Jan 12, 2009-- Kings to you

Hello everybody! It's been another week (Not really, it's only been three days) here in dusty Sunland Park. Everything is going well, I'm alive and still preaching the gospel. To start things off I would like to throw in a quick quote from Levi Wilson from a recent letter:
"Things here are great and terrible. Terrible because you're on a mission and I have to write you..." and then he goes on to explain why his life is great at the same time. I can completely understand the feeling Levi, don't worry about it.
Well I don't know if I mentioned this in the last letter but because of some circumstances we're losing a companionship from our ward which means we're going to be taking over a little bit of El Paso in our Spanish area (As opposed to just Sunland Park and Santa Teresa). We also adopted a couple of baptismal dates so that's pretty cool.
Yesterday I headed up to the Anthony branch to do some baptismal interviews (SIX!!!!) You will remember that I served in the Anthony branch a while ago when I was in Chaparral so it was good to see some familiar faces. One of those faces was Veronica Varela, who would not be convinced to NOT go out and get us some Wendy's. I tried to tell her that it DOES count even though she isn't baptized but she wouldn't listen.
We played some tennis this morning, and my new companion is a real player. We played some doubles and spanked the other elders and then we played singles and I came out victorious, 6-4 in one set. Tell Evan Carlile to watch out, I'm gunnin' for him for the number one spot on the Wilson family team.
I scratched out a poem this morning. It's REALLY rough, but I like it. So Mom maybe you could edit it before you send this email out but here it is:

The little child eyed the box
that was to be moved inside,
and dreamed of what his parents wouldsay if he could do it
oh, their joy! their pride!
The box was slightly larger than he,
and probably heavier too.
But he thought, "There must be some way I can lift it,
I'll do whatever I must do."
So he flung his arms out as wide as he could
(though they reached not half way 'round the thing)
and he pulled and he pulled, and he lifted and tugged,
but he just was not able it seemed.
'Till he gave one last tug, and then all of the sudden,
he found he was holding the box.
Which left him, quite frankly, a little surprised,
but he thought "I'm as strong as an ox!"
As he moved on, into the house,
he marveled at his prodigal strength,
and smirkingly strutted through the living room
before seeing the box down, at length.
The he made the saying known abroad
that he could lift (almost) any thing
and advertised his box moving skills
to neighbors and family and friends.
So when the woman next door, told him one day,
that she had some boxes to move
he responded "I'll do it" in less than a breath
but this time, things did not go so smooth.
Again, the boxes were larger than he,
and those cardboard monsters he just could not budge.
So after a thousand attempts (maybe more)
he gave up, his face tear streaked and dirt smudged.
Then he felt a familiar hand on his shoulder
and heard a low, gentle voice:
"My son, what are you doing over here?
Those boxes are too big, my boy."
Well the boy ran to his father as fast as he could
and told him the story, through sobs,
of the box that he'd been able to move with ease before,
oh how back then he had been oh so strong.
The father listened with patience and love
before responding "Son, it was me all along.
I was the one who did all of the lifting
your hands were touching, but frankly, that's all.
But, my boy, I'll make you a deal, right now
that if you do what I ask for forever,
I'll always stay here, right by your side,
and we can keep lifting together."


Well anyways, like I said, it's kind of rough, I'm sure I made some typing errors just now, and it doesn't have much of a conclusion but maybe it'll mean something to someone.
That's a feeling you get a lot in this mission, you look back at past success and think "Why can't I do that anymore?" Because you forgot that you weren't actually doing any of the "doing" in the first place. God just lets us place our hands on the work because he's kind.

Well that's about it for this weeks edition. Tune in next week for some more exciting news from the armpit of Texas, er... I mean, the pride of Texas (An investigator from Dallas said it, I just repeated it.)

The gospel is true, I'm so great full for the opportunity that I have to be a part of this wonderful work. Thanks for your letters (Even though they're in short supply lately) and emails and support. I love you all so very much.

Elder Ben "Tree" Wilson

Jan 8, 2009-- What about second breakfast?

Hello one and all! It's been another great week here in El Paso. Yes, I'm still here. Although we did get a pretty unexpected transfer call: Elder Matute got transfered over to Rio Rico Arizona where he's training a new missionary! One good thing about Elder Matute being gone is that I'm not going to have to fight anyone to go on exchanges out to Chaparral anymore! (Elder Matute had served there before, as well) My new companion is an English Elder! His name is Elder Bennion, and he took four years of Spanish before his mission and can teach some basic lessons and contact and have basic conversations in Spanish so it's not a big deal. And I'm sure that with six weeks of practicing and studying he'll be as good as good at Spanish as any other missionary out there.

But Elder Bennion is an amazing missionary, he's been out for about 20 months and is one of the very best in the mission. He's from Colorado Springs, Colorado and likes basketball and tennis so we'll get along just fine.

But anyways that means that you all can start sending letters again(hint, hint). Just incase you forgot the address is:

1215 Country Club rd. apt. 7
Santa Teresa, NM 88008

Well the big news of the week is that the Meeks got baptized! It was an incredibly powerful baptism, and there was a lot of support from the ward there. It's the best feeling in the world to have a baptism and to know that your converts are in good hands. And the Meeks are in good hands; The members of this ward have just really stepped up and offered a lot of friendship and support. I baptized sister Meek (A daunting task because she's scared of water) and my companion baptized Brother Meek (A daunting task because he's huge) and everything went down just fine. (Excecpt for that I couldn't find my white pants and had to use a jumpsuit... and they do NOT make jumpsuits for 6'3" guys.)

The confirmations were awesome as well. Afterwards, Brother Meek said "I have received the laying on of hands three times before in different churches but I have NEVER felt anything like that before." The power of God truly is manifest in the ordinances of the gospel.

Quick random coincidence: It turns out that the Bishop's son, Tyler Payne, the one we played tennis with, is Nena Smith's home teacher up at BYU. Small world.

Well ladies and gents that's about it for this week's edition. The gospel is still true. Sunland Park is still dusty. I appreciate all of the love and support that I receive from my family and friends.

Till next time,

Elder Ben Wilson

Dec 29, 2008-- Gump, why did you assemble that gun so fast? Because you told me to, drill sergeant!

Hello everybody! It's been another good week here in good 'ol El Paso. The Meek family is going to be baptized this Saturday. It's amazing to see how they've changed around. The other elders started teaching her a few weeks before I got into the area but they tell me that at first it was just all Bible-bashing with them all the time. It was still pretty intense when I first got here so it's pretty amazing to see them getting baptized.

Christmas was fantastic. I'm still full from it, though. We had three dinner appointments for Christmas and Christmas eve. (Cue all of the RMs "When I was in *Name of South American country* we were lucky if we got fed three times a year!*) It was good to talk to the family, and thank you to everybody who sent me Christmas cards, I appreciate all of the love.

Big news of the week is member referals. We've received 3 or 4 member referals which are just DYNAMITE! In the zone we've received a few others and we're seeing a lot of success from it.

Also, I've had the opportunity to learn a lot these past few weeks as we've gone on splits with a lot of RMs who are home from Utah for the holidays. We're going to be sorry to lose them in a couple of weeks.

This morning we played some tenis. We played doubles, the Bishop's son, Tyler Payne, and I, against Elder Matute and another Elder named Elder Larsen. Elder Larsen's team was strongly favored since he was a state champ in tenis back in Utah, but David beat Goliath this time and we squeeked by a victory in tie breakers. 7-6(8-6).

Veronica Varela is close to getting baptized (Someone I found and taught almost a year ago)... I got to visit her and her familiy on Christmas eve. The Chaparral Elders have the marriage license and everything and now it's just a matter of getting her husband Chewie to sign it, and it sounds like he's close to just doing it. This woman deserves baptism more than anyone I've ever met. She's read through the Book of Mormon all the way and is half way through reading it a second time. She's attended church regularly for almost a year, and regularly gives rides to other investigators. She feeds the missionaries weekly. So needless to say, I'm pretty excited about the prospect of her finally getting baptized.

By the way, this is my last P-day until transfers (WOAH snuck up on me) and so you might want to start sending letters to the mission office. Yes, there is a 90% chance I WON'T get transfered but it's always nice to be safe.

Well a lot more stuff happened this week, but I can't remember right now. Next time, I'll bring my journal to the email session (Which I've started writing in again things to the urgings of Mom). I love you all and am greatful for your continued support.

Till next time,

Elder Tree Wilson

It's possible, Pig, I may be bluffing....

Happy Wednesday everybody! As you may have guessed, we weren't able to email on Monday because of MLK day. But here I am and it's been a great week so far.

First of all we had two baptisms on Saturday (and two confirmations on Sunday). A woman and her daughter, Zineb and Alexzy. Yes, I know that their names are weird. Zineb's Dad is from Morocco so that's where that comes from. The baptism was really powerful, and they're looking really strong right now.

Yesterday was zone conference and it was AMAZING! My companion and I were asked to give a training on how to work with members and that went really well. President Walker gave an incredible training on the atonement and the sacrament. It was just unbelievably powerful. He talked about Christ's appearing in the Americas and how the people weren't truly converted until they saw the marks in his hands and feet, the emblems of his sacrifice, so to speak. Afterwards the sacrament was blessed and administered. (yes, we can do that, I already asked) The spirit was THICK, almost tangible. It was crazy. I guess I'm just kind of giving up on the written word at this point, there's no way I could possibly type how strongly the spirit was present.

Also, we had an opportunity to go on exchanges with the assistants the other day. I was comped up with an Elder named Elder Moss and he's AWESOME. We had a really cool experience right after Zone Conference. We had already chosen the night before an area that we were going to knock for the half hour we had between zone conference and a service project for an investigator. Well we drove to the area, felt inspired to stop at a certain point, and pulled over. We grabbed our books hopped out, and another car pulled up right behind us, a woman, just coming home. We contacted her, taught her a first lesson (She was super ready to hear the gospel), gave her a Book of Mormon, set up a return appointment for the next day (later today) and when we finished, we realized it was time for the service project so we packed up and left. It was just like an appointment with the Lord. We pulled up, our investigator came, we taught our lesson, and then left. Total miracle, it was awesome.

To answer the questions real quick:
My health is fine. I did get the packages from home (THANK YOU SO MUCH!) The weather here is warm during the day (mid 70s) and cold at night. We haven't had any wind storms in a long time. Thank you for the updates on MV basketball and let me know what happens in their shadow with De La Salle ASAP.

Well the work just continues to progress here in El Paso. This is the true gospel of Jesus Christ, and it's just going to keep filling the earth. I'm happy to be here and glad to be serving the Lord. A sincere thanks to all of you who offer your support through emails, letters, and prayers. It sure makes it a lot easier to be a missionary when you have such a great group of friends standing behind and supporting you.

Love,

Elder Ben Wilson

Merry Christmas to You All!

Hello friends of Ben. This is Ben's mom, the webmaster. Ben didn't write a regular letter this week. He wrote us a handwritten letter. He is now back near El Paso where he has frequent opportunities to revisit Chapparal, New Mexico, the trailer park city where he spent many months early in his mission. This is what he wrote:

"This year, I am asking all of my friends for a very special Christmas present.

As you may know, I am a missionary for the LDS church serving in El Paso, Texas. About a year ago I had the opportunity to teach a family and help them come unto Christ.  Just recently I went back and visited this single mother and her daughter and found them in despair and distanced from the teachings of Jesus Christ.  The daughter had even recently attempted to commit suicide.

I noted that they had no friends to help them stay firm in the church or give them comfort.

Upon returning home from seeing this I wrote this poem.

What I want for Christmas is for you to read this poem and reflect upon how you might better help the down-trodden and those in despair and then put that into action. Then write me a letter and let me know how it went. Thank you so much and may God bless you in your efforts to serve others in this Christmas season. Sincerely, Elder Ben Wilson."
He included this address: 1840 East River Road, Suite 102, Tucson, Arizona 85718

Here's his poem, and I think it's pretty darn good!

Beyond the Gate:
A Poem for Those in Zion
by Elder Ben Wilson

The air is brisk, the stars are out
And lights are glowing dim.
I watch atop the city walls
And see the peace within.
The town is safe from fear and harm
And all can act as though
There was no raging war without,
Inside—no fear of foe.

I feel content, my heart at peace,
To think what I have done.
For I’ve brought some within the walls
Before the setting sun.
I've saved them from the enemy
Who in the darkness hides.
He seeks to hurt, to kill and break---
The father of all lies.

But as I watch, I hear approach
The sound of hurried feet,
And see a single, lonely lamp
Below me in the street.
I call out “The woods are dark,
The hour is growing late.
Tell me now what brings you here
Before the city gate?

“I beg you not to leave behind
The safety of the light,
For the enemy is on the move
And watches in the night.
He seeks for souls who dare to leave
The protection of this place.
Do not go out—do not go out!
Don’t make this choice in haste.”

The footsteps cease, the lantern’s raised
And through the night I see
A young girl’s tear-stained, shadowed face,
A face well known to me.
It’s the orphan girl who weeks ago
I’d brought into the light,
Now standing there with lamp in hand.
My heart stops at the sight.

Her face is set, her eyes on guard;
I see there fear and doubt.
Her fists clench hard,
I hear her say,
“What enemy without?
It’s not so bad, the place I was
Before you brought me here.
I had my friends to comfort me,
To bring me needed cheer.
Your walled-off city is too cold,
I have no friends in there.
So thank you for the pleasant stay.
Don’t worry, have no fear;
I know you tried to help me…but
I must be on my way.”

I try to speak, to yell, to plead,
But fear my throat has bound.
So through the gates into the night
She slips without a sound.
For days I pray and watch and wait
For a miracle from above,
Until I finally realize
The miracle is love.

And then my prayer becomes a plea
For strength in present need
And with some fear, but ever hope,
I mount upon my steed.
I charge into that bitter realm
And tear on through the night--
Keep riding, riding without heed,
Till I see morning’s light.
Then through those dim and fragile beams
I see upon the ground
A lonely, sorry, broken child;
My orphan girl is found.

Her face is lined, her cloak is torn,
Her arms show battle scars.
Her hope and light and laugh and love
Gone out like dampened fires.
Upon the ground, I bend my knee
And give the girl my arm.
“It’s over now, the night is passed;
Come where you’re safe from harm.
The world is cruel outside the gates
And though now all looks black,
You have a place within the walls.
Oh, orphan girl, come back.”

Merry Christmas to All Friends of Ben!! Here are a few recent pics!

See you around kid....No you won't

Hello one and all! It's hard to believe it's been another week. This past week I had the opportunity to go on exchanges to El Centro and to Chaparral, two areas which I've served in previously. It was fun to go back and see some of the people I had taught and baptized before, but also sobering, in some cases, to see what's come of it in the past year. I won't mention to much here in this email but there's a hand-written letter forthcoming. It's already written and everything I just need to get some pictures together and send it off.

By the way that granola is AMAZING. Thank you so much Mom. The assistants are on exchanges with us today and they had some of it for breakfast and are fully converted to Wilson family home-made granola.

We have a baptism coming up this saturday for a woman named Olga. She's AMAZING! One day she just decided that there was something missing in her life, she describes it as "Being alive, but not living". Well the next day the missionaries knocked her door and she's been AWESOME ever since. Every single lesson with her is a spiritual brouhaha. I'm reminded every day that there really are people out there who "are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it".

One thing I've developed in this area is a lot more respect for English elders. We do quite a bit of English work here... And it's hard! We've got a tiny tiny area in Spanish and a HUGE English area and we have the same amount of work in both.

Q&A time:
Yes we live in an apartment complex.
Yes I'm going to send you a ton of pictures today.
I do have my camera and I'm about to fill it up so I'll let you upload all the pictures from the media disk and then send it back.
As for Christmas... I want one really big present, but I'll be sending that in the snail mail letter.
If people want to send me presents, I want:
Ties
Socks
Uh... some cool Christmas cds? Especially talks. I love talks. Especially Neal A Maxwell, Jeffrey Holland, and James E. Faust. But feel free to send anything that would be good.
Oh yeah and I want some SIGNED "The Inkeeper's Wife"s to give to some investigators, converts, and such. Around 20-30 would be appreciated. (If at all possible, I don't know if you still have left overs.) People went crazy over the signed copies last year.

Well anyways that's about it for this weeks edition. I'm excited to talk to you all on Christmas. Parents, expect a hand-written letter soon.

Love,

Elder Ben Wilson

We're Detecting an Alarming Level of Methane in Your Oxygen Supply!

Hello everybody! I can barely remember what I wrote last week so I'll probably repeat some stuff starting with: I'm here in El Paso! We're in charge of two wards. One is English and the other is Spanish. We had two food appointments with English families and one appointment with a Spanish family. The food was delicious in all three homes and I was SUPER stuffed by the end of the day. Speaking of which I'm in full car and I can already feel myself getting fatter.

This morning we played a little bit of tennis and a little bit of basketball as well. There aren't any real tennis players in the zone so I took the crown and then of course basketball was basketball.

By the way Matute is not a Polynesian name although it does kind of sound like that. Elder Matute, my companion, was born in Honduras and grew up in Florida and he says that the name is eventually from Spain. He speaks perfect Spanish and English and is an all-around stud. He's widely known as one of the best teachers in the mission and one of the easiest people to get along with.

El Paso is way different than Tucson. I forgot how NICE the people are around here. Even the white people! I think the Mexicans rub off on them and they're just nicer.

Oh by the way, my address is:

1215 Country Club rd. #7
Santa Teresa, NM, 88008

Oh yeah, you'll notice that we live in New Mexico. About 50 yards from the border between the two states and our area is half-Texas, half-New Mexico.

Tonight I get to go on exchanges to Chaparral! I miss that area so much and it's going to be cool to be able to see my converts again! And to see the golf course that I built in the yard! One of the greatest things I learned in that area is how to enjoy anything. To turn lemons into lemonade as they say. At one point I decided "I can't stop the dust storms from coming, so I'm going to love them." And I found a way to do it! You go knock doors during the dust storms and when people answer you say "It's crazy out here could you let us in for a minute?!?" and then teach an awesome lesson in their house. I can't explain how but a part of me really misses rabid dogs running everywhere and dust storms and not having anything nearby and being able to name every piece of vegetation in the town. So needless to say, I'm excited to go back.

But sorry, you probably want to hear more about where I am now. Well you've got two extremes. There's west side El Paso and Santa Teresa which are quite wealthy and, not surprisingly, don't have much work in them, and then there's Sunland park which is dirt poor and dirty and is full of investigators and lots of work.

I gave a talk in sacrament meeting in the Spanish ward. It went well. I shamelessly recycled all of the good jokes I have ever told in any talk. The ward especially liked the story of when Mom forgot to tell me that I was going to give a talk and ran a piece of paper to me at the last minute that said "Ben, you're giving a talk today, here it is."

I focused my remarks on the miracle of The Restoration and how it's spreading throughout the world. I don't quite know why but when people hear "There were 250,000 convert baptisms in the world last year!" They tend to get really excited about missionary work. I guess it feels good to feel like you're winning. (And we ARE winning!)

Well folks I was going to share one more experience but as soon as I started typing it down it felt too sacred to share. But when I get back from my mission ask me about Hermana Acosta and her sister.

Thank you all so much for the pictures and emails, I really appreciate it. It really is hard when you don't feel like you're getting any support from home (Something I've never gone through but have seen a lot with other missioanries) and so I truly am grateful for the time and effort that all of you put into writing me.

The work is going well here. It's good to be back in El Paso. Take care all!

Love,

Elder Ben Wilson