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!
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