Good bye to Elder S and Elder A, Hello to Elder M and P, New Companion and Zone leader

This week was one of change but it was good.

March 21, 2017: I said goodbye to Elder S as he headed up to Laramie, then Elder M( his 2nd Spanish speaking Arizona companion)(I know their are 4 of them if not more from Arizona) and we did not do a lot because of it being Transfer day. We helped with mutual which had barely anyone in attendance but that was not a huge issue as it still was a really good mutual event.

Spiritual: Changes while may seem hard are often really good for us as a whole.

March 22, 2017: I gave my first a District meeting as District leader which seemed to have turned out rather well. After that we went tracting and got kicked out of a trailer park because we were "soliciting" which was whatever we did get a new potential which was great. Then we tried old potentials to no success but whatever I suppose right.

Spiritual: Don't get discouraged and you will see some success.

March 23, 2017: We went tracting which was somewhat successful which was nice. Then we went potentials contacting which was not successful sadly. Then we tried less actives but none of them were available.

Spiritual: As you work hard god will bless you.

March 24, 2017: We had GRC which was good before planning and studies which were good. Then we found out our car's key is broken so we have to manually unlock the car which sets off the alarm so we got a new key which is also broken so it has been annoying. Not much else happened.

Spiritual: Sometimes things you do not care to do have to take prescience over things

March 25, 2017: We went tracting to limited success which was alright. Then we tried potentials and less actives which was good though not successful.

Spiritual: Work is always good even when you do not right away see the fruits of your work.

March 26, 2017: We had Branch council which was good. Then church was great as well. After Church we had Correlation meeting which was awesome like normal. Then we tried potentials and less actives also to limited success. Then I did area calls for the first time which was good.

Spiritual: While things may seem unsuccessful always have faith and you will eventually receive.

God be with you till we meet again

Elder Joshua Patterson 

Joshua and his new companion Elder M

His companions mom sent this to me, I was surprised that Joshua was not wearing his sunglasses since he normally always has them on. We are so fortunate so far to have been able to connect with all of his companions families and share pictures with them. Also the mission and one of the former Senior sisters of the Fort Collins Mission do a great job of posting pictures.

Transfer # 6

Week six. The longest week of the transfer because everyone is waiting for Saturday night when we find out our fate for the next six weeks.

March 14, 2017: We went tracting with M which was really good. I was able to learn how to have a better door approach. That was a lot of fun. Then we started exchanges with the Zone Leaders because they had a dinner and meeting simultaneously. I went with Elder M to the meeting which was good. Then we went tracting after trying a referral we got right after the meeting.

Spiritual: Keep trying and you will see success.

March 15, 2017: We were on exchanges which was good. District meeting was great as normal. After district meeting we took the Zone leader's member that was on a "mini misssion" out with us tracting and we got a few potential return appointments set which was neat. I felt like my door approach was a lot better than in the past  which was nice. Then we ended exchanges so we could each go to our respective dinners. Then we tried potentials for a bit before trying some less actives which was fun as well.

Spiritual: As you learn you will get better.

March 16, 2017: We did service which was alright before we went to try potentials for a while which had no real success. Then we went tracting which was also not very successful but good anyway. After dinner we planned the mutual activity for this upcoming Tuesday and that was a lot of fun. 

Spiritual: Even if you do not succeed but you were doing your best you will know you are going to be blessed.

March 17, 2017: We tried to find a new service opportunity in Windsor but could not. On the way Elder C  (Vehicle Coordinator) called and asked if I had my license. That told us that Elder S and I were not going to be companions next transfer. Then the ZLs called AP C to tell him that Elder S was too apostate to be a Zone leader. To that C asked if he had already gotten his phone call which told us that S is becoming a Zone leader. Then we went to the APs apartment and were shown the new Easter video and it is awesome, and Elder S was also told his area and companion which was cool. After that we went and did weekly planning which took up the rest of the day until dinner.

Spiritual: Sometimes one small thing can say a great deal more than it might first appear.

March 18, 2017: We started with studies before Elder S got a call from President confirming what AP C had said. Then about two hours later I got a call from AP C calling me to be a District leader but refused to tell me anything else. Then we went and did service before we had two potential lessons before returning to service. After service we tried some potentials which was good we were able to talk with a less active which was really cool before we went to the church to wait for transfer information where we also talked with the Spanish sisters. At about 9:15 we got transfer news. I am staying in Greeley Spanish as District leader with Elder M, Elder S is going to be a ZL in Laramie, Elder A is being demoted to normal missionary,(also going to Laramie) and that is it for my main circle other than the fact that Hermana Z is training here in Greeley and Hermana L is joining the Spanish trio in FoCo.

Spiritual: You never know what to expect when you are anxiously waiting for news. More often than not it is better than you expected.

March 19, 2017: We had church which was good, it was focused on the power of prayer for the most part. Afterwards our branch mission meeting was good. Then we tried potentials for awhile before we went to visit a few people Elder S wanted to see before he leaves.

Spiritual: Prayer is the only way we can talk to god which is why it is so important.

March 20, 2017: Today we are going on a hike this one very short compared to the last one which will be nice. Then we will probably not do too much as Elder S will need to pack. That will probably be our day.

Spiritual: Change is good even when it is hard.

God be with you till we meet again

Elder Joshua Patterson 

I asked Joshua if he was excited to stay and he said yes because he can use and learn his Spanish better in the branch he is serving in. His new companion is from Arizona. Their is at least 4 Spanish speaking Elders in his mission which is a high # since their are not that many of them. He said the hike this week was alot easier then last week since it was not snowpacked.

Hike in Fort Collins. Joshua with his companion, his Zone Leaders and the Sister Missionaries in their District.

March 14 This week has flown by.. Hike in the snow Estes Park

 March 13, 2017

This week has really flown by.

March 7, 2017: We started with service which was fun. Then we went tracting and had no success. We were Bible bashed by this guy, but he was agreeing with everything we said so it was weird. We then contacted Potentials and got a shaky return appointment which was cool.

Spiritual: while you might have no success you truly can meet some interesting people.

March 8, 2017: We had district meeting which was awesome, AP Chan was there and gave great insight. Then we tried potentials to no success. Then we tried a referral from the Zone Leaders who seems promising. Then we went and visited a less active named M which was good but not very progressive.

Spiritual: Sometimes all you have is do work then the lord will bless you with what you need out of the blue.

March 9, 2017: We did service which was good. Then we visited potentials and had no success but whatever right?

Spiritual: Keep trying and you will one day be blessed.

March 10, 2017: We did service at a food pantry for a few hours where I was able to get to know the sisters in our district better. Then we went to interviews with President which were good. Then we went on temporary exchanges with the ZLs because Elder S wanted to teach a lesson and they also had to help the Hermanas move at the same time so I helped with that. After helping the Hermanas we went and got the deposit check from the mission office which was good.

Spiritual: Meeting with one you know you can trust from time to time can be a huge burden lifter.

March 11, 2017: We helped the Peakview elders with two moves which took up most of the day. Following the moves we started weekly planning but did not finish because Elder S needed to write his talk for Sunday.

Spiritual: Serving brings joy.

March 12, 2017: We had church where Elder S gave a talk. It was weird sitting on my own but nice on the same hand. After church we had Coordination meeting which was also good. Then we helped the Zone Leaders teach mission prep.

Spiritual: Be grateful for your blessings even those that are small.

March 13, 2017: Today we are going to Estes Park with the Zone Leaders to go hiking. That should be fun. Then that will take up much of the day. Then we will do the normal before contacting potentials.

Spiritual: The experiences you have will become the most treasured memories.

God be with you till we meet again

Elder Joshua Patterson 

This is what he sent after the hike

We left for the hike at 5:00 due to the two hour drive.The hike we went on today though was brutality cold. We were supposed to hike 8 miles but instead it turned out to be 12 with evil snow crystal filled wind beating at us.

 The snow was as least three feet deep in most places so it made the hike much more difficult, sinking knee, ankle, or waist deep. The hardest part was the last stretch which was at I would say a 75 degree angle or more. Basically climbing up sheer snow. Snow hiking is a pain.

March 6 Slow week

March 1, 2017: We did service at Arc which was good. Then we tried contacting some potentials and instead dropped them. Then we did studies and did not do all that much that day.

Spiritual: Even when days are hard keep trying you will someday succeed.

March 2, 2017: We had district meeting which was amazing. Then we did some tracting to no success. Then we went and tried potentials also to no success.

Spiritual: Even when you do not succeed try more and someday you will find success.

March 3, 2017: We did Arc which was good. Then we did weekly planning for the majority of the rest of the day.

Spiritual: Even when you do not feel like you have done much you have surely done something worthwhile.

March 4, 2017: We did Arc before trying Potentials and dropped most of them. Then we did studies which were alright.

Spiritual: No matter what keep going.

March 5, 2017: We had church which was great. The testimonies were amazing. After church we had missionary coordination meeting which was great as normal. Then we tried potentials and dropped most of them. Then we had dinner with the family las Hermanas live with and they had company so we did not talk much with them. Then las Hermanas came in for dinner so we talked with them for a good hour which was fun. Then we went and did studies.

Spiritual: God will always bless you as you strive to do what is right.

March 6, 2017: Today is P day and none of the other missionaries I live with have wanted to do much so I have deep cleaned my stuff and reorganized my suitcase which was good. Not much else thus far.

Spiritual: Cleanliness is next to Godliness.

Elder Joshua Patterson 

Pictures..Yea.. Fort Collins Temple

February 28,2017

This week has been good and fun. 

 

February 21, 2017:  We did service at Arc which was good. Then we tried to figure out how to best go about visiting potential investigators. After that and realizing that it was very ineffective we just decided to go and try the potentials and did not have any success. After dinner we went and tried less actives and got in the door of one that the Hermanas had never been able to contact. That visit was good but odd. 

Spiritual: No mater what never give up you might just get success.

February 22, 2017: We had Zone Conference which was good. It focused on teaching the gospel of Christ focusing more on faith and repentance. Following Zone conference we tried potentials again and that was good. 

Spiritual: As you listen to your leaders you will be blessed.

February 23, 2017:  We went and gave Sister P a blessing which was awesome. Then we tried potentials and got a few potential return appointments which was awesome. After that we went on temporary exchanges with the ZLs and I went with Elder M to Fort Morgan for the baptismal interviews of Alex and Frankie . That was awesome to see both of them again they are so awesome and so prepared.

Spiritual: Keep trying and you will eventually see success.

February 24, 2017: We helped hand out food in the snow and though it was really cold it was good. After that we did weekly planning which took up most of the rest of the day. 

Spiritual: Even though service can be hard at times it is always worth it.

February 25, 2017: We did service at ARC which was good. Then we went tracting for a bit which was good but not successful. Then we went out to Windsor to scope out the place for possible tracting locations. After dinner we went through our list of potentials but did not have any success.

Spiritual: Try to make plans that best utilize your time.

February 26, 2017: We had branch council which seemed kinda rushed but whatever. Then church was great the high council man was from Fort Morgan so I was able to talk to him and ask about how the baptisms went the previous day. After church we had mission coordination meeting which was terrific as usual. Following that we did studies and I decided to start a fast as we did not have dinner that night. After studies we went and visited I and A which was fun. Then we tried some more potentials and sadly had no success.

Spiritual: Keep in contact with those who you meet. You never know what kind of impact you might have made on their life.

February 27, 2017: We went on exchanges with the Zone Leaders which was really good. Elder A

and I went to Arc and did service there before going to lunch with the peakview Elders which was good though I did not eat as I was still fasting. After that we went to look for new apartments for missionaries which was fun. After that we went and had a visit with this returning member of the branch who had been calling las Hermanas most of the day so that got him to stop that. Following that we went to the apartment for dinner which was good and we did some companion study and language Study. Then we went to the YSAs FHE so it was good.

Spiritual: From time to time go and talk to someone new that you trust and they will be able to give you a different view point than the main person you speak with.

February 28, 2017: We went to the 8:00 session at the temple which was awesome. After that we took large Zone photos so that was good. We plan to just go through the rest of P day like a normal P day.

Spiritual: The closer you come to the temple the closer your relationship with god will be.

God be with you till we meet again

Elder Joshua Patterson 

Elder Patterson with his current companion Elder Shober, with his Zone, with his Zone leader roommates.

 volunteering at a food bank