Week 18/23

So this past week with Christmas has been an interesting one for sure.

December 20, 2016: We had Service at the Humane society before we went to the J's and spent the rest of the day there.

Spiritual: You are always influencing those you know. Do not be a bad influence.

December 21, 2016: We had a long district meeting before we had dinner with the Cs. Then President C went out with us for a few hours trying people which was really good. 

Spiritual: Turn to the leader around you and they will help you

December 22, 2016: We did service at the local food pantry for a while before we went and tried a number of people including the Ns and M to no success which was a bummer. Then we had dinner with The Ss which was good.

Spiritual: Keep trying one day you will find success. The only way to fail is to stop trying.

December 23, 2016: We had lunch and a visit with the J's which was good. Then we headed up to Sterling and started the exchange. I was with Elder M and it was an interesting night of tracking.

Spiritual: You can learn a lot if you go and find someone new to talk to.

December 24, 2016: We were in Sterling most of the day. The bishop up there invited all four of us to lunch and to play game with his family. After we left Sterling we went to the Ward Mission Leader's home for dinner which was really good. Then we went to the S's to wait and find out transfer information. I will be staying here and Elder H will come up here and be the new district leader. I am excited about the change. I feel that both Elder D and I need it. he will be with another Texas Elder and I will be with an Arizona Elder so that will be fun for both of us.

Spiritual: Learn from others and you will be blessed. 

December 25, 2015: We had Church and B came which was awesome. Then we had Brunch with Bishop W the former bishop and his family. Then we made Skype calls which was awesome. Then I accidentally locked myself out in the blizzard(3 to 5 inches of snow) only wearing a long sleeve shirt and no jacket or gloves which was not fun. Then we studied the rest of the day.

Spiritual: Never give up on someone they might just surprise you.

December 26, 2016: Elder D has been packing. Not much else is planned for the day so it will be good. 

God be with you till we meet again

Elder Joshua Patterson 

I asked him how long he was outside in the snow and he said about 20 to 30 minutes apparently his companion was still Skyping. He also mentioned that he is now in the top half of the Spanish elders only 3 others have been out longer then he has, their are 4 companionship's of Spanish Elders and 4 of Sisters.

It will be interesting to see how 2 native East Valley Elders do in the winter of Colorado.

Christmas Day/ Blizzard while skyping

We got to Skype with Elder Patterson today it was so awesome to see his smiling face. He said they had plans to meet with their zone an hour away but had to cancel do to a blizzard in Fort Morgan. He also shared with us that he was getting a new companion this up coming week. As some of you know  Elder Patterson has been struggling some with wondering why he has been with his current / trainer companion for 18 weeks He has felt for most of this his companion and him have not been unified as a companionship. He has struggled with that and has continually asked for prayers and direction on how to deal with this.Thankfully he has a recently returned sister who has offered him guidance on this many times. After talking to him today both his dad

and I felt like as we have been told many times by our church leaders and in the scriptures that our Heavenly Father can see the whole picture in our lives and we cannot. We also do not know the whole picture of what is going on with those we serve and interact with. We both felt so much better after being able to skype with Joshua today. We both know Heavenly Father does hear and answer our prayers even when it is not on our time frame.

Week 17/ 23 Cold weather

December 19, 2016

So this past week has been surprising productive

.December 13, 2016: We had the humane society before we went and visited with J for about an hour and discovered he was already a member so we got the I go to get his records. After that we went to brush for a while and went to see a family we often do and for the first time they invited us in. Then they said they would like to know more about our church so we gave some hopes there.

Spiritual: Never give up on people and keep showing them love always.

December 14, 2016: We had Zone meeting which was good. We spent a decent amount of time on talking about how we often work by the spirit and do not even recognize it. After zone meeting we had dinner with the W family and they live in the middle of no where so that was a journey for sure. After that we went and visited with B for a while.

Spiritual: All good things are of god so if you doubt and it is good then go for it.

December 15, 2016: We had lunch with sister K which was really good as usual. After that we went and spoke with J's wife for a bit. Then we went and figured out what we were going to be doing the rest of the day. Then we went and visited with M and that was interesting.

Spiritual: Those older than you have a great deal of experience you can never get. Enjoy learning from them and you will be blessed.

December 16, 2016: We had a short visit with E but nothing taught. Then we did planning for the week. Then we had dinner and a lesson with J and J which was fantastic and we got a chance to visit with The ward mission leader for a few minutes. 

Spiritual: Never forget those you have come took know. Visit them on occasion as well.

December 17, 2016: Was a no drive day on account of the snow so we went and walked to a lady whose house we are supposed to shovel. Then we helped shovel the snow at the Church for a while. After that we went and were allowed to drive thankfully. We then visited with the J for a while as well. Then we headed out to W and had a lesson with the D which was also good.

Spiritual: Be grateful for what you have because you never know when it will be gone.

December 18, 2016: We had church which was good. Then we went and were taught how to cook Elder Dfavorite meal by Sister K Then we had dinner with the M and the F which was also really good. Then we met with the Zone leaders for a while which was a surprisingly pleasant visit.

Spiritual: Church always brings peace into one's life

God be with you till we meet again

Elder Joshua Patterson 

He was excited to get his Christmas box with homemade candy and cookies inside..

Week 16/22

December 12, 2016

So Today will be a bit shorter email than normal because of the weird P-Day last week.

December 7, 2016: Was last P-day. Elder D because of slippery roads tit a flat bed trailer damaging our truck a bit but nothing severe luckily.

Spiritual: Do not make decisions you know are reckless because they can hurt you more than you might want them to.

December 8, 2016: We got the accident things finalized thank goodness. Then we had service at Rising up a food pantry which was alright. Then we had dinner with the S who told us about a possible new apartment for us missionaries which is being rented out by their land lady. We then took T out with us and visited a few people.

Spiritual: Never doubt to ask for help from those are willing to help you.

December 9, 2016: We had a short lesson with a less active family in the ward and it was good. Then we did a more thorough weekly planning. Then we had dinner with the R family which was really good. Then we had a short lesson with J and J which was also good.

Spiritual: Never doubt that you can bless people even if they do not seem to be accepting of your advice.

December 10, 2016: We helped the S set up Christmas decorations. Then we contacted their land lady about the apartment they had mentioned a few days previous which we then got to tour. It is really nice it has a stove, oven, and a washer and dryer. So we are hoping that we get a call back from the Mission that we can move in come the start of the new year. Then we had dinner and a lesson with M. That was good as normal.

Spiritual: Be kind to every one and they will help you when you are in need.

December 11, 2016: We had ward council where we decided to move church for the new year to start at 10 instead of 9. After Church we had dinner with the Wolff family which was really good they really were able to give us a few referrals which was good.

Spiritual: No mater what happens some will disagree with it so do not let the loud minority effect your opinion on the truth.

December 12, 2016: We got our hair cut before we went about our normal P-Day for a while before we had district p-day of playing board games and basketball.

So that was my week.

God be with you till we meet again

Elder Joshua Patterson 

I asked him if the weather had been really cold and he said ..It is not Bad, Thursday was the only really cold day at -18 because of wind chill but other wise it has been nice.

Zone Conference/ White Elephant gift exchange.. they had some weird gift giving things. Olivia was surprised at some of the things they did. We are learning every Mission President/ Mission even stateside is very different

District p day photos

Accident on slippery road

Elder Patterson sent an email letting us know they were involved in a fender bender.  They hit a patch of ice and slid into a parked flat bed work trailer. The wife and son were real nice about it and then they were not able to talk to the owner about it till the next day. I think both Elders did not get much sleep that night.
Elder Patterson assured me that they were both okay, he said he did not like the snow after that.

The next week he let us know that the owner realized it was his fault for parking it in that spot, said someone else had recently hit it.

Picture of Elder Patterson and Elder Hinckley

Elder Hinckley  and Elder Patterson worked in the same building(Wal-mart/ Subway) pre-mission. When Elder Hinckley told Joshua where and when he was going  he was excited for him. When Joshua got his call 3 months later exact mission and both at the CCM for training it was exciting.

Zone Conference

December 7,2016

So this week has been two days longer than usual but that is not a bad thing. But I will get right in.

November 29, 2016: We had exchanges which was great. We being, Elder V and I, had dinner at  an all you can eat Chinese restaurant which was really good. Then we tried a number of people to invite to the ward Christmas party that was fun but did not have a great deal of success.

Spiritual: Every once in a while take a bit of time to visit those you do not normally visit and you will be rewarded for your efforts.

November 30, 2016: We had district meeting which was lots of fun as normal. Then we had dinner with the Edges who went out with us to try a number of people with limited success. Then we went and helped setup for the ward Christmas party.

Spiritual: People always want to help. Ask and people will do it.

December 1, 2016: We did a great deal of finding to limited success. We had dinner with the H which was good. She made sure to have us eat something from all of the food groups which was good. She then gave us a Christmas Advent calendar with chocolates under each day which elder D ate all of before we left to my dismay as well as hers. Now he has to find 25 scriptures for her instead.

Spiritual: Finding may stink but if you never try to find opportunities God will not be able. To put any into your path.

December 2, 2016: We had a good lesson with B and got another return appointment set. Then we tried a few of our investigators that we have not visited recently and got no success so we went finding still to limited success. Then we had dinner with the G which was good but different as we have never had dinner with them before. Then we did more finding.

Spiritual: Once you have touched someone's life they do not quickly forget what you have done for them.

December 3, 2016: We helped set up for the ward Christmas party before our service at the Humane Society before we had the wand Christmas party. A number of our less actives and a few of our investigators came and it was a huge success. 

Spiritual: The more service you do the happier you will be.

December 4, 2016: We had church which was good. Then we had studies before dinner with the Mathews which was short but still good. Then we had the First Presidency Christmas Devotional which was awesome. 

Spiritual: The General Authority's are representatives of God listen to them and you will earn a great deal.

December 5, 2016: We prepared for Zone conference before we went out and tried a number of people in Brush and had a short visit with G H which was really good. Then we had dinner with the Thornton's, she is our land lady, which was also pretty nice. Then we did a bit of finding before ending the day.

Spiritual: Preparation is key to being able to have success in this life. Prepare least you fail.

December 6,2016: We had Zone Conference which was amazing. Key things that were talked about were preparation, repentance, and love. I think those go well with this time of year. New things to come in the next transfer or so, Zone Conferences every transfer, Interviews every transfer, and temple trips every transfer for missionaries in a close proximity to the temple, only a third each time but still. So that was awesome.

Spiritual: Our leaders are directed by the power of God which is beyond great. Listen to them and see blessings in your life.

Well that was my week. I hope everyone can be doing the #light the world initiative it is so nice being able to serve in so many ways.

God be with you till we meet again

Elder Joshua Patterson

Week 14/20 Thanksgiving

So this week was thanksgiving week so it was really good but I will just get into the week. 

November 22: We headed up to Greeley for a DLC which I was just sitting in the foyer during. Then we went and Helped in the STL's area with a move before we started exchanges where D went with Elder N to dinner while I Elder G and I went to their apartment for dinner. Then we tried some street contacting but had no success because everyone had went home from college for the holiday.

Spiritual: Your leaders are willing to listen to your struggles.

November 23: We finished Exchanges before heading back to Fort Morgan before heading up to Sterling for district meeting. Then we returned again to Fort Morgan before we had dinner with a less active but it was still good.

Spiritual: Roleplays are important though they are not fun.

November 24: Was Thanksgiving so we spent the majority of the day with the Ds which was really fun especially talking with Brother D about his 10,000 different hobbies. 

We had the traditional Thanksgiving meal with Pumpkin, Pecan, Mixed Berry, and Ice cream pie

Spiritual: Be grateful everyday and you will be blessed.

November 25: We had a second Thanksgiving with the J's which was fun and then we had dinner with the Mys before we nada lesson or more visit with a less active named K with Brother M.

Spiritual: The spirit brings so much peace into our lives.

November 26: We helped with a move before we spent some time with the Js before we had dinner with the C family which was really good. Then we went out with President C to invite people to the ward party.

Spiritual: Always appreciate what you have because it will not always be there.

November 27: We had ward council which was surprisingly not on the budget for once. Then after Church we did a bit of tracking to no success.

Spiritual: Person study is very important 

God be with you till we meet again

Elder Joshua Patterson