We Found A Family!!--Week 102--
100 Weeks in Phoenix Mission-- 15 Weeks in Buckeye
Dear friends and family,
We had a really good week! Looking at our schedule ahead, my last
three weeks in the mission are gonna be jam packed with fun and
awesomeness! My letter may be kinda short this week, but oh well!
Family!!
We were just minding our own business last week and we got a text from
a member saying her friend and her kids are interested in having us
come by! So we took a member with us to her house on Tuesday. She had
fixed us lasagna (we just came from a dinner appointment....) so we
ate our second dinner with her and shared a message with her and her
family. Frances, the mom, speaks many languages. To name a few, she
speaks English, French (fluently), Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese, and
Italian. She has four kids, all speak English, Japanese, and one
speaks French. Such a neat family. Unfortunately, the kids' dad isn't
too happy with them going to church, so we are all praying his heart
will be softened so they can come to church as a family and be
baptized. I'm sure it will happen if the kids tell him how much they
love church. We'll see! In the mean time, we are SO excited to teach
them!
Baptism
We got to go to the baptism of one of Elder Gunnell's converts in
Phoenix! Two of my favorite missionaries, Sisters Haymond and
Casagrande took over his area AND the French work so I got to see them
at the baptism! Man, reunions are so fun. Plus, I got to ride around
in my first area! It was weird—I felt like I was being trained again.
I hadn't been back to that church building in 18 months. Definitely a
trip!!
Upcoming temple trips
We are going to the Phoenix temple with my favorite member family, the
Marr's, this Wednesday! They are like carbon copies of my parents,
just a few years older! Brother Marr's personality is identical to my
dad's, and Sister Marr's personality is identical to my mom's! I can't
wait for them to meet my parents when I come visit. Funny
story--Sister Marr HATES getting up early and when I asked if they
could take us to the temple this week they happily agreed. When I told
Sister Marr it was at 7am, Sister Marr said, "You're lucky I love you,
Elder Jones!!" Hahaha. Apparently it's a big deal that she'll be
getting up so early. It's so funny! Then, on August 5th, our zone will
be going to the temple with President Griffin for achieving our
baptism goal. Then, on August 9th, I'll be able to go with Elder
Gunnell's old zone since he gets to go back. So, in my last three
weeks, I get to go to the temple THREE times! So exciting.
Bye Bye, Bike!
I got to ship my bike home. That was such a wonderful experience for
me! I'll just leave it at that!!
Zone conference
We had a fabulous zone conference this week. The assistants led a
discussion about "What I wished I knew my whole mission" and we had a
great discussion on how we can improve. The older missionaries were
able to give the younger missionaries lots of advice I wish I had when
I came in! Then President Griffin got up and talked about how we can
choose our path. We must choose to follow the correct path. If we
don't have a vision of where we want to go, then it doesn't matter
what path we take. When we have the gospel, we have our desired
destination. It was really moving. I enjoyed it a lot. Plus, I got to
see a lot of old companions. In fact, ALL of my companions who are
still in the mission (except Elder Young) were there. Yes, Mom, I got
a picture. You're welcome! :)
Sheet music
My good friend Patience, who is a senior this year on the Webb City
drumline, sent me the snare sheet music for this year's marching show.
I figured I'd learn it and play around with it. Thank goodness it's a
pretty easy show, because my skills have decreased so much. Haha!
Well, that was my week! Everyone wish my wonderful mother a happy
birthday! She turns 29 on the 28th! (Ha ha....) And also, my best
friend ever turns 20 on the 29th! Happy birthday Jessica! You're the
best friend anyone could ask for!! I hope everyone has a great week.
God speed!!
Just 3 more weeks! Until then, I remain a dedicated servant of the Lord.
Much love,
Elder Jones
Buckeye 1st & Sundance Wards
Arizona Phoenix Mission
We had a really good week! Looking at our schedule ahead, my last
three weeks in the mission are gonna be jam packed with fun and
awesomeness! My letter may be kinda short this week, but oh well!
Family!!
We were just minding our own business last week and we got a text from
a member saying her friend and her kids are interested in having us
come by! So we took a member with us to her house on Tuesday. She had
fixed us lasagna (we just came from a dinner appointment....) so we
ate our second dinner with her and shared a message with her and her
family. Frances, the mom, speaks many languages. To name a few, she
speaks English, French (fluently), Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese, and
Italian. She has four kids, all speak English, Japanese, and one
speaks French. Such a neat family. Unfortunately, the kids' dad isn't
too happy with them going to church, so we are all praying his heart
will be softened so they can come to church as a family and be
baptized. I'm sure it will happen if the kids tell him how much they
love church. We'll see! In the mean time, we are SO excited to teach
them!
Baptism
We got to go to the baptism of one of Elder Gunnell's converts in
Phoenix! Two of my favorite missionaries, Sisters Haymond and
Casagrande took over his area AND the French work so I got to see them
at the baptism! Man, reunions are so fun. Plus, I got to ride around
in my first area! It was weird—I felt like I was being trained again.
I hadn't been back to that church building in 18 months. Definitely a
trip!!
Upcoming temple trips
We are going to the Phoenix temple with my favorite member family, the
Marr's, this Wednesday! They are like carbon copies of my parents,
just a few years older! Brother Marr's personality is identical to my
dad's, and Sister Marr's personality is identical to my mom's! I can't
wait for them to meet my parents when I come visit. Funny
story--Sister Marr HATES getting up early and when I asked if they
could take us to the temple this week they happily agreed. When I told
Sister Marr it was at 7am, Sister Marr said, "You're lucky I love you,
Elder Jones!!" Hahaha. Apparently it's a big deal that she'll be
getting up so early. It's so funny! Then, on August 5th, our zone will
be going to the temple with President Griffin for achieving our
baptism goal. Then, on August 9th, I'll be able to go with Elder
Gunnell's old zone since he gets to go back. So, in my last three
weeks, I get to go to the temple THREE times! So exciting.
Bye Bye, Bike!
I got to ship my bike home. That was such a wonderful experience for
me! I'll just leave it at that!!
Zone conference
We had a fabulous zone conference this week. The assistants led a
discussion about "What I wished I knew my whole mission" and we had a
great discussion on how we can improve. The older missionaries were
able to give the younger missionaries lots of advice I wish I had when
I came in! Then President Griffin got up and talked about how we can
choose our path. We must choose to follow the correct path. If we
don't have a vision of where we want to go, then it doesn't matter
what path we take. When we have the gospel, we have our desired
destination. It was really moving. I enjoyed it a lot. Plus, I got to
see a lot of old companions. In fact, ALL of my companions who are
still in the mission (except Elder Young) were there. Yes, Mom, I got
a picture. You're welcome! :)
Sheet music
My good friend Patience, who is a senior this year on the Webb City
drumline, sent me the snare sheet music for this year's marching show.
I figured I'd learn it and play around with it. Thank goodness it's a
pretty easy show, because my skills have decreased so much. Haha!
Well, that was my week! Everyone wish my wonderful mother a happy
birthday! She turns 29 on the 28th! (Ha ha....) And also, my best
friend ever turns 20 on the 29th! Happy birthday Jessica! You're the
best friend anyone could ask for!! I hope everyone has a great week.
God speed!!
Just 3 more weeks! Until then, I remain a dedicated servant of the Lord.
Much love,
Elder Jones
Buckeye 1st & Sundance Wards
Arizona Phoenix Mission
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| Elder Jones and 5 of his past and current companions- Elders Gunnell, Thames, Thaut, Bradshaw, Flynn |
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| Cleaning their car |
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| Elder Jones' companions, Thames and Gunnell |
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| Smile! |
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| Lunch w/ the boys! |
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| Not sure why Elder Jones is with the birthdays since his isn't until September. Maybe sneaking an extra gift? |
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| Hands up!! |
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| Zone Conference |
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| Elder jones being silly on Thaut's shoulders |
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| Bike loaded into Chris' car before she shipped it home. |
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| Elders Jones and Flynn. He was Kevin's 3rd companion, when he 1st served in Peoria. |
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| Current Companions |
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| acting silly |
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| Brother and Sister Marr took Took Elder Jones and companions to the temple. |
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| Elder Jones at Phoenix Temple |