Jesus wall there will be pictures. Other then that I am doing good just keep sending me pictures and updates on the family, if anyone wants to email me, I will be happy to read it and respond. 

Love you all,

Love Elder Gordon.

 

 

Week Four

 Last Sunday at the MTC was fast Sunday and it was not bad at all I did not get sick like usual, I felt hungry but not too bad, I guess if you pray with real intent it helps. The day getting to LA was probably the longest day of my life I had to wake up at 3 AM get to the bus that took us straight to the airport, once there we found out that our plane was two hours late which meant we were going to miss our flight from Atlanta GA to Baton Rouge LA but we all made it with our stuff at some point in the night. I arrived at 7 PM and some arrived at 12 Pm the next day.

OK. So I am here in LA, I am serving in the Marksville area, I got a new companion his name is elder D. he is form Tremonton UTAH, he has been out here for almost a year now. its pretty cool because he had 4 older brothers and one of them served in Bellingham WA a while ago.  It is super flat here not a mountain in site, which is sad but o-well, so its been 7 days so far and its rained every one of those day and one of those days it stared raining at 12am and did stop raining until after 3 or so in the afternoon. When it rains here it really rains. There were a ton of roads closed because there was 2 feet of water on them and every where you look every yard and ever field you can see looks like a lake. It is kinda funny. So the night we had all of the rain we also had a lighting/thunder storm and holy cow that was by far the loudest thunder/anything I had ever heard in my entire life and it went on for hours, but it was super cool. 

Here in Marksville we have a small branch of around 30 people who attend regularly.  It is pretty cool, there are some members that are super awesome and they feed us at lest twice a week. We have a senior couple that is from Utah but that love the branch/ people so much that they bought  a house down here and when they get off there mission they are moving here, which I mean is dedication. It's funny when we were driving (o-ya we have a car) back to the apartment elder D. told me that we were speaking Sunday he said that we are the program,  so ya I had two days notice to speak on priesthood I felt like I did OK, I still speak to fast especially for the people down here,  but o-well. It was fun-ish. It was fun to finally get out here. We knock on about 5 doors a day and try to teach 3-4 lessons a day.  Tell ever one at church that I miss them and tell them that our ward is huge because it kinda is.

Other then that I am loving life. 

Love, Elder Gordon