I'm a Father! (kind of)...
week 69- 67 weeks in Phoenix- 19 weeks in Glendale
Dear friends and family,
Transfers happened! My new companion (son) is Elder Fernandez from
Fresno, California. He turned 19 yesterday. He is waiting on his visa
to go to Rosario, Argentina! So he'll be here in our mission until
that comes in. It could be tomorrow, it could be in six months! He's a
great missionary. Here was my week!
Tuesday: Pday, except we were super rushed all day because Elder Thaut
was getting transferred. I got my training call. Someone in the stake
presidency is a chiropractor, so he gave the whole zone free back
adjustments which was amazing! We visited Javier and Elder Thaut asked
him to give him a priesthood blessing. The Spirit was so strong as
Javier gave his first blessing as a newly ordained Melchizedek
priesthood holder. It was a great way to end a dream companionship.
Temp: 64°F
Wednesday: Transfers! Elder Thaut got shipped out to Buckeye and Elder
Fernandez just got here from the MTC. After the meeting we went home
and got settled. We went out with Brother Barton and taught Liz and
Rusty, two of our new investigators. They accepted the challenge to be
baptized on January 2nd! They're really solid and prepared. We put
someone on date in Elder Fernandez's first lesson. Oh yeah!
Temp: 67°F
Thursday: Weekly planning. We went to the institute building for lunch
with our roommates and the zone leaders. We couldn't find someone to
come out with us so we biked to our lessons after dinner. We had four
in one night! Elder Fernandez said he was feelin it in his legs! He is
borrowing Elder Rodriguez's bike and He has a great attitude about
working. It's helping me stay motivated too!
Temp: 72°F
Friday: District meeting! Elder Bryan is the new district leader and
it was a great meeting! We did a scripture chase—literally! There were
two chairs set up, each with a Book of Mormon. We split up into two
teams. Elder Bryan would ask a question and we had to find an answer
in the Book of Mormon before the other team. Questions like, "Where is
my mom now? She just passed away." or "Why do bad things happen to
good people?" It was a really fun activity and I learned a lot about
the power of the Book of Mormon. After dinner we went out with Brother
Taylor and taught David, and made more visits. Not much luck, though.
Temp: 73°F
Saturday: I went on exchange in my area with Elder Bryan. We helped
Christine set up her Christmas decorations because she can't get out
of bed. When we finished she wanted to see them so she—after a lot of
help and painful screams—got into her wheelchair and started crying
because she was so thankful and because it was so beautiful. I
definitely felt the Spirit. After dinner we contacted someone in their
parking lot and got a return appointment for the Spanish elders! We
had a lesson with the Costa family, and their friend was there and is
interested. He's pretty much a golden investigator, just as long as he
stays in the area.
Temp: 73°F
Sunday: Pretty good day at church! Liz came! She seemed to like it. It
was fast and testimony meeting which can sometimes make missionaries a
little nervous, but it was fantastic!! The Spirit was so strong during
the meeting! Probably Raphaël, the French convert in our ward, bore
his testimony in French and even though I didn't understand it, the
Spirit was there. He testified. After church and studies we had the
Christmas devotional. It was great as always. It was Elder Fernandez's
19th birthday! :)
Temp: 77°F
So that was my week! I love you and miss you all. Stay strong and I'd
love to hear from you all. Please keep sending prayers that I'll be
able to train Elder Fernandez well.
Much love,
Elder Jones
Black Canyon Ward
Arizona Phoenix Mission
Transfers happened! My new companion (son) is Elder Fernandez from
Fresno, California. He turned 19 yesterday. He is waiting on his visa
to go to Rosario, Argentina! So he'll be here in our mission until
that comes in. It could be tomorrow, it could be in six months! He's a
great missionary. Here was my week!
Tuesday: Pday, except we were super rushed all day because Elder Thaut
was getting transferred. I got my training call. Someone in the stake
presidency is a chiropractor, so he gave the whole zone free back
adjustments which was amazing! We visited Javier and Elder Thaut asked
him to give him a priesthood blessing. The Spirit was so strong as
Javier gave his first blessing as a newly ordained Melchizedek
priesthood holder. It was a great way to end a dream companionship.
Temp: 64°F
Wednesday: Transfers! Elder Thaut got shipped out to Buckeye and Elder
Fernandez just got here from the MTC. After the meeting we went home
and got settled. We went out with Brother Barton and taught Liz and
Rusty, two of our new investigators. They accepted the challenge to be
baptized on January 2nd! They're really solid and prepared. We put
someone on date in Elder Fernandez's first lesson. Oh yeah!
Temp: 67°F
Thursday: Weekly planning. We went to the institute building for lunch
with our roommates and the zone leaders. We couldn't find someone to
come out with us so we biked to our lessons after dinner. We had four
in one night! Elder Fernandez said he was feelin it in his legs! He is
borrowing Elder Rodriguez's bike and He has a great attitude about
working. It's helping me stay motivated too!
Temp: 72°F
Friday: District meeting! Elder Bryan is the new district leader and
it was a great meeting! We did a scripture chase—literally! There were
two chairs set up, each with a Book of Mormon. We split up into two
teams. Elder Bryan would ask a question and we had to find an answer
in the Book of Mormon before the other team. Questions like, "Where is
my mom now? She just passed away." or "Why do bad things happen to
good people?" It was a really fun activity and I learned a lot about
the power of the Book of Mormon. After dinner we went out with Brother
Taylor and taught David, and made more visits. Not much luck, though.
Temp: 73°F
Saturday: I went on exchange in my area with Elder Bryan. We helped
Christine set up her Christmas decorations because she can't get out
of bed. When we finished she wanted to see them so she—after a lot of
help and painful screams—got into her wheelchair and started crying
because she was so thankful and because it was so beautiful. I
definitely felt the Spirit. After dinner we contacted someone in their
parking lot and got a return appointment for the Spanish elders! We
had a lesson with the Costa family, and their friend was there and is
interested. He's pretty much a golden investigator, just as long as he
stays in the area.
Temp: 73°F
Sunday: Pretty good day at church! Liz came! She seemed to like it. It
was fast and testimony meeting which can sometimes make missionaries a
little nervous, but it was fantastic!! The Spirit was so strong during
the meeting! Probably Raphaël, the French convert in our ward, bore
his testimony in French and even though I didn't understand it, the
Spirit was there. He testified. After church and studies we had the
Christmas devotional. It was great as always. It was Elder Fernandez's
19th birthday! :)
Temp: 77°F
So that was my week! I love you and miss you all. Stay strong and I'd
love to hear from you all. Please keep sending prayers that I'll be
able to train Elder Fernandez well.
Much love,
Elder Jones
Black Canyon Ward
Arizona Phoenix Mission
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| Elder Jones and Elder Fernandez |
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| Elder Fernandez's Birthday! |
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| From the turkey bowl on thanksgiving! |
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| Elder Fernandez meets his new "DAD", Elder Jones |
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| Missionary models? |
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| Pday selfie |
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| Selfies x's 2! |