Week #87

Hi Mom!

Just a heads up, this email is probably going to be crappy. I can't remember what the heck happened this week and I forgot my planner so I can't go back and look at it. I'll try and update you as much as possible.

I guess I'll start off with the big news of this week. Elder Wheelwright is leaving me! Unfortunately we don't get to stay together for another transfer. I was really hoping that we'd get to work hard with each other for one more transfer but he's been called else where. He's going to be serving in the Lakewood area. He's actually opening up a new area and shotgunning (Whitewashing). He's way excited about that. I have been called to train a new missionary! I'm sort of really scared! I don't want to mess up haha but I'm sure it will all work out. I'm excited to have a new missionary that will have a full tank of gas! We're going to work so hard together! Every companionship in my district will be changing so that's kind of sad! I'm going to miss them all so much! It's all good though. One of the Elders coming to my district came out with me so we'll probably die here together! 

Will you remind me of where I'm living up in Utah? I can't remember what it's called. And is there any room for another person to live there? Elder Wheelwright might want to live there but I don't know anything haha. 

I can only remember on cool experience from this week. Elder Wheelwright and I were walking to a potential investigator's house when some random guy pulled up to us in his truck and asked us what we were doing. We told him that we were missionaries and of course, started talking to him about the Restoration. He seemed really interested so we're going to call him and set up a time to meet. Also, he's working on a house that's pretty close to us and we offered to help him, so we may be helping him remodel his home some time this coming week. 

Sorry for the pathetic email this week! I promise next week will be better! I love you! Hope you have a great week!

Love,

Jack

Week #86

Hey Mom!!!

I got those shoes and ran in them one time... then it snowed. I'm not nearly determined enough to go running in the snow. The shoes are awesome though! SO comfortable! I have also decided that I'm going to get a gym membership when I get home. I have to pay for it so that it forces me to go and get my moneys worth! 

Transfers are next week! I'm thinking that Elder Wheelwright will stay here with me one more which I'm stoked for! This is his 3rd transfer here, so if he stays another he will total at 6 months in the area. We're working super well together and having a great time doing it! It's so fun to be with experienced missionaries because you both know what is expected of you and what you need to do to be effective. We've been struggling to meet with some of our investigators. One of them, Lawrence, has been busy the last few weeks so he can't meet until next Thursday. Denitra had to cancel because Lauren was sick. We're planning to see them on Monday though. Aubrey texted us yesterday and told us that she didn't want to meet anymore... BUMMER! She was way cool. Agency is so frustrating some times! 

We got to see Robert and he seems to be doing okay. He had another hard week. His Dad has cancer in his throat and is only expected to live for a few more months so that's obviously hard on him. We stopped by him yesterday and he was clearly having a hard time. We talked to him about finding true and lasting happiness in this life. He told us how he has been trying to find happiness through other alternative things. He recognizes, and we talked about what brings lasting happiness. I don't remember if I told you but his Mom was a member years ago before she passed away. He said that when she joined the church, she quit drinking and smoking and she was so much happier! He is wanting that happiness so badly but bad habits are holding him back. He has a long ways to go but is willing to make baby steps in the right direction. He was able to keep his commitment of reading from the Book of Mormon which was a big change for him! He's been having a hard time with that. I love Robert and I'm so glad that we're teaching him! 

Caroline is doing okay. We are taking a step back with her. We're trying to help her how much the Savior and our Father in Heaven love her. She's amazing and is so close to being ready to be baptized! 

Elder Wheelwright and I are working hard to find new people to teach. It will be much easier to find more people once the weather warms up. More people are outside and we can talk to them all! We're going to teach all of Sandusky! 

I can't believe that Bennett is getting ready to go on a mission! I'm super bummed that we will only have a few weeks to hang. I can't complain though, a mission is for sure the best place for him to be. 

I'm totally jealous that  you guys are in Rocky Point right now! It's way warmer there than it is here! I've been wearing thermals and sweaters with my winter coat all week! You're Arizona Boy is more than ready for summer to hit! 

Love you so much Mom! You're the best! Only a couple of weeks until General Conference and then a month from then I'll skype home for the last time and then two months later.... HOME! Love you so much! Hope you have a great time in Mexico! 

Love,

Jack

PS We're moving in a couple of weeks cuz our apartment sucks! Funny story, we drove past these sweet looking apartments and sent the info to the mission office and I guess they put money down on it! We had no idea until yesterday when our land lord knocked on our door and asked us when we were going to be out of the apartment. We had no idea haha! We asked the senior couple in charge of housing and we should be out of our current apartment on April 1st. SO EXCITED!

Shopping with the district.

On the way to the Columbus Temple.

Going to the temple with Treena and Hannah, recent converts.

Jackson at the Columbus Temple.

Jack with some kids from a family he's been working with.

Week #85

Hi Mom!

My week was pretty good! I felt like we didn't get to see a lot of our investigators but we still were able to do a lot. We've been helping a recent convert family find names to take to the temple to do baptism. Their names are Hannah and Treena. Treena is the mom and Hannah is her daughter. We get to go to the temple this Saturday with them to do baptisms! I'll be sure to take pictures and send them next week! Can't wait to spend time in the temple. 

We weren't able to meet with Robert this week. He was crazy busy with work. Hopefully we'll get to see him this weekend. 

So remember Denitra, the cool lady we met last week? Well she's still super sweet and she's an investigator now! So I forgot to tell you how we really found her. We were out tracting around and were going in a strait line down one side of the street. We were about to cross the road and go to the other side, but I felt like we should go to the next house. So I said to Elder Wheelwright, "We should do this next house" as I pointed at Denitra's home. The funny part was, right as I pointed, Denitra poked her head out of her door! We couldn't not talk to her at that point! I was standing there pointing at her hahaha! Anyway, our lesson with her this week went super well! We spent a lot of time focusing on the great apostasy so that she could really understand and see the necessity for the restoration of the Gospel. She was able to really grasp what we were teaching. Her Daughter, Lauren wasn't there but Denitra said she for sure would be next week. Denitra couldn't find the Book of Mormon we left with her last time because Lauren had been reading it! They are such a prepared family! I'm so excited to be teaching them! We wouldn't be teaching them if I hadn't pointed right at her haha! 

Another funny experience we had, was on Monday. We were on our way to District meeting when we got a call from a missionary that once served here that went home 3 months ago! I served around him right before he went home so I knew him a little. He called us and told us he was in Sandusky for the day and wanted to go stop by some people with us. He came and picked us up in this sweet old van and we drove all over in Sandusky! It was so much fun! I didn't even feel like a missionary! I felt like I was just hanging out with a few of my friends! It was fun to see him again! 

Other than that, I can't think of anything crazy that happened. Just a usual missionary week. I wish I could tell you every miracle that happened each day! I would be emailing for hours! I don't have that kind of patience! I've been being a lot more detailed in my journal so that I can remember everything. I'll have to let you read it when I get home! 

Is there any update on those shoes mom? I was going to buy crappy shoes to run in but I figured I should just buy some nice ones and then use them back home. 

One more request, I feel like I don't remember what the house looks like, so can you send me pictures of the house? Hahaha I know it's kind of weird but I miss that place. Oh and make sure you get the back yard! I love you so much! You're the bomb.com! Hope you have a stellar week!

Love,

Jack

Jack says this is a great representation of their companionship!

Thrift shopping with the district.

On the swings.

In shock, because he's coming home so soon!

Week #84

Hello Mother

Before I forget, I wanted to tell you that you are my hero. We were talking this week in ward correlation meeting about who are heroes are and you, without a doubt you are one of my greatest heroes. I can't imagine what my life would be like without a Mother that loves me even when I am an annoying little twerp. The love that you show me has brought so much love and light into my life. I love you so much! You are my favorite mom!

This week has been a great one! Elder Wheelwright and I have worked so hard and talked to everyone that we possibly could! I'm sure that Heavenly Father is blessing us from our efforts! We've been able to find so many amazing people that want to learn about the Restored gospel! This last Monday it was especially evident that the Lord blesses us for our efforts. We were out and about contacting and stopping by potential investigators for the most part of the day. Almost everyone that we talked to wanted to learn more! In the morning, we ran into a couple of young guys sitting on their porch. We taught them the Restoration right then and there and set a return appointment for later in the week. They both have a deep interest in the gospel. Then, later in the day, we were tracting and met a very energetic lady named Denitra. When we offered to share a message about Jesus Christ, she joyously accepted and asked if her daughter, Lauren, could join in. We obviously said yes and so we taught the both of them a brief Restoration lesson. We set a standing appointment for every Monday to teach them. They're so cool! Later in the day, we stopped by Aubrey, a potential investigator that we've been unable to get back in contact with. She's so awesome! She really wants to strengthen her faith in Christ and have the influence of Jesus Christ in her family's life. We knocked on her door, almost expecting her to not answer. However, despite our lack of faith, she answered and when she saw us, she smiled and told us she was so glad that we came back. She's been having some serious trials she's going through right now but definitely wants to learn about the gospel! I guess you could say Monday was a killer day for us! 

Late last week, we had an appointment with a couple of young guys that we met while walking right outside our apartment. We had set up to meet them at the Library. Typically, when people tell you they will meet you at the library, they don't show up and you never see or hear from them again. So, when Elijah and AJ walked in, the two guys we met, we were almost in shock! Our lesson with them went great! They both have searched and searched to find truth in different religions but haven't found what they feel is true. They committed to read the Book of Mormon and pray to know if it is true. I'm excited about the two of them! They both have real intent!

Caroline is doing good! We set a baptismal date with her for the 18th of March. She just needs to work on the Word of Wisdom and come to church. She has a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon. I'm sure she'll be baptized! If not on the 18th then soon there after! 

We met with Robert this week! He has had a rough last week. His uncle passed away which was an emotional time for him. We taught him the Plan of Salvation this week which seemed to be helpful to him. He is really good at accepting what we teach! He for sure wants to be baptized but is hesitant to set a date. We suggested the 29th of April but he said there was no way he was going to make that. He needs to make some pretty significant changes in order to be ready. He said that he would think of a time that he'll be ready by and let us know on Saturday when see him again. 

There are so many people that we're starting to teach, I can't possibly tell you about all of them. I love Sandusky so much! I haven't had a bad area or a bad companion my entire mission! It's been awesome! I love being a missionary! 

That's so fun that Nick came and stayed with you! I haven't seen him in forever! It's probably been over 4 years, or at least will be by the time I'm done with my mission. 

I can't believe the Adcox's are moving! That's so sad! I miss that family like crazy! I can't wait to see Austin again! I miss that kid! So excited to room with him in Utah!

I don't think you should send me an ankle brace. The one I have is holding up really well. I do think that I should do some physical therapy when I get home. My ankles are so weak. I think I'm going to buy some running shoes out here and start running in the mornings in attempt to strengthen my ankles/ not be fat. I can't remember what my shoes were called that I got at road runner. I think they were nike lunars but I'm not sure. Is there anyway you could check what they were called for me? If not it's fine, I'll just buy some other kind of shoes. 

I love you so much Mom! You're an amazing human! Hope you have a great week! 

Love,

Jack

Community Service with Elder Wheelwright

Lake Erie

Comp Unity

Week #83

Hi Mom! 

You're story of you and Liza riding the tandem on a turtle hunt made me laugh super hard! I can't even count how many time me and one of my friends, or Bennett or Cooper, crashed on that bike! For whatever reason, we never figured out how to stay steady on it and work together to be balanced! I definitely have some good memories on that bike. 

I'm glad that the Curtis and Cloward family are doing okay. I hope they can manage through this hard time. I love those families so much! Can't wait to see them all again! 

Sandusky is still amazing and is only getting better! My district is a lot of fun! We have 4 Elders including Elder Wheelwright and I, and 2 sisters, so 6 missionaries total. We all have so much fun together! I'll send some district pictures to you today. They're pretty funny! I love being District leader, so much more than zone leader! As district leader, people still look up to you, but they aren't afraid of you. They act like themselves when I'm around which wasn't always the case when I was a zone leader. I also have so many more opportunities to serve and be a good influence on other missionaries. 

The area of Sandusky is so great! Like I said before it reminds me of Ashland. However, it's a better quality than Ashland was. All the people are so kind to us! This week, I really felt like God put us where we needed to be. On multiple occasions, we made plans to go stop by someone, but they wouldn't be home. Instead, right around there, we would talk to someone that was super interested in learning more! I love it when I get to be an instrument in God's hands. We have some really great Potential investigators that we are going to turn into investigators this week. 

There were a few high lights from this week I've been eager to share with you! So last Wednesday evening, we went and saw our investigator Emmanuel. I don't think I told you about him last week. He's working here in the US temporarily. He's originally from Peru and will be going back home in the beginning of March. His english is okay so sometimes it's hard to understand what he's talking about. This last week we had an amazing lesson with him! We were talking to him about his reading in the Book of Mormon. He has read up until 1 Nephi 15 or so. The lesson prior we had committed him to pray to know if the Book of Mormon was true. He said that he didn't pray directly about that. We asked him if he would do that, meaning for him to do it after we left. Because of the Language barrier, he thought we were telling him to pray right then. He just started praying so Elder Wheelwright and I both just bowed our heads. Emmanuel then offered a very simple and very brief, but very specific prayer. He plainly asked, "is the Book of Mormon true?" After he said Amen, we looked up at him and he said, "I felt something strong, like I've never felt before." He told us he didn't know what it meant. Then he just sat there. He rested his hand on the Book of Mormon next to him and stared at it. We sat in silence for almost a minute. He was quite obviously pondering very hard on the answer he had just received. Our job, as the missionaries, not the teachers, is to stay out of the way and not interrupt the teacher, the Holy Ghost. Emmanuel then looked up at us, and said, "I think it is true!" It was amazing to see his prayer answered right there in front of us! We invited him to be baptized and he accepted. We won't be the ones that baptize him, but we got his address in Peru and we'll send the missionaries to him when he goes back home. 

We picked up 3 new investigators this last week as well! One of them is named Paula! She knows how to talk! It's so hard to have a lesson for under an hour with her because she talks so much! She's had some pretty insane trials in her life. She sees people that live the commandments and are religious that have stable lives. That is what she's looking for and that's why she's meeting with us. The gospel will help her immensely! 

I also twisted my ankle AGAIN! It wasn't my ankle that I broke in high school but it's the one I twisted in Ashland. I was coming down the steps of our apartment building and roasted my ankle. I'm usually pretty good at staying up on my feet when I twist my ankles but this time I ended up face down on the grass. Luckily I dodged the pavement. It's feeling a lot better now but initially I could hardly walk on it. It's hard to do effective missionary work when you can't walk! We still went out and found some great people to teach! These weak ankles aren't going to stop the work of the Lord! 

I'm loving this work! I'm so glad I'm in Sandusky! I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world right now! I love you so much mom! I think You're awesome! I hope you have a great week! 

Love,

Jack

Jackson and Elder Wheelwright at Lake Erie

A Mexican Fiesta after district meeting