Hello family and friends and anyone else who might be weirdly reading my emails! I'm still alive here in Tucson (Haven't melted yet), and the working is moving forward.
I don't know if I've told you all yet but my companion has different colored eyes, and this last week he has been asked at least five times if one of his contacts fell out. He's starting to get tired of it. (Whereas I tend to laugh harder and harder each time... funny how that works)
Thank you Kate for sending those pictures of Eva. She looks way cute. Make sure that she sees plenty of pictures of her uncle Ben.
I'm glad everyone is having a good time. It's an amazing blessing of the mission that I can read about all of the perfect weather that all of you are experiencing and be happy instead of bitter. It's still nice and sunny here in the desert.
So we've been working with a part-member / less-active family called the Zuniga/Virgen family (Every family here has more than one last name). They wanted to come to church but there was a problem: Ten people and zero cars. We made the appropriate calls and found a wonderful brother who assured us that he would figure it all out for us. Ten minutes before church he shows up, but not our family, but assures us that he found a way for the family to get to church. Five minutes later, we had what could only be called "The Most Mexican Arrival Ever". A caravan of three beat-up cars, the third being an old junky pickup with four people sitting in the bed. I think seeing those cars was one of the best moments of my life. Pure Christ-like joy mixed with hysterical laughter.
Last Tuesday we did zoo-service. We raked and cleaned and painted and such and then at 9 when the park opened they let us in. It was awesome. I felt just like a little kid again. We got to see giraffes and hippos and rhinos and baboons and elephants and monkeys and lions and bears and panthers and anteaters and everything! It was really really cool! (And afterwards we got In-n-out which was pretty cool too!)
Well thank you to everyone who wrote me this week. I appreciate the encouragement and support. I'm headed out, but I love you all! I'm healthy and happy and everything is good here in Tucson!
Love,
Elder Tree Wilson
Monday, August 25, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
August 18, 2008 - You ate the whole wheel of cheese? I'm not even mad, I'm just impressed!
Hello family!
Everything is going well here in Tucson. No real sign of the heat letting up. This morning we went to a park with one of our members to do a workout with him. He has some new program called P90X or something like that. It's a crazy yoga/kick boxing/weight lifting combo thing. Anyways it was fun.
It's been a week. We're starting to see some success here. We have three baptismal dates right now and we're planning on setting at least seven more this week. The other companionship in the branch had two baptisms on Saturday, and we had two investigators there! Investigators at baptisms is the BEST! They feel the spirit there and before you know it they're begging to be baptized! So that was awesome (We celebrated with some post-baptism in-n-out... and that was pretty awesome too)
I love baptisms. I LOVE BAPTISMS. It's kind of like Christmas, The Olympics, General conference, and summer break all combined into one and then compacted into a 40 minute ball of spiritual goodness.
We're starting to fill up our little meetinghouse and so it looks like we might start having two sacrament meetings in the coming months or something like that. Google map our meetinghouse, by the way. You'll see that it's the most random little church in the world, squeezed between an Eegee's (A fast food joint) and a Brake Masters. I love the place.
My companion had his first "worst day of his mission". We ate some pretty sketchy Chimi chongas (spelling?) in the morning and his body isn't quite used to that sort of stuff yet. He couldn't be away from the bathroom for more than 30 minutes. Poor guy.
Which brings me to Mexican Food. You people always want me to talk more about normal missionary life so here it goes. I think Mexican Food is the most hit-or-miss kind of food there is. If you get some really delicious tacos or posole or mole (Not an actual mole, it has an accent over the e and it's chicken with a chile/chocolate/gravy sauce on it) there's nothing better in the world. On the other hand you can get some REALLY sketchy stuff as well. There really isn't much of a gray area.
Well that's about it for this week boys and girls. My mission theme right now is Alma 26:22 I guess I'll elaborate more on that some other time. As for right now, I'd rather finish emailing so I can finish my Pday earlier and start preaching earlier!
I love you all! Thanks for the love and support!
Love,
Elder Ben Wilson
Everything is going well here in Tucson. No real sign of the heat letting up. This morning we went to a park with one of our members to do a workout with him. He has some new program called P90X or something like that. It's a crazy yoga/kick boxing/weight lifting combo thing. Anyways it was fun.
It's been a week. We're starting to see some success here. We have three baptismal dates right now and we're planning on setting at least seven more this week. The other companionship in the branch had two baptisms on Saturday, and we had two investigators there! Investigators at baptisms is the BEST! They feel the spirit there and before you know it they're begging to be baptized! So that was awesome (We celebrated with some post-baptism in-n-out... and that was pretty awesome too)
I love baptisms. I LOVE BAPTISMS. It's kind of like Christmas, The Olympics, General conference, and summer break all combined into one and then compacted into a 40 minute ball of spiritual goodness.
We're starting to fill up our little meetinghouse and so it looks like we might start having two sacrament meetings in the coming months or something like that. Google map our meetinghouse, by the way. You'll see that it's the most random little church in the world, squeezed between an Eegee's (A fast food joint) and a Brake Masters. I love the place.
My companion had his first "worst day of his mission". We ate some pretty sketchy Chimi chongas (spelling?) in the morning and his body isn't quite used to that sort of stuff yet. He couldn't be away from the bathroom for more than 30 minutes. Poor guy.
Which brings me to Mexican Food. You people always want me to talk more about normal missionary life so here it goes. I think Mexican Food is the most hit-or-miss kind of food there is. If you get some really delicious tacos or posole or mole (Not an actual mole, it has an accent over the e and it's chicken with a chile/chocolate/gravy sauce on it) there's nothing better in the world. On the other hand you can get some REALLY sketchy stuff as well. There really isn't much of a gray area.
Well that's about it for this week boys and girls. My mission theme right now is Alma 26:22 I guess I'll elaborate more on that some other time. As for right now, I'd rather finish emailing so I can finish my Pday earlier and start preaching earlier!
I love you all! Thanks for the love and support!
Love,
Elder Ben Wilson
August 11, 2008 - What are the chances of a girl like you and a guy like me ending up together? One in a million.
...So you're sayin' there's a chance!
Hello everybody! I'm still alive and doing OK. It's been quite a week here in Tucson.
A couple of days ago my companion got nailed by a car. T-boned by a big 'ol truck when were crossing a crosswalk on our bikes. Miraculously, he walked away with a bruised ankle and nothing else. WOW! Complete miracle, I was 99% sure he had a broken leg when I saw him get hit. But we're always very safe on our bikes so don't worry about us!
Monsoon season has been going late and we got hit HARD a couple of times last week. One time we got hit while we were on our bikes and we weren't able to get around for a while because so many roads were flooded.
We had a cool experience with another downpour. I think this happened last Tuesday, anyways, we had a really powerful night planned out. We had good appointments at 6, 7, and 8, and we had a member going out with us, Hermano Arias. Well the appointment fell at 6 and so did our backups, our appointment at 7 turned out to kind of stink (Our investigator pretty much dropped us), and our appointment fell through at 8. Around 8 the rain started to come down... HARD!!! Like I said we went to go visit an investigator for an appointment but they weren't there. The rain started falling so hard that Hno. Arias deemed it unsafe to drive on the road (I mean it was really really coming down). So we pulled off into the parking lot of Whataburger and offered to buy us a burger. Well I wasn't that hungry, but, seeing that there wasn't really anything else we could do, accepted.
At this point, I started to get a little discouraged. I started thinking "Man, we did everything right. We planned out the night, set good backups, prayed for inspiration, got a member with us, but the night was super unsuccessful, what happened?" I walked into Whataburger with this kind of poopy attitude and depressed feeling, and walked up to the counter.
Before I could order anything, the girl at the register says "What's that book you have?" pointing at the Book of Mormon in my hand.
"It's the Book of Mormon."
"...could you tell me what it's about?"
"YEAH! Of course!"
We got to spend five to ten minutes teaching her right there at the counter of Whataburger and she was really interested! Turns out she lives outside of our area, so we had to pass on the referral, but it was still an awesome experience! It was a testimony builder for me in enduring to the end. And also in that, when we put forth all of our effort, the Lord will always make up the rest.
The work progresses. We have some amazing investigators right now. One just showed up at church one day and said "I've been going to church in Phoenix for two weeks, some of my family has already been baptized, let's work towards baptism." ... Sounds good to me!
We're also teaching a family that we found because a few returned missionaries contacted and taught the father of the family at work. Hooray for member-missionaries! This family of six is going to enter the waters of baptism and have their sins remitted because a few 22 year olds opened their mouths at work!
Well I hope that this email has been sufficiently long. I hope that everyone is doing well. It's always good to hear from all of you. Thank you everyone who wrote this last week (Mom, Dad, Grammy, Poppa, Mary, Brig)! Your letters are always so full of inspiration. How lucky I am to have grown up surrounded by spiritual giants!
I love you all!
Love,
Elder Ben
Hello everybody! I'm still alive and doing OK. It's been quite a week here in Tucson.
A couple of days ago my companion got nailed by a car. T-boned by a big 'ol truck when were crossing a crosswalk on our bikes. Miraculously, he walked away with a bruised ankle and nothing else. WOW! Complete miracle, I was 99% sure he had a broken leg when I saw him get hit. But we're always very safe on our bikes so don't worry about us!
Monsoon season has been going late and we got hit HARD a couple of times last week. One time we got hit while we were on our bikes and we weren't able to get around for a while because so many roads were flooded.
We had a cool experience with another downpour. I think this happened last Tuesday, anyways, we had a really powerful night planned out. We had good appointments at 6, 7, and 8, and we had a member going out with us, Hermano Arias. Well the appointment fell at 6 and so did our backups, our appointment at 7 turned out to kind of stink (Our investigator pretty much dropped us), and our appointment fell through at 8. Around 8 the rain started to come down... HARD!!! Like I said we went to go visit an investigator for an appointment but they weren't there. The rain started falling so hard that Hno. Arias deemed it unsafe to drive on the road (I mean it was really really coming down). So we pulled off into the parking lot of Whataburger and offered to buy us a burger. Well I wasn't that hungry, but, seeing that there wasn't really anything else we could do, accepted.
At this point, I started to get a little discouraged. I started thinking "Man, we did everything right. We planned out the night, set good backups, prayed for inspiration, got a member with us, but the night was super unsuccessful, what happened?" I walked into Whataburger with this kind of poopy attitude and depressed feeling, and walked up to the counter.
Before I could order anything, the girl at the register says "What's that book you have?" pointing at the Book of Mormon in my hand.
"It's the Book of Mormon."
"...could you tell me what it's about?"
"YEAH! Of course!"
We got to spend five to ten minutes teaching her right there at the counter of Whataburger and she was really interested! Turns out she lives outside of our area, so we had to pass on the referral, but it was still an awesome experience! It was a testimony builder for me in enduring to the end. And also in that, when we put forth all of our effort, the Lord will always make up the rest.
The work progresses. We have some amazing investigators right now. One just showed up at church one day and said "I've been going to church in Phoenix for two weeks, some of my family has already been baptized, let's work towards baptism." ... Sounds good to me!
We're also teaching a family that we found because a few returned missionaries contacted and taught the father of the family at work. Hooray for member-missionaries! This family of six is going to enter the waters of baptism and have their sins remitted because a few 22 year olds opened their mouths at work!
Well I hope that this email has been sufficiently long. I hope that everyone is doing well. It's always good to hear from all of you. Thank you everyone who wrote this last week (Mom, Dad, Grammy, Poppa, Mary, Brig)! Your letters are always so full of inspiration. How lucky I am to have grown up surrounded by spiritual giants!
I love you all!
Love,
Elder Ben
August 4, 2008 - Here's lookin' at you kid
Hello everybody. It's been another warm week here in Tucson. I count it a blessing from the Lord every day that I don't just melt.
The work goes forward in our little branch of the vineyard. It's been pretty tough to get people to keep comittments but we've got a few amazing investigators who are going forward and progressing.
We had ten people who comitted to come to church. Who we called Saturday night and said they were ready, who we called Sunday morning and said they were going to come... and then didn't show up Sunday morning. Ouch.
On Saturday one of the oddest things I've experienced in my entire mission happened. We were riding our bikes from one appointment to another, and we happened to pass by a house with about ten dogs that were all barking at us from behind the fence. The owner of the house, a middle-aged lady, was standing right in the middle of the walkway by the fence. My companion, Elder Thomas, is really really quiet. But on this particular occasion, he felt like barking back at the dogs. Well he growled and barked for a few seconds as we rode by and the owner of thet house laughs and says "What kind of breed are you?" I looked at Elder Thomas and he was as red as a cherry and muttered "Oh, I didn't see her there."
On a side note, Tucson has lots of monsoons. They come out of nowhere and rain really hard for an hour and then leave. This presents a problem when you're on a bike all day. One of the problems is that your bike throws the dirty water on the streets all over your back. The point of this little side note is to tell you that I have a few shirts that have been ruined by this phenomenon and am going to need to buy a couple new ones. Oh, and I've tried every method known to man to get the stains out and it doesn't work, but you're free to send other suggestions if you'd like.
I love you all, thank you so much for the love and support (and letters).
Love,
Elder Wilson
PS
Dad- Thank you so much for that Elder Maxwell talk it was awesome, and I love that quote!
PPS
Mom- I HAVE seen Casa Blanca
The work goes forward in our little branch of the vineyard. It's been pretty tough to get people to keep comittments but we've got a few amazing investigators who are going forward and progressing.
We had ten people who comitted to come to church. Who we called Saturday night and said they were ready, who we called Sunday morning and said they were going to come... and then didn't show up Sunday morning. Ouch.
On Saturday one of the oddest things I've experienced in my entire mission happened. We were riding our bikes from one appointment to another, and we happened to pass by a house with about ten dogs that were all barking at us from behind the fence. The owner of the house, a middle-aged lady, was standing right in the middle of the walkway by the fence. My companion, Elder Thomas, is really really quiet. But on this particular occasion, he felt like barking back at the dogs. Well he growled and barked for a few seconds as we rode by and the owner of thet house laughs and says "What kind of breed are you?" I looked at Elder Thomas and he was as red as a cherry and muttered "Oh, I didn't see her there."
On a side note, Tucson has lots of monsoons. They come out of nowhere and rain really hard for an hour and then leave. This presents a problem when you're on a bike all day. One of the problems is that your bike throws the dirty water on the streets all over your back. The point of this little side note is to tell you that I have a few shirts that have been ruined by this phenomenon and am going to need to buy a couple new ones. Oh, and I've tried every method known to man to get the stains out and it doesn't work, but you're free to send other suggestions if you'd like.
I love you all, thank you so much for the love and support (and letters).
Love,
Elder Wilson
PS
Dad- Thank you so much for that Elder Maxwell talk it was awesome, and I love that quote!
PPS
Mom- I HAVE seen Casa Blanca
July 28, 2008 - That's it! I draw the line at the monkeys.
What's up everyone. Things are still going well here in the toasty town of Tucson. The new companion is doing well. He's already made some big strides with his Spanish although it's still pretty rough.
One cool experience for you really quick:
Some Elders love to Bible Bash. I used to be one of them. It was a fad and I got over it after a month or two. It's mostly self-engrandizing, spirit-quenching, love-destroying, head games. Even still, it can be pretty tough to kick the habit of bustin' out the Bible and flippin' to your tried and true battle scriptures every time someone brings up a doubt.
Well anyways we were teaching a random woman that we contacted on the street and all was going well until we reached the first vision. I told the story of the virst vision and she matter of factly told us that that story could not be true because God the Father and Jesus are the same person. Out came the old Bible and I was just flipping to the martyrdom of Stephen when a REALLY loud military plane flew over head. For 30 seconds we couldn't hear anything except for that plane. So I had 30 second to stand there and ponder on what Jesus Christ would do if he were in this situation.
I closed the Bible and, when I could be heard again, bore my testimony of the Godhead and first vision in clear and simple terms and told her that she could reach the same knowledge through study and prayer. After I did that her countenance changed. She relaxed and opened up. She said that she like what and how we were teaching and invited us to come back and share more another day.
I have a testimony that that plane was sent from God to stop me from contending. The spirit of God doesn't stick around long when there's contention, and if that plane wouldn't have come, the spirit would have been lost, and she never would have investigated the church.
Switching gears: It's good to hear that Elliott and Spencer are home. Say hello to them from me! Tell them to write me. I miss 'em both.
By the way, we can't go to Juarez on temple trips anymore because they're averaging 8 murders a day from what our Mission President tells us. Bad luck. If i had stayed in Chaparral another transfer I would have had the opportunity to go but, alas, twas not to be.
Well I better get going, we've got a busy preparation day in front of us. I love you all! Keep up the letters!
Love,
Elder Ben "Tree" Wilson
One cool experience for you really quick:
Some Elders love to Bible Bash. I used to be one of them. It was a fad and I got over it after a month or two. It's mostly self-engrandizing, spirit-quenching, love-destroying, head games. Even still, it can be pretty tough to kick the habit of bustin' out the Bible and flippin' to your tried and true battle scriptures every time someone brings up a doubt.
Well anyways we were teaching a random woman that we contacted on the street and all was going well until we reached the first vision. I told the story of the virst vision and she matter of factly told us that that story could not be true because God the Father and Jesus are the same person. Out came the old Bible and I was just flipping to the martyrdom of Stephen when a REALLY loud military plane flew over head. For 30 seconds we couldn't hear anything except for that plane. So I had 30 second to stand there and ponder on what Jesus Christ would do if he were in this situation.
I closed the Bible and, when I could be heard again, bore my testimony of the Godhead and first vision in clear and simple terms and told her that she could reach the same knowledge through study and prayer. After I did that her countenance changed. She relaxed and opened up. She said that she like what and how we were teaching and invited us to come back and share more another day.
I have a testimony that that plane was sent from God to stop me from contending. The spirit of God doesn't stick around long when there's contention, and if that plane wouldn't have come, the spirit would have been lost, and she never would have investigated the church.
Switching gears: It's good to hear that Elliott and Spencer are home. Say hello to them from me! Tell them to write me. I miss 'em both.
By the way, we can't go to Juarez on temple trips anymore because they're averaging 8 murders a day from what our Mission President tells us. Bad luck. If i had stayed in Chaparral another transfer I would have had the opportunity to go but, alas, twas not to be.
Well I better get going, we've got a busy preparation day in front of us. I love you all! Keep up the letters!
Love,
Elder Ben "Tree" Wilson
July 23, 2008
Fam,
I didn't feel it appropriate to say anything about Brig and Caitlin in a semi-public email. But I will be writing a letter today and geting it sent off as soon as possible. I love you all so much.
Ben
I didn't feel it appropriate to say anything about Brig and Caitlin in a semi-public email. But I will be writing a letter today and geting it sent off as soon as possible. I love you all so much.
Ben
July 23, 2008 - esCAPE, funny that's spelled just like escape.
Hello one and all!
Well transfers are today and I am... staying here in Tucson! And training! My new companion is named Elder Thomas and he's from the Seattle area. I'm really really happy and excited to have a new companion and one who's pumped up for the work here. Although the prospect of having a companion who speaks very little to no Spanish is a little bit scary. But all in all I'm pumped!
The last week has been hard work. hot. So sooooo hot. I can't even explain how hot it is here. Just use your imagination.
By the way transfers are always going to be on Wednesdays now. I don't know if I've already told you all but that's one of the changes that President Walker has instituted.
Something we have started doing is going around and sharing the plan of salvation with all of the members here. In Spanish branches, it's about 90% converts and I'm amazed at how many of them were really converted when they heard the plan of salvation. Tons of em. Probably at least half. I love being able to teach that lesson so much. For me it's such an amazing way to put things in perspective: Both the importance and the brevity of this life have really stood out to me lately.
We knocked on the door of one woman, Maria (If you ever meet a Mexican woman you can probably just call her Maria. You've got about a 50/50 chance of being right.) and she started crying as soon as she opened the door. She's been going through some tough stuff with her children and had been praying to God for help when we came. She said that, because we were there, she knew God has a plan for her. Really really cool lady.
Well I don't really have much else to share, I love you all. The more I see of the world the more I realize what amazing friends and family I have. Thank you for your love and support!
Love,
Ben
Well transfers are today and I am... staying here in Tucson! And training! My new companion is named Elder Thomas and he's from the Seattle area. I'm really really happy and excited to have a new companion and one who's pumped up for the work here. Although the prospect of having a companion who speaks very little to no Spanish is a little bit scary. But all in all I'm pumped!
The last week has been hard work. hot. So sooooo hot. I can't even explain how hot it is here. Just use your imagination.
By the way transfers are always going to be on Wednesdays now. I don't know if I've already told you all but that's one of the changes that President Walker has instituted.
Something we have started doing is going around and sharing the plan of salvation with all of the members here. In Spanish branches, it's about 90% converts and I'm amazed at how many of them were really converted when they heard the plan of salvation. Tons of em. Probably at least half. I love being able to teach that lesson so much. For me it's such an amazing way to put things in perspective: Both the importance and the brevity of this life have really stood out to me lately.
We knocked on the door of one woman, Maria (If you ever meet a Mexican woman you can probably just call her Maria. You've got about a 50/50 chance of being right.) and she started crying as soon as she opened the door. She's been going through some tough stuff with her children and had been praying to God for help when we came. She said that, because we were there, she knew God has a plan for her. Really really cool lady.
Well I don't really have much else to share, I love you all. The more I see of the world the more I realize what amazing friends and family I have. Thank you for your love and support!
Love,
Ben
July 14, 2008 - The Chickens are revolting! Finally, something we agree on...
Hello everyone! It's been a succesful week over here in Tucson. We finally got a few people at church and progressing! Yay!
Right now I'm feeling pretty tired. I'll try to muster up an email of reasonable length anyways.
This week we've been focusing on working with part-member / less-active families (When did the church make this PC change to "less-active" by the way?) with some degree of success. It's much easier to rekindle a fire than it is to start one that's never been there before.
So the work progresses here in our little rama of the church of Jesus Christ. Sometimes it's pretty tough to bring people into the branch. Many of them speak English and Spanish perfectly. I know that they'll have their needs better met and receive more support in an English Ward, yet at the same time our branch needs all the help it can get. It's a little tough for me to balance those two factors. Anyone have any thoughts on that? Thanks!
The monsoon season is oficially here which is fun. The rain cools things off A LOT! I love the rain. Never loved rain so much in my life. The worst is when you can see it raining in one part of Tucson but the sun is still shining (burning?) where you are. Torturous.
What else? What else?
Got bit by a dog. I've been putting Elder Lopez through boot camp and he's lost quite a bit of weight. I had my first letterless week of the mission (Excluding Aunt Jannet who writes about as faithfully and consistently as the sun rises)
Well on that note I'm off! People to find, lessons to teach! I love you all!
Love,
Elder Ben
Right now I'm feeling pretty tired. I'll try to muster up an email of reasonable length anyways.
This week we've been focusing on working with part-member / less-active families (When did the church make this PC change to "less-active" by the way?) with some degree of success. It's much easier to rekindle a fire than it is to start one that's never been there before.
So the work progresses here in our little rama of the church of Jesus Christ. Sometimes it's pretty tough to bring people into the branch. Many of them speak English and Spanish perfectly. I know that they'll have their needs better met and receive more support in an English Ward, yet at the same time our branch needs all the help it can get. It's a little tough for me to balance those two factors. Anyone have any thoughts on that? Thanks!
The monsoon season is oficially here which is fun. The rain cools things off A LOT! I love the rain. Never loved rain so much in my life. The worst is when you can see it raining in one part of Tucson but the sun is still shining (burning?) where you are. Torturous.
What else? What else?
Got bit by a dog. I've been putting Elder Lopez through boot camp and he's lost quite a bit of weight. I had my first letterless week of the mission (Excluding Aunt Jannet who writes about as faithfully and consistently as the sun rises)
Well on that note I'm off! People to find, lessons to teach! I love you all!
Love,
Elder Ben
July 9, 2008 - Check it out guys... ALL REDS
Hey family!
I don't have much time to write today. For one reason or another we couldn't make it to a place to do email on Monday but here I am!
It's been a really good week so far; Yesterday we found two GOLDEN investigators that we're really excited for.
Last Saturday I managed to get a quarter inch long splinter stuck underneath my fingernail and spent about 6 hours waiting in a hospital to get it removed (We tried getting it out by ourselves with tweezer but no could do.)
And President Walker is absoultely amazing and has some awesome ideas that are really going to take this mission to the next level! I love you all! Thank you for all of your love and support!
Love,
Elder Tree
PS - Parents, sending a care package just to my companion might make him feel a little weird unless it was included with a package to me or just one package split half and half or something.
I don't have much time to write today. For one reason or another we couldn't make it to a place to do email on Monday but here I am!
It's been a really good week so far; Yesterday we found two GOLDEN investigators that we're really excited for.
Last Saturday I managed to get a quarter inch long splinter stuck underneath my fingernail and spent about 6 hours waiting in a hospital to get it removed (We tried getting it out by ourselves with tweezer but no could do.)
And President Walker is absoultely amazing and has some awesome ideas that are really going to take this mission to the next level! I love you all! Thank you for all of your love and support!
Love,
Elder Tree
PS - Parents, sending a care package just to my companion might make him feel a little weird unless it was included with a package to me or just one package split half and half or something.
June 30, 2008 - Hey Dad
Hey Dad, apparently you're at the computer getting these emails as I send them. Are you there? How're you feeling?
Love,
Ben
Love,
Ben
June 30, 2008 - Gather the infantry, man the posts and...what's that music?
Hello everyone!
Well it's been a short week (I wrote my last email last Wednesday), so this will be a short email. SORRY!
Last Thursday was Zone Conference and President Higham's final goodbye. I can barely believe he's gone. Crazy. He is a very very powerful leader and did an incredible job of leading this mission. He will be dearly missed. On the upside, I had the chance to meet President and Sister Walker a little bit this morning and it's all thumbs up so far. Since I only spent two minutes with them, all I can give you is details and impressions but here they go:
President Walker is medium/tall and in good shape. He strikes me as a very kind man, and somewhat soft spoken. He seems very down-to-earth and genuine.
Sister Walker is tall! And she seems pretty cool. Very genuine and very personaeble. eThe first thing she esaid teo us was "Hey guys! Oh wait, I can't call you guys, can I? Hey Elders!" Also, rumor has it that she accidentally called President Walker "Babe" in front of the Assistants.
This last week was a lot of clearing out the pipeline. Lots of lessons that ended with "So when you're ready to keep comittments, give us a call." (Said in a much more eloquent and gentler way)
THANK YOU! for the package. That was an amazingly tasty batch of granola (Unfortunately the Zone Leaders think so too and have been trying to swipe a bag) Just a heads up: My companion is a convert and doesn't have much/any support from home. So, please, next time you send a package, send a couple of things for him as well.
Quote of the week (Taken from an exchange between Elder Wilson and random man that I met while knocking doors.):
"Hi we're---"
"I'm Catholic"
"I know, I saw the giant Virgin Mary shrine in your front yard. I'm Elder Wilson and this is Elder Lopez, we're in the neighborhood sharing a message ---"
"No you didn't hear me, I'm CATHOLIC."
"Actually I did hear you. Brother, I know the message we're sharing is true. If God told you that the message that we are sharing is true, would you follow that answer?"
"No, I'm Catholic."
"... No but I mean if God himself personally came and told you that the Mormon church is the one he wants you to join, would you do it?"
"No, I was born Catholic and I'll die Catholic."
*Akward stunned silence*
Then my companion asked for a referal and we left. WOAH! At least they're firm in what they believe in! I think I need to start trying to think more like a Mexican-Catholic in order to try and convert them. So if anyone could find me a Joseph Smith prayer candle, that would be awesome.
Well that's about it for this week friends and family. I love you all and am so greatful for your love and support (letters and care-packages). I'm going to try to send off some hand written letters today so look out for those! Especially if you're a neglectful sibling who hasn't written me for a while! (I won't use names *cough* Mary and Kate *cough*)
Love you all!
Elder Ben Wilson
Well it's been a short week (I wrote my last email last Wednesday), so this will be a short email. SORRY!
Last Thursday was Zone Conference and President Higham's final goodbye. I can barely believe he's gone. Crazy. He is a very very powerful leader and did an incredible job of leading this mission. He will be dearly missed. On the upside, I had the chance to meet President and Sister Walker a little bit this morning and it's all thumbs up so far. Since I only spent two minutes with them, all I can give you is details and impressions but here they go:
President Walker is medium/tall and in good shape. He strikes me as a very kind man, and somewhat soft spoken. He seems very down-to-earth and genuine.
Sister Walker is tall! And she seems pretty cool. Very genuine and very personaeble. eThe first thing she esaid teo us was "Hey guys! Oh wait, I can't call you guys, can I? Hey Elders!" Also, rumor has it that she accidentally called President Walker "Babe" in front of the Assistants.
This last week was a lot of clearing out the pipeline. Lots of lessons that ended with "So when you're ready to keep comittments, give us a call." (Said in a much more eloquent and gentler way)
THANK YOU! for the package. That was an amazingly tasty batch of granola (Unfortunately the Zone Leaders think so too and have been trying to swipe a bag) Just a heads up: My companion is a convert and doesn't have much/any support from home. So, please, next time you send a package, send a couple of things for him as well.
Quote of the week (Taken from an exchange between Elder Wilson and random man that I met while knocking doors.):
"Hi we're---"
"I'm Catholic"
"I know, I saw the giant Virgin Mary shrine in your front yard. I'm Elder Wilson and this is Elder Lopez, we're in the neighborhood sharing a message ---"
"No you didn't hear me, I'm CATHOLIC."
"Actually I did hear you. Brother, I know the message we're sharing is true. If God told you that the message that we are sharing is true, would you follow that answer?"
"No, I'm Catholic."
"... No but I mean if God himself personally came and told you that the Mormon church is the one he wants you to join, would you do it?"
"No, I was born Catholic and I'll die Catholic."
*Akward stunned silence*
Then my companion asked for a referal and we left. WOAH! At least they're firm in what they believe in! I think I need to start trying to think more like a Mexican-Catholic in order to try and convert them. So if anyone could find me a Joseph Smith prayer candle, that would be awesome.
Well that's about it for this week friends and family. I love you all and am so greatful for your love and support (letters and care-packages). I'm going to try to send off some hand written letters today so look out for those! Especially if you're a neglectful sibling who hasn't written me for a while! (I won't use names *cough* Mary and Kate *cough*)
Love you all!
Elder Ben Wilson
June 26, 2008 - Harry, your hands are freezing!
Hello one and all! It's been another great week here in the oven, er... Tucson that is. Yes, it has been hot, very very hot. And they say that July is hotter than June. I happened to be scanning a New Era and found a trivia question "Which Mission has the hottest average July temperature at 102 degrees?" The Answer: The Great Arizona Tucson Mission.
I'm writing you today because on Monday (our normal preperation day) we were at the Marriott in Tucson helping at the Spina Bifita conference. We missionaries were assigned to help out with the 13-19 age group and it was a truly amazing experience. It's amazing to see how happy these kids are despite their difficulties and causes one to reflect upon what is truly important in his life. We basically spent the day sitting with them and socializing and helping them with various activities.
The work is amazing here. We set a couple of baptismal dates with Maria and Daisy Garcia. Daisy is the daugher and Maria is the Mom. Maria's brother got baptized a couple of years ago and for the past few weeks he's been reading the Book of Mormon to them over the phone. So when we came over for the first time they were around 1 Nephi 8 or something like that. They're awesome and super prepared.
So many of my baptisms have been just like the Garcia family. The Lord does all the real work and then he drops them in our lap. We just have to go out and find them. At the beginning this worried me. Am I doing everything right? Am I not a very good teacher? How come the only baptisms I have are ones where the Lord has done all the real work?
But then the word from D&C 4 really start to sink in "The field is white already to harvest". And then you really start to realize your own inadequacies and that the Lord is in charge of His own work and he's just letting you along for the ride because He loves you.
I began as as "convincer" (which is miserable work because you fail 99% of the time) but have been changed to a "harvester" (which is beautiful work because you realize that the Lord is really in charge of it).
Last week we had a baptism of a 9 year old boy named Christian. This last Sunday he got confirmed. He was really really excited to recieve "my Holy Ghost" (As he always calls it). It was an amazing experience to see him confirmed but there was a slight problem. He was a little confused and thought that everyone had their own "Holy Ghost" that went around with them and protected them after they recieved it (kind of like a guardian angel). Well we went over to his house and tried to explain how there is only one Holy Ghost but many people can feel his influence. He has a slight learning impairment and was really not understanding at all.
I tried working through it with him for a good twenty minutes and ended up trying to relate it to the sun (Only in one place but we can all feel it's influence all over the world). Finally I thought I had got the point across and he truly understood! "So is that all very clear, Christian?"
"I think so, so you're saying that we can't feel the Holy Ghost at night?"
I guess I wasn't born to be a teacher.
Parents, if you ever feel like sending a package, some appreciated items might be:
Granola
Any sort of organic food-bar (Preferably one low in soy content).
Pictures (especially ones showing the changes you've done to the house.)
Cait and Brig's talks.
Panda licorice
And whatever else you might find appropriate. Well I hope this email was sufficiently long (I'm tired of getting bombarded with emails telling me that my emails are too short).
I love you all! Thank you for your love and support and letters!
Love,
Elder Ben Wilson
I'm writing you today because on Monday (our normal preperation day) we were at the Marriott in Tucson helping at the Spina Bifita conference. We missionaries were assigned to help out with the 13-19 age group and it was a truly amazing experience. It's amazing to see how happy these kids are despite their difficulties and causes one to reflect upon what is truly important in his life. We basically spent the day sitting with them and socializing and helping them with various activities.
The work is amazing here. We set a couple of baptismal dates with Maria and Daisy Garcia. Daisy is the daugher and Maria is the Mom. Maria's brother got baptized a couple of years ago and for the past few weeks he's been reading the Book of Mormon to them over the phone. So when we came over for the first time they were around 1 Nephi 8 or something like that. They're awesome and super prepared.
So many of my baptisms have been just like the Garcia family. The Lord does all the real work and then he drops them in our lap. We just have to go out and find them. At the beginning this worried me. Am I doing everything right? Am I not a very good teacher? How come the only baptisms I have are ones where the Lord has done all the real work?
But then the word from D&C 4 really start to sink in "The field is white already to harvest". And then you really start to realize your own inadequacies and that the Lord is in charge of His own work and he's just letting you along for the ride because He loves you.
I began as as "convincer" (which is miserable work because you fail 99% of the time) but have been changed to a "harvester" (which is beautiful work because you realize that the Lord is really in charge of it).
Last week we had a baptism of a 9 year old boy named Christian. This last Sunday he got confirmed. He was really really excited to recieve "my Holy Ghost" (As he always calls it). It was an amazing experience to see him confirmed but there was a slight problem. He was a little confused and thought that everyone had their own "Holy Ghost" that went around with them and protected them after they recieved it (kind of like a guardian angel). Well we went over to his house and tried to explain how there is only one Holy Ghost but many people can feel his influence. He has a slight learning impairment and was really not understanding at all.
I tried working through it with him for a good twenty minutes and ended up trying to relate it to the sun (Only in one place but we can all feel it's influence all over the world). Finally I thought I had got the point across and he truly understood! "So is that all very clear, Christian?"
"I think so, so you're saying that we can't feel the Holy Ghost at night?"
I guess I wasn't born to be a teacher.
Parents, if you ever feel like sending a package, some appreciated items might be:
Granola
Any sort of organic food-bar (Preferably one low in soy content).
Pictures (especially ones showing the changes you've done to the house.)
Cait and Brig's talks.
Panda licorice
And whatever else you might find appropriate. Well I hope this email was sufficiently long (I'm tired of getting bombarded with emails telling me that my emails are too short).
I love you all! Thank you for your love and support and letters!
Love,
Elder Ben Wilson
June 16, 2008 - It's a good thing you're not a big fat guy or this would be reeeaaallly difficult.
+5 points if you know what that one is from.
+5 points if you know what that one is from.
So apparently the desert can be beautiful. This morning, I had the opportunity to go mountain biking with President Higham, my companion, and one of the zone leaders. We went through a really really beautiful desert trail. The only not beautiful thing about it was that I had to be REALLY REALLY careful not to crash because there are homicidal psycho angry plants with needles the size of number 2 pencils on every side waiting to catch you when you fall. But it was very beautiful and very fun.
All in all, Tucson is a much prettier place than El Paso. Let's not beat around the bush, El Paso might be the ugliest place on earth. It's by far the ugliest place I've ever seen. I have a DEEP love for it and the people that live there but it's just ugly.
Tucson, on the other hand is a quite beautiful type of desert. So I guess it's a trade off: Here, it's a lot easier to love the place, but I'm still working on the love of the people (The Sonoran Mexicans are pretty rude as opposed to the Chihuahans who are really really kind and loving). Also, there's a lot less Spanish here. They tell me that I'm in the most Spanish speaking area in Tucson but it's way less than I ever spoke in any of my El Paso areas. Oh, and it's an oven out here. HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT DRY DRY DRY DRY. That's the only way I can explain the weather.
My companion is Elder Lopez, he's from Fresno, California. He's going to celebrate four years in the church next month. He was introduced through a friend. (Hooray for good member-missionaries!) His family is all Mexican so he speaks Spanish very well. He's kind of a goof (Likes to joke around alot) but all in all a good missionary who works hard.
To answer one of Dad's questions: We never did any community service in El Paso and here we work at the zoo once a month. The second Tuesday of every month is when we go over there to do service, and we happen to pass by In-n-out every time! But unfortunately In-n-out is way out of our zone so we don't get to go there except for once a month (when we do service).
Our branch is pretty small. On Sunday, there were about 14 people in church when it started at 10:00 AM. However, 75% of the branch arrives between 10:30 and 10:45 so it's not that small.
We do not have a car. Full Bike. I don't know if you've ever tried biking in an oven with a white shirt and tie, but I highly recommend it.
My camera is in one piece. Unfortunately, it's in one piece in Horizon, Texas. I'm making some arrangements and it should make it's way across the mission in a couple of weeks. Whoops! Look on the bright side, considering how much stuff I usually forget, this has been a remarkably successful transfer for me. I only forgot one shirt, my baptism pants, and my camera.
One of my investigators in Horizon, Isella, cooked us some "comida bien Mejicana" (Really Mexican food) when I left. I was about three bites in before I was crying, my mouth numb, and my nose running uncontrallably. That was the spiciest food I have ever eaten in my entire life.
Oh yeah, and there's crime down here. Yesterday I saw someone pull out a gun, and another guy bust out a knife (two different incidents, and both viewed from a distance so don't worry too much). I thought about not including this (for the sake of the health of my dear mother), but that's the reality of how my area is.
Well that's about it from Tucson. I'm really really excited about working here. I feel like it's going to be a challenge for sure but I've never felt so close to the Lord and full of the spirit as I do now. Family, friends, I love you all! You're all amazing! Thanks for the letters and support.
Love,
Elder Wilson
+5 points if you know what that one is from.
So apparently the desert can be beautiful. This morning, I had the opportunity to go mountain biking with President Higham, my companion, and one of the zone leaders. We went through a really really beautiful desert trail. The only not beautiful thing about it was that I had to be REALLY REALLY careful not to crash because there are homicidal psycho angry plants with needles the size of number 2 pencils on every side waiting to catch you when you fall. But it was very beautiful and very fun.
All in all, Tucson is a much prettier place than El Paso. Let's not beat around the bush, El Paso might be the ugliest place on earth. It's by far the ugliest place I've ever seen. I have a DEEP love for it and the people that live there but it's just ugly.
Tucson, on the other hand is a quite beautiful type of desert. So I guess it's a trade off: Here, it's a lot easier to love the place, but I'm still working on the love of the people (The Sonoran Mexicans are pretty rude as opposed to the Chihuahans who are really really kind and loving). Also, there's a lot less Spanish here. They tell me that I'm in the most Spanish speaking area in Tucson but it's way less than I ever spoke in any of my El Paso areas. Oh, and it's an oven out here. HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT DRY DRY DRY DRY. That's the only way I can explain the weather.
My companion is Elder Lopez, he's from Fresno, California. He's going to celebrate four years in the church next month. He was introduced through a friend. (Hooray for good member-missionaries!) His family is all Mexican so he speaks Spanish very well. He's kind of a goof (Likes to joke around alot) but all in all a good missionary who works hard.
To answer one of Dad's questions: We never did any community service in El Paso and here we work at the zoo once a month. The second Tuesday of every month is when we go over there to do service, and we happen to pass by In-n-out every time! But unfortunately In-n-out is way out of our zone so we don't get to go there except for once a month (when we do service).
Our branch is pretty small. On Sunday, there were about 14 people in church when it started at 10:00 AM. However, 75% of the branch arrives between 10:30 and 10:45 so it's not that small.
We do not have a car. Full Bike. I don't know if you've ever tried biking in an oven with a white shirt and tie, but I highly recommend it.
My camera is in one piece. Unfortunately, it's in one piece in Horizon, Texas. I'm making some arrangements and it should make it's way across the mission in a couple of weeks. Whoops! Look on the bright side, considering how much stuff I usually forget, this has been a remarkably successful transfer for me. I only forgot one shirt, my baptism pants, and my camera.
One of my investigators in Horizon, Isella, cooked us some "comida bien Mejicana" (Really Mexican food) when I left. I was about three bites in before I was crying, my mouth numb, and my nose running uncontrallably. That was the spiciest food I have ever eaten in my entire life.
Oh yeah, and there's crime down here. Yesterday I saw someone pull out a gun, and another guy bust out a knife (two different incidents, and both viewed from a distance so don't worry too much). I thought about not including this (for the sake of the health of my dear mother), but that's the reality of how my area is.
Well that's about it from Tucson. I'm really really excited about working here. I feel like it's going to be a challenge for sure but I've never felt so close to the Lord and full of the spirit as I do now. Family, friends, I love you all! You're all amazing! Thanks for the letters and support.
Love,
Elder Wilson
June 12, 2008 - Greetings from Tucson!
...this one's the same except missing a little paragraph at the end.
Well yes it's true ladies and gents. The one transfer where I was SURE I wasn't going to get transfered, they ship me across the mission to Tucson. Right now I'm emailing from the UofA campus. Makes me wonder about some of the friends and associates I had that I think are going here (Arjun, Steph, Mike Cavalli, etc.)
My companion here is Elder Lopez, he's from Fresno. He comes from a Hispanic family and while technically he's learning Spanish out here, he pretty much already speaks it fluently. He's been out for about a year and a half and he's my fifth short companion in a row (Ok Elder Adams wasn't really that short at 5'11" but all the rest have been 5'9" and below)
I'm pretty much serving in the middle of the ghetto in downtown Tucson. I haven't even been to my area yet (I've been driving across the mission all day), but at least that's what I hear about it.
Our address is:
5001 S Cherry
Tucson, AZ 85706
Tucson is very, very different from El Paso from what I've seen. Just more... normal. I can't really put my finger on how exactly Tucson is different. I think it has something to do with materialism. In El Paso, there aren't very many people with money and those that do usually lived pretty far away from where I was serving. People just lived without a lot of stuff that we in California call "Necessary". As a result I saw very few clothing stores and such. Here it's more of what I'm used to, a mall here, a Target there, etc. etc.
But the best part of Tucson is definitely.... IN N OUT! I haven't had the chance to go yet but I saw it today and I hear that we have the chance to go there every now and then, so I'm pumped for that.
In Horizon I left behind a couple of baptismal dates and a few very good friends. Leaving an area is never easy. There was one woman, Isela, who is investigating and will probably be baptised in a couple of weeks, who was particularly hard to leave behind. She had felt a need to find the truth and come closer to God about a year ago and stumbled into the Jehova's Witness. They taught her for nearly a year but she says that she didn't feel the spirit when they taught and that when she read the Book of Mormon and spoke with us she felt the spirit strongly and it felt right. It's been amazing to see her progress and the way her life has changed. There's a light in her eyes now that wasn't there before.
Love you all,
Elder Wilson
Well yes it's true ladies and gents. The one transfer where I was SURE I wasn't going to get transfered, they ship me across the mission to Tucson. Right now I'm emailing from the UofA campus. Makes me wonder about some of the friends and associates I had that I think are going here (Arjun, Steph, Mike Cavalli, etc.)
My companion here is Elder Lopez, he's from Fresno. He comes from a Hispanic family and while technically he's learning Spanish out here, he pretty much already speaks it fluently. He's been out for about a year and a half and he's my fifth short companion in a row (Ok Elder Adams wasn't really that short at 5'11" but all the rest have been 5'9" and below)
I'm pretty much serving in the middle of the ghetto in downtown Tucson. I haven't even been to my area yet (I've been driving across the mission all day), but at least that's what I hear about it.
Our address is:
5001 S Cherry
Tucson, AZ 85706
Tucson is very, very different from El Paso from what I've seen. Just more... normal. I can't really put my finger on how exactly Tucson is different. I think it has something to do with materialism. In El Paso, there aren't very many people with money and those that do usually lived pretty far away from where I was serving. People just lived without a lot of stuff that we in California call "Necessary". As a result I saw very few clothing stores and such. Here it's more of what I'm used to, a mall here, a Target there, etc. etc.
But the best part of Tucson is definitely.... IN N OUT! I haven't had the chance to go yet but I saw it today and I hear that we have the chance to go there every now and then, so I'm pumped for that.
In Horizon I left behind a couple of baptismal dates and a few very good friends. Leaving an area is never easy. There was one woman, Isela, who is investigating and will probably be baptised in a couple of weeks, who was particularly hard to leave behind. She had felt a need to find the truth and come closer to God about a year ago and stumbled into the Jehova's Witness. They taught her for nearly a year but she says that she didn't feel the spirit when they taught and that when she read the Book of Mormon and spoke with us she felt the spirit strongly and it felt right. It's been amazing to see her progress and the way her life has changed. There's a light in her eyes now that wasn't there before.
Love you all,
Elder Wilson
June 3, 2008 - Just ask Wally, he's a real straight arrow, never told a lie in his life.
Hello one and all! It's been a good week here in dusty Horizon. Transfers are next Thursday, just so you know.
I got both of the packages. Thank you very very much. The Mephisto socks actually aren't a problem during the summer, they breath really well. And even though Mom's granola is always good... this batch was unusually tasty! Thank you so much!
Well it's been another week. We've been focusing on finding new people and trying to filter out early those people who aren't going to progress.
We have an awesome family, Isela and her three children, that we were really hoping would come to church this week, because they're GOLDEN! We were waiting for them in the main foyer and were dissapointed when the meeting started and they weren't there. Minute after minute ticked by and finally around 9:15 we decided that they weren't going to come and started to complain and get discouraged. Then we get a text message "Donde estan?" (where are you?) This kind of confused us... we were at church of course! Where we're supposed to be! then a minute later we get a text "aqui estoy adentro" (I'm here, inside). We look in, and she was already there! She had come through the back door and seated herself and was enjoying sacrament meeting thoroughly! It was awesome!
Well family, I'm sorry that I don't have more to add but it has been a pretty average week! I love you all and am greatful for your love and support!
Love,
Elder Wilson
I got both of the packages. Thank you very very much. The Mephisto socks actually aren't a problem during the summer, they breath really well. And even though Mom's granola is always good... this batch was unusually tasty! Thank you so much!
Well it's been another week. We've been focusing on finding new people and trying to filter out early those people who aren't going to progress.
We have an awesome family, Isela and her three children, that we were really hoping would come to church this week, because they're GOLDEN! We were waiting for them in the main foyer and were dissapointed when the meeting started and they weren't there. Minute after minute ticked by and finally around 9:15 we decided that they weren't going to come and started to complain and get discouraged. Then we get a text message "Donde estan?" (where are you?) This kind of confused us... we were at church of course! Where we're supposed to be! then a minute later we get a text "aqui estoy adentro" (I'm here, inside). We look in, and she was already there! She had come through the back door and seated herself and was enjoying sacrament meeting thoroughly! It was awesome!
Well family, I'm sorry that I don't have more to add but it has been a pretty average week! I love you all and am greatful for your love and support!
Love,
Elder Wilson
May 28, 2008 - Now drop and give me 20! Ok... one, we're going for one.
Hello everyone!
Things are going well out here in dusty Horizon. Last night we started a basketball game and invited five investigators and 4 members... and they all came! It's amazing the way you can beat your head against a wall for months on end doing everything possible, pouring your heart and soul out, to try to get your investigators to church and end up with 2-3 on any given Sunday, but you start one basketball game and invite five people once... and they all show up! Unbelievable! We're going to start trying to make activities at the church a larger part of our work here.
We had a little bit of an adventure on Saturday. We went over to an investigator's house at 8:30 at night to invite her to church, but instead of investigators we found smoke! There was a pretty good amount of smoke coming out the front door. By looking through the windows we surmised that it wasn't a HUGE deal, probably just something left in the oven for a few hours too long. We saw their neighbors sitting outside and decided to go ask them if they had a key or something so that we could go inside and try to check it out. Well her neighbor freaked out when she saw the smoke and called 911 and said "My neighbor's house is on fire! please send someone, hurry!" Well the firemen came in a big truck, popped off the door and found... a roast that had been cooking for about 3 hours too long. We were right. The firemen weren't TOO happy to be called out for a burned roast. But anyways we took some pictures next to the fire engines and stuff. All in all it was pretty exciting.
Also, on Tuesday we had a zone meeting up in the mountains! We went to a little church retreat area in a town called Cloudcroft (or something like that). It was BEAUTIFUL! There were TREES! Seriously! This is President Higham's last round of zone meetings so he went out with a bang. We had an opportunity to go off by ourselves and pray in the woods and during that time I recieved enough spiritual energy to last me a year! It was AWESOME! I wish I could put into words the wonderful spirit that was at that meeting.
Besides that, we comitted 14 people to come to church this Sunday and had...1 Things are definitely looking up, though. We currently have six baptismal dates. The work is progressing but man is it hard to help people keep their comittments down here.
It's good to hear that Dad is doing so well! You're the man! Thanks for the email. That picture of the hardware is pretty cool... I had no idea it was so big! Could you get through metal detectors with that? I'm praying for you, and hope that you keep improving.
Bishop Jackson: Thanks for satisfying that particular curiosity. I figured you must have grown up on the West Side. I don't know if it was the same way back then, but it's VERY different from the rest of El Paso, and is more like Las Cruces than El Paso.
Well that's about all I have to say! I love you all and am so greatful to have such wonderful and spiritual friends and family. Thank you for your examples and your support.
Love,
Elder Ben
Things are going well out here in dusty Horizon. Last night we started a basketball game and invited five investigators and 4 members... and they all came! It's amazing the way you can beat your head against a wall for months on end doing everything possible, pouring your heart and soul out, to try to get your investigators to church and end up with 2-3 on any given Sunday, but you start one basketball game and invite five people once... and they all show up! Unbelievable! We're going to start trying to make activities at the church a larger part of our work here.
We had a little bit of an adventure on Saturday. We went over to an investigator's house at 8:30 at night to invite her to church, but instead of investigators we found smoke! There was a pretty good amount of smoke coming out the front door. By looking through the windows we surmised that it wasn't a HUGE deal, probably just something left in the oven for a few hours too long. We saw their neighbors sitting outside and decided to go ask them if they had a key or something so that we could go inside and try to check it out. Well her neighbor freaked out when she saw the smoke and called 911 and said "My neighbor's house is on fire! please send someone, hurry!" Well the firemen came in a big truck, popped off the door and found... a roast that had been cooking for about 3 hours too long. We were right. The firemen weren't TOO happy to be called out for a burned roast. But anyways we took some pictures next to the fire engines and stuff. All in all it was pretty exciting.
Also, on Tuesday we had a zone meeting up in the mountains! We went to a little church retreat area in a town called Cloudcroft (or something like that). It was BEAUTIFUL! There were TREES! Seriously! This is President Higham's last round of zone meetings so he went out with a bang. We had an opportunity to go off by ourselves and pray in the woods and during that time I recieved enough spiritual energy to last me a year! It was AWESOME! I wish I could put into words the wonderful spirit that was at that meeting.
Besides that, we comitted 14 people to come to church this Sunday and had...1 Things are definitely looking up, though. We currently have six baptismal dates. The work is progressing but man is it hard to help people keep their comittments down here.
It's good to hear that Dad is doing so well! You're the man! Thanks for the email. That picture of the hardware is pretty cool... I had no idea it was so big! Could you get through metal detectors with that? I'm praying for you, and hope that you keep improving.
Bishop Jackson: Thanks for satisfying that particular curiosity. I figured you must have grown up on the West Side. I don't know if it was the same way back then, but it's VERY different from the rest of El Paso, and is more like Las Cruces than El Paso.
Well that's about all I have to say! I love you all and am so greatful to have such wonderful and spiritual friends and family. Thank you for your examples and your support.
Love,
Elder Ben
May 19, 2008
Hello one and all! We had a successful week out here in Horizon and we're even more excited for this week!
First off, a couple of questions:
1) What part of El Paso did Dwight Jackson grow up in?
2) (for Brig) What ward does Dave Hyer live in?
We found a lot of new, awesome investigators this week. The next step is just trying to get the members involved in the work and I think as soon as we do that, things are really going to blow up around here.
One of our investigators got snatched by the migra in the middle of the night. So there goes one baptismal date. I guess it comes with the territory.
I also had the wonderful opportunity of eating some Menudo a couple of nights ago. It's a soup made with cow stomach and I had one HUGE, NASTY piece of stomach that had a piece of cow hair sticking out of it. ....everyone talks about "cultural experiences" as being a benefit of the mission so I guess I should treasure moments like that.
On Saturday we went to the one grocery store in Horizon and got permission to set up a Book of Mormon stand outside of the store. We're probably going to do it this Saturday. I'm pumped! Pray for us!
Happy Birthday to Poppa! 91 and still going strong! I find it difficult to express the emotions that I feel when I remember those special Saturday mornings of recieving his wise and common-sense counsel in one of a few Danville coffee shops. I have always looked up to Poppa as an incredibly decent sort of man. Someone who respects and commands respect. Someone who loves and is in turn loved by his family and associates. A man of a happy and even disposition, and someone holding an uncommon amount of common sense. Happy Birthday Poppa!
Good luck Dad! That's great that your surgery got moved up... I'll be praying for you! I love you, you're the greatest Dad ever! Your faith and strength has and always will be an inspiration to me.
I'm healthy and happy, and loving Horizon. Stay in touch!
Love,
Elder Wilson
First off, a couple of questions:
1) What part of El Paso did Dwight Jackson grow up in?
2) (for Brig) What ward does Dave Hyer live in?
We found a lot of new, awesome investigators this week. The next step is just trying to get the members involved in the work and I think as soon as we do that, things are really going to blow up around here.
One of our investigators got snatched by the migra in the middle of the night. So there goes one baptismal date. I guess it comes with the territory.
I also had the wonderful opportunity of eating some Menudo a couple of nights ago. It's a soup made with cow stomach and I had one HUGE, NASTY piece of stomach that had a piece of cow hair sticking out of it. ....everyone talks about "cultural experiences" as being a benefit of the mission so I guess I should treasure moments like that.
On Saturday we went to the one grocery store in Horizon and got permission to set up a Book of Mormon stand outside of the store. We're probably going to do it this Saturday. I'm pumped! Pray for us!
Happy Birthday to Poppa! 91 and still going strong! I find it difficult to express the emotions that I feel when I remember those special Saturday mornings of recieving his wise and common-sense counsel in one of a few Danville coffee shops. I have always looked up to Poppa as an incredibly decent sort of man. Someone who respects and commands respect. Someone who loves and is in turn loved by his family and associates. A man of a happy and even disposition, and someone holding an uncommon amount of common sense. Happy Birthday Poppa!
Good luck Dad! That's great that your surgery got moved up... I'll be praying for you! I love you, you're the greatest Dad ever! Your faith and strength has and always will be an inspiration to me.
I'm healthy and happy, and loving Horizon. Stay in touch!
Love,
Elder Wilson
May 12, 2008
Hello everyone!
Well I'm not sure that I have anything to add to what I said last night... except that it's looking very likely that I might have a chance to go to the temple in Juarez at some point in the next couple of weeks!
As I already told you all, yesterday was a little bit of a let down. We were expecting 12 in church and we ended up with 2. Everyone was with their moms in Juarez. The church was almost empty in both the branch and the ward (There were so few people in the English branch that they didn't even hold priesthood.)
But this next week is going to be great! We're teaching some amazing people!
If anyone wants to send me some more information on the archangel Raphael, that would be cool.
Say happy birthday to Nikolai from Uncle Ben. 3 years old, WOW! It seems like it was just yesterday that he was a little loaf of balogna coming home from the hospital.
Well... that's about all I have to say. It was awesome to talk to you all yesterday! I love you all and am so greatful for your love and support!
Love,
Elder Wilson
Well I'm not sure that I have anything to add to what I said last night... except that it's looking very likely that I might have a chance to go to the temple in Juarez at some point in the next couple of weeks!
As I already told you all, yesterday was a little bit of a let down. We were expecting 12 in church and we ended up with 2. Everyone was with their moms in Juarez. The church was almost empty in both the branch and the ward (There were so few people in the English branch that they didn't even hold priesthood.)
But this next week is going to be great! We're teaching some amazing people!
If anyone wants to send me some more information on the archangel Raphael, that would be cool.
Say happy birthday to Nikolai from Uncle Ben. 3 years old, WOW! It seems like it was just yesterday that he was a little loaf of balogna coming home from the hospital.
Well... that's about all I have to say. It was awesome to talk to you all yesterday! I love you all and am so greatful for your love and support!
Love,
Elder Wilson
May 6, 2008 - You see it's funny. . but it also makes you think.
HELLO! It's been a fun first few days here in Horizon! But first to answer some questions:
1) Yes we had a white truck in Chaparral and we have a white truck here in Horizon as well (Completely necessary in both towns because there are tons of dirt roads)
2) Our trailer did have bars on the windows but my current appartment does not.
3) There are actually a few nice neighborhoods in Horizon and it turns out we live next to a golf course so yes, there is some grass. (But don't be fooled, it's still DEFINITELY the desert)
4) Whereas the end of the world was visible from Chaparral, I wouldn't quite say the same thing about Horizon.
5) Yes, I got Chris's call-in number. We should be calling in shortly after 4(probably 4:15-4:25) and I do believe that we're on Mountain Standard Time. I'll let you all work out the time difference equations.
Oh yeah, by the way, I'm writing you all today because all libraries and college campuses were closed yesterday for cinco de Mayo (Although surprisingly it really isn't a very big Holiday down here.)
It seems that I always get asked about some of the details of missionary work so I'll try to offer some of those regarding Horizon:
We live in a two story appartment that is really pretty nice.
We cover a Spanish ward and an English branch. We have a washer and dryer in our appartment but they don't work so we do laundry at a member's home. My companion is from Eagle, Idaho and he's awesome. A really hard worker and spiritually powerful as well. He also has an ipod full of talks and in the past few days I've discovered Neal A. Maxwell. His talks are AMAZING. I'm convinced that he is one of the wisest men ever to live on this earth.
The Horizon area is very very large and contains lots of little communities all over far eastern El Paso. Yes all Mexican food is really spicy, and yes, it often results in digestive problems.
Oh, by the way, my address is: 13665 Horizon Blvd. #65 Horizon city, TX 79928
Well on my first night here we found an AMAZING family of 5 that came to the english branch (although they're completely fluent in both). And since then we've found a few more awesome families. I think that the work slowed down a little bit here last transfer but this is a BAPTIZING area so I'm really excited to be here and I'm already seeing quite a bit more success than I saw in my first two areas. Right now we're really focusing on doing some work in the struggling english branch and using the members to help us with finding and fellowshipping.
Well I know my thoughts have been a little bit scrambled and disorganized but the work is going very well here in Horizon and, as always, I'm excited to be serving in the great Arizona Tucson Mission! I love you all and I appreciate your loving support.
Love,
Elder Tree
1) Yes we had a white truck in Chaparral and we have a white truck here in Horizon as well (Completely necessary in both towns because there are tons of dirt roads)
2) Our trailer did have bars on the windows but my current appartment does not.
3) There are actually a few nice neighborhoods in Horizon and it turns out we live next to a golf course so yes, there is some grass. (But don't be fooled, it's still DEFINITELY the desert)
4) Whereas the end of the world was visible from Chaparral, I wouldn't quite say the same thing about Horizon.
5) Yes, I got Chris's call-in number. We should be calling in shortly after 4(probably 4:15-4:25) and I do believe that we're on Mountain Standard Time. I'll let you all work out the time difference equations.
Oh yeah, by the way, I'm writing you all today because all libraries and college campuses were closed yesterday for cinco de Mayo (Although surprisingly it really isn't a very big Holiday down here.)
It seems that I always get asked about some of the details of missionary work so I'll try to offer some of those regarding Horizon:
We live in a two story appartment that is really pretty nice.
We cover a Spanish ward and an English branch. We have a washer and dryer in our appartment but they don't work so we do laundry at a member's home. My companion is from Eagle, Idaho and he's awesome. A really hard worker and spiritually powerful as well. He also has an ipod full of talks and in the past few days I've discovered Neal A. Maxwell. His talks are AMAZING. I'm convinced that he is one of the wisest men ever to live on this earth.
The Horizon area is very very large and contains lots of little communities all over far eastern El Paso. Yes all Mexican food is really spicy, and yes, it often results in digestive problems.
Oh, by the way, my address is: 13665 Horizon Blvd. #65 Horizon city, TX 79928
Well on my first night here we found an AMAZING family of 5 that came to the english branch (although they're completely fluent in both). And since then we've found a few more awesome families. I think that the work slowed down a little bit here last transfer but this is a BAPTIZING area so I'm really excited to be here and I'm already seeing quite a bit more success than I saw in my first two areas. Right now we're really focusing on doing some work in the struggling english branch and using the members to help us with finding and fellowshipping.
Well I know my thoughts have been a little bit scrambled and disorganized but the work is going very well here in Horizon and, as always, I'm excited to be serving in the great Arizona Tucson Mission! I love you all and I appreciate your loving support.
Love,
Elder Tree
May 1, 2008 - Greetings from Horizon
Hello one and all! As you probably noticed from the Subject line, I've been transfered to the beautiful community of Horizon. I haven't even been there yet so I can't tell you what it's like but from what I hear it's a small, dusty, community outside of El Paso (Kind of like Chaparral).
It's a little bit sad to be leaving Chaparral and some of the amazing people that I met there. Yesterday I went and visited all of the recent converts and many of the investigators that I had met while there. It's hard to explain the emotions that are going through me right now. I'm really excited to be going to Horizon, it's supposed to be a great area and my new companion, Elder Vanderhorst, is supposed to be a stud. But it also hurts to be leaving some of those amazing people that I met in Chaparral. It's funny how a mission changes a person; I didn't think I'd ever be able to miss a place like Chaparral. Also, Elder Adams was a great companion so I'll definitely be missing him.
But I won't miss the rabid dogs, the dust storms, doing parking lot contacts in the one supermarket in town, or the great abundance of trailers.
I don't have our address yet so I'll have to send that on Monday.
Well this last week we found an AMAZING new investigator named Sandra. We found her because we were over at a part-member's house and their friend, Sandra dropped in for a short visit. I was playing with my ring that my trainer gave to me that has the Navuoo sunstone on it and she, Sandra, asked me what it all meant. Well then we started talking about the plan of salvation with her and she had a lot of quesions, apparently she's been searching for some time and right there during that first lesson she said that she could feel the spirit testifying that what we were sharing was true. It was AWESOME.
Well anyways besides that I'm healthy, happy, and excited to be here in the Great Arizona Tucson Mission!!!! I love you all and I'm greatful for all of the support that you give me!
Love,
Elder Ben Wilson
It's a little bit sad to be leaving Chaparral and some of the amazing people that I met there. Yesterday I went and visited all of the recent converts and many of the investigators that I had met while there. It's hard to explain the emotions that are going through me right now. I'm really excited to be going to Horizon, it's supposed to be a great area and my new companion, Elder Vanderhorst, is supposed to be a stud. But it also hurts to be leaving some of those amazing people that I met in Chaparral. It's funny how a mission changes a person; I didn't think I'd ever be able to miss a place like Chaparral. Also, Elder Adams was a great companion so I'll definitely be missing him.
But I won't miss the rabid dogs, the dust storms, doing parking lot contacts in the one supermarket in town, or the great abundance of trailers.
I don't have our address yet so I'll have to send that on Monday.
Well this last week we found an AMAZING new investigator named Sandra. We found her because we were over at a part-member's house and their friend, Sandra dropped in for a short visit. I was playing with my ring that my trainer gave to me that has the Navuoo sunstone on it and she, Sandra, asked me what it all meant. Well then we started talking about the plan of salvation with her and she had a lot of quesions, apparently she's been searching for some time and right there during that first lesson she said that she could feel the spirit testifying that what we were sharing was true. It was AWESOME.
Well anyways besides that I'm healthy, happy, and excited to be here in the Great Arizona Tucson Mission!!!! I love you all and I'm greatful for all of the support that you give me!
Love,
Elder Ben Wilson
April 21, 2008 - Isaiah 55:12
"For ye shall go out with joy... and all the trees shall clap their hands."
Hello everyone! It has been a great week out here in dusty Chaparral. Just so you all know, this is superweek. We don't have a preparation day this next Monday because transfers are a week from Thursday. (So don't panic when you don't get an email this Monday).
Well Chaparral is about the same as it usually is. The weather has improved a bunch. It's as little bit warmer now but the dust storms have passed.
One of the parents asked what my experience has been with president Higham.... I'm convinced he's the best mission president in the world. He's an amazing teacher, counselor, and leader. I look forward to every chance I have to be with him because I always come away feeling like I've become a little bit better for being with him and hearing his counsel. I have so many important lessons to learn from him, I just hope I can cram it all in before he leaves and someone else comes in!
Also to answer another question: Our focus recently has been calling people unto repentance. It's a great theme although one that's a little bit difficult to wrap your arms around since it encompasses all of missionary work. Any inspired thoughts in that area would be greatly appreciated.
Well I don't know what else to say about this week... I got bit by two dogs. They're crazy around here! Both of them were angry little Chihuahuas that got me on the ankle. I suppose I'm starting to get bit more because I've been in a place where crazy mangy dogs run wild for four months and I've started to lose that healthy fear of wild dogs that people are supposed to have.
Well anyways I'm healthy and happy! The gospel is true! I'm so greatful for the opportunity that I have to serve the Lord with all of my heart might mind and strength for two years! I love you all! Thank you so much for your continued love and support!
Love,
Elder Wilson
Hello everyone! It has been a great week out here in dusty Chaparral. Just so you all know, this is superweek. We don't have a preparation day this next Monday because transfers are a week from Thursday. (So don't panic when you don't get an email this Monday).
Well Chaparral is about the same as it usually is. The weather has improved a bunch. It's as little bit warmer now but the dust storms have passed.
One of the parents asked what my experience has been with president Higham.... I'm convinced he's the best mission president in the world. He's an amazing teacher, counselor, and leader. I look forward to every chance I have to be with him because I always come away feeling like I've become a little bit better for being with him and hearing his counsel. I have so many important lessons to learn from him, I just hope I can cram it all in before he leaves and someone else comes in!
Also to answer another question: Our focus recently has been calling people unto repentance. It's a great theme although one that's a little bit difficult to wrap your arms around since it encompasses all of missionary work. Any inspired thoughts in that area would be greatly appreciated.
Well I don't know what else to say about this week... I got bit by two dogs. They're crazy around here! Both of them were angry little Chihuahuas that got me on the ankle. I suppose I'm starting to get bit more because I've been in a place where crazy mangy dogs run wild for four months and I've started to lose that healthy fear of wild dogs that people are supposed to have.
Well anyways I'm healthy and happy! The gospel is true! I'm so greatful for the opportunity that I have to serve the Lord with all of my heart might mind and strength for two years! I love you all! Thank you so much for your continued love and support!
Love,
Elder Wilson
April 14, 2008 - Dan 4:10
"Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; and behold a TREE in the midst of the earth, and the height thereof was great.
Hello one and all!
It's been an another eventful week here in Chaparral. Just so you know, yes, my charger is working but I don't have a USB cord to hook up my camera to the computer so it looks like I'll be sending regular photos printed out from WalMart.
Well this last week we had a dust storm that lasted a couple of days(Wednesday and Thursday). I think I just finished cleaning out the last of the dirt from my ears and eyes. Chaparral is really windy and really dusty and so every now and then those two elements combine to make it really miserable. A few times it got really bad where visibility was only about 10 feet but most of the time it was annoying but endurable.
Well this last week was Annette Thompson's baptism and I baptized her. We found her (knocking doors), taught her the first three lessons and brought her to church but eventually we had to hand her off to the English Elders because she doesn't speak all that much Spanish. Anyways, her baptism was really powerful. Elder Espericueta, an awesome elder from Mexico, shared the story of his (apostate) baptism.
The first time he met with missionaries it was in the church next to a baptismal font. They taught him about baptism and tried to comitt him and he said no. Then another companionship came in and did the same thing with the same result. Eventually one of the Elders talked about remission of sins and he decided that sounded awesome. To him, he thought that only Saints and priests went to heaven so the idea of recieving a remission of sins was awesome. So he accepted and was baptized, without any idea that he was being baptized as a memeber of the church! It was pretty funny/inspirational.
By the way, it's good to hear that Dad's health is slowly but steadily improving! And I don't know how I feel about Mom taking the sailboat wallpaper down from my room... that was CLASSIC! Oh well....
and Aunt Diana, I appreciate the email and the response on the cf. question.
By the way, how's the missionary work going in the Alamo wards? And family, what are you doing to help? There are no excuses for not being good member-missionaries. Like Elder Bednar said: You all are the full-time finders.
Well that's your weekly report from Chaptown. I'm healthy and happy and really appreciate all of your love and support!
Viva Chapparral!
Love,
Elder Ben
Hello one and all!
It's been an another eventful week here in Chaparral. Just so you know, yes, my charger is working but I don't have a USB cord to hook up my camera to the computer so it looks like I'll be sending regular photos printed out from WalMart.
Well this last week we had a dust storm that lasted a couple of days(Wednesday and Thursday). I think I just finished cleaning out the last of the dirt from my ears and eyes. Chaparral is really windy and really dusty and so every now and then those two elements combine to make it really miserable. A few times it got really bad where visibility was only about 10 feet but most of the time it was annoying but endurable.
Well this last week was Annette Thompson's baptism and I baptized her. We found her (knocking doors), taught her the first three lessons and brought her to church but eventually we had to hand her off to the English Elders because she doesn't speak all that much Spanish. Anyways, her baptism was really powerful. Elder Espericueta, an awesome elder from Mexico, shared the story of his (apostate) baptism.
The first time he met with missionaries it was in the church next to a baptismal font. They taught him about baptism and tried to comitt him and he said no. Then another companionship came in and did the same thing with the same result. Eventually one of the Elders talked about remission of sins and he decided that sounded awesome. To him, he thought that only Saints and priests went to heaven so the idea of recieving a remission of sins was awesome. So he accepted and was baptized, without any idea that he was being baptized as a memeber of the church! It was pretty funny/inspirational.
By the way, it's good to hear that Dad's health is slowly but steadily improving! And I don't know how I feel about Mom taking the sailboat wallpaper down from my room... that was CLASSIC! Oh well....
and Aunt Diana, I appreciate the email and the response on the cf. question.
By the way, how's the missionary work going in the Alamo wards? And family, what are you doing to help? There are no excuses for not being good member-missionaries. Like Elder Bednar said: You all are the full-time finders.
Well that's your weekly report from Chaptown. I'm healthy and happy and really appreciate all of your love and support!
Viva Chapparral!
Love,
Elder Ben
April 7, 2008 -You know einstein's theory that space is curved?
WEll these are smart weapons.
Hello everyone! I had an amazingly uplifting conference weekend, topped off with a baptism Sunday evening! Generally a week of pure awesomeness.
First off with conference. There were some major struggles. The Anthony branch is a little separated from the rest of the world and so it's a little difficult to get technical help. So we went to our little chapel for Saturday morning session but it didn't work and we had to head over to the stake center half way through. When we got there we discovered, much to our dismay, that it was only in English! (Last conference it was in both at the stake center) and so our investigators couldn't understand! They won't home after the morning session and missed the afternoon session.
So saturday kind of turned into a disaster. But Sunday started out even worse.
We went over early to the Anthony chapel to make sure that everything was working and it was perfect so we called up our investigators and told them that it was okay to come. But then, just as conference was about to start, the satelite started cutting out for about two seconds, once every ten seconds, making it impossible to concentrate or understand. My companion and I did everything possible, called everyone we could think of, but no one could understand why the system was working that way. Finally, with five minutes left in the session, everything started working again (just in time to hear nothing).
We were pretty crushed. We had been praying our hearts out and couldn't understand why things worked out that way. As our investigators left they told us thatt they'd see us later and probably wouldn't be coming back for the afternoon session. At this point I started pleading with them. I told them that I really wanted them to be at a session that they could understand and I really wanted them to come back for the afternoon.
Well they did come back for the afternoon session. And the system finally started working out fine. I think that the reason that the Lord caused all the chaose to happen is so that they would come for that last session.
When I've been saying "Our investigators", I'm refering to the Varela family. They've all been an encountering quite a bit of opposition from family and friends. Elder Zwick's talk reduced them all tears and was a huge conversion experience for them. It really boosted them up and they said after that talk like they had the strength to go on and do what was right.
It was awesome.
Also we had the baptism in the evening of a young woman, Damara. She's only 12 years old and she's the first one in her family to be getting baptized! She's so mature and awesome. Her Mom is following in her footsteps and getting baptized in two weeks so we're excited for that.
By the way, I had no idea that Mariah Wilson was in the BYU choir. I'm 99% sure I saw her there right? I may or may not have shouted in a very loud whisper "THAT'S MY COUSIN!" in the middle of conference.
Well anyways that's about all of the time I have for this week, but I love you all so very much and i'm so greatful to have such a wonderful family and friends. Keep it real, everyone. And keep writing!
Love,
Elder Ben
PS
Mom- what does cf mean in the topical guide and bible dictionary. I see it next to a few references in there. (For example see Bible dictionary entry: Sabbath day) THANKS!
Hello everyone! I had an amazingly uplifting conference weekend, topped off with a baptism Sunday evening! Generally a week of pure awesomeness.
First off with conference. There were some major struggles. The Anthony branch is a little separated from the rest of the world and so it's a little difficult to get technical help. So we went to our little chapel for Saturday morning session but it didn't work and we had to head over to the stake center half way through. When we got there we discovered, much to our dismay, that it was only in English! (Last conference it was in both at the stake center) and so our investigators couldn't understand! They won't home after the morning session and missed the afternoon session.
So saturday kind of turned into a disaster. But Sunday started out even worse.
We went over early to the Anthony chapel to make sure that everything was working and it was perfect so we called up our investigators and told them that it was okay to come. But then, just as conference was about to start, the satelite started cutting out for about two seconds, once every ten seconds, making it impossible to concentrate or understand. My companion and I did everything possible, called everyone we could think of, but no one could understand why the system was working that way. Finally, with five minutes left in the session, everything started working again (just in time to hear nothing).
We were pretty crushed. We had been praying our hearts out and couldn't understand why things worked out that way. As our investigators left they told us thatt they'd see us later and probably wouldn't be coming back for the afternoon session. At this point I started pleading with them. I told them that I really wanted them to be at a session that they could understand and I really wanted them to come back for the afternoon.
Well they did come back for the afternoon session. And the system finally started working out fine. I think that the reason that the Lord caused all the chaose to happen is so that they would come for that last session.
When I've been saying "Our investigators", I'm refering to the Varela family. They've all been an encountering quite a bit of opposition from family and friends. Elder Zwick's talk reduced them all tears and was a huge conversion experience for them. It really boosted them up and they said after that talk like they had the strength to go on and do what was right.
It was awesome.
Also we had the baptism in the evening of a young woman, Damara. She's only 12 years old and she's the first one in her family to be getting baptized! She's so mature and awesome. Her Mom is following in her footsteps and getting baptized in two weeks so we're excited for that.
By the way, I had no idea that Mariah Wilson was in the BYU choir. I'm 99% sure I saw her there right? I may or may not have shouted in a very loud whisper "THAT'S MY COUSIN!" in the middle of conference.
Well anyways that's about all of the time I have for this week, but I love you all so very much and i'm so greatful to have such a wonderful family and friends. Keep it real, everyone. And keep writing!
Love,
Elder Ben
PS
Mom- what does cf mean in the topical guide and bible dictionary. I see it next to a few references in there. (For example see Bible dictionary entry: Sabbath day) THANKS!
April 1, 2008 - Greetings from dusty Chaparral
HEELLOO everyone! I am indeed alive and kicking here in Chaparral. I've had some tough luck getting to the internet for the past week or so but now I'm back. First off to answer some questions:
1) Yes the bike seat is fixed.
2) We eat with members about 4-5 times a week and the food really varies. Somtimes we get awesome Mexican enchiladas, sometimes we get expired Hot Dogs.
3) On preperation days we have to drive half an hour into NorthEast El Paso in order to do email and go shopping for the week. When we have extra time we usually just clean although this past week we built a 1-hole mini golf course in our dirt driveway. (and made a makeshift club out of PVC pipe, a Nestle quick mix container, and duct tape.
4) We cover one Spanish Branch. It's reasonably sized, (working towards the goal of becoming a ward) and we meet 20 minutes away from Chaparral in a town called Anthony. It is a spanish speaking branch and only about 1/4-1/3 of them come from Chaparral.
Also, I got two packages from the parents and one from the Hares on my birthday. THANK YOU SO MUCH! Hares, the ties are awesome! I'm actually wearing one of them right now. and Mom, that really is an unusually tasty batch of Granola that you cooked up. Thank you thank you thank you all so much. I had an awesome birthday.
Some of my investigators, the Varela family, threw me a birthday party on the big day and that was pretty awesome. We had enchiladas and then a chocolate cake for desert. Damara Varela, the daughter of the family, is getting baptized this Sunday after conference and her Mom, Sofia, is getting baptized a couple of weeks after that.
Sofia's sister, Veronica, is AMAZING! She's the first one of the family that we originally contacted and she has a really really strong testimony of the Book of Mormon. A lot of time she rushes us whenever we're trying to make friendly small talk and says "You need to go visit everyone! Time is precious, let's get to the lesson!" Veronica is awesome! She would be baptized already but she and the man she's been living with for the past 15 years aren't married. She's asked him and she's working on it but for whatever reason he doesn't want to get married. bum. But she's already paying tithing etc. etc. she's awesome.
Today we had a half-mission conference with an area authority 70, Elder Olsen. He was pretty awesome and he talked about the atonement and his wife gave a very nice talk on kindness.
Well it looks like I'm about of time but I love you all very very much and I'm doing well here in Chaparral. Thank you to everyone who wrote me, I really appreciate it.
Viva Chaparral!
Love,
Elder Wilson
1) Yes the bike seat is fixed.
2) We eat with members about 4-5 times a week and the food really varies. Somtimes we get awesome Mexican enchiladas, sometimes we get expired Hot Dogs.
3) On preperation days we have to drive half an hour into NorthEast El Paso in order to do email and go shopping for the week. When we have extra time we usually just clean although this past week we built a 1-hole mini golf course in our dirt driveway. (and made a makeshift club out of PVC pipe, a Nestle quick mix container, and duct tape.
4) We cover one Spanish Branch. It's reasonably sized, (working towards the goal of becoming a ward) and we meet 20 minutes away from Chaparral in a town called Anthony. It is a spanish speaking branch and only about 1/4-1/3 of them come from Chaparral.
Also, I got two packages from the parents and one from the Hares on my birthday. THANK YOU SO MUCH! Hares, the ties are awesome! I'm actually wearing one of them right now. and Mom, that really is an unusually tasty batch of Granola that you cooked up. Thank you thank you thank you all so much. I had an awesome birthday.
Some of my investigators, the Varela family, threw me a birthday party on the big day and that was pretty awesome. We had enchiladas and then a chocolate cake for desert. Damara Varela, the daughter of the family, is getting baptized this Sunday after conference and her Mom, Sofia, is getting baptized a couple of weeks after that.
Sofia's sister, Veronica, is AMAZING! She's the first one of the family that we originally contacted and she has a really really strong testimony of the Book of Mormon. A lot of time she rushes us whenever we're trying to make friendly small talk and says "You need to go visit everyone! Time is precious, let's get to the lesson!" Veronica is awesome! She would be baptized already but she and the man she's been living with for the past 15 years aren't married. She's asked him and she's working on it but for whatever reason he doesn't want to get married. bum. But she's already paying tithing etc. etc. she's awesome.
Today we had a half-mission conference with an area authority 70, Elder Olsen. He was pretty awesome and he talked about the atonement and his wife gave a very nice talk on kindness.
Well it looks like I'm about of time but I love you all very very much and I'm doing well here in Chaparral. Thank you to everyone who wrote me, I really appreciate it.
Viva Chaparral!
Love,
Elder Wilson
March 20, 2008
Hello everyone! Things are (of course) going great out here in ......... CHAPARRAL still! Elder Adams and I are still together out here in the middle of nowhere. Still working hard to bring people to the gospel. And things just keep getting better! We've found some more great families and set a few more baptismal dates!
Oh yeah and by the way, I did get the charger... but it comes without a cord to plug it in!!! So I have the charger but it isn't functional at all... I'll head down to a RadioShack on Monday to see if I can find one. Oh, and yes, I got the Easter package... thank you! It was amazing! As for what I want for my birthday... Granola sounds amazing!
First I'll mention just a little bit of a downer (Just to get it out of the way). The Juarez family (a younger couple we've been teaching) got anti-d and they'll still let us in but they don't really listen to anything we have to say. Yikes!
Elder Adams' birthday was this past week and we got an awesome surprise. A few of our investigators threw him a surprise party! It was amazing! Alma Morales, Veronica Esquivel, and Sofia Varela along with their families got together and threw him a little party with dinner (Mole', a Mexican dish of chicken with a chocolate/chile sauce...hard to describe) and a chocolate cake afterwards. It was really unexpected and really awesome!
Besides that, there's not much new is going on. I'm sure some new things have happened but you tend to forget as the week goes on. Anyways I'm doing well and I love you all! Keep in contact!
Love,
Elder Wilson
Oh yeah and by the way, I did get the charger... but it comes without a cord to plug it in!!! So I have the charger but it isn't functional at all... I'll head down to a RadioShack on Monday to see if I can find one. Oh, and yes, I got the Easter package... thank you! It was amazing! As for what I want for my birthday... Granola sounds amazing!
First I'll mention just a little bit of a downer (Just to get it out of the way). The Juarez family (a younger couple we've been teaching) got anti-d and they'll still let us in but they don't really listen to anything we have to say. Yikes!
Elder Adams' birthday was this past week and we got an awesome surprise. A few of our investigators threw him a surprise party! It was amazing! Alma Morales, Veronica Esquivel, and Sofia Varela along with their families got together and threw him a little party with dinner (Mole', a Mexican dish of chicken with a chocolate/chile sauce...hard to describe) and a chocolate cake afterwards. It was really unexpected and really awesome!
Besides that, there's not much new is going on. I'm sure some new things have happened but you tend to forget as the week goes on. Anyways I'm doing well and I love you all! Keep in contact!
Love,
Elder Wilson
March 10, 2008 - Portisan? i give up the throne
Hello one and all. Things are great here in Chappy town! First of all to answer some questions:
No I didn't get the camera charger and as a consequence I have not been taking any pictures and so you will not be recieving any. Sorry! I'm not sure what's been happening. The transfer date for this upcoming transfer is March 20th I believe... it's the Thursday of that week at least. It'll be interesting to see what happens.
By the way. Mom, Dad; President Higham mentioned that he gave one of Mom's books to the President of the Tucson Stake and that he commented that he's a friend of yours. I'm afraid I can't remember his name... but where do you all know him from?
It's been an awesome week here in Chaparral! It ended with 6 investigators at church this Sunday! Wow! Awesome to see all of our hardwork finally paying off. We have one investigator named Annette... she's amazing! She's been reading the Book of Mormon like crazy, asking amazing questions, and has already started doing missionary work! She took a copy of the restoration and comitted to showing it to her family! Wow!
On a sad note... Jose, the amazing investigator that I mentioned last time, took of for Mexico a few days ago and we've completely lost track of him. That was pretty hard to take, but hopefully he runs into Elder Call or someone else down in Chihuahua.
Thanks to everyone that wrote me...Mom, Dad, Brig, Mary,Chris, Emily, etc. It was especially awesome to get some pictures of the kids from Mary. Nothing brightens up my P-days quite as much as some pictures of Eva, Nikolai, and Luke.
Well anyways I'm about ready to head out. But I love you all to death! Keep writing!
Love,
Elder Wilson
No I didn't get the camera charger and as a consequence I have not been taking any pictures and so you will not be recieving any. Sorry! I'm not sure what's been happening. The transfer date for this upcoming transfer is March 20th I believe... it's the Thursday of that week at least. It'll be interesting to see what happens.
By the way. Mom, Dad; President Higham mentioned that he gave one of Mom's books to the President of the Tucson Stake and that he commented that he's a friend of yours. I'm afraid I can't remember his name... but where do you all know him from?
It's been an awesome week here in Chaparral! It ended with 6 investigators at church this Sunday! Wow! Awesome to see all of our hardwork finally paying off. We have one investigator named Annette... she's amazing! She's been reading the Book of Mormon like crazy, asking amazing questions, and has already started doing missionary work! She took a copy of the restoration and comitted to showing it to her family! Wow!
On a sad note... Jose, the amazing investigator that I mentioned last time, took of for Mexico a few days ago and we've completely lost track of him. That was pretty hard to take, but hopefully he runs into Elder Call or someone else down in Chihuahua.
Thanks to everyone that wrote me...Mom, Dad, Brig, Mary,Chris, Emily, etc. It was especially awesome to get some pictures of the kids from Mary. Nothing brightens up my P-days quite as much as some pictures of Eva, Nikolai, and Luke.
Well anyways I'm about ready to head out. But I love you all to death! Keep writing!
Love,
Elder Wilson
March 3, 2008 - Mark 8:24
"And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking."
Hello one and all.
It's been another great week here in sunny chaparral. But first some news of sorts. Apparently the El Paso mail system is really screwed up and they've been losing a lot of things lately. I just got a letter from Brother Wyatt postmarked from Oakland January 28th, and I recieved it March 1st!
Seeing as I'm probably getting transfered in three weeks and Elder Adams usually has to take a long time at the computer to work on college applications... it's probably better just to email me for the next few weeks.
But yes, Dad, I did recieve the birth certificate and the passport copy although now I'm not sure if we'll be able to find anyone to take to the temple...
Caitlin is pregnant!?!?!?!? WOW! Awesome! That's so exciting! COOL! If it's a boy name him Tree.
Well anyways. We had an amazing week this week even though no one came to church (That's supposed to be the rap on this place, right? Good humble people but hard to get them to keep comittments.)
But we have a few baptismal dates now (WOW! First dates I've set in Chaparral in a loooong time) So things are definitely looking up.
We're teaching a young man, named Jose and I honestly can't believe him. It's like someone cut him out of Preach My Gospel. He's amazing! He's asks questions like:
But how am I going to recieve an answer?
Is there anything in the Book of Mormon that could help me get through tough times?
etc. etc.
And we almost didn't talk to him! I've discovered a principle in missionary work... The closer you were to not talking with someone, the more prepared for the gospel they are. I don't know if that makes sense to any of you but it's way true.
We also saved someone from the jaws of J-dubism. We contacted a family on the side of the road and they were really really cool. We started talking to them and started teaching a little and then i asked if they had a Bible that we could use (always nice to use their Bible so they know that we don't use a different one) and he busts out a NEW WORLD TRANSLATION of the Holy Scriptures. I said "Where did you get that?" and he told us that the J-dubs had been by only a few hours ago. "But they're all the same, right?" He asked. I told him that that particular Bible isn't my favorite because it's missing stuff and I showed up Mark 11:26 (Which isn't in their Bible) and he was stunned! He said "This is trash, I don't want it. Can you give me one of your Bibles?" Anyways they're a really really good family that we're teaching now, YAY!
Well anyways. I'm doing great and loving it out here. I really appreciate all of your letters and emails. The gospel is true! There is no better message in the world. Nothing that changes lives more than a true understanding of the atonement of Jesus Christ! Keep it real!
Love,
Elder Wilson
Hello one and all.
It's been another great week here in sunny chaparral. But first some news of sorts. Apparently the El Paso mail system is really screwed up and they've been losing a lot of things lately. I just got a letter from Brother Wyatt postmarked from Oakland January 28th, and I recieved it March 1st!
Seeing as I'm probably getting transfered in three weeks and Elder Adams usually has to take a long time at the computer to work on college applications... it's probably better just to email me for the next few weeks.
But yes, Dad, I did recieve the birth certificate and the passport copy although now I'm not sure if we'll be able to find anyone to take to the temple...
Caitlin is pregnant!?!?!?!? WOW! Awesome! That's so exciting! COOL! If it's a boy name him Tree.
Well anyways. We had an amazing week this week even though no one came to church (That's supposed to be the rap on this place, right? Good humble people but hard to get them to keep comittments.)
But we have a few baptismal dates now (WOW! First dates I've set in Chaparral in a loooong time) So things are definitely looking up.
We're teaching a young man, named Jose and I honestly can't believe him. It's like someone cut him out of Preach My Gospel. He's amazing! He's asks questions like:
But how am I going to recieve an answer?
Is there anything in the Book of Mormon that could help me get through tough times?
etc. etc.
And we almost didn't talk to him! I've discovered a principle in missionary work... The closer you were to not talking with someone, the more prepared for the gospel they are. I don't know if that makes sense to any of you but it's way true.
We also saved someone from the jaws of J-dubism. We contacted a family on the side of the road and they were really really cool. We started talking to them and started teaching a little and then i asked if they had a Bible that we could use (always nice to use their Bible so they know that we don't use a different one) and he busts out a NEW WORLD TRANSLATION of the Holy Scriptures. I said "Where did you get that?" and he told us that the J-dubs had been by only a few hours ago. "But they're all the same, right?" He asked. I told him that that particular Bible isn't my favorite because it's missing stuff and I showed up Mark 11:26 (Which isn't in their Bible) and he was stunned! He said "This is trash, I don't want it. Can you give me one of your Bibles?" Anyways they're a really really good family that we're teaching now, YAY!
Well anyways. I'm doing great and loving it out here. I really appreciate all of your letters and emails. The gospel is true! There is no better message in the world. Nothing that changes lives more than a true understanding of the atonement of Jesus Christ! Keep it real!
Love,
Elder Wilson
February 25, 2008 - Alma 32:37
"And behold, as the TREE begineth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up..."
Hello one and all. We've had a great last few days here in Chaparral. Thanks to everyone who wrote me, Mom, Dad, Kate, Chris, Emily, Aunt Jannet, Ryan. I really appreciate it and it's awesome to hear from all of you. It was especially awesome to see pictures of baby Eva and how much she's growing so THANKS!
Well Saturday was kind of a big day. Things had been getting steadily and steadily worse here in Chaparral. A few days ago the seat on my bike broke so I had been riding standing up for a few days and my back and legs were sore beyond all belief. We lost most of our investigators due to one reason or another. No one had come to church and nothing was looking up. Things kind of topped off Saturday morning. I was really tired and sore and a little bit discouraged as we set off in the morning. Our first two appointments ditched us and weren't there, and we had about three contacts in a row where we got yelled at, topped off with one where we got cussed out and driven off someone's property.
I was really depressed. I looked at my companion and could see in his eyes that he was really feeling the same way.
"We need to take a lunch." I said.
We went home and ate a bit and then both retired to different sides of the trailer to read, pray, and medidate a little and see if we couldn't recieve some encouragement from the Lord.
I flipped open my scriptures and eventually was lead to read Alma 26:27 "Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst they brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success."
Well I really didn't feel the depression lift from my heart at all but I took it as a promise from the Lord, and came out with enough resolution to just push along, (if not exactly with a heart full of song) knowing that as I did so the Lord would bless me with success in due time.
Well the rest of that day was amazing. We found nine new investigators, a few of whom are DYNAMITE! and really really prepared to hear the gospel.
In particular, one investigator, who we thought had dropped us because her gate was always locked and we couldn't get ahold of her, called us and said she wanted us to come back by so we could teach not only her but her sisters also, and that lesson was really really powerful.
Her sister recieved a couple of discussions from the missionaries a couple of years ago and then decided she didn't want any more and sent them on their way. Strangely, she said she recieved a testimony from them. She said "As I watched them leave my house I felt the most awful feeling I've ever felt before and I knew I was doing something wrong and that their message was true." (not an actual quotation because she was talking in Spanish but more or less).
That was an awesome lesson for me in "No effort goes unwasted." It's true, I suppose that there are a lot of missionaries who plant many many seeds whose fruits they never see. That lesson has helped me to keep my chin up when things aren't going so well.
By the way I keep recieving questions about Chaparral, what the weather is like, if there's any grass or trees, etc. etc. Strictly regarding the weather of the area (The people here are wonderful) I will quote an Elder who served in Chaparral before "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy...you won't find it in Chaparral". That is definitely a slight exaggeration but Chaparral is a very desolate and dry town.
Well I better be going but I'm healthy, happy, and excited to be here serving in the great Arizona Tucson mission. I appreciate all of you who stay in contact via email and snail mail letters. I have the most amazing family and friends in the world! Especially family! I love you all so much.
The restored gospel is true! Joseph Smtih was a prophet and Jesus is the Christ, the eternal god manifesting himself unto all nations! It's all true!
Love,
Elder Wilson
Hello one and all. We've had a great last few days here in Chaparral. Thanks to everyone who wrote me, Mom, Dad, Kate, Chris, Emily, Aunt Jannet, Ryan. I really appreciate it and it's awesome to hear from all of you. It was especially awesome to see pictures of baby Eva and how much she's growing so THANKS!
Well Saturday was kind of a big day. Things had been getting steadily and steadily worse here in Chaparral. A few days ago the seat on my bike broke so I had been riding standing up for a few days and my back and legs were sore beyond all belief. We lost most of our investigators due to one reason or another. No one had come to church and nothing was looking up. Things kind of topped off Saturday morning. I was really tired and sore and a little bit discouraged as we set off in the morning. Our first two appointments ditched us and weren't there, and we had about three contacts in a row where we got yelled at, topped off with one where we got cussed out and driven off someone's property.
I was really depressed. I looked at my companion and could see in his eyes that he was really feeling the same way.
"We need to take a lunch." I said.
We went home and ate a bit and then both retired to different sides of the trailer to read, pray, and medidate a little and see if we couldn't recieve some encouragement from the Lord.
I flipped open my scriptures and eventually was lead to read Alma 26:27 "Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst they brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success."
Well I really didn't feel the depression lift from my heart at all but I took it as a promise from the Lord, and came out with enough resolution to just push along, (if not exactly with a heart full of song) knowing that as I did so the Lord would bless me with success in due time.
Well the rest of that day was amazing. We found nine new investigators, a few of whom are DYNAMITE! and really really prepared to hear the gospel.
In particular, one investigator, who we thought had dropped us because her gate was always locked and we couldn't get ahold of her, called us and said she wanted us to come back by so we could teach not only her but her sisters also, and that lesson was really really powerful.
Her sister recieved a couple of discussions from the missionaries a couple of years ago and then decided she didn't want any more and sent them on their way. Strangely, she said she recieved a testimony from them. She said "As I watched them leave my house I felt the most awful feeling I've ever felt before and I knew I was doing something wrong and that their message was true." (not an actual quotation because she was talking in Spanish but more or less).
That was an awesome lesson for me in "No effort goes unwasted." It's true, I suppose that there are a lot of missionaries who plant many many seeds whose fruits they never see. That lesson has helped me to keep my chin up when things aren't going so well.
By the way I keep recieving questions about Chaparral, what the weather is like, if there's any grass or trees, etc. etc. Strictly regarding the weather of the area (The people here are wonderful) I will quote an Elder who served in Chaparral before "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy...you won't find it in Chaparral". That is definitely a slight exaggeration but Chaparral is a very desolate and dry town.
Well I better be going but I'm healthy, happy, and excited to be here serving in the great Arizona Tucson mission. I appreciate all of you who stay in contact via email and snail mail letters. I have the most amazing family and friends in the world! Especially family! I love you all so much.
The restored gospel is true! Joseph Smtih was a prophet and Jesus is the Christ, the eternal god manifesting himself unto all nations! It's all true!
Love,
Elder Wilson
February 19, 2008
Hello everyone!
We're running very behind today because of zone conference. Also, I couldn't email home yesterday because all of the libraries were closed for MLK today.
Real quickly:
Parents, if you could send me my passport (or birth certificate) ASAP I would really appreciate that. We might have a chance to go to the temple in Juarez and I need one of those in order to not get stuck there!
I did get the valentine's day package and I loved it! Thank you so much everyone it made my week. Things are going well in Chaparral... a little bit slow to be honest but we're working hard.
I wrote a couple of hand-written letters yesterday so Mom and Dad you all should be getting one soon. I would've sent pictures but somehow I managed to lose my charger! It's a Pentax with a rechargable battery LI63 I beleive. Anyways I love you all and hopefully I'll have more time to write next week (It wasn't due to an excess of emails... I only got one... so don't go crazy Mom)
I love you all so much! I have the most wonderful friends and family in the whole world! The gospel is true! I love this message! Share it with your friends!
Love,
Elder Wilson
We're running very behind today because of zone conference. Also, I couldn't email home yesterday because all of the libraries were closed for MLK today.
Real quickly:
Parents, if you could send me my passport (or birth certificate) ASAP I would really appreciate that. We might have a chance to go to the temple in Juarez and I need one of those in order to not get stuck there!
I did get the valentine's day package and I loved it! Thank you so much everyone it made my week. Things are going well in Chaparral... a little bit slow to be honest but we're working hard.
I wrote a couple of hand-written letters yesterday so Mom and Dad you all should be getting one soon. I would've sent pictures but somehow I managed to lose my charger! It's a Pentax with a rechargable battery LI63 I beleive. Anyways I love you all and hopefully I'll have more time to write next week (It wasn't due to an excess of emails... I only got one... so don't go crazy Mom)
I love you all so much! I have the most wonderful friends and family in the whole world! The gospel is true! I love this message! Share it with your friends!
Love,
Elder Wilson
February 11, 2008
Hello one and all. I'm alive and thrivin' here in Chaparral. I don't know how much I told you about Elder Adams last time I emailed (Probably not much because I had been with him for only two hours), but he's an awesome missionary from Alaska. He is just like my other companions in that he is very old in the mission(only has four months left), but he's very focused, very outgoing, very awesome and I'm excited to see what we can do together here in Chaparral.
The last few days have been great, a lot of finding. We had one experience where we were knocking doors and this one lady opens up her door and invites us in even before we can get up to the door. Her husband was inside as well and while he wasn't quite as interested she said, and she really said in exactly these words "I'm searching for the true church." I was like "WOAH! COOL!". She's really looking forward to reading the Book of Mormon and we'll see if she can kick her husband into gear, too.
Sad, sad, story with Jose. We really comitted him hard to keeping the word of wisdom and he stopped for a few days and was doing really really well. He was more aware than we had ever seen him, he was cracking jokes, there was a good spirit there, IT WAS AWESOME! But then we went over on Friday and you could smell the marijuana all the way from the road. Anyways, he has started smoking and drinking again and stopped reading the Book of Mormon and he really isn't ready to make any progress so we had to drop him. I hope that doesn't sound too harsh but we've gone through this a few times and he's just not ready to make comittments. It's really sad to see him go because he was making so much progress and was doing so much better. sigh.
Oswaldo Villalba, another investigator, had to get surgery on his head. He's doing fine but he didn't come to church this last week because he's embarassed of the big 'ol bandage he's got. So he could definitely use your prayers.
Well besides that I don't have too much else to say. Everything is good out here. Love you all!
Love,
Elder Wilson
The last few days have been great, a lot of finding. We had one experience where we were knocking doors and this one lady opens up her door and invites us in even before we can get up to the door. Her husband was inside as well and while he wasn't quite as interested she said, and she really said in exactly these words "I'm searching for the true church." I was like "WOAH! COOL!". She's really looking forward to reading the Book of Mormon and we'll see if she can kick her husband into gear, too.
Sad, sad, story with Jose. We really comitted him hard to keeping the word of wisdom and he stopped for a few days and was doing really really well. He was more aware than we had ever seen him, he was cracking jokes, there was a good spirit there, IT WAS AWESOME! But then we went over on Friday and you could smell the marijuana all the way from the road. Anyways, he has started smoking and drinking again and stopped reading the Book of Mormon and he really isn't ready to make any progress so we had to drop him. I hope that doesn't sound too harsh but we've gone through this a few times and he's just not ready to make comittments. It's really sad to see him go because he was making so much progress and was doing so much better. sigh.
Oswaldo Villalba, another investigator, had to get surgery on his head. He's doing fine but he didn't come to church this last week because he's embarassed of the big 'ol bandage he's got. So he could definitely use your prayers.
Well besides that I don't have too much else to say. Everything is good out here. Love you all!
Love,
Elder Wilson
February 7, 2008 - Now THIS is the kind of stuff they should be teaching in the army. ..
...they are.
No kidding?
Hello one and all! I'm still here in Chaparral. Elder Erickson got shipped out to Sierra Vista (Somewhere over in Arizona) for his last transfer and now I'm with Elder Adams from Alaska. He seems cool but seeing as I've been his companion for a grand total of 2 hours, I really can't tell you too much else.
In fact the transfer buses got in late today so I have less time to write than usual but I'll see how much I can cram into one email.
One quick story before I forget: We contacted a bum from the streets of Chaparral named Harry. He's crazy. Really crazy. He just repeats himself over and over again.
First off Elder Erickson had talked to him before so one of the first things he asks him is "So, Harry, when was the last time you walked on water?" and Harry answers "Oh a few weeks ago. Wasn't no big deal really, no real wind so the water wasn't real choppy. I didn't get splashed."
Next he says "Well just so you know... I PUT CHAPARRAL ON THE MAP! I practically built this place with my bear hands. You see I drew a picture of the general store that they used for a famous post card. It's been all over the world you know, Russia, Australia, SIBERIA! I know it's been to Siberia because when I got it back I had to brush the snow off of it. So like I said, I did put Chaparral on the map. My post cards been all over this world."
then Elder Erickson (who is absolutely loving this) leans in and says:
"Just this world?"
"Oh I've thought about putting it on a microdot and sending it to the moon. Haven't done it yet, but I will someday. People will be screaming for my postcard, paying hundreds of dollars, cuz my postcard been to the moon."
...well anyways you get the picture. It was really really fun.
By the way, today, I finally got Aunt Janett's CD of conference. THANK YOU SO MUCH! What an amazing gift for a missionary, especially one with a huge area who spends a lot of time in the car. Apparently it was delivered to my old area and just sat there for a few weeks. But again, Aunt Jannett, THANK YOU!
And thank you parents for the written transcript. I grabbed a Spanish Liahona of that conference and I'm reading from the two and comparing for Spanish study. It's awesome.
I don't know if I've written about President Hinckley's farewell but it was very very touching. I have heard many express how comfortable they felt with President Hinckley at the head of the church and I felt exactly the same way. I will miss his wise and innovative leadership, his quick sense of humor, his great humility, and his grandfatherly council. He was one of the greatest leaders that the world has ever seen and a true prophet of God.
Well I'm afraid I'm already out of time but I love and miss you all. I love being out here, the work is great! Write me, I love hearing from you!
Love,
Elder Wilson
No kidding?
Hello one and all! I'm still here in Chaparral. Elder Erickson got shipped out to Sierra Vista (Somewhere over in Arizona) for his last transfer and now I'm with Elder Adams from Alaska. He seems cool but seeing as I've been his companion for a grand total of 2 hours, I really can't tell you too much else.
In fact the transfer buses got in late today so I have less time to write than usual but I'll see how much I can cram into one email.
One quick story before I forget: We contacted a bum from the streets of Chaparral named Harry. He's crazy. Really crazy. He just repeats himself over and over again.
First off Elder Erickson had talked to him before so one of the first things he asks him is "So, Harry, when was the last time you walked on water?" and Harry answers "Oh a few weeks ago. Wasn't no big deal really, no real wind so the water wasn't real choppy. I didn't get splashed."
Next he says "Well just so you know... I PUT CHAPARRAL ON THE MAP! I practically built this place with my bear hands. You see I drew a picture of the general store that they used for a famous post card. It's been all over the world you know, Russia, Australia, SIBERIA! I know it's been to Siberia because when I got it back I had to brush the snow off of it. So like I said, I did put Chaparral on the map. My post cards been all over this world."
then Elder Erickson (who is absolutely loving this) leans in and says:
"Just this world?"
"Oh I've thought about putting it on a microdot and sending it to the moon. Haven't done it yet, but I will someday. People will be screaming for my postcard, paying hundreds of dollars, cuz my postcard been to the moon."
...well anyways you get the picture. It was really really fun.
By the way, today, I finally got Aunt Janett's CD of conference. THANK YOU SO MUCH! What an amazing gift for a missionary, especially one with a huge area who spends a lot of time in the car. Apparently it was delivered to my old area and just sat there for a few weeks. But again, Aunt Jannett, THANK YOU!
And thank you parents for the written transcript. I grabbed a Spanish Liahona of that conference and I'm reading from the two and comparing for Spanish study. It's awesome.
I don't know if I've written about President Hinckley's farewell but it was very very touching. I have heard many express how comfortable they felt with President Hinckley at the head of the church and I felt exactly the same way. I will miss his wise and innovative leadership, his quick sense of humor, his great humility, and his grandfatherly council. He was one of the greatest leaders that the world has ever seen and a true prophet of God.
Well I'm afraid I'm already out of time but I love and miss you all. I love being out here, the work is great! Write me, I love hearing from you!
Love,
Elder Wilson
January 28, 2008 - Transferred! What a wonderful idea. Yes well, the wheels are always turning.
Hello one an all. It's been another great week here in Chaparral. To answer questions:
Yes, Mom, I got the packages. I thought that I thanked you already but I must not have so: THANK YOU! I'm especially loving the comforter as it tends to get very cold at nights here, even though it is slowly heating up.
To the bajillion of you that wondered if I already knew: Thank you for your concern and yes, President Higham text messaged us all only an hour after President Hinckley's passing.
It started randomly raining this morning and one of the other missionaries commented that the earth is mourning for President Hinckley. He was such a great man, and the only prophet that I really remember. I miss him already but he has moved on to a better place.
By the way starting Thursday I'm going to have to put a temporary moretorium (spelling?) on all handwritten letters sent to Chaparral as transfers are a week from this Thursday and I don't want to risk anything coming late (Missionaries are terrible about forwarding things).
Well there's one brother that we've been working with FOREVER, named hermano Villalba, and just the other day he gave me the nickname milagrote. There's no real english translation but the best I can give you is "Big 'ol miracle". I told him the realy milagrote will be when he stops drinking. But anyways milagrote has officially been inducted into the Ben Wilson Nicknames Hall of Fame, and stands in good company with Tree, Bob, and others.
We found a bunch of new investigators this past week. And not just new investigators but GOOD ones. I'm excited to see what's going to happen and am secretly praying that I'll stay another transfer or two.
By the way, the biggest challenge here in Chaparral (Besides widespread apostasy) is organization. I am A LOT more organized than my companion, Elder Erickson. Those of you that know me know what a sad sad commentary that is. So I've had the opportunity to learn and grow A LOT in that department this last transfer.
By the way, question for Mom and Dad: Do you come up with all of those Bilko quotes by yourselves or are you recruiting the help of my dear brother? Props either way.
A gentle rebuke: Siblings, I haven't heard from any of you in a few weeks. I really am curious to know what's going on in your lives and how you all are doing. So WRITE!
For the first time in a LONG TIME, I had the chance to play some real basketball this morning. It felt like heaven. Also caused me to worry a little because I'm having some pain in my knees. (Does anyone in our family have knee problems?)
Well anyways the gospel is still true. I'm so greatful to be involved in this world changing work. I love all of you, family and friends. You're a remarkable group and I'm lucky to have spent my life around such amazing, Christ-like people. I LOVE YOU ALL!
Love,
Elder Wilson
Yes, Mom, I got the packages. I thought that I thanked you already but I must not have so: THANK YOU! I'm especially loving the comforter as it tends to get very cold at nights here, even though it is slowly heating up.
To the bajillion of you that wondered if I already knew: Thank you for your concern and yes, President Higham text messaged us all only an hour after President Hinckley's passing.
It started randomly raining this morning and one of the other missionaries commented that the earth is mourning for President Hinckley. He was such a great man, and the only prophet that I really remember. I miss him already but he has moved on to a better place.
By the way starting Thursday I'm going to have to put a temporary moretorium (spelling?) on all handwritten letters sent to Chaparral as transfers are a week from this Thursday and I don't want to risk anything coming late (Missionaries are terrible about forwarding things).
Well there's one brother that we've been working with FOREVER, named hermano Villalba, and just the other day he gave me the nickname milagrote. There's no real english translation but the best I can give you is "Big 'ol miracle". I told him the realy milagrote will be when he stops drinking. But anyways milagrote has officially been inducted into the Ben Wilson Nicknames Hall of Fame, and stands in good company with Tree, Bob, and others.
We found a bunch of new investigators this past week. And not just new investigators but GOOD ones. I'm excited to see what's going to happen and am secretly praying that I'll stay another transfer or two.
By the way, the biggest challenge here in Chaparral (Besides widespread apostasy) is organization. I am A LOT more organized than my companion, Elder Erickson. Those of you that know me know what a sad sad commentary that is. So I've had the opportunity to learn and grow A LOT in that department this last transfer.
By the way, question for Mom and Dad: Do you come up with all of those Bilko quotes by yourselves or are you recruiting the help of my dear brother? Props either way.
A gentle rebuke: Siblings, I haven't heard from any of you in a few weeks. I really am curious to know what's going on in your lives and how you all are doing. So WRITE!
For the first time in a LONG TIME, I had the chance to play some real basketball this morning. It felt like heaven. Also caused me to worry a little because I'm having some pain in my knees. (Does anyone in our family have knee problems?)
Well anyways the gospel is still true. I'm so greatful to be involved in this world changing work. I love all of you, family and friends. You're a remarkable group and I'm lucky to have spent my life around such amazing, Christ-like people. I LOVE YOU ALL!
Love,
Elder Wilson
January 22, 2008 - LAS VEGAS, what fun! Lake Mead, Hoov. . .
Hello one an all. Things are going well here in New Mexico, crazy and fun, as always.
To answer a few questions:
As far as Spanish goes: I speak very well, but my comprehension is lagging behind a little bit. All in all I'm doing well with the language and progressing quickly.
Regarding weather: Right now it gets warm during the day, and freezing during the night/early morning. So the comforter will definitely be appreciated.
As far as printing stuff out: Yes, technically I could, but I won't, so it's better to send by snail mail if you want to send something very big or long.
And unfortunately I have not as of yet recieved the conference DVD. I don't know where that went wrong or it is just still coming but nothing yet.
Well the landmark event of this last week was the craziest baptism ever. We have some sister missionaries in the same branch as us and they had a baptism this last saturday. We went and brought a couple of investigators to show them what a baptism is like and hopefully help them to feel the spirit there. Well the man who did the baptism was an old, short, fat brother named Hermano Olivas (Not to demean him but his physical characteristics will help you understand some of the problems). The first warning sign was that he started by saying "Dear heavenly father..." the first time he tried to baptize the brother, it was botched beyond belief. The prayer wasn't even close, and the water was a little low and he didn't get him under. I'll just summarize the rest by saying that it took three more tries, and at one point a few people thought that hermano Olivas was trying to drown the brother. YIKES!
Cool experience this week, we found a big family, La familia Candelaria. Nine people in the family, seven of baptismal age. At first they were really receptive and were loving it until we got to the Book of Mormon. At that point the wife realized that we are "Mormons", and completely closed off to us. She just thought of us as "different" and didn't want to event think about other religions. She said that she didn't want her children to grow up confused and she wouldn't even think about taking them to other churches.
Well we talked about prayer and receiving answers from God and invited her husband to say the closing prayer and ask to know if Joseph Smith was a prophet and if this message is true. It was a really powerful prayer and everyone felt the spirit, even his wife. She seemed very humbled at the end and invited us back to share more.
We can be the best missionaries in the world, and unbelievably amazing teachers; but still, most of the real missionary work and conversion process takes place when they're on their knees.
By the way, the Jehova's Witness knocked on our door during personal study. They wanted to teach me. First they taught me that wars are bad then I showed them Exodus 15 (Jehova is a man of war). Next they taught me that Christ isn't God, then I showed them Isiah where it says "I am JEHOVAH and there is no other savior besides me". Then I told them that they should read the bible on their own and they would see that there never was a dispensation that was started out of a study group. Then I gave them both first lesson pamphlets and sent them on their way. All in all it was a fun half hour.
Well anyways things are going great out here. I'm learning a ton. Thanks to everyone who sent me emails/letters. It always feels good to get a little love from home. I realize more and more every day what amazing family and friends I truly have.
I love you all!
Love,
Elder Wilson
To answer a few questions:
As far as Spanish goes: I speak very well, but my comprehension is lagging behind a little bit. All in all I'm doing well with the language and progressing quickly.
Regarding weather: Right now it gets warm during the day, and freezing during the night/early morning. So the comforter will definitely be appreciated.
As far as printing stuff out: Yes, technically I could, but I won't, so it's better to send by snail mail if you want to send something very big or long.
And unfortunately I have not as of yet recieved the conference DVD. I don't know where that went wrong or it is just still coming but nothing yet.
Well the landmark event of this last week was the craziest baptism ever. We have some sister missionaries in the same branch as us and they had a baptism this last saturday. We went and brought a couple of investigators to show them what a baptism is like and hopefully help them to feel the spirit there. Well the man who did the baptism was an old, short, fat brother named Hermano Olivas (Not to demean him but his physical characteristics will help you understand some of the problems). The first warning sign was that he started by saying "Dear heavenly father..." the first time he tried to baptize the brother, it was botched beyond belief. The prayer wasn't even close, and the water was a little low and he didn't get him under. I'll just summarize the rest by saying that it took three more tries, and at one point a few people thought that hermano Olivas was trying to drown the brother. YIKES!
Cool experience this week, we found a big family, La familia Candelaria. Nine people in the family, seven of baptismal age. At first they were really receptive and were loving it until we got to the Book of Mormon. At that point the wife realized that we are "Mormons", and completely closed off to us. She just thought of us as "different" and didn't want to event think about other religions. She said that she didn't want her children to grow up confused and she wouldn't even think about taking them to other churches.
Well we talked about prayer and receiving answers from God and invited her husband to say the closing prayer and ask to know if Joseph Smith was a prophet and if this message is true. It was a really powerful prayer and everyone felt the spirit, even his wife. She seemed very humbled at the end and invited us back to share more.
We can be the best missionaries in the world, and unbelievably amazing teachers; but still, most of the real missionary work and conversion process takes place when they're on their knees.
By the way, the Jehova's Witness knocked on our door during personal study. They wanted to teach me. First they taught me that wars are bad then I showed them Exodus 15 (Jehova is a man of war). Next they taught me that Christ isn't God, then I showed them Isiah where it says "I am JEHOVAH and there is no other savior besides me". Then I told them that they should read the bible on their own and they would see that there never was a dispensation that was started out of a study group. Then I gave them both first lesson pamphlets and sent them on their way. All in all it was a fun half hour.
Well anyways things are going great out here. I'm learning a ton. Thanks to everyone who sent me emails/letters. It always feels good to get a little love from home. I realize more and more every day what amazing family and friends I truly have.
I love you all!
Love,
Elder Wilson
January 14, 2008 - Pictures
1) Elder Wilson with a goat:
2) Elder Wilson with Elder Dallin H. Oaks and comp:
3) Elder Wilson's pad:
4) Freezing Elder Wilson:
2) Elder Wilson with Elder Dallin H. Oaks and comp:
3) Elder Wilson's pad:
4) Freezing Elder Wilson:
January 14, 2008 - In Fact, that will be our motto: Bilko's da. . .
Hello!
First off I"ll answer some questions.
I DID recieve the calendar before Christmas and I actually did mention it in the call home. I LOVE IT! I was actually looking through it and saw the picture of us all at the Temple and I saw myself in that old suit and thought, "Hey, why didn't I bring that suit?" So that's the one I was talking about. Mom, however, reminded me why I didn't bring it... it's a really nice suit. So on second thought please don't send the suit, but the socks, shoes, and belt I could use!
The mail here is safe and so you can send me packages to my Chaparral address.
BTW, I own J-dubs. I eat them for a living. It's funny that a group claiming to be the government of Jehovah on the earth wouldn't claim any divine authority for their beginings. And the idea that their wacked out Bible is based on the earliest available Hebrew and Greek texts is down right laughable. So please don't think that I have problems with them, just with that one scripture.
Oh yeah, and I'm not driving a stick which is good because I don't know how, and the truck is good, and very necessary since half of the roads in Chaparral are dirt.
Congradulations to Ben Ivory on the mission call! I think that Washington is probably the exact opposite (in climate) of where I am now. So enjoy enough rain and green for the both of us!
I've got a few quick stories for you. First one that involves a Jehova's Witness. We knocked on his door and he informed us that he was a Jehova's Witness and wasn't interested. I asked him if he wouldn't mind getting his Bible so that we could read together, and he said he was busy. So I asked him if I could leave him with a reference to read later and he said okay. I meant to leave him with Mark 11:26 which is a scripture that they don't have in their wacked out Bible. IT just says 26:--- But I accidentally got the numbers mixed up and left him with Mark 6:11. Well it turns out that Mark 6:11 says
"ANd whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. VErily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."
Oops.
So this weekend we had a stake conference and DALLIN H. OAKS came! I love Elder Oaks. There isn't an ounce of guille in him. He's so sincere and kind. We only got two investigators there, the rest flaked. I'm studying the "How to help your investigators keep their commitments" section in Preach my Gospel about everyday. I'm SO tired of excuses. But Elder Oaks gave some great remarks and the investigators that were there loved it. By the way I got to shake his hand. He said "Elder Wilson, where are you from?" California. "What part?" San Francisco area. "Is Larry Wilson your Dad?" I was pretty impressed, he's a quick guy. Anyways, Dad, he asked about you and told me to tell you that the Bretheren are praying for you.
I ought to let you all know about a great confounding moment. I have lots of those because this town is so over-run with, to be honest, ill-intended preachers and churches. A few well-intentioned ones too, but a lot of churches are built here just to make money. Anyways I was talking to one pentecostal lady and she said "You believe that Jesus Christ is our BROTHER! and he's not our brother, he's our FATHER!" She was about hysterical so I calmed her down a little bit and acknowledged that yes, in many important ways, Christ is our father. I talked about that for a minute and then said "But sister, to whom did Christ pray, his heavenly father, right?" yes. "Is that Heavenly father our father?" Of course. "So if Christ's father, is our father, that would make us...." She was quiet for a minute and said "Jesus is God, please leave now" The confusion! Apostasy!
Well one more random story and then I'll have to close. Chaparral is the most random town in the world. Crazy things just happen. Poor people living in a run down trailer with a pet peacock, things like that. The other day we were knocking on a door and we heard this little whimper/cry thing on the other side. We keep knocking. "Hello? Can you hear us?" My companion says, it's probably just a little girl. We turn around to leave and I look back, and there's a baby lamb standing on top of a couch, with its head peeked between the curtains, looking at us through the window. CHAPARRAL CRAZINESS! I LOVE IT!
Anyways, despite the adversity and everything, there's a lot of great people out here who are excited to hear the message of the restoration, and how their family can be together forever. The gospel is true and I'm so greatful for it!
I love you all family! Hope everything is going well, keep me updated!
Love,
Elder Wilson
First off I"ll answer some questions.
I DID recieve the calendar before Christmas and I actually did mention it in the call home. I LOVE IT! I was actually looking through it and saw the picture of us all at the Temple and I saw myself in that old suit and thought, "Hey, why didn't I bring that suit?" So that's the one I was talking about. Mom, however, reminded me why I didn't bring it... it's a really nice suit. So on second thought please don't send the suit, but the socks, shoes, and belt I could use!
The mail here is safe and so you can send me packages to my Chaparral address.
BTW, I own J-dubs. I eat them for a living. It's funny that a group claiming to be the government of Jehovah on the earth wouldn't claim any divine authority for their beginings. And the idea that their wacked out Bible is based on the earliest available Hebrew and Greek texts is down right laughable. So please don't think that I have problems with them, just with that one scripture.
Oh yeah, and I'm not driving a stick which is good because I don't know how, and the truck is good, and very necessary since half of the roads in Chaparral are dirt.
Congradulations to Ben Ivory on the mission call! I think that Washington is probably the exact opposite (in climate) of where I am now. So enjoy enough rain and green for the both of us!
I've got a few quick stories for you. First one that involves a Jehova's Witness. We knocked on his door and he informed us that he was a Jehova's Witness and wasn't interested. I asked him if he wouldn't mind getting his Bible so that we could read together, and he said he was busy. So I asked him if I could leave him with a reference to read later and he said okay. I meant to leave him with Mark 11:26 which is a scripture that they don't have in their wacked out Bible. IT just says 26:--- But I accidentally got the numbers mixed up and left him with Mark 6:11. Well it turns out that Mark 6:11 says
"ANd whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. VErily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."
Oops.
So this weekend we had a stake conference and DALLIN H. OAKS came! I love Elder Oaks. There isn't an ounce of guille in him. He's so sincere and kind. We only got two investigators there, the rest flaked. I'm studying the "How to help your investigators keep their commitments" section in Preach my Gospel about everyday. I'm SO tired of excuses. But Elder Oaks gave some great remarks and the investigators that were there loved it. By the way I got to shake his hand. He said "Elder Wilson, where are you from?" California. "What part?" San Francisco area. "Is Larry Wilson your Dad?" I was pretty impressed, he's a quick guy. Anyways, Dad, he asked about you and told me to tell you that the Bretheren are praying for you.
I ought to let you all know about a great confounding moment. I have lots of those because this town is so over-run with, to be honest, ill-intended preachers and churches. A few well-intentioned ones too, but a lot of churches are built here just to make money. Anyways I was talking to one pentecostal lady and she said "You believe that Jesus Christ is our BROTHER! and he's not our brother, he's our FATHER!" She was about hysterical so I calmed her down a little bit and acknowledged that yes, in many important ways, Christ is our father. I talked about that for a minute and then said "But sister, to whom did Christ pray, his heavenly father, right?" yes. "Is that Heavenly father our father?" Of course. "So if Christ's father, is our father, that would make us...." She was quiet for a minute and said "Jesus is God, please leave now" The confusion! Apostasy!
Well one more random story and then I'll have to close. Chaparral is the most random town in the world. Crazy things just happen. Poor people living in a run down trailer with a pet peacock, things like that. The other day we were knocking on a door and we heard this little whimper/cry thing on the other side. We keep knocking. "Hello? Can you hear us?" My companion says, it's probably just a little girl. We turn around to leave and I look back, and there's a baby lamb standing on top of a couch, with its head peeked between the curtains, looking at us through the window. CHAPARRAL CRAZINESS! I LOVE IT!
Anyways, despite the adversity and everything, there's a lot of great people out here who are excited to hear the message of the restoration, and how their family can be together forever. The gospel is true and I'm so greatful for it!
I love you all family! Hope everything is going well, keep me updated!
Love,
Elder Wilson
January 7, 2008 - Fueron bautizados otra vez. . que raro
Hello everyone! First to answer some questions:
1) We drive 20 minutes over to a town called Anthony in order to go to church.
2) If you are Google mapping where I live, I'm in the little group of trailers, the farthest one back.
3) It's a branch, not a ward
4) We drive into the northeast part of El Paso in order to buy things (Unfortunately Stires and the Dollar Store just don't cut it)
5) I still do have some emergen-c but I could really use some Mephisto thick socks.
6) I'm fully recovered now and excited to work full speed!
Ok so I think that's all the questions.
So I think I'll give a little more in depth picture of what Chaparral is like. If you googlemap it you can see that it is indeed all trailers. There are hundreds of nasty dogs running everywhere. There are tons of churches out here. The J-dubs are huge. Pentacostals are huge. Some church called the church of Smirnoff or something like that. So I'm actually kinda tired of battling with people at this point. I do a LOT of calling unto repentance. Oh yeah, we drive a truck, too, because about half of the roads aren't paved, just dirt.
There's nothing like Chaparral in the world. I love it, I really do. Yes, it's ugly and uncomfortable in a lot of ways, but you just have to think of it as an adventure and be able to laugh at the pure craziness of it. There are a few cities that are pretty similar to El Paso, same with Tucson, but there is nowhere in THE WORLD quite like Chaparral.
Anyways, as for things that happened this week. We set a baptismal date with an investigator, Oswaldo, who's been investigating forever and has never set a baptismal date. Alma 32:16, does the trick every time. He's awesome and I am PUMPED for his date. It's February 16.
One quick battle story. We were talking with a couple of guys from some weird church and they just had some CRAZY doctrines. One of those was that there is no such thing as authority from God, that faith is the same as authority. We told him that there is a story in the new testament of a people being baptized, and then Paul comes along and finds out that it wasn't done with the proper authority and he baptizes them again. He says "I don't believe it! That never happened! You're making things up." We than take his Bible and have him read the story and he just says "...Fueron bautizados otra vez...que raro." (They were baptized again...that's weird) CONFOUNDED! It was awesome.
Well anyways. I'm healthy now. Everything is going great. The restored gospel is true. I gotta go run, we have a zone activity but I love you all!
Love,
Elder Wilson
1) We drive 20 minutes over to a town called Anthony in order to go to church.
2) If you are Google mapping where I live, I'm in the little group of trailers, the farthest one back.
3) It's a branch, not a ward
4) We drive into the northeast part of El Paso in order to buy things (Unfortunately Stires and the Dollar Store just don't cut it)
5) I still do have some emergen-c but I could really use some Mephisto thick socks.
6) I'm fully recovered now and excited to work full speed!
Ok so I think that's all the questions.
So I think I'll give a little more in depth picture of what Chaparral is like. If you googlemap it you can see that it is indeed all trailers. There are hundreds of nasty dogs running everywhere. There are tons of churches out here. The J-dubs are huge. Pentacostals are huge. Some church called the church of Smirnoff or something like that. So I'm actually kinda tired of battling with people at this point. I do a LOT of calling unto repentance. Oh yeah, we drive a truck, too, because about half of the roads aren't paved, just dirt.
There's nothing like Chaparral in the world. I love it, I really do. Yes, it's ugly and uncomfortable in a lot of ways, but you just have to think of it as an adventure and be able to laugh at the pure craziness of it. There are a few cities that are pretty similar to El Paso, same with Tucson, but there is nowhere in THE WORLD quite like Chaparral.
Anyways, as for things that happened this week. We set a baptismal date with an investigator, Oswaldo, who's been investigating forever and has never set a baptismal date. Alma 32:16, does the trick every time. He's awesome and I am PUMPED for his date. It's February 16.
One quick battle story. We were talking with a couple of guys from some weird church and they just had some CRAZY doctrines. One of those was that there is no such thing as authority from God, that faith is the same as authority. We told him that there is a story in the new testament of a people being baptized, and then Paul comes along and finds out that it wasn't done with the proper authority and he baptizes them again. He says "I don't believe it! That never happened! You're making things up." We than take his Bible and have him read the story and he just says "...Fueron bautizados otra vez...que raro." (They were baptized again...that's weird) CONFOUNDED! It was awesome.
Well anyways. I'm healthy now. Everything is going great. The restored gospel is true. I gotta go run, we have a zone activity but I love you all!
Love,
Elder Wilson
January 2, 2008 - Happy New Year!
First things first.
749-D El Paseo
Chaparral, New Mexico 88081
That's my adrress, hopefully that stops Dad from busting some heads on the way to finding it on his own.
So Chaparral is amazing... I think. My companion and I have both been very sick so I haven't been out for a full day of proselyting yet. But from what I have experienced so far I love it! Lot's of Jehova's Witness, dogs, trailers, dirt roads, and HUMBLE PEOPLE READY FOR THE GOSPEL! So that's a really good combo.
We live in a trailer, just like everyone else. In my last area we had the smallest apartment in the mission (maybe in the world!) so the trailer seems like a mansion to me! It's got a bedroom, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a little study area, and even a little workout room with a bench! It really is pretty nice.
My companion, Elder Erickson, is really good. He's the District Leader here and he's a very good missionary. The only problem with him is that he's got the same weakness that I do: A bad memory. This makes us a really dangerous combo but it's good becauase it's making me stretch and improve in the area of remembering appts. and such.
One good thing about being sick is that I had the chance to start Jesus the Christ, and also to read "The Real George". For those of you who don't know, The Real George is the autobiography of my grandpa George Wilson. I think Aunt Pam sent it to me (THANK YOU!). Anyways, I loved it! It was very very good, and almost (ALMOST) gave me my first desires to move to Salt Lake City at some point in my life.
Oh, family, there are some things that I wanted you to send me and I will just remind you really quickly what those were:
Mephisto Socks
My old striped suit
My brown slip on shoes
One of my brown belts if you can find it.
It's freeeeeeeeeezing out here in Chaparral by the way. That's actually how I got sick. I went to sleep with just one blanket on and was fine but the gas ran out in the middle of the night and I got chilled really bad during the night.
...well I wish I had more to tell you all. I guess the only exciting things that have been happening these past few days are my awesome personal studies and language studies that I've been having all day long. I can't wait to actually get out into Chaparral and start DOING WORK!
I love you all! Hope everything is going well back home!
Love,
Elder Wilson
749-D El Paseo
Chaparral, New Mexico 88081
That's my adrress, hopefully that stops Dad from busting some heads on the way to finding it on his own.
So Chaparral is amazing... I think. My companion and I have both been very sick so I haven't been out for a full day of proselyting yet. But from what I have experienced so far I love it! Lot's of Jehova's Witness, dogs, trailers, dirt roads, and HUMBLE PEOPLE READY FOR THE GOSPEL! So that's a really good combo.
We live in a trailer, just like everyone else. In my last area we had the smallest apartment in the mission (maybe in the world!) so the trailer seems like a mansion to me! It's got a bedroom, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a little study area, and even a little workout room with a bench! It really is pretty nice.
My companion, Elder Erickson, is really good. He's the District Leader here and he's a very good missionary. The only problem with him is that he's got the same weakness that I do: A bad memory. This makes us a really dangerous combo but it's good becauase it's making me stretch and improve in the area of remembering appts. and such.
One good thing about being sick is that I had the chance to start Jesus the Christ, and also to read "The Real George". For those of you who don't know, The Real George is the autobiography of my grandpa George Wilson. I think Aunt Pam sent it to me (THANK YOU!). Anyways, I loved it! It was very very good, and almost (ALMOST) gave me my first desires to move to Salt Lake City at some point in my life.
Oh, family, there are some things that I wanted you to send me and I will just remind you really quickly what those were:
Mephisto Socks
My old striped suit
My brown slip on shoes
One of my brown belts if you can find it.
It's freeeeeeeeeezing out here in Chaparral by the way. That's actually how I got sick. I went to sleep with just one blanket on and was fine but the gas ran out in the middle of the night and I got chilled really bad during the night.
...well I wish I had more to tell you all. I guess the only exciting things that have been happening these past few days are my awesome personal studies and language studies that I've been having all day long. I can't wait to actually get out into Chaparral and start DOING WORK!
I love you all! Hope everything is going well back home!
Love,
Elder Wilson
December 27, 2007 - Merry Christmas from Chapparal
Hello everyone!
First: Where I am. I got sent up the road about 10-15 minutes to a town called Chaparral. Everyone was predicting Tucson but it just goes to show that you never know. The Lord wants me to be where he wants me to be, even if it isn't where In-n-out is.
I'm going to be companions with the District Leader, Elder Erickson. Some of the things I've heard about Chaparral:
1) There are about 5 houses in the entire place, everything else is trailers. There are tons and tons of trailers out there.
2) There's nasty stray dogs everywhere. Elder T served there before and he says that there's more dogs than people.
3) It's a make-or-break area. A lot of elders struggle with it because it's so ghetto and a lot of Elders thrive and love it there. You either love it or you hate it, from what I hear. So I'm gonna love it!
I've heard some other things but I'll let you know more when I actually get there. I already know one of the members out there named Sergio. he loves Elder Thompson so he comes out and visits sometimes. He gave me the nickname "Ivan" (Like in Rocky IV).
Anyways I had a great last week here in El Centro area. We found a new awesome big(7) family and went over and sang them some Christmas hymns on Christmas eve. We also went over and sang to some people that we knew were going to be alone on Christmas. It was amazing to see how much we lit up their day. Also a little bit sad to see people all alone on Christmas. It just really made me appreciate my amazing family.
By the way I got the little package with Mole Family Christmas, Mom's advent, and the chapter from Elder Holland's book. I loved them all, thanks!
Saying goodbye to the members and my investigators was really tough. Especially the Garcia fam. I don't know if I've told you yet but we found out that the Garcias have crossed back over to this side of the border but now Brother Garcia is in Jail for a crime that he didn't do but he'll still probably be there until February while everything gets figured out. I love that family A TON! They call me Califas. That's Mexican slang for California.
I don't know if I've written about Sister Luthi's baptism yet but it was really powerful. For some reason the hot water wouldn't turn on so she got dunked in freezing cold water the poor lady but it was still really powerful, really good baptism.
Thank you family for all of the presents I recieved, especially the electric shaver. It's saving me about 10 minutes every morning which I really appreciate.
oh yeah one thing I forgot to mention. Dad would be proud (kind of). I ate my first oyster! Hated it, it was probably my last, but I sure as heck ate it.
One family that cooked for us on Christmas made some Oyster stew and I tried it. I felt a little bad for not eating the rest of their home made oyster stew, but I was afraid that if I ate any more, I might accidentally leave some home made oyster stew of my own on their kitchen floor.
It was amazing to be able to talk to everyone on Christmas. I'm so blessed to have such an amazing family.
Sorry, I can't remember what else happened this week but next week I'm going to bring my journal with me to write my email so I can remember!
I love you all so much!
Elder Wilson
First: Where I am. I got sent up the road about 10-15 minutes to a town called Chaparral. Everyone was predicting Tucson but it just goes to show that you never know. The Lord wants me to be where he wants me to be, even if it isn't where In-n-out is.
I'm going to be companions with the District Leader, Elder Erickson. Some of the things I've heard about Chaparral:
1) There are about 5 houses in the entire place, everything else is trailers. There are tons and tons of trailers out there.
2) There's nasty stray dogs everywhere. Elder T served there before and he says that there's more dogs than people.
3) It's a make-or-break area. A lot of elders struggle with it because it's so ghetto and a lot of Elders thrive and love it there. You either love it or you hate it, from what I hear. So I'm gonna love it!
I've heard some other things but I'll let you know more when I actually get there. I already know one of the members out there named Sergio. he loves Elder Thompson so he comes out and visits sometimes. He gave me the nickname "Ivan" (Like in Rocky IV).
Anyways I had a great last week here in El Centro area. We found a new awesome big(7) family and went over and sang them some Christmas hymns on Christmas eve. We also went over and sang to some people that we knew were going to be alone on Christmas. It was amazing to see how much we lit up their day. Also a little bit sad to see people all alone on Christmas. It just really made me appreciate my amazing family.
By the way I got the little package with Mole Family Christmas, Mom's advent, and the chapter from Elder Holland's book. I loved them all, thanks!
Saying goodbye to the members and my investigators was really tough. Especially the Garcia fam. I don't know if I've told you yet but we found out that the Garcias have crossed back over to this side of the border but now Brother Garcia is in Jail for a crime that he didn't do but he'll still probably be there until February while everything gets figured out. I love that family A TON! They call me Califas. That's Mexican slang for California.
I don't know if I've written about Sister Luthi's baptism yet but it was really powerful. For some reason the hot water wouldn't turn on so she got dunked in freezing cold water the poor lady but it was still really powerful, really good baptism.
Thank you family for all of the presents I recieved, especially the electric shaver. It's saving me about 10 minutes every morning which I really appreciate.
oh yeah one thing I forgot to mention. Dad would be proud (kind of). I ate my first oyster! Hated it, it was probably my last, but I sure as heck ate it.
One family that cooked for us on Christmas made some Oyster stew and I tried it. I felt a little bad for not eating the rest of their home made oyster stew, but I was afraid that if I ate any more, I might accidentally leave some home made oyster stew of my own on their kitchen floor.
It was amazing to be able to talk to everyone on Christmas. I'm so blessed to have such an amazing family.
Sorry, I can't remember what else happened this week but next week I'm going to bring my journal with me to write my email so I can remember!
I love you all so much!
Elder Wilson
December 17, 2007 - Fire up that chicken casserole captain M. . .
Hello one and all and a Merry Christmas to every one of you! It's nice and chilly here in El Paso and so I appreciate all of those warm clothes I recieved!
Parents: I haven't recieved those lastest packages yet but hopefully they'll come soon.
Sister Clark thank you so much for the package that was so nice! I really appreciated the treats and the gloves and hat!
How are things back home? And in Virginia? Is it snowing a lot? How's everyone doing? I'll bet Nikolai is getting to be huge! Can baby Luke crawl yet? Is baby Eva a cryer? Lemme know!
So it has been an amazing week. We found some great new families and we've got a baptism scheduled for each of the next two weekends: Vanessa, a single mother with five daughters, and sister Luthi, the wife in a part-member family.
We found and are now teaching a really cool lady named Alice! It was a miracle how she was found. Elder Thompson was on exchanges and they felt a prompting to knock a certain door and she had been praying for help! She's AAAAaaaaaawesome!
Quick second to answer Mom's questions:
1) I'm taking pictures with my camera but not nearly enough. I'll try to send home a memory card or a CD soon.
2)I've got enough warm clothes thanks to your package so I'm doing fine in that regard although our apartment doesn't have heat so we're freezing at night and in the morning.
3) Yes we're on car-share so we're riding bikes half the time and I'm going to be using some of your money to buy a new bike because I broke my ancient 1970's bike that I was riding before.
4) I've given out copies of your books to missionaries, members, and investigators and would love a bunch more if you have any more. Trust me I'll find a good use for them. (And yes, they really do love Mary down here)
We got some news from the Mission President that Mike Huckabee has been Mormon-bashing. I'm definitely sorry to hear that. But we haven't felt the backlash down here. I think that people down here are generally more involved in Mexican politics (If they're involved in politics at all.)
Contacted an Argentine the other day and I thought she was speaking Italian at first! So different sounding, the Spanish down there, but cool.
One experience that actually happened a week or two ago but I'm not sure I wrote home about that was HILARIOUS! Elder Thompson contacted a black man on the street and got a reaction that he wasn't expecting. Here are some of the highlight quotes of how the man responded to him:
"Man I'm here living on the streets, I haven't eaten in three days, and you give me a picture of a WHITE JESUS?"
Elder T: "Well do you want the card?"
Man: "Can I eat it?"
By the way, the people down here have some weeeeird Catholic beliefs. I've gotten it a few times where I ask someone "Do you believe in Jesus Christ?" And they say "No, I believe in the virgin".
...
Nonsensical stuff like that throws me for a loop; I don't know how to respond. At least they're honest with themselves.
By the way I don't know if I've written home about this yet but Fort Bliss is in our area over here so I spend every other Sunday at services on the military base with most of the members in full fatigues. They've got some amazing faith out there and I love those Soldier/Saints. Please remember to keep them in your prayers.
Well I'd better get going but I love you all and I'm praying for all of you! The gospel is true! Jesus is the Christ!
Love,
Elder Wilson
Parents: I haven't recieved those lastest packages yet but hopefully they'll come soon.
Sister Clark thank you so much for the package that was so nice! I really appreciated the treats and the gloves and hat!
How are things back home? And in Virginia? Is it snowing a lot? How's everyone doing? I'll bet Nikolai is getting to be huge! Can baby Luke crawl yet? Is baby Eva a cryer? Lemme know!
So it has been an amazing week. We found some great new families and we've got a baptism scheduled for each of the next two weekends: Vanessa, a single mother with five daughters, and sister Luthi, the wife in a part-member family.
We found and are now teaching a really cool lady named Alice! It was a miracle how she was found. Elder Thompson was on exchanges and they felt a prompting to knock a certain door and she had been praying for help! She's AAAAaaaaaawesome!
Quick second to answer Mom's questions:
1) I'm taking pictures with my camera but not nearly enough. I'll try to send home a memory card or a CD soon.
2)I've got enough warm clothes thanks to your package so I'm doing fine in that regard although our apartment doesn't have heat so we're freezing at night and in the morning.
3) Yes we're on car-share so we're riding bikes half the time and I'm going to be using some of your money to buy a new bike because I broke my ancient 1970's bike that I was riding before.
4) I've given out copies of your books to missionaries, members, and investigators and would love a bunch more if you have any more. Trust me I'll find a good use for them. (And yes, they really do love Mary down here)
We got some news from the Mission President that Mike Huckabee has been Mormon-bashing. I'm definitely sorry to hear that. But we haven't felt the backlash down here. I think that people down here are generally more involved in Mexican politics (If they're involved in politics at all.)
Contacted an Argentine the other day and I thought she was speaking Italian at first! So different sounding, the Spanish down there, but cool.
One experience that actually happened a week or two ago but I'm not sure I wrote home about that was HILARIOUS! Elder Thompson contacted a black man on the street and got a reaction that he wasn't expecting. Here are some of the highlight quotes of how the man responded to him:
"Man I'm here living on the streets, I haven't eaten in three days, and you give me a picture of a WHITE JESUS?"
Elder T: "Well do you want the card?"
Man: "Can I eat it?"
By the way, the people down here have some weeeeird Catholic beliefs. I've gotten it a few times where I ask someone "Do you believe in Jesus Christ?" And they say "No, I believe in the virgin".
...
Nonsensical stuff like that throws me for a loop; I don't know how to respond. At least they're honest with themselves.
By the way I don't know if I've written home about this yet but Fort Bliss is in our area over here so I spend every other Sunday at services on the military base with most of the members in full fatigues. They've got some amazing faith out there and I love those Soldier/Saints. Please remember to keep them in your prayers.
Well I'd better get going but I love you all and I'm praying for all of you! The gospel is true! Jesus is the Christ!
Love,
Elder Wilson
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