The Pennsylvania Temple and.... Pokemon Go!

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

Wow what amazing experiences I have had this past week! I'm very excited to answer your questions as well as spill the beans as to what I've been up to.  So let's start this off with answering my little mama's questions! ha, HA!!!!!!  Yes I got the package. I liked all the clothes that were sent.  They all fit pretty well. I loved the suit- it felt pretty good putting it on! I'm going to be honest I didn't try on the pants that were seperate from the suit but they probably fit!  My clothes are holding up pretty; well, some of my white shirts have grass and street stains but we were doing service when that happened so it's okay.  The dirtier the shirt, the more you're working!!!👍🏻 I like both the Arrow shirts you sent but I prefer the fitted one.  It was nice and... stretchy! Like Nacho Libre's stretchy pants!!!!!! So send more of those ones out.  So I'm good on pday clothes.  My church shoes are beginning to get holes at the bottom so eeekk!!!!! I might need new church shoes but I got a pair from another elder.  Those are for winter but if it comes down to it I'ma wear those!  

That's cool to hear Austin and Ty are killing it at football.  Those guys are MONSTERS!!!!!!!! I just hope Austin doesn't get broken like me. I realize that football is not for me- I love it but I get broken WAYYY too easily!  Heavenly Father created me to be fragile and quick not big boned and unbreakable. That's alright.  I'm more of a Spider-Man superhero anyways!1  I hope Dad had fun in Vegas in the training he was receiving! Sorry that summer's already

coming to a close for you mom.  I know you really enjoy your time off- relaxing and tanning.  It's crazy how time flies by nowadays! Before you know it it'll be summer next year and I'll be home but we are just gonna have to wait cause I have a lot more to do out here.  

So let me tell you about the adventures of this past week!  So the week started off with last Pday with a bang.  I had the chance to go to... drumroll please dadadadadadada
HERSHEY PARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  First, we went to Hershey World where all the Hershey chocolate comes from.  It all begins in Hershey, Pennsylvania.  It's pretty cool how that all works- you get to go on this ride which shows you all about how Hershey Chocolate is
made!!!!! I didn't buy anything but I got some sweet pictures thanks to another Elder so I'll send you the pictures! Then we went on all the sweet rides!!!!! It was a lot of fun.  We got to go on one of the rides called Sky Rush- it was one of the most intense rides.  They warn you about the G forces and they tell you to "ride at your own risk."  It was a pretty wild ride!  We got rained on part way through so that was a bummer.  We went from ride to ride trying to ride all of them- I am not gonna lie though I got a little sick at the very end.  I just needed a nap on the way home and then I was all good!  It was a fun-filled day!  That night we went to dinner with the H's and guess what the topic of conversation was.. it was about Pokemon Go!  Have you guys heard about this new app?!? Have any of you downloaded it or played it by chance?!? It's like the new thing these days.  I mean EVERYONE'S playing.
I've heard so many things about it.  While we were eating dinner, Bishop even caught a Zubat hahaha!!!!!!!  He was saving my companion from being attacked!  At Hershey Park we saw sooooo many people playing Pokemon Go!  They were all trying to "catch em all!"
Bishop H was saying that ever since Pokemon Go came out, the view of porn has gone down!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Isn't that amazin??!!!!!  People stopped watching porn to play Pokemon
Go- this app has to be from God!!!!!!!!!!! hahaha  I think the missionaries should get the app for our ipads.  I'm pretty sure Pennsylvania would be the highest ranking of baptisms if we downloaded this app. We could locate Pokemon which means he could locate other people and then throw out lures to the Pokemon so that the Pokemon would come to us which would draw the people to us as well! We could literally bring the people of Pennsylvania to us! What a way to do missionary work huh?

This week we saw a lot of people- too many in fact to record but I will give you an update
on S.  He's the less active who is very intelligent and was a theology professor so this guy isn't joking around when it comes to religious topics- he knows soooo much! He finished reading the B.O.M. in 1 week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😱😱😱 Isn't that crazy? 1 week and he read the whole thing!!! He has been doing so well and the lessons we have with him are amazing!!!!! The Holy Ghost is truly the teacher.  We wouldn't be able to teach him (or anyone) with the power and authority that we do if it wasn't for the Holy Ghost.  He has been our life line for the lessons we have with S.  We rely so much on the Holy Ghost to put into our mouths what we need to say.  I really have gained a testimony of the following 2 scriptures:  Doctrine & Covenants 11:21- Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men.  Doctrine & Covenants 84:85 Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man.

These scriptures are both in Preach my Gospel chapter 10 and they have helped me see that this would not be possible if it wasn't for the Holy Ghost.  It is crazy how well the lessons go even though he is so intellectually beyond our own understanding, yet he still
learns something new.  We had an amazing lesson on faith and we read about Alma.   S stands up and says, "I know Mormonism is true." and then sits back down!!!!😱😱😱😱😱 Whoa! Hold up!!!!! When we first met him, he told us that logically Mormonism didn't make sense.  Yet he now professes to know that Mormonism (the restored gospel of Jesus Christ) is true. We were shocked as he stood up and said this.  We were quiet for a second andthen as we started to talk he said he felt the Spirit! Whoa! Wait! Hold on.  When we first met him one of his first questions and concerns he mentioned to us was "How do I recognize when I feel the Holy Ghost?"  He told us that he has had a couple of spiritual experiences long ago regarding the B.O.M. but ever since then he hasn't felt that same feeling.  Over time, as we kept meeting with him and talking about his concerns, doubts and fears, he had small impressions and good thoughts and feelings which he was
able to find out was the Holy Ghost.  With the help of the Holy Ghost, he learned to feel and recognize promptings of the Holy Ghost!!!!!! S has made immense progress.  I want to share with you his favorite scriptures.  Doctrine and Covenants 64
31 And behold, I, the Lord, declare unto you, and my words are sure
and shall not fail, that they shall obtain it.
32 But all things must come to pass in their time.
33 Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the
foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that
which is great.

So the best part of the week (hard to believe huh?) was yesterday (Sunday).  We got to go to the Philadelphia Temple!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We got to go with our favorite person in all of New Cumberland- S!!!!!!!!!!! So the church did this VIP missionary tour where missionaries and their investigators or less actives could go and tour the temple!!!  It was sooooo great to be able to go with him to all the different rooms.  S said the room where he felt the Spirit the most was the baptistry.  He loved that part a lot!!

I want to conclude this email by talking about the difference between a bridge builder and a bank sitter. Sister Johnson shared this story during our training.  Her ancestor was in the Martin Handcart Company. It was winter and there were many people afraid of crossing the frozen river.  The ancestor crossed but when she turned around, she saw many people sitting on the river bank refusing to cross (Sis. Johnson called them "bank sittrs").  They had reached a point where they couldn't go any farther.  So the ancestor went back and helped the others cross the river- she did it 16 times in fact!!!!  She was leading the
way.   We then related it to missionary work in Pittsburgh (it's called the "city of bridges" because there are a total of 446 bridges in Pittsburgh).  As we are all missionaries, you can relate it to yourself. :)  As missionaries we have made it across our bridge but we need to go back and help others build and cross their bridges. We can't stand on the other side of the river and expect others to build their bridges.  We can't yell at the bank sitters to try and encourage them, we need to walk back across our bridge.  We may need to sit on the bank with the bank sitters and see where they are spiritually and then help them build their bridge.  Jesus Christ is the ultimate bridge builder as he connects us now and forever to our Heavenly Father! He will also help us build our bridge that will lead us to eternal life with our Heavenly Father. 

So, my challenge is:  Be a bridge builder.  If you know of someone that's a bank sitter, reach out with love and compassion and help them build their bridge!  I love you guys. Have a great week.  Bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️

Elder Cahoon the Baboon

The Holy Ghost is the Best!

Salut familia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ha-Ha  2 years of French I'm soooo good!! lol jk  Pennsylvania is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also Mom, I got the care package of cookies. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They are soooo good!!!!!!!! Austin- good job killing it out there playing football- kicking butt and taking names!!!!! I don't have any one liners when I talk to people. I just say something different every time.  

Dad, I'm sorry to hear about Sister Bayless. I remember home teaching her and I liked her a lot!!!!! I think it's really funny you got called to High Priest Group Leader.  I think it'll be pretty easy- the people you're gonna teach are gonna be asleep anyways! Hahahahaha!!!!!! I'm surprised that coach Bradley and Ms. Bradley asked about me.  I do love them so much!!  I'm so grateful for your letters each week!!!!!!

Let me tell you, this week has been great so let me dive right in!!!! So we went on exchanges this week.  I went with Elder Pirzadeh (he was in my group as we traveled

out to our mission together).  He's a real fun guy!!!!!!!!! We had a lot of cool moments and tender mercies while on exchanges!!!!!!!!! So we stayed here in our area (Lewisberry) which is New Cumberland and I led out.  I've only been here for a little while so I was a little unfamiliar with the area but it's all good.  We had great things happen.  We stopped by P's house and turns out he moved so we can't see him anymore :-(  We then went to the Senior Center to see our invesigator P (another P) and attended the Bible study with him.  For the first half of service and we read Acts 17.  P just starts throwing down on the Athenians for believing in unknown Gods and making God a mystery.  He begins to tell the others in the group not to believe in the knowledge of man but rather believe the prophets.  He tells the group that God is their father in heaven and that we all are the offspring of God, that we are created from God's image! Basically he was saying God has a body of flesh and bone- pretty sick!  P is a boss missionary and he doesn't even know it! Then we did service for the old folks and my goodness are old timers funny.  They have no filter and just say the first thing that comes to their mind. haha They crack me up!!! Well after Bible study, one of the ladies there asked if we could stick around and help her.  Elder Pirzadeh and I looked at each other and then at her and said, "Heck yeah!!" I absolutely love service and being able to help out even if I'm in church clothes.  We helped move some books from the upstairs to the downstairs.  It wasn't bad at all!  We then went to Lemonye and we did a lot of street contacting.  We picked up 3 potential investigators!!!!!!!!! How cool is that??!!!!!!! We stopped and talked to these 2 kids which were about 13 years old.  They were both pretty interested.  We actually got to go back and teach T later on in the week.  He read the Book of Mormon liked we asked.  We went through The Restoration pamphlet with him and it went really well.  He understood the there was an apostasy and need for the gospel of Jesus Christ to be restored.  We told him to pray and read more of the B.O.M. It was a good lesson. We also saw this girl, E.  She wasn't too interested at first but then we kept talking and she said that she would be interested in what we had to say.  We scheduled an appointment.  We weren't able to give her a BOM because we ran out. hahahaha Elder Pirzadeh's bike got a flat and it was donezo!!!!!!!! It was not getting pumped back up again. So the 2 mile bike ride to Lemonye turned out to be a 45 minute walk back to our place hahaha!!!!!!!! It was okay though cause God let that happen because we were able to stop by Y's house and see her!  So back story on Y.  Elder Cuthbert and his last companion had been trying to get in and see her for 6 weeks before I got here.  They were either ignored or did not catch her and the family at home.  We have also tried to contact her since I have been here in the area.  Well that night as we walked past her house because of the flat tire, her son opened the door and let us in!!!!  Elder Cuthbert has been trying forever to get in and we finally did but he was in another area for exchanges!!!!  hahahaha!!!!!!!!!!  We talked about things they do in their family to show each other love.  They are struggling as a family and listening to them talk about their increased efforts to show love was just beautiful to hear!!!!!! We  showed them the video "You never know" by Gordon B. Hinckley.  The funniest part is we stayed a little too long at their house because Y was talking so much which means we were just a little late getting back home.  But as we were walking home, there was someone sitting on their porch and we had 1 B.O.M. left.  We were already late so we talked to him and handed out a B.O.M. I wasn't meaning to (nor did I want to) get in late but might as well make the most of it and teach the gospel on the way home right?! Hahahaha  

We also had zone training and that was great! We talked a lot about How to Begin Teaching which is in Preach My Gospel chapter 10.  Our zone activity afterward was a lot of fun.  We played some games and I kept getting out at the beginning so that was frustrating but it was a lot of fun.  We then had lunch with a woman in our ward we call Mama D (yep Tyler I have a "mama" in my mission too!).  So we had lunch with her and her son,S, (who is not a member).  He has never eaten with E. Cuthbert before but he did this time with us!  He even asked us a question... " How do I recognize the Holy Ghost in my life?" Of course we missionaries were amazed.  We never get questions like this!  We started asking more questions to see his level of understanding and give him some answers! It was a very spiritual experience and the spirit was strong.  He even asked for a priesthood blessing at the end of lunch!!!  He even gave us a call later that night and asked if we could come over and teach him again.  How crazy is that!?!?!?!?!😱😱😱😱✊🏻😱😱😱😊😊😊 We were so excited.  So some background on him...He is actually a theology professor so he knows a lot about the scriptures and a lot of doctrine.  We felt a little inadequate at first.  But let me tell you we've met with him Tuesday- Saturday this week and he loves having us over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This has been my highlight of the week because I have gained such a HUGE testimony of letting the Holy Ghost be the teacher! We are two 19 year old kids who have not studied the scriptures for many years at this point of our lives and he has studied the scriptures his whole life.  Every time we finish a lesson with him he always says, "Wow I like talking with you guys.  You are more knowledgeable and teach better than my collegues." We told him it wasn't us because it's not (we would not be able to do missionary work or anything in the church without the Holy Ghost).  It's through him that we can come to know all things, how we can learn something new each and every time we go to church or read the scriptures.  The lessons this week with S have been amazing because the Holy Ghost has told us what we need to do and say.  There is no other way to describe than that.  The Holy Ghost was leading us in the lesson, telling us what to say and do next- whether to ask a question, read a scripture or to testify. The Holy Ghost really is present in this work and I'm so grateful for him.  I love having his guidance when teaching.  He truly is my senior companion, the teacher, the guide. This week I've come to see that I wouldn't be able to do these things if it weren't for the Holy Ghost.   

Well I love you all.  Have a great week.  Take care.  Bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️

Elder Cahoon the Baboon

Happy 4th and Happy Hump Day!

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

New Cumberland, PA

Check it, HUMP DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How insane is that I've been on my mission a year!?!?!?!? Wow! This past year on my mission has been absolutely amazing.  There have been miracles and wonderful friendships!!!!!! I have really seen the gospel change people for the better and literally change their life.  It has changed their weaknesses into strengths and helped them to see that there is hope, there is a reason for trials- for these hard things, and that there a reason to live!! We all have a purpose and even though we may not see it, God does and He'll help us find it if we are willing to let Him take the guide us in the direction He wants us to go. That's really difficult- to hand over our life to God- our time, our wants, our wishes; but if we do, He will show us a brighter future and a better life!!! It's very scary because we are unsure what's going to happen or what's going to be the end result but if we trust in Him he can change or circumstances, our mindsets and our
abilities.  Now I've seen the hand of God in this work but I have also seen the hand of God in my life personally.   This last year I've really let God into my daily life.  I don't just look or reach out for God when I'm hurt or when I feel hopeless or when I am truly overjoyed.  I invite Him and His spirit into my constantly.  We all need to keep that relationship strong so that
we can know what it is that God needs us to do so; that we may do His will.  I'm still trying to understand what God would have me do.  I have learned so many lessons!

I'm going to try and answer all of you questions! My mission has gone by fast at times and other times it's gone by pretty slow.   I live in a town called New Cumberland and it's like the rest of Pennsylvania- a lot of 2-3 story homes that are
close together with little to no yards in the front! So I'm in the Lewisberry Ward (it's a little bigger than Olean congregation but smaller than the Wexford ward).  We haven't gotten fed a whole lot here. Not complaining.   There are a lot of older, single sisters in this ward and it's difficult for them to feed us. This area is not like Wexford though where you having people driving BMW's or Jaguars from place to place but it's all good- I like it here!!!! So not sure the plans for today (4th of July).  We are eating dinner with members and I'm not sure if we are watching fireworks or anything like that. I am glad you enjoyed Addams Family.  I remember last year we saw Beauty and the Beast.  I remember Sister Wakan and she did a great job playing Mrs. Potts so I bet she did fantastic as Morticia!  My cousin, Jennifer, is going on a mission!?!?! That is awesome she will be by Africa!!!  I feel like there are a lot more girls wanting to serve and serving a mission! Ok hold up.
What!?!?!?!? Austin benched 225!?!?!? What the heck?  I could barley do that my Senior year.Good for you Austi!  Way to put it up man!!!!!!! You are going to be so much bigger than me by the time I get home.  So I'm pretty sure Pennsylvania is patriotic because I saw stuff up for 4th of July and it wasn't even June yet.  People always put up decorations for holidays a lot sooner than what I've usually seen so they're on the ball!!!!!!! So some goals I have for the end of this year one is to finish the New Testament and to make getting up early something I enjoy rather than lament.   The lessons I do learn here on my mission are ones I want to take back home with me.  I don't want to say, "Oh, that was a good experience" and not apply at home the things I learned here.  That would be absolutely pointless.  I don't want to be the same person I was before.  I want to be the same person at home as the one I am out here.  Alright so there's all of your questions answered I hope! 

This week was started off really well!!! Every Tuesday we go and do service at the West Shore Senior Center and it's a lot of fun.  We talk and help pass out food.  I definitely haven't done as much service as I did in Ambridge; however, it's good to be out and doing missionary work!  As we were walking home on from the Center on Tuesday we passed by the R family who are members.  They were cutting their grass so we stopped and offered our help.  This was the first time I think a member accepted our help- it was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I was so grateful that they said "yes" to our help because a lot of the time we ask but they say they don't have anything for us to do.  I want to tell you guys that if a missionary or home teacher or visiting teacher ask for help they MEAN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!  They aren't just saying that because someone is telling them to.  They
say it that because they legitimately want to help!!!!!!!! So if you have any of these 3 people over and thy ask if there's anything they can do- think of something!!   Let others help!!!!  Let me tell you, you would not believe how happy I was.  We  mowed the grass and picked up dog poop and rocks in the heat of the day with humidity and you know what?  I didn't even care in the SLIGHTEST!!!!!!!!!!  My other highlight of the week:  we've been doing a lot street contacting- talking to everyone we see on the street, on their porch or wherever!  We haven't had much success doing that but one experience stuck out to me.  His name is P.  He saw and talked to him on our way to our investigators P and K (which is another highlight).  We start talking to P about basketball which eventually leads us to talk about families.  He took us to his house and showed us pictures of his family as well as books that have helped him get closer to God.   He didn't believe in a religion here on earth and we told him that Jesus Christ set up a church on this earth and we showed him the Book of Mormon.  He wasn't having anything of it but when he read Moroni's promise- and I'm not kidding you- when he read it and the way he read it, it was SO powerful!  He  then took the BOM and promised to read and pray about it.  The stinky thing is is that P moved and we don't know where. :(  He told us that he feels that we were sent to him from God.  We prayed with him and during the prayer he cried.  He told us how grateful he was to us for sharing the things with him.  If we hadn't talk to him and been willing to open our mouths, we never would've had that experience.  I had not seen any success with street contacting since I began here in New Cumberland but because we were so willing to try and talk to everyone we saw and we showed our faith that even though we had been unsuccessful, we were still willing to try, the Lord put P in our path!  If we show God that we are willing to try, He will bless us. 

Another highlight this week:  our investigator, S, is just so willing to change.  He is a Jesus freak and he loves it!! He has pictures of Jesus on his walls- basically everywhere in his house.  Let me tell you a little about S.  He has some mental disabilities but he is high functioning.  He is the funniest guy you'll ever meet.  He can talk about subjects he likes for hours!!! He absolutely loves planes, loves Jesus and loves his family!!!!! He could be buddies with Deiter F. Uchtdorf.  They would get along great!!!!!  The best part is we set a baptismal date of August 20th and he accepted!!!!!!  We are going to keep him on that path and help him to do focus and do all that he needs to!!!!!!!



Petting deer at the Zoo

We went to the zoo for Pday today and then to a less active's house to light off some fireworks.  It was pretty fun! I'll send you guys pictures.  Love ya.  Take care.  Have a great week- make it a good one!  Bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️

Elder Cahoon the Baboon

Lovin' on baby goats (kids)

Llama lips!