Mission Impossible

Winter Wonderland in McKeesport PA

 

Hello family and friends!!!!!!!!!!!

So good to hear from you! Yes we did get a snow storm but not as bad as Philly.  We got about 6 inches of snow.  It was pretty rough!!!! We actually couldn't go anywhere.  We got stuck in our apartment for 2 days!!!!! :( The car we drive is a Toyota Carola and the tires we have on it are not only bald but they are summer tires and its only a 2 wheel drive.  It doesn't make sense but yea, that's why we got stuck in our apartment.  But we took the opportunity to clean our apartment so that was good!!!! Yes mom, you heard right.  I'm cleaning and I did a really good job.  I just wanted you to be here to see the kitchen and my bathroom.  It was squeaky clean!!!! :)  I worked really hard on it!!!  The snow we got was pretty bad but nothing compared to Kamiah ID.  Ty got really good at driving in the snow- I still need practice.  I have never driven in real heavy snow so we went to a parking lot to practice and I was okay but it was still a little difficult. I don't think I'm going to be driving on the roads for a little bit but I have gotten a little better so that's good. 

6 inches of snow- McKeesport

I'm glad Austin is doing the KGB's.  I loved doing that.  It was the best and yes I was the best dancer.  Hahahaha JK!  I always had a lot of fun doing that especially with Brian Farley, Logan, and all those guys!!! So many fun memories!  Wow, I didn't even think of that but I won't even see Super Bowl 50. Oh well, I'm preaching the word of God- what could be better???!!!!!  I bet these next few months for y'all will be pretty stressful and busy.  Just remember mom- you're awesome and don't work yourself to death 'cause I need to see you when I get home! hahaha  I can't believe Cache is in the MTC in Brazil.  I'm so proud of him! I actually got an email from him saying he landed safely and that he's okay.  I was excited to hear he is doing good physically and spiritually.  I will keep in contact with him. Also, check this out!  I got an email from Brother Gladden saying he wanted some spiritual insight from me.  At first I was excited then I thought about it.  Brother Gladden is like the most knowledgeable guy with scriptures and a spiritual giant. He probably just wants me to feel like I'm actually doing something and learning out here.  Hahahahaha JK!!!!!!! But I was very excited to get his email and I will write him today and tell him all about the mission and thank him for being the wonderful teacher he was to me!

Well me and Elder Klima are working hard.  He is from Alberta Canada and he has been out 21 months!!!!!!! He served here in McKeesport in the beginning of his mission for 9 months!!!!  Now he is back and if he stays here the rest of his mission he will have served here for a full year!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!! That's crazy!!!!!!!  We had to cancel a few appointments this week but the weirdest thing happened this week which really frustrated us for a bit.  So Elder Klima and I get along great and we are like best friends.  I love this guy.  We are being exactly obedient and working hard.  For some strange reason though when we would go into a lesson we wouldn't teach well together and the spirit wasn't there.  We had been doing everything right but it wouldn't be a lesson with the spirit.  We would leave the appointment and we would be so frustrated with ourselves.  It was very difficult for those few days.  We prayed more and worked even harder but still the same result.  We were getting so frustrated.  Eventually, we started preaching like we used to and preached with the spirit.  We don't know why that happened and maybe we will never know but this is the lesson we learned:  when a trial happens, even if I'm not sure why it is happening, I need to continue to rely on the Lord.  I need to press forward with a steadfastness in Christ.  That lesson is for all of you too! With that counsel, time to share some of the funny and cool stuff this week.  So we were driving the other day and on the sidewalk was a man and he was peeing in public!!!  Right on the sidewalk in front of a street he stood there and peed.  I couldn't help but laugh!!!  That's McKeesport for you!  We also had a dinner with the "P" family.  We called them to cancel our dinner appointment because of the snow but our savior, Brother "P" called and said, " I'm coming to get you!"   We were excited but our apartment is on top of this hill and so we thought  it would be better if we met him halfway.  As we were walking down the hill it was pretty slick.  I told Elder Klima,  "I'm sliding down the hill."  And while standing up I slid down the entire hill!!!!!! It was so cool!!!!  Klima ran around but I slid all the way down- it was awesome!!!!!!!  I felt like I was Tom Cruise from Mission Impossible!!!  It was really snowy that evening and we had so much fun with them that snowy winter night! 

I gave a talk this past Sunday.  Mine was on service.  I talked about Ammon and how through service and hard work he earned a place in the King's heart.  Because of Ammon's service and devotion to the King, Ammon was able to preach the gospel.  I think I need to tell you all a story of a recent convert that has changed me.  I haven't talked about him but I have put him off too long!!! His name is "A J."  He is 64 and he is Mexican.  His story begins when he was a boy growing up in the slums of Mexico City.  He only spoke Spanish and he saw much crime and many evil things in Mexico City.  At the age of 19, he found a girl and he moved to the America to escape the violence.  He was very intelligent and studied to become a minister of a church for the next few years.  He eventually became a minister and had a congregation of people he taught.  He loved God and only wanted to serve Him.  Unfortunately, things didn't work out and he wasn't able to be a minister any longer.  He was crushed.  More trials came into his life which cause him to fall farther and farther away from God.  Eventually he became so far away he didn't want a relationship with God anymore.  That happened while he was living here in McKeesport.  "A" had a friend who lived in Peru that had known him for many years.  For the millionth time his friend invited him to go to the LDS church.  "A" eventually came to church.  As he sat in church he felt the Holy Spirit and then asked the Branch President, "What do I have to do to get baptized?"  Then President "R" referred him to the missionaries.  "A" was a golden investigator and was willing to give everything up for the Lord.  He was willing to make the sacrifices needed in order to have the Holy Spirit in his life.  He continues to do this today.  He says this church and the Gospel has literally changed his life.  He is always excited for church.  He says, " Why can't church be everyday?!" And then after church he says, " I can't wait for next week!!!!!!"  He is seriously amazing and he just wants this gospel in his life and he will do anything to make that happen.  He has helped me and changed me as a person as I have watched him and learned from him.  This church is a blessing not a burden.  It doesn't take away from your life it makes it better than before.  He is the most solid convert I have ever met.  He loves the missionaries and we love him!  YOU HAVE TO MEET "A"!!!! I love this man.  His B-day is next week and I'm going to take him out and do something nice for him!!!  He has helped me and changed me so much it's the least I can do.  I love him soooo much!!!!!! 

I love this Branch.  The joy and love that is here in this Branch is overflowing and so sweet and nice.  I love everyone! I want you all to know the church is true- it changes lives, people, and situations.  One of the reasons I knew I wanted to serve a mission was because of Ty.  I saw how it changed him and I wanted this for me.  God loves all of his children and has given us all a Savior, Jesus Christ, who knows our trials and will lift us in time of need.  His hand, His church, His mercy, His Gospel, His pathway to salvation is always there and will never go away no matter what.  I KNOW THIS!!!!!!  I love you all.  I love this church.  I love being a missionary.  Take care.  Bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elder Cahoon the Baboon

The Spirit Awakens!

Salut familia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

So good to hear from you! No, I'm not getting transferred.  I'm still here in McKeesport so you can send the package! I still live in White Oak so it's all good! Yes, this week I had interviews with President Johnson- I loved it! He asked about you guys and  I told him that you were all good.  I told him how Tyler proposed to Hannah and that they will be getting married May 7th.  He was really excited for them and for the decision they are making. Also, my 2nd companion, Elder Harper, is home in Las Vegas!!!!!!!  He wrote President Johnson (he was really close to President Johnson because he was an AP) and sent him a picture of him and Sister "T" ( they both served in this mission) in front of the Las Vegas sign. If they get married till will be like Tyler and Hannah. We talked about the learning experiences I have had.  We joked around a lot more and I did feel a stronger connection to him than I have before so I hope to get closer to him throughout my mission.  I love President and Sister Johnson. I told Sister Johnson about my pizza eating contest and showed her the pictures.  She was laughing and was amazed that I did that.  No, I don't have a new companion- it's just me and Elder Klima.  He just wants to work hard and he also likes to have fun so that's good!!!! He is really funny.  He has such funny remarks and sarcastic comments.  I love him a lot!!!! I hope I'm with him for awhile because we are hitting it off and it's like he's my best buddy! Yes, Elder Hebdon is now home in Washington.  He's probably pretty bummed because his Seahawks lost! Hahaha Right when he gets home his team loses!!! 

Good for you Austin to get up early to work out.  I always had a difficulty with that and I never was able to do it.  Keep it up stud muffin!!!!!! That's awesome that Jonathan Ruska is going to serve a mission.  How awesome that Ty went to the temple with him.  I'm so happy. The Gospel really does change people.  It changes their desires and their nature.  It's incredible what this Gospel can do!!!! It's also good to hear that Cache is heading out on his mission.  Thanks for his email.  I will write him! The only thing that stinks for him is that he will have to stay in the MTC for a while.  I thought I liked the MTC but I love the actual mission so much more!!!! 

This week was pretty interesting.  We had a few scheduled appointments that fell through which doesn't bother me too much. I mean I want to teach them but everyone has their agency.  We have this new investigator, Luke, who is a friend of another investigator who has been taught by the missionaries for years! Luke shows a lot of potential.  We had an amazing lesson with him on Saturday.  Brother Moulton, who served his mission in Chile, went on exchanges with me.  We talked about the great apostasy and Luke said that he feels that an apostasy needed to occur in order for a restoration to happen and that's what we believe!  Brother Moulton said that he could know that this was Christ's original church if he read the Book of Mormon and prayed to ask if it was true. We then explained a little of where the Book of Mormon comes from and what it is. Elder Harper showed me a really cool way to explain what the Book of Mormon is and where it came from.  I use the pictures in the front of the Book of Mormon to help explain the history of the Book of Mormon.  It was an amazing lesson and Luke said that he wanted his friend to come to church on Sunday as well.  We were so excited but neither one of them came.  It was kind of sad but we did feel a little better because we had 2 less actives show up.  Elder Hebdon and I found the one sister.  She was the one just getting a divorce and felt like we were an answer to her prayers.  She finally showed up to church which was AMAZING to see her.  She said her son would be there next Sunday because he was at his dad's.   The other one was Sister "W" and she is wanting to become temple worthy.  She was at church on Sunday and she paid her tithing.  I was able to see that beautiful, small exchange but for me it was a blessing to see her actually acting on her desire to go to the temple.  We are working with her on that!  What a tender mercy I was able to experience.  I wish I would've been able to sit with both them but I actually was called to do something during Sacrament meeting.  I had to stay on the stand the whole time.  Can you guess what I was doing or whose calling I was filling in for?  I'll give you 5 seconds to all guess.  The countdown... 5...4...3...2...1... Times up.  It was Branch Chorister!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!! It was really fun.  Sister Moulton wasn't feeling too well due to her morning sickness so she wasn't there to lead the music but I was more than willing to fill in!!!!!!! I was having a ball up there.  I was not only leading and singing but smiling too and looking out at everyone from time to time.  It was a fun time!! We were also really busy Saturday and Sunday because all of the appontments that fell through rescheduled on those days.  We were running around like chickens with our heads cut off! So it's been a busy week but the crazy thing is we find so much fun in it. I'll think of some funny stories to add in another email.  Lunch is coming up and I gotta get a haircut.  Bye!!!!!!!

Elder Cahoon the Baboon

Stand Ye In Holy Places

Hello family and friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Thank you mom for sharing that with me.  I will definitely save that and keep it for me personally. You have such a strong will and testimony and that's how I want to be!!! So strong and independent.  I need that! Man, still going to miss the wedding! Argh!!!!!!! I'm so mad I'm gonna miss that.  I am glad you guys are going to make a huge cut-out cardboard of me and take pictures of the cardboard "me" with the family.  That would be awesome and I would VERY much appreciate that!!!!! I don't know if the pictures have been printed out yet but if you could send me pictures of the proposal that would also be much appreciated!!!!! Wow, Cache is going on a mission as well?  It's crazy how fast time goes!!!!! It really does go by quick!!!! I'll be back home before you know it. Hahaha!!!! The weather here has been amazing.  2 days ago it was warm and I wore short sleeves- how crazy is that!?!?!? Elder Klima likes to drive so I let him drive but if I need to I'll drive in snow.  I haven't done that yet but I've gotten a lot of pointers on what to do so hopefully I'll be prepared! I have a pretty heavy coat but what I need to get is ear muffs!!!!! I'm going to buy some of those so that's what I'll use the money for.  Thank you Mom and Dad, you're the best!!!!!!

Well this week was probably the hardest but also the best. hahaha I know, how does that happen?  Well, I'll explain it to ya. So we had been doing very little work in the area and we were really trying to do more and get more lessons and such and that's exactly what we did!!! We did a lot of contacting potential investigators and less actives (which is what we had been doing but it wasn't that effective).  So in weekly planning we made sure to get in contact with them and we had a lot of set appointments which was good.  I felt like I was back in Olean where all we had was set appointments.  So this week was a very hard working week!  We had a total of 11 lessons!!!!!!! That doesn't sound like a lot but we had been averaging about 4 per week so this was a HUGE improvement.  Remember though- it's not all about numbers! It's the effectiveness of the lesson that matters and actually counts.  If you just go into a lesson and you just give a lesson so you can count it solely for the number and don't preach to what they need, then you just wasted your time and theirs.  If you do however, go into a lesson and truly love and care for them and address their needs and concerns and teach off that then that is an effective lesson and that will benefit them in their lives. My favorite section in P.M.G. is Chapter 10 Teaching Skills. In there it teaches you how to teach effectively and how to begin teaching. A lesson we had this week that was very powerful and good was with our investigator "J" and he brought his friend "L". How amazing is?  An investigator brought his friend to a lesson!  He's doing missionary work and he's not even a member- how fantastic!!!!!!!!!!  We were going to teach the whole lesson of the Restoration but as we were teaching and I was talking about how God is our loving Heavenly Father, I felt like I wasn't teaching with the spirit or with authority.  So I began to ask questions and see what level he was at.  So I paused and searched for the Spirit to teach me and tell me what to say and we then began to talk about prayer and how God is listening and can reveal truth to us. So we left him with a Book of Mormon and committed him to read and to pray about it.  That was the commitment.  We would've taught about the restoration but I don't think it would've gone well as it would've been too much information for him to understand.  We told him we are going to reteach the Restoration and apply it to his needs at that time.  Also in the lesson I was just teaching him like Elder Tengberg and I had worked on.  I was a full-on AK just sitting there firing doctrine that was hitting everywhere except the target.  So when I paused I remembered the quote, "Be a sniper rifle not an AK." As we began to teach about prayer I said a few powerful statements that I could tell were way more effective than the fire rate of an AK.  I am trying to learn to be better at making my point and then being done.  It just takes time and I understand that.  

Some cool things that have happened are:  1.  Every Saturday we play basketball with a group of non-members at the church.  At first I was really bad and there were a lot of people that hated me on their team because I was bad.  Well I have improved a lot and now I'm not the worst player on the court.  In fact, I made a really cool basket and the guys were like what the heck did he really make that?  I was pretty excited.  People don't get mad at me if I mess up anymore. Hahahaha!!!!!!  It was pretty embarrassing for a while but now I feel comfortable when I play basketball.  I don't know how well I'd do one-on-one but playing with a team I can do alright. 2.  This week I finished the book of Matthew and now I'm in Mark.  I want to read the New Testament all the way through because I think learning how Jesus teaches is going to be the best as I can apply that into my teaching as well.  3.  A bunch of kids wrote Christmas cards to the missionaries out in the field because I got a bunch of letters saying Merry Christmas and they hoped that my mission was going well.  Austin, I just wanted you to let them know I really appreciated it and it meant a lot to me.  You can tell them that I will keep those for the rest of my mission and even when I get home!!!!  That meant a lot to me!!!!  Haillie Nygren sent it to me so just tell her thank you!!!!! 

There have been some frustrating moments this week.  One night I knelt and prayed.  I was still frustrated so I went to the scriptures for an answer on what I needed to do.  I prayed fervently and sincerely!!!  I got my answer.  I found it in 1 Chronicles 21:13.  It says, "And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the Lord; for very great are His mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man."  This was telling me to fall into the Lord's hand and keep the commandments and to not let man detour or distract me from accomplishing that. This scripture helped me to find the peace I needed this week and give me the strength I needed to face the situations.    

Elder Hebdon leaves in 2 days and he's really excited.  I got a lot of his clothes and I'll probably get more.  I also got a 3rd carrying bag because my 2 suitcases were stuffed full when I tried to pack it all together!!!!  I love you all have a great week look for the positives.  Love you bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elder Cahoon the Baboon 

The Triple Threat Team

Hello family and friends!!!!!!!!! 

Snow for Pday! Yay!

Everything is going well here in McKeesport.  It is hard to believe that Elder Hebdon leaves in 9 days!!!!! That's going to be really weird! Oh yeah, I remember Rylee Dearen.  I haven't seen her in forever! That's nice what she said about me.  I'm so glad that Tyler and Hannah got engaged.  That's soooo cool!!!!!! He also did it at Temple Square- how Mormon of him lol!!!!!!!!! I bet it was really pretty with the snow and all the lights.  You will definitely have to send me pictures of the proposal and of both of our families! That's cool that you saw the Abotts- they are super cool!!!!  How nice you were able to also see Debbie, Mark and Trish and all our cousins!  Remember Jason was actually in one of the 12 steps to change that the church came out with.  It sounds like you guys had a great time.  I can't believe that Austin you actually got out on the dance floor and danced!?!?  I'm glad you got out there and showed your moves! I think that's a great idea mom to have those goals- physical, spiritual, and academic.   I will also make goals- I make them all time as a missionary!  I think that's also a neat idea to fill a jar with good things or moments that happen throughout this year.  FYI for me just write "Trevor's Mission" in that jar!!!

No we haven't contacted all the less actives in the Branch.  There's a lot and usually people aren't home but we are still working on that!  We've given a few lessons. I do want to see more in the future.  The numbers we have here are pretty low compared to Olean so that's been hard for me. We did have a lesson this week with an investigator.  He has been taught many times.  I had not met him until yesterday when we taught him.  One thing that I have learned when teaching a lesson is that things may not go as I have planned and prepared for but that is ok. I need to listen to the spiritual promptings.  The lesson may not be perfect and may go in the complete opposite direction that I thought but as long as I am following the Spirit it will be alright.  I am teaching people, not lessons.  This is wayyyyyyy more effective and the Spirit can abide there in that lesson. So we were teaching "J" about the gospel of Jesus Christ (lesson 3 in Preach My Gospel).  We were teaching him specifically about the principle of repentance.  Outta the blue I brought up his habits of drinking and smoking.  I was a little nervous because I thought it might sidetrack into the Word of Wisdom or somewhere else but it was perfect.  He was lacking faith in himself and that is what lesson 3 is- Faith in Jesus Christ.  So we shared the scripture Ether 12:27 which says that God will make weak things become strong.  We then testified that God will enable him and strengthen him in those 2 particular weaknesses.  We told him that he would find strength as he relied on Christ and increased his own faith.  The Spirit was so strong!!!!!  Side note- So another thing I have learned is: if while teaching a lesson and it isn't going well, the Spirit will guide me in a direction completely different than what I had originally planned.  I use to get nervous when this happened and then think I was a terrible teacher.  Let me tell you- don't get nervous or think you are a terrible teacher.  I have come to learn that if we follow spiritual promptings God will make us sufficient to be good teachers and missionaries. Not only that, but even if you are following spiritual promptings and it still goes wrong, don't get discouraged.  Elder Holland says sometimes the only way to get from A to C is through B which means that sometimes we are going to stumble and fall or make the wrong choice or decision.  By knowing what is wrong, we can quickly make our way onto the correct path! 

I'm so glad that you asked where I am in my personal study right now.  I'm in the New Testament. I love the New Testament because that's where Jesus teaches, by example, how we should treat others and what we need to do to become like Him! Today I actually read chapter 26 in Matthew and MOM LISTEN UP!!!!!!!!!!! I don't know if you remember but back in the day remember how on Sundays I would fall asleep in Sacrament Meeting?  You taught me and Austi how to be diligent watchers or something like that.  Well in this chapter it talks about how Peter and the sons of Zebedee (James and John) kept falling asleep in Gethsemane as Jesus was suffering for the sins of the world.  Well when I read that I immediately thought of me being a diligent watcher and I actually shared that in my companionship study.  Mom I seriously love how you taught me that.  I still haven't forgotten it!!!!! I also interpreted that scripture teaching us how we need to be diligent watchers not just from falling asleep but by keeping watch over our families and friends to keep them safe and by supporting them in their the trails and helping them! 

With that I can't think of anything else.  Have a great week.   Send me those pictures of Ty and Hannah.  Thanks Mom and Dad for being fantastic parents.  LOL (love you lots!) bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️

Elder Cahoon the Baboon

Sister Duncan from Farmington and Elder Cahoon from Farmington.
Sister Duncan completed her mission and returned home after this picture. 

The Three Musketeers 12/28/15

Hello family and friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow, I can't believe that the next time I'll see you all is Mother's Day.  That seems so far away!!!!  It was great to see you guys and talk to you on Christmas Day!  I loved seeing Scotty, Uncle Grandpa!, Grandma J, my bodybuilding uncle, the three little Munchkins of his and Aunt Ally!  How fun that was!!!! Not to mention my family and Cache.  He is looking really good with his neck and everything.  I'm amazed!!!!!!!

Yes Elder Hebdon did like his pens.  He was really excited!  Mom thank you for sending that message to me.  I do think that is one lesson I'm learning out here on my mission.  I have to be obedient to the rules and commandments and keep my standards even though others might not.  This lesson won't just be for my mission but for the rest of my life.   I've learned that I truly want to keep high standards and that I want to make the right choices because when I do, I am truly happy and joyful and will receive blessings for my loyalty and obedience to God and His commandments. I also realize that everyone's mission is different for a reason.  I felt like my mission had to be like Tyler's but I understand that everyone is
different and that the Lord needs me out here in Pennsylvania for me to learn things and for the people of Pennsylvania to learn things from me as I am an instrument for God.  I have learned many lessons thus far and I have a testimony of working hard, being obedient and holding my standards high.  Self-discipline has been an important part of my mission since serving in McKeesport. 

Well, we had an amazing lesson last night.  We contacted this family whose records just got transferred into our Branch.  It's the "Y" family.  The mom just separated from her husband and her son "D" was there.  She and her family were going through a rough time.  She hasn't gone to church in years! The last time she went was when she was about 16 yrs. old (she's in her late 30's/early 40's now). Elder Hebdon and I both testified of the Savior Jesus Christ and as well as testified how He knows what we're going through. Elder Hebdon then showed her the Mormon message "Mountains To Climb."   It is a talk that Henry B. Erying gave in General Conference and he explains how if we have faith in Jesus Christ- even a little- we can endure to the end! I noticed that through the video she was crying and her son got quiet.  Afterwards she said, "That's amazing.  I was just talking about prayer with "D" and I have been praying a lot recently and then you two show up at my door."  Then I testified of God's love and how He is there and He is listening to us. We left with a prayer and I left that house with a spirit that made me feel good inside..  How wonderful it was that we
could show up to her house in her time of need and to help her! There are no such things as coincidences- everything happens for a reason!!!!!!

I am going to be in a trio (a tripanionship) with Elder Klima until Elder Hebdon goes home. I've met Elder Klima on my mission when we went down to Slippery Rock for Zone training.  I met him and talked with him. I think he's from Canada.  He's a good guy and he actually served in McKeesport once before on his mission- he was here for about 6 transfers which is 9 months!!!!  So not only did he serve here a really long time but he's coming back to finish up his mission here.  He only has 2 transfers left on his mission.  He will be the new DIstrict Leader.  

Well have a great week!  Make it fantastic and as mom always says........
REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU STAND FOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love that!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love all of you!  Take care. Bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️

Elder Cahoon the Baboon