Week #23

Hi Family!

STACY IS GETTING BAPTIZED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She came to church this sunday and we are having her baptismal interview this tuesday. I have already gone over the interview questions with her so she will pass it with ease. We are still working out all the small details of her baptism but I can't wait to see her be baptized this coming sunday! As far as Eric goes, he said that he will contact us at the beginning of this week so if he doesn't today, then we'll call him tomorrow. I'm pretty stoked to keep teaching him and see him progress as well. 

I'm doing a lot better now than I was both with sickness and with homesickness. Ever since Christmas I have been feeling fine. No hives and no stomach ache which is nice. I was missing you guys quite a bit Christmas day and Christmas night. It's pretty hard to have a great christmas when you aren't with the people that you love most. I love the new tie that you got me and I love the socks that match them! In fact I'm wearing one of the sweet ties you got me. 

I've got a couple of questions for you. 1) A member accidentally sprayed me with butter oil and it got all over my favorite pants from mr. mac, my light grey ones, and I'm wondering if there is anything I can do to save them. Sister Hildebrand washed them for me but the stain is still there. It's lighter but still there, so what do I do? 2) What do I do with all of the Christmas decorations that you sent me???????? I can send them all home or I can just leave them at this apartment. I don't really want to tow it all around with my stuff to each apartment but I want to keep it. I will do whatever you think I should do.

Thanks for all you do for me mom! I miss you a lot and sometimes lay in bed and wonder what I would be doing if I were back home. Luckily I think the Lord is blessing me with a misconception of time so I think I have only been out a month but it's actually over 5 now. I really do love my mission and love the work but would prefer the ability to talk to my family. I'll talk to you next week how the baptism went. 

Love,

Elder Scornsby (What Ralph Hildebrand calls me)

Week #22

Hey Mom! 

So Stacy and John are doing really great! Stacy is totally ready for baptism and John is going to need probably a lot more time mostly because of the word of wisdom. They both have a great desire to follow Christ so it is really easy to teach them. We also found an amazing new investigator! His name is eric and I will tell you more about him on Friday when we skype because we don't have much time to email today. I am SOOOOOOO happy that you found sparky (our turtle)! That guy is a legend! I am convinced that he is going to live forever! 

My ankle is doing okay but during a lesson yesterday my ankle was really tight so I popped it which turned out to be a very bad idea... My ankle now hurts more but not as bad as it did when I first rolled it. I hate my physical body. Can't wait to have a perfected body after I am resurrected. 

I really don't have much to talk about because I will be seeing you on friday and will get to talk to you so I guess I will just see you then. I am planning on anywhere from 4-6 pm my time. I will call you friday morning to get it figured out.

I love you so much Mom and CAN'T WAIT TO TALK TO YOU!!!

Love,

Jackson

Week #21

Hi Everyone! 

Wow this week was interesting. The reason that it was a little odd was because we didn't teach as many people as I would have liked which would typically make me sad and disappointed. However, I have been so happy this week which is amazing and for sure a great miracle! We only have 2 investigators right now but they are both so unbelievably solid! It is Stacey and John. Stacey has been to church 3 weeks in a row which was her only thing she had to do before baptism so she will be baptized the first week in January and John has been to church 3 consecutive weeks as well. He still has to be taught a few things and also needs to change some things in his life. He has such a strong desire to be baptized and is really working towards it. 

Yesterday we ate dinner at Bishop Taylor's house! They have some crazy little kids that I love! As we sat and talked, Sister Taylor said that she knew some Scoresby's and that they had a little girl named Haliey. I said back to her, "No way you know Rob and Annie?!" HAHAH she said "Yeah how do you know them?!" And so I told her that they were my aunt and Uncle! It's such a small mormon world. So next time you talk to Rob and Annie, ask if they remember Robin and Eric Taylor. They went to college together. 

I have a funny story to tell you. Well it's actually not that funny but here you go. So me and Elder Lau (My Chinese companion) were riding our bikes at night to a less active members house in a super sketch neighborhood. The whole time we were riding people would yell "I worship the devil!" I would just smile and wave. Anyway, so after we had all these people say a bunch of garbage to us, we arrived at our destination. As I came to a complete stop and touched down with my left foot, I swung my right foot over the bike (like I always do when getting out of the saddle). However, I failed to notice or remember that the sidewalks are complete crap here! I came down hard on my right foot, right on an uneven surface. Now you should know that I have weak ankles to begin with, so when you throw these uneven sidewalks into the mix, it's a recipe for disaster. I brought my right foot down quick and rolled my ankle about as hard as I did when I broke it Sophomore year. I crumbled to the ground with my bike landing on top of me. Elder Lau, he being chinese, of course found this hilarious and laughed harder than I have ever heard him laugh before. I got up and quickly looked around to make sure that no one saw my complete uncoordination. Now my ankle is pretty well swollen and hurts but I am a boy so I will just tough it out. Hahah looking back it was funny but in the moment I was ticked. I am probably going to get a brace and wear it all this week. 

The weather has been incredible here! It's the middle of December and I have worn short sleeve shirts for the last 3 days! I'm pretty sure that it's warmer here than it is in Arizona! 

I love you all.

Love, 

Elder Jackson Scoresby

Week #20

Hi Everyone!

So this week wasn't a great one. We had a ton of our investigators cancel on us and tell us that they can't meet until the new year which is frustrating. Kathy and Wyatt were one of the few that did that. Then Issac won't text us back or call us back for whatever reason. He is so ready but really struggles in social situations. He won't be making his baptismal date as far as I can tell. Rob (the hunter guy) is so busy so we haven't been able to see him since our initial contact with him. He does however text us back which is so nice. He seems truly interested. Then there is another lady that seems pretty excited about learning more too. She asked for a bible and then wanted a book of mormon too when we told her what it was which was cool to see. 

Now for the investigators that I am really excited about! Stacey and Ernie!!! Ernie is John but he wants us to start calling him Ernie because he has literally become a different person since learning about the gospel. He keeps talking about baptism and how much he wants to be baptized! We are trying to see him 3 times a week and he will hopefully be baptized in January! Stacey is also totally on track to be baptized! Her and Ernie have been to church the last 2 Sundays! She will definitely be baptized the first week in January! I am loving watching these two progress! 

I truly love being a missionary! 

Love,

Elder Jackson Scoresby

Week #19

Jackson didn't send a friends and family email this week, but here's a portion of the letter he sent me.

Hi Everyone! 

This Thanksgiving was good but would've been a ton better if I got to spend it with people that I love. I mean I really do love the people here but it isn't that kind of love that I have for my family and close friends. We had a great time with the Kerstetters and ate some delicious food! They have 13 kids which is insane! Almost all of them are grown and don't live with them anymore but there were about 27 people in one small house! The house size is probably like the Willis's but has a basement. It was pretty packed. They were all so nice! We spent about 3 hours there haha. It was a blast. Then that night we went bowling with the Elders from New Philadelphia which was awesome! I got the highest score! Just to give you an idea of how lucky I got in bowling, I was getting about 120ish points on average, sometimes higher sometimes lower, but then randomly one game I got 225!! That was 6 strikes in a row and a couple of spares! I worked those chumps out there! As far as missionary work goes, investigators were all pretty busy but we did get to see a lot of less active members which was great! 

I am getting so excited for Christmas! We are going to borrow a christmas tree from these members that have an extra which rocks! I thought we were going to go without one this year. I freaking miss you guys especially during the holiday season. I can't wait to Skype you in 25 days! That is going to be SWEET! 

Love you,

Jacky Boy

Week #18

Hello Friends and Family,

So this last week was a little slow. We had a ton of people cancel on us because they were sick. We spent a lot of time contacting this week. During our time contacting, we found an awesome potential investigator! He was out in his front yard shooting his compact bow at a target. He was obviously a big hunter so I started talking to him about hunting. He went off about all the deer that he has shot and about the deer he is planning on shooting. Anyway we then got on the topic of religion and he said that he would love to learn more about Christ. He said that his little 18 month old son was really sick this last week and how it was an eye opener that he needs to come closer to Christ. We will be seeing him later today and I can't wait to meet his family. 

Issac, another one of our investigators seems to be progressing much quicker now than he was before. We set a baptismal date for him for the 9th of January. He's getting excited to for baptism and knows it is the path that he needs to take.

We had another FANTASTIC lesson with Kathy and Wyatt! This past week they read the first 10 chapters of the Book of Mormon and they loved it! They had a bunch of great questions about Lehi's dream. We asked Kathy to pray to know if the Book of Mormon is true and she said that she doesn't want to pray to know if it is true before she has read the whole thing. Wyatt says to her, "Mom just pray to know if what you've already read is true." Kathy responded, "I already believe that what I have read is true." That was the response that I was waiting for! They are doing so great and are loving what we are teaching them. 

We are going to the Kerrsetter Family's home for Thanksgiving which will be so fun! I love them and can't wait to spend time with them. I would really prefer to spend time with my own family on Thanksgiving but that's okay.  Have a great week.

Love,

Elder Scoresby

Week #17

Dear Family and Friends,

I am having a killer time being a missionary! I am loving every aspect of the work. My favorite part is for sure teaching. I love being able to feel the spirit work as I open my mouth and follow the promptings of the spirit. The happiness that comes to my heart after teaching a spirit filled lesson is indescribable! I feel like I could run the whole way home but by the time I go from the front door to the car I'm out of breath...

Me and Elder Lau have spent a lot of time this last week walking around talking to anyone that we see. This is always an interesting experience. Yesterday we met a guy who thought that he was going to marry Katy Perry and then have his face printed on the 50,000 dollar bill. Only in Ohio. We do occasionally find people that are sane which is nice. We have many opportunities to testify about the Book of Mormon and about the Savior. 

This last Saturday we were able to teach a lesson to an older couple that we talked to on the street. We found out that the husband is a less active member of the church. He was baptized when he lived in Mexico but hasn't attended in many years. His wife is really interested in finding out if the Book of Mormon is in fact true. She had so many great questions and is thirsting and hungering to learn more. This was one of those lessons that made me want to run a marathon! The spirit was so strong! I could see the wheels turning in both of their heads and hearts. 

I have seen the spirit work with and change others for the better, however, it has worked the hardest on me. I am now more in tune with the spirit than I ever have been before and I know that this change has come from searching the scriptures and through sincere prayer to my heavenly father. As I continue to feel the spirit I continue to grow. 

I'm extremely grateful for the change that I have seen in myself that has come from the spirit. I know that each of us can have this same experience. I love and cherish each of you. Thank you for your prayers and for your love. Hope you all have a great week.

Love,

Elder Scoresby

Week #16

Dear Family and Friends,

This past week I felt like I changed from just a simple little caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly! (bugs life reference). I'm finding it so much easier to just talk to people about nothing and then turn our conversation to our savior. I am really enjoying the Lord's work and talking to everyone about what I love and know to be true.

Me and Elder Lau had an awesome experience this week! We picked up a new investigator named Rodger who is awesome! We taught him about the restoration and he told us that he knew everything we were teaching him was true. I could literally feel the spirit working through me as I testified about each of the truths in this lesson. It was the coolest thing I have ever felt. At the end of the lesson, Rodger asked me a question I have never been asked before. He said, "what do I have to do to get one of these Book of Mormons? Do I have to come to church first or something?" Me and Elder Lau just looked at each other and smiled. As Elder Lau handed him a copy, he treated it with such care and love. It looked almost like he was holding a new born baby. After that experience, I realized the sacredness of the Book of Mormon and the wonderful truth that it carries. I am so grateful for this gospel and for the joy that it brings me in this life. I know that the Book of Mormon will change the life of anyone who reads it. If you haven't read the Book of Mormon I would strongly recommend doing so. Thank you all so much for your love and prayers.

Love, Elder Scoresby

                                                Elder Scoresby at the Kirtland Temple

                                                     Elder Lau and Elder Scoresby

Week #15

Dear Friends and Family,

Training is going so great! My new companion's name is Elder Lau (sounds like loud without the D). He is a great kid. He came from Hong Kong, China. Before he came on his mission he was going to school at UVU and said that he really liked it in Utah. He Is adjusting really well to missionary life. Me and him are having a really good time together. He is a really funny kid and loves working hard. He doesn't really like a lot of american food so we go across the street to a chinese take out place that he really likes. We went there two days in a row because he liked it so much haha. He is doing really good though. I have found this week that I am more than ready to take over this area as the senior companion and to train a new missionary. In the lessons, Elder Lau is pretty quiet which is fine, I was the exact same way. He gives a little bit of input here and there but the majority of the talking is me. I didn't think that I could teach as well as I have this last week. We have had some amazing lessons! We have so many solid investigators right now that I am excited about. 

One of our best investigators is Wyatt. I can't remember if I told you about him or not but he and his family are great. They are loving the gospel and have so many great questions. Wyatt has an older brother that is on a mission in Argentina which has played a huge role in helping him to have a desire to come to church. Here is his family situation. Wyatt's parents are divorced and his dad married a member of the church and was baptized. Then, I guess Wyatt's bother was baptized and is now serving a mission. Wyatt has been to church with his dad a few times in Maryland and came to our ward for the first time last week. We have taught him and his family twice now and they are doing so great! So Wyatt told us yesterday that he is going to be baptized when his brother comes back from his mission, which is in a year. He is such a good kid and has such a strong desire to come to church and do what is right. Kathy, wyatt's mom, is also super interested in learning about the church. She keeps asking us so many deep questions that are hard to answer in a way that she can understand now. She is concerned with being sealed to her family so that they can be together forever. We gave her a pamphlet on the restoration and she said that she would read it. She is also reading the Book of Mormon which is so awesome! I am so excited to be teaching this awesome family! 

Love,

Elder Scoresby

Week #14

Dear Family and Friends,

This last week has been so crazy and amazing! I had the wonderful opportunity to baptize Verdella this last Saturday and that was so cool! She has had so many baptismal dates prior to this one. Verdella got up after her baptism and said that she wanted to make sure that she knew what she was getting into and that she knew everything she needed to before she was baptized. Fortunately, this time she was ready. She has received an answer to her prayers and knew that this is Christ's church here on the earth. I love Verdella and am so glad that she made the decision to follow our saviors example.

The most intense event of the week was riding my bike home in the rain! It was so much fun! We had about a 6 mile bike ride back home and we started back a few minutes before 9 pm and didn't get home until 9:28. We were at our ward mission leader's house and he offered to give us a ride home. I told him that we had to ride our bikes home because it's part of the missionary experience. As we rode, the rain came down and the floods came up! Water was running on the street and I was completely soaked. I seriously had so much fun!

 

Saturday night we had a huge miracle. We had just gotten home from riding our bikes in the rain. I had gotten in the shower to try and warm up a little bit before bed. When I got out of the shower and walked into the living room, I heard Elder Allen talking to someone on the phone. After he hung up, he told me that we had just gotten the best referral ever from a member in maryland. He called to inform us that a 16 year old boy named Wyatt was coming to church tomorrow. He is a non-member but has an older brother who is serving a mission right now in Argentina. 

So the next day we went to church so excited to meet this young man. 20 minutes before the meeting even started, a fairly large man comes walking in in some jeans, cowboy boots, and a button up flannel shirt. Just judging by looks, I would have guessed that he was about 22 or 23 years old, but to our surprise, this was Wyatt. He is only 16 years old and didn't know a soul in that entire church building. He hadn't even met the missionaries before and he was attending church! We talked to him for 10 minutes and learned that his biological dad is a member and that he has been to church before in Maryland. We then walked into the chapel and took our seats.  We had the primary program which he really enjoyed! I could hear him cracking up the entire time. After sacrament meeting, we introduced one of the priests in our ward to Wyatt and he took control from there. After church, we talked to Wyatt and asked if we could come by and teach him later that night. He gladly accepted.

When we got to there beautiful home, we got inside and were introduced to his mom, Kathy, and step dad, Rick, both of whom are beyond kind. We started talking all about our missions and what we do as missionaries. Kathy was so interested because her son is out doing the same thing we are. We eventually made our way to the topic of the Book of Mormon. We left 2 copies with them and invited them to start reading it. They had so many good questions that I can't wait to answer next week. They invited us back next sunday and told us they will be feeding us ribs and potatoes!!!!!! How can I say no to that?! I am really so excited to teach them more. They are a great family and seem to be so prepared.

I am loving this area and am so excited to train a new missionary. Transfers are tomorrow which is exciting! I finally get to be on the other side of the trainer, trainee relationship! 

I love you all so much and hope you have a great week! 

Love, Elder Scoresby

Week #13- part 2

Dear family and friends,

This last week was a great one! This area is really picking up and I am loving the work! We have been working really hard to find new investigators and help those we are currently teaching to progress in the gospel. Not only am I trying to help my investigators progress but I am also trying to progress in the gospel myself! It is a constant effort to grow my faith and better my relationship with my savior Jesus Christ. 

I want to share a something that I learned this week from a couple of the sister missionaries in my district. They taught about finding lost sheep. This is a parable that the savior taught. In the parable, I realized how much Christ wants each of us to follow him. He wants each of us to help others to come back to the fold and to follow his will. I can see the savior trying his hardest to help those that are lost come back to the fold. As a missionary, I have a unique opportunity to focus all of my efforts on the work of the Lord and bringing lost sheep back to the fold. I love seeing the change that this gospel brings into the lives of families. 

Thank you all so much for your good work and your support. 

Love, Elder Scoresby

Week #13

Here are the questions for this week:

When you get together with the missionaries on Pday, is it usually with the sisters also, or just the elders?  Any fun plans for today?

How's it going with your investigators?

Are transfers next week? and does that mean your letter will come on a different day?

What is the funniest thing that has happened with Elder Allen?

Does your mission ever make temple trips to the Columbus Temple?

Hey mom! 

Not going to lie, I laughed when I heard you got a ticket for going 92. Speed runs in the family I guess haha. I am so glad to hear that the family is doing good! I miss going on family vacations with you guys, those were the best. I am so happy that little Noah is okay and pretty healthy. I have prayed for him quite a few times in the last few months. 

I have some very exciting news for you! I have been called to train a new missionary! I am a little worried for it but also can't wait to try and take over the area and train a new missionary. I am sure that I will be able to accomplish anything I am asked to do as long as I do what the Lord asks me to do. I will be with Elder Allen for one more week and then he will be transferred to a new area. So to answer your question, yes, my letter will come on Tuesday. Typically on p-day we get together with elders and sisters but it really depends on what everyone is doing. Today we are just going bowling one last time before people get transferred. I am going to be pretty sad when my district is split up. I will be okay though.

Our investigators are doing pretty good! Stacey is staying pretty stagnant right now which is fairly frustrating. We have picked up a bunch of new investigators which is great! I can't wait to start teaching all of them more and see them progress. One that I am particularly excited about is John. John is a 41 year old man that has some major heart problems. He is recovering from a heart attack he had a couple of months ago but he is loving everything that we are teaching him. We have only taught him once but he is so solid. I will keep informing you on investigators as time goes on and as I get to know all the new investigators we met this week. Great things are happening here in the massillon ward! 

Hmmmm... funniest experience.... Oh I know!!! So we are talking to this new investigator named donnie on his porch when this random guy comes up to us and says "aren't you guys mormons?" Me and elder Allen are both like "ya we are would you like a book of mormon?!" (not really that forward but that was the end goal). He didn't want to hear anything we had to say. He said to us, "I don't want to go to heaven because I love worldly things. If I can have and endless supply of blunts and marijuana in heaven then I want to go there. Otherwise I don't." We tried to give him a card after he said that but he just walked away. Donnie turns to us and say "Just ignore him, he makes meth" HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA it was so funny! Me and Elder Allen both died laughing because it was such a funny experience. That was for sure the moment that made me laugh the hardest this week. 

As for temple trips, we were going to go on Friday but now that I am training I have to go to a training meeting. We don't ever go as an entire mission but we can go with a member every 6 months I think. I really want to get back to the temple but it might not happen for a while.

I am having such a great time talking to people out here on my mission and helping them to come closer to Christ. I love you a ton mom. Have a good week.

Love, your missionary, Jackson Scoresby

Week #12

                                                                                                                                                    October 12, 2015

So here are the questions we asked Jackson this week:

How are Stacy and Britney doing?

How did you catch the bunny?

What are your favorite things to do during the week?

What do you like to do on your P-day?

Dear Friends and Family,

So Stacey is doing good. She didn't come to church yesterday which is so sad! Her baptism is set for the 20th of this month so if she comes to church this coming sunday she will be able to make that date. She has a strong testimony and loves the church, she just struggles with church attendance a little bit. But she is doing great for the most part.

Brittine.... She was doing SO GOOD at the beginning of this week. She was already considering herself a member of our church which was great. She was understanding everything that we taught her and she was feeling the spirit super strongly when we were there. However, on thrusday this last week she sent us a text that broke my heart. She told us that she didn't want to continue learning from us. She wants to find another path that fits her needs better. I was devastated when I heard this. We have tried to contact her but no response on the phone and no answer at the door. We are going to give her a few months and then go and see her again. Hopefully she will change her mind and be able to experience the joy that comes from being a member of this church.

The way we caught the bunny was actually really funny. Me and Elder Allen found this little hole in the ground with 4 or 5 baby rabbits in it. We went over and looked in and they all ran out so I chased them all over and caught a couple of them. It was a lot of fun.

My favorite thing to do during the week is for sure teach lessons where the spirit is strong. That makes the week so much fun. I love finding new people that are excited to learn about this gospel. Me and Elder Allen have tried our best to find new investigators this week through contacting. Contacting is where you walk around and talk to anyone and everyone you see. It can be really fun sometimes. We met a guy that we are going to teach this week named John. He told us that he died 8 times in the last month. He has had some major heart problems which is pretty scary. He knew some mormons before and said he would really like to learn about the Book of Mormon. I am excited to get to know him.

Pdays are always fun. I really like to go bowling on or do anything with the other elders and sisters in our zone. We played sand volleyball last week which rocked! I need to send you a letter with a picture of me and the majority of my zone. I will do that today. 

Love Jackson Tyler Scoresby

                  The elders from my zone at sand volleyball.  We have so much fun together.

Week #11

Hi friends and family,

(Jackson didn't send a friends and family letter this week (he always seems to be short on time), so I'm posting most of the letter he sent to me.  Enjoy!)

Holy CRAP! (Frank Barone) I loved conference weekend so much! As a missionary it is more exciting than christmas eve! We had a hard time getting lessons set this weekend and couldn't get any of our investigators to watch it with us or respond to our texts. I am really worried about Stacey right now. She said she is having a hard time in a text,

 but won't respond to us when we ask to meet. Her baptism was supposed to be this weekend but it isn't looking like she is going to make it which breaks my heart. I really love her and want her to be baptized soon. 

There were so many good talks that I loved! The Saturday afternoon session was my very favorite. Elder Holland did an amazing job as always. His talk was by far my favorite. He talked about mothers and how awesome they are. I became so grateful for you and all that you have done for me. I know that without you Mom, I would not be out on my mission. I also wouldn't be the person I am today. Thank you so much for raising me in the gospel and for planting that seed within my heart. 

I totally thought that Hannah was going to have her baby this week! I was so sad when I read that she still hasn't had it. I hope she can make it through this next week and can have a cute little baby in her arms soon. 

Now answering your questions...

Our investigators are doing okay. Like I said, I am worried about stacey. She hasn't been responding to our texts or answering our calls. I truly hope that she is okay and hasn't run into any big problems or road blocks. Brittine is doing good. She didn't end up watching conference but this week when we taught her she felt the spirit so strong. She totally understood the priesthood and the need for authority to baptize. She later said that she doesn't want to be baptized by just anyone. She seems to be on a role right now and hopefully she will stay that way. 

The two weirdest things I have eaten were both at a Chinese buffet that members took us to. The first thing I had was frog legs that were deep fried and those were actually pretty good! The only problem I found with them was that after I ate them my hands felt like I had just touched a sticky, slimy frog. I would totally eat those again though. I also ate some muscle thing there which didn't taste too bad at all. It had cheese melted over the top but the texture and consistency of it was uncomfortably close to that of a snot rocket. Elder Allen ate one too and he looked like he was going to puke when he took a bite! It wasn't that bad he is just a drama queen.

The best thing that happened this week was for sure conference. I loved the Saturday afternoon session. If I remember correctly I think about half of those talks made me tear up. I teared up a little when President Monson spoke as well, the reason being that I thought he wasn't going to make it through his entire message. Towards the end he sped up his speech so that he could finish and get back to his seat. He also appeared to be falling over as he stood before us. I hope that his health improves. He is a great prophet and I know that he is a man called of God.

We spend a lot of time over at the Mullins' home. They have been members for just under a year and are struggling to stay in the church. Since we have been visiting them, our relationship with them has grown strong. They are slowly but surely strengthening their testimonies. I have come to love their slightly crazy family so much. I will try and get a picture with them this week and send it next P-day. Speaking of pictures, I have a few to send you!

I love you all so much! Hope you have a great week.

Love, 

Elder Jackson Scoresby

PS the weather is changing. Saturday the high was like 51 degrees and rainy!!! I am going to die this winter.

                                                                   One of our investigators.

                                                                I caught a baby rabbit!!!!!!!!!!!!

Week #10

Dear Family and Friends,

Another fantastic week under the belt. I am still loving the mission and the people that we work with. We have dropped quite a few investigators in the last few weeks so we have been working a lot more with members. We always need more referrals from them so we have built our trust up with a ton of members. However we do occasionally have appointments cancel on us so we end up contacting people on the streets. 

Me and Elder Allen had a great experience this week while contacting. We just went to a potential investigator's home but they weren't there so we started walking around. We looked across the parking lot at an apartment with a little boy waving at us from the other side of a screen door. We walked over to him and he ran away so we decided to knock on the door and share the gospel with the family that was there. The little boy's mother, named Brittney, came to the door and talked to us for a good 10 or 15 minutes. We shared a little bit of the first lesson with her. She told us that she has wanted to be baptized and that she wants her son to be baptized as well. I told her that we have to teach her a few things before she can get baptized. She was so excited to invite us back and meet again. Brittney is so prepared! I cannot wait to continue working with her and help her come closer to her savior.

I have seen how my Heavenly Father puts prepared people in our path so that we can bring them to the knowledge of this beautiful message. I am so grateful for all the people that have helped me get out on a mission. Love you all and hope you have a stellar week.

Love, Elder Scoresby

Week #9

Dear Family and Friends, 

Don't have a ton of time this week but want to share another awesome experience.

As me and my companion, Elder Allen, were walking through an apartment complex, I felt SO prompted to go and knock on one specific door. I thought to myself, "I am going to baptize a family from knocking on this door!" We knocked the door and waited for someone to answer. No one did so I knocked again. When no one came after the third knock I was confused. Why was I sent here to this door if no one was going to answer. 

Then I thought that maybe I was off by one door. So we went to the next door over and once again, no answer. I was a little bit frustrated. On our way back to the car, we came in contact with a lady that was looking for a church to join. She was on her way to her apartment from picking up her kids from school. I realized that without being led to the "wrong" door, we would not have been able to find this individual. 

Our Father in Heaven always knows the best path for us to take in order to get us to the best destination. We always need to heed to the words of our Heavenly Father. What a blessing it is to have a prophet here on the earth today. I can't wait to hear what the Lord wants me to hear from the prophet at General Conference. I want to invite everyone to watch Conference. I know that we will all be given guidance from God through the mouth of a living prophet. 

I love you all so much and hope that you are doing well. Have a great week!

Love, Elder Scoresby

Week #8

Dear Family and Friends, 

Time is flying by way too fast! I can't believe that transfers are tomorrow, September 16th! My first transfer over! I love the area I am in now and love my whole district! Luckily no one is going anywhere! 

I want to share an awesome experience that I had with an investigator named Stacey. So earlier this week we were teaching her about the Holy Ghost and the role that it plays in answering our prayers. We focused specifically on praying to know if the Book of Mormon is true. Before we invited her to pray to know if the Book of Mormon was true, she said that she always felt good when she was reading it. She hadn't realized that the spirit was witnessing to her that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. However, she wasn't sure if it was all true. So we asked her if she had prayed to know if it was the word of God. Stacey told us that she had not yet done this. So we invited her to do so. She committed to ask her Father in Heaven if it was in fact true. 

Later that week we made a quick stop by and asked if she had already asked the big question. Stacey said that she did pray and that she knows that Book of Mormon is true. As soon as we started talking about the Book of Mormon, her face lit up and she couldn't stop smiling! 

Such a cool experience to see her come to know the truthfulness of the gospel. 

I am loving it here in Ohio and I know for a FACT that this is where God wants me to be. It is important for all of us to constantly ask ourselves, "am I where my Father in Heaven wants me to be?" and I know that if we get to where he needs or wants us, blessings will come. I have seen it in my life and I want all of you to see it in your own lives. I love you all so much. So grateful for all of your testimonies! Don't be afraid to share them!

Love, Elder Scoresby

(Sorry for the short email. I am a little sick today and don't have a ton of energy)  

                 This picture of Elder Scoresby and Elder Allen was sent by a member in Massillon, Ohio.

Week #6

Dear Family and Friends,

Another great week out on the mission here in Ohio. We started off the week with a mission conference last Tuesday. At first I was not excited to go and sit through an 8 hour meeting of straight talking. Sounds terrible right? Well I was wrong! That was the greatest meeting ever! Elder Bennett came to talk to us. He came with nothing prepared. He told us he was going to go completely off of the promptings of the spirit and that is exactly what he did. Everything he said was awesome and applied to me directly. He told us to talk to EVERYONE. Before this meeting I was only talking to people that looked nice. I tried to avoid all interactions with anyone that looked mean or rough around the edges. I was honestly afraid of being rejected. Since then though, I have tried to talk to everyone. We have seen a huge increase in the amount of investigators we are teaching. It is so obvious that the more people you talk to the more investigators you will have. For whatever reason I didn't make that connection. It was a huge blessing to have elder Bennett come and teach our whole mission. 

On Wednesday, we ran into a little bit of a problem. We tried to start our car and the battery was completely dead! It was a bummer but turned out fine. We had our neighbor help us out by giving us a jump. We got into the car and saw that some foolish Elder had left a light on! Yes it was me... I am the foolish Elder. Well I learned my lesson. Also, Wednesday afternoon we had an appointment cancel on us and we couldn't find anyone to teach. We were sitting in our car trying to think of something to do when I suddenly had this sick feeling come over me. I didn't want to go anywhere or do anything. It was the weirdest thing. But as soon as we got back on track of teaching the gospel, I had that feeling leave me immediately. I know that was my Father in Heaven telling me that I need to be working every minute of the day. I can be having a hard time with my companion or be mad at myself but as soon as I focus on preaching the word, I start having a great day.

Thursday and Friday were full packed full of time spent finding people to teach. We went around on our sweet mountain bikes with our stylish helmets stopping and talking to every person we saw. We picked up 3 new investigators on Friday and I think 2 on Thursday. We are working as hard as we can and seeing great results. I know that as we work as hard as we can, giving everything we can to the Lord, he will bless us with strength to press onward. 

I am so grateful for the energy and strength I have been given from Heavenly Father. Thank you all so much for your prayers. 

Love, Elder Scoresby

The first picture is of me and some other elders in my mission. The other is of a home across the street from my ward mission leader's house and yes that is a marijuana plant on his roof

Week #5

Dear Family and friends,

I hit the month mark this last Friday which was awesome! It was comforting to know that I have made it this far without being hit by a car. 

This week has been super busy and quite tiring but I have loved it so much! We are quite short on miles this month because of the trips we have been making to Cleveland for so many different conferences, so our bikes have been put to use. I have seen so many awesome blessings from using our bikes! We have so many more opportunities to teach people about our savior Jesus Christ. I am also getting back into shape which is a miracle. 

The best day of this week was definitely Friday. We did a ton of service which was so awesome and also had the chance to teach 6 different lessons! I would definitely call that a successful day! 

The best lesson we had was not planned and was actually with a man we had never met before named Orlando. He is the uncle of one of our investigators named George. As we taught George out on his porch early in the afternoon, Orlando walks up and tells us he doesn't need to hear our message because he has already found God. He didn't want to listen to anything we had to say. I realized the only way we could get to talk to him was if we asked about his personal experiences. I asked how he came to know God. He proceeded to tell us that he used to be a major drug addict. He told us he prayed and asked God to help him turn his life around. That was 10 years ago, and since then he has been clean. He has such a strong testimony of God and Jesus Christ. We shared a spiritual message with him and told him that his father in heaven loves him. After that we all felt the spirit so strongly. Orlando actually started crying super hard! After feeling that spirit and that happiness, he told us that he wants to meet with us again. I closed the lesson with a prayer and the entire time I was praying, Orlando was crying his eyes out. We went to shake his hand and then he asked if he could give us a hug!

I couldn't believe how quickly his heart softened from feeling the spirit! I saw the power of God that day and I was so happy that I could've helped him to feel of the love that God has for him. 

Orlando is just one example of how the spirit can soften hearts. I have seen this happen with each and every one of our investigators. Each lesson they seem to be happier and happier. 

I also have become happier than ever before. I am so glad that my family has helped me get to this point. My mission has been hard but I am seriously loving it so much. I wouldn't trade this experience for the world. I love and miss every single one of you. Hope you all have a great week.

Love, Elder Scoresby

Akron Zone Conference

                                            Jackson and Elder Casto (Jack's favorite elder in the MTC).

                                                             Jackson's roommates in the MTC

                                                 Jackson and Elder Allen having companion study.

                                                      Jackson dead tired after a day of service.

                                                       After a day of laying sod for a member.

                                                                   Elder Scoresby under a tree.

Week #4

Dear Family and Friends,

Another successful week under the belt. As time goes on I get more and more used to mission life and having someone by my side 24/7. The lessons are so much more familiar and the spirit gets stronger and stronger as me and Elder Allen teach. He is a great trainer and is helping me learn the ropes of missionary life.

So earlier this week, on Tuesday, me and Elder Allen had an awesome miracle happen. We had just had an appointment cancel on us (happens quite often) and we didn't know what to do. Our backup plan wasn't available so we pulled over and tried to think of where we should go. I had a strong urge to say a prayer and ask our Father in Heaven where we should go. Immediately after I closed the prayer, Elder Allen knew where we should go. We went to a less active members house to hopefully share a lesson. We pulled up and got out of the car, but before we went to the door, we decided to stop and talk to a man passing by on the street. To our surprise he addressed us as Elders and knew so much about our church! He seemed to be very interested and was happy to give us his number to call him and set a return appointment. We are planning on meeting with him later this week and I will let you all know how that goes. I was so grateful for this sweet experience and to be able to see the love the Lord has for me.

Wednesday was a less exciting day. We had zone conference which was awesome and super spiritual, but Elder Allen got a migraine so we had to cancel all of our appointments we had set for later that day. I don't think I have ever been more bored in my entire life I was that night. I read scriptures, watched some bible videos and walked in circles around the apartment... It wasn't too bad but I would rather be shot rather than do that again.

Then on Thursday, we taught an awesome investigator named Issac. He has a lot of knowledge about the church from the lessons that he has already been taught but there is something holding him back from baptism and coming to church. For whatever reason, he doesn't feel very comfortable with church. But as we taught him Thursday, the spirit was so strong. He has been diligently reading the book of Mormon and has great questions about it. Issac has so much potential and I can see the love that he has for Christ and for this church. I know that once Issac comes to church he will have that desire to be baptized.

We taught another investigator Thursday named Kevin, that told us he doesn't want to be converted. He said that he is already part of another religion but isn't really active in it. So we asked him if it would be okay if we continued to teach him the lessons so that he could have a better knowledge of Christ's church before he decided anything. Luckily he said that was fine. I know that if he truly tries to learn more about the gospel and prays with a sincere heart, he will know of the truthfulness of the gospel. 

On Friday, my entire perspective of what a mission is changed. The event that altered my outlook on life was my first bike ride. Up until this point I have been driving in a car. We still have a car but we are tight on miles. We are only given a certain amount of miles we can drive in a month and it is not looking too good for this month. So we rode our bikes for probably 20 or 25 miles. I am getting used to it no thought and love being able to talk to people on the streets. I for sure have more respect for those Elders and Sisters that are in biking areas. 

One more thing. On Thursday we had the chance to help a less active member, Jerry, clean out his shed. He is an older guy that hasn't opened up too much to us before. After doing such a great job at cleaning and organizing his shed he showed another side of himself. He took us down to his basement and showed us a go kart that he built with his own two hands. He said it hasn't run since 1995 but back then it would go 100 mph!!! Probably the coolest thing I have ever seen. I will attach a pic at the bottom.

I love you all so much and am grateful for your love and support. I love my mission and know this is what my father in Heaven wants me to be doing now.

Love, Elder Scoresby

Week #3

Hello friends and family,

Wow I thought I was going on a state side mission.... I feel like I have lived in a bubble all my life haha so I guess the Mesa bubble really is a thing. The people here are super amazing and I can't believe how strong everyone's testimonies are here. There are so many members that are beyond willing to go out and teach investigators with us. There are also a lot of great people here that are not members. One that comes to mind is Ted. He is an old guy that we are going to start teaching this week. Ted is really good at helping everybody that he comes in contact with which is super cool to see. I only met him yesterday but I think he has a lot of potential and hopefully we can help him recognize the spirit. 

There are so many investigators and members and less actives that it is hard to keep them all straight haha. I keep forgetting everyone's names and their background but I am sure that I will figure it out soon. Even though I don't know their names I feel so much love for everyone we come in contact with. This week we are going to try and teach every active family in our area. I can't wait to get to know them.

In my area me and my companion, Elder Allen are blessed with a pretty red Subaru. I am glad that I don't have to ride my bike through some of the neighborhoods that we teach in... Pretty sketchy haha. Some of our investigators are not involved in great things but they always respect us. I haven't encountered the business end of a gun yet so I am off to a great start. But one thing I really love about missionary work here is that the people are always sitting on their porch. All you have to do is walk up to them and ask if they would like to hear a message and a lot of the time people are interested. Yesterday, we walked around a neighborhood talking to anyone we saw that didn't look like they wanted to hurt us. We stopped and talked to a group of kids playing basketball and gave them pictures of the temple. They were really interested so we talked to them for a little bit. These 3 kids were 13, 14, and 15. All really nice guys. After we talked to them one of these kids thought I couldn't guard him! Well he was right.... I put up a good fight but was no match for him. 

There is so much more but I forgot to bring my journal to write from so next week will be better. I love you all so much and am grateful for your love and support. 

Love, Elder Scoresby

PS my address is 3809 Tuscarawas Canton Ohio 44708 apartment #4

Week #2

Hello Family,

So I have even less time this week than I did last but that's okay because I'M GOING TO CLEVELAND!!!!!! I am taking off Tuesday morning at 3:30 in the morning! Mom and dad be ready for a call any time that day. I can call you at the airport. I am having such a great time here at the MTC and have only been homesick one night! I am loving it so much and can't wait to get to the field! My district is so great and I love them. I got everyone's letters and I love them! Sorry I haven't been able to write back, my schedule is packed! I will try and send letters this week. I can't wait to talk to you all in a few days! I've got to go and finish my laundry. Hopefully I will be able to write more next week. Love and miss you all so much! 

Love, Elder Scoresby

First letter from the MTC

Dear Family and Friends, 

For everyone that told me my first day would be long, you were more than right. Not joking when I say my first day felt like a week! Went by SOOO slow but that's okay. I have already had such great experiences. Me and my comp have been doing a lot of role play with each other and I can't believe how awesome that is! I have felt the spirit so much in just 2 days.

So wednesday was a little crazy. We all met our district and zones and companions which was really awesome. My companion is by far the best one in the entire MTC. We get along so well and love to teach and have fun. We are already great friends, along with the rest of the elders in our district. I love my district so much! We have so many laughs together I can't wait to see what happens this next week. Anyways back to Wednesday. That night we got to meet three investigators which was an awesome experience. Learned a ton from watching sister missionaries teach these people and helping from the audience. 

Thursday, we had a ton of classes which was great but the one day felt like a week. I can't wait to get out into the field and teach some investigators. Gym time was by far the best part of thursday. We went and played some sand volleyball with the whole district which was so much fun! I have seen a ton of mesa people which is always great to get a little taste of home. Actually, I almost forgot! Elder Dallin Urness is in my District! For those of you who don't know him he is just a friend from school. It was awesome walking in on the first day and seeing him there. 

Today we did a ton of role play which I LOVED! Role play is awesome and is so helpful in learning what you did wrong and what you can add. Well I am almost out of time so I need to be off! Thanks to everyone who has helped me get on a mission. I already know it is the best decision of my life. Love you all so very much!

Love,

Elder Scoresby

Me and My companion, Elder Clement are on the right and a companionship in our zone. Elder Foster (left) and Elder Kurr (middle right)