FIN!!!!--Week 104- 102 Weeks in Phoenix Mission- 17 weeks in Buckeye

Dear friends and family,

Well, so I begin my last pday as a full time missionary for the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For my final letter to you all,
I wanted to give you the normal recap on my week and then a recap of
my mission. Here goes.

Temple—again
We got to visit the Phoenix temple once again, but this time it was
with our whole zone!! Elders Bies and Davenport picked up my
companions and me at 5:30am and we headed to Krispy Kreme for a
pre-temple meal! It was delicious! We then headed for the temple in
the POURING rain. I tell ya, people here in Arizona do NOT know how to
drive in the rain! People were going 10mph on the Interstate. It was
hilarious. We got there and had a great session in the temple. We felt
the Spirit, and I actually got to see one of my favorite members from
Glendale, Brother Palmer, at the recommend desk. It was a joy to see
him again! After the session it was still pouring down rain, so I
didn't get many pictures. Luckily, we'll be heading to the temple
again on Wednesday with Elder Gunnell's old zone. There, I will see
some more of my favorite missionaries: Elder Plourde, Elder Cespedes,
Sister Casagrande, and Sister Haymond. I can't wait!!

Moving
Something that kinda stinks is that we're moving to an apartment
tomorrow. I mean, I don't mind that we're moving, but I have to pack
twice in a week! I'll probably just live out of my suitcase after we
move. :) So we're doing that tomorrow...

Zone meeting
We had a great zone meeting about following the Spirit. I got a lot
out of it. I gave my departing testimony to the zone. It was super
weird because I've always been the missionary who listens, and my time
has come! Surreal!!

Exchange
I went on exchange with my district leader, Elder Bies, in his area.
It's in the middle of nowhere and we saw some funny things.


Here's a look back!

MTC
When I entered the MTC on August 13, 2014, I was terrified out of my
mind. How could I teach? How could I be away from family and friends
for two whole years? I was blessed with a great MTC companion, Elder
Sultan, which made it a lot better. I had great instructors, but I
didn't have the best time at the MTC. I hoped the field would be way
better than the MTC. Thankfully, it was. I departed the MTC with a
very happy heart headed for Phoenix.

North Phoenix — Shaw Butte & Moon Mountain Wards (6 months)
When I entered the Phoenix Valley, I was slapped in the face with the
heat of the desert. At the transfer meeting, I stood across from the
trainers and was placed with my trainer, Elder Jeong. I knew that the
Lord truly knows me when I got to know Elder Jeong. He and I got along
great, and he helped me learn. He even put up with me being a bit of a
punk those first few weeks. He'll never know how much of an impact he
made on me. I also had the amazing opportunity to live with Sister
Simon, the grandma of the mission! She was soooo fun and always took
care of her Elders. I was sad when Elder Jeong left. However, I was
blessed with a great second companion, Elder Shurtleff. He was from
Kansas, and we got along great, too. When my time came to an end, I
prayed my time on a bike would come to an end. I was mistaken.

Peoria Stake — Oakwood & Centennial Wards (6 months)
I was transferred to Peoria with Elder Flynn. He came out with me. A
biking area! We kinda clashed in the beginning, but later found out
how much we needed each other. Both of us had been hard headed, and we
kinda humbled ourselves and worked together. I look back on our
companionship and see a lot of regrets, but Elder Flynn and I have
become very close. Recently, we saw each other at a zone conference
and relived some of our dumb moments. If it wasn't for our rocky
companionship, I don't know where I would have ended up. Elder Flynn
got transferred 12 weeks later, and I was paired with a Elder
Bradshaw. He was a very fun companion! Had our moments where we would
bicker, but it was a great companionship. Twelve weeks later, I got
transferred. Car here I come!

Glendale Stake— Black Canyon Ward (9 months)
NOOOPE. Bike area! This area was a very, very, very humbling
experience for me. I feel like it is here where I peaked as a
missionary. My testimony grew, I worked hard, and baptisms came. I was
placed with Elder Thaut, who became my favorite companion by far. He
was my only companion I had for three transfers, or 4.5 months. The
area was rough. Historically it was the highest baptizing area in the
mission. They had 24 convert baptisms in 2015, which is a loooot. Not
to mention I was replacing arguably the best missionary that ward (and
possibly the entire mission) had ever seen, Elder Gardner. (Love you,
buddy!!) So I felt a lot of pressure. I was biking in areas I wouldn't
even feel comfortable driving in. Having been raised in such a small
town, the city scared the crap out of me. I did my best to face my
fears and work. It was the hardest 9 months of my life, but I'm so
grateful I faced my fears. There in Glendale I would meet some of my
favorite people from my mission. I grew roots. After Elder Thaut left,
I was out with my first trainee, Elder Fernandez. Most people in the
mission know him as "the missionary who came in with a scarf" haha. He
was a very stylish person. He and I had a great time, but
unfortunately our time was cut short as his visa came in for him to go
to Argentina. I will always be his father!! After Elder Fernandez I
received my second trainee, Elder Young! He was so gentle and kind.
Typical southern boy! He was great! Amidst all this, our ward was
having tremendous success in multiple languages. Many French-speaking
people from Africa were becoming interested. Two French speaking
sisters out of the Scottsdale mission came to accommodate them. We
became very close and developed a lasting friendship. Sisters Haymond,
Casagrande, and Ylisaari shook things up in the ward and United
members and missionaries even more. I was very sad when I had to leave
Glendale, but I was excited for something new because I was there for
so long.

Buckeye Stake — Buckeye 1st & Sundance Wards (4.5 months)
I got to Buckeye and absolutely loved it. It is a farming town NOT in
the city!!! I was in heaven. Plus, we had a car. Plus, Elder Thaut was
in my district! Man, I got spoiled in my last area. My companion,
Elder Sumsion, was about to go home. He loved to work out and lift
weights—polar opposite of me. We got along great, though. When he
left, I received my third trainee, Elder Thames. Then, Elder Gunnell
joined us to take over the area when I leave.

Throughout my mission, I have made wonderful friendships with members,
missionaries, investigators, etc. I have found myself, discovered my
testimony, and shared it with the people of Arizona. I have seen the
gospel of Jesus Christ change countless people. I have seen the
Atonement work in my life and in the lives of others. I know that
God's love is real and His Church has been restored once again before
the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. I know it with all my heart, for
God has told me through my sincere prayers. Thank you all for
supporting me in my endeavors in Phoenix whether it be through
prayers, comments, financially, spiritually, physically—thank you. I
know this work is true, and I can't wait to continue working when I
get home. The next chapter of my life is about to begin, but it is
just a new chapter—not a whole new book. See ya soon!

Much love,

Elder Jones
Buckeye 1st & Sundance Wards
Arizona Phoenix Mission