Week 73 - Welcome Pres/Sis. Pasey!

Welcome to the ATM President and Sister Pasey!! 

This morning was our last Monday call with President Killpack, but, they said we'll see them at homecomings :D Can't believe it's time to change up Mission President's already. We know that the Pasey's are what God wants for this mission. We get to meet him this Thursday at a Zone Meeting. Can't wait! Change is coming.

President and Sister Killpack dropped off some ribs and potatoes! Man. We miss them already.

Let's first start off with "The Family" - our name for the family we found because they are so awesome. This family is one of the kindest ones out there. Although some craziness is going on when we go inside, every single time we're over, they treat us with respect, gather around, and they always are nice to us. Sister Matlock adopted her grand children who are now investigating the church. They are 18,15,13, and 12 years old. We extending baptism dates to them, and ALMOST had them committed to it, but it just isn't quite time. We are going over tonight to do an FHE about prayer and the Book of Mormon. All the kids went through heck and back growing up. Every time we leave that home, we both look at each other and know they will enter the Lord's church soon enough. They said they were all coming to church yesterday, but had to cancel because of some crazy random thing which prevented them from coming...again, Satan is real. Next week for sure. We love this family! We'll try to get pictures with them this week.

Randomly awesome.

After one of the lesson's on part of the Plan de Salvacion, Sister Matlock asked us to give a blessing to her 8 yr old that has cerebral palsy I think? She doesn't talk and has some tantrums, but of course we were more than willing. I was able to give the blessing. She kept moving and couldn't stay still during the blessing, but the prompting to bless her with peace came, and she was completely still after that for the rest of the blessing. It was cool. The gospel is true! The kids are reading the Book of Mormon. The gospel blesses all families!! Feel free to keep them in your prayers :] Every prayer a blessing.

We just started walking....or else we'd be dripping in sweat. Oh yeah!!

Here's an example of the cool things we're involved with

June 28 (yesterday) - teach part of 5th Sunday lesson to HP, Elders Quorum, and RS about the 'Willing and Brief;'

July 1 - Teach 45ish min. lesson on a chapter out of 'Power of an Everyday Missionary" to High Counselman, and the WML's in the Stake and missionaries.

July 3 - Zone Meeting with President Pasey

July 10th - Teach/train the youth in the Sahuarita Stake for the youth conference for a few hours at EAC.

July 11 - MLC in Tucson

July 15 - interviews!

July 18+19 - musical talent show and helping out with Pioneer Day celebrations. 

Lessons and great things happening in between :D

There is always something going on. July will be a great month, which will make it FLY by.

This dog literally almost killed me...and vice versa haha

We also have another investigator in the YSA we're working with. His name is Greg and he grew up with members. He hasn't been approached by missionaries (somehow) but we're trying to work with him and hope to set a BD soon. He's a bouncer at a club. wootwoot!

Did anyone feel the earthquake? It was fun :D

The heat is literally melting away my shoes. All in a days work.

The whole "Ordain Women" thing has been brought up to us, and we had to teach a recent convert about why women don't hold the priesthood because she was approached with it. Sad day. Good thing it's not a man's church.

Our AWESOME Gila Valley Zone after District Meetings!

One day while contacting, we came across of JW's. Very good people. I've learned that with a lot of religion, that if you even bring up your beliefs with no invitations or commitments, it may often bring contention...which really is sad. We've been approached where we both felt that if we would have brought up anything, it would have brought contention. We have no problem defending what we know to be true, and we have to do it regularly, but bashing I don't believe is something God prefers. Meh.

Just doing a blitz for the sisters.

One of our favorite things to do is to share the 1st vision with people. When it is properly set up, the spirit will ALWAYS be there. Every time we've done it with members, they always had someone that came to mind that needs the gospel. It's my favorite thing. Bishop Bluth is having us (or whatever missionaries are here during the school year) teach Relief Society and Priesthood about the 1st vision and sharing that experience. I love it. No other words can we say so consistently that will always bring the spirit! 

Right after a killer workout around 7am haha. Perfect way to start off the day #morningschedule

Well it's time to go. Time is up, and we have errands to do. Including making our zone shirts! Heck to the yeah.

The church is true and I love it with my whole heart. I don't want to stop being a missionary - when all of your stress is directed towards God's children, nothing is better.

One ain't enough. Especially since it'll be 104-108 all week. Bring it.

Love you all! Hope to hear from some of y'all! People are getting married like crazy!

People get married and engaged here in the YSA on a weekly basis haha.

-Elder Hales