Letter 12-24-2013

Merry Christmas Eve!

We've had record snowfall this last week for Utah in December. Biking in a foot+ of snow makes things on the road and sidewalk a bit more interesting. It's been very, very nice to be within walking distance of the stake center, though. Because of the amount of meetings and such we have there, our bikes can park while we can trudge around without the chance of slipping.

The day that the snow really started falling, I was on exchanges with the zone leaders (Elder Wilson). We were waiting for our stake mission leader, Brother Angell, to come pick us up, so we each started rolling snowballs. We ended up making a massive snowman right in front of the stake center since it took a while for him to get there. In order to make it a bit more missionary-y we rolled it right next to the sign at the front of the church that says "visitors welcome". The other elders passed it and put a tie and jimmyrigged a black namebadge for it. I'm not sure if anyone came to our Christmas services because of it, but there definitely were people that came and took pictures by it.

Christopher Senn got interviewed for his baptism this Saturday! We've been working with him so long. He did very well in his interview - because of his behavioral problems we expected it to be a pretty long one, but he just sat down and was done in a regular 10-15 minutes. :)

Our random miracle for the week happened on Sunday... we were going with one of our Ward Mission Leaders, Brother Campbell, over to give an inactive lady a blessing of comfort and counsel. On the way over, her next door neighbor opened her door - it was a lady we contacted named Jenneica over three months ago in a totally different short-term stay apartment complex. She had moved out and we had lost all contact with her... but now have an appointment set with her after the holidays to learn about the gospel again!

Hope this Christmas season is very very merry for everyone!

--Elder Chandler

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thought: Elder Holland

hahahahahahahahahaha

I can't believe that just last week Elder Nelson came to stake conference... and earlier today Elder Holland came and spoke to our mission. It's going to be hard to keep this up.

He shook everyone's hand. (Made a comment about my firm handshake. ha.) Then he spoke to everyone about not going less active after our missions, scratching our windows, etc. like I assume he usually does. He then went through a talk that he had given on a Christmas past.

It was really good. More than anything about Elder Holland I was impressed by how comfortable he is at the pulpit, how great his mind is at putting words together on the fly that end up coming to sound almost musical. I don't know if it's wrong but most of my notes aren't necessarily on what was spoken or even gospel topics at all, but on the patterns he uses in speaking, the inlaid and layered chaismus, alliteration.

Teachers might not make a lot of money generally, but I think they gain some of the best skills out of their schooling. They probably maintain one of the most important niches in society as well. Elder Holland is one of the best, for sure.

Elder Sighting 12-20-2013

The Ward Mission Leader, Brother Johnson, sent along this Ward video that Ryan was part of. Ryan and his companion are part of the "Four Calling Birds". I like the outtakes at the end-- it is great to hear Ryan laugh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MsYtyuSkKo

Elder Sighting-- All-mission Christmas Conference

Elder Sighting 12-11-2013

"We just took these 2 Elders to Costco shopping and to lunch...they just moved into their NEW apartment and loved it. IT's the best in the mission and only two doors down the street from us."

Letter 12-17-2013

Another cold week out here - we had one day at 33 degrees. From what I hear it's been really cold everywhere though. It's alright for us too because people let us in quite a bit more often cuz they feel sorry for us or something. It helps when we bring priests with us that only wear shorts (see mom wearing shorts in all weather has some perks). My Christmas package got here safe and sound. :)

We've had a lot of opportunities to work hard this week. I don't think I've ever slept better than since I've been out here. At the beginning of my mission it was easier to just teach teach teach but I'm learning to appreciate finding efforts now. It really is fun to go out and meet more friends each day and network to more of them.

The stake runs a mission prep class that we try to attend each week. Today our first fruits have come - we had a preparing-sister-missionary bring a friend to play dodgeball with us today! She said she'd come to church. We'll see, but I hope so. The youth really are awesome for interacting with people. Just find creative ways to get them and their friends in touch with the missionaries.

Thank you and Merry Christmas,

Elder Chandler

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thought: "swaddling clothes" & other stuff

We had a surprise visitor on Sunday... Elder Nelson came and we had a special stake conference for a couple hours! (only in SLC!) He was super knowledgeable in Greek and made a whole bunch of really interesting statements.

The one that stood out to me the most though was his comment about Jesus being "wrapped in swaddling clothes". He said that it was probably one of the most misunderstood verses in the New Testament... He said those four words are translated in the Spanish Bible as "diaper". haha. But he said that those four words are, in Greek, one word.

That one word signifies something a lot different than just being wrapped tight in blankets, though.  That word is a ritual - Jesus Christ was wrapped in "tribal bands", a ritual reserved for the first-born son in a family. Think of Scottish tribal patterns, and it's like that. He would have been wrapped in a series of colored bands that signified his heritage - in this case the direct linage of King David!

Elder Nelson also left an Apostolic Blessing on the stake, which was AMAZING. I guess it's something they don't do all too often. But the Spirit was very, very strong. The church is true!

Elder Sighting 12-14-2013

Elder Chandler and Elder Mintey came to dinner again. I took their picture in front of our Christmas tree. They are doing great and moved into a new basement apt yesterday. Steve Johnson

Letter 12-10-2013

random bullets this week:

- We spent a lot of time playing dodgeball this pday with brother Ajer and the zone. It was a lot of fun.

- There's about 18 inches of accumulation on the ground now, and it's been in the teens during the days. It's definitely winter/Christmas in Utah!

- I really love Christmas and all the decorations in everyones houses

- We moved into a new apartment this morning. It's so nice! (thank you Bishop Olsen!) the address is:

6088 Shirl St.

Taylorsville, UT 84123

- Feel free to send letters or Christmas cards or whatever.

- We picked up Steve's Girlfriend, Shelly, as a new investigator. She's awesome. She's native american and Steve is really supportive of her learning more. What a story!

- Berry and Keelin are both progressing smoothly and learning a ton. Still working for the 28th. We're meeting with them tonight with our local marriage specialist.

- Personal study insights are good, but I'm waiting until I can verbalize them better before I throw them into thoughts again. If people want me to keep doing thoughts, anyways.

- Numbers are down a bit, but we're learning to cope with struggles and be better missionaries

- Therefore, mission life is better than ever.

Elder Chandler

Elder Sighting 12-04-2013

Email: "Here is the picture I took at our correlation meeting tonight. Steve Johnson (Ward Mission Leader)"

Letter 12-03-2013

I woke up this morning to about three inches of snow, and since then we've just about doubled how much is stuck on the ground. Christmas and winter are on their way again! (The members in our area are all so so nice. So many people concerned and wanting to drive us around everywhere. That includes having members at lessons so we take it when we can get it.)

In our companionship we've had a lot of fun with these last couple days. It's been in the mid-to-high forties, so perfect suit coat weather to just go out and have a blast. Thanksgiving was full of a lot of generous members. We ate quite a bit... but not as much as our roommates who ate at a Polynesian's house and brought home half of a pig. haha.

As per the tradition started last year we had a mission "Beat the President" 5k fun run in the morning. We didn't time how fast we ran it but I came in third place, so that was fun. (President was 32nd or so, so he wasn't -too- far behind) My legs were very sore the next day though, and I kind of lost my appetite for all the dinners.

We had set up to have one, two-hour dinner appointment (that's all our mission allowed), and afterwards planned to proselyte by setting up to go to members homes who had inactive or nonmember family and teach a brief lesson with the Mormon Message "the Spirit of Thanksgiving". It's always nice to try everyone's pies, too.

Our district as of yesterday just hit an on-record high for the amount of people we've had on date before, so we're very excited!!! It's looking to be a "white Christmas"! Pretty much every companionship is looking to hit mission vision and baptize twice this month. Exciting for sure.

--Elder Chandler

Elder Sighting 11-28-2013

Text: "Your sons have serious style!"

Elder Sighting 11-26-2013

Just home from getting groceries, a member texted this picture.

Letter 11-26-2013

Transfers are coming up tomorrow - Elder Mintey and I are staying again for a third go at things here in the Bennion East Stake! We're really excited and because of all the work we've done with members we know we'll be able to see a lot of success in the next six weeks.

Berry and Keelin are both super awesome. They caught a bad sickness over the weekend though, and weren't able to come to church on Sunday. They've both been reading the pamphlets and the Book of Mormon we gave to them though and know that everything that is taught is good. They're going to be baptized in December.

We had a mission temple trip on Thursday over to the Jordan River temple. That was awesome as always. Nice to jump out of our little area for a while (and out of the "world") to experience what goes on in the temple. Thursday also continues to be anti-mormon day... so many apostates show up on Thursdays to give us grief. The end of one was, "so what you're saying is, you've rationalized yourself out of feeling the spirit?" "yes."...................some people :|

More funny things... a little more than a week ago we helped this very drunk guy, Steve, unbend his fender after he ran it into a pole and his front tire exploded. We went by his apartment two days later, and after a while answered the door in boxers and slammed the door on us. On Thursday as we were talking with an apostate lady (who happened to be the door next to Steve), Steve randomly came out and asked us all if we wanted some chicken he had just unthawed cuz he wasn't going to be able to eat it all. The next day we saw Steve again and he gave us three referrals, including his native american girlfriend who seems pretty interested and a couple new move ins who have potential.

So yes things are still going good,

Elder Chandler

Elder Sighting 11-25-2013

Email from a Ward Mission Leader in Bennion:  "Elder Chandler and Elder Mintey with their bikes and 4 Calling Birds as part of our filming for our ward party. We assigned each organization one of the phrases from the 12 days of Christmas. The ward mission invited our full time Elders to participate and have fun with us. Unfortunately Elder Mintey had his bike stolen last Saturday. We just received word that these two fine Elders will be remain here in our ward for another 6 weeks. Steve (Johnson)"

Then this report from Grandpa Lewis about spending time with this gentleman the night before: "We had our  annual cabin planning meeting this evening with Wendy’s family, including Bonnie and Steve.  The Elders have eaten at their place at least a couple of times  since last reported and done other things also with them.  I am not quite sure of the meaning in giving the Elders the Calling Birds role.  Bonnie just called as we were traveling home and reported that the Elders had just texted them the message that they had just survived the transfers and would be in their ward for 6 more weeks.  I think this made everyone excited and happy."

Elder Sighting--

A text from a member in Utah who solicited help with Christmas Lights.

Letter 11-19-2013

Weeks are turning more and more into huge roller coasters. At the beginning of my mission, weeks were like Bulgy the Whale. Slow, small, but excited to be on the ride. Now it's like riding the Titan or something. Fast all of the time, tons of helixs and twists and ups and downs!

Example: Eric was going to be baptized on Saturday! We've been working with him for the whole time we've been in the area! All was great, until Saturday morning when he woke up with shingles, he was on doctors orders to not get out of bed, and isn't looking so hot to be baptized this Saturday either. ?!?

Example 2: Barry and Keelin are a couple that have been living together for a very long time. We found them on one of our first days in the area after street contacting a random old lady who said there was a couple living next to her we could try and stop by. Yesterday, we were finally able to have a sit-down discussion about life and they're very interested to learn more tomorrow about how to help their spirituality. And they're willing to be baptized.

Example 3: Christopher Senn comes from a really rough background. Really rough. Even though he's only 12 he's had experiences no -adult- should ever have. Consequently he has some behavior issues. Since we started working with him 3 months ago he has improved in so many leaps and bounds it is awesome! He has a goal to be baptized on December 14th, and he knows what he has to do to get there. He takes one day at a time and is able to put a check each day on his baptism calendar to show that he is making changes that will constitute a "great check in the land" (Alma 15:17).

Oh and we've officially decided Thursdays are "returned missionary anti-mormon" days. They seem to come out of their caves and attack us for some reason on Thursdays. We've also had a lot of Jehovah's Witnesses tracting out our area recently. I feel sorry for them... they always choose the streets that are "former stake pres -> bishop -> former bishop -> stake pres -> former mission pres". haha lucky us and our maps that give us insight into every single home in our areas.

Thank you for all your support!

Elder Chandler

Letter 11-12-2013

That's kind of a cool title this time around... 11/12/13.

This week has been an INSANE flurry of craziness. A week where you know you're doing the right things because things go so bad, then so good, and on and on. Thursday felt like a day and a half. We've found a ton of people to teach though so things are awesome!

On Sunday, Catherine and Eric came to church... but during the opening Catherine passed out into Eric's lap. It was pretty scary, so we moved her over to the couch and had one of the members of the ward that's a nurse come out and help us. She felt so strongly that Eric should be there for sacrament though that she wouldn't go until they had passed the sacrament (which is awesome since he had to be there to be baptized on Saturday). After they both had the sacrament, we carried her in a chair to a car, rode to her apartment, carried her up the stairs to her apartment, and then layed her down. We gave her a blessing and the nurse took care of the other stuff that has to happen, and bishop came. She's still recovering but they're so set on Eric being baptized it's amazing.

Also on Sunday, we had two lessons scheduled at the same time so for the first time on my mission I went on splits! It was so productive. I went with one of our ward mission leaders and taught the first lesson to a 20 year old, Kady, that the ward set up. It was really a powerful presentation. We focused the discussion (if that makes sense, since we still taught the first lesson) on past experiences feeling the Spirit, what it means when you feel the Spirit, and then recognizing the Spirit during the First Vision. It was so powerful, she told us that she knew the church was true! So she'll be baptized coming up as well.

The district also held 5 out of our 6 for this month. It's seriously a miracle what's happening as we focus on our silver bullets as derived from the mission president's handbook and Alma 26:22: faithfulness, obedience, and diligence.

Oh and it was funny to see that family history video with all of the cousins in it right next to Elder Nelson!! 

--Elder Chandler

Elder Sighting 11-01-2013

Text from a Sister Goodman. She said that they took the Elders to eat and then to the Church to play dodge ball. It sure is fun to see a peek into Ryan's pdays.

Letter 11-05-2013

We got our first real sticky snow of this year last night! Every day that there's snow on the ground makes me happy. snow snow snow

We had Elder Arnold of the Seventy speak in our mission on Thursday. It was really inspiring. He talked a lot about where our mission is, and where we are going. We have six missionaries online now doing an hour of facebook contacting a day. Basically they go and teach "finding lessons" where they invite people to write down every single non-member they know (pulling out phone contacts or facebook is ok), then star the ones that 1) are in the missionaries' area; and 2) that they feel inspired they should contact. The missionaries then contact people in their area or facebook contact those outside of their area. Yes, that means they teach people all around the country/world over facebook! I think it's pretty cool anyways. This is just for the Elders covering YSA areas for now in our mission.

Halloween in our mission isn't really any different than any other day. We found a couple potentials, contacted referrals, etc. But we do get a lot of candy while "tracting" :) As a result of Elder Arnold's talk, there seems to be a renewed energy in the mission to get things done. Everyone's faith is high, and where faith is miracles follow, which we're seeing daily.

--Elder Chandler

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We've run into a ton of apostate members lately (not that we don't run into them pretty much every day anyways here in Utah...). More than usual. So it's made me think a lot about how basic and important the knowledge given by the Holy Ghost is in our lives. Almost all of them leave because of "when they are learned they think they are wise".

In one specific case, a returned-missionary-gone-inactive told us that in order to find out the truth we have to "set aside our testimony of the Book of Mormon and look at the other facts for a while". And so I wondered for a while: Is there ever worth in doing that? Could you glean some facets of information that you wouldn't be able to otherwise?

To a mormon-gone-atheist the answer is yes, but to those of us who have felt and recognized the Spirit, there is no need to ever do so. We cannot deny that the Holy Ghost has touched each of our lives, and these experiences serve as a foundation for our testimonies (Matthew 17). This source of knowledge need not be questioned as a "false source of information", for each of us who have felt the influence of the Holy Ghost knows that the knowledge gained therefrom is not to be cast aside.

So just to finish up the story part, we stopped talking to this guy when I told him anti-mormon material was biased. He told me I was biased, to which I agreed. But he then told us that he had no bias, so in order to keep from laughing out loud in front of him Elder Mintey and I said goodbye and left. To have come away with a knowledge, though, that I will never deny, was worth the whole 15 minutes.

Letter 10-29-2013

This week has been so nice!

The temperature has been perfect, the sun has shone, and the kindness of our members was great.

 We're finishing up a really hard month for the mission. October has been rough, so we're really looking forward to a few new months in November and December. We had a slew of trainings between DL training, District meetings, and zone interviews. "The Lord chasteneth whom he loveth", I guess. Our district has really stepped it up in the last week though and added a lot of new people on date. Miracles have happened and will continue to happen as we are faithful, obedient, and diligent!

In our companionship we've had the opportunity to keep working with Chris Senn. Today we finished teaching him all the lessons... we're just a temple square trip and a baptismal interview away from him being all ready.

In any case Utah is great as always!
--Elder Chandler

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thought: the book of Ether

I just think it's interesting that in the book of Ether you find all of the characteristics of a typical epic. There are characters that take on a more-than-man role (the brother of Jared), the setting is in a huge worldwide area, and supernatural things interact with the humans a lot. Even the antagonists (Coriantumr, Shiz) take on a sort of grandeur.

Could Joseph Smith cram all of the characteristics of an epic into a very small book himself? Much more likely Moroni wrote and Joseph translated. The Book of Mormon is true! :)

Elder Sighting 10-24-2013

We got this text from a member in Utah who said that she called Ryan and Elder Mintey in to talk to her daughter and son in law who had just dropped their son off at the MTC that afternoon.  She said, "Come tell these parents exactly what he is doing tonight."