My Life Be Like Oooh Aaah!

Hello family and friends!!!!!!!!! 

What a crazy week it has been this week- soooo much has taken place and I'm like losing my mind! It's just been a ton happening and it has been somewhat overwhelming but TGIM (Thank Goodness it's Monday) because that means it is preparation day!  Thanks for the keeping me updated on how all my friends and people I know are married!!!!😂😳 That's insane how much life at home has changed.  I'm going to come home and it's going to be completely different but whatever.  I just have to make sure that I am changed for the better and that I continue to help the people of PA to change as well.  I only have so much time left...

That means a lot to me to know that Jay Lucas prayed for me.  I definitely have been not doing too well health wise this past week but I'm actually starting to feel better and am doing great now. I'm very happy about that 😀 Being sick on the mission is noooo fun!!! I'd much rather be out and about seeing people instead of being in our windowless apartment.👎🏻💀 That is absolutely no fun! It's beautiful here in Pennsylvania-  sorry it's snowing for everyone else in Farmington.  Nooooo fun!!!!

Mom it's weird you had a dream about me because I had a dream last night as well that really touched me (it wasn't about you though).  

I had a dream that illuminated my mind and shook me to the very center of my soul. This dream was so realistic.  I have felt nothing like this in my life EVER in all the 19 years of life. So, Elder Ross and I were walking down the streets of Butler, PA.  The ground was snow packed and the sun was shining.  We were at the intersection with Saint Andrews church and the other churches that are nearby.  We were walking across the street in the crosswalk.  There was an older lady and an older gentleman (maybe in their 50's) walking behind us.  I took off my backpack to grab the literature that is always there and as I was doing so, I began to talk with them, asking if I could share with them something special. They truly weren't too interested in what I had to say.  However, like usual, I was persistent- not wanting to take "no" for an answer.  I begin to tell them that what I had to share would bless their families and improve their lives.  I told them "life can be difficult and hard to bear" and then I quoted a scripture (Mark 12:30) "Love God with all your heart, might, mind, and strength."  After I quoted this scripture, I told them "now I know what this means." I all of a sudden became so overwhelmed by that knowledge.  I KNOW of these things because of the Spirit.  My feelings were so overwhelming that I straightway fell to my knees and began to cry right there in the crosswalk.  As I wept, the couple kept walking.  I couldn't get up. I was so moved that I didn't have the strength.  All of a sudden, the elderly gentleman ran back and helped me up. He took me in his arms and together we walked  to the other side of the street and down the road a ways.  As we were walking down the road there was more snow and more people gathering.  Usually, the people on the streets say things to us missionaries but it that moment I didn't think about what they were saying because I was just so touched by the Spirit. Elder Ross and the woman were in front of me walking.  The man asked me, "Why are you crying?" I told him that I KNEW God loved me and His Spirit was bearing witness to me of that truth.  And because of His love, I had a feeling of overwhelming love for Him.  

I awoke after that and pondered on the dream.  My first thought was of the scripture and I had that same overwhelming feeling again!  The dream was SO VIVID.  That scripture is embedded into my mind and soul!  I know that God loves me, is always there for me.  I need to continue to nuture that relationship.  I know that I show my love for Him by following Him and keeping the commandments by not rebelling against Him.  By doing these things, I will be able to stand in holy places and be not be moved!  I cannot deny this knowledge or these feelings.

So I picked up Elder Ross on Tuesday and was able to have a great talk with Sister Johnson (our Mission President's wife). She told me how grateful she was for me.  She shared how a lot of times missionaries view their success on leadership positions and how grateful she was for me to still be working hard even when I wasn't in a leadership calling.  She told me she was grateful for my humility.  I was taken aback by this because she was saying this out of the blue. I thanked her and it help me see just a little bit more that she is just like you mom!!!!  Sis. Johnson and you are like the exact same person. I love her and President Johnson so much!!   It helped to realize that I am too often too hard on myself.  

Elder Ross is from Fort Worth, Texas. Where is Hannah from again?  Elder Ross was wondering.  E. Ross is a great guy and I love him more and more.  We have a lot in common.  So these last few days have been a blur but we have seen a lot of people and had  team ups and lessons.  We have 2 people set with a baptismal date now!  Joe came to church again and is progressing a ton!!!!!!  So it has been fantastic to have investigators coming and progressing in the Gospel!!  We have had many miracles this week!  We had a lesson with K where we left impressed to invite him to come out with us on team ups and teach people.  He agreed and came out with us this week and it helped him out a ton!!!  We talked to him about it later and he shared some personal revelation he received.  We also talked to and followed up with a lot of our investigators.  For the most part, all are good.  So it's been a ton of fun!!!!🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻  I'm loving my mission a ton right now!  I'm just pushing forward and upward! I will never stop!!!

Elder Cahoon the Baboon

Work, Work, Work. Let My Body Do The Work!

Hello fam bam and friends! 

Yo yo yo.  Big news big news!!!! So transfers were this past week and turns out my companion who've I only been companions with for like 3 weeks is leaving!  Soooo weird!!!  Elder Andrews is going to Williamsport to be a Zone Leader and I'm getting a new companion, Elder Ross.  He's a big, tall boy and a great singer! The only other thing I know about him is that he was companions with Elder Tengberg (my trainer)!!!!  How crazy is that?  I'm pretty excited for this companionship!

I haven't told you a lot of what I've been experiencing in Butler. So in this area we give many Priesthood blessings, which is great.  I think I've given more blessings here than my entire mission.  I realized that I wasn't giving very many blessings anywhere else so I left my oil vial  in another Elders' apartment.  So mom, could you please get me an oil vial and send some oil as well- that would be much appreciated.  The Area here is great as we do a lot of walking and talking to many different people.  I'm glad I'll still be here to serve in Butler. This past week we talked to a lot of different people and had really cool experiences.  I went on an exchange with Elder Nuttall and we had a ton of fun working hard and seeing a lot of people.  We went to see Randy who wanted to come to church.  We had a lesson with him and it went well!  We helped answer his questions and he was grateful for that.  After the exchange, it was me and Elder Andrews again and it was time for District meeting.  We had a great District meeting where we talked about how to teach people the doctrine.  We then had dinner at R's house.  She and her son, Kevin, are both members.  We had a great dinner and we had an amazing lesson with them.  Kevin really opened up with us and it was really spectacular.  Anyways, wonderful, amazing things are happening!!!! 

I also got sick after that night so I was inside sleeping a lot.  I felt terrible!  I didn't even sleep on Saturday night.  I was still not feeling well and very tired on Sunday.  I wasn't going to go to church but I went because Joe was going and wanted us to be there.  Even though I was super tired and not feeling 100%, I went for him.  

I'm so glad to be serving in Butler, helping the ward members and hopefully making a difference. Keep up the good missionary work on your end.  Love you guys.  Bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️

Elder Cahoon the Baboon

New Year....Same Cheer!

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

Wow!!!! Another week of miracles.  We have just been putting our noses down and working A TON! I mean non-stop we've been talking to everyone (and when I mean everyone, I mean everyone)! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Whether we are passing them on the street or they are across the street or they are sitting on the porch or they are about to go into a building, we are sharing the B.O.M. with EVERYONE!!!  We have had many amazing miracles and many B.O.M.s passed out as well! We are preaching the word to the world 🌎❗️

So to answer your questions! Yes I set personal goals for this year!

1. Finish reading the New Testament (before I leave my mission)- I am almost finished with 1 Corinthians.

2. See ALL of my family when I get home- so all of my Aunts and Uncles on both sides; of course Hannah; my Grandparents on both sides; go spend some time with Kyle as well! I miss all of my family a ton!!!!!

3. Hit the gym when I get home and to weigh 200 pounds in muscle!!!

So those are all of my goals for the new year.  I'm glad to hear about your goals, Dad.  So our investigator, J, didn't come to church this week sadly.😫  He told us he didn't want to come if we weren't going to be there to pick him up.  We are going to talk to him about that this week and how he needs to be able to come to church without us but that we will be there at church waiting for him; that there will always be someone friendly and nice to pick him up. We will see where that goes. We are going to have to push back his baptismal date so he can be properly prepared!  We aren't sure what has been up with "A" but he seems to be avoiding us.  

Q & A:

1.  That is soooo cool about the Reynolds' family experience! I can't believe that happened. Absolutely blown away!  Miracles really do occur!   

2.  Yes I did get my new boots! They're working fantastic and keeping my feet warm! No I haven't sent the other boots back yet.  We ran out of time so I will get that next week hopefully! 

3.  Yes I love the new youth theme for this year (James 1:5-6).  I would emphasize with the youth how much the BOM is used in all aspects of missionary work.   I am especially thinking about different areas of the US and the world where our faith is a minority.  The youth first have to learn to how to recognize answers to prayers and then when they pray about the Book of Mormon they will recognize when the Holy Ghost testifies of its truthfulness.   Let me tell you it would be IMPOSSIBLE to try and convince people our church is true by using our means. It just wouldn't happen.  That is why I'm so so sooooo grateful for Moroni's promise in the Book of Mormon.  Every baptized person In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has prayed and gotten a witness that the Book of Mormon is true.   I love it!! 

Okay let me break down this week 'cause it was INSANE!!!!!!!!!!! We worked our tail-ends off.   Before I start though I just want everyone to know that sometimes as a missionary you are working as hard as you can and you are giving a 100%- all you have- but sometimes you don't get very many results.  Other times, your blessings will be overflowing.  God wants us to trust Him.  This is a test to see if we are going to keep trying and working our hardest or if we are going to give up or let off the gas pedal a bit.  Keep working hard, having faith and choose to keep working hard.  

This week I went on a Blitz with my Zone Leader, Elder Baker.  He trained E. Butikofer and was companions with E. Scholfield so he had lots to talk about- it was great!  For 3 days and 2 nights E. Baker and his comp stayed over.  It was an absolute blast!!!  We went to try a few new people and I had my new boots on!!!😁 They work great!  We were out trudging in the snow and my feet were toasty!  It has been really cold here.  Twice this week we have walked up the biggest hills in Butler- that was an adventure both times.  There are definitely less people on the street but we are still trying to talk to EVERYBODY!!!!! Being in a walk area both in the winter and the summer is sweet!!! I've been able to be out in the hottest days as well as the coldest of days. 

The Fullers fed us dinner this week which was wonderful of them.  We talked about mission marriages cause I have had 2 companions and one Sister missionary who I came out here with get married to someone that was in this mission.  And then don't forget Tyler. 

We helped the Cs move out from their old house and move into their parent's home. We had a ton of fun and just joked the whole time.  Brother C was in the Army so there were lots of those stories and Sister C served a mission on Temple Square.   They threw out quite a few things they didn't need so we got to break stuff (which is my forte)! I'm great at destroying and breaking things!!!

 

So pretty much life is great!!!  Keep doing well.  I love you.  Take care.  Bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️

Elder Cahoon the Baboon

Short but Sick Week (Cool Week)!!

Hello family and friends!!!!!!!!!! 

It sounds like you all have been having a ton of fun over the Christmas vacation!!!! I'm glad all has been well with you guys. Well on New Years Eve night we just stayed inside- we had to be in by 6:00pm and clean our apartment.  After that we were done we watched "Ephraim's Rescue" and it was a great movie to watch!!! I'll answer your questions first:

1. Yes we have sooooo much candy it's insane!

2. Yes I did get my boots but unfotunately they don't fit.  I'm sorry mom. So let me know what I need to do.  
3. My gloves are warm and they work great!!!!!  I even have a few other pairs from other elders (as all my winter gear is).
4. No, I haven't eaten all the candy.  In fact I'm trying not to eat any chocolate.  I just don't want that or other sweets in my body.  
5. The ward here is great. I still am trying to learn a lot of people's names but everyone is very nice and sweet and they treat us very well!! The individuals I do know are hilarious 😂!!!!!!!!  A total riot!!!!  Tom is always cracking jokes!!!!  The members are good with missionary work here.  We actually have our investigator, Joe, on date for baptism!!!!!  And he came to church yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!🤗🙌🏻😃 He needed a ride and the Fullers were more than willing to take him and us!!!! We are working with other members of the ward too!!!
6. I'm currently in 1st Corinthians chapter 12.  This past week while reading, I was able to have a lot of insight
on decreasing contention and to resolve problems and issues peacefully and without guile.  How Christ
treated those who were in need is how we should treat all those around us!
7. So last District meeting was applying Christlike attributes in Preach my Gospel (a missionary's wookbook/study guide).  My companion is the new District Leader and it's pretty great!!!!!

So I don't have too much time but I have a ton of highlights! I will just be able to share a couple.  So something we are doing in Butler is talking to everyone! When I mean talking to everyone I mean absolutely everyone.  We say hi and greet EVERY person we see and there has been so much success.  We've picked up A TON of new investigators this way and it has been sooooooo sweet.  Once fantastic investigator has been "A."  He was someone we talked to on the street.  He actually invited us over for dinner on New Year's.  He wanted to hear our life stories and wanted to know what it is we do as missionaries.   He was so taken aback by what we do everyday as missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He was also surprised to find out how many rules we have to abide by while out on our missions. He complimented us a ton and we had a great first lesson with him!  He got soooo excited when we showed him the gospel library app and when he found out it had Spanish he said, "Yo dog.  This is so sick. I'm gonna check this out on Sunday.  Yep Sunday I'm checking it out!"   How sick is that??

I will write more next week.  Love you guys.  Take care.  Bye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️

Elder Cahoon the Baboon