Hello Everyone,
So I tried sending an e-mail on Christmas day but when I went to send it the computer froze and deleted everything. So here is a recap of what has happened.
This past week was super slow because people were out of town for Christmas or they told us to come back after the Holidays. I'm excited for this week to be able to go back to work and teach. I don't want to say that last week was super unsuccessful because we did have two baptisms on Saturday for Stephanie and Kyle. The baptism went great; they both had a great experience. Kyle is 8 and Stephanie is his Mom. Both of Kyle's parents were not members so he is considered a convert. They both became interested in the Church when Kyle told Stephanie that he wanted to go to church. Elder Call and I stopped by after we heard they went to Church and to our surprise Stephanie had sent away several Missionaries in the past but for some reason said that we could come back and teach Her and Kyle. She later told us that she didn't know why she let us back but she just felt right about us. I think that Stephanie is one I was sent to Idaho to bring into the fold because it took the right Missionaries at the right time to help her.
Stephanie's 13 yr old son, Chance, we think might be interested in taking the lessons now that he watched his Mom and Brother learn.
We found out transfer information last night and Elder Call and I are staying in St. Anthony. It's weird now that I think about it because I will be about 10 minutes away from Torie, Tasia, and Jessica when they come up here to BYU-I in January. I never thought I would be so close to my friends when I went on a mission.
Elder Call received the new assignment as our District Leader and Elder Lagazo (our current district leader) is going to be our new Zone Leader. Elder Call joked this morning saying he knows why he is going to follow up training me, it's so he can do it properly the second time. That isn't true though, he did a great job of training.
I'm excited to stay here because we have several people that either have a baptism date in January or who will have one this week. It's weird because there are two boys, Treven and Carson, both are 10 and they both want to be baptized but their parents haven't given permission yet. The reason I say it's weird is because although we baptized 6 this transfer I haven't felt satisfied yet because those two haven't been able to be baptized yet. I hope I get to see that happen this transfer.
Last night we spent a few hours in the Dentist office because our district leader, Elder Lagazo, had serious pain in some teeth. I called up one of our ward mission leaders and he gave me a few dentists to call in the ward. We got a hold of one of them and he met us in his office. Long story short Elder Lagazo had to have three shots of that numbing stuff and had a serious root canal. he's doing alright now but he was in serious pain last night.
Well I think that is all of the updates for this last week. I am keeping the same address so please continue sending letters there. If you send it to the mission office first I usually receive them a few days later then if they are sent directly to St. Anthony.
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and will have a great New Year.
Peace and Love,
Elder Tyson Rigby Walker
Monday, December 28, 2009
Chelsee Letter December 17
OK, so you are never going to believe that I am saying this but……… I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!!
Yes, that’s right; I said it and I mean it! This season has been SO fantastic! We have been getting new investigators like there’s no tomorrow. We picked up a new investigator last week and he is going to get baptized the day after Christmas! We are teaching a family of 8 and 4 of them are baptismal age and the other 4 are going to be baptized when they are 8!!!! I love bringing families into the gospel!
At one of the ward Christmas parties last week we had 10 investigators and 2 potential investigators come! We were shocked! We also met all but one of our goals for the week and that rarely ever happens! I truly believe that this recession has been so good for the people here. So many hearts have been softened. So many people are focusing more on the true meaning of Christmas rather than all the gifts and decorations. I LOVE IT!
So let me tell you about 2 of our Christmas miracles that have happened in the last week……Coty is 9 and part of a part-member family. We went over to their house to visit them because they had stared coming back to church and we set up a time to start teaching Coty and… set him for baptism that night. He is getting baptized on the 26th and he cant wait. He is the most intelligent 9 year old I have ever met. He stared reading the Book of Mormon on Wednesday and is already done with 2nd Nephi… and it’s not like he is just skimming through it, we have him tell us what he has read and he tells us every little detail of every chapter… I can’t even do that. He has been SO fun to teach and his family has been super supportive as well.
We are also teaching his 10 year old sister Cami and hope to have her set for baptism soon!
The family of 8 was a referral from a less active member. We met the family on Thursday last week, had a lesson of Friday, invited them to the ward party that night and they came! The parents, Alex and Kristina, and all 6 of their daughters sat in for the lesson and it was fantastic! The girls are 11, 9, 7, 5, 3, and so naturally we can only baptize the parents and the oldest two girls but we will also prep the 7 year old for baptism in Feb when she turns 8!!!!! How awesome will that be one year after their baptism to see them in the temple… OK, I know we have only taught them one lesson and not even set them for baptism yet but I just know that they are going to get baptized in the near future!
We are so excited for the next couple of weeks!!! We also have Jimmy’s baptism next week and then Brian the following week and Jammie and Abby 2 weeks after that! I LOVE BAPTISMS!!!!!
Well, alas I must end this e-mail and get on with my day! I love you all SO VERY MUCH!!!! Make good choices, don’t do drugs and remember that Jesus LOVES YOU!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I won’t be able to e-mail next week so hopefully this can last you for 2 weeks!
LOVE, ME!!!
Yes, that’s right; I said it and I mean it! This season has been SO fantastic! We have been getting new investigators like there’s no tomorrow. We picked up a new investigator last week and he is going to get baptized the day after Christmas! We are teaching a family of 8 and 4 of them are baptismal age and the other 4 are going to be baptized when they are 8!!!! I love bringing families into the gospel!
At one of the ward Christmas parties last week we had 10 investigators and 2 potential investigators come! We were shocked! We also met all but one of our goals for the week and that rarely ever happens! I truly believe that this recession has been so good for the people here. So many hearts have been softened. So many people are focusing more on the true meaning of Christmas rather than all the gifts and decorations. I LOVE IT!
So let me tell you about 2 of our Christmas miracles that have happened in the last week……Coty is 9 and part of a part-member family. We went over to their house to visit them because they had stared coming back to church and we set up a time to start teaching Coty and… set him for baptism that night. He is getting baptized on the 26th and he cant wait. He is the most intelligent 9 year old I have ever met. He stared reading the Book of Mormon on Wednesday and is already done with 2nd Nephi… and it’s not like he is just skimming through it, we have him tell us what he has read and he tells us every little detail of every chapter… I can’t even do that. He has been SO fun to teach and his family has been super supportive as well.
We are also teaching his 10 year old sister Cami and hope to have her set for baptism soon!
The family of 8 was a referral from a less active member. We met the family on Thursday last week, had a lesson of Friday, invited them to the ward party that night and they came! The parents, Alex and Kristina, and all 6 of their daughters sat in for the lesson and it was fantastic! The girls are 11, 9, 7, 5, 3, and so naturally we can only baptize the parents and the oldest two girls but we will also prep the 7 year old for baptism in Feb when she turns 8!!!!! How awesome will that be one year after their baptism to see them in the temple… OK, I know we have only taught them one lesson and not even set them for baptism yet but I just know that they are going to get baptized in the near future!
We are so excited for the next couple of weeks!!! We also have Jimmy’s baptism next week and then Brian the following week and Jammie and Abby 2 weeks after that! I LOVE BAPTISMS!!!!!
Well, alas I must end this e-mail and get on with my day! I love you all SO VERY MUCH!!!! Make good choices, don’t do drugs and remember that Jesus LOVES YOU!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I won’t be able to e-mail next week so hopefully this can last you for 2 weeks!
LOVE, ME!!!
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Gyle and I had a fabulous week in the Dominican Republic. We stayed at the Dreams Resort in Punta Cana. It was so fun to spend time at the pool doing nothing, sitting on the beach doing nothing, and then a little bit more of doing nothing! We loved it!!! Our favorite thing was attending Church in DR - we couldn't understand a word they spoke but instantly fell in love with the people... they are truly our brothers and sisters in the Gospel. What a wonderful week spent with my Sweetheart!
One of the shops we visited
Our room at the resort - second floor second balcony. Perfect location!
Our Punta Cana beach!
One of the shops we visited
A local Gas Station - really - most people don't have cars, only mope-heads so they would buy gas by the dixie cup full.
Our room at the resort - second floor second balcony. Perfect location!
Our Punta Cana beach! 
Gyle and Suzi at dinner one evening.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Elder Walker's Letter - December 14
Hello family!
So the Christmas spirit is setting in! We just got several inches of snow and the Christmas lights/trees are almost all up. Although this season is making me really sad not to be home sharing this Holiday with my family, I am really busy sharing the gospel with everyone. I know that Christmas day is going to be a really hard day but for now everything is all good.
I love sharing the gospel this season because people seem to be more receptive to us. This season helps us all focus on what is most important, the Savior and our Families which makes it easier to help others to come unto Christ.
Good news! We have 5 people with baptism dates for Dec! Our district is only 4 Elders but between the 4 of us we are second to leading the mission in baptisms with 11 dates this month plus the 2 that we've already had. President Walker, the stake president for the St. Anthony stake wants our area to lead the mission in baptisms so the stake had a fast focused on missionary work a month or so ago. We are now seeing the fruits of that labor. President Colton has asked us our thoughts on bringing in 2 more missionaries in this stake because there is that much work to do.
I don't know if I've told you this yet or not but President Colton told me when he assigned me to St. Anthony that my mission is now down hill because I've started off in the best part of the mission. He was right, I am in the best part of the mission (knock on wood; I don't want to get transfered).
One of our ward mission leaders is going to be in Denver next week and asked for my home address so he can stop by and visit with Mom and Dad. I gave him the address and both cell phone numbers. His name is Kurt Harrison and is the best WML in the world. He has done more for us than any other person in this stake. I hope you will be able to visit with him.
Well Mom, you asked for a Christmas list. I don't know what I would want though. It's hard to want things as a missionary. There are a few things that I need though:
1. 2010 stake directory
2. Juice Plus (I'm almost out)
3. Some more CDs because we spend a lot of time in the car and have listened to them all about 15 times. I don't know if you've done this yet but if you could please send Christmas music. I really really need some Christmas music.
4. Any sort of scarves you can find. I love scarves.
So I have met so many people that I'm related to! I'm pretty sure that every other dinner appointment I'm related to the family. Our dinner on Saturday night apparently knows Grandma because I think she said that Grandma called her and told her to tell me hi. Her name is Sister Miller and is a great grand daughter of William F. but it is weird because she is older than Grandma but Grandma is a grand daughter. So if you want to let Grandma know that I talked with her and got her message of hello that would be great!
We also are activating one of Grandma's cousin's daughters. Grandma's cousin Gene Rigby's (Rulon Gene Rigby) daughter, Julie Murri, is who we are meeting with.
I know that I was sent here to find our family. Which has led me to think that if we never moved to Colorado chances are that I would not have been called to the Pocatello mission. It's cool to see how the spirit has directed us to Colordao for so many reasons.
Well we've got to get to Rexburg. I love you all very much! Have a great Holiday season and remember that our purpose as members of the Church is to invite others to come unto Christ.
Peace and love,
Elder Walker
So the Christmas spirit is setting in! We just got several inches of snow and the Christmas lights/trees are almost all up. Although this season is making me really sad not to be home sharing this Holiday with my family, I am really busy sharing the gospel with everyone. I know that Christmas day is going to be a really hard day but for now everything is all good.
I love sharing the gospel this season because people seem to be more receptive to us. This season helps us all focus on what is most important, the Savior and our Families which makes it easier to help others to come unto Christ.
Good news! We have 5 people with baptism dates for Dec! Our district is only 4 Elders but between the 4 of us we are second to leading the mission in baptisms with 11 dates this month plus the 2 that we've already had. President Walker, the stake president for the St. Anthony stake wants our area to lead the mission in baptisms so the stake had a fast focused on missionary work a month or so ago. We are now seeing the fruits of that labor. President Colton has asked us our thoughts on bringing in 2 more missionaries in this stake because there is that much work to do.
I don't know if I've told you this yet or not but President Colton told me when he assigned me to St. Anthony that my mission is now down hill because I've started off in the best part of the mission. He was right, I am in the best part of the mission (knock on wood; I don't want to get transfered).
One of our ward mission leaders is going to be in Denver next week and asked for my home address so he can stop by and visit with Mom and Dad. I gave him the address and both cell phone numbers. His name is Kurt Harrison and is the best WML in the world. He has done more for us than any other person in this stake. I hope you will be able to visit with him.
Well Mom, you asked for a Christmas list. I don't know what I would want though. It's hard to want things as a missionary. There are a few things that I need though:
1. 2010 stake directory
2. Juice Plus (I'm almost out)
3. Some more CDs because we spend a lot of time in the car and have listened to them all about 15 times. I don't know if you've done this yet but if you could please send Christmas music. I really really need some Christmas music.
4. Any sort of scarves you can find. I love scarves.
So I have met so many people that I'm related to! I'm pretty sure that every other dinner appointment I'm related to the family. Our dinner on Saturday night apparently knows Grandma because I think she said that Grandma called her and told her to tell me hi. Her name is Sister Miller and is a great grand daughter of William F. but it is weird because she is older than Grandma but Grandma is a grand daughter. So if you want to let Grandma know that I talked with her and got her message of hello that would be great!
We also are activating one of Grandma's cousin's daughters. Grandma's cousin Gene Rigby's (Rulon Gene Rigby) daughter, Julie Murri, is who we are meeting with.
I know that I was sent here to find our family. Which has led me to think that if we never moved to Colorado chances are that I would not have been called to the Pocatello mission. It's cool to see how the spirit has directed us to Colordao for so many reasons.
Well we've got to get to Rexburg. I love you all very much! Have a great Holiday season and remember that our purpose as members of the Church is to invite others to come unto Christ.
Peace and love,
Elder Walker
Chelsee Letter - December 10
I love my life. Just in case any of you had any doubt…… I love this work and I love the Lord and I love being a missionary! Yay!
Now that I got that out of my system… today is my 15 month mark. You know what that means??? Any babies that were born the day I entered the MTC are now walking, talking and pooping in the toity. HELLO! 15 MONTHS! YIKES! I’m just slightly freaking out today! But by 6 I will be over it and back to focusing on the work of the ministry. I just had to have a trunky moment for a second there. Phew… glad that’s over with!
This has been a fantastic week. First of all, we got 10 new investigators last week, 7 of which were in one ward, the ward that has been struggling to have any baptisms this year. Can you say year end bonus??? I love it! We are going to baptize all of them and I am so excited! We officially have 5 people set for baptism right now and hopefully 3 more by the time we chat next week! It is raining baptisms here in Boulder City and I am LOVING IT!
Ok, so one more trunky moment and then I will move on… since I only have 2 transfers left after this one I am trying to come to terms with the fact that I will probably be transferred from Boulder City after this transfer. YIKES. I think I can handle it though. I just have to keep reminding myself that I have made it through being transferred before and I can make it through again! I am doing a lot of self-talking workshops with myself lately, can you tell??!!!!
Jiminy Crickets did you know that wool sweaters are itchy? Just wondering? I am wearing one right now and it is making my arms itch therefore I am wasting about 3.7 seconds of time stopping to itch every 7.3 seconds! Wow, life can be difficult!
Well, Christmas time is upon us and it is finally starting to feel like Christmas around here. We only listen to Christmas music in the car, lights are up everywhere, and the air is crisp and cool. Today it was only in the 30’s. Yes, that is cold even though you are all experiencing negative temperatures, you still have to admit that 30 is cold… especially in the desert!
Hum-in-a, hum-in-a, hum… what else is there to talk about??? I am doing super well and I am SO HAPPY! We have a ton of investigators right now and we are setting lots of people for baptism… what better Christmas present could there be than that???
Thanks for all the letters and cards, they make me smile! Thanks for all the prayers and love, it warms my soul!
I love you all so very much! Make good choices, don’t do drugs and BE HAPPY!!!
Love, ME!
P.S. new favorite scripture… Romans 8: 35-39! SO GOOD!
Now that I got that out of my system… today is my 15 month mark. You know what that means??? Any babies that were born the day I entered the MTC are now walking, talking and pooping in the toity. HELLO! 15 MONTHS! YIKES! I’m just slightly freaking out today! But by 6 I will be over it and back to focusing on the work of the ministry. I just had to have a trunky moment for a second there. Phew… glad that’s over with!
This has been a fantastic week. First of all, we got 10 new investigators last week, 7 of which were in one ward, the ward that has been struggling to have any baptisms this year. Can you say year end bonus??? I love it! We are going to baptize all of them and I am so excited! We officially have 5 people set for baptism right now and hopefully 3 more by the time we chat next week! It is raining baptisms here in Boulder City and I am LOVING IT!
Ok, so one more trunky moment and then I will move on… since I only have 2 transfers left after this one I am trying to come to terms with the fact that I will probably be transferred from Boulder City after this transfer. YIKES. I think I can handle it though. I just have to keep reminding myself that I have made it through being transferred before and I can make it through again! I am doing a lot of self-talking workshops with myself lately, can you tell??!!!!
Jiminy Crickets did you know that wool sweaters are itchy? Just wondering? I am wearing one right now and it is making my arms itch therefore I am wasting about 3.7 seconds of time stopping to itch every 7.3 seconds! Wow, life can be difficult!
Well, Christmas time is upon us and it is finally starting to feel like Christmas around here. We only listen to Christmas music in the car, lights are up everywhere, and the air is crisp and cool. Today it was only in the 30’s. Yes, that is cold even though you are all experiencing negative temperatures, you still have to admit that 30 is cold… especially in the desert!
Hum-in-a, hum-in-a, hum… what else is there to talk about??? I am doing super well and I am SO HAPPY! We have a ton of investigators right now and we are setting lots of people for baptism… what better Christmas present could there be than that???
Thanks for all the letters and cards, they make me smile! Thanks for all the prayers and love, it warms my soul!
I love you all so very much! Make good choices, don’t do drugs and BE HAPPY!!!
Love, ME!
P.S. new favorite scripture… Romans 8: 35-39! SO GOOD!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Elder Walker's letter to Mom and Dad
It was so great to see the pictures that Dad sent. Thank you for not sending the pictures of the ATVs although I don't think I would care anymore because everywhere I look I see ATVs here in Idaho! We just got snow a few days ago so now I see SnowMachines everywhere. But I guess I can deal for 23 more months.
The table looked beautiful and the weather did too! I showed my comp the picture of the kids in their swim suits and said, "it just snowed a foot and a half a few weeks ago." It was funny.
Great to see you all out golfing. I wish I could have seen Bosen live up to all his talk of being a great golfer.
We got the opportunity to go to the Rexburg temple on Saturday. What a beautiful temple! It was so great to be there and do a session. I still want to just happen to be in a session with my sister when she gets home. I think that would be really fun.
Well that's all that's going on here. I'm freezin my buns off but having fun doing it! I love you all and hope you had a great Thanksgiving.
peace and love,
Elder Walker
The table looked beautiful and the weather did too! I showed my comp the picture of the kids in their swim suits and said, "it just snowed a foot and a half a few weeks ago." It was funny.
Great to see you all out golfing. I wish I could have seen Bosen live up to all his talk of being a great golfer.
We got the opportunity to go to the Rexburg temple on Saturday. What a beautiful temple! It was so great to be there and do a session. I still want to just happen to be in a session with my sister when she gets home. I think that would be really fun.
Well that's all that's going on here. I'm freezin my buns off but having fun doing it! I love you all and hope you had a great Thanksgiving.
peace and love,
Elder Walker
P-Day Letter from Elder Walker
Hello Family and Friends!
I just wrote to you all a few days ago and nothing new has happened but I didn't want to miss a week of writing.
We had a great Thanksgiving with lots of food. I have never eaten as much as I have in the last week and a half! Every house we knock on, member or not, always has pie and ice cream for us! We don't have to buy too much food because everyone always wants to give us something to take home. Just from Thanksgiving we have a freezer full of turkey and ham. It's so great to know that I will never go hungry!
I have my first baptism this Saturday! I am so excited! His name is Jake Ohs, 15, and a great kid. He is so excited for his baptism day! Elder Call and I are teaching him for the last time tonight.
I received an e-mail from one of the Elders in my MTC district who went to Connecticut. He said that the mission average is 4 baptisms per companionship for the whole 2 years of serving. How blessed am I to be in a mission where we get that in one month?! I didn't realize how great those numbers were until I read his e-mail today. In our mission, each companionship usually baptizes weekly. How wonderful that opportunity is.
We have our first Zone Conference on Thursday. It is going to be different though because of the Holidays. I think we get to watch a movie and play some games as a zone. Apparently I came into a weird transfer. I hope I don't get used to all the Holiday time we are getting.
Well I will have more to write next Monday. I love you all so much!
If anyone happens to see Troy please tell him to write me! I haven't heard one thing from him since I've been gone.
peace out
Elder Walker
I just wrote to you all a few days ago and nothing new has happened but I didn't want to miss a week of writing.
We had a great Thanksgiving with lots of food. I have never eaten as much as I have in the last week and a half! Every house we knock on, member or not, always has pie and ice cream for us! We don't have to buy too much food because everyone always wants to give us something to take home. Just from Thanksgiving we have a freezer full of turkey and ham. It's so great to know that I will never go hungry!
I have my first baptism this Saturday! I am so excited! His name is Jake Ohs, 15, and a great kid. He is so excited for his baptism day! Elder Call and I are teaching him for the last time tonight.
I received an e-mail from one of the Elders in my MTC district who went to Connecticut. He said that the mission average is 4 baptisms per companionship for the whole 2 years of serving. How blessed am I to be in a mission where we get that in one month?! I didn't realize how great those numbers were until I read his e-mail today. In our mission, each companionship usually baptizes weekly. How wonderful that opportunity is.
We have our first Zone Conference on Thursday. It is going to be different though because of the Holidays. I think we get to watch a movie and play some games as a zone. Apparently I came into a weird transfer. I hope I don't get used to all the Holiday time we are getting.
Well I will have more to write next Monday. I love you all so much!
If anyone happens to see Troy please tell him to write me! I haven't heard one thing from him since I've been gone.
peace out
Elder Walker
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Christmas Tree Cutting 2009
Here's some photos of our day cutting our Christmas Tree. We have some dear friends who let us spend the day on their property looking for the perfect tree. We had chili, hot chocolate, and lots of fun!
Suzi and Gyle on the 4-wheelers
Britnee - trying to stay warm!
Estee enjoyed the day!!!
Grandpa and Estee
Devin and Gyle cutting the tree down
Suzi and Gyle on the 4-wheelers 
Britnee - trying to stay warm! 
Estee enjoyed the day!!! 
Grandpa and Estee
Devin and Gyle cutting the tree down 
North Pole 2009
We spent the day at the North Pole near Pikes Peak the day after Thanksgiving. The kids loved it while Gyle tolerated it! (hehe) Here's some of our fun...
Sister Walker's Thanksgiving Week Letter
We were just a bit worried because we had not heard from Chelsee on her usual email day, and we wondered if she had been transferred, stayed in Boulder City, or just what??? Here's our answer:
Hello People!!!
I know, surprise, it’s Saturday.
We didn’t get a chance to write on Thursday because nowhere was open and we were a little pre-occupied with the Mission’s valley wide Turkey Bowl, and eating yummy goodness! We drove an hour to North Las Vegas to go to the Turkey Bowl and we had a blast! As soon as we got off at the exit the first thing I said was… “Yay, colored people.” You have no idea how white Boulder City is!
Oh and yes, that means that I stayed in Boulder City this transfer! Yay, I’m going on 6 months here! Sister Johnson also stayed and we got a 3rd companion, Sister Brown who is actually from North Las Vegas. Sister Brown originally served in the Houston South Mission but had to come home for medical stuff and hasn’t been able to go back out there so she is here with us this transfer! I feel like I am training all over again but it is a good experience for me!
Anyway, back to Thanksgiving, we had a wonderful day! We had dinner with one of our investigators and her family. Lisa is Jake Davis’ mom (Jake got baptized back in Aug.) and she invited us over for dinner so of course we said yes! We had dinner with 6 non-members and 1 recent convert! The food was of course delish but nothing compared to Aunt Dee’s mashed potatoes!
After that dinner we went over to one of our ward mission leader’s home and I had some turkey with cranberry sauce over there because the first dinner didn’t have cranberry sauce. And, I recently discovered that I like candied yams! Yup, they are pretty tasty! Let’s just say I was pretty stuffed by the end of the night.
Since Thursday is a Preparation day we also did our laundry and went grocery shopping! We were done with P-day and out teaching again by 6:00… nope, not like Elder Walker’s all day P-day, we actually work on Holidays here! Hahahaha!!!
Daniel’s baptism was so fantastic! There were over 150 people there and President and Sister Christensen came too! They said they had never seen a baptism with so many people there. I told them they should have seen Jake’s baptism where there were over 200 people there!
Boulder City is the Celestial Kingdom so of course, it is perfect and everyone comes out to support those getting baptized! Daniel received the priesthood on Monday evening so that he could leave that night to go up to Utah with his cousins and do baptisms in the SLC temple and the Bountiful temple! I told him I was way excited for him to go to the Bountiful temple because that is where I did baptisms for the dead for my first time!
Ummmmm….. by brain is dead. I think I am still in a turkey coma! I think that is basically it. I’ll fill you in on more details next week!
I love you all more than anything!
Remember who you are and what you stand for! Make good choices, don’t do drugs and BE HAPPY!
LOVE,
ME!!!!!!
Hello People!!!
I know, surprise, it’s Saturday.
We didn’t get a chance to write on Thursday because nowhere was open and we were a little pre-occupied with the Mission’s valley wide Turkey Bowl, and eating yummy goodness! We drove an hour to North Las Vegas to go to the Turkey Bowl and we had a blast! As soon as we got off at the exit the first thing I said was… “Yay, colored people.” You have no idea how white Boulder City is!
Oh and yes, that means that I stayed in Boulder City this transfer! Yay, I’m going on 6 months here! Sister Johnson also stayed and we got a 3rd companion, Sister Brown who is actually from North Las Vegas. Sister Brown originally served in the Houston South Mission but had to come home for medical stuff and hasn’t been able to go back out there so she is here with us this transfer! I feel like I am training all over again but it is a good experience for me!
Anyway, back to Thanksgiving, we had a wonderful day! We had dinner with one of our investigators and her family. Lisa is Jake Davis’ mom (Jake got baptized back in Aug.) and she invited us over for dinner so of course we said yes! We had dinner with 6 non-members and 1 recent convert! The food was of course delish but nothing compared to Aunt Dee’s mashed potatoes!
After that dinner we went over to one of our ward mission leader’s home and I had some turkey with cranberry sauce over there because the first dinner didn’t have cranberry sauce. And, I recently discovered that I like candied yams! Yup, they are pretty tasty! Let’s just say I was pretty stuffed by the end of the night.
Since Thursday is a Preparation day we also did our laundry and went grocery shopping! We were done with P-day and out teaching again by 6:00… nope, not like Elder Walker’s all day P-day, we actually work on Holidays here! Hahahaha!!!
Daniel’s baptism was so fantastic! There were over 150 people there and President and Sister Christensen came too! They said they had never seen a baptism with so many people there. I told them they should have seen Jake’s baptism where there were over 200 people there!
Boulder City is the Celestial Kingdom so of course, it is perfect and everyone comes out to support those getting baptized! Daniel received the priesthood on Monday evening so that he could leave that night to go up to Utah with his cousins and do baptisms in the SLC temple and the Bountiful temple! I told him I was way excited for him to go to the Bountiful temple because that is where I did baptisms for the dead for my first time!
Ummmmm….. by brain is dead. I think I am still in a turkey coma! I think that is basically it. I’ll fill you in on more details next week!
I love you all more than anything!
Remember who you are and what you stand for! Make good choices, don’t do drugs and BE HAPPY!
LOVE,
ME!!!!!!
Family Letter From Elder Walker
Hello Family!
I wanted to write another message just for you. Today is my first family holiday away from home and I just wanted you all to know how much I love you. It's interesting how much my love for my family has grown since I've been serving.
Brailee, Daiken, and Estee - I love you kids so very much! I think about you everyday. I hope you are having so much fun in the snow! I just got some snow here in Idaho too! Thank you for all of the green toys and notes you sent me! I love you so much! Enjoy your day eating turkey!
Britnee and Adam - Thank you so much for my "greeney" package! It took Elder Call and I like 10 minutes to figure out what it was. He said, maybe they got St. Patricks day confused. Haha! The back scratcher and the ball thing are my new favorite things.
Adam, I really appreciate you letting me know that Idaho is not for ATV riding, I was confused. Haha! I know you wish you were here serving as much as I wish I was riding so this goes both ways buddy! What was your address when you lived in St. Anthony? Maybe we'll go tract it out.
Britnee, how is the new baby coming along? Are you ready to pop?? Just remember to eat double today, this is the baby's first Thanksgiving. Are you still on track for the 10th of January?
Mom - You have no Idea how much I miss you today. When I got a letter from Elder Bosen telling me he was going to eat with you all today I thought that maybe he and I could switch spots today. I love and miss you so dearly but I will get to talk to you soon.
Dad - It is so great to read your e-mails. It's my favorite part about p-day. I got your message about Elder Bosen staying another transfer! That is crazy! He told me that Brenda finally got baptized. That is great news to hear. How is the work going in the Perry Park ward? In our area we get so much help from our Bishops. If our ward mission leaders don't help, the Bishops step right in and do a great job.
Our Stake President is President Walker and he is determined to find a way that he and I are related. Can you and Mom do me a huge favor? My companion is way into family history and now has me wanting to know about my family. Especially about William F Rigby because everyone here knows about him. Can you send me a more detailed pedigree chart that goes back farther than the one I have and maybe include a little story or something interesting about them? Especially because everyday someone says "Walker? Where is your family from?" I then have to say, oh, I have no idea! So it would be nice to be able to answer that question.
Anyway, you all are so great! I hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving! Tell Elder Bosen and his new companion I say hi and I wish them the best. Have a great day!
Be sure to give thanks to our Heavenly Father for allowing us to be a family, you are all definitely my greatest blessing.
peace out!
Best wishes,
Elder Walker
I wanted to write another message just for you. Today is my first family holiday away from home and I just wanted you all to know how much I love you. It's interesting how much my love for my family has grown since I've been serving.
Brailee, Daiken, and Estee - I love you kids so very much! I think about you everyday. I hope you are having so much fun in the snow! I just got some snow here in Idaho too! Thank you for all of the green toys and notes you sent me! I love you so much! Enjoy your day eating turkey!
Britnee and Adam - Thank you so much for my "greeney" package! It took Elder Call and I like 10 minutes to figure out what it was. He said, maybe they got St. Patricks day confused. Haha! The back scratcher and the ball thing are my new favorite things.
Adam, I really appreciate you letting me know that Idaho is not for ATV riding, I was confused. Haha! I know you wish you were here serving as much as I wish I was riding so this goes both ways buddy! What was your address when you lived in St. Anthony? Maybe we'll go tract it out.
Britnee, how is the new baby coming along? Are you ready to pop?? Just remember to eat double today, this is the baby's first Thanksgiving. Are you still on track for the 10th of January?
Mom - You have no Idea how much I miss you today. When I got a letter from Elder Bosen telling me he was going to eat with you all today I thought that maybe he and I could switch spots today. I love and miss you so dearly but I will get to talk to you soon.
Dad - It is so great to read your e-mails. It's my favorite part about p-day. I got your message about Elder Bosen staying another transfer! That is crazy! He told me that Brenda finally got baptized. That is great news to hear. How is the work going in the Perry Park ward? In our area we get so much help from our Bishops. If our ward mission leaders don't help, the Bishops step right in and do a great job.
Our Stake President is President Walker and he is determined to find a way that he and I are related. Can you and Mom do me a huge favor? My companion is way into family history and now has me wanting to know about my family. Especially about William F Rigby because everyone here knows about him. Can you send me a more detailed pedigree chart that goes back farther than the one I have and maybe include a little story or something interesting about them? Especially because everyday someone says "Walker? Where is your family from?" I then have to say, oh, I have no idea! So it would be nice to be able to answer that question.
Anyway, you all are so great! I hope you have a fantastic Thanksgiving! Tell Elder Bosen and his new companion I say hi and I wish them the best. Have a great day!
Be sure to give thanks to our Heavenly Father for allowing us to be a family, you are all definitely my greatest blessing.
peace out!
Best wishes,
Elder Walker
Thanksgiving Day Email from Elder Walker
Happy Thanksgiving family and friends!
We got the opportunity to go to the family history center here in St. Anthony to write e-mails today. So I wanted to send an e-mail telling you all how thankful I am for all of you.I have been out on the mission now for one month yesterday and I have come to know how grateful I am for my beautiful family and my wonderful friends. Today already has got me thinking and giving thanks to my Heavenly Father for blessing me with such a wonderful life. We have all been blessed with so much.
Although today is the first real day of wishing I was home to spend this holiday with those I love, I am thankful to be serving my Savior and giving all I can back to him for everything he has done for me. The work is going forth here in St. Anthony. Although it is extremely cold, there is such a warmth of great spirit from the people here. Every member family we meet they always invite us to join them for Thanksgiving. I told Elder Call we should definitely be tracting today because we would get fed something every house we go to!
We are eating with a family that just lost their son last month and his wish was that the Elders ate with them on this day. They are a great family and super excited for us to come over. President Colton has made today an all day preparation day. We get to do what ever we want (well within mission rules) all day. This morning we went and served over at the community Thanksgiving meal. We were able to help them prepare for the meal at noon. We'll be going back later to help serve food. There are so many families in this town that don't have very much. Most of them don't have a College degree and work as farmers. We have many trailer parks here and some are falling apart. It's interesting though because although they don't have much, they all still have such high spirits.
Here in St. Anthony we have my whole district (which only consists of 4 Elders). It's fun to have a really small district because we see each other all the time and get together often. The other Elders are Spanish and all together the 4 of us cover 10 wards and 6 cities. Our district leader is Elder Lagazo from the Philippines and speaks 4 languages. He is really great though.
Some more about Elder Call; He is from northern Illinois, about an hour and a half North West of Chicago. It's great for us to be together because he isn't as outgoing as I am. He is more reserved and thinks it's weird that I can be so excited when I talk to people. It's funny to watch him teach children because he totally loses them. I'm grateful that Brailee, Daiken, and Estee were able to live with me so I can know how to teach little kids and keep their attention.
Anyways I just wanted you all to know how much I appreciate your love and support. I do love all of you so much. Keep the work progressing.
Peace out
Elder Walker
We got the opportunity to go to the family history center here in St. Anthony to write e-mails today. So I wanted to send an e-mail telling you all how thankful I am for all of you.I have been out on the mission now for one month yesterday and I have come to know how grateful I am for my beautiful family and my wonderful friends. Today already has got me thinking and giving thanks to my Heavenly Father for blessing me with such a wonderful life. We have all been blessed with so much.
Although today is the first real day of wishing I was home to spend this holiday with those I love, I am thankful to be serving my Savior and giving all I can back to him for everything he has done for me. The work is going forth here in St. Anthony. Although it is extremely cold, there is such a warmth of great spirit from the people here. Every member family we meet they always invite us to join them for Thanksgiving. I told Elder Call we should definitely be tracting today because we would get fed something every house we go to!
We are eating with a family that just lost their son last month and his wish was that the Elders ate with them on this day. They are a great family and super excited for us to come over. President Colton has made today an all day preparation day. We get to do what ever we want (well within mission rules) all day. This morning we went and served over at the community Thanksgiving meal. We were able to help them prepare for the meal at noon. We'll be going back later to help serve food. There are so many families in this town that don't have very much. Most of them don't have a College degree and work as farmers. We have many trailer parks here and some are falling apart. It's interesting though because although they don't have much, they all still have such high spirits.
Here in St. Anthony we have my whole district (which only consists of 4 Elders). It's fun to have a really small district because we see each other all the time and get together often. The other Elders are Spanish and all together the 4 of us cover 10 wards and 6 cities. Our district leader is Elder Lagazo from the Philippines and speaks 4 languages. He is really great though.
Some more about Elder Call; He is from northern Illinois, about an hour and a half North West of Chicago. It's great for us to be together because he isn't as outgoing as I am. He is more reserved and thinks it's weird that I can be so excited when I talk to people. It's funny to watch him teach children because he totally loses them. I'm grateful that Brailee, Daiken, and Estee were able to live with me so I can know how to teach little kids and keep their attention.
Anyways I just wanted you all to know how much I appreciate your love and support. I do love all of you so much. Keep the work progressing.
Peace out
Elder Walker
Tyson's First Letter Home from the Mission Field
So I just got the opportunity to finally sit down and write an e-mail. We have prep day on Mondays here in Idaho.
I don't even know where to begin! So much has happened since I last prep day.First off I am assigned to the St. Anthony area which is just about 10 miles north of Rexburg. I love love love this area! I am truly in such a beautiful part of the country. I have a perfect view of the Tetons which I love to see everyday.
So I concluded my time in the MTC on Tuesday waking up at 4:00 AM to catch a flight at 8:00. There were nearly 400 missionaries leaving the MTC that day 20 of which came to Idaho with me. When I got to the airport I got to call home for a short talk and had the wonderful opportunity to call my favorite Sister Missionary! I forgot about the time change so I woke her up, oops! Oh well, it was great to talk to my sister. We then got on the smallest airplane I have ever been on. There were 17 missionaries on this plane which took up all but 4 seats. What a great memory though to have an airplane full of Elders.
We were greeted with a big hug from our Mission President, President Colton, and the Assistants. We waited and waited for our luggage but come to find out the plane was so small they couldn't fit all the luggage on the plane so they had to send a second plane with the other half of our bags! I thought that was really funny!
We were then taken to the mission home and fed breakfast, had interviews with President, then went on splits with some missionaries in the Pocatello zone. I got to teach about the Atonement in the second lesson to a part member family. What a great experience! Later that night President handed out our assignments. He had us stand and read it out loud to the whole group. He would then proceed to tell us about our trainer and the area.
Like I said earlier I am serving in the St. Anthony area with Elder Call. My area is very much a farming town. The population in my area is about 3,300 but is so big that it would take about 25 minutes to get from one end to the other. Elder Call has been out about 9 months. I am his first green companion and this is his first time being a senior companion. He is great though. We are teaching constantly and always have people to go see.
The first day I got here we started teaching from the get go. I didn't even unload my bags untill we got home that night. My very first lesson taught was a success infact we had a lady sit in that we thought was an inactive member but come to find out she isn't a member and wants to be baptized! Before we left she asked if she could have a blessing to help her with her faith. I was so excited that she was willing to ask for a blessing, for me that is excercising a lot of faith already.
There is another man, his name is Aaron, he has two kids who are members as well as his wife. When we taught him, he told us that he knows the Book of Mormon is true but he just didn't have the urge to get baptized. I felt prompted to tell him that there was something that was preventing him from feeling the spirit. I told him, "Aaron, you are doing something in your life that is preventing you from feeling the spirit, as long as you continue doing that you will never recieve an answer to getting baptized. I promise you that if you put away this thing and you pray with real intent, you will recieve an answer on Sunday in church."
Now I have never met this guy and come to find out he had met with the missionaries since 2006 and hasn't been to church yet. After I promised him that he would recieve an answer if he would stop doing this thing, he was crying. He thanked us and we left. I have no idea what it is that he is doing, but I know that he went to church yesterday and during sacrament meeting he got emotional. We are meeting with him on Wednesday to follow up.I know our Heavenly Father loves these people and wants them to come to him. I know that Aaron recieved his answer because I only spoke that what the spirit told me to say.
We have taught so many lessons already if I was to tell you all about them you would be reading forever. Here is a run down of the mission so far. We have 2 baptisms ready to go, 4 that are setting dates this week, 6 that are close, and several less active families that are being taught. I love this work and I love the people here in St. Anthony. There are so many that are prepared and willing to accept the gospel. Elder Call and I are teaching so many and will continue teaching more. All I can tell you is that Elder Walker is definatly going to bring so many people to Christ. Watch out Sister Walker, your numbers are going to be challenged! Haha! I know it isn't about the numbers, but I am really looking forward to the work that will go forth in this area.
I love you all so much. Keep strong to the gospel and never let your testimony go. This work will go forth "boldly... until the great Jehovah will say the work is done."
Peace out
With love,
Elder Tyson Walker
I don't even know where to begin! So much has happened since I last prep day.First off I am assigned to the St. Anthony area which is just about 10 miles north of Rexburg. I love love love this area! I am truly in such a beautiful part of the country. I have a perfect view of the Tetons which I love to see everyday.
So I concluded my time in the MTC on Tuesday waking up at 4:00 AM to catch a flight at 8:00. There were nearly 400 missionaries leaving the MTC that day 20 of which came to Idaho with me. When I got to the airport I got to call home for a short talk and had the wonderful opportunity to call my favorite Sister Missionary! I forgot about the time change so I woke her up, oops! Oh well, it was great to talk to my sister. We then got on the smallest airplane I have ever been on. There were 17 missionaries on this plane which took up all but 4 seats. What a great memory though to have an airplane full of Elders.
We were greeted with a big hug from our Mission President, President Colton, and the Assistants. We waited and waited for our luggage but come to find out the plane was so small they couldn't fit all the luggage on the plane so they had to send a second plane with the other half of our bags! I thought that was really funny!
We were then taken to the mission home and fed breakfast, had interviews with President, then went on splits with some missionaries in the Pocatello zone. I got to teach about the Atonement in the second lesson to a part member family. What a great experience! Later that night President handed out our assignments. He had us stand and read it out loud to the whole group. He would then proceed to tell us about our trainer and the area.
Like I said earlier I am serving in the St. Anthony area with Elder Call. My area is very much a farming town. The population in my area is about 3,300 but is so big that it would take about 25 minutes to get from one end to the other. Elder Call has been out about 9 months. I am his first green companion and this is his first time being a senior companion. He is great though. We are teaching constantly and always have people to go see.
The first day I got here we started teaching from the get go. I didn't even unload my bags untill we got home that night. My very first lesson taught was a success infact we had a lady sit in that we thought was an inactive member but come to find out she isn't a member and wants to be baptized! Before we left she asked if she could have a blessing to help her with her faith. I was so excited that she was willing to ask for a blessing, for me that is excercising a lot of faith already.
There is another man, his name is Aaron, he has two kids who are members as well as his wife. When we taught him, he told us that he knows the Book of Mormon is true but he just didn't have the urge to get baptized. I felt prompted to tell him that there was something that was preventing him from feeling the spirit. I told him, "Aaron, you are doing something in your life that is preventing you from feeling the spirit, as long as you continue doing that you will never recieve an answer to getting baptized. I promise you that if you put away this thing and you pray with real intent, you will recieve an answer on Sunday in church."
Now I have never met this guy and come to find out he had met with the missionaries since 2006 and hasn't been to church yet. After I promised him that he would recieve an answer if he would stop doing this thing, he was crying. He thanked us and we left. I have no idea what it is that he is doing, but I know that he went to church yesterday and during sacrament meeting he got emotional. We are meeting with him on Wednesday to follow up.I know our Heavenly Father loves these people and wants them to come to him. I know that Aaron recieved his answer because I only spoke that what the spirit told me to say.
We have taught so many lessons already if I was to tell you all about them you would be reading forever. Here is a run down of the mission so far. We have 2 baptisms ready to go, 4 that are setting dates this week, 6 that are close, and several less active families that are being taught. I love this work and I love the people here in St. Anthony. There are so many that are prepared and willing to accept the gospel. Elder Call and I are teaching so many and will continue teaching more. All I can tell you is that Elder Walker is definatly going to bring so many people to Christ. Watch out Sister Walker, your numbers are going to be challenged! Haha! I know it isn't about the numbers, but I am really looking forward to the work that will go forth in this area.
I love you all so much. Keep strong to the gospel and never let your testimony go. This work will go forth "boldly... until the great Jehovah will say the work is done."
Peace out
With love,
Elder Tyson Walker
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Sister Walker Letter 11-12-09
Hello People!
Who LOVES being a missionary? I do, I DO!!!!! I LOVE THIS WORK! I love hearing from Tyson and seeing his testimony grow. I love remembering my MTC experience and thinking about all of the great memories he is now making. I love seeing people, both missionaries and members, gain their testimonies of missionary work. I love hearing that my family is having great missionary opportunities. I love seeing prayers answered and miracles take place. I love diving into the Book of Mormon and learning how to help others from the teachings of that great and marvelous book. I LOVE THIS GOSPEL!!!!
As we get closer to Thanksgiving I am always striving to think of the things that I am grateful for. The great thing is that everything that I think of that I am grateful for has everything to do with the gospel. My family, my testimony, my friends, this mission experience, the Book of Mormon, food to eat, a safe place to live…. It can all be summed up in one sentence by saying that I am thankful for the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ because without His Atonement, I wouldn’t have any one of those things in my life! I love being a member of this church because, “I know who I am, I know God’s plan, I’ll follow Him in faith….”
Last weekend we had the Turner’s baptism. I can’t even explain how incredible it was without being brought to tears. And that is a pretty big deal for me folks because I don’t EVER cry anymore. Their baptism was what this work is all about, it is the very reason I came on a mission… a family was brought together in the gospel and they will be able to be sealed together for eternity in a year. I didn’t come here just to baptize but to get families to the temple! I can’t wait to see them all in white again as they are brought together in the sealing room… and you can betcha that I will be bawling like a little baby! Yay for the Turners!
We have a lot of excitement in the next couple of weeks. We have lots more baptisms taking place! The members have been SO excited to do missionary work. There hasn’t been much action down here for a while so they are getting all sorts of excited with all these baptisms taking place! The Lord is blessing Boulder like you wouldn’t believe! The members are giving us referrals up the wazoo. I am begging President to send another companionship down here because there is so much going on and so little time to do all of it! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!! Hallelujah!
Um… I just went on 24 hour exchanges with my Chocolate Sista so I am a little on the hallelujah and praise the Lord side of things right now!!!! Uh… what else is going on????
I am doing so fantastic! I have never been happier! I can’t stop smiling, in fact my cheeks are getting a little sore and my mouth is constantly dry from smiling all the time!!!!!!! Gee, what a horrible problem!!! (giggle)
Ok, I guess I will be done now. I really could go on and on and on with the excitement of this work but I know you have other things to attend to so I will let you get on with your day now!!!!I LOVE YOU ALL SO SO SO SO SO VERY MUCH!!!!!!!!!!
Make good choices, don’t do drugs and remember that Jesus Loves YOU!
Love, ME!
Who LOVES being a missionary? I do, I DO!!!!! I LOVE THIS WORK! I love hearing from Tyson and seeing his testimony grow. I love remembering my MTC experience and thinking about all of the great memories he is now making. I love seeing people, both missionaries and members, gain their testimonies of missionary work. I love hearing that my family is having great missionary opportunities. I love seeing prayers answered and miracles take place. I love diving into the Book of Mormon and learning how to help others from the teachings of that great and marvelous book. I LOVE THIS GOSPEL!!!!
As we get closer to Thanksgiving I am always striving to think of the things that I am grateful for. The great thing is that everything that I think of that I am grateful for has everything to do with the gospel. My family, my testimony, my friends, this mission experience, the Book of Mormon, food to eat, a safe place to live…. It can all be summed up in one sentence by saying that I am thankful for the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ because without His Atonement, I wouldn’t have any one of those things in my life! I love being a member of this church because, “I know who I am, I know God’s plan, I’ll follow Him in faith….”
Last weekend we had the Turner’s baptism. I can’t even explain how incredible it was without being brought to tears. And that is a pretty big deal for me folks because I don’t EVER cry anymore. Their baptism was what this work is all about, it is the very reason I came on a mission… a family was brought together in the gospel and they will be able to be sealed together for eternity in a year. I didn’t come here just to baptize but to get families to the temple! I can’t wait to see them all in white again as they are brought together in the sealing room… and you can betcha that I will be bawling like a little baby! Yay for the Turners!
We have a lot of excitement in the next couple of weeks. We have lots more baptisms taking place! The members have been SO excited to do missionary work. There hasn’t been much action down here for a while so they are getting all sorts of excited with all these baptisms taking place! The Lord is blessing Boulder like you wouldn’t believe! The members are giving us referrals up the wazoo. I am begging President to send another companionship down here because there is so much going on and so little time to do all of it! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!! Hallelujah!
Um… I just went on 24 hour exchanges with my Chocolate Sista so I am a little on the hallelujah and praise the Lord side of things right now!!!! Uh… what else is going on????
I am doing so fantastic! I have never been happier! I can’t stop smiling, in fact my cheeks are getting a little sore and my mouth is constantly dry from smiling all the time!!!!!!! Gee, what a horrible problem!!! (giggle)
Ok, I guess I will be done now. I really could go on and on and on with the excitement of this work but I know you have other things to attend to so I will let you get on with your day now!!!!I LOVE YOU ALL SO SO SO SO SO VERY MUCH!!!!!!!!!!
Make good choices, don’t do drugs and remember that Jesus Loves YOU!
Love, ME!
Tyson's Letter to Gyle and Suzi
This letter from Tyson is truly a "Pay-Day" letter! Wow! What a great kid he is!!! This is just a segment that Tyson wrote to his mom and dad today...
I have 5 mins left and wanted to just send a quick message to let you know how much I love and appreciate you! You both are the best parents any missionary could ever have. I have grown my love for you both very much in the last two weeks. I want you to know how much my testimony has grown and my love for my Savior. When I was in the Celestial room today there is a big picture of Christ on the wall, the one where he has his hands out and is in his robes in the clouds. I sat there just staring at the picture and sung in my head, "I feel my saviors love." I just sat there on the couch with tears in my eyes and could seriously feel my Savior's love.
Elder Walker Letter 11-12-2009
Hello Family and Friends!
All is well here in the wonderful state of Utah in the Provo MTC. I love, love, love being here and feeling the Lord's Spirit so strong. This week has been so amazing as well as super challenging.
As you know from the last letter I was called as the District Leader and with that calling I have had a lot of responsibility. Our district had a big turn for the worst the last few days due to contention and loss of the Spirit. I was told by one of our teachers that I had to find the root to the problem; you can cover the symptoms but that doesn't get rid of the virus. I was praying so hard to have help. I had no idea how I was going to find out what the root problem was. I spent a few days in prayer pleading for help. Just last night my prayer was answered. Sister Walker, one of our teachers, came to class and said that she didn't know what it was but she felt as though we needed to have a distric inventory and get things to normal. She said she felt prompted to read Alma 24 and talk about the Anti-Nephi-Lehi people and how they chose to bury their weapons of war. We then talked about what is driving everyone crazy and how we can fix it. I don't know how it worked or what Sister Walker did but after that our distric has been closer and stronger than it has ever been before.
That was only the beginning of what happened though. Because she is so guided and inspired she felt prompted that we needed to teach her in the role of someone she taught on her mission. She played this girl named Hannah who had served a mission and went through the Temple but when she went to school she messed up with her roomate and got into a homosexual relationship which in turn led to her getting excommunicated. It was so sad to see the depression and the loss of everything in her life. She so desperatly wanted to feel the spirit again and know that her Heavenly Father loved her. Sister Walker told us not to teach unless we were inspired to teach from the spirit. I don't know what it was but I felt the spirit so strong during that lesson. I talked about the Atonement and how Christ is always there with his arms open and she is the only thing pushing him away. The lesson was going well until we got to the end and I said, "Hannah, I feel impressed to offer you a priesthood blessing." Although we couldn't do it there because it was a role play, Sister Walker got emotional and said that is exactly what she needed. I felt so good because the spirit works in such a great way. I learned that as a missionary I am only a mouth peace for Heavenly Father to talk to his children.
After the role play was over Sister Walker asked our district to give her a blessing. There was nothing better to bring our district together than to give our teacher a Priesthood blessing.
One last story to tell. On Sunday one of the councelors in our Branch Presidency taught the lesson in Priesthood. He is so great, he was mission companions with Elder Holland and grew up with Elder Anderson. He was comparing mission work to Christ's earthly ministry. He said that Christ submitted himself completely to the will of the father. Missionaries are very similar he explains, "obedience with exactness shows that you are submitting yourself to the will of the father." That has been my favorite quote from the mission so far. I use that in everything. I can tell you that that quote is going to be my standard for the rest of my mission.
Well my time in now up. I only get 30 mins to read and type. I love you all so much! I love being the Lord's missionary and doing his work. "I will say and do what he himself would say and do if he was ministering to the very people to which he has called me."
I love the Church and know that this is the only and true Church of Jesus Christ who is my Lord and my Savior. I love being here and love what I am doing. Thank you so much for the prayers, packages, and letters! Recieving them are my favorite part of the day.
Keep the work going strong in Colorado and never be shy of bringing someone into the arms of our Savior. I love you all so much and wish you the best!
Peace out!
Elder Tyson Rigby Walker
All is well here in the wonderful state of Utah in the Provo MTC. I love, love, love being here and feeling the Lord's Spirit so strong. This week has been so amazing as well as super challenging.
As you know from the last letter I was called as the District Leader and with that calling I have had a lot of responsibility. Our district had a big turn for the worst the last few days due to contention and loss of the Spirit. I was told by one of our teachers that I had to find the root to the problem; you can cover the symptoms but that doesn't get rid of the virus. I was praying so hard to have help. I had no idea how I was going to find out what the root problem was. I spent a few days in prayer pleading for help. Just last night my prayer was answered. Sister Walker, one of our teachers, came to class and said that she didn't know what it was but she felt as though we needed to have a distric inventory and get things to normal. She said she felt prompted to read Alma 24 and talk about the Anti-Nephi-Lehi people and how they chose to bury their weapons of war. We then talked about what is driving everyone crazy and how we can fix it. I don't know how it worked or what Sister Walker did but after that our distric has been closer and stronger than it has ever been before.
That was only the beginning of what happened though. Because she is so guided and inspired she felt prompted that we needed to teach her in the role of someone she taught on her mission. She played this girl named Hannah who had served a mission and went through the Temple but when she went to school she messed up with her roomate and got into a homosexual relationship which in turn led to her getting excommunicated. It was so sad to see the depression and the loss of everything in her life. She so desperatly wanted to feel the spirit again and know that her Heavenly Father loved her. Sister Walker told us not to teach unless we were inspired to teach from the spirit. I don't know what it was but I felt the spirit so strong during that lesson. I talked about the Atonement and how Christ is always there with his arms open and she is the only thing pushing him away. The lesson was going well until we got to the end and I said, "Hannah, I feel impressed to offer you a priesthood blessing." Although we couldn't do it there because it was a role play, Sister Walker got emotional and said that is exactly what she needed. I felt so good because the spirit works in such a great way. I learned that as a missionary I am only a mouth peace for Heavenly Father to talk to his children.
After the role play was over Sister Walker asked our district to give her a blessing. There was nothing better to bring our district together than to give our teacher a Priesthood blessing.
One last story to tell. On Sunday one of the councelors in our Branch Presidency taught the lesson in Priesthood. He is so great, he was mission companions with Elder Holland and grew up with Elder Anderson. He was comparing mission work to Christ's earthly ministry. He said that Christ submitted himself completely to the will of the father. Missionaries are very similar he explains, "obedience with exactness shows that you are submitting yourself to the will of the father." That has been my favorite quote from the mission so far. I use that in everything. I can tell you that that quote is going to be my standard for the rest of my mission.
Well my time in now up. I only get 30 mins to read and type. I love you all so much! I love being the Lord's missionary and doing his work. "I will say and do what he himself would say and do if he was ministering to the very people to which he has called me."
I love the Church and know that this is the only and true Church of Jesus Christ who is my Lord and my Savior. I love being here and love what I am doing. Thank you so much for the prayers, packages, and letters! Recieving them are my favorite part of the day.
Keep the work going strong in Colorado and never be shy of bringing someone into the arms of our Savior. I love you all so much and wish you the best!
Peace out!
Elder Tyson Rigby Walker
Monday, November 9, 2009
Letter From Tyson
Letter Dated November 5, 2009
My Favorite Family!
HELLO!! This is the first time I have been able to write a letter. Today is our first P-day, so being the obedient one that I am, I decided to write today. So many things have happened since my arrival last Wednesday. This is the biggest thing I 've learned since then... THE CHURCH IS TRUE!! The Spirit is so strong and I love being here in the MTC. I always knew the Church is true, but being here amplifies that testimony by millions.
Our teachers are great! We have Brother Laubaugh and Sister Walker. They are both so great and so filled with the Spirit. Our Branch Presidency is great as well. I have been called as our District Leader! We have 10 Elders in our District and I love every one of them so much . It's been a challenge being District Leader, but I can feel of my Heavenly Father's love for me.
A few days ago I had the opportunity to interview my district. What a great day that was. I had felt direct revelation for each Elder as they met with me. I was able to answer their questions and feel the inspiration to their issues. I felt even more love for them as I worked with my Heavenly Father to address their needs. It's also been great because my leadership skills are able to be used. About our District, 8 of us are going to ID-POC and the others are going to CT-Hartford. We have all grown so close and love each other so much. One of our Elders is from England. He lives in Dedam (I have no idea where that is) It is great to hear his accent though. Our whole district picks up on his accent sometimes which is rather annoying, but as long as that's all that annoys me, I'll be fine. Another Elder is from Colorado. He lives in Thornton. He and I always brag about how beautiful Colorado is and such.
Now about my Companion. He is probably my largest road block here at the MTC. I'm trying to make it a goal not to say bad things, but let's just say that he is one of those Elders that's here just because his parents made him. He falls asleep all the time and mopes around. I have ZERO tolerance for Elders that mope, because that is not the reason we came out here on missions. Anyway, that is all the bad things I'll say. Know that I am working hard to get along with him and I'm praying my guts out to help my heart love him. I've talked to my teachers about this, well actually they both came to me and said they felt like I needed to talk to them. They have been such great support. I've even asked Elder Spencer, our Brit, for a blessing. Elder Shipley, my companion, is my comp for a reason, I'll just have to seek what that is.
Well I have other letters to write. I just have 1 request. Please send packages!!! I loved the CD's, but I need something from home. All my Elders get treats and such and I'm jealous! HaHa... Included in my treat package, can I have sent: 1. My slipper shoes (the blue/gray ones) they are the ones I wear all the time. 2. My jacket from London, (the white and grey stripes) 3. Shirts from my closed. (the light blue and the green one.) They both have collars.
I think that's all I need right now. I just want you all to know how much I love and don't miss you. (not in a mean way, just that my Heavenly Father has blessed me so much with no home-sickness) Please tell Brailee, Daiken and Estee that I love them so much and loved their Halloween costumes! I have those pictures on the wall.
Anyway, the Field is White, and I'm going to go harvest it! I love you all so much!!!
Peace and Love!
Elder Walker
My Favorite Family!
HELLO!! This is the first time I have been able to write a letter. Today is our first P-day, so being the obedient one that I am, I decided to write today. So many things have happened since my arrival last Wednesday. This is the biggest thing I 've learned since then... THE CHURCH IS TRUE!! The Spirit is so strong and I love being here in the MTC. I always knew the Church is true, but being here amplifies that testimony by millions.
Our teachers are great! We have Brother Laubaugh and Sister Walker. They are both so great and so filled with the Spirit. Our Branch Presidency is great as well. I have been called as our District Leader! We have 10 Elders in our District and I love every one of them so much . It's been a challenge being District Leader, but I can feel of my Heavenly Father's love for me.
A few days ago I had the opportunity to interview my district. What a great day that was. I had felt direct revelation for each Elder as they met with me. I was able to answer their questions and feel the inspiration to their issues. I felt even more love for them as I worked with my Heavenly Father to address their needs. It's also been great because my leadership skills are able to be used. About our District, 8 of us are going to ID-POC and the others are going to CT-Hartford. We have all grown so close and love each other so much. One of our Elders is from England. He lives in Dedam (I have no idea where that is) It is great to hear his accent though. Our whole district picks up on his accent sometimes which is rather annoying, but as long as that's all that annoys me, I'll be fine. Another Elder is from Colorado. He lives in Thornton. He and I always brag about how beautiful Colorado is and such.
Now about my Companion. He is probably my largest road block here at the MTC. I'm trying to make it a goal not to say bad things, but let's just say that he is one of those Elders that's here just because his parents made him. He falls asleep all the time and mopes around. I have ZERO tolerance for Elders that mope, because that is not the reason we came out here on missions. Anyway, that is all the bad things I'll say. Know that I am working hard to get along with him and I'm praying my guts out to help my heart love him. I've talked to my teachers about this, well actually they both came to me and said they felt like I needed to talk to them. They have been such great support. I've even asked Elder Spencer, our Brit, for a blessing. Elder Shipley, my companion, is my comp for a reason, I'll just have to seek what that is.
Well I have other letters to write. I just have 1 request. Please send packages!!! I loved the CD's, but I need something from home. All my Elders get treats and such and I'm jealous! HaHa... Included in my treat package, can I have sent: 1. My slipper shoes (the blue/gray ones) they are the ones I wear all the time. 2. My jacket from London, (the white and grey stripes) 3. Shirts from my closed. (the light blue and the green one.) They both have collars.
I think that's all I need right now. I just want you all to know how much I love and don't miss you. (not in a mean way, just that my Heavenly Father has blessed me so much with no home-sickness) Please tell Brailee, Daiken and Estee that I love them so much and loved their Halloween costumes! I have those pictures on the wall.
Anyway, the Field is White, and I'm going to go harvest it! I love you all so much!!!
Peace and Love!
Elder Walker
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Gratitude
I love early, quiet mornings. This morning there was another absolutely beautiful Colorado Sunrise - purples, oranges, pinks... incredible! And it's always on mornings like this that I just feel so much gratitude!
- Love my kids! I have six (four by birth, and two partners of my children) of the most amazing children in the world! They are stalwart, good, loving, kind and amazing! They make good choices. They serve the Lord. They are so much fun to be around.
- Love my grandchildren! Oh, they make me smile! They are such good kids who have been taught well. They, too, love the Lord and it is evident in all they say and do.
- Love Colorado! This is such a beautiful state! I have looked at the same view out my back windows for over six years, and I never tire of it! The front range mountains are so breathtaking with all of the different shades of purple - and now the tallest ones are covered in a blanket of snow. I love the blue skies of Colorado! The fresh air! The quiet of Castle Rock. Love it all!
- I love that my family likes to participate in the same sorts of things; from the mountains to the theater to the games around the table. We love to be together and do things together. What more could a woman want???
- I love the Gospel! I enjoy the peace, the sweetness and the love that only the Gospel can bring!
My heart is just simply grateful today!
Sister Walker Letter
Chelsee's letter this week - She sounds happy!
I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just thought you should know! I am on such a spiritual high! Today we went to the temple as Trainers and New missionaries! It was so good to be in the temple with President and Sister Christensen! That was the first time that I have been in the temple with them. We first met with the brand new Temple President, President Ballard, and then we went into the session. I'd have to say that one of my favorite parts was looking over at President during the session and seeing him look at his beautiful wife and wink at her! SO CUTE! I love seeing people who are in love!
Ok, enough of that lovey dovey stuff...I am excited because President is coming to Seminary tomorrow. He is coming for our investigator Daniel who met President back in Feb. and was very impressed by him. Daniel's schedule is so crazy busy that that is the only time we could get the two of them together again. Speaking of Daniel, he is getting baptized on the 22 now because that is when his aunt from Georgia can make it in to town. One of the greatest highlights of my mission thus far was on Sunday when Daniel bore his testimony in fast and testimony meeting. Sister Johnson and I were smiling from ear to ear. We felt like proud Momma's!!! He has such a powerful testimony and I am so excited for him to get baptized!
The Turners are getting ready for their baptism on Saturday! They are the most stellar family I have ever taught! We played a review game yesterday in the form of Jeopardy! They knew the answers to every single question. In fact, they even beat the members who were playing. Yay Turners!!!!!
We are all praying that Barbara the 15 year old daughter will follow the example of her family members and join the church in the near future. I don't think it will be too long!
Donna and Craig are getting back on top of things after a slight downhill slope. We were over at their house on Sunday, we took them a fresh pomegranate right off a tree (yep thats right... they are all over out here!!! YUM!!!). We sat and pulled it apart and talked for about an hour one on one with Craig. We got a lot of his true feelings towards the church out of him. He has a testimony but just doesn't recognize it yet. As we have gone over every day this week we have seen that testimony bloom and he is starting to realize that he has one!!!! Yay for Craig!
We found out on Monday that Victor Pickering's dad is getting baptized this weekend in Henderson. Victor and Kassie had no idea he was meeting with the Elders and Victor Senior had no idea that Victor Jr. and Kassie were baptized almost a month ago. It was actually Victor's sister who told Kassie and then Kassie told her that they had been baptized and so on... now Victor's sister is taking the lessons and we are going to start teaching his mom tonight. AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Victor has been praying that his family would have a chance to learn about the gospel and accept it into their lives. Prayers sure are heard and answered!
I am LOVING November in Nevada! It is even nicer than it was last year! It has been in the 80's lately... in fact, we are playing sand volleyball for a zone activity today! I love wearing shorts and a tee-shirt outside in November!!! Heaven, I'd say YES!
Oh and incase you have forgotten......... I love Boulder City!!!!!!!
Thank you all for being so fantastic! Thank you for the example you all are and THANK YOU for all of your prayers! Remember to make good choices, don't do drugs and BE HAPPY!!!!!!!
Love, ME!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Tyson's First Letter Home!
Hello Mom and Dad!
Today is Prep Day and the first time I've had a chance to get online to write you an e-mail. All is well with me. I love the MTC!! It is so great! I really love the spirit and the blessings I see in my life daily as I serve the Lord. The spirit is so strong here. There is never a moment when I don't have the spirit burning in my heart. I think it is because this is dedicated land.
My teachers are great! I have two of them, Sister Walker and Brother Laubaugh. They have been such an inspiration to me. I have grown to love and appreciate them and their spirit.
My district is great! We are all Elders with 5 companionships. I have been called as the district leader by my Branch Presidency. I have had the calling for a week now and have loved every minute of it. Being district leader is challenging but yet super rewarding. I have been blessed with the love for all of my Elders and do all I can to help them succeed. I had the chance to interview them and know of their struggles and their weaknesses but love them so much that I want to do all I can to help uplift them. The spirit has been so strong with the calling as well. I always know answers to questions and concerns. I know I wouldn't have answers if I wasn't called as their distric leader.
We went to the temple today. What a blessing to have the Provo Temple so close. I loved it! What a great break from MTC life and just go and soak up the spirit.
I wrote a letter today that has more details about my life here and my companion. Please pray for my companionship, it isn't going very well. You will see why in the letter.
Well my laundry is done, I should get my shirts before they wrinkle.
I love you so very much. Know that my testimony has grown so much. I love this gospel and I have had such a great relationship with my Heavenly Father and my Savior. They are great and the church is great. Love you tons and tons. Hope all is well.
love, Elder Walker.
p.s. one of my Elders is from Dedam, England and is writing Chelsee. It's great!
another p.s. Please send me packages!! My Elders are getting snacks and stuff from home and I'm jealous! I need something!
Today is Prep Day and the first time I've had a chance to get online to write you an e-mail. All is well with me. I love the MTC!! It is so great! I really love the spirit and the blessings I see in my life daily as I serve the Lord. The spirit is so strong here. There is never a moment when I don't have the spirit burning in my heart. I think it is because this is dedicated land.
My teachers are great! I have two of them, Sister Walker and Brother Laubaugh. They have been such an inspiration to me. I have grown to love and appreciate them and their spirit.
My district is great! We are all Elders with 5 companionships. I have been called as the district leader by my Branch Presidency. I have had the calling for a week now and have loved every minute of it. Being district leader is challenging but yet super rewarding. I have been blessed with the love for all of my Elders and do all I can to help them succeed. I had the chance to interview them and know of their struggles and their weaknesses but love them so much that I want to do all I can to help uplift them. The spirit has been so strong with the calling as well. I always know answers to questions and concerns. I know I wouldn't have answers if I wasn't called as their distric leader.
We went to the temple today. What a blessing to have the Provo Temple so close. I loved it! What a great break from MTC life and just go and soak up the spirit.
I wrote a letter today that has more details about my life here and my companion. Please pray for my companionship, it isn't going very well. You will see why in the letter.
Well my laundry is done, I should get my shirts before they wrinkle.
I love you so very much. Know that my testimony has grown so much. I love this gospel and I have had such a great relationship with my Heavenly Father and my Savior. They are great and the church is great. Love you tons and tons. Hope all is well.
love, Elder Walker.
p.s. one of my Elders is from Dedam, England and is writing Chelsee. It's great!
another p.s. Please send me packages!! My Elders are getting snacks and stuff from home and I'm jealous! I need something!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
A Thought From Chelsee 10-29-2009
It is SO COOL having another missionary in the family. I can feel it. I can't describe the feeling but I can feel that he is serving right along side me. I have been thinking about him all day and thinking, "oh, this is probably what he is doing right now" and "oh, I hope he likes this part".... etc. It is bringing back floods of memories from the MTC. I feel like I was just there last week. It is unreal to me that I have been out so long. Dad, almost 14 months. I cant even get a grasp on that. I AM SO FREAKING TERRIFIED OF COMING HOME! I'm just not going to think about it. I was joking around with President the other day and he did say something about me staying till 2011. I told him that I would just extend till the end of their mission and then I would just fly home with them!!! He thought it was a great idea!
It's Time for a Sister Walker Update!
Okie Dokie - let's get an update on Chelsee:
I have never felt so exhausted in my life. I have also never felt the spirit so strong in my life!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't even know where to begin. The Book of Mormon challenge was life changing! It was hard but it was SO worth it! It was a lot like running a race. I started off strong on Monday morning and finished off even stronger. Of course I could only sit for about 20 minutesat a time so I did a lot of standing and walking around as I read. By the time 3 am hit, I was pooped. I am pretty sure I actually fell asleep while standing up and I almost fell over a couple of times. I decided to take a quick shower to wake up and that helped a ton. Then around 5 I decided I needed a quick 30 minute nap then it was back to reading. Luckily it was pretty windy outside so I went out on our balcony and the wind blowing in my face kept me awake while I read and read. I hadn't quite finished by the time we needed to go out on Tuesday evening so I decided to save the last chapter for when we were at the church on Wednesday morning. I was able to go into the chapel to finish reading and when I was finished I went into a corner and prayed. I didn't have to pray to ask if the book was true because I had already had that witnessed to me. I just thanked Heavenly Father for the incredible testimony that he has allowed me to have! I KNOW IT IS TRUE!!!!!!!!! I had never done something that took so much out of me but every inch of energy that I used to read was replaced 100 fold by the spirit! I am so filled with the spirit right now that I could just.... well, I don't know....We were at the church for a zone meeting and that is where the spirit hit me like a ton of bricks. Each of us took some time to share our testimonies of the Book of Mormon. I'm pretty sure there wasn't a dry eye in the room by the time we finished. Being in a room with 21 stalwart young men and an incredible companion, while listening to testimonies of the Book of Mormon, would change even the stoniest of hearts. I wish you could have all experienced what I had yesterday morning. I always thought that I had experienced a burning in my bosom before but it was nothing like what I felt yesterday. It changed my mission and it changed my life.
We have 4 baptisms this weekend! I am SO SO SO Excited for all of them! They have been the most prepared for baptism of all the people I have taught!!! So amazing! We are still receiving
Blessings like CRAZY! Heavenly Father is leading us right to his elect! I am constantly amazed!
I'm a Proud Mama!!! I LOVE SISTER JOHNSON!!!!!!!! Oh man, I am so blessed to be serving with such an incredible missionary. She is making this whole training thing a piece of cake! She has an amazing testimony and she is constantly happy! I couldn’t have asked for a better baby! We are having such a great time together and we are working our batooties off!
Holy Moly, it is finally cooling down. It has been right around 100 degrees the past couple of days and it has been so nice! Yes, I know, I am crazy and the heat has gotten to me! I never thought I would think that 100 degrees was nice weather... but it is! In fact, this morning at 6:30 it was only 75 and it was CHILLY! I had to put on a sweater to go outside and I considered turning on the heater as we drove to the diner for breakfast... but, don't worry, I didn't.
During Sunday school on Sunday my mind started wandering like it usually does when I am in a confined space for more than a half hour. Don’t worry, it was wandering to good places. I started thinking about one of our investigators, Craig, and his ex-communicated wife, Donna. They have been doing so wonderful the past couple of weeks. Craig had been sober for 11 days and Donna is just plain ready to get back into the church. As I was thinking about them, baptism popped its way right into my head and I couldn’t help but start thinking of different baptismal dates for Craig. November 21st kept coming to mind so then I said a silent prayer and asked Heavenly Father if that was the date for Craig to be baptized. He said yes, yes, YES! As soon as Sunday school was over, I turned to Sister Johnson and said, we need to go set Craig for baptism right now. She looked at me and laughed a little and then said, okay, lets do it! So we ran out to the car, drove to Donna and Craig’s, jumped out of the car, knocked on the door and… no one was home. I said another little prayer asking Heavenly Father to provide some sort of way because I had felt so prompted to set them right then. About 30 seconds later, they pulled into their driveway. I was ecstatic! When they got out of their car, I told them that we had something we needed to talk to them about. They were a little hesitant but said ok and we went into their house. We said a prayer and then I just blurted, out, “we feel impressed to set you for baptism on November 21st.” I wish I could have had a video recording of their faces at that exact moment. We talked it over a bit and then Craig said Yes and Donna said that she would like to talk to the bishop and make plans to be baptized on that date as well!!!! WAAAAAAAHHOOOO!!!!!
Mom, it has been FREEZING here the past couple of days. Like in the mid 50's. Now, I know that that isn't that cold BUT, I have become a desert wimp and I AM SO COLD! Luckily I have my coat... I just need to crack out the gloves and such. I guess I've just been here long enough that my blood has thinned out and when it gets down to 65 I freeze my batootie off. I cant even imagine snow right now. I heard that you are getting hit pretty hard today. I get my weather updates from the old guys at the diner on Thursday mornings! They are excited for the snow to hit the Rockies because that means that we will have water here next summer! Wahoo! I like snow for that reason but otherthan that snow is BLAH!
What a roller coaster 7 weeks we've had around here... Tyson received his call and he has now entered the MTC on October 28th. Between the trip to Utah for him to receive his Endowment in the Bountiful Temple, doing his shopping, creating announcements, planning an open house, receiving all kinds of guests, etc... Phew! I think I need a nap!
It was a difficult good-bye this time for me. In the past as each of my children have gone off to school or on a mission and there was still someone at home to turn my attention to. I've noticed that as the oldest child left home, the next one in line had a chance to blossom. This time - ??? But now - there are no other children at home to turn my attention to. (besides the grandkids, but they have a mom) It makes me feel old and I'm not so sure I want to be old.
Anyway - Tyson is safely at the MTC. Chelsee is working her tail off on her mission in Vegas. Devin and Lianne are healthy and fine... they are coming over next weekend to go to see Wicked with us at the theater. Britnee and Adam are doing well, and of course my absolutely darling grandchildren are such fun!!!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Elder Walker
Elder Tyson Walker has been called to serve in the Idaho Pocatello Mission
He will enter the MTC in Provo, Utah on October 28, 2009
He will enter the MTC in Provo, Utah on October 28, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
My Happy For Tyson Tears!
OK - I just got word from Bishop Walker who just checked the Church's missionary website and just found these words posted next to Tyson's name:
That means Tyson's missionary call has been made and now we just have to wait for the mail!
We're expecting the call to arrive in the mail on Thursday September 3rd (Happy Birthday Georgeene!) Tyson has already made the plans for the "Opening"... He's invited the two Elders currently serving in our ward, several of his friends (members and non-members) and he's now figuring out the logistics of the many cell phones that will be connected to family.
Wow! I didn't know I was this emotional - but I'm sitting here in my office at work in tears! It's a great day for a mom!!!
Elder Tyson Walker - Call Letter Sent
That means Tyson's missionary call has been made and now we just have to wait for the mail!
We're expecting the call to arrive in the mail on Thursday September 3rd (Happy Birthday Georgeene!) Tyson has already made the plans for the "Opening"... He's invited the two Elders currently serving in our ward, several of his friends (members and non-members) and he's now figuring out the logistics of the many cell phones that will be connected to family.
Wow! I didn't know I was this emotional - but I'm sitting here in my office at work in tears! It's a great day for a mom!!!
Sister Walker's At It Again... August 27
Just read Chelsee's enthusiasm! She's so on fire and so loving being a missionary!!! Wow!
- Life is good. Life is SO SO SO SO SO GOOD!!!!!!!!I just want to dance around and sing all the time because I am so happy and life is so amazing!!!! Hey, did you know that THE CHURCH IS TRUE?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well folks, I am here to tell you that IT IS!!!!
- We have seen so many wonderful miracles the past week!
- First of all, last Friday we were teaching Jake and at the end of the lesson we asked if he had any further questions and he said something like this, "How long does it take before I can get baptized, I mean, I use to think that I didn't know enough and that I had to gain all of this knowledge before I could get baptized but today at work I was talking with Nick (another member) and he told me that becoming a member of the church is like getting your pilots licence. You can become a pilot without knowing EVERYTHING and once you become a pilot, you still have a lot to learn. So, I feel like I have learned the basics and I know that the church is true and I was wondering, when can I get baptized." I wish I had a camera on my face because I am sure it would have been a priceless look. Jake basically set himself for baptism right then and there. We told him that he still had a bit to learn but he could be baptized on the 29th or the 30th of August. We decided on the 30th and got permission for a waterside confirmation. MIRACLE.... I think YES!!!!!!
- Jake has been on fire since the second we started teaching him (which was just 2 1/2 weeks ago) and we were planning on setting him for baptism during the next lesson but hey, why wait! I didn't think that we would have a baptism this transfer but WE DO!!!!! This week we have been teaching him every night, for two reasons, 1. because we still had to finish his lessons and 2. because we knew that because he is so amazing that he would be hit with the adversary like crazy.... and he has. He has been SO strong through it all. It is interesting how it has come to him as well. He is so stinking solid!Ok, enough of Jake.
- Another Miracle... we went to a baptism that some Elders had on Saturday and we invited DeLoris to come. Sister Snow, a member in the ward picked up DeLoris and brought her to the baptism. While sitting in the chapel after the baptism, DeLoris said, "I think I can hold my breath that long." Then Sis. Snow turned to her and said, "when are you getting baptized?" DeLoris turned to Sis. Little and said, "When AM I getting baptized?" then Sis. Little said, "Well DeLoris we have just been waiting for you to get your answer about September 12th." DeLoris then said, "well, I think that September 12th sounds great!" Then she turned to Sis. Snow and said, "September 12th." We were all so excited!!!!!!
- Who knew, 5 weeks in an area and we have 2 investigators that WE found set for baptism!!!!! I believe in Miracles, Miracles, Miracles!!!!!!
- Transfers are on Tuesday and both Sister Little and I are praying our hearts out that we can stay together in Boulder City... but of course, we will "go and do the thing which the Lord hath commanded..."
- Today we hiked up what they call Black Mountain but really it is just a big hill so I have officially changed the name to Black Hill. It was pretty insane though because it is 109 degrees out today and Black Hill is literally black with lava rock. It is actually a volcano!
- Anyway, I got lots and lots of sun and I think I might be a little burnt! Oops! Oh well, it was fun to be out of proselyting clothes and in shorts and a tee-shirt for a couple of hours!!!
This part of her letter warmed my mother's heart!
- I am so happy, so healthy and SO SO SO in love with Missionary work!
Chelsee's famous closing...
Thank you SO much for your prayers and love!I love you!
Make good choices, don't do drugs and remember to be HAPPY!Love, ME!!!!
Chelsee Update August 23
Sister Walker makes me smile! Boulder City seems to be doing great! Chelsee has only served there for about 4 weeks and when she and Sis. Little arrived, there were no investigators and no dates of baptisms. Just read on to see what's happening now.
________________
When Chelsee heard the news that her younger brother's mission papers were turned in she replied:
- I AM SO EXCITED FOR TYSON!!!!!! I can’t wait to find out who the lucky people are that get to be taught by him! I AM SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW! Oh my Goodness!
Chelsee refers to a sign in front of a Church in Las Vegas:
Warning! Exposure to the Son my prevent Burning! (that subject line was on a sign at a church and it made me giggle!!!!!)
Special trip to Hoover Dam:
- We went on an exclusive tour of Hoover Dam today. By exclusive I mean, EXCLUSIVE. Usually you have to be the President of some country or a famous movie star to get the tour that we got. It was a blast and the best part was that it was free because it was a member who works there that took us! A lot of the movie Transformers was filmed there…
When referencing her work in Boulder City Chelsee writes:
- Boulder City is on FIRE! It is amazing down here! I am so blessed to be serving here along side Sister Little! We have a LOT of new investigators in the Lakeview ward. I don’t know exactly who is praying for the missionary work there (besides us) but they sure are faithful in their praying and their prayers are being answered.
From Chelsee's most recent letter:
- Please sing the following to the tune of Popcorn Popping: I look out the window and what do I see? Invest-i-ga-tors all around me. Boulder has brought me such a nice surprise, investigators popping out before my eyes. I could take a planner full and make a date, a baptismal that would be so great. It I-S really so and it seems to be, that the Lord is blessing Boulder Cit-y.I LOVE SERVING IN BOULDER CITY!!!!!!!!!!!
- Oh my goodness, there is SO much amazing work going on right now. Let me just take a second to introduce you and update you on a few of the investigators in this area!
- ~Lindsey- is engaged to a less active member who comes from and extremely active family. We have been teaching Lindsey for about 3 weeks now. Right now she has been smoke free for 6 days as she is preparing to be baptized in the near future. We haven’t set a date yet because she is getting married in September and is a bit focused on that. SHE is 100% AMAZING!!!! We didn’t even get a chance to teach the second lesson before she started talking about her baptism. She is so ready to make a change in her life. Her Fiancé is being very supportive and is actually becoming active again!
- ~Daniel- is probably the most spiritually in-tune 17 year old I have ever met. He is so in gear and knows just what he wants for his life. He is already talking about going on a mission and we haven’t even set a date with him either. Sheesh, what’s with all of these “golden” people!!!! I LOVE IT!!!
- ~DeLoris- is praying about being baptized on September 12th. She already told us that that date would work but we want her to pray about it first. She has become my newest Grandma and has a very special place in my heart. We have taught her 3 of the lessons and plan on having her set for baptism on Sunday evening. She is too cute!
- ~Damon- have been taken under the wings of the ward members unlike anyone I have ever seen. They are being cared for so well. Their little family is still living in their 20 foot trailer but they have been moved up to a member’s property where they don’t have to pay 600 a month for their spot in the campground. I can’t even imagine being a parent and having to live in such a small space with 4 little kids. They have so much faith that things will work out and that they will be able to find an apartment or a house soon. The ward is looking for a place for them to move soon. Damon has changed a lot since we started teaching him 3 weeks ago. He looks forward to the day that he can take his family to the temple and be sealed to them for eternity. We’ve just got to work on getting him smoke free so he can be baptized!!!
- ~Angelique- is Damon’s 8 year old daughter who we just started teaching last week. She turns 9 in a couple of weeks and wants be baptized. We have had a great time teaching her and getting her prepared for baptism!
- ~Donna and Craig- are doing fantastic. We took some members to their last lesson and it was like peanut butter and jelly. They went together SO WELL!!! The members that we took are converts to the church and they were so perfect because they had been through a lot of the same things that Donna and Craig are struggling with right now. Craig is so excited that he can be together forever with his beautiful wife!
- ~Jake- loves learning about the gospel and is embracing it very well. The members who are fellowshipping him are such a great support and they have been so helpful in helping him understand the gospel!
- ~Tony- has been getting into a lot of anti stuff because we are only able to see him once a week. He is so hungry to learn but has been eating all the wrong foods. He needs a diet. We set him strait every time we go to teach him. He has come a long way since we first met him.
- ~Pickering Family- is a new family that we are teaching. The wife took the lessons about 9 years ago and she is so excited about getting back into the church. She loves to learn about the gospel. She and her husband stayed up really late the other night watching the Restoration DVD and reading through the pamphlets and the intro to the Book of Mormon. I love teaching them!
- These are our most solid investigators right now!!! We have 3 new investigators so far this week and I think they are pretty solid! The Lord LOVES Boulder City too!
- I can’t believe I have already been here for 4 weeks. Time is flying by so fast here. I still haven’t figured out how to slow it down! YIKES! I am loving every single second of being here! I cant wait for our very white, wet September that is coming up!!!!!!!!!
And I couldn't finish this update without sharing one of Chelsee's famous closings to her letters:
I love you all so very, very much!!! Make good choices, don’t do drugs, be happy and remember that Jesus loves you!!!!LOVE, ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Sister Walker Was Transferred!
Chelsee is now serving in Boulder City, Nevada. Here are some highlights from her letters:
- SO… transfers were on Tuesday and………………………………………… I am staying…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. In Nevada!!!! I got transferred to Boulder City, Nevada and I am serving with Sister Little again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Boulder City is right in between Henderson and Lake Mead, in fact, my area covers Lake Mead!! Kinda different. We were double transferred into this area which means that we replaced Elders down here. It is a new experience for me and Sister Little because neither of us have served near Boulder City before… lets just say that I am glad that Dad taught me good navigating skills and that I was blessed with his sense of direction.
- I am excited to be serving with Sister Little again. I know that we are for sure supposed to be serving here together. I couldn’t imagine getting double transferred into an area with a companion I didn’t know. That would just add to the stress level. At least we know how to serve together and we can just get to work!!!! It is a huge blessing. I also know that we have both matured and grown a ton in the past 6 months and we will be able to learn new things from each other!!!!! I am looking forward to round 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- The members here are SO EXCITED to have sisters. We cover 4 wards… yes folks, that is FOUR wards. We haven’t quite figured out how we are going to do that yet, however the members have been extremely helpful so far! I LOVE IT HERE! It is very different from the crazy busy city life I was living just 3 days ago. It is funny how different it is here and we are only 15 minutes from Vegas. The houses here are HUMONGOUS and there are quite a few multi-millionaires in our wards. I already feel loved and at home with the members!
- Oh boy, IT IS HUMID DOWN HERE! Yesterday it was only 112 degrees but I was sweating way more than I was in 120 degrees. Being right by the lake plus everyone here has grass which means more watering equals lots and lots of humidity!! My arms are baby bum soft though. Oh and so is my bum!!
- It actually wasn’t as hard to say goodbye to Paradise as I thought it would be. I didn’t even cry. In fact, I was quite at ease over the whole thing. I think it helped that President gave me a weeks notice. And I just kept in mind that I would be coming back to visit soon!
In a response to some of my questions she said:
1. I LOVE MY NEW AREA!!!!!!!!!!! I love it SO MUCH! I told dad that it is like having kids... you never think that you could love the next one as much as the first and yet you end up falling in love with them all!!!
2. I am SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO happy to be serving here with Sister Little!!! I call this time my repentance time because last time we served together I thought I
knew it all and I thought I was all that and this time I am just me and we are being ditsy together!!! I have loved every single second of serving with her this transfer!!!!! I really think that we have built a friendship that will last forever!3. I am drinking so much water and gatorade that I am peeing like a mad woman!!!!! Oh and yes, the pee is almost crystal clear! Haha! I can definitely recognize when I haven't had enough water.... therefore I fix the problem immediately. Did you know that it is illegal to refuse water to someone here??? We get offered water all the time, it is a great way of getting into peoples houses!!!!!
This week she mentioned:
- I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE Boulder City!!!!!
- Since last week we have 8 new investigators!!!! The member have been praying for quite some time for the work to move foward here and they have also been praying for sisters for a long time. President told us last week that we have been sent here to teach the people who have been waiting for sister missionaries. He promised us that the member would start giving us people to teach because they have been waiting for us!!!! It is so exciting to be an answer to prayers!!!!
- Everyone is so excited to see us here and to have us teach their friends and family! We have also been doing a lot of tracting because we know that right now it is a good way to find people. I used to hate tracting but I have actually really enjoyed it this past week. Sister Little and I are constantly laughing about something.
- We have already been adopted into so many families and have had many many many marriage proposals from the fathers of RM's and other young single men!!!! It has been quite amusing!!!
- Because we cover four wards we have to do splits on Sunday. It isn't the best of circumstances but it works! The wards have also been extremely helpful with the splits! We have been given so much by the members for our apartment. In fact, we have extra! They sure do love us!
And in ususaly Chelsee manner - "I LOVE YOU ALL! Remember that Jesus Loves you TOO! Make good choices, don't do drugs, and be happy!LOVE, ME!"
More Sister Walker
Chelsee on her 22nd Birthday- One of the members in Vegas made her a princess! (Thanks Sis. Elmer)
Chelsee displaying the Three Degrees of Glory for P-day
And yes... this is her dashboard boasting a whopping 120 degrees at 4:13 in the afternoon.
Chelsee displaying the Three Degrees of Glory for P-day
And yes... this is her dashboard boasting a whopping 120 degrees at 4:13 in the afternoon.Sister Walker Photos
Chelsee sent home some absolutely adorable photos... Here she is in front of the Las Vegas temple with Jilian and Jacob - some of her recent convert baptisms.
Family - Life is Good!
Oh to joy of young ones!!! Makes me want to be young and carefree all over again!!! 
Sunday, June 14, 2009
What's Going On In Sister Walker's Life?
Between end of the school year, graduation, dance recital, vacation and life I've neglected to share some of Chelsee's letters. So, here's an update for the past several weeks:
May 21, 2009
May 21, 2009
- Holy MOLY we had a fantastic week last week! We met every single one of our goals for the week! I have never done that on my mission! I was so excited that I called President Sunday evening and told him, he was excited too!!! I know that the Lord is watching over the Paradise Zone and he is placing many people in our paths. The last couple of weeks, the wards have really stepped it up. We are having more lessons with members present (LTM’s) then we have had for a long time. It is awesome!!!
May 28, 2009
- We played dart wars this morning against another zone and then Sis. Jernigan went to lunch at a members home and by the time we got to the computer lab it was closed so we had to come to the library and reserve a time…. In other words… Here I am so you can take a breath and not worry about not hearing from me this week!!!!
- So, we went on exchanges on Tuesday and I was in a Spanish area for 24 hours. I felt like a brand new missionary once again because I had no clue what was going on half of the time. Hermana Alvarez was a great companion to have for those 24 hours and she took great care of me. I love the Latin people because they are so welcoming and they are so loving! We finished off our exchanges by going to the mission home and having lunch. It was all of the sisters in the Valley so we were just missing the four that are in Kingman. It was really fun to have just the sisters there and be able to giggle and have a great time! I really missed Paradise while I was gone. I really, really, really feel like home in my area right now.
- We are teaching so many great people and having a fabulous time. When I do leave eventually, I will feel like I am leaving home again. If I get the chance to bear my testimony in Sacrament meeting it will feel like giving a farewell talk again.
- Oh speaking of Sacrament meeting… Sister Jernigan were the speakers in the Greenbriar ward last week! We talked about how we can come closer unto Christ by understanding the restoration of the gospel. It was the bomb diggity! I’ll send you a copy of the parts I can remember saying…. You know that whole spirit taking over deal, it totally happened and I have no clue what I said for most of the talk! We have received many, many compliments so I guess they went well! I love speaking in church and I was so happy to finally get a chance to do so.
June 4, 2009
- NEWS ALERT: It was 77 degrees outside this morning at 7:30. I haven’t felt 77 degrees since February. We had a Zone breakfast outside and it was so, so, so nice! But alas, it is now 97 degrees at 2:30! Fun, fun, fun!!!
- This is going to be quite the weekend for me folks. Can you believe that it was one year ago this weekend that I opened my call?? And now, here I am! Wow! I can’t believe it at all. It is also my “hump day” next Wednesday! (yep, hint, hint, I will be expecting something good!!!!) Crazy! It actually makes me sick to think that I am half way through but it also gives me the strength to know that I just have to make the next 9 months the best 9 months of my life so far!
- I have enjoyed my letters from Puff and Colee because they are still so brand new in their missions. They help me to remember what the “greeny fire” is all about and it helps me to continue to try to have that fire!
- I am just grateful that I have been so blessed while I have served. I have had good health, mentally and physically, amazing investigators, fantabulous baptisms, stellar companions and a mission president who has become my second father! I wouldn’t change a single thing from the past 9 months and I hope the next 9 are even better!
- On Tuesday we had a mission wide conference call. It was stinkin awesome. I had chills as President did a role call and we were able to hear from every district in the mission. We have NEVER all been together for a meeting at one time. The spirit was powerful! President just wanted us to know that we had broken a lot of mission records the past month and he wanted to remind us to be grateful for all that the Lord has done. And oh boy am I grateful! It is fantastic!
- I LOVE YOU MORE THAN A PB and H SANDWICH! Yup, that’s a big deal because I LOVE PB and H sandwiches!
- Oh yeah, there is only 32 and 1/2 days till my birthday! Just thought you should all know! Happy almost birthday to me, happy almost birthday to me, happy almost birthday to to me-e, happy almost birthday to me!!!!! (Her birthday is July 7)
June 11, 2009
- Yay, I am still in Paradise!!!! So is Sister Jernigan!!!!! We are going to be together for 4 ½ months. That is pretty rare! We are both excited! We did something different though. President called us up the day before transfers and told us that we would be doing a senior swap… meaning that Sister Jernigan is now the senior companion. I think it will be really good for her. I think it will be really good for me too. I need to learn how to lead from behind. It will be a good lesson for the rest of my life.
- Jillian and Jacob’s baptism was incredible, the spirit was overwhelming! Their mom got up and talked about how they will be working toward the temple now. I am very excited for them.
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