I'm gonna be a "DAD"

Hola everyone!

 

I just want to thank you all for the Christmas tree.  I love it! I look at it everynight and surprisingly it keeps me focused! It keeps me thinking about why I came out here and the example I GET to be to those little sobrinos and sobrinas (nieces and nephews) that I have back at home.

 

What a year in sports! The sad thing is, I've had more people ask and know about Brandon Davies than I have about Mitt Romney. What a sad sad twisted world it is in these days, huh? We should definitely be more informed on who's running our country than who's running a fast break.

 

WE had an unusual turkey day. No jello. No gravy. No stuffing. It was good mexican food but I've never seen beans and horchata or eaten my turkey with a home made tortilla (which, by the way, I know how to cook!) on Thanksgiving day. But hey! I was super grateful for how good it was! I got some great relaxation time, that's for sure. Got us all rested up for today :D We finally played basketball again, so that was great! ALMOST dunked off of a miss, but then remembered I'm still white and just layed it up.

 

Transfer days yet again. I love Elder Guzman and wanted him to stay SO bad. I wish I could say my prayer of him staying was answered because we FINALLY hit our best day on Monday where the spirit was just FLYING and people couldn't help but want to be baptized. I wish he was staying but sadly, he's gone. He will be doing one transfer in English work with my good buddy, Elder Fitt. He and I were in the same apartment in Lodi and became great friends. I'm very excited for my companion and KNOW that he will be a great Elder in the English work and also learn a LOT about why he's here. He's such a great Elder and I can't wait to see him get even better. He's been one of my favorites and we will see each other around a lot during the next transfer seeing as he's literally just around the river bend.

 

And the scary news? President has asked me to train.... A brand new elder..... AHHHHHHHH!!! When those words came out of his mouth I immediately forgot to breath. haha K see ya later I know it doesn't sound like a big deal but I'm so scared! If he gets trained wrong it could effect a lot a TON of his mission. And I would be responsible for it. That scares me a lot. President and I had a nice short phone call about it and he calmed me down (he already knows when I'm scared and I think he giggled a little at my reaction of, "Wait... What? Are you serious?") I almost asked where Ashton was, thinking I was being punked. But I accepted and I'm very excited to see the Lord carry this area. I still feel like I was just barely born the other month and now BAM. I'm having a new bouncing baby boy! I'm pretty scared but very excited to meet my new friend :D

 

This week we had an all-star week. We had a spiritual down pour and the blessings just showered upon the area. There were many, MANY miracles that happened this past week. Just in the short few days we had! We saw the blessings when 5 came to church, 2 unexpected including the sister of Erick, who also came to church, and is getting baptized this Saturday at 6. This is the 4th baptism in this area in the past year and we're looking at at least 2 more in december. The Lord is opening up Rancho Cordova. It's hard to go under with our small little buckets and try to catch all the blessings!

 

My only problem this week was feeling down. Sometimes, I felt like the WORST missionary in this mission and I didn't understand why. I thought it was Satan trying to get me down but then I realized what I had fasted and prayed for lately. To be more humble. Let me recommend something. Never pray and fast for humility unless you are ready to be hammered with humbling experiences. There were times when I couldn't think of ANYTHING in Spanish. I was shocked because of how little I could say. Then last night I was praying with tears streaming down my face and heard a soft voice or feeling telling me that I had asked specifically for what I was getting. I had a short moment of laughter and then another down pouring of the Lord's spirit. I've learned to love humbling experiences. I guess that's a good thing since I will be receiving them a lot this transfer.

 

Our other investigators are doing great! We've fixed some problems in the ward and after passing out some candies and a 21 day plan that Elder Ballard gave to a mission in Salt Lake, they really took hold of missonary work. We're now trying our best to plan our schedule around theirs. It's hard sometimes because we forget who works when, but it's getting a lot easier to get them to come out with us.

I love Rancho.

 

I will be picking up my new companion tomorrow at about 10:00. I'm very excited to get to know him and tell you all about him next week! I'm sure he'll be EXACTLY what this area needs.

 

The Lord will never let us down XD!

 

Love you all!

 

Elder Walker

No tricks, but this one's a real treat!

Hola todos!

What a wonderful week. I'm so excited to tell you and share these wonderful experiences with you all XD

We had a zone conference on Thursday with Elder Yamashita of the 70 who talked last conference. He was very fun. Oh. and surprise surprise. Since my old zone leader and mission hero, Elder Kelley, was moved to AP, there's now someone up there that knows me really well. I had gone under the radar for a while lol but now he's there. So ya know 2 days before zone conference he calls me up to congratulate us on the last week and I was thinking oh great how nice. But no, there's always something else. He asked me to sing a song, a special number, solo, for Elder Yamashita and President and crowd there. I just about wet myself. But did it with a great pianist Elder Johnson. He's super great so we got it down in an hour. An hour of practice and we were then going to perform in front of a man who's probably witnessed Jesus Christ himself.... It went great and Elder Yamashita and his wife were so kind. Sister Lewis wanted mom to know that she should be proud and that she felt like my mom sitting there. She almost got up right after to give me a hug. Then realized her calling and kept down lol. She's a great lady!

We had a great week serving the people here and God blessed us to achieve many goals this week. Our lessons, invites, referals but most importantly, firms and people at church.

Mayra, the girl we've been working with who works at this rocking bakery, free bread and drinks everyday. They're the nicest people with the BEST bread in the whole world ps.... Anyway, we went over there saturday to 'firm her up' or in other words, get her with a solid baptismal date. This friday. We went over and she said she's felt good about it but wasn't sure. We felt inspired to ask if she felt the scriptures were true. She said she always got her answers through just opening up to a page and then there it would be. I got super nervous but asked her to do it. I felt the spirit really strong, testifying that she needed to do it with the Book of Mormon, so I gave her the book and she opened it. NOw, to build some suspense, the last 2 times I've done this here have backfired, terribly. FIrst the guy opened to where Nephi killed Laban and the other was just a random war scripture. But this time it succeeded. She turned to Docterine and Covenants 84:64 and it talks about how after baptism you recieve the Holy Ghost and how it helps. What a miracle! She came to church and got the answer to be baptized. She had her interview and is firm for the 4th of November. Probably the first November baptism in the mission. What a joyous experience that will be! She's so happy.

We also had a miracle of finding Felicita and her family. They're what you call Platinum investigators. So we have Golden investigators who are like great and want to hear the gospel and want to be baptized but you have to work really hard on things with them. Then there are Platinum. They're so solid that you can't believe or understand what you did right to be able to teach them. That's Felicita. We met her on thursday and got her to church on Sunday. She made best friends with all the members AND signed up on our dinner calender. 3 times. W-O-W. I've never seen a person like this! We have to teach her everything still but she is ready. Already had a book of mormon and a best friend that taght her a lot. I'm so excited for her. Her son, Benito and I are BFF's already. When we came on Sunday, he ran to the door and gave me a big old hug. He's great and I"m excited for him to learn more about our Heavenly Father.

Also, a less active named Miguel Franco is awesome. He came to church 2 times. HIm and I immediately clicked. So much that he's going to Utah and wants to pass by Mom and Dad's house to try and talk to them a little bit haha. He asked me Friday if I could baptize his brother. My mouth dropped and said yes, obviously not gonna turn that one down lol. It was so great. He came with his brother and they had a great time! HIs brother will be baptized on the 20th.

We had 5 people to church on sunday that are investigating the church. 5. That's the highest in this place for years. It's amazing to see how the Lord is working with us and helping us. I don't know what to do. I feel so small in this grand work but feel the Lord's hand so strong. Pushing us to where we need to go.

All day today is a PDay. No leaving to trick or treat for us. AKA time to write some good ole letters lol and eat at Home Town Buffet.

I know this is the church of God. I know that if we can only do our little tiny percent we have, God will make up for the rest. I"ve learned que mediante Jesucristo, ninguna otra persona, podemos ser salvos. Podemos tener el amor de Dios para compartirlo con todos. Solamente tenemos que trabajar.Ir y hacer, tratar y superar. Es todo. I just realized I was speaking spanish lol. We just have to go and do. That's all. I know that that is the only way God can help us is if we're doing!

I love you all!!!!!

Elder Walker

Pictures on this one.... :)

Hey family!

How are yall?? I've sure missed you this week! It's weird. Watching General Conference, looking in the MoTab and seeing those people that were such a big part of my life only a year ago! All those wonderful faces from Savior of the World and thinking, "At this very moment, my family is listening to the same words, watching the same people and probably taking the same notes." It's a miracle and such a privelege to have this broadcast throughout the world!

Well.... Another week. Starting into week 5/6 of this transfer and boy has it FLOWN by!!! I can't believe this month I will turn 9.... That's CRAZY!!! I'm still a baby though... I feel like ive only been here for like 5 maybe 4.... Weird! All of my friends that I made my first transfer are either dead or dying!!! WEIRD!!! Not to mention it doesn't help realizing (thank you Joe) that according to General Conference time... I'm half way done!!! I only have 2 more left.... Sad day.... Weird day.... But great day!

My favorite talk was probably Tad R. Callisters on the book of mormon. Talk about a HUGE help for our investigators eh? He just SLAMS it down with testimony that this is the true church. This book is either from God or from the Devil. But it must be from one or the other. Oh and here, let me show you why it couldn't ever be from the devil. What a man. That's the kind of testimony that our investigators need to hear everyday!

Speaking of investigators, we had 8 there. Giovanni and Arianna were first. SO tight! Giovanni and I are pretty close already and the best thing is he's closer to the ward! The ward just loves him and he loves the ward! He said it was the first church that he had gone to where they welcomed him with open arms and really just gave him confidence in the church. His girlfriend is Arianna and I know that she felt the spirit testifying to her of the truthfulness of this gospel. How great is that? Oh and did we mention that Giovanni's mother and sister are members? Because they are! What a wonderful help they will be. They're coming down to eat dinner with them on Monday aka today and we're invited! It will be quite the joy to go over there and talk with them and hear his mothers testimony. We're expecting a spiritual A-Bomb over there. Also Quenia and her cousin Rosa came. It was tougher with them because of the little kids that Quenia has and the tempertantrums that were being thrown during the session. Rosa looked like she enjoyed it but didn't feel anything. Duh. We still haven't taught her about the Holy Spirit and the fruits of it.

I've learned on this mission that without teaching of the fruits of the spirit, you have no right to ask how people feel. They get confused like well... I feel fine...? I'm not sick.. My stomach isn't rumbling... My soul feels peaceful so... Good? And then say "That's the spirit telling you it's true." Though for many they'll agree, they won't know the other fruits of the spirit mentioned in Galations 5: Peace joy longsuffering happiness patience. Those are fruits from God that he gives. If they don't feel those things that like Elder Callister said, this is the church of Lucifer and we have all been decieved. BUt the great thing is they HAVE felt those, they just may not recognize it.

One family that has recognized it is the Hernandez family. All four were baptized on sunday and confirmed as well (We know, not supposed to but conference sunday we can). It was so great to see how great they were and how content and everything. The husband even came asking if he could be baptized. It was sad to have to tell him no. He works on Sundays so it is tough for him to be baptized. We can now focus on him. He'll be baptized before this transfer ends. I KNOW it! He's so great. I lvoe him to death and I'm excited for his family to join together in the temple in a year! They're one of my favorite families I've met out here.

Though baptisms are SUPER stressful up until everyone is seated, soaking wet, the feelings that we recieve and the testimony that we recieve after is amazing. We were singing, Eternas Pueden Ser las Familias aka families can be together forever and I never really looked into those words until that baptism. I have a family here on earth they are so good to me I want to share my life with them for all eternity.... How great a message is that? GREAT! and yet the chorus is even better with the assurance that families can be together forever through heavenly fathers plan. Right there... We see how... and yet another expression of want I always want to be with my own family... My OWN family and the assurance that the Lord has shown me how I can... Explains perfectly the Lord will always show me. I started to tear up through that and then it hit me in the second... While I am in my early years, I'll prepare most carefully.... Looking up at the 3 youth that were baptized on sunday brought the trears even stronger as they testified and promised to carry Christs name and PREPARE CAREFULLY to live forever. What a testimony builder. THanks for the tissues everyone, they were definitely needed!

I was able to assist by giving the Holy Ghost to Eneida and the spirit just took over. It was amazing how for the first time the blessing just came. In spanish.I know that through hard study of the language, we can be blessed to help others in th e gospel. In the blessing, Heavenly FAther told her that her family would be sealed in the temple and that there were others waiting for her to go through the temple. After the blessing I looked up and a few of the ladies in the congregation were crying. Not knowing exactly what happened I looked down and realized what had been said. I know that those words were not mine, but directly from Heavenly Father to his daughter.

I'm so grateful to be a part of this work. It is amazing and no one can stop it as Elder Holland said that we need missionaries! Good missionaries. Solid missionaries. THink of a mission full of Elderly missionaries. HOw successful that mission would be in bringing others to Christ? We will know sometime... I love you all

Love,

Elder Walker

Just have to be obedient...

Howdy yall!

I'm in LOVE with Lodi! I would never live here, let's be for real, but I would LOVE to stay here another transfer. Whatever the Lord says, huh? We've been having great success! It's been great to be able to see the Lord's hand in helping all of the people out here, we just have to be obedient psh (NEXT WEEK WE'LL ASK HIM WHAT AN "OBEDIENT PSH" IS -- STAY TUNED!) that's not bad at all! For the blessings that we're seeing out here... How could we not do something that simple...?

We got a referral named Giovanni who came to church this week. We had 6 people at church! It was so great to see the Hernandez family and Giovanni there just LOVING it. Giovanni is super solid and has quickly become one of my favorite people that I've taught so far. He's LOOKING for the truth and I know he's found it. He just has to recognize it. He's an honest nice guy and I KNOW General Conference will be a HUGE help in his progression to baptism along with his friend Arianna. They're the best. They already want us over for dinner this Friday! haha so cool! Anyway, he said the best thing was that this was the first church that the whole congregation came up to him and welcomed him. He said he felt they loved him and he's been looking for that. I hope his search is over, it's just a few things that might be a problem for him but he believes Joseph saw god! That's always good, huh?

This week we had a great time on Monday celebrating my birthday with the great families out here, The Lopez, Campos, Cardona's, Cortez and Perez (mis carnales!) It was a really spiritual night and Sister Lopez brought one of her friends for a great family home evening! We had tortas which is like a sandwich from the heavens! SOO good and they bought this super nice cake too! It was great. Never EVER try to bite the strawberry in the middle of the cake, it always goes wrong! ha ha aka they push your face into the cake. It was super fun though!

We also had the miracle of miracles! Pablo, my one legged friend from my first transfer here? He was there on Sunday! WITH 2 LEGS!!! He was a little upset we hadn't called, but I thought he was in Mexico... Silly me. But he said we could call and set something up to go see him and he said he'd be home waiting for the word of God. I love that man! I'm so glad he got a leg as well, he deserves it!

Well the family got their interviews. BAPTISMS! We're so proud of the decisions they've made to make it where they are, to be able to feel the spirit they do and to continue on this path that they're going on. I'm so stoked to see them in the waters of baptism and Chava, the 9 year old boy who has become one of my best friends asked me to baptize him. I'm super excited! He's a great kid and knows all the answers first! He's a great example and will be a strong member in the church for this branch. Only sad part is that the dad couldn't make it to church so he'll have to wait for a couple more weeks, but his attitude has changed and now he's into being baptized! How great huh?

The work is going great! We're going to head to Cold Stone for our celebration of missionary work today and then off to the Cheese factory. A little classy store full of pizza. JK Cheese! My fav! Also just so Amy knows, the Superman shirt makes me look RIPPED!!! But really... My comp told me that this will be my new dating shirt back home.... Good thing I don't have girls to worry about in a while eh?

Love ya!

Elder Walker

Basketball Jon

Phew! We just played like 3 hours of basketball and I'm pooped! It was so much fun! I've got a 3 point shot now that's actually decent! I've been working on that and my dribbling and I've been doing alright! I can now work on my low post game again because we finally have big guys haha..

Well! I"m super excited for my birthday XD' I'm gonna miss you guys for sure, but luckily I've got a really cool family, The Lopez family (my carnal ((Mexican slang for cuz))) who wants us to come over Sunday to celebrate! I'm super stoked for that and then on the 19th we're gonna have a sweet Noche de Hogar with a great family that's investigating!

So the week was killer. Starting Wednesday I got a new companion. Elder Jensen... Umm... He's... Ya know... THE GREATEST!!! Him and I are getting along so great. He's one of the most humble people I've met out here and he just cares about the work. Doesn't matter about other stupid small stuff, just as long as we're baptizing and helping others come unto Christ, we're good! And boy has it paid off! We had 7 people (2 families) to church yesterday! That's the most I've ever seen at church yet on my mission and its a great blessing.

A really cool thing happened. We had a family of 5 there but we knew that that wasn't all the Lord wanted there. We knew there was a family of 2 Kenya and Jenny that needed to come. So we prayed out in the hallway and about 5 minutes later they showed up RIGHT at the end of the first hour. It was amazing! Kenya and Jenny are sisters. They're SOLID and we're hoping Kenya will be baptized on the 24th, but she needs to pray more about it. Jenny on the other hand it was her first week and she fell in LOVE with the church! And it's nothing we did. There's a member here that's like 18 the same age as Jenny and her name is Brenda. SUPER solid member. So we just turned her over to Brenda and Brenda took care of her. Talk about a great ward huh? But is that all that the ward did? Nope! You bet not! They also took care of Kenya while she was here for her 2nd time. Victor (a recent convert) showed her all around and got her to all the classes that she needed to. What the MAN! And is that all? NO!!! We had that family of 5, the Hernandez family. It used to be that the four (mom 2 daughters and a son) were the only interested, but all of the sudden the dad and I just clicked and so we joked and he is coming. He was super chill and interested in it too! And the ward? Invited them to dinner right after, directed them to classes, took the girls to the right classes, invited them to a noche de hogar, offered rides, made sure they felt at home! That's a great ward right there! We couldn't do this alone, that's for sure! So the Hernandez family and Mendoza family are rock solid and hopefully most will be baptized October 1st or 8th. We're not sure when yet. They've all been to church twice except the dad and Jenny. SUPER cool!

Alrighty now onto the other parts of the week! So we went over to teach Kenya on Wednesday and turns out she LOVES soccer. And so do her 2, 17 year old cousins! Girls AND soccer? Let's just say the members didn't object. We had a great turn out that night of our single guys in the ward. Kenya and her family had a great time and met the great guys of the ward. They want to come next week too! Also we added as investigators Kenya's 2 cousins, Rosa and Esperanza! They're super cool! And Kenya told us since Rosa has been listening in she's changed and ROSA has noticed it! She told Kenya about how she's nicer and really wants to be an example to her friends and sisters. Umm, solid? YES!

The work is progressing and quickly. One thing I've learned is that WE have to keep up THEIR conversion. If we stop and get cocky and don't work as hard in finding or if we stop studying as hard and just think we've got baptisms, we're good, it becomes a numbers game and not something that's about eternal salvation. It's not about HOW many baptisms you helped with but HOW many truly converted people you helped come unto Christ. Having 100 baptisms is awesome! That's great and that's 100 more people that have mad that special covenant with God. But how many are active? How many still want the church? How many have the Priesthood? If we're not helping them get those great things and keep on that path, they're going to be held more responsible at the last day. They've made a HUGE covenant and if they don't continue, they're worse than before because they've made that step. President Lewis says our goal is to baptize many TRULY CONVERTED children of God. Not just baptize. I LOVE that because it helps me understand that if they aren't ready, we can't just baptize. So what if they only kept the word of wisdom for 6 days in stead of 7... It's only 1 day right? Wrong. The fact is they failed to keep a commitment. If they only endure for 99.9 percent of the time they're going to have a tough time repenting for that .1. None of us are perfect, but the rules are here for a reason. We MUST follow them with 100% obedience or as close as we can. We can save people through baptism or hurt them. I hope I never am in the situation where I hurt someone, that's for sure!

Well, love yall!!!! Have a great week GO COUGS!!! BEAT THEM UTES :DDDDDD XD XD XD XD yeeeehaaaaw!

Love,

Elder Walker

TRANSFERS!!!!!

They happened. This transfer FLEW by WAY too fast! We got all the work done we needed to I felt. We have 8 people that are set up to be baptized on the 24th of September. I know we'll have at least 4 or 5 and I'll explain why in a second :D. That was just a great gratifying feeling of knowing that next transfer we'll go into the transfer with about 4 progressing investigators, 4 with a baptismal date and 1 that we need to get to church with about 4 or 5 others that we've just started teaching.

And when I saw WE I don't mean Elder Thiessen and I. Unfortunately we won't be able to be together again. They're sending down a missionary named Elder Jensen. Also an Elder Moss is coming down to the apartment. Oh yeah guess where he's from? American Fork!!! I'm really excited to see him. This will be his 3rd transfer and it'll be great to be with a fellow AFER! Elder Jensen will be the senior for the first time in his mission! He sounds LEGIT! Elder Kelley is just raving about him so I'm very excited to meet him and to baptize like crazy! It'll be great to see so many souls brought unto the Lord this transfer. It's been amazing to see Lodi grow up and open up a lot. We've taken a lot of hits. Had a lot of heartaches and trouble. I've shed my first tears out in the field over here in Lodi for those that I've loved, but I'm so happy to be staying and to be growing. The young man that had a little dirty mouth has grown! He's the english district leader next transfer and has become one of my best friends out here. I love him and respect him so much. Also, our district leader for the spanish is one of my FAVORITE missionaries, Elder Call from Orem, Utah. I baptized his brother in the Mt. Timp temple without even knowing it until his brother wrote him about me. I love Elder Call so much and am so excited to follow him to the best of my abilities.

Quick fasting story. I have been fasting the past 3 months (not every day, just on fast Sunday :D) to have 4 investigators at church. I realized last fast Sunday that God wasn't going to do that because we hadn't worked as hard as we could've in July but this fast Sunday I felt like we had done work and had helped the work progress with all of our hearts! I was sitting there in fast and testimony meeting just praying my heart out because no one had showed up yet and all 8 had promised to come to church. I was so down but then remembered that if faith could move mountains, faith could bring people to church! So I just kept my prayer going and listened to the testimonies and something felt right. Just a peace. It was so great! Sitting by my favorite little 4 year old Hispanic girl, my carnala Danie and just sitting there was so peaceful like she knew something was going to happen. Then the phone rang out in the foyer and I ran out (not really ran, fast walk) and answered it. It was the family Hernandez calling to say they were outside the church looking for parking. I quickly grabbed the 2nd councilor and ran outside to guide them in. Guess how many people are in their family? 4. 4 of baptismal age. I couldn't help but say a quick silent prayer of gratitude. My faith was strengthened SO much that Sunday. They want to get baptized and they were just overwhelmingly loved by the ward. They will fit in great and be a great help to make this branch a ward!

I compared it to the lady who came to Jesus to ask if He could heal her daughter and 2 times he said no and basically said to leave twice but on the third he commended her for her faith and rewarded her with what she wanted and needed. I love that story SO much! It's inspired me and helped me SO much! I felt that the Savior finally gave me a small pat on the back and a hug for trying and for us putting our efforts in!

Love you all!

Elder Walker

Missionary work ROCKS!

Buenos dias todos!

I've been doing a study in the Bible. I've been doing a great study in the Book of Mormon where I"m just kinda tearing it apart lol not literally but I'm diving deep into it and it's helped me out a ton in my understanding and love for the book as well. Anyway, I finished reading the Bible Dictionary (which wasn't a waste of time, I promise! It helped me out so much!) and decided to use the Gospel Harmony to help me study the New Testament and compare and contrast with the Book of Mormon scriptures in there. I would highly suggest this study for anyone, especially up and coming missionaries if they have any time to do it. I just do it for like half an hour a day and it's helped a TON on my knowledge and testimony. Also I've been reading Jesus the Christ in my free time at nights and lunch and stuff like that. Wow I love that book! It's amazing how Talmage explains it so well! Anyway, moral of all this was to tell you that I would love if you had time sometime to start this Gospel Harmony study. I know there's a lot on your plates, but I also know how awesome this study has been for me and I would love my family to have that comfort as well.

So for my siblings (NOTE: WE ASKED JON ABOUT IDEAS FOR HIS UPCOMING BIRTHDAY, IN ADDITION TO THE TALKS I'VE BEEN BUGGING YOU ABOUT) tell them I would love pictures :D I've decided family pictures are the BOMB! Also written testimonies would be cool as well! I'm also running low on Expo erasable markers and would love a tiny tiny Book of Mormon and a small Bible, preferably separate. That's about it... That's a ton to ask for so I would love any of those! All of them would be SUPER useful!

Also I know you're wondering about health. I'm off the depression pills and it was super easy haha I don't know how much they were doing for me but they're done and going in the garbage after I take my last half tonight. Sister Adams (NOTE: THE HEALTH MISSIONARY THAT HAS BEEN TAKING SUCH GOOD CARE OF JON) has been like a little worried mom over here lol she's been super great and I'm really really really really sad to see her leave this next Sunday... But she's gotta do her life thing. They live in Lehi though, so if you wanna meet with them that'd be super cool! They're super cool people! I love them! And they're related... Very distantly... They'd love to see the Henson Walker shaving picture though!

GO cougars!! I feel like they're going to rock this year... I feel it in my soul!!!

So the week was pretty great! Super cool kid was found named Joel. We were trying to get a church tour set up with him ALL week but it failed. Then we found out one of his good friends is a member! And he's super cool! So he picked him up from his house and took him to church :D! He LOVED it!!! He's 20 and wants to learn more and study the gospel. He said he would be baptized if he found out and feels like the church can help him stop using drugs and stop doing the sins he's committed. That's EXACTLY what you want to hear as a missionary. Not this yeah I'll be baptized and nothing after. My favorites are those that say they would if God told them and then they have that intent to know! Those are the golden ones I think because guess what? Heavenly Father is ALWAYS going to reveal the truth to those who WANT to know! It's like the lady that pleaded with Jesus to heal her daughter and take the evil spirit away from her and Christ told her no the first and second time basically, then, because of her faith and determination to get an answer, she tried the third time and Christ KNOWING her faith had compassion on her and told her because of her faith the daughter was healed and explained why it took three times. That woman WANTED her answer and her son to be healed. Those that WANT that NEED an answer will get it. Even if someone seems golden, with out true intent, wanting to know for sure, they won't EVER get an answer, and even when they do get one they won't recognize it.

We were on bike basically all week because all of our miles are gone so we can't drive anymore and I LOVE bike! It's so much fun! So many people to talk to and so many more people to invite to be baptized! The best feeling ever is seeing that person think about being baptized and what that would mean to them and how it could help them change their lives!

Speaking of that, we had a blitz last night and I went out with one of my missionary heroes, our zone leader Elder Kelley. He's SUPER solid and one of my favorite guys in the zone! Anyway, we were going out talking to everyone and we came across this black lady about 4 times. Finally the fourth time we went and talked to her, her name is Sandra. Funny story though. About 5 minutes before we were tracting in an apartment building and had planned on just hitting that up ALL night. Sandra and JUST left that apartment building. We were contacting in there when the manager came out from doing her laundry and told us we couldn't contact in there anymore so we left RIGHT as Sandra was leaving the house she had just gone into and walking out. If we hadn't been kicked out, we wouldn't have ever met her. She's the most solid person I've EVER met on my mission! She's super cool. She wants to read the Book of Mormon and find out if this is God's church. She's turning 50 and is stopping smoking an stuff because she knows it's wrong. There's only a handful of churches that teach that and we happen to be one of them! She said she's looking for more peace. 'Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you not as the world giveth..." That's what we bring!!! We invited her to be baptized and said her dad was a preacher of a different church but never was baptized and feels like that would be the right thing to do, but doesn't like how pastors get paid so she wouldn't ever be baptized into a church that pays pastors. Guess what... We don't do that!!! She fell in love with the church in that short 25 minutes we had to talk with her. I started tearing up bearing my testimony to her because of how strong the spirit was. Elder Kelley and Elder Reit are the missionaries that will be teaching her but she wants me to come back with Elder Kelley sometime so I might get to go say hi XD! She's super solid. I can't wait to see what happens with her!

Missionary work ROCKS!!!

Love,

Elder Walker